Poker Tournaments In Hot Springs Ar
If other states in the region move to regulate online poker, it’s possible that Arkansas could join the group and offer online poker to residents, but short of that avenue there aren’t many obvious paths to regulated online poker in the state. Arkansas Gambling Facts. Those with an interest in gambling history will find a compelling tale. The only casinos currently in operation in AR are the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort near Hot Springs National Park and the Southland Gaming & Racing venue in West Memphis. They offer live horse racing and betting, a sportsbook, electronic table games, blackjack tables, and, most importantly, a poker room. Hot Springs, Arkansas: Hotel casinos and other gaming information including the latest gambling news, holdem tournaments, slot machine information, pari-mutuel (horse racing and greyhound racing), and more subjects. Contact information and pictures of most gambling facilities in Hot Springs.
Arkansas doesn’t offer much for Texas holdem players. While casinos don’t
exist in the state, you can still wager on horse and greyhound racing provided
it’s through pari-mutuel betting systems. On top of this they also participate
in national lotteries and have some smaller state lotteries with most of the
profits going towards college scholarships, which is a cool idea.
You can find two tracks in the state which offer racing, and now also have
poker rooms because electronic games of skill are permitted if the local
municipality approves their use.
These poker rooms are located at Oaklawn Racing & Gaming in Hot Springs
National Park and at Southland Gaming & Racing in West Memphis. Both rooms only
have electronic poker tables, because of the law, but they still see a vibrant
community of players coming to the tables each week.
The most popular game in these poker rooms is no limit Texas holdem, and
you’ll also find some Omaha and limit Texas holdem tables running most of the
time. They also run a range of tournaments with a few freeroll events during the
week. This is great as it attracts new players who want to start out in the
game, which we all know is excellent for the poker community.
The standard of play in Arkansas is quite low due to the electronic tables
and the limited gaming that’s available to players. This is a good thing as it
means the games are more social and if you bring a good game you should be able
to find a great edge on most tables. You’ll still come across the odd shark at
the table though so proceed with caution and don’t flush your first buy in when
you’re still assessing the level of play at the table.
Like the rest of the country online poker is illegal in Arkansas, as are home
games. The lawmakers in this state have been known to come down hard on people
who try to operate rooms or games illegally so proceed with caution if you wish
to take this ill advisable route. Because of the geographic location of the
state you should be able to hit up one of the two poker rooms, and if not you
can always travel out of state to Missouri, Mississippi, or Oklahoma to find
live poker action. This may also be a good option for you if you wish to play
real Texas holdem poker with cards, chips, and a dealer.
One thing you should keep in mind and pass on to others is the fact that it’s
illegal to run live poker games with dealers, cards, and chips in Arkansas. So,
make sure you don’t negatively review these poker rooms online, in person, or by
word of mouth because of this. Spread the word and that way we will see poker in
Arkansas live on and only become more popular over time.
Poker Tournaments In Hot Springs Arkansas
List of Online Arkansas Poker Rooms
Oaklawn Racing & Gaming
- Location: Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
- Hours: Sunday to Thursday from 12pm until 12am and Friday and Saturday from
12pm until 3am - Tables: 5 electronic poker tables
- Games: You’ll find a no limit Texas holdem tournament in this poker room on
most days of the week with it going dark sometimes on a Monday or Tuesday. The
buy in ranges from free rolls up to $200. If you’re looking for a cash game
you’ll come across both no limit holdem and pot limit Omaha games here at
varying stakes. - Ambience: This modern poker room features brown and gold decor in a well-lit
and smoke free space. They have plenty of flat screen TVs on the walls to keep
you entertained while you play and the leather chairs and brown felt tables are
comfortable and clean. - Hospitality: You can earn comps in this poker room while you play through the
Winners Circle Rewards Club. On top of this they provide you with cocktail and
food service at the table and have a $100,000 bad beat jackpot. Finally, they
also run a range of promotions during the week including splashed pots and high
hand prizes. - Players: You’ll find some decent players in this poker room grinding it out
on the electronic poker tables. The best action will come during the tournaments
with the loosest players participating during that time. If you’re trying to
find an edge you’ll need to bring a solid game as a few regulars grace the
tables throughout the week. The fact this room runs electronic tables is a bit
of a worry, and it turns a lot of players away. If you can see past this, you’ll
probably find a lot more amateurs at the table as the electronic tables allow
for smaller stakes and a less intimidating environment for new players.
Southland Park Gaming & Racing
- Location: West Memphis, Arkansas
- Hours: Monday to Friday from 4pm until 4am and Saturday and Sunday from 12pm
until 4am - Tables: 6 electronic poker tables
- Games: For cash players, they spread $2 / $4 and $3 / $6 limit holdem, $1 /
$2 and $2 / $5 no limit Texas holdem, $2 / $4 limit Omaha, $2 / $4 and $4 / $8
Omaha high low kill, $1 / $3 pot limit Omaha and $1 / $3 pot limit Omaha kill.
For the tournament players, they offer a no limit holdem event each day of the
week with the buy in ranging from a free roll on the first Sunday of the month
and each Tuesday up to $45 for the usual Sunday tournament. - Ambience: Red and black carpets clash against the green table felt and even
brighter red chairs in this well-lit and somewhat sterile poker room. The decor
is like an old-school class room with plain beige and white walls and ceiling,
and not too much effort has gone in to the place. It’s completely non-smoking
and they have TVs on the walls so you can watch your favorite sports teams while
you play. - Hospitality: You can earn comps while you play in the Southland Park poker
room through the Player Rewards club. On top of this they will serve you
cocktails and food at the table while you play and they also offer a bad beat
jackpot in both hold’em and Omaha cash games. - Players: The play is soft in this poker room and if you play solid aggressive
poker you should be able to clean out once you ride out the natural variance in
the game. A lot of the players don’t have much of an idea how to play and seem
to be greyhound race fans who just want to sit down and try out poker for a
little bit to either chase their losses from the track, or expand on their
winnings. In any case the overall vibe of the room is fun and boisterous with no
one taking the poker too seriously. The service staff and room management can be
a bit hit and miss in this room, however, if they improve this or you get them
on a good day then you should have a lot of fun playing here on their electronic
tables.
Conclusion
Arkansas doesn’t offer many options for Texas holdem players. The two legal
places to enjoy poker can only do so using electronic tables so even if you do
play it may be an odd experience. The state is also one of the few who takes a
hard stand against private and home games, so be especially careful if you’re
invited to a game.
Can You Play Online Poker in Arkansas?
There is currently no legislation permitting online poker in the state.
Current Arkansas Gambling Laws
Until recently, gambling houses and devices were prohibited in the traditionally conservative state of Arkansas. The Local Option Horse Racing and Greyhound Racing Electronic Games of Skill Act of 2005 expanded gambling to allow racinos to include electronic gaming machines among their casino-style game offerings.
Then in November 2018, Arkansas passed a ballot referendum allowing racetracks to add slot machines and table games, in effect making way for the two established racinos in the state to expand into full-fledged casinos. This became a reality on April 1, 2019 when Southland Casino Racing in West Memphis (formerly Southland Gaming & Racing) and the Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs (formerly Oaklawn Park Race Track) opened their doors.
Southland Casino Racing offers more than 2,000 slot machines and more than 40 live table games including blackjack, craps, and roulette, as well as three-card poker and Mississippi stud. Meanwhile, Oaklawn is currently continuing with a $100 million expansion that will add 28,000 square feet of gaming space in time for the 2020 racing season.
Sports betting in Arkansas also took another step forward on Feb. 21, 2019 with approval of a 314-page rules proposal issued by the Arkansas Racing Commission. Per the ballot measure, state regulators were able to begin accepting applications for sports betting operators beginning in June, and soon after Oaklawn became the first of a few properties in the state to begin offering sports betting.
Poker Tournaments In Hot Springs Ar Weather
Despite having a historically conservative stance toward gambling, legislators and constituents of Arkansas have recently shown willingness to expand gambling for live operators, as demonstrated by the push to legalize sports betting.
Don't expect Arkansas to pass online poker legislation any time soon, but don't be surprised if they get on board once some nearby states start cashing in on it. There are clearly plenty of proponents of gambling and even internet gambling in the state.
Best Online Poker Sites for Arkansas Players
None at present. But you can always play poker for free with the WSOP Social App.