Tiger Tours the Tables in the USA - Table of Contents

10/25/99 monday

let's check out the poker room at the president, about five miles west of the grand. this ship is owned by the same group that owns the president in st. louis, and the president in davenport. once again, the glory and splendor of times gone by is apparent - but the chips are just as dirty, and the rest of the place is just as dissipated as what i found in st. louis. the poker room is upstairs, off in a corner. there are four tables, two of 1-5 stud and two of 1-5 hold 'em. there are two open seats at one hold 'em table, and nolan and i jump right in. the room is kind of smoky, and kind of loud, but the tables are always full. that's because of the $50 per hour high hand giveaway, and the bad beat jackpots offered in the room.

nolan wins a hand with pocket fives making a set on the flop, and i proclaim, "presto!" there's no response. nolan's on a rush. he raises with ace-ten offsuit and gets a couple callers. he flops a ten, bets, and gets one caller. this is an older guy, nearly toothless, who's watching the monday night foot- ball game. the turn brings a second heart. check, nolan bets, and call. the river is the heart ace. check, nolan bets, and the guy throws away his hand. it's the 5 and 6 of hearts. lol!! he was so busy watching the tv that he didn't even realize he had a flush!!

i'd give the room a "c" grade. the atmosphere is somewhat "clubby" although the shift/floor "ray" was a very friendly guy. dealers were good, but definitely tended to favor the regulars (one old codger who wasn't in the hand urged a player, "throw it away! throw it away!", when nolan check- raised with a set on the turn - i objected to the coaching as a violation of the "one player to a hand rule" and the dealer claimed not to have heard anything). but you can't beat the action in this place.

nolan wins a couple stacks of whites, and i lose $25.

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