Heading to Aruba this year, how's the poker? (1 Viewer)

Jake14mw

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Hi All,

Heading to Aruba this summer. Was thinking of playing a little poker. Has anyone played at any of the casinos there? I'm a low stakes guy. Any info or advice anyone has would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
I am in Aruba now staying in Palm Beach. On the hotel strip here, there are 6 casinos and the Orchid (RIU Hotel) and The Casino (In the Hilton) have poker rooms. I went by around 6pm and neither room was open. Signs at both locations said poker opens at 7pm. I may try to play sometime this weekend.

There are several other casinos in Eagle Beach and Downtown, but I don't think any of them have poker. I hope this helps.
 
I am in Aruba now staying in Palm Beach. On the hotel strip here, there are 6 casinos and the Orchid (RIU Hotel) and The Casino (In the Hilton) have poker rooms. I went by around 6pm and neither room was open. Signs at both locations said poker opens at 7pm. I may try to play sometime this weekend.

There are several other casinos in Eagle Beach and Downtown, but I don't think any of them have poker. I hope this helps.
Thanks. Let me know if you play during your stay and how it was.
 
Thanks. Let me know if you play during your stay and how it was.
I am staying at the Holiday Inn, and this whole place is great. I didn't get a chance to play poker though.
Let me know if you have any questions about anything. If you have kids, check out De Palm Island.
 
I am staying at the Holiday Inn, and this whole place is great. I didn't get a chance to play poker though.
Let me know if you have any questions about anything. If you have kids, check out De Palm Island.
I'd love to hear any suggestions you have. We have two families going, with grown kids aged 18-26. How were the food and drinks on De Palm Island?

I'm concerned about the amount of money we're going to pay eating out!
 
Where are you staying?
Food is pricey for sure at the restaurants. We bought groceries for breakfast and lunch. There is a decent market in Palm beach next to the Holiday Inn and a bigger grocery store in Eagle beach. A lot of places add a 15% service charge so be mindful of that when you add a tip if you decide to do more.

De Palm the food is ok. There is a buffet which had pasta, chicken, fish that was pretty good. They also have a place that has burgers and hot dogs. They had a couple of frozen drinks, a couple of cocktails, and beer. They come in small cups, but you can get as much as you want.

They have buses from all of the hotels to pickup and drop off. It was about 20 mins from us. We booked it a desk in our hotel.

Gelatisimo bus is great for desert. Smokey Joes was good. There are a ton of restaurants here.

There are a lot of different places to book thinks like jetskis and parasailing. Check the prices at several of them. We did parasailing and it was a blast.


We didn’t get a car and see the other stuff on the island, so I can’t say if anyone of the other sights are worth it. Our hotel had bikes you can use, so we rode down to Eagle beach a couple times.

The water is very clear and was a good temperature. We bought cheap floats at Walmart before coming down, so you can float around if you want.
 
Where are you staying?
Food is pricey for sure at the restaurants. We bought groceries for breakfast and lunch. There is a decent market in Palm beach next to the Holiday Inn and a bigger grocery store in Eagle beach. A lot of places add a 15% service charge so be mindful of that when you add a tip if you decide to do more.

De Palm the food is ok. There is a buffet which had pasta, chicken, fish that was pretty good. They also have a place that has burgers and hot dogs. They had a couple of frozen drinks, a couple of cocktails, and beer. They come in small cups, but you can get as much as you want.

They have buses from all of the hotels to pickup and drop off. It was about 20 mins from us. We booked it a desk in our hotel.

Gelatisimo bus is great for desert. Smokey Joes was good. There are a ton of restaurants here.

There are a lot of different places to book thinks like jetskis and parasailing. Check the prices at several of them. We did parasailing and it was a blast.


We didn’t get a car and see the other stuff on the island, so I can’t say if anyone of the other sights are worth it. Our hotel had bikes you can use, so we rode down to Eagle beach a couple times.

The water is very clear and was a good temperature. We bought cheap floats at Walmart before coming down, so you can float around if you want.
We're staying in an Airbnb I think in Noord, not too far from Eagle Beach. We will have rental cars. How are the grocery store prices?
 
I was there a few month ago. Grocery store prices are not too bad.

We stayed in a house south of the airport, while our friends stayed at the Stellaris. When we visited the resort area, we hemorrhaged cash. South of the airport, everything is much cheaper.
 
We ate at a place. Tia Rosa Snacks. That was recommended by our dive master. Kind of like a food truck. They have an Arepa that is like a toasted sandwich between plantain bread. It will fill you up for a few days and you definitely get your moneys worth.

It is a little south of where you head out to get to de palm.
 
Hope you guys have visited Charlie's Bar and Restaurant, in San Nicolas. Fun place, and fish dishes you can't often find, like barracuda.

Around the island, the California Lighthouse, Tierra del Sol Resort, Alta Vista Chapel and maze (Peace Labyrinth), Bushiribana Ruins, the Casibari Rock Formations, the Natural Bridge, Fontein Caves, and Baby Beach make having a car worthwhile.

If the immigration requirements (including the language) weren't so strict, we'd probably live there.
 
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I played at the old Radisson Casino in Aruba years ago, I have a few of those $1 chips which were later sold on here by a vendor. The room had one table of NLHE, it was the loosest game I ever played in, with a huge rake, they only had a cash game for like two hours. I had one of my worst beats ever with Aces vs AK. I played right into the villain’s hands, limped in, raise, reraise, I go all in, one caller, I lose when the dude hit a broadway straight on the river. Last hand of the night, Yuuuuge pot!
 
I highly suggest the Hilton. (Previously the Radisson). Decent games, dealers are OK, but the best chance for a good game. They also host WSOP circuit events, sometime this year in the fall. Happy hunting!
 
I have a buddy in Aruba as I type this. Asked him if he was going to hit any casino out there and I don't think he realized he could. Hope he reconsiders.....

What's the typical rake there for a game?
 

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