My brother is graduating from the Marines in a month and has expressed a desire to play some poker while I’m visiting. We’ve both played a fair bit of Hold’em online and made money, but this would be our first trip to a brick and mortar. I’m not looking to risk much in a new situation, probably $100 max. I haven’t really found any limit games of low enough level to effectively play with $100, but it looked like we could play some no-limit tournaments cheap enough.
Anyway, I would very much appreciate any info/recommendations on poker rooms in the area. Also, there may be a fair number of other family members in tow, so it would probably be nice if there were a good selection of other games/entertainment to keep them busy. Thanks for any help. Any other tips on the first B&M experience appreciated, as well.
I am not a poker player, but I have made contributions to some of the local indian casinos. Not all of the ones in the SD area have poker rooms, but I can recommend a couple.
I do know that Viejas casino (east of El Cajon off I-8) does have a poker room. I have heard they hold a tournament on Saturday or Sunday mornings, but I’m not sure. Best bet is to check their website.
They do have a lot of slot machines, Bingo, and the usual card games (a lot of blackjack, let it ride, carribean stud, 3 card poker, etc.). And they have a good number of pai gow poker tables as well.
Though not the nicest of the indian casinos in the area, they also have the advantage of a big factory outlet center right across the street. So depending on the ages (or luck) of the other family members, they can go shopping instead.
Pechanga casino (north on I-15 in Temecula) also has a poker room. Don’t know much about it. They have a huge casino with all the other games as well.
Barona (off 67 in Lakeside) also has a poker room, and a nice big casino.
If you’re up for a longer drive from San Diego, the king of all indian casinos (that I’ve seen) is the newly redone Morongo Casino (off I-10, just before Palm Springs). It will be about a 2 hour drive from San Diego. Their poker room isn’t all that large, but the casino itself is huge. Probably not worth the drive just for poker, but in case you want to see a big indian casino this would be it.
When my I would visit friends in SD, we would often go to Ocean’s Eleven. It wasn’t a huge cardroom, but they had a decent variety of low limit games. However, I haven’t been there in about four years, so YMMV.
Ah, Lazlo, I’m glad you mentioned that one. I’ve never been in it, but in terms of proximity, it’s definitely closer than driving out to the Indian casinos.
I need to get out and play myself. It’s been far too long and there’s no excuse since I live about 15 minutes away from three different indian casinos.
to some of the local indian casinos. Not all of the ones in the SD area have poker rooms, but I can recommend a couple.