As I’ve mentioned previously, there’s never a shortage for a tournament series in Los Angeles, with large guarantees and a variety of games. But what if you’re just in town for a few days and don’t have a week to play one event? What if you have a free day or afternoon on a business trip and just want to play some poker without a huge time commitment?
Here’s a summary of weekday or evening tournaments in Los Angeles you may want to explore. In some cases, there’s an opportunity for bonus chips for a dealer or staff tip. I’ve included that in the entry fee since nearly everyone takes advantage of this.
Monday
11:30 a.m.: Hollywood Park, $40, $2,500 guarantee, knockout bounty, unlimited $10 rebuys/add-ons for first 90 minutes.
Noon: Bicycle Casino, $50, $3K guarantee.
Noon: Commerce Casino, $120, $3K guarantee, double-stack turbo.
1 p.m.: Hawaiian Gardens, $35, $8K guarantee, unlimited $10 rebuys/add-ons.
6 p.m.: Commerce Casino, $55, two $40 rebuys allowed in first two levels.
6 p.m.: Bicycle Casino, $50, $4K guarantee.
6:30 p.m.: Hollywood Park, $50, $1,500 guarantee, deepstack, one $50 rebuy.
7 p.m.: Hustler Casino, $100, $5K guarantee, $50 rebuys.
Tuesday
11:30 a.m.: Hollywood Park, $40, $2500 guarantee, unlimited $10 rebuys/add-ons for first 90 minutes.
Noon: Bicycle Casino, $50, $3K guarantee, $10 bounties.
1 p.m.: Hawaiian Gardens, $60, $5K guarantee, re-entry and one $50 rebuy allowed.
6 p.m.: Commerce Casino, $55, $3K guarantee, $20 rebuys first hour.
6 p.m.: Bicycle Casino, $70, $4K guarantee, bounties are $10.
6:30 p.m.: Hollywood Park, $50, $1,500 guarantee, deepstack, one $50 rebuy.
7 p.m.: Hustler Casino, $140, $4K guarantee, deepstack turbo, one $100 rebuy.
Wednesday
11:30 a.m.: Hollywood Park, $40, $2,500 guarantee, straddle allowed, unlimited $10 rebuys/add-ons for first 90 minutes.
Noon: Bicycle Casino, $40, $3K guarantee.
Noon: Commerce Casino, $55, $3K guarantee, two $40 rebuys allowed in first four levels.
1 p.m.: Hawaiian Gardens, $110, $5K guarantee, $25 bounties, one $40 add-on in first three levels.
5 p.m.: Bicycle Casino, $30, $7K guarantee, Quantum Reload Session A.
6 p.m. Commerce Casino, $65, $3K guarantee, deepstack turbo.
6:30 p.m.: Bicycle Casino, $45, $7K guarantee, Quantum Reload Session B.
6:30 p.m.: Hollywood Park, $50, $1,500 guarantee, deepstack, one $50 rebuy.
6:45 p.m.: Hawaiian Gardens, $100, $7K guarantee, re-entry first two levels, two $40 rebuys first three levels.
7 p.m.: Normandie Casino, $100, $7K guarantee, one $85 rebuy.
7 p.m.: Hustler Casino, $140, $4K guarantee, one $100 rebuy.
Thursday
11:30 a.m.: Hollywood Park, $40, $2,500 guarantee, unlimited $10 rebuys/add-ons for first 90 minutes.
Noon: Bicycle Casino, $50, $3K guarantee, $10 bounties.
Noon: Commerce Casino, $120, double-stack turbo.
1 p.m.: Hawaiian Gardens, $35, $5K guarantee, unlimited $10 rebuys/add-ons.
5 p.m.: Bicycle Casino, $30, $7K guarantee, Quantum Reload Session A.
6 p.m.: Commerce Casino, $120, $3K guarantee, Triple Chance.
6:30 p.m.: Bicycle Casino, $45, $7K guarantee, Quantum Reload Session B.
6:30 p.m.: Hollywood Park, $50, $1,500 guarantee, deepstack, one $50 rebuy.
6:45 p.m.: Hawaiian Gardens, $85, $6K guarantee, one $40 add-on and re-entry allowed in first three levels.
7 p.m.: Hustler Casino, $180, $5K guarantee, $50 bounties.
Friday
11:30 a.m.: Hollywood Park, $40, $7K guarantee, unlimited $10 rebuys/add-ons for first 90 minutes.
Noon: Bicycle Casino, $40, $3K guarantee.
6 p.m.: Commerce Casino, $180, $15K guarantee, $50 bounties.
6:30 p.m.: Hollywood Park, $40, $7K/$12K guarantee, unlimited rebuys/add-ons, $12K guarantee first and second Friday of the month, $7K other Fridays.
6:45 p.m.: Hawaiian Gardens, $160, $15K guarantee, re-entry allowed first three levels.
7 p.m.: Hustler Casino, $170, $5K guarantee, deepstack.
Many casinos suspend daily tournaments if they’re running a tournament series. I always recommend checking the website or call ahead if you’re considering playing one of these, or if you want to know about the structure. Casino information can be found on our Where to Play pages in the back of the magazine.
— Dave Palm is Ante Up’s Los Angeles Ambassador. Email him at LA.AnteUp@gmail.com.
