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Poker Rooms in Atlantic City: Which Poker Tournaments are Available in Atlantic City? [2024]
Atlantic City has long been known as the main gambling destination in this part of the coast. With its vibrant casinos combined with stunning ocean views and fun attractions, the city is a perfect spot both for a short weekend trip and a full-scale holiday.
If you are a gambler, there is no way to get bored in Atlantic City. Each and every of the Atlantic City casinos offers all kinds of games, from slots to roulette, baccarat, and blackjack. And if games of luck seem too easy or unpredicted, just open the door to one of Atlantic City poker rooms where skill, strategy, and a dash of luck come together to create unforgettable moments with this popular casino game, also available on the best NJ poker apps and online casino websites.
On this page, we’ll go all in and explore the best ways to play poker in Atlantic City. Keep reading to learn more about the top poker rooms, tournaments, and the unique charm that makes Atlantic City a true poker paradise.
Atlantic City Poker Rooms – Facts and Highlights
- There are currently 95 poker tables in Atlantic City, with 52 at The Borgata Poker Room alone;
- The largest blinds played in AC casinos are 10/25, with a no-cap buy-in;
- The smallest buy-in in AC is $60, available at Tropicana and Harrah’s;
- The Borgata Poker Room is the place for regular tournaments, including the WPT Borgata Poker Open, held twice annually;
- Harrah’s has over six different poker games on its 25 tables;
- Poker players can take advantage of food and cocktail service at the table, regular comps, and exclusive discounts.
Top 3 Atlantic City Poker Rooms: Borgata, Harrah’s, Tropicana
We say “Top 3”, but essentially it’s “Only 3” poker rooms in Atlantic City, all of them of top quality, though. There were two more, in Bally and Golden Nugget casinos, but they got closed, and there is no recent information on whether they are going to be reopened any time soon.
Borgata Poker Room
No. of Tables | 52 |
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Open Hours | 24/7 |
Buy-in Range |
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Tournament Schedule | https://borgata.mgmresorts.com/en/casino/poker.html |
Borgata is the only casino where you can take part in poker tournaments in Atlantic City, which makes it one of the most popular poker rooms here with 52 tables on offer at any time. The main game at Borgata poker room in AC is no-limit Hold’em, with various stakes available. Additionally, there are round-the-clock single-table sit-and-go tournaments, so there’s always action whenever you come. If you prefer other games like Pot-limit Omaha or Stud, they are available on request.
If going to AC just to play poker sounds inconvenient to you today, Borgata has got you covered. Register with Borgata Online Casino and get the exclusive Poker Welcome Offer that comes with a 100% deposit match of up to $1,000 and, what’s more important, up to $75 in tournament tickets – two $20 tickets, three $10 tickets, and one $5 ticket that will allow you to participate in the respective tournaments. You’ll have 14 days to enjoy Borgata poker tournaments with bonus tickets.
4.6 /5 | 100% Up to $1,000 + $75 in Tournament Tickets |
| Full T&Cs Apply. New players only. 21+ Full T&Cs Apply. Must be 21+. NJ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Visit poker.borgataonline.com for Terms and Conditions. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. |
Harrah’s Poker Room
No. of Tables | 25 |
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Open Hours |
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Buy-in Range |
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Harrah’s poker room is not as abundant when it comes to the number of tables, as there are only 25 of them, but it’s all about variety when it comes to the kinds of games you can play here. In Harrah’s casino poker room, players can pick between Texas Hold’em, Three Card Poker, Pai Gow, Let it Ride, Mississippi Stud, and others.
The room is open from 11 AM to 6 AM on Monday and Tuesday, from 11 AM to 4 AM on Wednesday and Thursday, and non-stop from 11 AM on Friday to 6 AM on Monday. Harrah’s poker tournaments are not available at the moment.
Tropicana Poker Room
No. of Tables | 18 |
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Open Hours | 24/7 |
Buy-in Range |
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Tropicana Atlantic City poker room is the smallest one out of the three, with only 18 poker tables available for the players. The main game here is 1/2 no-limit Hold’em with a $60-$300 buy-in limit, but there are also Three Card Poker, Pai Gow, Let It Ride, and Caribbean Stud, if you want something less classic.
Tropicana is the only poker room on the AC Boardwalk, which makes it rather popular. Considering the number of tables, the place might get a bit crowded, especially on weekends, when the room is open 24/7.
Atlantic City Poker Tournaments
If you are looking for a place where you can take part in a poker tournament, Borgata Casino is the place to visit. The casino’s poker tournaments schedule is super generous on events — there is a little something for everyone almost every day of the year.
Borgata is also highly regarded for hosting the prestigious World Poker Tour. There are two events each year, including the WPT Borgata Poker Open, where players have the chance to win millions of dollars in guaranteed cash prizes. So if AC daily poker tournaments are not big enough for you, you can watch (or even take part in) one of the largest world tournaments.
The History of Atlantic City Poker Rooms and Poker Tournaments
While Atlantic City casinos history boasts a rich and colorful past, its association with poker and gambling in general is relatively short-lived.
Legal casino gaming only made its way to the city in 1976. However, poker games were not on the list of allowed betting activities up until the summer of 1993, when the New Jersey State Legislature legalized live poker, igniting a new era for the game and paving the way for the AC poker rooms.
No one really knows where the first legal poker game was played. Some say it was at the now-demolished Atlantic City Sands, others argue for the old Showboat Casino. Regardless, the epicenter of the East Coast poker scene soon became the Trump Taj Mahal, which unveiled its 50-table poker room in 1993.
The 40-table Tropicana poker room rose as a strong competitor to the Taj Mahal, sparking a fierce rivalry between the two properties. “The Taj” and “The Trop” soon became synonymous with Atlantic City poker. Other smaller establishments slowly succumbed to the competition, leading to a consolidation of the poker market.
Atlantic City poker tournaments primarily centered around the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, which opened its doors in 2003. The Borgata’s rise coincided with the general poker boom sparked by Chris Moneymaker’s WSOP Main Event victory. The partnership between MGM Mirage and Boyd Gaming resulted in the development of a 34-table poker room, which eventually became a hub for World Poker Tour events.
Despite the overall decline in gaming revenues, the closure of the Taj, and the downsizing of the Trop, the poker scene in Atlantic City continues to thrive. The legalization of NJ online casino gambling in 2013 further invigorated the local poker industry, with Borgata’s online platform taking the lead.
Last year, the return of PokerStars to the United States injected fresh excitement into New Jersey poker rooms. The PokerStars Festival promises an array of tournaments, parties, and entertainment, reflecting the vibrant future of poker in Atlantic City.
Shuffle Up and Deal: Atlantic City Poker Rooms
Even though there are not too many poker rooms in Atlantic City, there is something for every player out there. If you are looking for the excitement of the AC poker tournaments, Borgata will get you covered. If you prefer rooms with a limited number of tables, check out Tropicana — it’s not as loud as it was before the pandemic but still attracts great players. And if the decisive factor in your poker room choice is the variety of games, Harrah’s is waiting for you with all the poker variations you can think of.
Whichever poker room in Atlantic City you choose, may the cards be always in your favor. Don’t forget to look around the city between the betting sessions, play responsibly, and have fun!
FAQ
Is playing poker legal in New Jersey?
Yes, poker rooms became legal in NJ in 1993. Since 2013, New Jersey players can also legally play poker online.
How many poker rooms are there in Atlantic City?
Currently, there are three poker rooms open in Atlantic City: Borgata poker room, Harrah’s poker room, and Tropicana poker room.
What is the best poker room in Atlantic City?
The Borgata Poker Room is arguably the best in Atlantic City with 52 tables, a great variety of games, and regular tournaments.
What casinos in Atlantic City have poker rooms?
As of 2024, Borgata Casino Hotel & Spa, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, and Tropicana Atlantic City offer poker rooms to their guests.
Are poker rooms in Atlantic City open 24/7?
Most of the AC poker rooms are open 24/7 on weekends. As for the weekdays, we recommend checking the specific operating hours of each room.
What variations of poker are offered in AC poker rooms?
The poker variations offered by Atlantic City poker rooms include but are not limited to Texas Hold’em, Three Card Poker, Pai Gow, Pot-limit Omaha, Let it Ride, Mississippi Stud, and Caribbean Stud.
Which of the AC poker rooms offers tournaments?
Borgata poker room offers daily tournaments. It’s also famous for hosting the prestigious World Poker Tour.