If Carlsberg ran casinos.....

Lazare

Went to Luke's last night for their 100FO and some cash. When I arrived, Oscar brought me downstairs to show me the new set up in the basement.

OMFG!

It's a crypt style room fully equipped with plasma screens, a full deli bar serving quality food, and free beer till the early hours. Eight or ten flatscreen pc's with gutshot poker, casino games and full internet access, they even set me up with a free $100 to use as I wish*.

Luke has moved the cash tables upstairs, which imo creates a better atmosphere as you have all poker players in one room.

This club is exactly like that Carlsberg ad with the guy in the cool apartment.

The big probem is it's not getting the numbers, I mean this club is miles ahead of the competition with regard to facilities, it should be packed to the rafters.


I have no affiliation to the place btw, I just felt the need to get on here and tell people how fantastic the club is, and I'd hate to see such a great facility close it's doors due to lack of business. If you haven't been yet, get down there soon.

Hopefully tonight with the fight and all it'll get good numbers, and I guarantee as soon as people experience the club and it's fantastic staff, they'll definitely be back.


*promo this weekend afaik.

Bandara

Lazare wrote: »

Went to Luke's last night for their 100FO and some cash. When I arrived, Oscar brought me downstairs to show me the new set up in the basement.

OMFG!

It's a crypt style room fully equipped with plasma screens, a full deli bar serving quality food, and free beer till the early hours. Eight or ten flatscreen pc's with gutshot poker, casino games and full internet access, they even set me up with a free $100 to use as I wish*.

Luke has moved the cash tables upstairs, which imo creates a better atmosphere as you have all poker players in one room.

This club is exactly like that Carlsberg ad with the guy in the cool apartment.

The big probem is it's not getting the numbers, I mean this club is miles ahead of the competition with regard to facilities, it should be packed to the rafters.


I have no affiliation to the place btw, I just felt the need to get on here and tell people how fantastic the club is, and I'd hate to see such a great facility close it's doors due to lack of business. If you haven't been yet, get down there soon.

Hopefully tonight with the fight and all it'll get good numbers, and I guarantee as soon as people experience the club and it's fantastic staff, they'll definitely be back.


*promo this weekend afaik.

Well run, friendly and good location.

Its replaced the fitz for me tbh.

Tinytony

Sounds class. Is there still early evening tournament in there on Sundays? If so I mite venture in tomorrow evening. Have been in the club once and was impressed with it then.

bohsman

30FO starts at 5

Tinytony

Sound. Will probably head in for that. The later tournies don't really suit being up at 06:45 in the morning for work.

Jools Poker

Yeah I like what they've done with downstairs- there's a far bigger chilll-out feel to it than when it used to be the Betfairlounge down there back in the Merrion days and was jam packed with pc's. Should be aa good night tonight I would say with the fight...

Lazare

Jools Poker wrote: »

Should be aa good night tonight I would say with the fight...

Yeah, I'm so sick I can't make it tonight, have friends staying over.

thechamp87

Lazare wrote: »

Yeah, I'm so sick I can't make it tonight, have friends staying over.

just bring them

Lazare

thechamp87 wrote: »

just bring them

Not possible unfortunately Adam, they're bringing a nipper with them.

I have sleeping pills I bought in Vegas, I might spike them all and head in lol.

tricky D

Thanks for the flattering comments. We've only just opened and have plans to extend the opening hours and menu, add more pc's (16 at the mo), do some more promos, including adding some money to a boards-based tourney and anything else we can think of. We also have a cashier facility for desposits and withdrawals, within certain limits. The opening promo ends tomorrow (sunday) night - $100 for GutShot gambolin*. Open from 7:30pm.

So come on down!!

*T&Cs apply. Mainly you can't just take the cash and run, must do some gamblage!

We'll are doing some hiring, more details soon in this forum and in Works and Jobs.

eoghan104

I just want to echo everything Lazare said. For me Lukes should be the number 1 casino in Dublin. It has everything a player needs and anything it might not have Luke and his staff will endevour to get it for you.

I cannot fathom why people can go and play in the SE where as a poker player you feel like the riff raff that the casino could do without. Lukes is a poker club first and a casino second. Any new place needs numbers and i hope Luke gets the numbers he deserves.

LegacyUser

where is lukes ?? in dcu is mite pop down!!

Theresalwaysone

See I think Lazares original post is damaging and helpful to lukes.

It is a poker club first and foremost. Therefore it will attract the good players. Once these players realise they are just passing monay around and no one has a big edge they will go elsewhere.

I go to the jackpot because it is soft. It attracts drunk rich kids from nearby harcourt street clubs. yes it is immoral but it is profitable.

Why play poker where you are the 9th best player at the table?

I realsie the irony in this post is highlighting the softness of the jackpot games and hence going to probably make them harder.IF anyone reads it.

The_Chopper

Before I post this I think Luke is the best TD/poker room manager out there and I wish him the best.
However last time I was there one of the waitresses spilt some of someones dinner on me while I was playing the 100FO - she didn't say sorry and just said " you shouldn't have been in my way". Now I thought this was bang out of order especially as the tables are slightly cramped and I was in no way taking up excess room. It cost me €12 to get my coat dry cleaned (accidents happen) - but it was her whole attitude I was dsgusted with.

This is why I haven't been there in a while and instead been playing in the SE

Flushdraw

The_Chopper wrote: »

Before I post this I think Luke is the best TD/poker room manager out there and I wish him the best.
However last time I was there one of the waitresses spilt some of someones dinner on me while I was playing the 100FO - she didn't say sorry and just said " you shouldn't have been in my way". Now I thought this was bang out of order especially as the tables are slightly cramped and I was in no way taking up excess room. It cost me €12 to get my coat dry cleaned (accidents happen) - but it was her whole attitude I was dsgusted with.

This is why I haven't been there in a while and instead been playing in the SE

This is the main gripe i have with CHL...not a lot of comfort playing tournies. No bank machine there either and leaving at 230am on a weekend night and trying to get a taxi is from that neck of the woods are a few concerns i have.

ditpoker

Theresalwaysone wrote: »

See I think Lazares original post is damaging and helpful to lukes.

It is a poker club first and foremost. Therefore it will attract the good players. Once these players realise they are just passing monay around and no one has a big edge they will go elsewhere.

I go to the jackpot because it is soft. It attracts drunk rich kids from nearby harcourt street clubs. yes it is immoral but it is profitable.

Why play poker where you are the 9th best player at the table?

I realsie the irony in this post is highlighting the softness of the jackpot games and hence going to probably make them harder.IF anyone reads it.

i play the jackpot cos theresalwaysone plays there... soft drunk rich kid that he is!!

curiously lukes squishes i think 6 tables in upstairs... i cant imagine they have a need for 6 tables there?!?! maybe when numbers increase, but surely 3-4 is plenty for now?

bohsman

robdcu wrote: »

where is lukes ?? in dcu is mite pop down!!

81 Merrion Square, right beside the old FAI hq.

As far as taxis go half our regulars are taxi drivers, shouldnt be too much of a problem getting one of them to leave a game for a while, atm machine is coming Im told. Im fairly sure the players are no better or worse than elsewhere, weekend drunks excepted. It definitely isnt a case of money being passed around in circles.

bottom feeder

i have to say Luke and crew have really put a lot of effort into this place - well done lads, if im honest i am a SE regular 'fish' but i went into lukes the other night & i was blown away by all the changes, when Lukes first opened i just taught it was a replica of the old Merrion which i didnt really frequent nor like. now i can safely say i will be attending Lukes more often - anyone reading this take note the cash games are so soft its sweet, so get your a$$'s down there.

brianmc

bottom feeder wrote: »

anyone reading this take note the cash games are so soft its sweet, so get your a$$'s down there.

Quiet! you!

DeadParrot

bottom feeder wrote: »

anyone reading this take note the cash games are so soft its sweet, so get your a$$'s down there.

Ssshhhhh!!!

shoutman

Was in here for the first time tonight, very impressed. I'm shocked that this place hasn't taken off. Downstairs in savage and the staff are great. I agree that maybe the pokerroom is a bit crowded table wise as they arent all needed at this stage but I reckon its only a matter of time before it becomes busy.

eagle eye

Luke is the best person to run a card club/casino that i have ever personally met.
The biggest problem here might be the name. I mean the ordinary Joe Soap on the street would not know what Cool Hand Lukes is. I think a change of name for the venue is important or else get the word out there that its a card club/casino.

shoutman

To be honest I kinda agree. Cool hand lukes doesn't exactly stink of class.

Requiem4adream

eagle eye wrote: »

Luke is the best person to run a card club/casino that i have ever personally met.
The biggest problem here might be the name. I mean the ordinary Joe Soap on the street would not know what Cool Hand Lukes is. I think a change of name for the venue is important or else get the word out there that its a card club/casino.

If you're talking purely of tagging on "Card Club" or something to the end of the name, sure, but i dont think the name in itself is a potential problem i.e the Cool Hand Luke's bit. Pretty famous film and is referenced a lot in modern culture, check out the wiki entry.

I wonder how much of the customer base would be from random passers-by? How many drunk students etc would pass by that area walking to/from somewhere?

It's possible the market is becoming a little over-saturated. The cream (luke)will rise to the top i hope.

DeVore

We'll be there for the SSF Charity Game which, given the availability of beer, should be a good night

DeV.

shoutman

Beer is available in CHL at all times I believe.

DeVore

Given: an established fact, condition, factor, etc.



DeV.

eagle eye

Requiem4adream wrote: »

If you're talking purely of tagging on "Card Club" or something to the end of the name, sure, but i dont think the name in itself is a potential problem i.e the Cool Hand Luke's bit. Pretty famous film and is referenced a lot in modern culture, check out the wiki entry.

I wonder how much of the customer base would be from random passers-by? How many drunk students etc would pass by that area walking to/from somewhere?

It's possible the market is becoming a little over-saturated. The cream (luke)will rise to the top i hope.

I think we all agree here that Luke is top notch.
As you say if you can add something on at the end it might work, but its just too long then.
Its either get the word out bigtime and not just on boards or between poker buddies. Regular Poker players really appreciate Luke, and for good reason i might add. But successful poker players require weak players who have a few euro to throw away. These are the guys that Luke has to attract. If they come, then the regulars come as well.
I personally believe that the name is the problem. I cannot see any association between the name and the poker, roulette, blackjack scene.
The Fitz for instance is so long around and had such good management for so long that it gets lots of easy money, then the jackpot is easy to remember and the name in itself pretty much tells you where you are going.

You have to think of the punter who has had a couple of beers and then decides to go and give it a whirl at the poker, he hops into a taxi and he says 'i'm going to that new place, whats the name of it again, eh hold on, sideshow bobs, er no, its eh, argh, just bring me to the jackpot/fitz.'

The name should be short and snappy and easy to remember and to associate with poker/gaming of some sort.

I don't think that there there are too many places in Dublin, there is plenty of room for a really well run card club/casino.

It would be interesting to see what the majority have to say on this subject.

Finally, i have seen the film many times. And its a classic. But how many twenty something's with booze on will remember the name of a movie from the sixty's or early seventy's when they can just say fitz/jackpot and save themselves the bother of any brain activity, which is the way they play poker as well.

Requiem4adream

Hmmmm - "The Sporting Emporium" doesnt exactly roll off the tongue nor does "The Fitzwilliam Card Club" . Both of these places benefit from handy nicknames/acronyms: "S.E." and "Fitz". In CHL's case that would be "Lukes". Handy enough to remember....

i personally think it's more than just the name, and that comment would apply to most products in life. Branding is important but without a good product, a good brand name will only get you so far. By the sounds of things Lukes has a very good product so give it a little time.

Slash/ED

True but I also don't think the name helps to be honest, doesn't sound as professional for want of a better word than other places. It's a minor thing but it helps. Have never been though myself, must check it out.

Theresalwaysone

I think its a great name.

"Sometimes nothin can be a real cool hand"

It needs time. Like every other business that has just opened. Give it time and now with the availability if beer.......

I may become a regular....donator.

cardshark202

How come lukes is able to serve beer or is it just like the SE? Doesn't seem to be given the posts I've seen.

bohsman

Anywhere can give away free drink.

cardshark202

Ah ok

ditpoker

the sporting emporium is commonly known as "the emporium". "the fitz" "the jackpot" even... "the colossus" ....
the name Cool Hand Lukes is terrible. anyone worth their salt in marketing can give 5 reasons its a bad name. The sporting emporium has hundreds of thousands of marketing euro's behind it, and has a brilliant location. CHL's doesnt have it. they should get a team of 18-22 year old blonde's outside Howl at the Moon or Oil Can Harry's on mount st from 1.30 sheparding drunks toward CHL's...

equally a name change is NOT gonna happen due to the abundance of CHL's branded chips, would seem wasted if they changed it to the "The Square Casino" (which by the way is an AWESOME name!)

EDIT: square poker chips anyone!?

strewelpeter

All the good things said about Luke's are undoubtedly true and I would say in terms of comfort, atmosphere, quality staff and excellent regular tournaments it and the SE are better than anywhere else I have ever seen.
There was a time when there were regular posts here bemoaning the lack of well structured regular tournaments in Dublin.
Can anyone explain to me why it is that the times I have been in Lukes for the very well structured Friday night 100 FO (8K stacks 30 min levels) the numbers have been dropping to the point where last Friday, on a night that the SE was closed, there were only two tables playing

Hectorjelly

maybe people have better things to do on a friday evening than play poker?

Ace2007

ditpoker wrote: »

the sporting emporium is commonly known as "the emporium". "the fitz" "the jackpot" even... "the colossus" ....
the name Cool Hand Lukes is terrible. anyone worth their salt in marketing can give 5 reasons its a bad name. The sporting emporium has hundreds of thousands of marketing euro's behind it, and has a brilliant location. CHL's doesnt have it. they should get a team of 18-22 year old blonde's outside Howl at the Moon or Oil Can Harry's on mount st from 1.30 sheparding drunks toward CHL's...

equally a name change is NOT gonna happen due to the abundance of CHL's branded chips, would seem wasted if they changed it to the "The Square Casino" (which by the way is an AWESOME name!)

EDIT: square poker chips anyone!?

Wow if i ever win the lotto - and fancy setting up a club - i'll let you be the manager and do all the work!!! -

shoutman

Well he did get a masters from DIT....
But it is true...

I still think CHL's will be a success, even without a change of name, I would be disgusted if it went busto. Luke deservers all the support in the world.

Taxipete29

TBH I think the biggest problem is not the name but the fact that alot of people still arent aware of the place. Not every player reads boards and outside of that Lukes is relying on word of mouth and thats not always enough.I have had a good few conversations with people about where they play and alot of the time when the name comes up people either havent heard of it or dont know where it is. I agree with dit,18-22 yo blondes with flyers ftw.