Are you ready to get back to the poker grind in New England but not sure where to play? This guide will help you navigate the pandemic waters of the local poker scene. Find out about which poker rooms are open, what they are offering, what their mask policy is, and more. Casinos in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, and Massachusetts are all open but currently without their poker rooms. Poker is not offered in Vermont leaving New Hampshire as New England’s only live poker options in one of its many charitable gaming rooms.
Charitable gaming re-opened in New Hampshire in June, albeit with some general guidelines that rooms and their patrons need to follow. All rooms are required to restrict seating to 50% capacity, poker tables need to be no more than 6-max, and staff is required to wear masks and follow specific cleaning procedures. For a full list of New Hampshire’s casino re-opening guidelines, you can find them here: https://www.covidguidance.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt381/files/files/inline-documents/guidance-charitable-gaming.pdf. As always, all charitable gaming rooms are smoke free. Many offer high hand promotions and/or bad beat jackpot promotions that vary monthly and can be found on their website. Unless noted, all places have food and beverage options on the premises.
Rooms:
The Brook in Seabrook, NH: Their poker room is open for cash games only with both NL and PLO offered. Masks are required for both staff and players. Chips are disinfected nightly and cards are switched out every four hours. Each night after closing, they clean entire casino using newly designed electrostatic and sanitizing mist. They are open Wednesday and Thursday from 11:30 to midnight and Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 1 am, and Sunday from 1 am until midnight. Starting August 1st, they will be open on Monday and Tuesday from 11:30 am until midnight. Find more information at www.livefreeandplay.com.
Chasers Poker Room in Salem, NH: They offer cash games only with NL, PLO, and occasionally Limit Holdem offered. Masks are required for staff and encouraged for players. They are following NH guidelines for cleaning and they also spray down tables with a botanical disinfectant twice weekly. They are open Monday through Wednesday from noon to 1 am and Thursday through Sunday from 11 am until 1 am. Find more information at www.chaserspoker.com.
Manchester Poker Room in Manchester, NH: They are offering NL and PLO cash games daily. They are also holding tournaments Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons. Masks are required for staff and encouraged for players. They are following NH guidelines for cleaning. Open 7 days a week from noon until 1 am. Find more information at www.manchesterpokerroom.com.
Boston Billiards Club in Nashua, NH: They are offering NL and PLO cash games daily. They also are holding shoot-out tournaments on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Masks are required for both staff and players. They are following NH guidelines for cleaning. Open 7 days a week from 11:30 am until 1 am. Find more information at www.bostonbilliardclub.com.
Speakeasy Casino in the Governor’s Inn in Rochester, NH: They are offering NL cash games and tournaments. Masks are required for staff and encouraged for players. They are following state guidelines for cleaning. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday from 5 pm until 1 am and Fridays from 3 pm until 1 am. Find them on Poker Atlas for more details.
Concord Casino in Concord, NH: They have one table set up for poker and offer NL cash. Masks are required for staff and encouraged for players. They are following state guidelines for cleaning. Their hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 4 pm until 1 am. Find more information at www.concordnhcasino.com.
Lakes Region Casino in Belmont, NH: They offer NL and Limit Holdem cash games. Masks are required for staff and encouraged for players. They are following state guidelines for cleaning. Their hours are Wednesday through Friday from 2 pm until 1 am and Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm until 1 am. Find more information at www.lakesregioncasino.com.
Keene Casino in Keene, NH: They offer NL and PLO cash games. Masks are required for staff and encouraged for players. They are following state guidelines for cleaning. Their hours are Monday through Friday from 2 pm until 1 am and Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm until 1 am. Of note on their Facebook page, they were not offering food and drink service upon re-opening and players were told to bring their own (no alcohol). I would call before doing so. (603)903-0181. Find more information at www.keenecasino.com.
Northwoods Casino in Berlin, NH: They offer NL cash games and tournaments. They note on their Facebook page that you should call before coming in to lock up a tournament seat as they have limited space at (603)723-9550. Masks are required for staff and encouraged for players. They are following the state guidelines for cleaning. Their hours are Monday through Saturday from 4 pm until 1 am. Find more information on their website at www.northwoodscasinollc.com.
Aces and Eights in Hampton Beach, NH: Temporarily closed.
Written By:
Kim Scott
WPA Advocate