Outside of Nevada, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, there are only three states that offer live poker and casino games for gamblers:
Delaware, Maryland and New York share a , for example. However, while Maryland and New York don't have any stand-alone poker rooms, Delaware has three. In this guide to Delaware poker rooms, we cover everything you need to know about each one. We start with an overview of Delaware's poker scene below before moving on to individual reviews.
casino slots strategyDelaware Poker Overview
As we’ve said, Delaware has three stand-alone poker rooms. They are all located in racinos (race tracks with casinos) and are linked via the . This network was originally set up so that all the pots were larger and more lucrative than they would be otherwise. However, it was rocked by scandal in 2014 when it transpired that the director of racing enforcement for Delaware Park, Harrington Raceway, and Dover Downs was using his insider knowledge to win money at the tables.
This led to a drop in traffic not just in Delaware but across the state network. Since then, things seem to have stabilized, and Delaware Park, Harrington Raceway, and Dover Downs are all open for business seven days a week. Cash-game stakes typically start at $1/$2 or $25 NLHE, and buy-ins for start at $65 and move up to $125. Beyond these entry-level tournaments, Delaware Park hosts a range of events costing $530, $780, $1,075, and $1,575 during the month.
Harrington Raceway offers a similar selection of cash-game stakes, albeit ones that start at $0.50/$1.00 or $25 NLHE. Its daily tournaments cost either $65 or $115 to enter, and there aren’t any medium or high roller options during the week. Finally, over at Dover Downs, the lowest cash-game stakes are $0.50/$1.00 or $25 NLHE. Saturday through Thursday, the cheapest tournament costs $65 to enter, but on Friday evenings, you can buy-in for $18. There aren’t any medium or high roller options at any of the Delaware poker rooms.
5-Card Draw - Learn How To Play 5 Card Draw Poker OnlineOne interesting way these rooms try to generate some extra action is by hosting “Super Satellites” for the World Series of Poker. These satellites give players the chance to win a full package worth $12,400, which includes the buy-in for the WSOP main event, 11 nights at the Encore hotel, $2,000 for travel expenses, and a $1,500 allowance. Outside of these special events, the Delaware Park Poker Room is affiliated with partypoker which means it hosts online satellites for its biggest tournaments.
Now you have an overview of what life is like inside Delaware’s poker scene, it’s time to take a closer look at each room. Starting with our favorite — Delaware Park.
Delaware Park Poker Room
Address: 777 Delaware Park, Wilmington, DE 19804
Phone: 302-997-1000
100% up to 0 CasinoIn Canada ReviewDelaware Park Poker Room
The Delaware Park poker room is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and consist of 24 tables. It’s linked to both the Harrington Raceway and Dover Downs, which means its cash-game selection suffers ever so slightly during peak periods as some staff may divert to other rooms. However, in general, there are at least six tables running most afternoons and evenings. The stakes generally stretch from $1/$2 (Blinds $25 /$50) to $5/$10 ($250/$500). Occasionally, you’ll be able to find $2/$5 ($100/$200) action.
If you’re a low-stakes player, there will almost always be games running. Stakes at this level tend to fluctuate but, generally speaking, you can find $0.50/$1.00 (blinds $25/$50) games, as well as $25 NLHE. Although there aren’t any dedicated open-face Chinese games, dealers are capable of dealing this game. Therefore, if you can get a group of four to five people together, you should be able to play.
Table Games At Delaware Park
Table games at Delaware Park
In terms of traffic, you can expect around eight games running on a weekend evening and six during the afternoon. This should generate around 40-50 players per hour. If you want to play cash games in the early hours of the morning, this is going to be your best option simply because it runs 24/7. Both Harrington Raceway and Dover Downs reduce their opening times at night. Overall, Delaware Park is the pick of the bunch.
Like the others, it offers promotions such as wear-a-gown and free play for dealers, but also has rewards for regular customers via the B Connected program. This scheme allows you to earn points that can be used to get food, drinks, and tickets for local events at various Delaware resorts. You also get access to special discounts and bonuses. Basically, if you play here once a week, you’d be silly not to join.
Tournaments run daily and, in general, cost between $65 and $125 to enter. Buy-ins for special events range from $530 to $1,575. Because this room is connected to partypoker, there are online qualifiers for its biggest tournaments. Furthermore, it hosts super satellites for the WSOP main event. Overall, this is the best place to play poker in Delaware.
best mobile casino ukHarrington Raceway Poker Room
Address: 75000 N. DuPont Highway, Harrington, DE 198510
Phone: 302-398-2000
Harrington Raceway Poker Room
The Harrington Raceway Poker Room consists of seven tables and is open from noon until 8pm every day apart from the holidays. During normal operation, this room is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As well as being smaller than its counterparts, it hosts lower buy-in tournaments and cash games. Unlike Delaware Park, there isn’t an option for open-face Chinese.
Because there aren’t many tables, traffic is low. Generally, you’ll find No-Limit Hold’em and the occasional Pot-Limit Omaha game. The stakes vary, but you can usually find $0.50/$1.00 (blinds $25/$50), $1/$2 ($100/$200), and $2/$5 ($200/$400) games. There isn’t much action at the higher end of town, but you should always find something going on at the lower levels.
Online Casino CT Alternatives to Try OutTable Games At Harrington Raceway
Table games at Harrington Raceway
Traffic is hard to gauge because the room isn’t open all the time. However, when it is, you’ll probably find two to four tables running. This generates anywhere from 10-20 players at any given moment. Because it reduces its opening times, it doesn’t contribute very much to the overall average hands per hour across the state network. If it was open 24/7, it could potentially host up to 60 players at any given moment.
One nice touch at Harrington Raceway is wearing your own clothes gives you a $5 food voucher. Dealers are rewarded in a variety of different ways, including free play and gifts. Everyone is eligible for a promotional pot that’s generated when certain triggers are hit. For example, you’ll get a piece of the action if all the poker players at the table make a flush within a specific timeframe. Overall, this room is quite quaint and cosy. However, it doesn’t have the same buzz as Delaware Park simply because there aren’t very many people playing.
Tournament buy-ins at Harrington Raceway tend to be priced at $65 and $115. There aren’t any medium or high roller options at any of the Delaware poker rooms, so if you want to play big buy-in events, you’ll have to hit up Delaware Park for one of its $530, $780, $1,075, or $1,575 MTTs. On the plus side, the overall rake is capped at 10%, which is lower than the industry standard.
best online real money casinosDover Downs Poker Room
Address: 15344 Coastal Hwy, Dover, DE 19901
Phone: 302-674-4600
Dover Downs Poker Room
The final Delaware poker room on our radar is located at Dover Downs. It’s open seven days a week from 4.30pm until 2am, which makes it fewer hours than Delaware Park and considerably fewer than Harrington Raceway. Like its counterpart to the west, it only has seven tables. Because the room is small, the team tries to run a mix of cash games and tournaments. However, during the evening, there tends to be just one or two games running.
Generally, you’ll find $0.50/$1.00 (blinds $25/$50) and $1/$2 ($100/$200) games. There hasn’t been a high-stakes game at this room for years. So, if you want an action-packed session, you’re best heading to Delaware Park. Traffic is low due to the restricted operating hours. Additionally, the other rooms are never far away, which means players drift their way. All things considered, Dover Downs averages around 10 players at any one moment.
Table Games At Dover Downs
Table games at Dover Downs
Promotions are available, but they’re not as generous as you’ll find at Delaware Park. Dealer and wear-a-gangbusting-outfit promos keep a bit of cash flowing through the room. Finally, the average size of its daily tournaments is slightly smaller than those held at Harrington Raceway. Your choices are $65 or $115 and there’s an 11% cap on the rake. There aren’t any medium or high roller options at any of the Delaware poker rooms, unfortunately.
Final Thoughts About Delaware Poker Rooms
Despite having three licensed gaming venues, Delaware only really has two poker rooms. One is located at Harrington Raceway and the other is Delaware Park, which happens to be attached to the online brand partypoker. In general, US poker players have had a tough time since Black Friday. However, partypoker has gone above and beyond to rebuild trust in the brand. From sponsoring popular pros such as Jason Koon and Sam Trickett, to offering innovative games and high rakeback rates, partypoker is thriving right now.
Forced to compare Delaware Park to Harrington Raceway and Dover Downs isn’t fair because it’s obviously bigger and better. That’s why most of the action takes place there. If it weren’t attached to partypoker and, therefore, shared liquidity pots with other MSIGA states, Delaware’s smaller rooms wouldn’t survive. Fortunately, Delaware Park is doing a great job of keeping the flame alive in the First State. If you’re in the area, you should swing by and say hi to Koonie.
Recently, Dover Downs filed a petition to offer sportsbetting. This is exciting news because it could lead to more gaming options within the state. Of course, even if nothing changes, Delaware Park, Harrington Raceway, and their ilk are still worth visiting. If you’re in the area and fancy a few hands of poker, you know where we are.
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Is there poker in Delaware?
Yes. There are three stand-alone Delaware poker rooms at Delaware Park, Harrington Raceway, and Dover Downs. All three are linked, which means their combined weekly traffic is quite good considering Delaware’s population.
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Where can I play poker in Delaware?
You can play poker at Delaware Park, Harrington Raceway, and Dover Downs. All three facilities are racinos. This means they have both VLTs and table games. The poker rooms are open every day except for Christmas Day.
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What is the legal requirement for opening a Delaware poker room?
To open a Delaware poker room, you must pay a $400,00 license fee and prove that at least 60% of your revenues come from something other table games. Additionally, you must pay $35,000 for an initial interstate poker licence.
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Who regulates Delaware poker rooms?
The Delaware Gaming Commission regulates all forms of gambling within the state. It was established in 1974 and is responsible for ensuring everyone plays by the rules and stays safe. The commission currently employs 39 people. Its offices are located at 4365 Old Baltimore Pike # 140, Crosskeys, DE 19703. Phone: 302 – 739–5480.
