Poker News

Donna Blevins

You’ll find poker at the Biloxi and Gulfport Grand Casinos, the Copa, and the newly opened Palace Casino. Biloxi Grand Hotel and Casino: This 23-table, non-smoking poker room, managed by Mike Smith, has been a popular destination for all levels of poker players since 1994. During the week, they spread $2-4 stud, $1-4-8 to $15-30 Texas Hold’em and No-Limit . . . $1-$2 blinds with $40 minimum, $200 maximum buy-in. Weekends you’ll generally find $20-40 Hold’em plus a rip roaring No-Limit Hold’em game with $5-$10 blinds, minimum buy in $500, no maximum! Omaha lovers find action on the weekends in the $10-20 Omaha hi-lo game with a half kill. When a single player wins two consecutive pots over a specified amount, the limits increase to $15-30. Monday-Thursday, they offer one-table, No-Limit Hold’em sit & go satellites that pay two places. They range from $60 satellites that pay $350 for first, $150 for second to $215 buy-in paying $1400 and $600. Choose from a variety of free food in the poker room or take advantage of the generous food comp program for regular players. Poker room rates are available. Check out www.Caesars.com/GrandCasino/Biloxi

Gulfport Grand Hotel and Casino: This non-smoking room has 19 tables and, Ted Vaughn, the poker manager, is proud of his “real Southern hospitality room… It’s quiet with food bar amenities overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.” On the weekdays you’ll find $1-4- 8-8 Texas Hold’em, $1-5 stud, and $4-8 Omaha hi-lo with a half kill. The weekend brings $6-12 Hold’em plus No-Limit Texas Hold’em, $3-5 blinds with a $300-500 buy-in.

This fall the Gulfport Grand is planning five tournaments. Expect buy-ins from $100 to $500 for the Championship. The event will likely start Tuesday, October 25 and run through Sunday. Call for poker room rates. Check out www.Caesars.com/GrandCasino/Gulfport Copa Casino, Gulfport: Even though smoking is allowed in this 8-table poker room, they reserve the one and ten seats for non-smokers. They spread Texas Hold’em… $4-8-8 limit plus a $1-2 blind No-Limit variety, buy-in $50 to $200.

Poker manager John “Dutch’ Meyn said: “We tend to a lot of locals. We’re a laid back room with a family atmosphere. We find a reason to send the obnoxious players somewhere else. We’re very casual, and our dealers are friends with the players.” Check out www.TheCopaCasino.com.

Palace Casino Resort, Biloxi: The property opened July 1, 2005. Keith Ezykowich is poker manager for this 6-table card room. He said they will “spread games as requested and expect $5-10 limit Hold’em & above, Omaha hi-lo and 7-stud.” Having been in the poker business since 1987, Ezykowich said, “This is the nicest poker room I’ve ever seen. It’s totally enclosed, non-smoking, and insulated from the casino noise by double glass doors on both sides.” The 236-room four diamond hotel has yet to offer poker rates. Check out www.PalaceCasinoResort.com.

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