Thinking of opening a poker lounge... Need opinions!!...

Hi... New to the site and just wanted to say its awesome!!

Anyways, I live in Las Vegas, NV and I have been thinking about opening a Poker Lounge of my own and I am trying to get people's opinion. The main thing I am worried about is that, when you are playing at a big casino, drinks are free... Completely free... Now being that I am going to be a small business, I wont be able to do that. I do plan on having very cheap beers, and bottle service that beats any price in Vegas. I plan to have a "happy hour" and tournament prices and things like that. I am basically on here to get some opinions from people if they would rather go to a local poker lounge with a bar, some T.V.'s playing sports, some music, almost a party atmosphere... Or would you rather go to a Casino and play? Any and all responses would be greatly appreciated!! Please spread the word about this post so I can get as many as possible..

Thanks Again
-Jesse

Personally, I'd play if the rake was low. But most people are not like that... so I don't know

Thank you for your response... The average rake is 30% in town so I was thinking along the lines of 20-25%

How does that sound?

whats the cap?
which limits do you plan on having?

Most non casino places over rake. They will say something like 10% up to $5 for cash games but almost always take more. Also most poker clubs, their 1/2 does not play like a 1/2. Always more action, more stacks.....n more rake! Thats why when playing live I don't trust places besides casinos or home games with friends. For me, two criteria need to be met. the most important is fair rake and second is a pool of whale/donks that regularly visit. I could care less about drinks/tv/etc. Then again most people you will find around these forums arent your average live player looking for a good time.

Well, Considering I live in Vegas, and people are so used to the rules here, I might just go with the standard 3 Raise Max, But if players would like to do more, I would be O.K. with having one table with no cap at all... As for the Limits, it would probably range from 2-4 To 50-100 Limit and 1-2 To 500-1000 NL

It would just depend on how many people wanna play high stakes to make a table for it...

I plan to have 15-20 tables, So I can accommodate to pretty much anyone.. But the most popular 2-4 Limit and 1-2 to 25-50 NL would carry on most of the tables... If I am making a bad choice here, Please let me know!!

Thanks
-Jesse

I guess I should check out a local poker lounge... I have just played in casinos and I don't even know of any local places here. I am going to obviously do ALOT of research because I'm not even sure how the rakes work exactly, I just watch the dealers and see them take so much when the pot gets to a certain size.. I can make one promise though, and that is, if I say 10% rake, thats what its going to be... I dont plan on opening this place and putting my heart/soul/money/life into it, to have people stop coming over something stupid like that. and as far as the donks, you want them? or you dont? didnt really understand that, and as far as that goes... Theres really nothing anyone can do about bringing in people like that... or if there is, let me know... LoL

3/6 limit in a casino had 10% rake last time I was in vegas

idk of course the people here care about rake a lot more than people who are not serious about poker

That's you in the av right?

Yeah... Why?

Just checking, avs are supposed to be self portraits.

Are you trying to be funny? I dont dwell on the small stuff bro... Its the only pic I have on my computer..

Dont Hate Wink

And to pre-empt your "internet haters always hate! come say that shit to my face" you look like a douche bag. And I won't say it to your face, because it's not worth getting into a physical fight over AND neither one of our lives are going to be altered in the slightest by either one of my posts.

So take all of that for what it's worth!

also, i'm drunk

Ok, this is getting WAY off the subject!!! I'll change my av if it distracts you guys this much! Anyways, can we get back to the subject at hand?

Thanks,
Jesse

haha sorry about that, i left this window open because part of drunk me felt guilty!

I'd hit it

are you buying good tables? or cheap ones? maybe you could find a local carpenter to make you some..they're real easy to do...and you can design the felt sigs or pics that go on.

where is it gonna be located at?

I'm no hater...but definitely lose the Mohawk.

is it gonna be a bar with some poker tables available or is it gonna be a poker room with a really sweet bar?

{moved from Blogs & Ops}

From what I understand, having never been to vegas, you cna't under rake the tables because Rake is your only income. If people are drinking freecheap and you have no other gaming to supplement or take from players, income will be tight.

You actually may want to spend some time at a room before actually thinking this is a good idea. You may also want to look into licensing fee's start up costs, monthly expenses for staff, rent and insurance. We would all love to do somehting like this that we enjoy, but want has never been the best business plan.

GL

You should check out Jack's Bar.

From a business perspective, you should really really write a detailed business plan before doing anything. There are programs to help you do it, but I think its simply the most important step in opening any business. Then get someone to review it with you and change things as needed. Good luck!

If i lived out in vegas id probly hit up something like that every now and then. I think its a good idea but you just gotta go about it the right way like allabout said. Good luck hope it works out for you.

I do agree it'd be a great place for poker players to hang out. I'd be going there for sure. But as the business owner, you really do need to realistically crunch the numbers and see if it's a profitable venture for you.

Seems that the last few posts are saying the same thing in different ways.

First off, thanks for all the responses!!

I have actually started doing some research and plan on writing a very professional business plan. This is going to be a very well thought out process because I sure as hell don't want it to fail... As far as your question gorilla, it's gonna be a sick ass poker room with a sweet bar!! About the poker tables, I was going to compare prices with having one built and buying the nice ones with the shuffler and all because I had the idea to add iPod docks into the arm rest of the tables so you don't have to worry about it dying... I hate that with my iPhone!! Anyways, about the rake, I would definitely not under rake, if anything just have the same as every casino in town which is 10% up to $4 or maybe $5 because I'm not a huge casino... I need a little more help Wink

. The drink situation I would have to figure out after 6 months or a year if I could afford to do "happy hours" and maybe free drinks during tournaments or something... But in the beginning, I could atleast match the local bar prices which aren't bad, 4 or 5 bucks a beer... But I know that if a table wanted to buy a bottle to share, I would be the cheapest in town!! Anywhere you go, absolut is 4-500 bucks.. I could do it for 150-200... I'm enrolled in a couple business classes to start in January and I plan on doing a few months of research, it probably wouldn't be a year before I get started, so I can be completely prepared... Please feel free to comment on any of this info...

Thanks!!
Jesse

Seems like u got the right idea. I say charge same rake as other casinos in the area might SLIGHTLY less just because lol. As for the drinks situation make it like a dollar less a beer than bars around and ull have business ALL day

I hate paying rake/or time. Cover charges suck along with expensive beers and over priced bar drinks that are shitty.

I do enjoy watching HOT babes walk around. So,If there was alot of HOT women, with decent priced drinks and a small cover charge, with a little less rake taken out, and NO SMOKING. I would be there every day!! But I live in NewEngland and we only have 2 casinos to play at.
Good Luck.
I think Everything has to be a good Value, and you will have alot of people there. Then when you have alot of people there you are really asking for trouble if you dont have very good security.
Seems to me it would be very hard to compete with all the Casinos in the area?

Well, the only bad thing about casinos (well not bad, just not my style I guess) is that they are VERY conservative and "by the book" I like to feel comfortable and laid back like I do at my home games. That is the atmosphere I would try to capture.. A shoot the shit type of place... And the security factor I have thought about... That is the only thing that concerns me cause they are not cheap.. I'm a bartender at a club and I asked them how much they make, and they said around 14-17.00 an hour... That's an expensive cost... Dealers are cheap cause they make minimum + tips... So as far as security goes, I'm gonna have my work cut out for me... Thanks for the feedback guys... Keep it Comin please! Smile

Jesse

Oh, and as far as a cover, I don't think I would charge a cover... That seems unfair to me.. I would just use the same rake as the casinos.. That way your not losing anymore money to rake than anywhere else, it's basically just the atmosphere of your choice that would make or break the lounge.. I would think i'd have a good chance that people would want to come to my place.... Just for the laid back atmosphere.. And I do plan on having cocktail waitresses for the players...

Thanks again!
Jesse

I can't really give any good advice because it's outside of the scope of my knowledge, but I'm really interested to see where this goes!

Well thanks for all the feedback... And I will definitely keep you all posted on how things are going... It's gonna take a while, my business classes aren't finished until June of 2009 so that's when I'll probably start getting my licenses and such... Until then, I'm gonna just research everything to make it as fair and perfect as possible, and pay off all my debt to make it easier to get a loan... Thanks again, and if anyone thinks of anything to add, please do, I need all the info I can get....

Jesse

What about a massage girl? My local poker club has two Hispanic massage girls who also serve food/drinks and they are smokinnnnnn, dressed proactively a bit as well. They give massages to players for $1 a minute + w/e tip the players give (in chips). The house actually TAKES 1/3 of w/e the girls make cuz they end up making soooo much at the end of the night and since its in chips, they can never short the house. Just a thought.

Wow... I did have the idea of having a massage girl, but I never thought of making money that way, I was just gonna let one come in to attract more players.. Thanks Alot! Very good idea!!

Thanks again!

Jesse

whats the time frame of this place to be built?

and i think people who come to visit should get a free drink if they are from ftr!

Well, like I mentioned before... I am taking 2 business management classes starting in January, and they are over in June.. So while I am in school, I am going to do ALOT of market research, and try to pay off all my debt (truck, hospital bills, etc.) I'm also going to take my time and write a very professional business plan. When my classes are over, I should be ready to start getting my licenses and loans.... So all in all, I would say a year to a year 1/2.... And if anyone from FTR comes in, they for sure get a free drink, and a freeroll into a tournament!!!! You guys have been so helpful so far and I can't wait to share my progress with you guys! Thanks again, and please, if you have anymore thoughts, criticisms, or ideas, please post them!

-Jesse

Sweet! Ill be 21 in a 3 years hopefully you'll have it open around that time and Ill bring all my Marine buddies and we'll go hoot it up in your lounge. Sound good? You'll make a year's profit off of all the drinks and "massages" we'll be getting lol. Hope it works out.

Dustin

O and wut r u going to name this monstrosity of yours? lol. Just curious.

Whoa whoa whoa!!! I was messing around with you when I said monstrosity lol. Dude I think its a brilliant idea! I can't wait til I'm old enough to be able to go to Vegas. I'll be hanging out at your place all the time. Besides... I'm bringing you business!!! lol

Ok, so I feel a little uh..... Retarded right now... LOL I didn't even realize that those messages were from the same person... I'm checking and responding to everything on my iPhone so I don't usually see the av's.. I don't understand how he went from wanting to come with his buddies to calling it a monstrocity....? I do apologize.... Your still welcome bro... LOL

-Jesse

the monstrosity was just a joke Razz

sorry if it offended u. my bad Very Happy

I understand that now that I know it came from the same person... LOL I didn't see that because I'm on my phone... So that was my bad.... No hard feelings on my part...

Jesse

Ideas all sound great and I really hope you can pull this together but to be a succesful business you need to find something you offer that other places in the area don't. It sounds like you want your competitive advantage to come from cheaper prices. Usually for this to be succesful you need to make up for this in quantity. Liquor licenses are hard to get and expensive here in Cali, I would definabtly look into expenses behind that. Location is also key, if your outside the strip you won't be competing with the big casinos but you won't be able to take advantage of all the tourists.

Just some thoughts and probably incomplete beacause I'm on my iPhone too.

Thanks for the post SantaCruz... I have actually looked into the licenses and it's roughly 4-6000.00 for both the liqour and gaming... As for the location, the strip is beyond ridiculous when it comes to rent... And honestly, this lounge is mainly for locals.. the whole point of this lounge is to give us a place to play and relax, without having to go to the strip.. If you lived here, you would understand... We all stay off the strip as much as possible... Anyways, I just want to rent out a nice sized building that is located close to any food place so it's within walking distance, preferably in the same parking lot.... To have a kitchen and serve food would just be way to much hassle, so I gotta be close to a food source.

Thanks again everyone!! Keep the ideas and questions comin!! It gives me so much more knowledge when I have other players telling me how they feel..

-Jesse

not serving food may be a bad idea. Once people are in your place, you don't want to give them a reason to leave.

*Last edited by RockyMoose on Mon, 24 Nov 2008, 1:13pm; edited 1 time in total*

How old are you? What kind of jobs have you had/do you have right now? Being a small business owner is a lot of work. Do you have business experience? Poker is the easy part; you know poker. Now you need to find customers and make sure the business is profitable.

Make a business plan. Find out exactly how much money you will need for rent, utilities, supplies, fixed assets, start-up costs. What is your monthly expense going to be? Now add in how much money you need to make to live, and there's a starting point.

Now think about revenue: How much do you charge to play? How many hand/people/tables/dealers will you need in order to make your expenses. Oops -- you forgot about dealers -- now you need to hire people, pay wages, get insurance, etc.

Because of the nature of your proposed business, you need to think about security. Are you going to do background checks on dealers? Install cameras? You are going to have problems with cheaters and crooked employees, especially if you are inexperienced at running a game room. They will seek you out.

Good luck with your planning!

Thanks for your post Rocky... To answer your questions in order, I am 24, I was a GM of Dominoes Pizza from 16-19, As far as experience, I dont know if you have read this post all the way through, But I have explained a couple times that I am taking 2 business management classes starting in January-June. Im not as dumb as your making me sound "Oops, forgot about the dealers"?!?! how could anyone think they could open a 15-20 tables Poker Lounge/Bar and not hire dealers/bartenders/security/hostess/cocktail watress?? Cmon bro... Give me a little more credit than that.... As far as a business plan, I have already been researching and looking at others to be able to know exactly what I need to put in it, But I plan to write it while I am in college so I can have my professor look over it.

As far as security, I do plan to have a camera at every table on at all times, and atleast 1 security gaurd on duty at all times. Im sure I will do backround checks on the dealers as well... Even though I am kinda new to this, I do have a realistic idea of what I'm getting myself into. My mom owned a bar in California when i was little, and I remember how much she was gone. I know it takes HARD WORK... atleast until you get loans paid off and the business off the ground.

As far as the projections, I could swear you copied and pasted that off of the SBA website because that is EXACTLY what they have on there.... I know exactly what your saying about that subject cause I have researched it ALOT lately... I literally have gone to work (I am a bartender now) have been the past 3 years, so if I need to bartend for a shift everyday, thats one less employee... anyways I have literally gone to work, come home, research for hours on the computer, then go to bed.. I have had that routine for the past 2 weeks now.. I have learned ALOT... I have also learned that the SBA for some reason, does not back people for a loan if they are interested in opening a "Gambling Establishment" which has put a real rut in my plans because it is going to be very difficult to get a loan without them... If you have some information on how you got your loan... That would be some helpful info!!

To sum up... I am not just some 24 year old kid that wants to open a place to party.. I am taking this VERY seriously and plan to put every ounce of my being into it...

Thanks for reading and again, Thank you for all your posts and I hope they keep comin!

-Jesse

Poker Forum

Join Our Poker Community!

Poker Forum Index

Live Poker

Thinking of opening a poker lounge... Need opinions!!...

Poker Forum Index

Live Poker

Thinking of opening a poker lounge... Need opinions!!...