Trip Report: Sam's Town Las Vegas

Eventually I will post Trip Reports of the 20+ Casinos, mostly in Southern California and the Las Vegas area I have frequented, playing occasional cash games, but mostly playing tournaments.

Sam's Town is located on Boulder Highway, several miles from the Strip and Downtown. The Poker Room has some of the friendliest dealers I have found anywhere.

Room is on the small side..about 10 tables or so.

I don't play much cash games, but I noticed they had a Pineapple Cash game going. For those who don't know, Pineapple and Crazy Pineapple are both variations of Texas Hold Em. In Pineapple you are dealt 3 hole cards, and you have to discard one before the flop. In Crazy Pineapple, you are dealt 3 hole cards but discard one AFTER the flop.

Harrah's Rincon in San Diego County has started Crazy Pineapple tournaments on Saturday and Sunday nights. This was the first time I had seen a Pineapple cash game, though I have heard they play them regularly at L.A. Card rooms, such as Commerce and The Bike.

Typically they had 2-3 cash games going on at any one time..usually 3/6 Limit, 1/2 NL, and Pineapple.

I participated in 3 tournaments and actually won one and cashed in a 2nd.

The Morning 10:00 am tourney is a small one..$23 Buy-in. The interesting thing the first hour it is Limit (starting at blinds of 5/10) and after that it is No Limit.

They also have $55 nightly tournaments at 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. (Blinds starting at 25/50)

Sam's Town does something I have never seen at any casino in Southern California or Southern Nevada, where I play tournaments.

When it gets down to 2 players, the tournament ends! No heads up! I was winning the morning tournament and when 3rd place was sent to the rail I heard "Tournament Over"..I was declared the winner since I had more chips than my opponent..has anyone ever heard of that elsewhere?

Sam's Town is primarily for locals, and they do a good job.

Grading:

Poker Room: B+ (Not big, but very comfortable)

Dealers/Staff: B+ (would be higher as the dealers alone would rate an A/A-, but encountered a surly Poker room manager)

Strength of Players: 3/10 Regulars aren't too tough, though you got to watch some of those 70 yo ladies.

Overall, a fun place to play for low stakes. I prefer it over most of the Strip casino poker rooms.