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Disclaimer: I do not work for the BB, but I am a reg.
SUMMARY: BB is the farthest poker room from where I live; I live closer to the Lodge, Diamante, SACH, the Office, etc. Yet, I still choose to drive 30 minutes to play at BB more than any other poker room in SA, especially for cash games. There are a few nitpicks here and there and slight annoyances, sure. But all in all, this is the absolute best poker room in SA that is not among the "big boys", hands down. I believe the BB has the potential to be the best room in the city. All the pieces are there -- the staff, the management, the room's ambience, the location. They just need more customers. If you haven't gone yet, give the BB a shot. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
PROMOS: The Big Blind (BB) is far and away the best in town in terms of promos. It's not even debatable. On Friday and Saturday nights, they have $500 high hands every 30 minutes from 7pm-12am. After crunching the numbers, assuming 4-5 tables are running (standard number on Friday/Saturday nights) and assuming you play all 5 hours at $12 per hour, they are GIVING you approximately $40 per high hand night to show up. That is an unbelievable deal.
That is by far their best promo, but there are other really solid ones as well. If you play in their weekly 12k GTD Wednesday tournament, you are given 4 hours of free cash time and two free drink tickets. There's also the spin the wheel promo and their smaller, hourly high hand promos they offer on Tuesday and Thursdays.
They also got you covered if you are military --> $10/hour instead of $12 AND military (+ first responders) play free on Mondays.
They do take a 10% cash drop up to $4 per pot, which is a bit unfortunate, but understandable given the promos they offer. Even then, if you play during the high hand promo or with free time on Wednesdays and Mondays, it is still more than worth it. BB also offers players $2 in comp dollars per cash hour that can be used on ANYTHING (merch, drinks, food, etc.). This helps lessen the cost of that promo drop. I find that I usually will get to eat for free if I play a 6-7 hour session, and get a drink. That's the best comp program in town.
DEALERS: The dealers have improved over the last few of months, to the point where I would say most if not all of them are on the same level as The Lodge and SACH. If you are concerned about the quality of dealers based on early reviews, don't be. It is no longer a concern.
GAME QUALITY: I think the games are a bit softer than other spots around town, ESPECIALLY weekend nights. There is a bar directly next door, and it is common for complete newbies and/or fish to drunkenly stumble into a game. But even not on weekend nights, most players are pretty loose and passive.
FOOD/DRINK: The waitresses are awesome, but the food is pretty low quality if I'm being honest. It's all bar food, and is brought in from the bar on the other side of the shopping center that the same owners own. It's not bad, but you're not going to find a wide assortment of chef-quality dishes like you do at other spots.
MANAGEMENT: It has been clear to me since day 1 that management is absolutely superb. They weren't perfect right away, of course, but they had a vision and are doing everything they possibly can to achieve it. They listen to player feedback. They are also offering the killer promos mentioned before, and are all SUPER professional. They act exactly how you would want the floor to act in a well-established casino -- this is something often lacking even in established rooms around town, not to mention other lesser frequented rooms.
ENVIRONMENT: This is the closest any poker room I have visited in SA has felt to the Vegas casino experience, and I think that is a good thing. So many rooms feel almost warehouse-like with little care for decoration/ambience. And honestly, that's fine. I am probably like most, and really only care about the poker, but a cool environment can't hurt! BB nails the mood and theming.
GAME SELECTION: As is an issue with all rooms without a ton of customers, game selection is usually limited to 1/2 NLH MTS, with very occasional 1/2/5 PLO games and 2/5 NLH games breaking out. But normally, don't expect anything but 1/2 NLH.
MISC Stuff:
* There are only 4 single-use bathrooms (3M, 1F) in the building. Not really an issue with their currently clientele, but could be in the future if they size up.
* The Big Blind hosts daily blackjack tournaments. It is $30 to enter and GTD $250 to 1st place. It's a lot of fun, and pretty cheap/accessible, even if you are not an expert like myself. This is currently the only place in town you can go to LEGALLY scratch the itch for some BJ.
* There is an upstairs balcony with 6-7 tables that they NEVER USE. WHY??? Big Blind staff, if you are reading this, please put tournament final tables or big cash games up there. That would be so cool!
