Paul is in charge -- and he sits in on the games. Reminds me of playing stud at the El Cortez with Jackie Gaughan back in the 1990s. He owned the casino and played alongside everyone in the $1-$5 stud games!
Paul is a solid player and excellent room manager. He bought the place back in November. I had run into one of his games in New York City. We hit it off, remembering the "good old days".
Game is run well, with top notch dealers. I hear they're going to replace the aging chips. Felt is new and vibrant. Chairs are comfortable. Beverages come by regularly and freely. Food was provided by the house (pizza and other snacks). One $2/$5 table going -- and a fun game, with mostly tourists out to have a good time. Not that there were drunk fish to feast on. But the average level of play was a notch below most of the $2/$5 games I've been in -- maybe a very little bit tougher than the entry level $1/$2 or $1/$3 games that abound these days.
One complaint I have for all of the Aruban poker rooms: the rake is high by US standards. I guess it is just a fact of life, that poker will be more expensive on a beautiful tropical island. $10 rake plus $4 to pay for the promotions. One of the promotions is really good: $50 added to your $200 buy-in if you are one of the 5 or 6 players who start the game. (Two hour minimum) Arrive early!
