Has anyone played Hard Rock poker room in Punta Cana and can share some details on when games get going, how many tables, level of play? I am heading there soon and hoping to play daily but don't hear anything from those others who have asked about details after they have gone.

Depends if you go on high or low season. I went there during the summer which is sort of low season. The games usually started about at 8, a 1-2 game uncapped, so you can play as deep as you like. By about 10 there is usually two 1-2 tables running and one night I think there were 3, one which was a 2-5 table (this rarely happens though). The games were very loose and fishy like any 1-2 live casino full of tourists. The atmosphere is very fun though, as many people are just drinking and are there to gambool. There are very few solid regs. Most regs are mostly huge nits and will only raise you with the nuts and generally fold way too much. Also expect to see a lot of short stackers. The casino also usually closes at around 3:30 but by then you are sitting with mostly regs or people that actually have a clue. The juiciest time is from 10:00-12:30 when all the tourists come to play. I believe during high season, so around Christmas and spring break they run a bounty tournament 3 times a week. I'm probably too late for this post, but maybe it helps the next person looking for info on this.

I was actually just looking at going to Punta Cana myself and playing at this casino, so your post was helpful!

Heading here in two weeks. Anyone have updated information on when the games begin and how is the action?

I'm here now. It's only 2/5, $200 min $2000 max. Been playing every night, there isn't even a 1/2 interest list. Also they are raking like $12 or something capped... I've never played 2/5 before so not sure how good or bad that rake is. The website advertises 1/2 capped at $5 which is either outdated information or an outright lie.

I expected the game to be 90% of people staying at Hard Rock and was fantastically wrong. It's about 80% fluent Spanish speakers coming into the resort just to play poker. I would say the level of play is a bit higher than the casinos I play at in the Northeast US, but still pretty soft. Most people buy in for $300ish but I have seen a few people buying in for like $700-$800.

Games start at 8 pm, its impossible to play earlier, the poker room literally won't even have an employee in it. They will kick you all out at 3:40 am on the nose no matter how much you beg and plead.

All in all, meh. Much less profitable than I thought it would be (I am winning so far though in like a 5 night sample playing pretty drunk most of the time lol)

Going here soon, anyone here recently and have any stories? Rake seems pretty bad but might as well check out the poker since I'll be there.

Rake is pretty bad (by US standards). Hard Rock was spreading one table of 2/5 on a thursday night, no chance of a second. Rake was 10% up 12+2 or 12+3, can't remember which. Waited an hour or more for a seat, never opened up so I left.

Also played at Casino Avalon which spread some tourneys and had 2 cash tables going both nights we were there (1/2 and 2/5). Rake was also bad, but slightly less so (think it was 11+2?). Lots of action, mostly bad locals with a few ex-pats sprinkled in I think. Think people bought in mostly with USD, but dominican pesos also allowed, cash out was paid in USD. Game was ridiculous, worth playing. Can't speak for hard rock though