While playing at Chinook Winds, several of the players were remarking that the dealers often played in the games they were dealing at Apollo's and Moby Dick's. I figured I would check out these places if I could find out where they were.

The next night, I headed back for Rogue Ales, and arrived shortly after 9 pm. I waited...and waited...and waited...and walked the Bay Front, when I noticed that a bar was called Apollo's and listed...gaming! Bingo. I went inside, where I was subjected to some bad karaoke, and went up stairs to the gaming room. There was a single poker table and a single blackjack table. Two guys were sitting on the dealer's side of the poker table. Their chips were generic chips with the name "Gold Coast" on them and a hot stamp that included a dolphin image. They wouldn't sell me one, but told me to come back on the weekend and ask the woman that owned the chips. The gaming was run by a woman who came and ran the games inside the bar. I met her later, while she dealt blackjack to two players, but still didn't play. The chips looked cheap. I picked up some business cards.

At around 10, I went back to Rogues. Shortly thereafter, the man who runs the games for Rogues showed up. He was a nice guy, in his mid to late 20's or early 30's who uses the space (presumably he shares his profits with the bar). He opened the room at a waitresses urging (she knew how long I had been waiting) about 5 minutes later.

Although it was a single room, it was not cramped, and contained two blackjack tables and two brand new poker tables. The only game was $2-$4 hold 'em, and it was mostly filled with locals who knew each other all of their lives. It ran and felt more like a home game than a casino game. The dealer was efficient, though, and everyone was nice, so it was a lot of fun. It was true no fold 'em hold 'em, though, with raises and re-raises on hands like 4-8 suited and jack-6 unsuited, with 6-8 people seeing every flop. I lost a bit, but had a lot of fun.

Due to the informal, home game feel, I felt uncomfortable taking many chips. I think it would be easier on the weekends. I did get some, though!

To be continued...

Michael Siskin