Queen of Hearts at Woodhaven Lanes

Queen of Hearts at Woodhaven Lanes
20000 Van Horn Rd
Woodhaven, MI 48183
734-556-2164
7 Days a Week
24 of 25 Chips

Date Reviewed: October 28, 2008


My new writer, Lisa Bannon, and I went to Queen of Hearts for the Tuesday $1000 Guaranteed freeroll. We arrived about quarter after six and the place was packed, the tournament was full, and four cash tables were running. We were put on the waitlist. **Player’s Tip** Arrive early for the freeroll *and* get a player loyalty card! You get priority freeroll seating. That means you will be put ahead of all the non-loyalty card players when the alternates are put into the tournament. What really struck me when I visited this room was the professionalism of the staff. Patty, Brenda, Ed and everyone on the staff greeted players with smiles, quickly answered questions and kept a packed poker room organized and welcoming. While Lisa and I were waiting to get into the freeroll, we watched Dave dealing a cash game. I never saw him without a smile on his face. He could shuffle, deal, keep the game moving, split out side pots **and** carry on two or three different conversations with the players at his table.

#1 Games

Check-Raise is another one of those rooms that has more games that I have chips!! They offer several different blinds levels of fixed limit games, sit-n-go’s, Omaha High, Round-by-Round, and 7-Card Stud, along with a different tournament format each night of the week.
5 of 5 chips

#2 Tournaments

A different format tournament runs each day of the week. These guys run an amazing tournament! With over 100 entrants and over 50 alternates, they had the place running like a well-oiled machine! As people dropped out, each alternate was located and seated within minutes. The blinds were projected on a large screen TV –and– announced as they increased. The blinds for the freeroll started at 25/50 and increased every 15 minutes. After level 4 (150/300) antes started. What I really liked about this freeroll was this: If you added on before the break, you had enough chips to actually play after the break (3000). Dealers kept the game moving, questions quickly settled.
5 of 5 chips

#3 Atmosphere

Woodhaven Lanes is a huge place with a well-lit parking lot and easy to find poker room. There’s a full bar, several booths and tables for non-players. Sporting events played on several TV’s in the room. The room is carpeted and well-lit with non-smoking tables. Smoking is allowed in the bar.
5 of 5 chips

#4 Equipment

Custom stamped chips are on the tournament tables. Different custom chips for the cash tables. Casino-style dealer buttons at each table. Cushioned seats for cash and tournament players, drink tables available at tableside to hold your beverages. The tables are new, cushion- bumpered folding tables that seat 10 players plus a dealer. Because the tables have folding legs:
4 of 5 chips

#5 Staff

These guys earned more chips than I have to give. Some of the dealers also deal at the Detroit casinos. They
are fast, accurate, professional and friendly! They make newbies feel comfortable asking questions, and keep the game moving keeping the veteran players happy. The floor managers are fast and friendly, quickly answering questions and keeping the action moving. The floor managers were on top of seating each alternate, walking each one to their seat. On top of all this—there are fast and friendly waitstaff bringing
beverages to the tables!
5 of 5 chips

The professionalism of the staff at Check Raise is amazing. What a great experience playing at this poker room, and what a great fundraise for the Seaway Chorale! Highly Recommended with 24 of 25 chips!!