Poker in Aruba?

[STEVEP502]

Just got back from 8 days in Aruba- visited a few Casinos.
Hyatt has a small (3-4 tables) poker room- but it was CLOSED my entire week

Occidental is working on a small (also 3-4) poker section- was 90% done 5/12/11

Raddison has a 5 table room. They play 4/8 limit and try to get a 2/2/5NL and a 7pm $100 tourn going. The 8 days I was there- never saw the tourn get off & the NL once or twice.

Holiday Inn def has the most Action by far.
The night before I left (Wed 5/11) had a 4+ tables full
Two 2/2/5 NL, one 5/5 PL Omaha Hi, and one 4/8 Limit.

They also run a 7pm tourn every night. Weekdays are lo buy in unlimited rebuys.
Weekends are $100 or 150 no rebuy tournaments.
I didnt play, but heard they get 20-40 on average.

I heard though that Holiday inn "Excelsior" & Occidental "Aura" casinos are same owner.
Holiday Inn might have Casino/Poker room renovations this summer.

If poker room managers ever read this- 7PM is a bad starting time for tourn.
If you're on vacation, it means dinner @ 530 or 930-10.
Start 5-6 pm or 8pm- you might get more players.

Also rake still a killer NL 5% to $10 plus $2 Bad beat
4/8 limit 10% to 6 (min $2 on flop) plus $2 bad beat.

Only nice positive is both HI & Rad have a promo basically giving you $100 chips if you buy in for $50(50 extra) and you open a table around 630pm.
You must play 2 hours or lose all chips.
$50 extra more than defeats nasty rake

[ricky59]

the holiday inn's owner is still involved with daily operation's, not quite sure who the real owner is? the radisson's past poker room was run by mace, who now is operating out of the westin.
poker on the island, has been down the last couple years.

[STEVEP502]

Rick- I can only compare it to my trips 3 & 4 years ago.

Poker was never "Big",
but compared to (same month, May),3-4 years ago,
Holiday inn was just as active (or more)on weekday nights,
but Raddison was down 1-2 tables (very limited sample)

[Chip Collector]

In-laws just came back and were very disappointed in the poker in Aruba. Not many games going and starting very late (even for Aruba).

[ricky59]

all the local's start late.

[STEVEP502]

What's the status of poker rooms ?

Did Occidental ever open theirs ?

Are holiday Inn, Raddison & Hyatt open ?

[STEVEP502]

I'm going down in May for 10 days.

Anyone have any updates on poker rooms ?

[Ciboney]

It's been a couple weeks since we have played cuz we have company now but Holiday Inn is not doing tournaments anymore, they have some great cash games, I think limit hold em starts about 6 and no limit starts about 8:30. The Radisson is doing tournaments but I don't really have any information about them. I think most of the action is at the Holiday Inn.