The Links Poker Palace

The Review

Date reviewed: January 17, 2010 by Michele Ingalls

Slideshow of the poker room

UMP visited The Links Poker Palace on Sunday, January 17th for the $20 buy-in Deep Stack Tournament. We all started out with 8,000 chips, no add-ons, no rebuys, 50/100 blinds to start with 15 minute levels. Six tables full of players started the tournament (just under 60 players - some tables had 9 players, some had 10). The tournament payouts were as follows: 1st $473, 2nd $220, 3rd $124, 4th $86 5th $5.

The Links poker room is located on a beautiful golf course on an unpaved part of Six Mile Rd. Panoramic views of the course greet players during the daytime. There's a full bar in the club house and a full menu from the kitchen.

This is a very friendly poker room with a great group of regulars. Matt, the poker room manager, and his staff work very hard to make the poker room atmosphere open, welcoming and friendly. The staff and players know eachother by first name.

"Wonder, player-friendly leaning environment" - Ryan Links poker player.

"Best Tournament room I've played in. The club house has a friendly feel, great staff." Steve - Links poker player.

Games: 5 of 5 chips

Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Round by Round and Blackjack are offered at the Links. Most nights there are two cash tables running, with Omaha and Round by Round played almost nightly. The Links hosts poker every week from Thursday to Sunday starting at 5pm each day.

Tournaments: 4 of 5 Chips

Two tournament formats are currently offered at the Links - both types very well attended. It's pretty normal to find between 50-60 players at the start of any tournament. Thur - Sat is a $5 buy-in, $10 rebuy tournament with rebuys available until the first break. First prize payouts regularly reach $600+. The Sunday tournament is a $20 buy-in Deep Stack with no add-ons or rebuys. The blinds for this tournament crank up pretty aggressively after the break - so hang on to your shorts! The chips move around the table quickly!

Tournament director software is projected on the ceiling, or on one of the big screen TV's to keep everyone on the same level. Tournaments start on time, with house rules reviewed before the first card flies. Some of the house rules highlights: No cell phones at the tables (including texting), hands exposed before the dealer calls for them are mucked, and no profanity.

Atmosphere: 5 of 5 Chips

This is a beautiful poker room with lots of great amenities. Clean, open, vaulted ceilings and huge pitcher windows greet you as you come through the club house doors. The charity table and kitchen are to the right, restrooms and bar to the left, poker room straight ahead. Big screen TV's around the room broadcast the game, music in the background.

The smells from the kitchen are amazing. If you're hungry when you walk into the Links - you won't be when you walk out. The kitchen runs monthly specials - be sure to ask your dealer, or anyone else at the Links - to find out what it is. Sliders and Fries come very highly recommended by the dealers!

The Links also has darts, Keno, MegaTouch (video game with over 150 games!), and decks surrounding the club house for good weather.

Equipment: 4 of 5 Chips

Six green felted poker tables and one Blackjack table are available for poker players. The poker tables have drink holders built into the cushions and padded banquet chairs for players. Brand new gold stamped chips wait for tournament players.

Custom chips for cash games and Blackjack.

Staff: 5 of 5 Chips

Matt & Torin and their staff at the Links do a great job at making all their players feel welcome and at home. Kenny tends bar and takes care of the kitchen. The dealers, Anthony, John, Buddah, and the others are fast, friendly, consistant, and quick with the jokes and smiles.

Map to The Links Poker Palace

View Larger Map to 1111 Six Mile Rd, Whitmore Lake MI