One of the latest poker rooms to open in Louisiana is at L’Auberge Casino Hotel. This was a much-anticipated room in the Baton Rouge area because of the popularity of the sister casino in Lake Charles. The poker room features eight tables, which run a normal spread of $4-$8 limit hold’em, $1-$3 and $2-$5 no-limit hold’em, and $2-$5 pot-limit Omaha.
A unique feature for this room is the $6-$12 eight-game mix every other Thursday. There are two games that are NL or PL with blinds of $1-$2 and a $200 cap. The mix of games includes NLHE, PLO, limit hold’em, stud, Omaha/8, razz, deuce-to-seven triple draw and badugi. Don’t let the mix of games intimidate you because this is a friendly atmosphere and if you don’t feel comfortable with a game, the players don’t mind if you need to sit out a round for the next game.
One of the regulars who enjoys this fun mix of games is Brock Gary of New Iberia, La. He cashed in the 2011 World Series of Poker razz event and recently final-tabled Event 5 (Omaha/8) at Beau Rivage’s Million Dollar Heater. The L’Auberge dealers are professional and know all of the games, so each round has a smooth flow and there’s not much confusion when playing. If you’re in the Baton Rouge area, check out this poker room as you’re sure to enjoy it.
DEALER SPOTLIGHT: Mandy Robinson, an experienced dealer with exceptional service, has spent her 17-year career in the casino industry at Cypress Bayou Casino in Charenton, La. Starting out with the food-service industry, Robinson worked her way to the table games, then joined the poker room when it opened in 2006. She’s been making customers smile and laugh ever since. Robinson told me she enjoys playing hold’em and Omaha, and with that same friendly smile said, “But nothing beats being a dealer.”
I asked her what she enjoyed most about being a dealer: “Meeting people, getting along with customers and providing happy service.”
I have enjoyed every experience with Mrs. Mandy and for those who plan on visiting Cypress Bayou Casino, I’m sure the experience will be the same for you.
— Matt Stroud is Ante Up’s Louisiana Ambassador. Email him at matt.anteup@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @acadianapkrplyr and visit facebook.com/acadianapokerplay ers.
