A friend is inviting me out to Tampa, Florida in 2 weeks and wondering where are some of the best places to play? I’m willing to travel a bit in Florida outside of Tampa. The two places I’ve heard about are Best Bet in Jacksonville and Hard Rock in Tampa. Any other ones definitely worth going to check out? I play mostly 2/5 holdem and some pot limit omaha as well.

Jacksonville is a haul from Tampa

Sarasota (one-eyed jacks) is nearby, I would label it as "decent".

Bonita Springs is farther but my favorite place. Both for action and promos.

Both are cardrooms, not casinos.....

Just stick to the hardrock in Tampa, nicest room and best games in the area.

The only other card room worth talking about other than the Hard Rock Tampa is Oxford Downs just South of The Villages. It's not too far from Tampa, and it's a nice spot.

1. Orange City has a good little PLO house, modest size usually 1-2-5.
2. Ocala Jai Alai small room with some weekend PLO.
3. Oxford Downs near The Villages has some private big PLO games you can get in late and a decent hold'em room.
4. Jacksonville has good rooms.
5. There is one in Sarasota at the dog track called One Eyed Jacks, I think. Good spread, some higher games at times.
6. Used to be a good little PLO house at Tampa Greyhound Track, poker room called Lucky's. On the street where a serial killer was operating, Nebraska Avenue, Bobby Joe Long, since executed.
7. One in St. Pete called Derby Lane, maybe Win Derby now. Good mix.
8. Tampa Hard Rock rocks. The rest is for variety.


* My info is a couple years dated and some of the spots may have changed or even closed. Strike #2 Ocala has closed apparently.

I'm considering going down there. I live basically halfway between The Villages and Tampa, and the only place I've checked out so far is Oxford Downs. I just moved here from Vegas, for some reason.

One-Eyed Jacks is now on Fruitville Rd. I believe.

No longer by the airport, and not a dogtrack.

Best Bet Jacksonville is decent. I would stick to Hard Rock Tampa.