Writings from Truckin'

Links

Poker Blogs

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Luxor lowdown

PokerStars has one of their rare (last time was November) reload bonuses of 20 percent, up to $120 (deposit $600, get $120) with 5x FPP to clear and good through March 17. No bonus code necessary.

Likewise, UltimateBet is offering a 25 percent reload bonus, up to $100 (deposit $400, get $100) and also good through March 17. Note that this is what their ad states; when I deposited I was able to go to $125 (deposited $500, got $125). As you play and earn UB points, the bonus money clears incrementally. No bonus code necessary.

Whenever Stars and UB offer reloads, I deposit, wait a day, then withdraw. The bonus stays waiting for a rainy day, as it doesn't expire and stacks. Once other bonuses dry up completely, I'll work off the ones at UB and then Stars.

I'm keeping money available in NETeller because at some point this month, Empire will surely offer a reload.

§

One of the things I promised I'd do if I moved was to start working out.

I finally did a couple days ago, what I hope will be at least three times a week in addition to my weekly three-mile walk with Kathy (very hot today!).

Any time I plan to sit at the poker table for a few hours, I'll try to get in some exercise beforehand.

My whole upper body now aches in that good kind of way. It was actually an effort to toss chips at the poker table last night. Though not quite enough of an effort to prevent me from losing $146 at the suckingest of sucking-out 2/4 tables. Absolutely nothing held up.

If I'm going to be exercising, I need to work on my diet. Or perhaps that can excuse my diet.

The past three days I've been by Sonic for their delicious Island Fire burger. Last night I had it with a cream pie strawberry shake. The night before, with a banana split.

My logic is I need to order this Island Fire as much as possible before it goes away. Just like purchasing 10 quarts of Edy's limited edition apple pie ice cream a few years back. Not only did I have enough ice cream to last me the whole summer but it was the limited edition apple pie flavor no longer available in stores. Oh, was I the envy of friends who missed out on this ice cream boat.

I can't get enough of Sonic. Maybe the perky girls on rollerskates have something to do with it.

§

If you play 15 hours of poker at Luxor between Tuesday 8 p.m. and Tuesday 7 p.m., you're qualified for a $3500 freeroll on Tuesday at 7 p.m. and a $3000 drawing on Wednesday at 7 p.m. (There's an additional drawing on Sunday that I missed, so I don't have info on that one.)

Ask the desk for an index card, they put your name down as well as the date and time. You return the card when you clock out. The next time, give your name and they'll bring your card to you. Once you hit 15, you don't need the card anymore. You'll get a new card to clock the 15 hours for the new week.

(Might be a little easier if you could just have your player's card swiped, but the casino as well as poker room is a bit behind the times.)

Luxor would rather continue raking games than to set aside tables for the tournament, so the freeroll never happens. They chop the $3500 evenly among the people who put in 15 hours the previous week. This Tuesday, it came to $75, and $5 seemed to be the standard tip.

On Wednesday, there's a drawing from a $3000 prize pool. You earn tickets by pulling pots above a certain amount ($30 in 2/4, $50 in NL). The first few places are awarded a share of $1400; the remaining $1600 is left as a freeroll for those who've played 15 hours the previous week or who've played 6 hours the past couple days.

My entire five hours playing 2/4, I won one pot greater than $30 and received one ticket. I'll try this next week and will stick with 4/8 or NL. It's not worth dropping limits just for the tickets.

This Wednesday freeroll doesn't run either, and it was chopped equally for $45 (I tipped $5 again, but people didn't seem to be tipping for this one).

After tips and assuming the amounts stay consistent week to week, that would be $6 per hour for playing poker. A very nice comp rate geared toward locals.

The rules are a bit convoluted and they don't give out copies (though they're posted in the poker room). And I sense a general reluctance of information on these freerolls getting out, because it would drop the chop.

These amounts (along with $20 for quads, $50 for straight flushes, and $100 for royals) all come out of the $1 jackpot drop at every table.

With each of the rake boxes holding about $1000 in $1 chips, it gives you an idea how much money they're pulling in from poker.

It's about time poker players got comps. Just wait till Wynn!

TAKE ME BACK TO THE MAIN PAGE...