To make up for the limitation on NL games they offer lots of tournaments. There was a multi table going that had started earlier in the day and they have SNGs going all the time. The SNGs run from $50+$15 (Yes, that’s an INSANE rake) to a whopping $1k+$50. To my suprise the SNGs that went off most often were the $240s and $1050s. The insane rake isn’t limited to SNGs. On the cash games there is a 10% rake which seemed to be uncapped. They also take $1 out of every pot for the bad beat jackpot.
    Between the high rake and the ridiculous play I would say the 1/2 game I was playing would be almost impossible to beat on a consistent basis. There were normally 7 or 8 players to the flop with most of them going ot at least the turn. 99% of hands went a showdown and thenre were often 4 or more playres showing down hands. It’s suck out city. Given the small stakes it’s almost impossible to drive out draws and I saw way too many bad 2 pairs or gutshots or crappy flushes and assorted other hands that had no business sticking around going to the river and winning.
    I got dealt only two premium hands the 3 or so hours I played and they were back to back. I had Kings in early position. I raised and got like 4 callers. Rag rainbow flop.. bet, raise, raise, cap. Three players to the turn which is another rag. Bet, call, call. The river is, of course, an ace. I check, the guy I figured would be the jackass with the ace bets, and the third guy reluctantly calls. I also reluctantly call. I show my Kings, the other reluctant caller shows his tens.. the jackass triumphantly shows his A5o which was nothing until the river. Nice hand sir! (yes, my eyes are rolling) On the next hand I got dealt black aces. The action was much the same with several people calling multiple bets down to the river. Amazingly the aces, which didn’t improve, were good that time and I made back most of what I lost on the kings.
    I’m going to try and get back tomorrow and see how the SNG action is, but I definitely wouldn’t play 1/2 again. I might try 2/2 to see if it’s any closer to real poker, but I doubt it is.

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