A poker player’s guide to Boca Raton
Boca Raton is one of the many jewels in the crown of the great State of Florida. It is home to some of the best weather in the United States, some of the most revered architectural feats and undoubtedly, the friendliest people in the entire country.
It is no wonder that tourists flock to Boca Raton in their thousands every year. But one thing that is sorely lacking for tourist and residents alike is a thriving poker scene. There are places to dabble in cards nearby, but you’ll need a car to avail of their services.
So what are the poker options available to the average Boca Raton resident or the passing tourist?
Isle Casino
777 Isle of Capri Circle,
Pompano Beach,
FL 33069
1-954-972-2000
The best place to play poker around Boca Raton is Isle Casino which you can get to in about 10 minutes if you’re driving. The casino is perhaps most famous for racing but it has a thriving poker scene which is getting bigger and better every year.
The casino is home to the Florida State Poker Championship which starts next month on July 15 and runs to July 30. For the winner there is a guaranteed $300,000 main event pot so you’ll need a solid poker strategy before you enter this comp.
It’s not just big tournaments that Isle Casino specialises in though. There are over 40 poker tables that are open 7 days a week, although there is a max buy-in of $100 on normal, non-tournament evenings.
Isle Casino boasts the highest return for hourly play in South Florida at an average of $1.44 per hour, of course if you’re any good you’ll be looking to significantly increase that amount! Regular Early Bird Full House events are held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday allowing players to wager bigger buy-ins.
For the remainder of June there is also the High Hands variant tournament which offers the best players the chance to win up to $400 every 30 minutes. Farradday’s on-site steakhouse is the energy-refill place of choice for players.
The restaurant offers some of the best steak in South Florida and is well worth a visit, especially if you’re celebrating a big win at one of the many poker tables.
The Isle Casino in Pampona is probably the biggest and best casino to play poker in South Florida. Although the maximum $100 buy-ins could prove taxing for experienced poker players.
Seminole Casino,
5550 NW, 40th Street,
Coconut Creek, FL 33073
1-954-977-6700
It may not have the allure and the grandeur of Isle Casino but the Seminole Casino is slightly closer to Boca Raton and more suited to the casual or first-time poker player. The poker room in the casino has 23 tables and is perhaps better known for its massive TV screens that broadcast local and national sports games.
The casino specialises in Texas Hold ‘Em poker with most of the 23 tables dedicated to this card variant. However there are a selection of tables to play Seven Card Stud and Omaha Hold ‘Em.
If you’re looking to make bank then Seminole Casino is a pretty good place to do that with a number of enticing tournaments for keen poker players. Firstly there is the Seminole Turnpike Poker Series which kicks off in mid-June.
The $250 buy-in tournament has a guaranteed $250,000 final pot with 30-minute levels to encourage quick and exciting plays. The second day of the tournament takes place in the swankier surroundings of Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood.
The Andy Slater “See You Later” Poker Tournament is better suited to beginners with a lower buy-in of $100. Slightly shorter 20 minute levels ensure a frenzied table atmosphere right to the final hand where there is a guaranteed $15,000 prize pool.
The Seminole Casino in Coconut Creek has played host to the WSOPC tournament in the past.
The Casino @ Dania Beach
301 E, Dania Beach Boulevard,
FL 330 04,
1-954-920-1511
The newest casino in Broward County is the furthest you will have to travel from Boca Raton for casual, laid-back poker. The venue has a great card room for visitors with 23 tables split between blackjack and poker.
Every night of the week there are tournaments available to play in which have a minimum buy-in of $125. The highest guaranteed final pot that you will see at a standard evening in this casino will be between $2,000 and $5,000.
The skill level of the players at The Casino @ Dania Beach is fairly low making it the perfect destination for beginners or casual poker players. The venue is fairly unique in that it offers patrons a unique experience to watch a live game of the fastest sport known to mankind – Jai Alai.
The game originated in the Basque region of Spain and France and is now played by the world’s best players at this casino. Players hurl a ball at 200 miles per hour in a squash type court.
Of course, as this is a casino you can bet on the outcome of the game! Elsewhere in the casino there are over 750 slot machines as well as regular guest appearances from some of the country’s best known musicians and comedians.
