Yesterday I visited 4th Street, the club Jen Mason wrote about last month, to play the 30 freezeout they currently hold every Thursday.
As Jen accurately reported, the club is nicely air-conditioned, comfortable, friendly and (thankfully) non-smoking. I can also add that the bar upstairs (in a private member's club called the Cricketers) charges 3 for a pint of lager, 2 for a pint of coke and has a terrace area for those pleasant summer evenings waiting for the tournie to start.
There weren't many runners, with the organisers citing the heat [note for non-Londoners, yesterday was more Cannes than Camden in the capital]. I'd also guess that Tiffany 'Gutshot Girl' Williamson's progress at the WSOP meant a few players had decided to sample the sweaty, smoky atmosphere of the Clerkenwell-based cardroom instead.
The game - we started with 2500 chips and 20 minute levels for the first two hours, then 15 minute levels.
Dan the manager listened and acted on the changes we suggested to the blind structure after several players on the final table objected to the sudden rise in blinds after level six. 25/25 25/50 50/100 75/150 100/200 150/300 was due to be followed by 300/600 600/1200. This then became 250/500 400/800 600/1200 800/1600 at our request, ensuring all-ins were kept to a minimum rather than rapidly becoming the only option available to fire back at a raiser.
Several of those that were knocked out appeared to settle down to some lively sit 'n' gos, although I unfortunately missed out on that action as somehow I stumbled my way to victory in the main event, which was nice.
The game was a reasonable standard and quite friendly, while still maintaining enough of an edge later on to make it interesting for 'natural competitors' and I will definitely be recommending it.
After talking to Dan briefly at the end of the evening, I'd suggest the Tuesday 10 rebuys for improvers and 'net freezeout players wishing to play 'intelligent' rebuys (perhaps Jen, having played a Tuesday, has more advice here?).
I can also recommend the Thursday 30 event to experienced players interested in a friendly small-stakes social game. I believe TV cameras are involved on the 21st - so no chance of a repeat then
One gripe - what happened to the final table sandwiches I read about?
Otherwise, classy.
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