Nagaworld, Phnom Penh Cambodia:

Quote: NokTang

...<SNIP>...

I copied the rake information. They said 1-2, $200.usd buy in, 2-5, $500.usd buy in, 5-10, $1000.usd buy in.
Up to the players which blinds, first player sort of controls it. Doesn't seem to be an issue. Second game can always be opened with different blinds.
Rake:(pot size)
$30 - 1.usd
60 - 2
100 - 3
150 - 5
250 - 10
400. $20 (and above I assume)

...<SNIP>....

Interesting. Looks like 3-5% (half the percentage common in US poker rooms) but with no cap. For those not familiar with poker rake, that's actually a very good rake structure for smaller stakes like 1/2, and/or also for some tight games with a lot of smallish pots taken down early, but not good at all for big games with big pots, compared to what you'd pay around here. You'd never get anyone to play 2/5+ but would be very popular for 1/2 or 1/3 with that rake structure if you were competing in this market. For comparison here is what would be dropped for the house for the same pots at the most common Las Vegas rake of 10% with a $4 cap:

$30 - $3 (LV pot is -$2)
$60 - $4 (LV pot is -$2)
$100 - $4 (LV pot is -$1)
$150 - $4 (LV pot is +$1)
$250 - $4 (LV pot is +$6)
$400 - $4 (LV pot is +$16)

For really high stakes, it is common practice in the few Las Vegas rooms that have those games not to rake the pot, but to take a flat time charge instead. Such a game would be paying much less per player than an effective rake of 5% up to $20 (or more).

Some other tidbits...

Went to the hotel buffet last night. $25.usd which only includes water as a beverage. Food was good, wide selection, but not Las Vegas style. They did have oysters which were excellent for a southern boy who hasn't had them in a long while. Also some local very tight meat wise crabs. No shrimp. Leg of lamb and pork plus some Asian dishes. Overall, a nice dining experience with excellent service, but a tad expensive if you are paying.(I wasn't, had a coupon with the room)

Betting soccer(Premier leguge mostly) had always though it was pick your team to win, a draw being a loser as well of course, the other team winning.

I discovered tonight they have an "Asian line" which the draw doesn't lose, you get your money back.

So I had bet Chelsea to beat Manchester City betting $100. with the payout being $285.usd. Then I discovered the Asian line and bet another $100. on Chelsea which pays me back $198 if they win, refund if a draw.

Manchester City is a very slight favorite. I figured Chelsea at home, in the better part of London(which I learned last year), a late afternoon game(so the drunks will be primed up) and Manchester City coming off a win in the Champions playoffs, well what the heck. Give the blues a go mate.

I also have the OVER 7.5 runs in the Braves vs. Marlins game. It returns only $181. on a $100. wager. Here, maybe there too?, they set the over under number then adjust the payoffs as money dictates. I figure the Braves are excited having just won their first game, and their pitcher is weak, the Marlins also have a down in the rotation pitcher who is young. Of course someone's got to hit the damn ball...Wish me luck.

Cheers mate. Go Blues! Nok the Kook

Quote: NokTang

Today, mid day, no game in progress. But remember, there is a major baccarat tournament going on.

I copied the rake information. They said 1-2, $200.usd buy in, 2-5, $500.usd buy in, 5-10, $1000.usd buy in.
Up to the players which blinds, first player sort of controls it. Doesn't seem to be an issue. Second game can always be opened with different blinds.

Thanks! Sounds like a good time.

This would be a great game for smaller pots, as mentioned. It sounds like the buy in is fixed, but maybe those are the maxes. It would be a great game to short stack. If you could buy into a lose aggresive 1/2 game for $100 you could do pretty well.

I wonder if they really move the sports bets solely according to local action. If so, that could create some nice opportunities too. You could just compare their prices to the pinnacle line and bet accordingly. I'd be surprised if they move them enough though.

Quote: Rigondeaux

I wonder if they really move the sports bets solely according to local action. If so, that could create some nice opportunities too. You could just compare their prices to the pinnacle line and bet accordingly. I'd be surprised if they move them enough though.

No, nor local action alone. The sports book is tied in to an online outfit I won't name. You get your tickets here, can play and of course get paid in cash. It's European based but I guess most of them are.

Broke my own system again in roulette. Walked up to my lucky table, five blacks showing on the board. So, what do I do? You guessed it, bet on red and watched another five blacks followed by a zero fall. Such a dumb ass I am. I did get my money back due to some $5.usd single points hitting and fled the table, once again ashamed of and disgusted with myself. Cheers.

Another disgusting and confusing afternoon...

Lost in roulette, carved a $1000. bucks out of me. I bought in for another $1000, Blacks started to come, eight in a row...count em, eight. Got back even but chickened out again. Eight in a row without a single press by me...These streaks come here, you just have to have some guts and girth. Not for beginners or those of weak mind and body.

Met some surveillance guys. Nice guys from England(yes, it's possible, not all English are drunks soaked by the rain). The cards come pre shuffled from Japan, same supplier all casino's in Macau use. Here they go through 5000. decks a day, in a place like Sands in Macau, 15000. decks a day. Used only once. If the house loses a lot of the show falls strangely they routinely check it's path to the table backwards. Interesting only of course if you care. A lot of paper to recycle, I assume the shred the cards then recycle?

Food here has been excellent, all venues. Overall a wonderful experience and trip. Going back to normal life tomorrow in Thailand. Have a nice year people.

Returning to Nagaworld tomorrow for the Thanksgiving weekend. Football action available every day as most know. I don't plan on playing much roulette, figure I missed the boat last trip. I could have won $50,000.usd if had any courage.

I've studied the Thanksgiving games and to my surprise I like the under in the early game, Vikings at the Lions. I have this odd feeling the public bets the over and the books want to recover from last weekends shellacking by the Patriots and Eagles.

On Saturday I'm going with Florida State at Florida. Florida is just awful, FSU has good athletes and at least something to play for. Both teams suspect at QB but well, for whatever good reason, I see FSU as dominating the game.

Sunday's NFL TBA. Leaning towards the Falcons at home vs. the Bucs..

Any locks please post here.

There is a new tower at Nagaworld now and I'll check it out. As all marketing to Chinese it's difficult to compare and review and adjust to American thinking.

Fwiw, I like Vikings under also.They are really fired up about losing to Detroit earlier in the season. It should be a good game, but I think defensive. 45 is too high.

I would take all 3 Thursday games under, looking at the Vegas lines, for that matter. But I know nothing. Much closer to dart board than lock.

Quote: beachbumbabs

Fwiw, I like Vikings under also.They are really fired up about losing to Detroit earlier in the season. It should be a good game, but I think defensive. 45 is too high.

I would take all 3 Thursday games under, looking at the Vegas lines, for that matter. But I know nothing. Much closer to dart board than lock.

The under is a difficult bet to place and watch the game. Since it will be a midnight kickoff here in SEA, I can simply check the score in the morning. The key as you know is sacks, penalties3r, turnovers, and special team play. Good luck.

Not a lot to report. Not many changes...

The sports book is still open. Additional kiosks to place bets. You have to insert the money then pick your winners. I was unable to get a parlay function or teaser function. I'm not sure they have them but I didn't ask for "help". Help is merely a waitress or attendant. Friendly enough but don't know much really beyond put your money here and bet. I ended up placing my wagers at the window. This wasn't normal or simple. They wanted people to use the kiosks but I was losing. With some insistence they fulfilled my request and I started winning! This after a large money line bet on the Giants vs the Redskins. What an awful way to end my kiosk action. I don't think I'll ever bet the Giants again.

The property has expanded, the new huge tower "NAGA 2" is open. I never went over there, connected by an underground mall. I was told "Chinese junkets" and believe it.

The action this property attracts is amazing. That said, I've not been to Macao which I guess lives off the Chinese gamblers.

As an American(or any foreigner not looking like an Asian) you are really in the minority and attract attention of the staff. I think it's curiosity more than anything else. They are so used to Chinese guests and players. The Cambodian people working here are very friendly. The Filipino women walking around as "Ambassadors" are also friendly but over loaded with make up. Their function is to merely look good and greet people. It's a facade, but at least a good looking facade.

Food was great, all venues. Breakfast buffet to fine dining. I didn't try room service. In room instant coffee and a welcome fruit basket. Cable TV of course, 32 inch flat screen and free WIFI. NO RESORT FEE nonsense. I hope that doesn't creep across the Pacific. Bed and Bathroom and View all good. I'm not picky except for the view part but the room is nice, approaching 4 star but still lingers in the high 3's.

Overall a good experience. Since no craps I didn't do any table gaming. They had everything else including some active Texas Hold-Em tables at night.

I just went to Nagaworld's website. It looks like a super-nice casino. Seems like they have a ton of games.

Quote: TigerWu

I just went to Nagaworld's website. It looks like a super-nice casino. Seems like they have a ton of games.

It is a nice place with as you say, lots of gaming options. They do allow the Cambodians to play over each other, meaning they are stacked three and four deep at a baccarat table. How they keep it all straight I have no idea. The Chinese don't play at the same tables. It caters to Chinese, what can we say other than the smoking is unreal. I think every Chinese gambler smokes. No non-smoking rooms available. Restaurants, well they at least have a non-smoking area in most. Good luck.

NokTang, thanks for your updates. I just read through a lot of this thread from your older April posts. Sounds like a fun time and an interesting place. In one of your posts you said you were going to check out the 'expensive' ladies of the night places. How did all that go down?

Quote: Romes

NokTang, thanks for your updates. I just read through a lot of this thread from your older April posts. Sounds like a fun time and an interesting place. In one of your posts you said you were going to check out the 'expensive' ladies of the night places. How did all that go down?

The ladies of the night have been spoiled by the "westerners" coming into Cambodia. What used to be $5.usd is now $100.usd. The only difference is make up and venue. I refuse to cater/visit or otherwise be seen in "Hostess Bars" but have checked out the freelancer(sometimes actually pimped) night spot at NAGA. It's the same "class" of lady as those in the brothels of days gone by. I guess the Chinese do pay the money without much fanfare but as you may know, they are very prejudiced and "class" driven. Most of the ladies are Vietnamese from impoverished areas of same. Condoms are not used in Asia FYI. Another "western" myth. Birth control is over the counter and abortion is on demand and inexpensive. The 90 day vaccination is also widely available and used. In the Philippines the good old jump up and down after the act routine for birth control is still widely used.