The WORST Poker Room in Illinois - 2007

Its Joliet again.
They have opened and closed this little poker room on the Empress Riverboat several times. Its open again now, which is a real shame.

The casino is dingy and depressing inside. The "poker room" is a roped off area in the casino. There are 3 tables. Thats right - THREE, two of which were in play on a weekday afternoon. 5-10 and a NL game were running and the other table would be used for 10-20. Brush told me a seat was open in either game and to go over to the main casino cage and buy some chips.

5-10 game was very tight passive with all regulars who knew each other. Rake was $5, plus $1 for a bbj. Chairs were dirty, tables and chips were well worn.

Heres the great thing about this room. They close it at 6pm on Fridays and do not re-open poker until 6pm on Sunday. Illinois silly 1200 "gaming positions" law forces casinos to decide who is more valuable; slot players or poker players.