The last few years have brought a resurrection of the game of Poker. From Texas Hold'em and Omaha to Seven Card Stud and even Liar's Poker, Poker Rooms have regained and actually surpassed their popularity due to the recent proliferation of televised events such as the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour, as well as the numerous Celebrity Poker events. A few years ago, it was difficult to get enough players for a table in Las Vegas or Tahoe and it was illegal to play the game in Atlantic City, now all the top Casinos have added Poker Rooms.

I have been playing poker for fun since my dad taught me at age 8 and I have been playing for profit since I was 17 and played in the Poker Rooms of LA before heading to Las Vegas over 30 years ago. I paid for my first sports car with my payday poker game winnings in the Army. Until recently, I had only played in fixed limit games from coast to coast in America and in my Army days, as far away as The Republic of Korea. I am now retired, and trying to become a profitable professional poker player. I bought a Las Vegas time share so I can hit the strip more often, and will be seen more often at the tables as I visit casinos throughout California visiting my new wife's and my relatives. Casino and Poker Rooms featuring Merlin's Magic Wand  have been personally reviewed, while other locations without the wand are based solely on that Casino's literature.

As I tour the country, I will be visiting Card Rooms and Casinos and providing reviews. For listings of Card Rooms and Casinos throughout California, the US and  Canada, please visit California Casinos. If you have a favorite casino or card room, or would like to review rooms, we have not yet found, please send us an e-mail at info@gamingreview.org.

CALIFORNIA POKER ROOMS

California boasts the largest concentration of poker tables in the world, with over 1,300 tables located in large poker rooms, small back rooms and Indian casinos across the state. The huge number of tables also allows for a wide variety of games played and poker styles.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA

Artichoke Joe's

June 2006: This was the first card room where I could not get anyone to answer a few questions for me. Trying to talk first to the tournament director, I was referred to the shift manager. The shift manager brusquely handed back my card and told me to come back the next day. Joe's Pool Parlor became Artichoke Joe's, a fixture in San Bruno sporting life since 1921. Joseph Sammut opened his pool parlor and phone exchange in Al LoReaux's former plumbing shop. Most calls concerned horse races; Joe accepted any wager, no matter how large. Asked how he would pay off if he lost a big bet, he replied, 'In artichoke leaves,' hence the name.

Entering from the outside, it appears to be a small back room casino with an Asian restaurant on one side, a bar on the other and double doors in the back. Entering through the doors reveals something other than a small back room. The 20,000 sq. ft. casino has 38 tables, offering Hold'em, Omaha and 7-Stud. The California/Asian games are Fast 9, No Bust 21, Pai Gow and Pai Gow Poker. Low buy-in Hold'em tourneys are held Sunday through Thursdays.

Bay 101 Casino

March 2005: The Bay 101 Casino in San Jose is home to the World Poker Tour (WPT) Shooting Stars Tournament. The casino was smaller than expected with only 30 gaming tables, but it was a friendly and pleasant place to play. They offer you an exciting environment for casino card playing, delicious American and Asian food in the restaurant and deli as well as a sports bar, banquet facilities, and even a hair salon. The gaming experience is distinct from other casinos. Besides providing the very best gaming experience, what truly sets us apart is how they cater to you. They serve you from a delicious menu at your game table while you play!

June 2006: We re-visited the club when the WPT was not in town and found the casino packed. When not configured for the WPT, the club has 28 traditional Texas Hold'em, 7-Stud and Omaha tables and 12 California games.

If the City of San Jose would smarten up they could increase their revenue by either allowing the clubs to have more tables or allow a third club to open. It is an interesting side note, the current mayor, who was worried about bad influences of the casinos, was recently indicted. 

Cap's Saloon

May 2006: Cap's, Salinas' sole remaining card room could best be described as a back room establishment if it weren't actually the side room of the bar by the same name. It is a small intimate room with two tables present, but with only one normally in use. The players seemed friendly, with $3/$6 the primary game. The room opens at 4 PM with games starting at 5 PM daily. In the "Small World" category, the woman running the room and I were chatting while I waited for the games to start. We found out we had lived in the exact same duplex unit in the City of Marina (a block and a half from Mortimer's and the Marina Club) twenty years after I moved to Carmel Valley.

Caesar's Club 

May 2006: If you visit Caesar's Club, in the back area of a nice Mexican bar in  Watsonville, you should probably "Habla Espanol" a little more than I do. Catering to the high immigrant population of this agricultural area, the club has two tables, with $3/$6 the main poker game. When I arrived, they were just officially setting up the card room for the day, but both tables were already occupied with play of a Rummy style game for money, though I could not discern who was winning or how much was played on each hand.  

Garlic City Club

May 2006: This small club has five tables and caters mostly to nightly tournaments. Ring games break out before the tournaments and as tables free up during and after the Tuesday - Saturday tourney schedule. It was prior to the 7 PM opening when I arrived, but the card room manager let me in to look around the room and talk. There is a Mexican restaurant connected to the card room that serves wine and beer.

Garden City Club

June 2006: The Garden City Restaurant and Casino's motto is Fine Food, Spirits and Gaming and it lives up to it in spades. The small footprint A-frame Chalet style building on the outside disguises a classy interior with a nice restaurant and bar leading to a 40-table casino. Their are 28 tables for traditional 7-Stud and Texas Hold'em and 12 for the California (Asian) games of No-Bust 21, Pan, Pai Gow and Double Hand Poker. Since the City of San Jose limits the number of tables here and the Bay 101, the casino was packed with an hour waiting list during our visit. The fixed-limit games start at $3/$6 and cap at $20/$40 with a spread-limit $100 buy-in game normally being run.

In 2004, The Garden City paid out $3.5 Million to Hold’em Tournament Players. They have $40 to $60 Unlimited Re-buy tournaments Monday through Friday mornings with typical cash pools of $5,000. Every fall they host their traditional Speedway of Poker tournament. The gimmick for this tourney is a leader board in the shape of a NASCAR track with the players’ names on the cars.

Garden City restaurant is a treasured landmark for fine dining: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, or a late night snack. Executive Chef Gino Trimble, Executive Sous Chef Johnny Estabillo, and Sous Chef Emilio Valencia create original recipes daily, bound only by market availability. Their bill of fare is at your pleasure. Enjoy Steak and Lobster before sunrise or a Full House Breakfast Special at midnight. If Asian food is your preference, ask for the red menu.

Lucky Buck Card Room

May 2006: Located in a bowling alley complex, Luck Buck's floor space is roomy for its five tables and well lit. They offer low limit Hold'em, Omaha and Dealer' Choice, with higher limits on Friday nights. They have daily small buy-in tournaments. The bowling alley snack bar and lounge provide the meals and refreshments. The staff was friendly and the gaming spirited. 

Lucky Chances Casino

June 2006: The Lucky Chances brings new meaning to the term Dead Man's Hand. Located in Colma, the cemetery capital of California, between the graves of Wyatt Earp and Joe DiMaggio, the Lucky Chances is a large card room with more than 25 poker tables and 19 California/Asian tables. The club has a philosophy of enjoyable entertainment and is noted for its Player Code of Conduct and their zero tolerance stance against foul language and abusive players. They have fixed-limit Hold'em games starting at $2/$4 up to $9/$18 (1/2 kill) and a $200 spread limit game. A couple of times a week they have $10/$20 Omaha Hi-Lo.

They just held an interesting tournament 2nd Annual Last Chance Tournament of Losers. This tournament is a free roll for the players who were either the first knocked out of the daily tourneys or were knocked out on the bubble. The Saturday through Thursday daily tournaments are a little pricier here than at most card rooms, with $100 to $200 buy-ins, but that means the cash outs are bigger, too.

For your dining pleasure they offer Rene's Fine Dining for daily Lunch and Dinner and Sunday Brunch and the always open Colma Cafe for faster fare.

Marina Club

May 2006: The Marina Club, across the street from Mortimer's, is a dying breed, being one of the last card rooms that do not take a rake. Instead, they take a $5 every half hour table fee. The club is in the midst of a renovation, with up to seven tables available once the work is complete. The remodel will bring a much-needed upgrade to the room. The new lighting system casts an even glow on the cards and makes for easy viewing, even if you are wearing your shades. Currently, they have one or two tables normally playing Hold'em, with a $2-$6 spread the favored game. Nightly they offer Black Jack and Pai Gow. The Marina Club and Mortimer's are a blast from the past, since I lived a block and a half away as a young Army Lieutenant a quarter century ago.

Mortimer's Card Room

May 2006: Across the street from the Marina Club, this is another typical back room card room behind the Bar and Restaurant. The room has five tables available, with two to four normally filled. The games are open to whatever the clientele wish to play, with low stakes Hold'em the standard. The Marina Club and Mortimer's are a blast from the past, since I lived a block and a half away as a young Army Lieutenant a quarter century ago.

Ocean View Card Room

May 2006: With four tables, but room for more, this storefront card room is brightly lit and has neither a back room dinginess nor casino glitz. The new room is a vast improvement over the old room on Laurel Street. The room is known along the central coast for Omaha, but they also play Texas Hold'em. The night I visited, the game was Dealer's Choice. The players were friendly and the game split between Omaha and Hold'em. There is no alcohol served, but there is a Bar next-door, where you can grab a quick drink if you need it. Most internet listings have the old club info, so give them a call at (831) 423-6257 for directions to the new address on Pacific Avenue. 

Oaks Card Club

May 2006: With all of the small, intimate card rooms along the central California coast, this is the exception. One of California's oldest clubs, it is also one of the largest. Named after the Oakland Oaks of the old Pacific Coast baseball league, the Oaks Club has been a Bay Area landmark since the late 1890's. The recently expanded casino features 45 tables for nonstop gaming. Besides the regular poker games of Hold'em, Omaha and 7-Stud, they offer a wide variety of Asian Games, including Pai Gow, Pan and Double hand Poker..

The Palace

May 2006: The Palace is another of the old-time card rooms from the 40's. With eight tables, it is larger than most of the bay area rooms. Several of the tables have the auto-shufflers that are gaining popularity nationwide. $3/$6 Hold'em is popular, but their $100 buy-in No-Limit game is the best in the area. They have daily tournaments with a $40 - $50 buy-in. Inside also offers a snack bar with a moderate menu. Fronting on busy Mission Avenue, they offer free shuttle service from the near-by public parking lot.

Casino San Pablo

May 2006:  The San Pablo Lytton Casino is the Bay Area's Indian casino. The poker area is toward the back and boasts 20 poker tables. They offer Hold'em games from $3/$6 to $8/$16 and a $100 buy-in No Limit game, as well as Omaha and 7-Stud when the players desire it. The casino is more than a card room, with slots and 20 plus other table games, such as Pan and Double Hand Poker. All told, it is a typical flashy Indian casino with a strong poker presence. Besides the numerous gaming opportunities, Casino San Pablo offers entertainment and fine dining.

LOS ANGELES AREA

Bicycle Club Casino

August 2007: As the popularity of poker grows, so does the Bicycle Club outside of Los Angeles. They continue to knock out walls to increase the floor size of the club to handle more than 185 total tables. A major addition since my last visit is the California Games Section. By making a separate room for the Asian Games of Pai Gow and Pan, as well as 21^st Century Blackjack and Baccarat, they have opened up even more space for Texas Hold’em, Omaha and other traditional Poker games.  

The Bike has always been known as Southern California’s major tournament house. The club hosts the traditional Legends of Poker World Poker Tour (WPT) Event, as well as the WPT Ladies Night Final Table. Poker tournaments are not the only reason the Bike is one of Southern California’s most famous card rooms. Since a player is able to spread any amount, at any time, for any game, The Bike is the place to play poker. Besides ring games, one can normally find Sit and Goes, Satellites or Super Satellites available during major events.

Not only has there been an architectural facelift, the club continues to lead the way in innovative marketing. Marketing Director Kelly O’Hara aptly put it when she said, “The view is always the same, unless you are the lead dog.” Their latest innovation is the promotion of Ladies poker events. Besides the long running quarterly Queens of Poker tournaments, they are adding Ladies events in all of the major tournament series, as well promoting the “Luck Be a Lady” series. They also sponsor the lower limit Ladies International Poker Series (LIPS) tour and the higher buy-in Ladies Poker Association (LPA) events.

March 2005: The Bike (as the locals call it) in Bell Gardens, is a well run card room of medium size. The room is brightly lit and has the feel of poker excitement. With the tournament tables ringing the main floor, it lets one get involved in the action immediately upon entering. Tournament action abounds daily. The World Poker Tour (WPT) Legends of Poker and Ladies Night tournaments are held here annually. As seems traditional in most California card rooms, they serve excellent meals right at the tables. I first experienced this phenomenon here about 10 years ago. Besides the first merger of a brick and mortar card room and a FREE Online Card Room and Casino, they are also the forefront of technological innovation with Live at the Bike. This is Poker Reality Television. Every Monday - Friday from 7pm - 10pm PST, The Bike hosts a live play with real players and real money (no tournament chips). Games vary from day to day--sometimes NL -- sometimes not. This live broadcast streams to your computer. It is a lot of fun to watch, and maybe you will see me at the tables. One thing that sets The Bike's Valet Parking apart from others is the on-site car wash.

Club Caribe Casino

August 2007: A new paint job and etched glass doors have added a touch of elegance to one of my favorite small card rooms. The addition of flat screen TVs around the playing area is a nice touch, and the small bar and cafe are Jonathan Wood, the Day Shift manager is one of several people running the club while the search for a new General Manager is underway, and they are doing a fine job. The club is still small, with only six traditional poker tables, as well as tables for Asian Games and 21. They have also added a small private room for high stakes Asian Games where the players can get away from the distractions of the main card room floor. They currently only have one low buy-in tournament a week, on Monday nights, but they are looking at increasing the tourney schedule in the near future. They pride themselves on catering to their loyal customer base, but also being a place for novice players to break in to brick and mortar casino action. They are beginning to promote the club as “The Home Game Away from Home” where a group of friends can come together and play poker as a group. 

March 2005: The Club Caribe Casino in Cudahy is a small club with a big attitude. They bill themselves as "The Best Little Casino in Los Angeles" and I agree. There were only about 14 tables, but the players were mostly regulars who enjoy the intimacy of Club Caribe over some of the fancier venues nearby. It reminds me of the card rooms in Gardena and Bakersfield 25 to 30 years ago. I was there for their first King of the Hill Tournament. This concept took the top nine players and pitted them heads-up to crown the tourney winner. Trying to insure a spot at the finals, I overbid my jacks and lost to pocket Queens to finish 12th.

Commerce Casino

February 2008: Looking back at my review of three years ago, I realized that saying I shortchanged the Commerce Casino would be a gross understatement. Not only did I omit the grandeur of the hotel's Assyrian/Babylonian motif exterior architecture, I failed to mention the opulence of the gaming floor with life size Ben Hur-esque chariot and horses to the Sphinx-like statues that adorn the main entrance. As the self-proclaimed “Poker Capital of the World,” the world's largest poker room (at 91,694 sq. ft.) has a huge reputation to live up to, and it does a magnificent job.

When it comes to the Casino Games, they have them all. With so much room, ring games abound. They normally offer Limit and No Limit Hold‘em, 7-Card Stud and 7-Card Stud, Hi-Lo Omaha and Omaha High-Low, Razz, Lowball, Pot Limit, Mexican Poker, Pineapple, 5-Card Stud, 5-Card Draw and Low-Ball with limits ranging through all levels. The California Games area offers No Bust Blackjack, 13-Card Poker, 3 Card Poker, Caribbean Stud, 21st Century Baccarat, Super Pan-9, Pai Gow Poker, Pai Gow Tiles and Joker’s Wild Pai Gow have.

However, the Commerce does not limit itself to offering the widest variety and largest number of ring games. They provide a full tournament schedule for wallets of all sizes. For those with bigger financial dreams dancing in their heads, the Commerce Casino also hosts the annual L.A. Poker Classic, a $10,000 buy-in event on the World Poker Tour (WPT). In the fall, the Commerce is once again the center of California’s poker world when they host the California State Poker Championship, a $2,500 buy-in tournament that attracts the “Best of the West.”

March 2005: The Commerce Casino in Commerce is home to the World Poker Tour (WPT) LA Poker Classic. It is the largest poker room in the world. Even though I did not last long in my initial foray into a WPT event, I did win a couple of satellites to pay for my entry.

Crystal Hotel and Casino

February 2008: An amazing change is happening at the Crystal Hotel. Haig Kelegian, owner of the casino (as well as Oceans 11 in Oceanside, California) is sparing no expense to complete upgrades in both the casino and the hotel rooms. I played poker with Haig at the WPT Celebrity Invitational and he said more changes are on the way. The poker room is divided into three distinct areas, with a central California/Table Games area, a tournament room separated by a low wall to hold back spectators and a ring game arena. They are building a new lounge/bar and showroom on the far side of the tables. They currently offer a play and stay option that makes the well-appointed rooms discounted rate an even better value.

March 2005: The New Crystal Park Casino in Compton is a nicely appointed medium sized poker room. They have fun, low cost tournaments every Friday and Saturday evening. I arrived late for a Saturday night tourney and the floor staff did all they could to insure I was able to get a seat. When it appeared that I was not going to be able to play, they offered to comp my dinner. I eventually was seated as an alternate and made it past the first break, but not much more.

Hollywood Park Casino

March 2005: The Hollywood Park Casino near Los Angeles International Airport is a Casino fit for the King of Sports. Befitting its location at one of California's finest race courses, the interior of the casino is opulent and the poker area is huge. You can watch the current horse races on the TVs around the floor. It is the only poker room I have played where the person next to me went On Tilt because he blew the Exacta in the Third. UltimateBet.NET held its initial televised Ultimate Poker Challenge tournament here in 2005 and again is hosting the 2006 event.

Hustler Casino

March 2005: Larry Flint's Hustler Casino in Gardena is the most luxurious casino in Southern California. The room is fairly large, with around 40 total tables. They have an enclosed smoking area with gaming tables (The Fishbowl) that I found intriguing. The players and staff were friendly. The food was well prepared, even at 2 AM when I had an excellent steak sandwich.

Normandie Casino

March 2008: I finally got to visit an old friend in person. This new casino has all the trappings of a quality upscale card room, which is a real change from the dark and dingy little smoke filled room of my youth. The brightly lit interior highlights both the poker tables and the California games. Though the $40 - $100 No Limit Hold'em is the main game, they also offer limit Hold'em, Omaha and the occasional Sunday afternoon 7-Stud game. They have daily 7:00 PM, low buy-in tournaments and occasionally offer $30,000 guaranteed tournaments. Like many of the Las Vegas casinos, the Normandie offers a "Fun Book" filled with two for one discounts and free gifts. Besides the typical card room restaurants, they offer a Vegas-style showroom with name acts.

March 2007: I have not been back to the Normandie since I was a young 18-year-old stud player over 30 years ago. Playing cards in Los Angeles at the Normandie Casino is a California tradition. They invite you to come by and share in the fun! You will see why the Normandie Casino is one of California’s most popular Los Angeles Casinos! In Fact Normandie Casino is Southern California's Oldest Casino and Showroom. The California Casino has been Family run for over 70 years. The Normandie Casino Offers some of the best Entertainment in a Los Angeles Casino. It is the only Los Angeles Casino with a Multi-Million Dollar Showroom. They offer daily No Limit Tournaments.

CENTRAL VALLEY

Golden West Casino

July 2005: The Golden West Casino in Bakersfield is a small Poker Room that really sees that poker is still growing. The current 14 tables are due to closing the fine restaurant (the food is still great) and adding tables to the original 6 room facility. These rooms are augmented by the conference room that has been converted to a tournament room for their nearly daily tournaments. The only thing bad I have to say about the Golden West is that in the times I have played there over the years, it is one of the few houses I have never finished ahead.

CALIFORNIA INDIAN CASINOS

DESERT AREA

Agua Caliente Casino

June 2005: The Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage has all the glamour associated with the new era of bigger and better Indian casinos. The poker room is small, with only ten tables and unlike most casinos and unlike most poker rooms today, they do not offer tournaments (except for their monthly player loyalty freeroll). Do not let this stop you, since there are plenty of poker style table games and in an area known for fine dining, their restaurants are fantastic.

Fantasy Springs Casino

June 2005: The Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio is an oasis in a desert wasteland, as the largest desert casino should be. Though the poker room is small, with only eight tables they have daily tournaments with buy ins as low as $10.00. The casino is lively and the players friendly.

Morongo Casino

June 2005: The Morongo Casino in Cabazon has recently opened its NEW casino, resort hotel and spa with a larger Poker Room. Home to the Poker Superstars Invitational II, the newly built casino and resort hotel is state of the art. The enclosed poker room keeps out cigarette smoke and the noise from the slots. The sign-up board is computer generated and looks a lot better than black marker on white board normally used. They have daily morning tournaments and several nighttime tourneys each week. With 25 tables, it is the largest poker room in the California desert. It even has the added advantage of having a Fat Burger in the food court. The last Sunday of the month, they offer a monthly $5,000 Freeroll Tournament for players with 40 hours of table play the previous month. The Morongo is my home casino, as well as one of my favorites. It has a special place in my heart, having cashed out several times; I finally won my first tournament here.

San Manuel Bingo and Casino

July 2006: With the opening of the new beautifully built casino a little over a year ago, the San Manuel is one of the larger Indian Casinos in the desert area. Located near the San Bernardino border it really is not in the desert, but it is too far out to be truly part of the Los Angeles gaming scene. The Poker Room holds 32 standard poker tables, featuring 7-Stud, Omaha and a wide array of Texas Hold'em games, from $2/$4 to $15/$30 with 1/2 kill. There are Jackpots for each type of poker game (Double Jackpots Mondays and Wednesdays, every other hour starting at noon and ending at midnight) and every Tuesday and Thursday, each High Hand of the Hour will receive $250 from noon to midnight. The only down side is there are currently no poker tournaments scheduled. They also offer a $2/$5 $100-$300 buy-in No-Limit game.  

With a full complement of more than 30 Asian (Pai Gow) and California game tables (Mini-Baccarat, 3- and 4-Card Poker, Let It Ride and Blackjack) and 2,000 slot machines and a huge Bingo Hall, it is a casino for everyone's tastes. Speaking of tastes, there are several eating venues from fast food at Tutu's Food Court to the Sports Watch Grill and the Serrano Buffet. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable and the player's throughout the casino appeared to be having a great time.

Soboba Casino

June 2005: The Soboba Casino in San Jacinto recently opened their Poker Room and did a great job. The room is separated from the main casino, so there is not the slot machine noise and gawker problem associated with rooms without the segregation. They hold daily morning tournaments and some in the evenings. All the rooms are trying to differentiate themselves in one way or another, and Soboba's is the introduction of Tag Team Tuesday. This tournament features two players, alternating between Hold’em and Omaha as each level progresses. It sounds like an interesting concept.

The staff is well trained, the players friendly and the room was lively. They comp’ed me dinner at the Cafe, and the Patty Melt was superior to most, with a double patty and large chunks of grilled onion.

Spotlight 29 Casino

June 2005: YOU'RE FIRED!!! Those were the words heard by Donald Trump's management team as the Tribal Elders took back control of the casino. The Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella is out in the middle of nothing. It is the last of the desert casinos heading east on I-10. Do not let the desolate location fool you. The casino is full of the expected Trump Glitz, even though The Donald is no longer part of the operation. The poker room is small, with only eight tables, but it is nicely tucked away to limit the hustle and noise of the slot machines and other table games. Though it is small, it has been an official satellite host for the World Series of Poker. The Rattlesnake Restaurant, though a bit pricey is worth the money. The service was excellent and the food exceptional.

SAN DIEGO AREA

Barona Casino and Resort

If an exciting game of poker is what you are looking for, then the spacious non-smoking 15-table poker room is just for you. Players can choose from several exciting variations, such as 7-Card Stud High/Low, 3/6, 4/8, and 8/16 Texas Hold‘em, as well as no limit Texas Hold‘em. The poker room boasts the easiest to hit Hold'em jackpots in California, generous comps with tracked play and game side dining available. Make a Royal Flush in the Poker Room and receive a Solid Gold Barona Bar! 24 hours a day, seven days a week while supplies last.

Ocean's Eleven

Not far from the Marine Base at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, the Oceans Eleven is a simple but elegant card room. You can find most forms of poker at the 43 tables, from $1 - $2 Texas Hold’em tables to $1,000 buy-in No Limit. They also offer non-poker card games from Baccarat to No Bust Blackjack and Pan. They offer daily limited cost buy-in No Limit Tournaments.

Pechanga Resort and Casino

The spacious and comfortable 54-table Pechanga Poker Room offers exciting poker action 24-hours every day with Texas Hold’em, No Limit Hold‘em, Omaha Hi-Low, 7-Card Stud tournament play. High stakes and low buy-ins combined with courteous and professional poker staff make the Pechanga Poker Room a favorite among veteran players as well as those newer to the game. Tableside meal and cocktail service is available. Throughout the year, special tournament promotions give players a chance to win buy-ins to big tournaments like the World Series of Poker and to participate in other exciting special events.

NEVADA POKER ROOMS AND CASINOS

DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS

Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel

Third Review, September 2006: While Binion's Gambling Hall and Hotel is undergoing a complete renovation, the Poker Room was the first to profit from the changes. Now home to The Ultimate Poker Championship, America's #1 syndicated poker show, the poker room is abuzz with televised tournaments at 4 PM Saturday - Tuesday. Along with the $60 (one re-buy) tournaments daily at 10 AM, 2 PM, 8 PM and 2 AM. The renewed emphasis on poker at "The Place that Made Poker Famous."

Second Review, October 2005: Even though it has changed hands twice, is no longer the Horseshoe and no longer the host to the World Series of Poker, Binion's Gambling Hall is still the place to go for Hold'em tournament play. Currently they hold four Hold'em tournaments every day. With nearly twenty ring tables set up for $2 - $4/$3 - $6/$5 - $10 Hold'em and Omaha Hi-Lo, the action is always on. After a winning stint at the $2 - $4 table and my first custom card cover sale (Pyrite Nugget on a Poker Pro Chip) I entered the afternoon tournament. Two marginal hands (King - Jack suited, King - Queen suited) blew a nice chip stack and knocked me out of the tourney on back to back hands at the end of the first hour. Even though I was an early out, the tourney was enjoyable. The staff was as efficient and the players were as friendly as a year ago.

First Review, November 2004: The Horseshoe is where Las Vegas Poker began. They continue to host daily Texas Hold'em tournaments, as well as fixed limit cash games. The Poker Room is set off slightly from the rest of the casino and the Poker Hall of Fame makes this a must play site when in town. In the heart of Downtown Las Vegas, it is everyone's favorite place to play! I had the biggest thrill of my poker life here last November. I have been playing poker in Las Vegas, and around the world for 30 years, but entering and my first Tournament and cashing out at the historic Horseshoe was a thrill.

Golden Nugget

October 2005: The Golden Nugget has a small nine-table card room tucked away in the center of the casino. $2 - $4 and $4 - $8 Hold'em are the norm, with a No Limit table with $100 minimum and no maximum played often. Winner of the AAA Four-Diamond Award since 1977, the Golden Nugget Las Vegas is the most luxurious resort in downtown Las Vegas, and consistently receives critical acclaim for exceeding customer expectations. It is one of the premier hotel-casinos in Nevada and the largest in downtown Las Vegas. The Golden Nugget is now Home to two hot televised poker events: The Poker Superstars III on Fox Sports Net (FSN) and the Game Show Network's High Stakes Poker.

Plaza Hotel Casino

October 2005: The Plaza is home to television's Ultimate Poker Challenge, to be held again in November 2005. There are twenty poker tables and five Pan tables (one game I may never really understand). They have twice nightly tournaments with Monday Night Omaha Hi-Lo. Another exciting activity at the Plaza are the near constant single table $65 Sit and Go's and $25 Shootout tournaments. I was doing well in the Shootout, until I got brazen from the second chip position and went against the chip leader and was knocked out in fifth.

LAS VEGAS STRIP

The Bellagio

October 2005: Home of the Doyle Brunson North American Poker Championship, one of several World Poker Tour (WPT) events held in the luxurious room. Satellites are held in the Fontana Lounge to allow normal ring game activity leading up to the WPT event. The lower level room has around 16 tables, where Hold'em is the norm. The highest-level games in Las Vegas can be found in their high stakes room, with hundreds of thousands of dollars often changing hands on a single hand. They have $500 + $40 buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournament every Sunday - Thursday and $1,000 + $60 buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournament every Friday and Saturday.

Caesars Palace

The most expansive, exciting and relaxed Las Vegas poker card room is Now Open at Caesars Palace. Stylized to the supreme standards of the rest of the resort and structured to satisfy the top poker aficionados of the world, the Caesars Palace poker room guarantees all levels of players a phenomenal poker experience. High-limit games packed with intrigue and card-playing strategies set the stage for excitement and gossip while across the room, low-limit tables afford the relaxed player hours of pleasure and casual conversation. Besides a remarkable 8,500 square feet poker room, Caesars Palace is one of the only casinos to offer a private tournament area. Historically, poker tournaments are played within the poker room. Consequently, poker play is compromised or cancelled altogether to make room for tournaments. The decision was made not to inconvenience players at Caesars Palace, thus providing a 6,000 square-foot tournament area directly adjacent to the main poker room. Suited to the recreational poker player as well as the seasoned veteran of the game, the Caesars Palace poker room features 30 tables offering a vast array of games including Texas Hold’em, Seven-Card Stud and Omaha, a game rising in popularity around the world. Scheduling has commenced for both daily and weekly tournaments, as well as several intercontinental tournaments, including the internationally televised WSOP Circuit Event in the spring. Most poker tournaments are open to the public.

Excalibur

September 2006: The poker room is found in the middle of the casino table games area, with less noise from the slots than some venues, you find a throwback to the old small stakes poker. Mostly the games played are $2/$4 Limit Hold’em, and $35 buy-in tournaments at 9 AM and 11 AM daily.

Harrah's

June 2005: The new Poker Room at Harrah's is nicely secluded near the Sports Book and enclosed to limit the noise of the slots. Daily tournaments with medium level buy ins and re-buys make for nice paydays for those fortunate to cash out. The tournament I entered was filled with friendly players from around the country. The attendance was down a bit, since It was the first day of the WSOP.

The Orleans

September 2006: The poker room is tucked in the far corner of one of Las Vegas' old time casinos. They host two No Limit Hold'em Tournaments Daily at 12 Noon and at 7PM. They spread Hold'em, Stud and Omaha Hi-Lo from $2/$4 to $10/$20 and offer No Limit games with $100/$300 buy-in. The Bad Beat Jackpot starts at $50,000.

The Rio

Second Review, October 2005: Tucked away by the Sports Book, I viewed the room in a more relaxed setting and found the noise level from the slots not what I feared. The ten tables feature mainly Hold'em, but will play any game when enough people sign up. They hold daily noon tournaments, and a special on Monday Night Football. 

First Review, June 2005: The Rio is the new home for the World Series of Poker. The Poker Room was closed for the 2005 WSOP when I arrived, but appeared to be nicely positioned near the Sports Book. Unlike the room at Harrah's it is not enclosed, so the sound of the slots may become an annoyance. After nearly a mile walk, I found the conference center rooms where 200 tables had been set up for ring games, satellites and WSOP Bracelet events. I was only able to enter one $175 WSOP satellite, but was lucky enough to sit with James Woods, superstar and host of HollywoodPoker.com. If you would like to read my Bad Beat story at the hands of Jimmie "Lucky Jack" Woods, request a copy of Gaming Review Newsletter.

The Stardust

October 2005: Las Vegas' oldest card room, The Stardust was busy while arrived. They play low to mid-level Hold'em, Omaha and some Stud, with Tournaments Monday through Wednesday. An interesting feature of The Stardust is the Thursday Freeroll tournament for all players with only 15 hours ring play the previous Thursday through Wednesday.

March 2007: From ashes to ashes and Stardust to dust, one of Las Vegas original Strip hotels was imploded (see video) to fanfare and a few shed tears. The dropping of this historic casino makes way for one of the most expensive new properties to grace the Strip.

Treasure Island

July 2007: I first passed this poker room on the way to the All-In Energy Drink VIP Party at the Mystere Pool on a Sunday night and the room was packed. The Treasure Island Poker Room, to paraphrase Reno's famous motto, is "The Best Little Poker Room in Vegas." This intimate eight-table room hosts six $60 buy-in tournaments daily, with an average of twenty to forty players for each game.

I played in a 7 PM tourney with 33 starting players. I was low on chips at the one-hour break with 18 players remaining, but made a charge soon after the break and went to the final table as the chip leader. I fought hard with the number two, flip-flopping several times until we were down to three players. An ill-advised All-in with $40,000 chips to the leaders' $45,000 (and $4,500 for the other player) sent me home in third in a truly International field, with Americans capturing 1st and 3rd, Brits getting 2nd and 4th and a German taking home 5th. The play was friendly, but solid (after a flurry of activity at my first table with two of the first three hands All-ins).

Besides the near constant small tourneys from 10 AM to 10 PM, $2-$4 Limit and $2-$5 No-Limit play is near continuous at the remaining tables. The games were friendly, but extremely competitive. The night before I played, I was told of a $2-$5 No Limit game that involved 2003 WSOP Main Event Champion Chris Moneymaker losing a $4,000 pot.

Tuscany

July 2006: The Tuscany, a half mile off the strip, is a throwback to old Las Vegas, before every casino had to be bigger and more spectacular than the next. The room is small, and the five tables are dominated buy $3/$6 and $4/$8 Texas Hold'em, as well as twice-daily low buy-in tournaments. Unlike most other poker rooms, they build their ring games from the tourneys. The card room is off a ways from the main casino floor, but still is noisier than some others. They are currently offering a $25,000 quarterly Free Roll. The casino's tag line is "Discover the Best Kept Secret of Las Vegas..." As the poker room manager explained, they try to run the room as a Home Game and they appear to have succeeded. 

The Venetian

July 2006: Another one of Las Vegas' new card rooms, The Venetian is also one of the most opulent, with the poker room no exception. The Venetian Poker Room was designed with the same exquisite elegance and artistry for which this four-star resort has become world-famous. At nearly 11,000 square feet, The Venetian Poker Room is not only among the city’s largest venues, but also its most exquisite – draped in rich leather and wood, and thoughtfully equipped with the latest technology. Rise to the challenge of your choice – whether your preferred style is Texas Hold‘em, Stud, or Omaha. Experience the setting destined to become the premier poker room in Las Vegas, with a host of exclusive features. The room has 39 tables that are spread apart from each other to separate the games and Hold'em starting at $4/$8. One game to separate this room from the others is the daily $6/$12 HORSE game and $1/$5 7-Card Stud. They also offer Daily $180 buy-in tournaments with the most attractive starting chips and levels. The room offers daily poker lessons, the staffing for private games and has a quarterly $500,000 Free Roll for the players averaging 50 hours a month.

The Wynn

July 2006: One of Las Vegas' newest and most expensive hotel and casino complexes on the Strip, it is Las Vegas BIG in every way. The card room is secluded at the back of the casino floor, on an off side hallway. Though it is not enclosed, it is far enough from the hustle and bustle of the main floor to provide a quiet place to play. There are only 26 tables in the room, but the games offered are well rounded from $4/$8 to $100/$200 Limit and $10-$25 No limit with no maximum buy in. In keeping with the room's higher stakes, the tournaments are also pricier, with $330 to $540 buy-ins. Daniel Negraneau is no longer the Wynn's Poker Ambassador. 

NORTH LAS VEGAS

The Cannery

July 2006: The Cannery has the glamour of old Las Vegas no longer associated with the neighborhood feel of NLV. The theme gives the feel of an old cannery, from the door handles at the front that are modeled after tin cans, and an inside full of wood beams and old machinery. The poker room is at the back of the casino, tucked away from the noise of the main casino floor and has 12 tables with plenty of room to grow. Their comp policy is one of the best in the area and they are known for their friendly and courteous dealers and floor personnel. Not trying to compete with the mega casinos on the strip, they start with $2/$4 Hold'em and their daily tournaments are only $35. Though the main game is Hold'em, they offer 7-Card Stud and Omaha every Saturday.

The Poker Palace

July 2006: The Poker Palace is an older casino that is showing its age. With only eight tables, this is a throwback to the neighborhood casino of the 60's. They offer $3/$6 Limit and $1/$2 No Limit Hold'em and daily $30 tournaments. The poker room is open from 6:00 PM until the tables close around midnight. They offer the best Free Roll value in the area, with only four hours required for entry each month. Maddy's Paddy's, the small cafe offers breakfast and steak specials daily.

Speedway Casino

July 2006: The Speedway Casino is the only race themed casino in the country. Part of the Ramada Inn in NLV, this small casino has an intimate feel. With only two poker tables, right in the center of the floor, they only play $2/$4 Hold'em. They do have $23 (with $10 re-buys and $20 add-on) tournaments at 4:00 PM daily and a monthly $2,500 Free Roll for the first 22 players with 30 hours of live play.

HENDERSON

Railroad Pass Casino

October 2005: The small three-table room located off to the rear of the casino makes for a quiet spot to play poker. Though no action was occurring around 1 PM on a Monday, I was told the action heats up with the after work crowd in the evenings.

LAUGHLIN

Colorado Belle

October 2005: Built to look like a Mississippi Steam Boat, the Belle banks on the  Colorado River. The Belle hosts daily morning Hold'em tournaments and most nights they hold Hold'em tourneys. Thursday nights they host an Omaha Hi-Lo Split tournament. With twelve tables, it is one of the largest Poker Rooms in town. 

Don Laughlin's Riverside Resort

October 2005: The Riverside claims "If poker is your game The Riverside has a seat waiting for you. In The Riverside Poker Room you’ll find the best poker value anywhere in Laughlin," and I agree. The room has an excellent view overlooking the  Colorado River. I played in a $2 - $6 ring game (the most popular) for about 45 minutes, making my entry and re-buy into the nightly Hold'em tournament. What makes this resort extra special is the wing of rooms set aside for pet owners, the only hotel in Laughlin that makes such a provision.

Flamingo Hilton

October 2005: The Flamingo's Poker Room is another one tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the casino. Down a few steps from the main room, the four tables overlook the Colorado River, providing a scenic view while enjoying $2 - $4 Hold'em.

Ramada Express

October 2005: The three tables are tucked away at the rear of the casino. The afternoon I visited, the tables were still covered and no one was around to talk. One thing I appreciated at the Ramada Express was that all U.S. veterans are invited to stop by the Distinguished Players Club booth to pick up a very special free gift - a beautiful commemorative patriotic pin designed exclusively for Ramada Express along with a matching Distinguished Players Card - their way of saying "thanks" for a job well done.

NEW  JERSEY

ATLANTIC CITY

After spending a week in the poker rooms up and down the Boardwalk and the Marina in Atlantic City, I have come to find that the A.C. stands for ANY CARDS. The play in both ring games and in the tournaments was much looser than what I am used to in Southern California and Las Vegas. At times, it felt that I was at a televised table with nine Gus Hansen's. For Atlantic City's updated weekly tournament schedule, visit CityAtlantic.com.

Bally's

December 2005: Bally's offers 20 poker tables in Billy's Poker Parlor, located on the sixth floor of the property. There are 15 Texas Hold'em games and 5 Stud games. Be a part of the nation's hottest craze and try your hand in Bally's Atlantic City No Limit Texas Hold'em tournaments Monday through Friday in Billy's Poker Parlor. There is no limit to the excitement of poker at Billy's!

Borgata Casino

December 2005: The home of The World Poker Tour's World Poker Tour (WPT) Borgata Winter Open, the room was host to the first major tournament in Atlantic City's Poker resurgence.

Ceaser's Palace Poker Arena

The spectacular new Poker Arena is open. Poker players can experience the ultimate in luxuries, offered by the most legendary name in gaming. This premiere Poker Arena located on the first floor, adjacent to the main entrance, features 24 smoke-free gaming tables surrounded by fifteen 50" plasma televisions. Food service, from a specially created menu, and beverage service, is available for our players. convenience. This premier Poker Arena is for the ultimate Poker Player who enjoys traditional Poker games, including Texas Hold 'em. The games, along with our Poker tournaments create a distinctly unique experience for avid Poker players. The staff includes the renowned Caesars Poker dealers, providing the experience and gamesmanship that Poker players want and need. Caesars hosted the 2006 World Series of Poker Circuit event.

Harrah's

December 2005: Ante up for the hot poker action with 24 tables featuring 7 Card Stud, No Limit and limit Texas Hold'em and Texas Hold'em Bonus Poker. Poker limits vary with both no limit and limit games in various dollar amounts. Enjoy tableside food and beverage service and plasma televisions. Harrah's will be host to a 2006 World Series of Poker Circuit event.

Resorts

December 2005: Deal yourself in to the most popular game in the country - Texas Hold'em Poker - in Resorts' new poker room. Atlantic City's friendliest Poker Room is located right in the casino, in front of Platinum Place Slots. It is all poker, all the time with 10 tables tucked off to the side to keep the slot machine noise to a minimum. Hold'em Tournaments (format is no-limit, with increasing blinds) are held every Tuesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. Resorts offers free Texas Hold'em lessons every day at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Let their pros teach you how to play the nation's hottest table game!

Sands

December 2005: Come be a part of the action and see why the Sands Casino Hotel truly is the Players Place. We offer the best gaming odds, highest betting limits and most attractive rewards for our players. With the poker room tucked away on the second floor, the sounds of the casino are far away. Daily tournaments are held to accommodate all players. 

Showboat

December 2005: With 25 tables, the Showboat's House of Blues Poker Room is one of AC's larger poker venues. Up the three-story escalator and past the House of Blue's nightclub you find this quaint secluded room. Host to the World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) event, the staff and other players made this an enjoyable site to play. I was invited to a WSOPC celebrity event, sponsored by CityAtlantic.com. I enjoyed the play, sitting at the table with WSOPC No Limit Hold'em Event #5 winner Lisa Pickell, the first woman WSOP Circuit event winner.

Tropicana

December 2005: Travel back to Old Havana, where the queen of all resort hotels - the Tropicana - stood proudly at the heart of it all. Today the Tropicana Casino and Resort recreates a bit of Old Havana with the most extraordinary destination in the history of Atlantic City, New Jersey. World-class restaurants, non-stop entertainment, a dazzling array of shops and experiences and south Jersey’s only IMAX Theatre…you’ll find all of this and more at The Quarter. The Quarter features three floors of shopping, dining, theater and spa services in a state-of-the-art complex bordering Pacific Avenue and accessible directly from the Tropicana Casino and Resort. The poker room sports has around 20 tables and has daily no limit tournaments, with buy-ins as low as $20. They host a monthly $2,500.00 freeroll for frequent ring game players.

Trump Taj Mahal

December 2005: With 64 tables and 10 more in the side room, Trump's TAJ Mahal Poker Parlor is Atlantic City's largest poker room. The Taj Mahal has been Home of the ESPN United States Poker Championships for ten years, as well as the home of the Trump Poker Classic! They offer constantly updated waiting lists for all games in the room, with a private elevator to the Poker Snack Bar and an exclusive high-limit section available. The Poker Parlor's simulcast facility offers coverage of poker, races and keno. The Taj also offers free poker instruction for beginners daily to help you feel comfortable and confident to play by the rules. Non-value poker chips are used during instructional lessons so there is no risk. Please see the Poker Seating Controller for daily time availability. New players who sign up and participate in a complimentary lesson will receive a free souvenir. 

Wild Wild West Poker Corral

December 2005: The Wild Wild West Poker Corral is elegant in its simplicity. A walkway away from Bally's, its Sister Casino, brings you to an old west town, with mock buildings and an outdoor feel; it is an interesting visual experience. Newcomers to Bally's Wild Wild West poker tables can experience "Texas Hold'em" and "7 Card Stud,” both traditional games that go hand-in-hand with Bally's Wild Wild West Casino frontier setting. With only ten tables, the poker room has an intimate feel. The hold most of the ring games at Bally's. "No limit Hold'em" tournaments are held on Wednesday at 6 p.m. and Friday at 9 p.m. Sit & Go Tournaments, available every day from 10 am until Midnight, are a single table tournament. The game is No Limit Hold'em with $50 buy-in + $15 Entry Fee. Sign up at front desk. There are 10 players to a table, two winners per table and $2000 in chips to play with.

ARIZONA

PHOENIX

Gila River Casino Wild Horse Pass

The casino is just a few minutes south of Phoenix off the I-10 freeway across from Firebird Raceway. The Gila River is one of three casinos owned and operated by the Gila River Tribe. Opening in November of 1997, it quickly gained a large following from the Arizona gaming community. The card room has 19 tables, with most filled nightly. They offer Hold'em, Stud and Omaha, with limits ranging from $1 - $3 up to $ 40 - $80. The staff and dealers are extremely polite, professional and will not let you feel out of place. (Thanks to Allen Johns for this review.)

YUMA

Paradise Casinos

Outside of Yuma is the Paradise Casino, an interesting two building casino complex. On one side of the dividing line of is the State of Arizona casino, which they claim has over 800 of the loosest slots, plus live Bingo. Twenty-five feet away, on the California side of the border,  is the table games casino, with the standard games as wel as 14 poker tables. $4-$8 No Limit is the standard game, with occasional Hold'em tournaments. Nestled in the Desert Southwest, they offer all the excitement of Las Vegas without all the hassle.

FLORIDA

After spending time at casinos and poker rooms with no limit games gaining popularity; it is interesting to play in Florida, where the state regulates the size of the bets. When poker was legalized in the late 90's, the legislature insured the rooms would not become high stakes venues with a maximum of $2.00 per bet per player per round. This interesting development means all the games are either $1/$2 or $2/$2 fixed limit. In order to increase pot sizes, games here are sometimes changed slightly. Some rooms have a $2 ante up front, in addition to the blinds and some rooms instituted a new version of Hold'em called Double Flop, where two separate flops are dealt, to increase the number of players that remain in a hand, thus increasing the size of the pots. Even the tournament buy-ins are regulated at $45, though some of the Indian Casinos are not bound by this restriction.

Since my last visit to Florida, the state changed their gaming laws changed to increase the limits. I hope to return soon to provide an update.

BRIGHTON

Seminole Casino – Brighton

Seminole Casino Brighton features a spacious 10 table poker room with no pot limit live games, along with Texas Hold'em, 5 Card and 7 Card Stud and Omaha Hi-Lo Tournaments. Poker Room Open Monday - Saturday at 3:00 pm, Sunday at noon.

COCONUT CREEK

Seminole Casino - Coconut Creek

September 2006: The upstairs card room currently has 11 tables, but new construction will increase the room to 16 tables. The room offers lower limit tournaments daily and continuous Sit 'n Go tables. They offer $1/$2 and $2/$2 Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Seven Card Stud. 

DANIA BEACH

Dania Jai Alai

September 2006: With 26 tables, this is one of the larger and more extensive poker rooms not at a Seminole Casino. They offer $1/$2 and $2/$2 Texas Hold’em, Omaha and Seven Card Stud, but to increase pot size they also offer Ante games and an interesting twist to Hold'em called Double Flop. They also offer twice-daily $45 buy-in tournaments. The weekend tournaments are heavily slanted to the winners, with 1st place getting up to eight times the 2nd place prize, instead of the normal two-times.

HALLANDALE

Mardi Gras Race Track and Gaming Center

September 2006: Formerly the Hollywood Dog Track, the Mardi Gras Gaming Center is located on the second floor of the Hollywood Greyhound Track. The 20 tables are set up for ring games and 10 tables reserved for tournament play. At 7 PM weekdays, they offer a $42-$45 buy-in Hold'em tournaments, with continuous $42 Sit 'n Go tables.

HOLLYWOOD

Seminole Hard Rock Casino - Hollywood

September 2006: If you take the Seminole Casino and knock it up a notch, you have The Hard Rock Seminole. This casino is Florida's answer to Las Vegas, with all of the glitz and glamour associated with the Strip's Hard Rock. The poker room boasts one of the few Poker Pro dealerless tables used in an actual casino. These dealerless tables place internet style poker into the casino with small monitors in front of each player. According to the poker room staff, the players like the concept, and the two tables are nearly always occupied. The casino is one of the largest in Florida, and the poker room boasts 46 tables, evenly divided between ring games and tournament play. Daily tournaments have buy-ins from $100 to $575 with a monthly $1,100 Big Slick tourney. Sit and Go tournaments are offered 24 hours a day, with $140, $250, $520 or $1,050 buy-ins.

Seminole Casino - Hollywood

September 2006: In the spirit of Indian Casinos nationwide, the Seminole Casino offers bingo, slots and poker. The Seminole Casino of Hollywood's poker room features 29 tables with live and tournament games available around the clock. They offer a monthly Big One No Limit Texas Hold'em Tournament featuring prize pools of over $100,000.

IMMOKALEE

Seminole Casino - Immokalee

The Seminole Casino Poker Room is open every day of the week and features 18 tables. Players are eligible to win special "Bonuses" and "Bad Beat" jackpots while enjoying playing most live games and tournaments. Live Texas Hold’em, Seven Card Stud, and Omaha games are offered every day with ^$2/$2 Limits, with no set pot limits. Daily tournaments have buy-ins ranging from $103 to $300. They also offer an "Almost Free Tournament," every Wednesday night at 6:30 PM with a $15 buy-in and is limited to the first 100 players.

MIAMI

Flagler Dog Track

September 2006: The Flagler's 12-table poker room is on the second floor, overlooking the simulcast area. Poker can be found daily from noon to midnight. Games include $1/$2 and $2/$2 Texas Hold’em, Five Card Draw, Omaha and Seven-Card Stud or they will set up any game that will fill a table. They have daily tournaments at 7 PM weekdays and 5 PM weekends and will field a Sit 'n Go on request.

Miccosukee Resort and Gaming

September 2006: An interesting feature of this resort is two separate poker rooms, with separate bonus structures and tournaments. The newer room, with more than 30 tables on the hotel side of the casino, is nicely enclosed fishbowl with floor to ceiling glass walls. The room has $55 Multi-Table Tourneys and $75 Single Table Tourneys daily. The older room, on the casino side, is more intimate with 15 tables. Both sides offer $1/$2 and $2/$2 Limit games and  OmahaHi-Lo $2/$2. The best part of the morning was the $50 Jackpot I received with my A J - 7 A A A 10. The coffee shop had great looking food at reasonable prices, even at 2 AM when I visited.

PALM BEACH

Palm Beach Kennel Club

September 2006:  The Poker Room now offers players 5- and 7-card stud, Texas Hold'em and Omaha. The air-conditioned room is completely non-smoking and includes 40 poker tables. There are Sports TVs to see all the big games. Tableside food and beverage service is offered, so no one has to miss a hand. Daily Hold'em tournaments have $45 buy-ins. On Fridays, the $45 Single Table Shootouts are held all day long. Games are $1/$2 and $2/$2 and $2 ante.

POMPANO BEACH

Pompono Park

September 2006:  With 20 Tables, this poker room is only open when the harness ponies are racing, every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

TAMPA

Seminole Hard Rock Casino Tampa

Another of the glamorous casinos in the Hard Rock franchise, there are 50 tables devoted to Hold'em, Stud and Omaha. The continuous Sit 'n Go tourney buy-ins are from $120 to $1,050. They offer $100 Multi-Table Tourneys on Mondays and Wednesdays.