Poker in Phoenix:
Live, Cashgames, Tournaments

In Phoenix and all over Arizona Arizona, poker is classified as a game of luck. For this reason, it is only accepted in casinos to play poker for real cash. On this page we inform you about all the different possibilities to play poker in Phoenix and explain you the legal framework in Arizona Arizona.

Legal notice: Is it legal to play poker Phoenix ?

Poker Cash Games can meet in Arizona Arizona and therefore as well in Phoenix the criminal offence of illegal gambling. Punishment according to these regulations is not rare if one organizes a public game of luck or participates in it.

Is poker a game of chance?

The problem of whether poker is a game of chance is still to be answered. However the jurisdiction in United States and therefore also in Phoenix rates poker as a game of chance. The difference is that national casinos in Arizona Arizona have a allowance. Playing poker there is legal.

Poker in restaurants in Phoenix

Risk for the pubs & hosts: There is the danger of losing the official permission to operate a restaurant in Phoenix if you make yourself liable to prosecution.

Conclusion

• Poker cash games are basically prohibited in United States and therefore also in Phoenix.
• The casinos in United States have a state licence.
• Often it is very difficult for the authorities in Phoenix to prove prohibited gambling.
• Tournaments are considered a game of skill, cash games a game of luck

Please note that the information provided does not constitute legal advice under the law and cannot replace legal advice, as such advice always requires knowledge of all individual circumstances, in particular of the specific individual case.

Cashgames: Real money poker games in Phoenix

Caution: Poker for real money is not permitted in public! If like to join poker games for cash in Phoenix, you will need to go to casinos & poker clubs and poker rooms in the surrounding area. Please read the section on Home Games if you are looking for more options.

• Gila River's Vee Quiva Casino ( Website )
  15091 Komatke Lane, Laveen Village, AZ 85339, USA
  +1-800-946-4452
  $2/$4 Limit Holdem - Buy-in: $20 to No Max Runs: Occasionally
  $3/$6 Limit Holdem - Buy-in: $30 to No Max Runs: One or two tables
  $3/$6 Limit Omaha 8/b - Buy-in: $30 to No Max Runs: Usually one table
  $4/$8 Limit Holdem - Buy-in: $40 to No Max Runs: One or two tables
  $4/$8 Limit Omaha 8/b - Buy-in: $40 to No Max Runs: Occasionally
  $5/$10 Limit Holdem - Buy-in: $50 to No Max Runs: Weekends
  $6/$12 Limit Holdem - Buy-in: $60 to No Max Runs: Weekends
  $8/$16 Limit Holdem - Buy-in: $80 to No Max Runs: Weekends

Poker tournaments in Phoenix

Poker tourneys in Phoenix are allowed under certain conditions. These are permitted as long as there are prizes and not real money to be won. In Phoenix and the surrounding area there are regular poker tournaments. For an full overview of the upcoming tournaments in Phoenix, please inform yourself about our tournament calendar.

Poker Clubs: The best poker rooms in Phoenix

Further alternatives are available by the various poker clubs & poker rooms with tournaments in and around Phoenix. In Phoenix there is a varied club landscape with various tournaments with non-cash prizes. Here is a helpful overview:

Live poker in casinos near by Phoenix

In the city center of Phoenix you will unfortunately not see a casino with poker rooms. Arizona Arizona located its casinos mostly in minor places and outside the city center. It is however no problem to access them by car or public transport. The majority have even an own transfer service. In case you want to drive your own car, all casinos offer generous parking lots for poker players. This year you can participate in a large variety of poker tournaments in any casino in United States. There are as well tournament series and Poker Events in which you can register. At Poker-in.com you'll discover an overview, arranged by federal states, of all casinos running poker with their precise games and all other infos. After only a quick drive you can play legal poker for money in one of the casinos around Phoenix.

Casinos, Poker Rooms & Venues offering Poker in Phoenix

• Gila River's Vee Quiva Casino ( Website )
  15091 Komatke Lane, Laveen Village, AZ 85339, USA

Best Poker Players from Phoenix

• 1. Mike Wattel
  USD 3,161,166.00
• 2. Ryan Hughes
  USD 2,837,782.00
• 3. Tom Schneider
  USD 2,392,202.00
• 4. Thomas Keller
  USD 1,446,702.00
• 5. Corey Hochman
  USD 1,425,277.00
• 6. Thomas Zanot
  USD 774,758.00
• 7. Tad Jurgens
  USD 730,419.00
• 8. Mark Babekov
  USD 727,795.00
• 9. Richard Alati
  USD 505,273.00
• 10. Robert Goldfarb
  USD 503,168.00

Homegames: Pokern for real money in Phoenix in private locations

In Phoenix the judisdiction of the federal state Arizona Arizona applies. If you want to organize allowed poker home games in Phoenix, you must follow these points.

Is it a public poker game?

If the poker game is not public, it can be allowed in general and does not have to justify any criminal liability. A poker game is public after the jurisdiction in Arizona Arizona, if "it is made outwardly recognizably accessible to a not firmly closed circle of acquaintances". A good example of this is the poker for high amounts of money in Phoenix's bars, which normally anyone can enter. This is illegal.

How regularly does the homegame take place in Phoenix?

According to jurisdiction in Arizona Arizona can: "However, a closed society in which a game of chance is customarily held is also considered public according to § 285 II StGB". If the round takes place habitually, it is illegal in private rooms in Phoenix as well as in public. For example, if cash games are organized for every week on the same day, it does not matter if it is a private room or not. Both are not allowed.

The best Online Poker Rooms in comparison

Please be aware that online poker is regulated in most states. There are currently 4 states that offer legal online poker for real money in the United States – New Jersey, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Pennsylvania became the latest to join this group when PokerStars went live in the state on Nov. 4, 2019.

• WSOP/888 US is currently the only poker site that shares online poker players between all three legal online poker states (NJ, Nevada & Delaware). It’s currently the #1 US online poker site by traffic.
• Poker Stars – New Jersey and Pennsylvania
• Party Poker – New Jersey only
• Pala Poker – New Jersey only