Lucky Eagle Casino, Kickapoo - Eagle Pass, TX

[WillYumTX]

A couple of friends and I went to play some poker at the Kickapoo casino this past weekend. It is the only legal poker room in Texas (just barely). It is just outside of Eagle Pass and on the border between Texas and Mexico.

We left in the late afternoon and made good time. Hardly any traffic (maybe because it was Memorial weekend?) and clear weather. It took just under four hours (perhaps 3.5 or so) to get there with a couple of quick stops (water and bathroom).

It was my first time there, but my companions had been there a few times in the past. We took I-35 south and then Hwy 57 and then some small roads. The roads are paved and smooth, but were not always that way.

The casino used to be in a small building, but has since moved into a larger structure. There is a lot parking in the big lot.

The poker room is immediately to the left as you enter in the main door. The room has sixteen tables. Each table seats only nine players. Cards are hand shuffled by the dealers. The chairs are large and rather comfy with high backs and arms. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

The cards are standard. The chips are old and actually falling apart to some degree.

There is a jackpot drop if there are five or more players. At the time, the jackpot was 22K. Aces full of Tens beaten, both cards must play. Rake is $3 per pot if there is a flop. The full rake is taken from the pot immediately after the first betting round. So, for the 3/6 HE limit game, it is a good idea to chop. Otherwise you are playing for $2.

The had 3/6 HE limit, 5/10 HE limit, and 2/5 HE NL. For the limit games, the minimum buy-in is ten times the BB (I think). One short buy is allowed per player. The NL game has a minimum buy-in of $200.

They used to have Stud and Omaha. And supposedly will spread those games if there is enough interest. There is sometime a higher limit game (10/20) and perhaps other games as well.

We got seated at a new table around 10 pm. There were players at ten of the tables. The dealers were average. Some were rather slow and some talked too much. Some seemed new and a bit hesitant. Most were competent. None were as fast as those in Vegas (or the great ones in Lake Charles, LA).

Cash does NOT play. No racks or anything else on the tables. there is a betting line, but it is not strictly enforced.

Also, Spanish is the unofficial second language. Be prepared to hear a lot of side conversations in Spanish. The dealers and floor spoke English (and Spanish) as did most of the players. But some of the players had Spanish as their primary language.

Oh, be warned that they are very strict about walkers. Once you get up, you immediately get a marker that says 30 minutes. They will then start the process to pick up your chips if you do not return in time. And the second man walking gets 15 minutes. And third man walking gets 5-10 minutes. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

The good thing is that the bathroom is next to the poker room/area. And not all dealers are that finicky about keeping track of the time. But be warned. I was almost picked up when I went to the bathroom and then stopped to get a taco.

Oh yeah, the deli/food counter is next to the poker area. Tacos are cheap and not bad. Either $1.50 or $2.00 and they toast the tortilla. They also have nachos and menudo. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Alcohol is served at the casino and is cheap but is NOT free. Table service is very efficient and polite. Just ask the dealer to call out for Service! And make sure to tip the runner. And last call is at 1:30 am. So no drinking in the wee hours of the night. The casino and poker room is open 24 hours.

Strangely, enough it never got really busy Saturday night. And was not as fishy as I hoped and expected. The level of play was average, but not wild. My first table was very very passive. It was call, call, call, call.... If anyone raised, it was call, call, call, call.... It felt like people just wanted to see the river and any bets or raises were just the price of admission. Golly. [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

I could not get good cards. And our table kept losing players and for some reason the floor would not send players to our corner. I think it had to do with being in the corner. So I changed tables after a bit. And sat at Table 5 until Sunday night.

Sunday brought in more young players and more wild players. The pots got bigger and the play was more loose. It was great.

I still think that Winstar is a better destination. From Austin, it is slightly closer than Kickapoo and it is much, much, much busier. But Winstar still does NOT serve any alcohol at any time.

Oh, Kickapoo has slots and that is it for other gambling. Well, I think there is bingo. I did not look around.

The soda machines and coffee dispensers are near the poker area as well. So if you are willing to walk, you can get your own soft drinks. There is also a bar serving liquor and beer in the poker area.

All in all, it was a good poker road trip. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]