Just an update- Winner's Circle is still giving the mid-October, early November estimate. Talked to a fellow 2p2er who knows someone who does construction for Oaklawn who said that it'd be impossible for them to open up before 2015, but when I asked, the Winner's Circle rep said that it'd be FOR SURE opening up before the races (in January 2015). All things considered, I'd say December's the best bet for when it'll open.

Cool. Thanks for the info...I'm settling in as of this week and I'll put a couple of weekend trips on my radar. I did call Oaklawn (before seeing the latest in this thread) to ask about poker and her response was "we do not have poker" and quickly hung up. For the others on the thread who haven't played on an electronic table, I personally think it's great for what it is. Obviously if you want a more tactile poker experience it's not going to provide much but if you're there to grind? No tipping the dealer, quicker game play, and it becomes second nature in a few orbits. I played extensively on two different electronic tables overseas a few years back and got used to them both very quickly.

Just called Oaklawn. Poker room opens (tentatively) the first or second week of November.

Is this still on track to reopen next month?

I just got off the phone with whoever answers the main 1 800 number. Poker room will open in sometime in December or January.

OAKLAWN COMPLETES PHASE I OF $20 MILLION EXPANSION

Nov. 3, 2014


Phase II Now Under way; To Be Complete by Start of Live Meet

Hot Springs, Ark. (Monday, Nov. 3, 2014) – Oaklawn is a step closer to the completion of its $20 million expansion after opening a key section of its new gaming area this morning.

The new area that opened today includes the new main entrance, foyer, gift shop, Silks Bar, approximately 18,000 square feet of gaming space and substantial back of house support facilities.

Oaklawn will now begin reconstruction and modification of part of the existing gaming area.

The entire project is scheduled to be completed by end of the year. When complete, Oaklawn will have two additional food and beverage facilities – Silks Bar & Grill and Bistro 2705 - as well as an expanded gaming area, which will include a poker room and a high limits area.

The current project began in April of this year. Oaklawn has been racing to complete the project in time for its 2015 live racing season which begins Friday, Jan. 9.

“It would have been impossible to complete a project of this magnitude without dividing it into phases,” said Plant Superintendent John Hopkins, a member of Oaklawn’s Senior Management Team who has spearheaded the expansion.

“Flintco, our construction company, will be working around the clock to finish project by the end of the year,” continued Hopkins. “And, while there may be some inconveniences to our guests during this final phase, the end result will be a bigger and better entertainment experience. We are thrilled to have this new gaming area ready for guests coming to town for the race meet.”

With its expanding building, Oaklawn has already started expanding its staff. A two-day job fair was held in late September and the hiring process in on going to fill positions in gaming, security, housekeeping and food and beverage.

This latest expansion is the second major project that Oaklawn has undertaken in the last six years with the current facility opening in late 2009. The total investment of $60 million is the largest private investment in the history of Hot Springs.


http://oaklawn.com/news/2014/nov/03/...ion-expansion/

Has anyone been to Oaklawn lately and do they have the room open yet?

Set to open Jan 8th last I called

I am the new poker room manager here at Oaklawn Jockey Club. I wanted to find out what you all would like to see in the new room. By the way the room should open on the 9th of January, it will be a 5 table room. I am new to 2+2 so if a mod would like proof let me know what you need.

Good comps is probably my number one request. Southland offers $2/hr in free play in the poker room and Horseshoe Tunica offers $1/hr in comps. Good promos would be nice too. What time will the room open on the 9th?

Thank you for your comment SmokeMaxX, as far as comps go that is something we will be unable to offer out of the gate. I do want you to know that is something I am focusing on and I hope to offer in the coming months. We do have some Great promos we are working on and will reveal later this month with signage inside of the Poker Room.
The poker room will open on the 9th at 10am with the rest of the track. On race days the room will open at 10am and on non-race days the room will open at noon.

Will table lists be on bravo?

Also still e-tables with $400 max BI at 1/2?

I contacted bravo today have not heard anything back. Yes because of state law still e tables. Max buy in on 1-2 will be up to 75 percent of the largest stack on the table. If the game just opened $200.

What all games will be offered? Just no limit hold em or plo/plo8 as well?

Honestly if we get enough people for it we will spread it.

Not that anyone probably cares, but Oaklawn will be closing their poker room on Monday, May 29. The electronic tables sucked so it's not really much of a loss.

Played there couple weeks ago and heard this. The problem was not the e tables it was the staff. The were clueless. When I was there the floor herself was violating OPTAH. But because the players were as bad as the staff, it was still a profitable room for me. The good news for me was my reasons for being there also ended so I would not have been back anyway.

Will they re open a real poker room with new 100 million expansion???

I spoke with the marketing department this week and they will not have poker. Too much actual skill and not addictive enough for these ****bags.