The Players Palace

Okay place in a so-​so neighborhood. Didn’t like the fact that the dealer let a guy over and over talk about a hand that he folded even when other people were still playing. I mentioned it twice and he did nothing. Also when I got knocked out and went to cash in a bounty chip, the guy acted like I was putting him out.

The Player’s Palace is a step above the sort of tournament room you’d expect to find in a non-​casino environment. To be honest, they’re an even better place to play than the casinos in the area. Their tournaments have better structures, generally more players, and lower rakes than the under $ 150 buy-​in tournaments at any of the casinos I’ve visited in Oregon and Washington. As a tournament fan I’ve visited almost all of them over the years, so I was pretty surprised to find the best overall deal right here in Portland. They compare easily with Reno or smaller Vegas casinos.
Their ambitious schedule and variety of buy-​ins (From $ 30 up) means that you should be able to find something to your liking pretty easily, so long as you’re looking to play Hold-​em. They have yet to offer any PLO tournaments, although they do offer some PLO8.
The staff keeps the place running smooth and generally conflict-​free. While there are the occasional blow-​ups and arguments, it’s nothing out of the ordinary and the floor employees will quickly calm things down when needed. The snack and beverage prices are very reasonable, with a waitress who walks around the room so you don’t have to get up and miss a hand.
While you’re not going to get a Venetian-​style experience (My biggest complaint is their lack of antes) I’ve found the best overall poker in town at the Player’s Palace.