1. Best Poker Rooms In Washington State Parks
2. Best Poker Rooms In Washington State Capitol

I live in washington and I play on ignition, it's never been a big deal. You can deposit easily with bitcoin or your card, and bitcoin withdrawals are super fast. I seriously doubt poker laws will change in a big way in 1-3 years unfortunately, there's just more important stuff to worry about.

On Wednesday, the Washington State Gambling Commission tweeted that it has been receiving questions about free online casino and poker sites, such as PokerStars, denying access to state residents.

• The Bicycle Casino is one of the largest and, we think, best poker rooms in the country. The room is located directly off the 710 freeway in Los Angeles and is easily accessible from downtown LA, the Westside and Orange County. 130 Poker Tables.
• Muckleshoot Casino: Best Poker Room in the State! - See 365 traveler reviews, 12 candid photos, and great deals for Auburn, WA, at Tripadvisor.
• Muckleshoot Casino in Auburn has the largest poker room in the state with 32 tables. If there is legalized internet poker in the state of Washington, it is not clear who would lead the charge in creating a great online site.
• Card Room Casinos in Washington. For almost 45 years card rooms have been legal in the state of Washington. When originally started, in 1974, card rooms were limited to just five tables per location. The law later changed in 1996 to allow up to 15 tables per location.

We’ve received questions about #FreePoker sites denying access to Washington residents. Please read below to learn more. Our agency did not order these sites to deny access to free poker. If you have concerns, please contact the websites directly. pic.twitter.com/idhLg95GGF

— WA Gambling Comm (@WAGambling) April 4, 2018

What prompted PokerStars to stop offering play money poker?

A recent ruling by Ninth Circuit of U.S. Court of Appeals stated that social casino games are illegal under the State of Washington’s existing gambling laws.

It began back in 2015 after a woman lost over $1,000 in virtual chips. She sued Churchill Downs, the then-parent company of Big Fish Casino over the loss.

Under Washington law, gambling is “risking something of value upon the outcome of a contest of chance.”

It all boils down to what constitutes value. Value, according to the law, includes anything that can be exchanged for money or the “the extension of a service, entertainment, or a privilege of playing a game or scheme without charge.”

The appeals court reversed the decision of the lower court ruling that virtual chips are not a thing of value.

Big Fish Casino prohibited the sale of virtual chips for money, but it did require players to use virtual chips to play their games. That means virtual chips have a value because players cannot play without them.

With virtual chips now defined as having value, it stands to reason, play money casino and poker games are in violation of Washington States gambling laws.

PokerStars responds to blocking play money games

USPoker requested comment from PokerStars on the matter this week and received the following statement from a company spokesperson:

“On Thursday, March 29, 2018, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that, under Washington State law, free-to-play games violate state gambling regulations. As a result, The Stars Group is immediately taking actions to block play related to social gaming from Washington State. We are reviewing the rulings and ensuring that our activities are in line with state regulations. We are hopeful the law will be clarified and that when it is, we will be able to reinstate all Washington players at their current status.”

The statement falls in line with the jurisdiction review policy on the PokerStars website.

“Our management team regularly reviews our operations along with independent 3rd party professionals to assess the business risks and opportunities for our brands on a market-by-market basis.”

PokerStars taking precautions

PokerStars blocking access to its play money site in Washington is smart. It tells the U.S. gaming market that it isn’t leaving anything to chance.

Back in 2013, Nevada became the first state to regulate and legalize online poker. The bill included bad actor language in its legislation.

A bad actor is any company that allowed U.S. citizens to play poker on its site after the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act in 2006.

Labeled a bad actor, PokerStars was not allowed to enter the market in Nevada when it launched.

It was 2011 when the Department of Justice shut down U.S. online gaming sites. Since that time, PokerStars has been diligent in its dealing in the U.S. gaming market.

Currently, Pennsylvania is preparing for online gaming, and PokerStars intends to be “among the first operators to launch.”

PokerStars operates in New Jersey under the Resorts AC gaming license. Mohegan Sun manages Resorts and owns Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Pennsylvania.

A partnership between any Pennsylvania casino and PokerStars is only speculation at this time. And it’s likely New Jersey and Pennsylvania is just the beginning for PokerStars.

It is reasonable to think PokerStars has an eye on expanding in the U.S. beyond New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Especially as the debate around online gaming legislation continues in several states.

Want to play at the top live US poker rooms? If so, listen carefully because we’ve put together a list of venues that are recognized as America’s most impressive. Regardless of whether you’re interested in size, style, history or gaming options, our rundown of the best live USA poker rooms has got you covered.

The Bellagio:

Bellagio
3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Arguably one of the most iconic casinos in the world, let alone the USA, the Bellagio is home to the infamous Bobby’s Room. Synonymous with high stakes gambling and the poker top pros, this intimate alcove is the proverbial jewel in the Bellagio’s crown.

Best Poker Rooms In Washington State Parks

Home to the likes of Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu and Gus Hansen on a daily basis, Bobby’s Room has seen some of the biggest poker games in the world over the last 20 years. From million dollar bluffs to prop bets involving male breast implants, this exclusive section of the Bellagio’s poker room has given rise to a slew of legendary tales.

Unfortunately, unless you’re super talented or super rich you’ll probably never get to ante-up inside Bobby’s Room. However, that doesn’t mean the Bellagio isn’t a top US poker room. In fact, it’s because of Bobby’s Room that the venue is loved by grinders from all over the world. While you may need a few million dollars in your bankroll in order to get into the casino’s richest game, there are hundreds of smaller games on offer each week filled with players aiming for the top.

The presence of the most exclusive live poker game in America is enough to pull people into the casino and give them something to aim for. This means that you’ll often find a string of low stakes games filled with weak players. Blinded by the dream of running a bluff against Doyle Brunson, these fishy players are commonplace inside the Bellagio and always ripe for picking.

In fact, aside from being known as one of the top live USA poker rooms, the Bellagio is known as one of the softest. Of course, when you move up to the higher limits you’ll find yourself amongst a host of top players, but below the top-tier it’s generally the case that the games are easy. In general, you’ll find that cash games start from $1/$2 and run as high as $1,000/$2,000 during the World Series of Poker. At high limits it’s possible to find Mixed Games, but in general you’ll find that Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha will be on offer.

Foxwoods Resort Casino:

Foxwoods Resort Casino
350 Trolley Line Boulevard
Mashantucket, CT 06338-3777

Another top live USA poker room outside of Nevada, Foxwoods is another structural behemoth in the gaming world. Offering 300,000 square feet of floor space, the venue has everything the hopeful gambler could wish for.

Contained with the six interconnected casinos is every class game you could wish for. From blackjack and roulette, to craps and slot machines, the adrenaline junkies among you will have plenty of opportunities to swing the pendulum of luck when you enter Foxwoods Casino.

However, if the virtues of skill and logic are more to your liking, then Foxwoods poker room will, provide an oasis of tranquility amid the chaos of the six gaming floors. Boasting 125 poker tables and the honor of being the second largest poker room in the world (not just the US); this venue is one that literally offers something for everyone.

Regardless of what your poker persuasion is, Foxwoods will have something to tickle your fancy. Of course, Hold’em and Omaha are by far the most populous games on the menu and you can enjoy each at limits ranging from $1/$2 to $100/$200. However, if you’re looking for something a little different, then Foxwoods is one of the few live US poker rooms that offers 7-card stud cash games. Running regularly throughout the week (mainly because of the venue’s high volume of players), fans of non-Hold’em poker games can grind out a fortune at limits ranging from $1/$3 and $75/150.

For those that enjoy the rush of a good tournament, Foxwoods plays host to a busy schedule of daily tournaments with prizepools the regularly top five-figures. However, it’s when the Foxwoods Poker Classic gets underway that this live USA poker room comes into its own. Regularly welcoming the best players in the world, the event is a major fixture on the US poker calendar for thousands of players.

The Commerce Casino:

Commerce Casino
6131 East Telegraph Rd.
Commerce, CA 90040

In America, bigger is always better and there are a few live poker rooms in the country that can stack up to the Commerce Casino. Situated in the Los Angeles suburb of Commerce, this casino offers a poker room that can hold up to 200 tables at once.

Although the Commerce poker room doesn’t sit pride of place on the Las Vegas strip, the stature of this venue is no less impressive. Owing to the sheer size of this US poker room, players from across the country are able to enjoy cash games and tournaments of all sizes. Unlike many of the top live poker rooms in the USA, The Commerce doesn’t only cater to high rollers. While venues such as the Bellagio have based their reputation around the wealthy games they host, The Commerce has a much more inclusive policy.

Average cash games limits will start as low as $1/$2 and reach as high as $100/$200+. In fact, if there are a number of celebrities in town, something that often happens at the Commerce, the highest games on offer can run a stakes exceeding $200/$400.

Aside from offering a variety of Hold’em, Omaha, Stud and Mixed cash games, The Commerce also offers a range of poker tournaments. Although the daily and weekly schedule isn’t anything to get too excited about, the casino comes into its own when it hosts the L.A. Poker Classic. Part of the ever-popular WPT season, the event is extremely popular and regularly produced prizepools exceeding $5 million.

If playing poker isn’t enough, then The Commerce Casino is also a complete entertainment complex. Mimicking the services found at some of the top venues in Las Vegas, The Commerce has six restaurants, a sprawling hotel complex as well as numerous bar and leisure facilities.

The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa

Borgata Hotel Casino
1 Borgata Way
Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Over the last few years the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa has become one of the top live poker rooms in the US. Located in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and now the owner of an online platform, the Borgata has benefited from the recent changes in US poker legislation.

Being situated inside one of the states that offer legal US online poker, this venue is now being utilized by many of the world’s top poker tours, including the WPT. In fact, in 2013 and 2014 the casino wrestled the WPT World Championship event away from its traditional home inside the Bellagio. Such a move was not only seen as a sign of the times, but as a testament to the Borgata’s prowess as a top US venue.

One of the main selling points for the Borgata, aside from it being the home to some of the WPT’s top tournaments, is that it’s the largest hotel in New Jersey. Boasting 2,002 rooms, the venue is not only a giant when it comes gambling, but in terms of leisure and entertainment. However, we digress. When it comes to poker, the Borgata is equipped with 161,000 square feet of gaming space that encompasses 4,000 slots and 200 table games.

Alongside these options stands a poker room that can accommodate around 100 tables at once. Generally filled with a mixture of tournament players and cash game grinders, it’s the latter demographic that really benefit from the Borgata’s size and experience. In the tournament world more players equates to bigger prizepools and those that choose to ante-up inside this venue will always be in good company. In fact, such is the pedigree of this live US poker room that the WPT now hosts not one, but three major MTTs inside its walls.

Binion’s Horseshoe

Binion’s Horseshoe
128 Fremont St,
Las Vegas, NV 89101

It may not be the biggest live poker room in the USA, it might not be the most impressive, but Binion’s Horseshoe is undoubtedly one of the top US poker rooms. In historical terms, Binion’s is an industry icon as it was home to the original World Series of Poker. Providing the venue where the likes of Doyle Brunson, Chip Reese and Benny Binion decided who the best player in the world was, Binion’s has since gone on to host Poker’s Hall of Fame.

Best Poker Rooms In Washington State Capitol

In today’s terms the casino’s ten poker tables and $4 rake on all cash games is a million miles from facilities offered by our other top USA live poker rooms. However, what it lacks in size it certainly makes up for in nostalgia. Anyone who takes the time to visit downtown Las Vegas and ante-up inside Binion’s poker room will feel a sense of reverence. Knowing that the venue is the birthplace of modern poker tournaments and once played host to the greatest grinders in history is something that can’t be ignored. On top of that the intimate setting makes each game more personal and the level of service that much better.

Of course, on a good day you’ll probably only find a handful of cash games on offer with stakes no higher than $10/$20. However, in reality, none of that really matters because it’s a poker room that every poker player in America should have the pleasure of playing in.

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