Can I have some of your opinions on where the best places in aruba are to play?

anyone know the rake structure? how often do games go and what are the biggest stakes?

Aruba rocks, i just have to say it

do a search and just use Aruba, plenty of hits but you have to hunt a bit.

this is copied from a post I found. I am going in Feb myself and staying close to the radisson, lucked out there.



"I was in Aruba during the Aruba Poker Classic.

There are two poker rooms on the strip, at the Radisson and the Excelsior Casino at the Holiday Inn. I'm not sure how filled the Radisson's room will be (if at all?) when the tournament isn't there, but I much preferred it to the Excelsior because of how much better run it was and (sry) i just felt more comfortable being around mostly tourists/some locals then all locals. Plus the dealers were really cool and funny.

The Excelsior is super shady but the games are good. I played a lot of 2/5 but I saw games as high as 25/50 PLO during the ten days I was there. They'll spread whatever you want generally. between NLHE, LHE, PLO, etc for pretty much any stakes if people are interested. The locals softplay each other but most of them are atrocious so w/e. Just keep an eye out for stuff while you're sitting there playing and if you notice the cheating, just leave, because the floor isn't going to do anything. Also enjoy playing with the guy that murdered that girl a few years ago since he's a reg.

Take a cab back to your hotel if you're on the strip, even if you're a few hotels down. Just do it. "

1. Radisson
2. Holiday Inn.

I just got back. Hyatt now does a cash game that starts late if it goes.

As for the normal Dail tournaments dont play them. Played at the Holiday Inn Excallaber and its rigged. I made some moved at a table with four locals that were buddy buudy with the floor. Got moved and I was no where near the BB. I questioned it and the floor had some half all excuss about something.

The stucture is an all in fest and everyone playes it that way. There is ZERO room for a skilled player ZERO. Push with AA and get 7 callers, raise 9 callers. rebuys unlimited til like the 5th level which will not get you more than 7 BB after level 1. Dont play, its rigged anyway as well as cash. I know the players are cheating and if the house is not helping they are not trying.

I have played in Aruba several times, most recently 3 weeks ago. I much prefer the Radisson to the Holiday.

Main cash game is a $2-2-5 NL (blinds = $2 and $2, $5 to call). Game usually starts around 9-9:30 PM. Max buyin = $2000. Straddle is allowed in any amount from any position (!). Rake is 5% up to $10 max.

Game basically plays like a normal 2-5, altho can play much bigger if there are big stacks, big straddles and/or loose play. They also usually have one or two limit games.

Game depends hugely on player mix, varies a lot from night to night as tourists come and go.

Offduty dealers do play, and they and locals obviously know each other. They do softplay each other sometimes , but I haven't seen anything which looked like collusion.

I could perhaps let you know in July. Probably won't play much if any poker but may hear/see some ..... going to Aruba for my honeymoon.

Really thinking about this and the noticed it's like $3500 for a week there and flight. Not really something I can't afford, but when I consider it's half the price for the Dominican and all the juicy pokers, I wonder. hmmm...

great cash game in Radisson, no max buy in , yeah, you have to deal with regs, but you have that no matter where you play, i dont see any collusion whatsoever and locals and dealers were extremely friendly

Heading to Aruba in a week with the wife and wanted to get in some poker once or twice. We're staying at the Radisson and I know they have poker room but I'm not sure what games are spread. Would love to play 2-5nl or 1-2nl. I was there in 2003 and they had no nl games going and only a 4-8 limit game. From searching i saw that they use to spread a 2-5 or 5-10nl game but the last post was over a year ago. Any help is appreciated.

I would agree with what most people said here. I was in Aruba in August and played at both the Radisson and the Holiday Inn. The Radisson was nice, had a variety of players and agree with what was said above, the stakes and play vary wildly because of the stacks. I was playing 2-5 one night, and the guy sitting on my left had over $1500 in front of him while most of the players were playing with between $150-300. But, since many of the big players seemed like tourists, play was generally pretty friendly.

Holiday Inn seemed sketchy from the moment I walked in there. I lost a bit and didn't come back.

Otherwise, definitely jealous that you are going. That is an amazing little island. And, the complimentary beer at the tables is Balashi, a really good beer made from the island's purified water. Awesome.

Radisson was the best place to play for me last Feb when I went. they had 4-8 limit, 2-5 NL and a PLO game that was playing with greens and blacks(and higher). bar is in the poker room, so I stuck to limit and got pretty trashed both nights. balashi on tap in the room, good lager. plus the full bar assortment.

first night dead at the table, which seems normal as people would be tired from sun all day. second night was a lively table with drinkers.

have fun, Aruba is an awesome spot. Beach during the day, and poker and drinking at night.

I'm in Aruba right now. The Radisson poker room is closed for renovations; don't know when (or if) it will reopen. However, the 2-2-5 NL (blinds 2 and 2, 5 to call) game goes every night at the Holiday Inn (Excelsior)casino, which is not too far down the street. Game starts about 9 PM.
(We also got a 5-5 PLO game going last night, but it only lasted a short while.)
Generally, after a while, there will be some big stacks and plenty of action. Some of the locals are good, some are terrible. Games are bigger and better on Friday and Saturday nights, as you'd expect.
GL!

I'm going to be in Aruba this Saturday. Any word if the Radisson poker room was re-opened? Which NL games are they spreading & times? Radisson seems to be the preferred room over the Holiday Inn.

I'll be a few miles away...I'm assuming a cab would be a safe and reasonable option.

I was in Aruba from 12/1 to 12/9. Here's the latest:

Radisson:
Radisson (where I stayed): Poker room was closed for changeover in management (Radisson has taken over the whole casino from another organization). It opened on my last night there (12/8): The room has ~6 tables that are comfortably spaced. There was one game of 2-2-5 NLHE and another of 2-4 LHE. Both games ended by 1:30 am. Despite the fact the the room was closed, don't be fooled in to thinking the room has been renovated: The tables are nice, but old and the chairs are of the non-adjustable type.

Excelsior:
With the Radisson closed most of my trip, I spent a few nights down at the Holiday Inn's Excelsior Casino. The room has ~8 tables. There was typically 3 games of 2-2-5 NLHE and another 2 of 2-4 LHE. The 2-4 LHE breaks around 1:30 and the NLHE goes to 4:00 am (or later). Despite the fact the the room has more tables, it is actually in a much smaller space than the Radisson. The tables and chairs on the same as at the Radisson. They have a $50K bad beat (think its Aces full of Jacks beaten) and have unlisted payouts for winning a showdown with quads (I think $100), a straight flush ($200) or a Royal Flush ($500).

Warnings:
The poker rooms are sketchy by US standards. You kind of feel like you playing at a home game for the first time where 60% of the other players know one another. Be forewarned that though the rooms have rules that only English be spoken at the table, these rules are not enforced. You going to hear conversations in the native Aruban language (Papiamento) as well as Dutch, Spanish, and Chinese. What is funny is that while I had concerns about the locals speaking in Papiamento/Dutch/Spanish, they have the same concerns with the Chinese players speaking Chinese. Sadly, the dealers who should be enforcing the rules are often participating in these same conversations.

If traveling back to your hotel - be advised that taxis charge an extra fee after midnight of $3. I walked from the Excelsior to the Radisson one night, but would not do it again, nor would I do it if I cashed out with a fat wad of $100s.

A lot of stores do not accept $100 bills as counterfeits get passed more frequently in Aruba (probably because the residents are not as familiar with teh look and feel of a real bill). As such, I suggest that when you get your cash, check your bills (look for the embedded band and the offset watermark).

Play Quality:
The 2-2-5 plays pretty soft pre-flop. Expect bets of $25 to $35 to have multiple (3 to 6) callers. Play post-flop tightens up such that it is similar to what I have seen in the US.

You should also be prepared that the locals will check it down if heads up with one another (as you might do with your own poker pals..these are their home games after all).

Final Word:
The Aruban people are amongst the most hospitable that you will ever meet. You will have fun playing and it can be profitable (I averaged a respectable win rate of $50 / hr at 2-2-5 NLHE). However, if you think that its going to be like playing in the US - you will be disappointed. I saw several US players who seemed off their game as a result. As such, the above notes are not intended to scare you, but rather prepare you so you can enjoy your time on the "one happy island" that is Aruba.

Iwas there last year and found the games infested by corruption of regulars and staff, beware

Thanks FlopDSet for the thorough update.

I headed to the Radisson first, but found that they were only spreading 4-8 limit at the time. My brother and I had a car so we made the short drive to the Excelsior-Holiday Inn. The room was surprising packed for a Monday night. A couple of limit games were going, and at least three 2-2-5's and one 5-10. I decided to play 2-2-5 since I was unfamiliar with the territory and didn't want to just jump into the "big" game at this place.

The room was tightly set up, but there was regular drink service, an organized list for the games, and a poker director trying to maintain order. My table included regulars, but they were clearly outnumbered by tourist..and more than a couple that had no clue. The regulars at my table were solid, friendly, and didn't collude.

I did not think it was shady. My suggestion for those that may feel uncomfortable is to just stay attentive to EVERYTHING going on around you. If you feel like something is weird switch seats, tables, or simply get up.

I was only able to play one night unfortunately, but definitely plan on returning.

Radisson has reopened? Is it still an american guy running the poker room there? What rake do they charge at Radisson and the other places this days?

Thanks!

anyone have any more recent info on poker in aruba? going in October. thanks

I was in Aruba in May 2011
Poker rooms In Holiday inn & Radisson have 4-6 tables & open 6-7 pm
Played in both in May

Hyatt also has a small room (2-3 tables) which was closed in May

I agree with what surfNY said above
Radisson only had 4-8 limit the 2 times I went.
Holiday Inn had more tables & actually ran a small ($50 ?) rebuy tourn a few nights a week that got 20+

I go to Aruba for a week or two a year in mid to late December for about 7 years now. Aruba is pretty busy the time of year I go and the Radisson always has a few tables going by like 8 or 9. I went to the Excelsior a few times, but have stuck mostly to the Radisson. Main game is 2/2/5 with occasionally one bigger game running. Also, I have seen 15/30 limit with a full kill running a few times. If you want to get it going just ask around. Probably don't have much of a shot though outside of the busy seasons. The average player in these games is typically very very bad. The worst players I've consistently seen anywhere (again this may just be because of the time of year I go). You get your share of nits, but most of these guys will never fold tptk. I'd recommend staying next store to the Radisson at the Occidental and pay for the all inclusive. Food isn't very good, but if you're a drinker you'll cover the all inclusive fee in no time.

What rake do they have this days? Any signs of collusion from the locals?

I think it's still 5% up to $10, not positive on that though. I've never noticed a problem with locals colluding. Sometimes they may soft play each other, but that's about it. A lot of them are just there to get drunk and gamble.

the rake is definitely higher than 5% then 2 visits i've had in past 3 years.

made good money each time, so paid for my vacation.