Indiana Opens New Poker Room at Four Winds South Bend
Whenever a poker room closes up shop – such as the recent shuttering of the Treasure Island room in Las Vegas – it tends to make the news. It’s only fair then to report some good news in the form of a brand-new poker room open to players.
Earlier this week, Indiana’s Four Winds South Bend opened a new 10-table poker room to the public after a soft opening over Labor Day Weekend. It’s there that players can play $1-$2 and $2-$5 no-limit hold’em, $3-$6 limit hold’em, and $1-$2 pot-limit Omaha (PLO).
Four Winds South Bend is a Class II gaming facility, and since poker with live dealers falls under that classification, it made sense for the property to take advantage of the game. The room compliments the video poker machines that were being offered at the casino. Executives first announced plans for the new poker room two months ago.
“Now that it’s ready, it’s surpassed our expectations. For fans of the game, the addition of the Poker Room offers something for everyone,” said Chief Operating Officer Frank Freedman. “For fans of the game, the addition of the poker room offers something for everyone.”
While casino patrons can now enjoy poker, they shouldn’t expect other card games anytime soon. Games like blackjack, baccarat, and most other table games are considered Class III games, which are prohibited by the casino’s classification under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
Joining a Crowded Market
Located in Northern Indiana just south of Michigan, Four Winds South Bend faces plenty of competition in the market. Blue Chip Casino is just down the road, while closer to Chicago are venues like Horseshoe Hammond, Majestic Star Casino & Hotel, and Ameristar East Chicago. With the exception of Ameristar, all of them have poker rooms.
Furthermore, the three venues closest to Chicago have played host to mid-major tours with Horseshoe Hammond holding a World Series of Poker Circuit stop every October, Majestic Star having accommodated the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) in the past, and the Heartland Poker Tour (HPT) visiting Ameristar East Chicago several times a year.
Four Winds Casinos, which are owned by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians, also have three other venues in Michigan – Four Winds Casino Dowagiac, Four Winds Hartford, and Four Winds Casino New Buffalo.
None of those venues have a poker room but do offer table games such as blackjack, Mississippi Stud, and Three-Card Poker.
Images courtesy of Four Winds South Bend
