Has anybody tried the Fresno and Clovis cardrooms? I know about 500 Club and Club One but haven't been to either yet. Any others? Any NL games above $1/3 in town?

I have played at both '500 Club' & 'Club One' but I'm not aware of any others in the area.

From my experience 'Club One' downtown feels more like a casino & the games were pretty soft.

'500 Club' feels cheap & dirty & also feels like you're sitting in a bar/restaurant. I expected '500 Club' to be softer as it is located next to the University but that wasn't the case in my experience.

Both places have had games above $1/3 running every time I've been there.

Good Luck

Really wish it was the other way around. I'd be scared even being downtown w/ a lot of cash. Clovis doesn't seem so bad.

Thanks for the info.

I'm a regular in both rooms. Many of the no limit players have gravitated towards 500 in the last couple months. They play 1/3 40-400 which tends to have many deeper stacks (lots of straddling). Club one runs a 1/3 40-300 and the players tend to more often buy shorter stacks there. Anything above, 2/5 mainly only runs at 500 on Fri and Sat, but sometimes will run at Club One. Players hop back and forth so softness can vary, but the most accomplished players in town do seem to favor 500, as of late (however there are several big action gamble gamble regulars). As far as atmosphere, there are pros and cons of each location, and I've heard customers strongly favor both atmospheres. You'll also find 1/3 at the palace (an hour south), but I don't have recent personal experience with it.

If you like limit, 500 runs a 20/40 several nights a week. Club one used to, but I think they don't get it down as much and have kind of converted 9/18 to the "big game"

No Problem. Just FYI, '500 Club' moved from Clovis to Fresno. They are now located in a shopping center adjacent to Save Mart Center at Fresno State.

Thanks a lot. What about personal safety? I know in the Sacramento area it's a legitimate concern that somebody might follow you home and rob you, or put a gun in your face in the parking lot. Same thing here? Do they at least have good security?

Well no one has followed me home yet! :P

Umm...500 Club is on the edge of Clovis, so in a safer part of the area, and I'd say most customers are more comfortable with that neighborhood (as far as safety) but you'll find seedy people visiting both establishments. Club One has an underground parking garage that is sometimes patrolled by security. 500 Club has a (poorly lit) parking lot out front that sometimes has security driving around or watching from the front door. Overall, I generally feel safe, but there is the occasional creepy feeling when walking to the car and no one else is around.

Wow 500 Club was way better than I thought it would be. Very nice cardroom.

While I was there, some woman (I think a casino employee) got beat up in the parking lot while people tried to steal her car, though. Immediately afterward I saw numerous women walking to their car alone. Boggles my mind why they don't just ask one of the numerous security guards to walk them.

Ya I was there and saw that, as well. It was very strange to have that happen right after posting here about the perceived safety of the place. Glad she was okay and no serious injuries.

I feel like you were the young guy who camped at the juicy Omaha all night.