Grading my First Derby City Experience w/trip report (long)

'vette,

It was fun hearing you on the stream and trying to get some love over Nick & John, the "other" professional card players :rolleyes:.

Thanks for taking the time writing out the critique. I have been to the derby but not since they moved, sorry it wasn't up to your expectations. You would have loved the Executive West, except the food wouldn't be rated as high. But you made it home safely so that's a good thing.

Dave

lol, I vaguely remember talking a little poker with them and saying that I play also or something to that effect. Both of them are cool guys.
 
lol, sir, we could visit several of those drunk and I'd come out way ahead of how it turned out at the Horseshoe. Plus, we might even get a little love for that kind of cheese.

Nahhh, for that kinda cheese you'd probably get a little love - I'd get a rolling pin to the back of the head.

Some Casinos are like that - not all. If you want to see a nice one with a great buffet, my favorite has always been The Fiesta in Henderson, Nevada.
 
Vette, I did see you playing in your scotch doubles match in the TAR room (was in the room). And though I wasn't completely sure it was YOU, I guessed it was. If you hadn't been so intent on winning the 5 dollar a man bet I woulda introduced myself, but you seemed pretty focused LOL. I left to sweat something else, and I'm not sure I saw you after that. Hindsight buddy....wish I would have said something now.

I met a few folks in the AZ room, but I know at least two said there were NEW, and I'd never seen a post from them. Seemed like the times I did shoot in there I was ultimately "racking" for an older gentleman named John (from NH??) that I can't recall his screenname, or getting beat up on by Cliff (Boradriver). Both of these two I enjoyed playing, but being dead tired most of the time...sitting and watching them run racks just got me more tired..lol.

Oh well, next time Vette....even if you seem to be grinding to get a fiver off of Beav or Justin. :grin:

Damn man, you should have introduced yourself. I was grinding in those games because the shit talk factor made them worth several hundred, lol.
 
Nice report indeed!

I didn't make the trip this year but if I were the casino and I could verify your losses, I would contact Greg Sullivan and make sure I sent you free passes to all of next year's events. I might even drop a couple of coupons in there for a few well drinks to get you started. :grin:

The AZ Room is peculiar in some of the regards you mentioned but it for a reason. The reason that the people in the room seemed a littl distant is that many NON-AZ room people pass through there, who have not paid their dues and who will make friendly with the people who did pay their AZ Room fee, just to get a chance to play on the tables for free. If you are in the room and a stranger comes in and you get to being friendly with him or her, they are almost guaranteed to ask you to play. If you play with them, you are also practically guaranteed to catch the ire of those who paid their dues to belong to the AZ Room. At least that has been my experience. Those who are AZ members pick up their identification card and clip it one so that introductions can be more easily made. At least that's the way it has been in the past...

Hope you have a better time in the future. The DCC needs customers like you. :yeah:

Jay introduced me to Greg Sullivan and I would certainly accept all free offers, lol.
 
It was nice meeting you vette! Next time we will have to hang out more!

BTW they have room service, I know because that is all I ate for five days.
 
It was nice meeting you vette! Next time we will have to hang out more!

BTW they have room service, I know because that is all I ate for five days.

damnit! I looked in the room guide book and didn't see a menu or anything that said room service. Duped again!!
 
wanted to add that I got to meet and hang out with/drink with John Brumback also, who is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet.

Hey there Mr. Vette.Yeah when I was reading your post I thought,why that little so and so didn't say a word about hanging out with me any.
But now your off the hook of buying ALL the drinks next year.hahaha

Really,you are one very cool dude and I'm glad I got to hang with you some!!! I know everything didn't go your way but I sure hope you come back next year. Maybe I'll let you get in on some of my action If I ever get him down. Ya know It will be sure winner.lol Your friend,John B.
 
I agree, the AZ room was lame. I went in there 5 or 6 times and had the same experience. I would have liked to hit at least 1 ball on the table I paid for, but whatever.

As my first experience at derby, it was pretty similar.

A kept hearing the prices were too high, but living in NYC, they were fine. Im used to paying more for drinks. The only thing I thought was too much was the $30 buffet (though it was very good) and $2.50 sodas. I don't drink a lot of soda, so that wasnt a big deal, but it was a bit funny.

My overall grade was a B. It was a fun time, wish I was there for longer.
 
Great post, man!!!

There were several people I wanted to meet this year but didn't get the chance....I didn't stay as long as I had planned!! Maybe next year.....


Of course, I'm sorta quite anyway in a big crowd...until the juice kicks in!!!:smile:


As much as I have always loved DCC the Horshshoe wears me out compared to the efficiency of Ex. West where you can be in your room and back in 5 minutes....

Would still like to meet ya man If I we are ever in the same place!!

Mentioning Ktown might ruin what rep you have though!!!! lol


I know what you mean about the AZ room too....I did that one year and just wasn't my cup of tea....seemed a bit stuffy!!



Take Care,


Gary
 
1) The pool itself - Grade: A- (would have been A+, but I missed a lot of it)

2) The gambling -Grade: C+ (This grade probably should have been higher and might have been somewhat my fault for not getting into more action)

3) The Venue (Casino) - Grade: C- (I hope that god forsaken boat burns to the bottom of the river before next year)

4) The Food -Grade: B+ (would have been an easy A if I hadn't gotten duped on those nachos)

5) The Pricing -Grade: D- (only thing that kept this from being an F is that the lady behind the counter cut me a deal on a pass one night because I was "cute")

6) The Party -Grade: B- (not sure how this could have been helped at all)

7) The AZ Room -Grade: C-

Overall Overall Grade: C+ (It had a nice rhythm with funky beats, but I just couldn't dance to it)


You asked for other's opinions so I'll give you mine:

1. The pool itself - The play at the Derby is top notch. There are numerous matches every day and night. There are different types of games and different styles of players. This makes for lots of excitement. More than anything else, there is usually one moment in at the Deby that is truly memorable. Usually it's Efren running 8 and outs or a Philipino player giving up more weight than Jared from Subway. This year it was definitely Shane's shot against Niels.
Grade: A+

2. The gambling - there is always more action here than anywhere else period. It was the same this year, but it was more spread out since TAR moved. There are hundreds of people there who will bet $100-$2000 with anyone. I have always enjoyed how easy it was to get wagers and most bettors were actually enjoyable to gamble with win or lose.
Grade: A+

3. The venue - the venue sucks. The Executive was much better, but what are you gonna do. On a positive there is enough room and enough tables.
Grade: C

4. The food - Food at the casino is very good. The only negative I really have is the wait.
Grade: B+

5. The pricing - I have to say that I consider the cost of admission as supporting our sport. The drinks are ridiculous considering the venue. It's much better to bring your own bottle - or like last year bump into someone with the moonshine.
Grade: C


6. The party - I can hardly compare my view on this with yours. I'm a happily married man and the Horseshoe certainly isn't the Country Rock.
Grade: NR

7. The AZ Room - You should have introduced yourself. Everyone there has always been sociable to me. If you actually play while there, it is near impossible to beat playing the whole time for only $25. I will admit that it does seem that there are cliques. I think next year I will make it a point to host an AZ Drinking Room. That really might help.
Grade: B-

Overall:
This year Grade: B+
Every other year with Efren in attendance Grade: A

It really is amazing how much difference one player makes. I really hope Efren and his game recouperates in time for next year.
 
As far as the AZ room goes....I'm not a bashful guy, and will ask for a game with anyone, whether they are currently playing with buddies or not. Plus, of course, I want to put some faces with posters on here. I did however notice, most of the screennames that were given (when I asked), I couldn't recall a single post of theirs. :o What I really found convenient is when I had set up a game elsewhere (for say, midnight), I could go hit a few balls, or play a couple of games beforehand.....that was kinda nice.

If anyone sees me anywhere (AZ room or otherwise), come on up and ask me to play....doesn't matter if I'm in a game at the moment or not. I'd rather meet more folks, and make new friends than focus on winning one set, game, or whatever....:grin:
 
As far as the AZ room goes....I'm not a bashful guy, and will ask for a game with anyone, whether they are currently playing with buddies or not. Plus, of course, I want to put some faces with posters on here. I did however notice, most of the screennames that were given (when I asked), I couldn't recall a single post of theirs. :o What I really found convenient is when I had set up a game elsewhere (for say, midnight), I could go hit a few balls, or play a couple of games beforehand.....that was kinda nice.

If anyone sees me anywhere (AZ room or otherwise), come on up and ask me to play....doesn't matter if I'm in a game at the moment or not. I'd rather meet more folks, and make new friends than focus on winning one set, game, or whatever....:grin:

Sounds like you were in the room when we were all in there goofing around, I don't recall meeting you either. If I did and don't recall I apologize, I had exactly 2 cocktails while I was there and may have gotten a little out of sorts.....
 
You asked for other's opinions so I'll give you mine:

1. The pool itself - The play at the Derby is top notch. There are numerous matches every day and night. There are different types of games and different styles of players. This makes for lots of excitement. More than anything else, there is usually one moment in at the Deby that is truly memorable. Usually it's Efren running 8 and outs or a Philipino player giving up more weight than Jared from Subway. This year it was definitely Shane's shot against Niels.
Grade: A+

2. The gambling - there is always more action here than anywhere else period. It was the same this year, but it was more spread out since TAR moved. There are hundreds of people there who will bet $100-$2000 with anyone. I have always enjoyed how easy it was to get wagers and most bettors were actually enjoyable to gamble with win or lose.
Grade: A+

3. The venue - the venue sucks. The Executive was much better, but what are you gonna do. On a positive there is enough room and enough tables.
Grade: C

4. The food - Food at the casino is very good. The only negative I really have is the wait.
Grade: B+

5. The pricing - I have to say that I consider the cost of admission as supporting our sport. The drinks are ridiculous considering the venue. It's much better to bring your own bottle - or like last year bump into someone with the moonshine.
Grade: C


6. The party - I can hardly compare my view on this with yours. I'm a happily married man and the Horseshoe certainly isn't the Country Rock.
Grade: NR

7. The AZ Room - You should have introduced yourself. Everyone there has always been sociable to me. If you actually play while there, it is near impossible to beat playing the whole time for only $25. I will admit that it does seem that there are cliques. I think next year I will make it a point to host an AZ Drinking Room. That really might help.
Grade: B-

Overall:
This year Grade: B+
Every other year with Efren in attendance Grade: A

It really is amazing how much difference one player makes. I really hope Efren and his game recouperates in time for next year.

You mean Dippy is no substitute for Efren?
 
Don't worry, folks. Vette never grades anything an A+ unless he gets to make it rain.... LOL.

Hopefully I'll get to come up next year, Vette...

Mike
 
Don't worry, folks. Vette never grades anything an A+ unless he gets to make it rain.... LOL.

Hopefully I'll get to come up next year, Vette...

Mike

clear your schedule now my friend. By the way, I DID make it rain, but it was at the blackjack table, lol.
 
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