Poker Zone

12330 James St
Holland, MI 49424
616-396-6869

7 Days a Week

M-Th 4PM—1AM, Fri 4pm-2am Sat Noon – 2am, Sun 2PM—11PM

Date Room Reviewed: Friday, February 13th

23 of 25 Chips

The Poker Zone was hosting Holland Youth Football (M45220) playing for uniforms & equipment on Friday the 13th. The Poker Zone is located in the middle of a strip mall, next door to Famous Footwear with a lighted sign and plenty of lighted parking. The location seemed really easy to find – though I have to admit – I punched the address into my GPS and did what I was told. The Poker Zone has a BYO policy for food & beverages, though the sell water, pop, energy drinks, candy bars & chips. Tom & Cindy – the hosts and owners of the Poker Zone – have done a lot to make their room stand out, from atmosphere, tournament structure, payouts, etc. For me, it was really worth the wait and the drive.

They were playing a $35 + $5 bounty tournament the day I visited the Poker Zone. I did not play in any cash games, though there were two full tables when I arrived, and four when I left!!

#1 Games: 5 of 5 chips

Five of five chips for games offered at Poker Zone! Another location with more games than UMP has chips to offer! The rake is 10% up to $6.
· $1/$2 NLHE $20 min / $100 max
· $1/$2 NLHE $20 min / $200 max
· $2/$5 NLHE $100 min / $400 max – Saturday only
· $3/$6 Limit Hold’em
· $3/$6 Limit Omaha

The Poker Zone also donates the prize money to do Krazy Quads! You win $25 when you are the first to hit quads (you must use both cards in your hand ie you must be holding a pocket pair!) All cash games and tournaments are included. If you hit the LAST quads on the list, you win $100 and the board is reset.

Be sure to check with the Poker Zone for any other specials they are running!

#2 Tournaments : 5 of 5 chips

Every tounament player will find a format they just love at the Poker Zone – and who can argue with their payouts? Did you know that the Poker Zone pays out 90% on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays? Other days have 80% payouts. The night I played – we had around 36 players paying $530 for first place, $330 for second, plus two more places. With twelve 108” tables, there’s plenty of room for huge tournaments and lots of cash games.

• Monday: 7pm $30 buy-in Turbo Tournament. 12 minute blinds, 80% payback & 3000 starting chips. Approx. 3 hours.
• Tuesday: 7pm $50 Borgata Tournament. 15 minute blinds, 80% payback, 10,000 starting chips with antes. Approx. 5 hours.
• Wednesday: 7pm $40 Rebuy Tournament. 15 minute blinds, 80% payback, 5000 starting chips. Unlimited rebuys within the first hour. $20 for 2500 chips if you have less than 2500 in front of you, or $40 for 5000 if you are out of chips. Approx 5 hours.
• Thursday: 7pm $30 & $5 Knockout Tournament. 12 minute blinds, 90% payback, 3000 starting chips. Receive $5 for each player you knock out. Approx 3 hours.
• Friday: 7pm $35 & $5 knockout (first place guaranteed for $500!) 15 minute blinds, 90% payback, 5000 in starting chips. Receive $5 for each player you knock out. Approx 5 hours.
• Saturday: 2pm $30 Turbo Tournament. 12 minute blinds, 90% payout, 3000 starting chips. Approx 3 hours.
• Saturday: 7pm $600 FREEROLL Event! 15 min blinds, 2000 starting chips. Add-ons and rebuys, $10 for 1000 chips for first 1.5 hours. Approx 6 hours.
• Sunday: 7pm $30 Turbo Tournament. First Place Guaranteed for $400! 15 minute blinds, 90% payback, 3000 starting chips. Approx 3 hours.

Tournament director software projected from table top to ceiling on the back wall keeps everyone up to date on time left in the round, and blind levels. The Poker Zone has customized the music that plays as the blinds go up. Tom got on the PA System to announce the tournament start, number of players, and in a really classy move – announced the charity we were playing for, directing everyone’s attention to the hard working Holland Youth Football volunteers. (Oh – and did I mention the Poker Zone has a PA System?)

The blind structure moves along at a good pace. Fast enough to keep you on top of your game, but not too fast that it comes down to a series of coin-flips to win the tournament.

First place winners get their photos on the Poker Zone’s web site and on the “Wall of Fame”. They also get to choose the trophy they want from Tom’s trophy case!

With a variety of tournament formats, great blind structures, amazing payouts and a bunch of perks, the Poker Zone receives 5 of 5 chips.

#3 Atmosphere: 4 of 5 chips

Tom and Cindy have worked really hard to make a welcoming and fun poker room. They have eight flat-screen TV’s around the room playing different news and sporting events. Imagine my surprise when I had to take a bathroom break and didn’t miss a second of the Red Wings game! There’s a flat-screen TV in the nice, clean bathroom!!! (This was a first for me – I’ve never found a TV in another charity poker room bathroom!) There’s a lounge area with free internet access where players can get on Facebook, MySpace, or send that “Hi Mom!” e-mail message waiting for a seat to open at a cash table. There are also poker magazines racked up, and ready to browse, and a showcase full of poker stuff (books, signs, cards, etc.)

Once you are in the strip mall, the Poker Zone is easy to find, with lots of well-lit parking. Walking in, the charity volunteers and snacks are on your left, the lounge area is on the right. For players convenience (or detriment!!) there’s an ATM inside the Poker Zone! The place is clean, fresh and welcoming. There are also web-cameras installed in the ceiling – you can watch your favorite player from home!

The Poker Zone does not serve meals or alcohol. You are welcome to bring your own, or have dinner delivered. There are non-alcoholic beverages and snacks available where the poker chips are sold. Minus one chip due to the lack of meals & beverages.

#4 Equipment : 4 of 5 chips

Tom and Cindy have gone all out to equip their poker room. All twelve oversized tables are custom felted with cup holders in the rail. Chairs are cushy and comfortable. Plenty of room so your chair isn’t on top of the person seated at teh next table. Cash and tournament chips are all custom, the cards are new. Because the tables have folding legs, 4 of 5 chips.

#5 Staff: 5 of 5 chips

From the moment you step through the door at the Poker Zone, everyone makes you feel like they are glad you are there. The dealers here at the Poker Zone are fast, friendly, accurate, professional, and keep the game moving. Katie was the fantastic Poker Zone dealer at my tournament table. She was lightning fast dealing, kept players attention in the game, and moved the tournament along with a smile. She handled split pots quickly and accurately.

The floor is quick to arrive to handle any situations that come up. They are also quick to welcome and seat players.

People, payouts and perks are the three main areas where the Poker Zone really shines! The dealers, floor managers, owners and even the charity volunteers make you feel welcome from the minute you walk in to the moment you walk out. The tournament payouts here are amazing with 80% - 90% payback on all the tournaments. And the perks, like the ATM in the poker room, the Large flatscreen TV in the bathroom, webcams, PA system, free internet access, the “lounge”, and the other perks make the Poker Zone a must-visit Michigan charity poker room!!