Encore Boston Harbor Casino (Everett, MA) - FAQ in OP

*** Thanks to JStunna for creating this FAQ! Last updated 4 Sept 2019 *** Buy-ins $1/3NL - $100 min $300 max $2/5 NL - $200 min $700 max $5/10 NL - $500 min $1,500 max $10/20 NL - $1,500 min $5,000 max $10/25 NL - $1,500 min $5,000 max $20/40 NL - $5,000 min NO MAX $25/50 NL - $5,000 min NO MAX $50/100 NL - $10,000 min NO MAX $100/200 NL - $20,000 min NO MAX $3/6 LHE - $30 min $20/40 LHE - $200 min $40/80 LHE - $400 min $80/160 LHE - $800 min $4/8 Omaha - $40 min $2/2 PLO - $200 min $500 max $5/5 PLO - $500 min $2,000 max $10/10 PLO - $2,000 min NO MAX $25/25 PLO - $5,000 min NO MAX $50/50 PLO - $10,000 min NO MAX $100/100 PLO - $20,000 min NO MAX $6/12 Stud - $60 min $20/40 Stud - $200 min $80/160 Stud - $800 min General NLHE games are 9-handed. There is no betting line; the racetrack line is a courtesy line. UTG straddles are allowed in NLHE. Double straddles are considered blind raises, and therefore do not get last action preflop if the UTG straddler calls. Most dealers seem to allow players in the hand to talk about the hand when heads up, but no cards may be revealed. Revealing cards during a hand will render the hand ineligible for a bad beat jackpot. 1/3 and 2/5 games do not allow running it twice or rabbit hunting. Rake 10% to $5 max + $1 promo. No flop, no drop. Half rake when there are 5 players or less, although it’s unclear if this is supposed to be automatic or if you have to ask for it to get it, as different staff members have provided different answers. If you’re 5-handed, ask the dealer and he or she will oblige. Bad Beat Jackpot Both hole cards must play for both players. For quads, the hand must be pocket pair (as opposed to trips on the board, the fourth from the player’s hand, and the kicker from the player’s hand). Split is 40%/20%/40% for loser/winner/table share divided for anyone dealt into the jackpot hand. Parking All Encore Boston Harbor guests now receive free self-parking daily on property at the casino and resort. Additional parking/transportation info: https://www.encorebostonharbor.com/trans... (https://www.encorebostonharbor.com/transportation) Points Comps are earned at $1/hr for poker play. Why am I not seeing accurate points listed under the My Profile page of the online portal? Point accrual is active, however, the system isn’t fully integrated yet. The onsite Red Card desk is your best bet for obtaining an accurate report of your point total. PokerAtlas PokerAtlas can be used to register online for all games except for 1/3 NL. The EBH Poker Room made the decision not to open the online waitlist for this game, however, there hasn’t been a waitlist for 1/3 games since the opening few weeks of EBH. Tournaments The EBH staff has stated that tournaments will start in mid-September. Food/drink Tableside food service from the dedicated Poker Grill is available from 10 A.M. until 3 A.M. Encore Boston Harbor Contact Info Questions & Concerns: [email]info@encorebostonharbor.com[/email] Guest Comments: [email]guest.comments@encorebostonharbor.com[/email] Other Contacts: https://www.encorebostonharbor.com/about... (https://www.encorebostonharbor.com/about-us/contact-information)

How are the 2/5 games? Sorry if this is too noob but I've been beating 1/3 for 10bb/hr over a few hundred hours and I find it mostly boring. Aside from the occasional punters wandering in its a lot of super tight nit rocks that its hard to get paid off on anything. I've been making decent profit bluffing regs off their hands by jamming but no one seems to bluff and it feels like a game of bingo.

If you think the 1/3 is full of nit rocks you’ll love the pros tanking and staring you down before folding pre at 2/5

most tilting thing on earth is people who think they need to tank fold pre in order to balance their range so when they begin to tank that doesn't mean they necessarily have a hand worth playing absolute morons

Going for the first time to Encore. Do they offer players accounts to deposit some cash to play? And do they have a currency exchange service? Sent from my SM-A525F using Tapatalk

by rickroll m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58423973#post58423973)

most tilting thing on earth is people who think they need to tank fold pre in order to balance their range so when they begin to tank that doesn't mean they necessarily have a hand worth playing absolute morons

Just reading this makes me want to punch a hole through a wall.

Guy got arrested at Encore https://www.reddit.com/r/poker/comments/... (https://www.reddit.com/r/poker/comments/1ah440i/guy_got_arrested_at_encore/) ...was playing last night and the $10/$10 PLO table was right behind me. There’s a loudmouth Boston looking guy yelling stuff like “Don’t you EVER do that to me again. You don’t do that to me.” at this other dude. Less than an hour later, there’s a commotion and half the table is standing up. There was a massive all in pre 3 ways for ~$20,500 each so it ended up being a ~$62,000 pot. Guy getting yelled at binks the nut straight on the river with QJ98. Loudmouth and another guy lose. In the commotion, the ******* pushes a few stacks of green and black forward and tries to stealthily pocket 8-10 orange $1k chips and some blacks. He then runs off towards the bathroom! The table and floor is in shock as they radio security. Within 15 minutes there’s 5 State police walking the guy back to the corner of the poker room. I think he tried to hide the chips in the bathroom lol, one guy said he saw him in there fumbling chips on the ground. He was eventually cuffed and presumably arrested.

^^ The theft happened over a week ago, but here's (allegedly) the outcome (https://twitter.com/dankness3/status/1753535430408970258?t=epuwxG_A980ZJdd8xhmk1w), for those who don't want to sift through all the "completely standard PLO hand" jokes on Reddit.

Didn't realize until I played today that they literally split the poker room into two areas, separated by penny slot machines.

I can't believe they didn't put a little lounge area for people to wait in in between the two poker rooms. Now people are just sitting at the slot machines not playing it's so stupid Sent from my SM-G981U1 using Tapatalk

Just moved back to the area. Haven't played at Encore since pre-Covid. Is the rake still completely ridiculous? How are the 2/5 and 5/10 games?

by Blink4 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58484639#post58484639)

Just moved back to the area. Haven't played at Encore since pre-Covid. Is the rake still completely ridiculous? How are the 2/5 and 5/10 games?

I'd look for other options then this hell hole

The last and only time I played at Encore a guy tried to steal chips when he we were all in. I had a straight and he told the dealer he won and started raking the chips.

by Blink4 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58484639#post58484639)

Just moved back to the area. Haven't played at Encore since pre-Covid. Is the rake still completely ridiculous? How are the 2/5 and 5/10 games?

Yes it is... in fact it's some of the worst rake in the country

2/2 PLO player arrested on Easter Sunday in the poker room. A little bit of background. This new player was annoying, but he was “good for the game”, and he is on his 4th small buy-in which included one trip to the ATM. Cards are in the air, and he hands four green chips, off his stack, to his friend. I don’t think he had looked at his cards yet, but you could say that he went South for $100, during the hand. Two players saw it, didn’t like, called the floor to complain. The hand is being played out, and the floor makes a ruling that the player has to immediately add $100 to his stack. At that moment, I don’t think he had chips or cash in his pocket. The floor asks the dealer to stop dealing the hand (we are at the flop now). The player ends up all in for about $365, and there are two other players All-in. The dealer didn’t hear the floor ask her to stop dealing, and she deals the turn & river. The player in question loses. The floor tells him he owes an additional $100 to the guy that won the hand. One reg at the table thought the floor got this wrong. He felt that a warning about going South would have been fine. Another reg at the table also thought the floor got this wrong. The floor pulled this guy off the table, and he got nasty with them. The floor asked him to leave, and he wouldn’t leave. Then security asked him to leave, and he wouldn’t leave. They warned him that they would call the police, which they did. The police showed up, compelled him to provide ID, he refused, trip to jail, Happy Easter.

People pick stupid hills to die on sometimes.

This room is dying a slow death. Tourney entrants are way down as well as the amount of cash game tables they run on a daily basis.

There are many many things to dislike about this poker room as everyone has posted so far. The rake is $10+ with bad beat jackpot and high hand stuff at NL, you can't run it twice (or more) at rake games, many dealers are still not very good despite years of dealing (while some new ones are not that great either which questions the hiring process), there is no fresh cooked food to purchase most nights after 10pm, parking can be a nightmare on weekends, they don't open games when they should, floor is not on top of transfer lists, players are often trying to sit themselves, the cage is not open often (and you can't cash out), very rarely a chip runner, the TVs are super small (they had a few huge ones from the old setup that are sitting in a closet now vs on the actual open wall space), and so much much more. The bathrooms are clean and they do have good security and state and Everett police around for many issues so there is some safety, and the place is very clean and luxurious in some ways. They are just super lucky there are millions of people who live close by in the greater metropolitan Boston area and the surrounding New England area who wish to play poker and many of these people don't even know what rake or (tourney) fees are. I notice at 1-3 NL that there are many locals/townies, students (including many wealthy foreign students), lots of poker enthusiasts (people who are trying to take the game seriously and think they are very good at poker), home game players who want to squeeze in some poker on the days their home game is not run, small business owners who have disposable cash, blue collar guys who are getting off a plumbing/roofing/painting job and want to relax and have a few drinks and play some cards, and lots and lots of degenerate gamblers. You'd be surprised at how many people I hear talk about how much they lose at blackjack, craps, roulette, slots, sports betting, and baccarat (more common than I thought) who can play low stakes poker after losing huge amounts in the pits. I think the room will continue to feed off the recreational players and those who Uber to Encore from the city and lots of gambler types who are not looking to minimize their expenses to the house. It is like any other business I guess where you want customers who are the least price sensitive to your services. If the room could they probably would cater to all the needs of the regulars and I don't know if this will ever happen but it is what it is. Hard to argue for more compared to 4 years ago when there was no poker in Boston. That being said you really don't run into many professionals of any sort so I guess the games are still profitable if you are a good player. If you want to make some $ at poker there are still games at Encore that are beatable. I like that there is poker in NH, RI, and CT so they can't exactly have a monopoly and mistreat the players but they certainly don't seem to make it any kind of priority to improve. I would just say they are content to be the way they are and they have a lot of red tape and upper management disfunction and dealings with the gaming commission and others if anything were to improve.

Nothing is going to change till they build the new space across the street. Maybe they'll come to their senses and put tables back in the old space with the big tv's but i'm not holding my breath. And apparently Everett and Wynn and fighting over the money on the new site so they've "halted" their plans. Not sure who to blame on that one. Given Steven Wynn is a huge POS I'm not willing to blame Everett, but i'm sure they're at least partly to blame.

by MontyBurns m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58565425#post58565425)

Nothing is going to change till they build the new space across the street. Maybe they'll come to their senses and put tables back in the old space with the big tv's but i'm not holding my breath.And apparently Everett and Wynn and fighting over the money on the new site so they've "halted" their plans. Not sure who to blame on that one. Given Steven Wynn is a huge POS I... See full post

Greed all around, I'm sure. Craig Billings said that the decision was "disappointing" but added that Wynn has "numerous other development projects globally where we can redirect the capital we intended to deploy in Boston."

Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria said he supports the project, but wants to reach the best deal for the residents of his hometown.

https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/05/09/enc... (https://www.wbur.org/news/2024/05/09/encore-casino-everett-expansion-boston)

What day of the week do you guys typically go? I went last Friday and the poker room was practically dead.

I'm going to EBH for the first time since before COVID. What's changed? The poker room is split in two now or something, right? And I heard they closed the cage in the poker room. Do you have to buy chips downstairs now or are there runners? Is the check in both in the same place? Can you still order food at the table?

by Zach And Tired m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58602858#post58602858)

I'm going to EBH for the first time since before COVID. What's changed? The poker room is split in two now or something, right? And I heard they closed the cage in the poker room. Do you have to buy chips downstairs now or are there runners? Is the check in both in the same place? Can you still order food at the table?

1. The main thing is there are less tables and the rake is higher, $1 per $10 in the pot, up to $10 plus $2 for the promos. I think they only collect for the BBJ when the high hand promo isn't running, and that they take that first dollar at $10 in the pot. The buffet is gone, replaced by a pizza/sandwich/cheesecake place, the sportsbook, and Shake Shack.
2. Room is indeed split in twain, although it isn't too confusing. The brush and cage are more or less where they were. The larger room is now where the slot promo giveaways (for waffle irons and such) used to be; those promos are now downstairs roughly where Red8 is. Kind of annoying since at least a few of those slot-whales would get a spontaneous desire to play poker and games were always good on promo days. The smaller room which is usually opened last with ~10 tables is what used to be a kitchen... no more poker kitchen, and is right outside the men's room, behind the cage. Sound is poor in that room due to loud slot machines surrounding it, especially the Fire Link ones, and for a while there Encore was going to cram another row of slots on one wall too. I imagine that the fire department told them that wasn't safe. The slot noise probably violates several OSHA standards nevertheless, last I checked.
3. The poker room cage is still open most of the time, and you can buy chips there, though they do sometimes go on meals break. No chip runners for players, brushes and sometimes floors do rack fills still. You can color up there, and, based on some sort of secret arcane system, presumable involving astrological theories about the apsidal precession of Mercury, you can occasionally randomly cash out there. There's no way to know when that is in practice without asking, like a sign or anything. I've sometimes walked to the high stakes cage to cash out when the main cage downstairs starts looking like a Registrar of Motor Vehicles office. Such are the times.
4. The stand alone booth is gone, and the brush desk is now where the Red Card desk used to be.
5. No more poker kitchen. No more massage girls. Encore probably not serious about building an extension anymore, the blueprints of which was rumored to hold a new poker room made of solid jade, and a small farm where all your childhood pets are still alive and frolicking happily because why not. But the room is no where near as busy as it used to be, probably because Encore's little hand is taking, I might guess, $200+ dollars off each open table every hour. Games themselves are usually good though, imo. Maybe if a few more people chime in with details I've missed or gotten wrong we can try to update the FAQ.....

I think you nailed. Pre=Covid, management conceived the room as a destination location, where people would travel to visit. Therefore, they were trying to present it as upscale. Today, the room is trying to stay with Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, which have also degraded the room amenities. Currently, there are 16 tables running at Encore. Foxwoods has 15 and Mohegan has 10. Between Salem and Nashua which are on the border, there are more tables running than Encore.

My date just made a reservation at Seamark, a newer restaurant at Encore. (Apparently, sinatra closed a while back) It gets mixed reviews online. Anyone have an informed opinion? Sent from my SM-G981U1 using Tapatalk

Is that Long Wharf Water Shuttle schedule accurate on the EBH website? It says Oct-Apr, but wanted to take it this weekend. I'd be surprised if they aren't running this during the summer.

by Burdzthewurd m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58611149#post58611149)

Is that Long Wharf Water Shuttle schedule accurate on the EBH website? It says Oct-Apr, but wanted to take it this weekend. I'd be surprised if they aren't running this during the summer.

Wouldn’t put it past me that somehow some clueless employee who typed it up meant it as Apr thru Oct instead. That’s the talent they’ve got there [emoji23] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I just took it this weekend, worked great!

Encore is getting rid of the Wellington and Chelsea shuttles at the end of this month. https://www.encorebostonharbor.com/trans... (https://www.encorebostonharbor.com/transportation/encore-local-shuttles)

by Carlito17 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58610068#post58610068)

My date just made a reservation at Seamark, a newer restaurant at Encore. (Apparently, sinatra closed a while back) It gets mixed reviews online. Anyone have an informed opinion? Sent from my SM-G981U1 using Tapatalk

How was your meal? Walked by quite a few times on my way to Rare or Red8 and it never drew me in. Looks like an upscale Legal Sea Foods. A lot of poker players have said that they have been but that it is nothing to go out of your way to go and try they don't do anything super well that you have to try it that doesn't exist at any decent seafood place in the greater New England area. I feel like you need a gimmick or something to draw people in and perhaps that is what the Old Wive's Tale thing is.

by PierreFermat m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58654524#post58654524)

How was your meal? Walked by quite a few times on my way to Rare or Red8 and it never drew me in. Looks like an upscale Legal Sea Foods. A lot of poker players have said that they have been but that it is nothing to go out of your way to go and try they don't do anything super well that you have to try it that doesn't exist at any decent seafood place in the greater New England... See full post

If you want to know how it went: Yelp review for Seamark Seafood & Cocktails! https://yelp.to/WKUqhA7i7h Sent from my SM-G981U1 using Tapatalk

by Vaulter m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58654289#post58654289)

Encore is getting rid of the Wellington and Chelsea shuttles at the end of this month. https://www.encorebostonharbor.com/trans... (https://www.encorebostonharbor.com/transportation/encore-local-shuttles)

I imagine those weren't super popular - glad the Chinatown runner and Water Shuttles are still running

by Carlito17 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58654550#post58654550)

If you want to know how it went: Yelp review for Seamark Seafood & Cocktails! https://yelp.to/WKUqhA7i7h Sent from my SM-G981U1 using Tapatalk

This is the general consensus from everyone that I know who has been there. It is a great opportunity for them to get it right because so many people Google/Yelp seafood restaurant or something like that when they are visiting the city and this could've been an attraction for the casino but it seems like another failed attempt.

Frank & Nick's charging $1 for tap water is some impressive penny-pinching

by Burdzthewurd m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58658819#post58658819)

Frank & Nick's charging $1 for tap water is some impressive penny-pinching

I think some places are charging 50 cents or 1 dollar for less or no ice in cold drinks too.

by Burdzthewurd m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58658819#post58658819)

Frank & Nick's charging $1 for tap water is some impressive penny-pinching

This is genius. Not for profit, but for solving problems.

Don't bother rake is high and games are not great. Your better off at mohegan, foxwoods, mgm

Per local news, someone grabbed 13K worth of chips from a table and ran out the door last night. He was captured in the parling lot. Were there any 2+2 degens there to witness this ? Curious which table game he hit.

by jelloman m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58670680#post58670680)

Per local news, someone grabbed 13K worth of chips from a table and ran out the door last night. He was captured in the parling lot. Were there any 2+2 degens there to witness this ? Curious which table game he hit.

The only games that would have 13k would be 5/10 NL or the big PL games 10/10/25 of 25/25/50 and that would be a total of 3 tables at most. I have never seen that many chips at 1/3, 2/5, or 2/2 PLO unless it was spread out all over the table in multiple stacks but there are huge stack of orange chips one can just grab and run at the first 3 but how far can they get? They're going to run down the escalator? Wait for the elevators (super slow and have to walk past security) with probably someone chasing and yelling at them? Tough to pull off but good luck to them. I always laugh at the scene in Ocean's 11 when they said a few guys tried to rob casinos and the final guy got as far as out the door right past valet before he got gunned down.

by Gamblingrick m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58663641#post58663641)

Don't bother rake is high and games are not great. Your better off at mohegan, foxwoods, mgm

I'll never defend the rake and the games are not great. The other 3 all have their drawbacks too and I think most people are stuck with whatever is geographically closest to them to save time sitting in a car. MGM does seem to be a ghost town with no games besides the lowest NL game and no mid stakes or PLO or mixed games, etc... while Mohegan/FW open late, close early, not 24/7, and things like stud, limit hold'em, etc... have died or are dying down. NH has a few rooms and the action is great with double board bomb pots but again, they open late, close early, low on security, not very clean, etc... while Bally's/Twin Rivers has it's own issues too. Basically it is like the old Mortal Kombat or NBA Jam where no matter what character you choose they all have strengths and weaknesses no one is 10 across the board.

by PierreFermat m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58671540#post58671540)

The only games that would have 13k would be 5/10 NL or the big PL games 10/10/25 of 25/25/50 and that would be a total of 3 tables at most. I have never seen that many chips at 1/3, 2/5, or 2/2 PLO unless it was spread out all over the table in multiple stacks but there are huge stack of orange chips one can just grab and run at the first 3 but how far can they get? They're goi... See full post

Pretty sure he was talking pit games. Thus the “t@bke game”.

by Fore m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58671547#post58671547)

Pretty sure he was talking pit games. Thus the “t@bke game”.

Ah yes, misread by me. Pretty brave to try this and thinks he can make it to open air before being caught is what the Ocean's 11 scene is about. It was pretty comical about how hard it is to rob a casino when they propose to rob the Bellagio. I applaud the effort he had 13k in his pocket for a good 10 minutes before security nabbed him in the parking lot.

by jelloman m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58670680#post58670680)

Per local news, someone grabbed 13K worth of chips from a table and ran out the door last night. He was captured in the parling lot. Were there any 2+2 degens there to witness this ? Curious which table game he hit.

As an aside, the perp is the son of the twice deposed, corrupt ex-mayor of Woonsockett, RI. Although in RI, "corrupt politician" is sort of redundant.

How often does 25 50+ PLO run? Thanks

I think it usually runs the whole weekend Fri/Sat/Sun. Sometimes it also runs during the week.

Doesn't seem like 10/10/25 or 25/25/50 PLO is running that much if at all these days.

by PierreFermat m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58869178#post58869178)

Doesn't seem like 10/10/25 or 25/25/50 PLO is running that much if at all these days.

Did the fish stop playing? A few months back one of the action players in 25/25/50 wanted to move to 10/10/25 and the whole table of "pros" got up too and made a big scene about who would get a seat at the new table. I"m sure the spot noticed. Reminds me of the old days when... Russell Westbrook(?) came to play PLO and even he realized that the game was all regs and quit after playing for a couple hours. I'd love to see them start spreading big bet/limit mix games. Evens things out a bit.

I was at the room for the grand opening and it’s no way I would have thought I would hear the things recently in the thread. That should be a premier room in the region.

by PierreFermat m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58660110#post58660110)

I think some places are charging 50 cents or 1 dollar for less or no ice in cold drinks too.

Lol can’t let them cheap asses game the system

I hear they are playing the big game at Gate City if you look at Poker Atlas you will see it running up there. There are some players who are quite good amabassadors and know how to cater to the fish but if one person tries to cut the line to a game where the fish go etc... they all sadly have to be predatory and do the same. They should use the tablet and who has been there longest to decide who gets to follow but of course it would be too logical and fair.

This is why the fish have moved to home games

Word is the poker room is moving downstairs replacing one of the restaurants/bars on the other side of the resort (opposite the elevators). Sadness

by Mighty Mouse m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58898886#post58898886)

Word is the poker room is moving downstairs replacing one of the restaurants/bars on the other side of the resort (opposite the elevators). Sadness

Heard where Nightshift Brewery once was. Don’t know how big that space is and how many tables could fit there. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

by FishFry1984 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58900895#post58900895)

Heard where Nightshift Brewery once was. Don’t know how big that space is and how many tables could fit there.

I don't know the answer to that, but it appears to me that the poker room will not be accessible from the main casino floor. Unless they're going around those rest rooms in that corner. I hope I'm wrong.

LOL that's hilarious I hope it's 8 tables and everyone goes back to twins new poker room

it works at the Venetian where it's now not remotely close to any gaming but I too hope Encore completely fails

Encore themselves probably want it to fail so they have an excuse to completely get rid of it.

A poker player got a lifetime ban for a verbal argument with another patron. What's the best path to get un-banned? Asking for a friend.

by Yule m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58943899#post58943899)

A poker player got a lifetime ban for a verbal argument with another patron. What's the best path to get un-banned? Asking for a friend.

Time + mea culpa. The worse the infraction the more of each needed. If physical threats involved year+ at least.

I think there is a bit more to this story.

Thanks for the advice. And yes, there is a longer version to the story. I can't get into all of the details (I need to protect their privacy a bit). Unfortunately, the verbal confrontation happened near the main cashier's cage area downstairs, which is kind of a sensitive area. And yes, there were physical threats (from the other patron).

Oh, that's bad next to the cage. I'd figure waiting at least a year before asking. It wouldn't hurt to show proof of taking an anger management class. I guess it is CT, NH or RI for a while.

by Loden Pants m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58931126#post58931126)

I don't know the answer to that, but it appears to me that the poker room will not be accessible from the main casino floor. Unless they're going around those rest rooms in that corner. I hope I'm wrong.

no clue who spread this bullsh*t rumor but is 100% impossible with how the gaming law is written in MA

by shhh m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58951319#post58951319)

no clue who spread this bullsh*t rumor but is 100% impossible with how the gaming law is written in MA

Just my opinion based on the rest rooms being at that corner, and the ex-Night Shift bar being so far down the hall. If it has to be accessible from the casino floor, it still won't be right next to any other gaming activities. The location itself is confirmed by many dealers plus the guy who runs the wine and cheese place next door.

About a week ago, a well known high stakes poker player from Encore got robbed for a lot of money (when he arrived home in the Boston area). I'm not sure if he was followed home or if they were waiting for him at his house. Unfortunately, Encore does not have safety deposit boxes. So, it's no big secret that players will be carrying a lot of money on their person.

Does Encore have player accounts you can deposit in?

For poker players, no. For pit players, yes, you can take a Casino Marker (line of credit).

by Yule m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58980143#post58980143)

For poker players, no. For pit players, yes, you can take a Casino Marker (line of credit).

No not a marker. Many (most?) major casinos have a way to act like a mini bank. You take your cash up to the cage, maybe a special window. You give them the cash/chips they count it and give you a receipt and record the amount in a system under your name. When you come back, you go to window ask for $x of your balance. You are not using a line of credit. It is your money, they just hold it for you. Not really different from accepting wires. Casino holds your money for you. Advantage over boxes are, there is no limit on how many players can use it. Disadvantage incl that legally the funds are on the casino general ledger. Should casino go bk you become just another unsecured creditor.

by Fore m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58980367#post58980367)

No not a marker. Many (most?) major casinos have a way to act like a mini bank. You take your cash up to the cage, maybe a special window. You give them the cash/chips they count it and give you a receipt and record the amount in a system under your name.When you come back, you go to window ask for $x of your balance. You are not using a line of credit. It is your money, they j... See full post

Then I definitely wouldn't do this at Resorts World.

by borg23 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58981747#post58981747)

Then I definitely wouldn't do this at Resorts World.

1. The question was about Encore Boston (iow, Wynn not RW.)
2. Yes, it is a risk (thus why I mentioned it) but you can pull all you funds at anytime. So unless the particular casino/company (note BK moves vertically up the corp structure but not horizontally, sideways between subs corps) is in trouble at this 'moment' the risk is small. Now if the casino becomes unprofitable (with public companies, BK is seldom a surprise, out of the blue, event) the risk is small. But it is a risk. However, it does remove the risk of your box being emptied/contents stolen. Also technically, this is a risk every time you buy chips. If the casino suddenly files BK any chips you hold could (at least temporarily) become worthless. In a non-BK situation, I did lose a tiny amount ($25 IIRC) when a casino 'closed' and never re-opened. (Still have at least that one green if you would like to purchase it from me; but I am not offering a large discount.)

Some electricity panel blew an Encore tonight, killing the redemption ticket and red card machines in the Loft. All the slots in the Loft lost wi-fi and ended up powered down. They stopped seating new players and unplugged all the shufflers... and then nothing happened for like an hour so I ended up picking up. All those black slot machines sure look boring without power though. by Carlito17 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58985947#post58985947)

Action aside, the algorithm is not like real life in the slightest. Draws get there a lot (for both me and my opponent). I've never seen so many quads and straight flushes

Luck just tends to be really streaky. I remember when I first started playing live at Foxwoods for like the first few months the number of times I got sets versus straights or vice versa on the flop was way above random distribution. Then at some other point, I went 18 months without ever flopping a set. I once went though 15 hours of play without getting dealt suited cards. So I used to believe PokerStars was basically "Riverstars" back in the day (pre-Black Friday) but the reality is I was probably just running/playing bad, and if your online site of choice rigged, you'll never have a sample size large enough to know. And besides, people chase a lot more at lower stakes, and if you are a payoff wizard they'll chase more against you. You might just be the common factor. The real issue with online poker is bots and Real Time Assistants. So I only play live.

by Fore m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58980367#post58980367)

No not a marker. Many (most?) major casinos have a way to act like a mini bank. You take your cash up to the cage, maybe a special window. You give them the cash/chips they count it and give you a receipt and record the amount in a system under your name.When you come back, you go to window ask for $x of your balance. You are not using a line of credit. It is your money, they j... See full post

Front money. Even with bankruptcy, gaming commission will make sure everyone is paid out. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

by FishFry1984 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58986595#post58986595)

Front money. Even with bankruptcy, gaming commission will make sure everyone is paid out. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

LOL to think that gaming commission can dictate to federal court the priority of claims.

by Fore m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58986843#post58986843)

LOL to think that gaming commission can dictate to federal court the priority of claims.

Gaming would take them to court and make sure they’re paid. Same way when a casino is closing for good they give you a time frame for cashing out chips. Same way when a casino exchanges hands, the buyer is taking on the debt. [emoji848] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Gaming would not have standing. They would not be the creditor. Gaming could file friend of court brief or similar in support of certain creditors but would not initiate the suit. It would still be BK court to determine priority of creditors. Also I have some chips from a casino which unexpectedly closed, reopened as different casino under the same original license. I was never allowed the opportunity to cash in those chips. Since neither casino nor parent filed BK, I likely could have pressed a claim against the parent but the amount was negligee. Point is that persons hold larger qt of said chips did not get specific opportunity either. Your last claim is also not universal and is a contract law issue. The aquiring company can agree to assume existing debt. This is common but is no means required. If the debt is secured then situation changes but only in recourse. If creditor doesn’t agree they can assume ownership of the asset securing the debt. Acquiring company can also state they are not assuming the debt. Ofc then the creditors have claims on the proceeds of the sale ahead of equity interests. Creditors may also force the company being acquired into chap 7 BK before the sale closes to have the debt fulfilled. Basically creditors have great say in how sales are handled

Fore is correct. At Encore, you can deposit/withdraw cash from a "front money" account, which you can access when you are there. You can also wire money to Encore (personal accounts only), and they can cash a cashier's check (made out to Encore). So, there are options. One side note, poker tournament cash outs, and high hand cash outs have to be done at the cage. The cage will review your name & social security number. If you are on the list from Massachusetts, for owing state taxes or child support, you will not be getting your poker tournament cash out or high hand money. If you think you should not be on that list, good luck getting that sorted out.

by Yule m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58990025#post58990025)

Fore is correct. At Encore, you can deposit/withdraw cash from a "front money" account, which you can access when you are there. You can also wire money to Encore (personal accounts only), and they can cash a cashier's check (made out to Encore). So, there are options. One side note, poker tournament cash outs, and high hand cash outs have to be done at the cage. The ca... See full post

That’s Department of Revenue, they’ll file your wins with DORMA, and if it comes back that you owe they’ll intercept the money. That’s in all casinos in MA. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Has anyone played one of the Friday 420 tournaments? They start at 10:15 with registration closing 2 hours later. I'm wondering if anyone knows how long they typically run.

by nookatee m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59068927#post59068927)

Has anyone played one of the Friday 420 tournaments? They start at 10:15 with registration closing 2 hours later. I'm wondering if anyone knows how long they typically run.

According to Poker Atlas, yesterday they paid 5 places for a total prize pool of $9072. That means 27 people entered. A deal was made between the top two. With a total of 810,000 chips in play, I'm going to guess they played to somewhere between the 17th to 20th level. So probably between 7.5 and 9 hours.

I noticed that there has been a 20/40 mix running lately at Encore. Does anyone know what games are within the Mix rotation?

It's limit holdem, limit stud, and limit omaha hi. Time game $10/half. Starts full on Thursdays and probably will settle on Mondays as a good second day.

by Perrone66 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59253706#post59253706)

I noticed that there has been a 20/40 mix running lately at Encore. Does anyone know what games are within the Mix rotation?

I played in it once , there are so many donkeys straddling and 3 betting blind preflop that its hard to win in. I wanted to play real poker , not bingo. I asked a dealer whats the total IQ of all the 20-40 regulars in the mix game and he said " I doubt they reach a total of 100 combined"

by BK1248 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59258829#post59258829)

I played in it once, there are so many donkeys straddling and 3 betting blind preflop that its hard to win in. I wanted to play real poker, not bingo. I asked a dealer whats the total IQ of all the 20-40 regulars in the mix game and he said " I doubt they reach a total of 100 combined"

If that makes it hard for you to win, then you have no shot in any other game. That is a dream-game scenario. It may increase the variance, but it makes it almost certain the best players will win, and at a very high win rate. I suspect you are playing way too many hands to start, and making way too many tight folds at the end.

by Greg (FossilMan) m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59259011#post59259011)

If that makes it hard for you to win, then you have no shot in any other game. That is a dream-game scenario. It may increase the variance, but it makes it almost certain the best players will win, and at a very high win rate. I suspect you are playing way too many hands to start, and making way too many tight folds at the end.

Good point. I’ll have to go back and read Sklansky for Hold ‘em again

I hate when donkeys play bad. I like when my opponents all make good decisions. That's how you really make money!

by BK1248 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59259088#post59259088)

Good point. I’ll have to go back and read Sklansky for Hold ‘em again

Might be the first good poker read you’ve ever made. You should try playing 20-40 early on Thursdays. That first group is mostly nits. Some hands don’t even get capped 4 ways preflop.

by CBB78 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59259479#post59259479)

Might be the first good poker read you’ve ever made. You should try playing 20-40 early on Thursdays. That first group is mostly nits. Some hands don’t even get capped 4 ways preflop.

Yeh good point . I might play tight tomorrow. My 6 bet blind straddles haven't been hitting.

Wish they'd add some Hi-Lo to the mix. I think it'd improve the longevity of the game.

by Greg (FossilMan) m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59259011#post59259011)

If that makes it hard for you to win, then you have no shot in any other game. That is a dream-game scenario. It may increase the variance, but it makes it almost certain the best players will win, and at a very high win rate. I suspect you are playing way too many hands to start, and making way too many tight folds at the end.

Fossilman offering free poker advice to the public. What a time to be alive

The 20/40 was still going or maybe restarted last Friday when I got there at around 11 am.

The mix game originally only went Thursdays , then it was Tuesday and Thursdays . Now it seems to go almost everyday except Sunday. The game is definitely wild with a lot of straddles and double straddles . We need a bigger player pool so come and play help get the game as a permanent fixture, the rake is only $10 per half. We usually start 8:30-9am and on most days the game goes to almost 11pm or so. The mix is LHE, Stud , Omaha high , the floor said there is no changing limits or games to prevent people from fighting all day, like the old Foxwoods mix games.

by BK1248 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59269404#post59269404)

The mix is LHE, Stud , Omaha high , the floor said there is no changing limits or games to prevent people from fighting all day, like the old Foxwoods mix games.

That's a shame. I can't see it lasting with that mix. 9 handed Omaha high is an abomination. They had 8-16 mix back in the day with hi-lo, triple draw and badugi. No reason they can't run those games.

Good to see LOH somewhere else in the world, and that game is juicy if the action is as stated.

by MontyBurns m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59271748#post59271748)

That's a shame. I can't see it lasting with that mix. 9 handed Omaha high is an abomination. They had 8-16 mix back in the day with hi-lo, triple draw and badugi. No reason they can't run those games.

Maybe in the future, but this was never supposed to be a regular daily game. Originally this was just a 1 day mix game for an Encore regulars birthday about 6 months ago and we weren't allowed to play hi/lo or any other game then Stud, Hold em, or Omaha because of the dealers inexperience . Most the dealers have never even dealt Stud Hi , so they didn't want to make it too complicated for just one day. Any EC limit game nowadays is on thin ice as it is and we are surprised it even lasted this long. I never played Omaha Hi in my life but myself and most the regulars think its the best game in the mix by far, the action is nuts in this game with 5 way, 6 bet capped preflop is pretty routine.

by Hell2Heaven m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59271902#post59271902)

Good to see LOH somewhere else in the world, and that game is juicy if the action is as stated.

Its the best game ever invented haha, and in MA its 5 bet preflop and 6 bet with the straddle which happens like 70% of the hands.

by MontyBurns m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59271748#post59271748)

That's a shame. I can't see it lasting with that mix. 9 handed Omaha high is an abomination. They had 8-16 mix back in the day with hi-lo, triple draw and badugi. No reason they can't run those games.

I asked if they’d do an 8/16 mix and they said they’d be open to it…maybe we can do a bigger mix at that stakes?

by BK1248 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59272030#post59272030)

Maybe in the future, but this was never supposed to be a regular daily game. Originally this was just a 1 day mix game for an Encore regulars birthday about 6 months ago and we weren't allowed to play hi/lo or any other game then Stud, Hold em, or Omaha because of the dealers inexperience . Most the dealers have never even dealt Stud Hi , so they didn't want to make it too co... See full post

That’s a shame that Wynn Resorts can’t train poker dealers to deal hi low variants of poker games. Place needs a good poker room director to straighten it out. Wynn, Aria, Bellagio will spread anything the players request, with top notch attentive dealers. Soooo why can’t we in Boston? In the top 3 most lucrative casinos in the Northeast? [emoji24] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

by FishFry1984 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59285223#post59285223)

That’s a shame that Wynn Resorts can’t train poker dealers to deal hi low variants of poker games. Place needs a good poker room director to straighten it out.

Maybe they are trained, but if you don't use it you lose it. I've had job training where afterwards I just went back to my usual tasks and nine months later my boss is like "OK, Conan, time to use that training we gave you" and that information dump I'd gotten had left my brain, hopped on a freighter, and was wandering around wearing native garb in Timbuktu by then.

I play in the mix game 2+ times a week mostly Thu and Sat and possibly other days if I can get there early enough as it starts earlier and earlier due to popularity and I enjoy starting the game with the regulars who like to straddle and mix it up. It is sad that the poker room can't offer hi lo/split games or draw games because of dealer skill level but it is what it is. I have done a lot of research into what is happening in places that offer mix cash/tourneys and it seems that good old Allen Kessler seems to have done the most research so I will go with what he claims will cause the least arguing/bickering and that is HOSTE which is Hold'em, Omaha8, Stud, 2-7 Triple Draw, and Stud8. At almost any mix game there is a lot of debate about the choice of games and this poker room prefers to say this is the mix and that is it, no changing, adding, removing, negotiating, etc... and I understand that part from management.

by PierreFermat m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59292942#post59292942)

I play in the mix game 2+ times a week mostly Thu and Sat and possibly other days if I can get there early enough as it starts earlier and earlier due to popularity and I enjoy starting the game with the regulars who like to straddle and mix it up. It is sad that the poker room can't offer hi lo/split games or draw games because of dealer skill level but it is what it is. I hav... See full post

I've been thinking of giving this game a try. Honestly though 1. not exactly rolled for swings at these stakes (happier to play 10-20 or even 7.50/15 w/ full kill). 2) WTF limit omaha high? Played some PLO in 8 game, but I have no idea how to approach limit high. Played it once at 1/2 home game (11 handed ... used all 52 cards) with people who could barely play LHE. They found it fun (even though they had no idea what they had) ... but it just seemed boring to me. Also, don't really get the dealer skill thing for Stud8. I can see why people struggle to read O8 boards... but reading a stud8 low hand is stupidly simple. I like stud8 more than O8 anyway. So I'd enjoy the LHE and Stud but not the limit Omaha High. Should I check this out? Can the triple straddlers play well post flop or after 5th in stud? I'm willing to play and game in HORSE, Triple Draw, Badugi, Badacey, Badeucy, Razzdugi.

honest question has encore done anything to help prevent the robberies in the parking garage not to sound like a pussy but its actually one of the deciding factors in why I don't play there anymore besides the rake. I want to go back since its very local but there's that

I havent heard about parking lot robberies. Where do you find info on that ?

by jelloman m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59328022#post59328022)

I havent heard about parking lot robberies. Where do you find info on that ?

just word of mouth at other rooms I've been playing at and also facebook groups. I guess someone will text someone outside the casino(garage) and let them know who is heading out with some cash or whatever.. Obviously its all been hushed up but its been happening a lot so maybe the security is involved somehow too if it keeps happening and nothing is being done

by bert_stare m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59328429#post59328429)

just word of mouth at other rooms I've been playing at and also facebook groups. I guess someone will text someone outside the casino(garage) and let them know who is heading out with some cash or whatever.. Obviously its all been hushed up but its been happening a lot so maybe the security is involved somehow too if it keeps happening and nothing is being done

You can always request a security escort to your vehicle.

by bert_stare m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59328429#post59328429)

just word of mouth at other rooms I've been playing at and also facebook groups. I guess someone will text someone outside the casino(garage) and let them know who is heading out with some cash or whatever.. Obviously its all been hushed up but its been happening a lot so maybe the security is involved somehow too if it keeps happening and nothing is being done

Seems more like an urban legend. Some person has to snap a picture of the mark, then they have to have people on each floor since they don't know where the car is. Let alone what happens if the person valet parked.

by Yule m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=58979839#post58979839)

About a week ago, a well known high stakes poker player from Encore got robbed for a lot of money (when he arrived home in the Boston area). I'm not sure if he was followed home or if they were waiting for him at his house. Unfortunately, Encore does not have safety deposit boxes. So, it's no big secret that players will be carrying a lot of money on their person.

This is still the only incident of which I'm aware, reported itt in May 2025. It can be verified with local news and/or police blotter reports. If there were a pattern of behavior, I'm reasonably sure it would bubble up here more substantively and/or I'd have heard something about it. It's a concern everywhere, for everyone carrying valuables. But between "it's regular and being hushed up" and "it's urban myth," I lean toward the latter. Ime, I feel reasonably safe getting to and from my car.

Hey guys - haven't been around much the past couple years, but thinking of coming back occasionally. Is this HOSE game not LHE, O8, S, S8? It's not fixed limit Omaha high for real is it? Lol. I;d love to play this game a couple of times of month, but if it's only high variations no thanks.....

by PardoG m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59347093#post59347093)

Hey guys - haven't been around much the past couple years, but thinking of coming back occasionally. Is this HOSE game not LHE, O8, S, S8? It's not fixed limit Omaha high for real is it? Lol. I;d love to play this game a couple of times of month, but if it's only high variations no thanks.....

It's standard HOSE. The previous mix of limit omaha hi with holdem and stud is dead.

by Munga30 m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59349041#post59349041)

It's standard HOSE. The previous mix of limit omaha hi with holdem and stud is dead.

Is it still played on thursdays only? What time is good to arrive at the room to get a seat? Thank ytou

by lv2plapkr m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59350560#post59350560)

Is it still played on thursdays only? What time is good to arrive at the room to get a seat? Thank ytou

It's having some trouble starting right now. Check back in a week or so some bodies may be back from their summers and be willing to start it.

Wonder if this will affect/shut down poker there

https://www.boston.com/news/business/2026/08/21/encore-boston-harbor-workers-vote-to-authorize-a-strike/ Boston.com Encore Boston Harbor workers vote to authorize a strike (https://www.boston.com/news/business/2026/08/21/encore-boston-harbor-workers-vote-to-authorize-a-strike/)

by Burdzthewurd m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59382478#post59382478)

Wonder if this will affect/shut down poker there

https://www.boston.com/news/business/2026/08/21/encore-boston-harbor-workers-vote-to-authorize-a-strike/ Boston.com Encore Boston Harbor workers vote to authorize a strike (https://www.boston.com/news/business/2026/08/21/encore-boston-harbor-workers-vote-to-authorize-a-strike/)

Standard part of negotiations. Hard for union negotiating team to press any leverage if they are not given authorization to call for a strike. Though usually that would require a specific vote to strike. So doesn’t mean strike will occur.

Guys, is the 25/25 PLO running everyday? Is it private or anyone can play it? Thanks

by puich m (https://www.twoplustwo.com/post?postId=59382566#post59382566)

Guys, is the 25/25 PLO running everyday? Is it private or anyone can play it? Thanks

Seems like few times a week not daily. Don’t believe it’s private but not sure

What are people hearing about the strike? Not wanting to cross a picket line, I've been going to New Hampshire to play and it's getting to be a slog. Haven't seen too much in the news about negotiations except that both sides were scheduled to meet a week or so ago, but from the outside seems like no progress came of it.

Every other ad on my Twitter feed is Encore saying they're ready to negotiate, so I take it they're getting desperate from the bad publicity

Article from this morning: Standoff at Encore Boston: Unions Say They’ve Met With Wynn Just Twice Since Strike Began

https://www.casino.org/news/encore-boston-harbor-unions-say-theyve-met-twice-with-wynn/ Casino.org Encore Boston Harbor Unions Say They've Met Twice With Wynn (https://www.casino.org/news/encore-boston-harbor-unions-say-theyve-met-twice-with-wynn/)

It's been a month and doesn't feel close to resolution.