A multi-part review of poker in Aruba for any other travelers wishing to soak in some great sun, white sand, blue water and poker. The majority of the tables (as in all of the Caribbean) is $2/5 No Limit Hold’em. At least 3 2/5 NL games which condense to 1 table. They also spread a 5/5 Omaha Pot Limit High game.
There is poker in San Juan in 3 casinos, but it is $2-5 games that play like a $1-2 game. The pots don’t get very large so if you are looking to make some money, this is not the place. If you are looking to play tight, it will be boring for you, as they play any two cards. If loud, incessant Spanish chatter doesn’t bother you, you will be better off.
The only games they spread are 9 seated, 2-5 no-limit hold em (my personal favorite) and unlike most Caribbean poker rooms, open at around 4pm (most open at 9 PM) and go to about 3:30am. One downside was the rake. $10 maximum (10% for the first 100.00) PLUS a Royal Flush bonus pulls off of a few more dollars. At times, I watched them rake $12-13 from a relatively small pot.
Blue Water, White Sand… Not so Much The ocean is not crystal blue. More of a sandy, murky green. The Isla Verda area is protected by a reef so the big waves aren’t hammering the beach as they do in the Old San Juan area, but there are some strong curls. It’s not the transparent …
I was researching vacation locations and there was very minimal information about certain specifics regarding Puerto Rico, poker there, and the InterContinental Resort & Casino. I will segment it so you can read only the parts that may interest you. There was a lot to cover so this may be in several parts.