RED ROCK CASINO POKER ROOM TIPS

I’ve played poker at the new Red Rock half a dozen times now, and here are some things you may not know:

• Fastest way to Red Rock is 215 to the Charleston exit. The casino is the first right off Charleston.
• Closest parking is the west garage (almost always full) or outside near the Salt Lick BBQ (open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., all-you-can-eat dinner for $15.95). The east garage is where the private gated parking is, for Platinum members and above.
• The poker room will not issue you a player’s card; you must obtain one from the Boarding Pass player’s club (it’s free). This card will also work with table games and slots, and if you lose it, you can easily get a replacement at one of the kiosks by inserting your driver’s license.
• At the entrance to the poker room, you can swipe your card and add yourself to any waiting list.
• You do not need a card to play.
• Games running often included Omaha, 10/20 limit, and up to 5/10 NL. No Stud.
• Red Bull is not served in the poker room, though you can purchase at the nearby bar (I had a free drink coupon and wasn’t able to get a Red Bull at the bar, but was able to get a Red Bull & vodka… they’ve since changed this, too). This leaves Sunset Station the only poker room which has complimentary Red Bull.
• When swiping in, the dealer will see a display showing your first name, so don’t be startled if they refer to you by name. If you don’t swipe in, they see your name as “Guest.”
• The standard $1 per hour comp is credited directly to your card at 600 points per $1 (in slots, this would amount to $600 of playthrough). You can obtain vouchers from the Boarding Pass player’s club or kiosks to redeem points for anything within the casino (restaurants, hotel, gift shop). At the buffet, you can swipe your card directly. All Station poker rooms will eventually follow, converting unused comp dollars at the 600 points/$1 rate. (And no, slot multipliers do not work.)
• Cell phones are now allowed at the table, as long as it doesn’t slow down your action. This, despite the sportsbook being right next door and in full view of certain poker tables.
• The men’s room has only one stall and one urinal. They may as well include a light outside designating whether it’s vacant or occupied. But it’s the only restroom I know of that’s directly inside a Las Vegas poker room.
• Poker magazines are located near this restroom.
• Tables are similar to MGM’s, with dealers swiping players in (you don’t need to swipe out, the dealer will clock you out). As soon as you step up to leave, the dealer will press your button to signify you’re away (and thus, pause accumulation of comp hours). Eventually all Station poker tables will use the same system. The tables are currently active at Red Rock and Texas Station, with Santa Fe Station next.
• The 3rd man walking rule is in full effect. You will be picked up. Plan your bathroom breaks accordingly.
• This system keeps tables full and the waiting list moving.
• If you’ve been tipping well, some dealers may conveniently forget to note that you’re away from the table.
• If switching seats, a good dealer will know how to switch you in the system without having to clock you out and back in again.
• The seats are not adjustable, unlike seats for slot players.
• If you play 50 hours of live poker before the end of May, you’ll be entered into a $300,000 freeroll at Texas Station on June 10-11, with every player guaranteed to win at least $50 (to go with your $50 of food comps). Hours are combined at all Stations played. At the previous $250,000 freeroll, many players accumulated hours by walking, socializing, and barely playing. The new tables ensure all players will have played at least 50 hours. Their log sheets listing hours played are down to the second.
• The progressive jumbo jackpot is increasing 50 percent slower because half the jackpot rake is used to fund the $300,000 freeroll.
• Harrah’s was once considering a similarly linked progressive among all their properties, but they admitted they can’t touch the Station’s jackpots. Harrah’s is instead rolling out high-hand jackpots with WSOP freerolls for 80 hours played within two months, currently running at Harrah’s and Rio.