Sunnybrook in Sterling Heights

Sunnybrook Golf & Bowl
7191 E. Seventeen Mile Rd
Sterling Heights, MI 48313
7 Days a week
24 of 25 Chips

Date Reviewed: August 28, 2008

Jim, Tony & the Sunnybrook crew were hosting Kelly Middle School on the Monday I went out to visit. This is a huge location that regularly hosts a lot of poker players. Around 100 players plus alternates were in the tournament on Monday night. Upon arrival at 6PM, two cash tables were full. When the tournament started at 7PM, seven cash tables were full of players.

#1 Games

In addition to a different format tournament every night of the week, Sunnybrook offers $1/$2, $2/$5, $5/$10 round-by-round fixed limit Texas Hold’em / Omaha, and both pot and fixed limit Omaha. Sit-n-goes are available upon request. 5 of 5 chips

#2 Tournaments

Sunnybrook offers a different tournament every night of the week—from free rolls, to deep-stack tournaments, poker league nights, shoot-outs, and knock-outs. The blind structures differ by night, as well as the strategy for each tourney. Some of the blind structures can be really aggressive—be sure you know what to expect before you take your seat. The rules are standard, and enforced evenly across the board. Tables are quickly balanced. For the variety of tournaments, great rule enforcement, dealers at every tournament table, quick & fair table balancing. 5 of 5 chips

#3 Atmosphere

Sunnybrook has a huge banquet room for poker. There are twelve tables set up with lots of extra room for players to move chairs in and out. The walls have wood wainscoting, beautiful overhead light fixtures and a fireplace add to the atmosphere here. Blinds and times are projected and easily viewable for tournament players. Jim, the poker room manager, informed me that Sunnybrook was building a dedicated poker room for them this fall—this atmosphere rating should shoot through the ceiling when the new room is complete! Down one chip due to some dim lighting and awkward entrances. 4 of 5 chips

#4 Equipment

Professional, casino quality chips are available for both cash and tournament play. The cash tables all have chip-racks, no chip racks on the tournament tables. Drink scooters are available for beverages and snacks, keeping the table tops clear of cups and clutter. 5 of 5 chips

#5 Staff

The staff at Sunnybrook is great! The dealers are quick, accurate and easy to spot in white shirts and black pants. When there is a dispute, the room manager is on the spot quickly with a clear and consistent ruling. The charity workers have a “drive through” window to sell cash chips and tables set up for tournament sign-up. 5 of 5 chips

This is a great, busy, professionally run room—highly recommended with 24 of 25 chips!!