Poker in LA

Many thanks to Ted for inviting me to post on the LA cash game poker scene from - you guessed it - LA. (What a novel idea.)

I've spent the last 6 years playing live cash game poker recreationally at the various poker rooms throughout the southland. I say recreationally because I do have a day job that pays the bills so I treat poker as supplemental income. This of course assumes that I'm playing well enough to have income vs. losses, which I'm happy to report has been the case for a while now. I've considered quitting to play poker full time but I enjoy my day job too much!

I became friends with Ted a few months ago after playing cash games with him at The Bike and quickly realized that there wasn't a dime of dead money to be won from him. Last month he decided to ditch the LA clan and move to Vegas (hrmph!). It's OK though... Ted's empty seat at the poker table is now filled by a plethora of players who aren't nearly as competent at playing the game as he is, so it winds up being +EV for me. ;-)

Every New Year is a Happy New Year in LA
Cash games during poker tournaments – is there anything juicier? Playing cash games with lots of tournament players playing tournament-style poker is my idea of a good time.

Every January, the Commerce Casino gives cash game players a terrific gift to ring in the New Year - the LA Poker Classic. The LAPC runs from January 24^th through March 3^rd (single-table satellites started on January 7^th) and it represents one of the biggest potential profit months for cash game players in LA.

For some reason, many tournament players who bust out early feel compelled to vent their frustrations at the cash game tables to the delight of cash game specialists at their table. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen huge raises, re-raises or all-in bets pre-flop by guys holding AK or AQ in cash games when tournaments are going on. Hurry! Get that money in now! Blinds are going up soon!

While solid cash game fundamentals can have a positive impact on your play in tournaments, solid tournament fundamentals do not translate well to cash games. The good news is, a boatload of tournament players don't seem to realize that. That’s why it’s always a good idea to play cash games wherever tournaments are being held. This month – the money is at the Commerce Casino.