U2’s Edge Could be a Player
Last month the Merrion Casino played host to the rock group U2 for a night. The group had been in town performing live from their studios for a Radio 1 special earlier in the evening.
“We did have an inkling they were coming,” said Mags Manton, cardroom manager at the venue. “But they had asked for their visit to be kept under wraps with no press or cameras.
“Although it was only a brief stay, ‘The Edge’ [a band member] showed more than a passing interest in Texas hold’em, and I’d say there is every chance we might be seeing him again soon.”
Dealer’s Choice
The Merion has become the first Irish venue to offer dealer’s choice games as opposed to the traditional hold’em, four-card Omaha, or a round of each. The newly introduced games are seven-card stud, five-card Omaha, and four-card Irish, all high only.
Meanwhile, an extremely large cash game is being staged at the venue on Tuesday nights. Unfortunately, entry is limited — as it is played and organised exclusively by the Chinese community — and one can only speculate on what type of poker is actually played. Basically, it starts with a left-handed deal, it’s noisy, and things get more and more confused from that point on.
Automatic Shuffle Means More Play
More hands per hour are likely to be played at the Merrion in the future with the introduction of automatic shuffling machines. “We have taken just one automated shuffler on a trial basis,” explained Mags Manton. “Should they go down well with the players, we will use them on all tournament tables and possibly on the cash-game tables.
“The shufflers should not be a distraction, as they will work under the table and they allow far more hands to be played per hour, because they shuffle one deck as another is being dealt.”
Beginners Night
The Merrion’s general manager, Dara Hanlon, is hosting small-stakes cash game nights for beginners on Mondays and Thursdays. “The sit down is just 50 and the …
