Northville Downs Room Review

We came out to play at Northville Downs on a Sunday for the $10 Cheap Seats Tournament. The tournament started at 7pm on the dot with 18 players. Before the break, we added in 3-4 alternates as players busted out and didn't rebuy to create a really nice prize pool. The top 3 players were paid in a tournament that wrapped up about three and a half hours.

Two charities host each night at Northville.

One thing to note about Northville Downs - especially if you are a high stakes Omaha or Round by Round player. Northville Downs runs a $2/$5 Round by Round table every Thursday and Saturday. The room managers tell me that they run this game around 80% of the time on both nights. If you are looking for some Round by Round action - mark your calendar and call ahead to see if the games are running.

The charity volunteers behind the counter

Cash players

Cash players

Marcy dealing the Sunday night tournament final table

More final table shots!

Dealers and room managers at Northville

Games: 5+ of 5 chips

If you are looking for cash game action - this is the place. There are always at least one $1/$2 table going, usually more.

This is one location that regularly runs a $2/$5 table, and offers a Round by Round game every Thursday and Saturday. Actually, Northville will run round by round when ever they have enough players to open a table. There is a regular crowd of players who do play every Thursday and Saturday. From time to time this game will pop up on a Wednesday. Call ahead to see if the game is running. 248-912-5108

Blackjack is coming soon.

Tournaments: 5 of 5 Chips

From $5 rebuy tournaments to $60 deep stacks, Northville Downs offers a wide variety of tournaments for all types of players. The Thursday $40 Deep Stack and Saturday $60 Freeze Out are very heavily attended. It's not unusual to be playing with over 100 players. These tournaments offer some really great prize pools!

With 15 or 20 minute blinds, with levels that increase at a reasonable pace. Tournament director software displayed on a flat screen keeps everyone in the know. The tournament director also announces time left in the level as well as the blinds at the next level.

Rules are reviewed before the cards fly. The rules are clear, concise and consistantly enforced. The dealers are fast and accurate, keeping the action moving, and working hard to get split pots divided up correctly. The tournament director also works hard to make sure all the dealers use the same methods to divide pots and give chip-change back to players.

Atmosphere: 5 of 5 Chips

Every time I've come into this poker room, one of the room managers has greeted me before I've reached the counter to buy chips. I know - it's a small detail - but it's really nice to be greeted and offered a chance to as questions. The poker room managers know if seats are available, approximately how many tournament players have signed up, and if a higher stakes cash game will run soon.

This is a non-smoking poker room. Smokers need to step outside to do their thing. The poker room just got a face-lift with new carpet & chairs. A snack bar is in the poker room offering sandwiches and beverages. The room is neat, clean and well lit.

You can also bet on the simulcast horse races while you are playing! Screens with horse racing results are visible from the poker room.

Equipment: 4 of 5 Chips

Equipment at Northville Downs is very nice! All the tables are custom felted with Aces Gaming felt. The tournament and cash chips are custom stamped. Cup holders are provided to keep your drink from sitting on the felt and/or tipping over, they are not built into the tables. The new chairs are really nice & cushy for your tushy. Down one chip because of the fold-up legs on the tables.

Staff: 5 of 5 Chips

Marcy, Mark, Kyle and the rest of the Northville Downs crew do a really great job making you feel welcome at their poker room. The dealers at the cash tables are lightning fast, friendly and accurate. They work hard to keep the action moving and get the pots split and awarded correctly. The dealers are all in white polos so you can find them among the players. The dealers rotate frequently to keep everyone rested and fresh.

No waitstaff, though snacks and beverages are only a very short walk.

Map to Northville Downs

View Larger Map 301 S. Center St, Northville, MI