As promised in June’s issue, here’s the very first charity poker room review! The Poker Palace in Ann Arbor scored 23 of a possible 25 poker chips! Way to go guys!

I went to play in the tournament on the very first Monday when the Poker Palace switched from 4 days a week to 7. There were three cash tables that had been full since 5PM. Here’s the rundown of each category.

This is a fun rebuy tourney. It starts right on time and uses good combination of Robert’s Rules of Poker & WSOP rules. Alternates can get in until the first break 1 1/2 hours in by posting both the big and small blinds when they sit down. The blind structure is pretty aggressive, increasing every 15 minutes. To do well in this tourney, you need to catch some cards or you’ll get blinded out. 70% of the buy-ins and rebuys go into the prize pool. 1 place paid for every 7 tourney entrants. 4 chips—down one due to the 15 minute blinds.

#3 Atmosphere

The Poker Palace is inside Bel-Mark Lanes behind a huge glass wall. The place is smoke-free, well lit, lots of parking, ATM inside the building. Two flat-screen TV’s in either side of the room. The dealers and regulars have a great rapport. Chips are sold by the charity volunteers through a window—very nice set-up. 5-Chips in this category!

#4 Equipment

The chips at the Poker Palace have a gold old-English “D” (Tigers-style) stamped on them. The tables are all felted poker tables with black rails and drink holders. The cash chips are different colors than the tourney chips. Cards are new. 4 chips for equipment—nice stuff!!

#5 Staff

This is where the Poker Palace really shines! The dealers are professionally dressed in tux shirts, bow ties and black pants. They are fast, friendly and accurate on the cash and tournament tables. Randy, the room manager has been overseeing card rooms for around 10 years. Great for consistent rulings in disputes. Waitresses are prompt and smiling. 5 chips for a great staff.

The Poker Palace is a fun poker room—recommended!