Commerce Casino,
I’m Home!

By Crystal Osgood-Gray

 

It wasn’t long ago that my poker mentor sat me down at a poker table at Commerce Casino.  I was terrified.  The year was 1987, and I had just seen the movie “The Color of Money” the night before.  I was certain that I had come to the big city to play the big boys in the big $5 - $10 game.  To my surprise I sat down beside a grandmother from Atlantic City who was in town for a baseball game, and won $300 for the night.  I was hooked. 

Some eight years later I moved to Los Angeles to start my career and poker at Commerce became my nightly ritual.  I banked enough money to pay the bills while my career hiccupped this way and that.  Commerce was my only safe haven in the city of glitz and dreams gone awry.  Back then, there weren’t many women hitting the tables, so people began to know my name, the games I played, and the nights I would attend the casino.  It was strangely comforting to have strangers know your name and your face, without ever really having a conversation with them.  I have since always enjoyed the feeling of anonymity and familiarity that the poker room provides. 

I recently sat down to chat with Cheri Dokken, Tournament Director at Commerce  Casino.  When I asked Cheri what is was about Commerce that is so special, that patrons like myself keep coming here year after year?  She replied, “We try harder.”    “We are the biggest casino in LA, but we strive to make the casino a relaxing, clean, quiet, and smoke-free place where people can go to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.  Commerce Casino is home to many people.  But, while Commerce is the poker capitol of the world, hosting visitors from around the country and abroad, we still treat our guests like family.”  . 

Commerce is certainly known for its hospitality, as well as it’s amenities.  With the Crown Hotel now attached to the Casino, guests are just a short walk from the casino floor, luxury spa, salon, and four restaurants.

Hotel Room at the Crown Hotel and The Eden Restaurant

On a recent trip to Commerce I met up with Marta Williams, 58 years young from Torrance, California who has been coming to Commerce for 15 years.  “My daughter got married here,” exclaimed Marta.  “We know everyone here and I wouldn’t play anywhere else.  When I pull up, the valet knows my name, the floorman gets my chips, the servers get my dinner.  This is good for me.” 

Commerce has grown with the poker boom, now boasting over 240 tables that greet an average of eight thousand customers a day, and serve over six thousand meals.  When walking through the door some are shocked to see tables stretching the length of a football field.  But somehow it is home. 

I have seen Commerce Casino grow and change a bit.  I no longer need to wear my baseball cap and dark sunglasses.  Now my friends and I come here to spend long weekends playing in the Ladies Dream Weekend or the LA Poker Classic.  We stay at the luxurious Crown Hotel, dine on gourmet food, relax in the spa, and play serious poker.  And as I look around, it feels good to be home –again.

For more information on www.commercecasino.com