There are plenty of great options for poker players near Chicago, with several casinos offering live games just a short drive away from the Windy City.
As of now, online casinos are not available in Illinois. Therefore, if you want to play poker, your best option is to visit a poker room in person. Luckily, there are many choices in both Illinois and Indiana.
Chicago Poker at Rivers Casino Des Plaines
Rivers Des Plaines is a popular destination for poker players in the Chicago area.
The casino is conveniently located near O’Hare Airport, making it easily accessible for gamblers looking for a nearby gaming destination. For specific directions, the casino can be found at 3000 S. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018.
The experience of playing at Des Plaines is delightful due to the novelty of everything you encounter. The poker room at the casino, which just recently opened in April, adds to its charm.
The property went through an $87 million expansion that incorporated the poker room.
There are 22 poker tables available in the 5,600 square foot area, providing ample space for gamblers to play without worrying about finding a seat.
In Des Plaines, the poker room offers a variety of options including Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and different Stud Poker variations, catering to the diverse preferences of Chicago gamblers.
Horseshoe Hammond Poker Near Chicago
Chicago residents have another great poker option just a stone’s throw away across the Indiana border.
Although it is a riverboat casino, Horseshoe Hammond is renowned for having one of the best poker rooms in the Chicagoland area. While online poker is not yet available in Illinois, poker rooms are still the top choice for playing poker.
Hammond boasts the largest poker room in Indiana, offering a total of 34 live tables.
The casino is well-known for its weekly poker tournaments, which take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
Located at 777 Casino Center Dr in Hammond, IN 46320, Horseshoe Hammond is just a stone’s throw away from Chicago, making it the perfect choice for Windy City gamblers looking to enjoy live poker without venturing into the city itself.
Poker Room at Grand Victoria Casino
Returning to Illinois, the poker room at Grand Victoria is just a short drive away from downtown Chicago.
The casino in Chicago, located at 250 S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120, is just over an hour’s drive from Des Plaines for gambling enthusiasts, despite its western location.
The casino’s poker room offers both Hold’em and Omaha games on 14 tables.
Before you make the drive, please note that the poker area is closed every Monday and Tuesday.
Tournaments are held regularly on Sundays and Wednesdays, featuring no-limit competitions.
The poker room at Grand Victoria has been chosen as a location for the 2022-2023 World Series of Poker Circuit. Mark your calendars for the event, which will take place from Nov. 10-21.
Hollywood Casino Aurora Poker Room
While the Hollywood Casino in Aurora does have its own poker room, it may not be the top choice for some Chicago gamblers due to its less appealing features.
Hollywood Casino, like Grand Victoria, is located about an hour away from Chicago. The poker room at Hollywood Casino has 13 live tables, making it comparable in size to that of Grand Victoria.
Additionally, the poker rooms at Hollywood and Grand Victoria have similar operating hours, as they are both closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
What factors differentiate one casino from another when their offerings are nearly identical?
If you prefer tournament play, Grand Victoria may be the preferred option for you over Hollywood Casino. While both casinos have a similar number of tables, Grand Victoria is known for hosting more frequent poker tournaments compared to Hollywood Casino.
If you don’t prefer tournaments, Hollywood and Grand Victoria are essentially the same when it comes to playing poker.
However, if you live in Chicago, both Des Plaines and Hammond are superior options. Each casino is closer than Hollywood and Grand Victoria, and they offer a greater selection of tables.
However, if you are looking for a change, Hollywood can still be a great option. In the end, it all comes down to personal preference, and luckily, gamblers in Chicago have a variety of choices available to them.
