Arizona PokerArizona Poker: The poker scene in Arizona has enjoyed a rich history. Five-card draw, stud and Faro have been highly popular over the years with those who were a part of the famous western saloon scene. For example, these games were favorites of outlaws who spent their time around the old towns of Tombstone or Bisbee. For a long time, poker and other gaming was prohibited by law in Arizona. Many would attribute the rise of the Arizona poker scene to be closely associated with the development of nearby Las Vegas as a prominent center of the gambling world. In addition, the spread of gambling onto Native American reservations increased the pressure on the Arizona state government to legalize poker and enter the gaming world. The result has been a major surge in the popularity of gaming in the state. The rise of Native American casinos has been consistently strong and the result has been the creation of 13 major poker rooms in the state, offering a total of almost two hundred poker tables. The majority of poker rooms in the state feature the standard list, including Texas Hold’em, which is most popular, especially in the higher limit variation. Seven-card stud and Omaha high/low split are commonly offered as well. A variety of betting ranges is available, but typically sits at lower limits. For example, $1-$4 stud games are regularly available, while hold’ em and Omaha average between $3 and $6. Beginners wanting low-risk can also find the occasional $1-$2 game at some larger casinos. For most Arizona casinos, the highest floor limits are in the $6-$12 range. The highest figure reported to date has actually been a $12 limit. Among Arizona poker rooms, several stand out as most popular and innovative. Casino Arizona, located at Indian Bend is a tourist’s favorite, offering such advanced services and features as automatic shuffling machines, an array of flat screen televisions throughout, along with nearly fifty poker tables. Casino Arizona appears to focus more on table machines, as opposed to video and slot machines, a pattern which goes against the trend in a state with such high video lottery popularity. Harrah's Ak-chin, owing some popularity due to close proximity to Phoenix and Glendale, is also a popular site, comfortably larger poker rooms and a variety of attractive promotions. For those looking for lower profile, less crowded poker facilities and experiences, a number of local, smaller establishments can be found. Bucky's Yavapai in Prescott, has only six poker tables that offer four games. Greater opportunity in the slot and video machine room serves to compensate for this. Similarly though, Deal Me In, in Scottsdale is known as a "social" poker room. Having even smaller numbers of tables, such rooms are unique in that the house takes no rake and the dealers are volunteers. This is possible (and more common) in this state given that gaming revenue mostly comes from non table gaming. While Arizona is lagging behind the larger established centers in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, most would agree that poker is on the rise in the state, perhaps typical of the current national trend.
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