For those of you that have played Texas Hold'em only on-line or watched it on TV - but have been hesitant to play at a casino with strangers this may be your chance to play with friends (old and new).
It is gambling , but in a tournament (as opposed to a cash game) the only thing you are risking is your "buy in" (which can be as low as $40 to ?).
This casino typically holds Texas Hold'em No Limit Freeze out tournaments- which means when your chips are gone you are watching. The tournament chips have no real value - you may get 1500 in chips, but you get these with the entry fee/buy in. Typically the top 10% finishers get something with the top finisher getting the most and the bottom of the 10% getting his/her entry fee back (maybe plus a couple bucks). You are allowed to drink and even eat while you play (no smoking though in the poker room - just outside the room), you can walk out to go to the WC or smoke anytime you want and your hand is just folded if you are not there. Normally there is plenty of light banter and kidding around - and as people are "knocked out" tables are adjusted to equalize the number of people at tables, and sometimes tables are "broken up" which means a table is closed and people are distributed to the other remaining tables- which (if you last awhile) will give everyone a chance to meet and banter with other players (Crossfire owners) that they may or may not know.
As far as the "pot" - it is made of of everyones entry fee minus a few bucks to the casino for service. (usually the winners also tip the dealer another 10% of their winnings or so).
As a side note - anyone that has watched the WSOP over the last couple of years - this is the casino where Dennis Phillips won his seat in the WSOP final event last year (finished 3rd - 4.5 million) , and this year he finished 45th (like $140,000 or so).
If anyone would like to add or correct that is fine- if anyone would like to ask a question - I will do my best. This game is like 80% luck - as an example - I had a full house today (aces over nines) beat on the river by a nine which gave the other guy quad nines - SOOO - everyone can play and have a very good chance to last or even win- but that is not the point really - it is just fun and a way for people to get to know each other.
Later,
Emforce
