Aces Full

Update– the big 5k-​10k guarantees are no longer in play and the food service from the bar below is no longer available to the poker lounge upstairs. They have a snack bar only now, with soft drinks. Still the best private ²⁄₅ game in town.

A lot of the effusive five-​star reviews here have to be by shills, right? I mean, nobody who has ever played cards in a full-​service card room would ever think this is the standard by which you should measure other card rooms, it’s nuts.
As far as poker goes, it’s fine. The game is populated by people who, generally, know proper card room etiquette (though not everyone abides, but what else is new?). The dealers are competent and generally keep the game moving. The game level isn’t particularly tough. A lot of regulars, but they’re not particularly high level players. You get the occasional solid player, but everyone clearly thinks they’re a better player than they actually are. Look, it’s a ½ game in Portland, not exactly Vegas, LA, or Phoenix where, you know, people make their living doing this.
The problem is, really, these rooms operate in a legal gray area, and while there are certainly advantages to it, there are downsides, as well.
First, the game. They call it a «shootout tournament» to skirt the legality of having a cash game. In reality? It’s a cash game with no rake. So, in that manner: hooray! It’s hard to beat a game with no rake. There are a few funky «rules» that keep the general façade of tournament poker going:
–you are dealt in whether you’re at the table or not
–there are no missed blind buttons
–You are offered the option to cash out after every «tournament» ends, which basically means every two hours, you’re allowed to take money off the table (which, okay, fine as a rule, but why would you WANT to?)
Those are really the only odd rules that are rigidly enforced. The others are kind of at the table’s discretion (the max buy-​in for instance is more of a suggestion than it is a hard and fast rule, which is in stark contrast to a legit card room. First time I played here, a regular sat and bought in for like $ 700, so you know…). They also ask that you play through at least one full «tournament» (which means play for at least an hour), so don’t hit-​and-​run, but after the first hour, you can leave any time (meaning, you don’t commit to another full hour of poker just because the clock hit 8:00pm… you can pick up at 8:07pm and nobody is going to care).
The room itself is dimly lit, not decorated, just kind of grey and sad. I was there at 9:30pm and the place was eerily quiet with two ½ games going (and the tables were relatively friendly, I’d hate to think what happens when the atmosphere goes cold).
The downsides are all about security In other words: there is none. Walk in the door to this place, and the cash games are right up front, and the cash is sitting on the table in those little bank purse things. Seriously. No lock boxes. Nothing behind the counter. Not even a cursory security guy standing around to ward off threats. Just… exposed.
I understand it would be hard for these guys to afford security. These guys don’t even pay their dealers (they are technically «volunteers» through a non-​profit organization owned by the card room… so tip your dealers). But I don’t feel 100% safe here, and anybody saying they do is either naïve or lying.
It was explained to me that the ONLY source of revenue they get is through the $ 10 cover charge. The snack bar is not theirs. They take no rake, no tournament fees. (which, how do you guys stay in business? this is a TERRIBLE business model).
The reality is these places are a lot closer than Spirit Mountain (which has the best NL game in the area) and Last Frontier (which is okay for limit), so the convenience factor is going to draw people in. The safety risk is there, it’s obvious. I would never take somebody there that didn’t know what they were doing.
But if you can handle the seedy atmosphere and knowledge that you’re not really protected, then the game is reasonably good.

As a long-​time poker player from NorCal I was used to playing at Indian Casinos or Reno. Moved to OR last summer and tried out Aces. This place rocks on every level. The floor managers are on top of every potential problem immediately and are fair and consistent. Without exception each and every dealer is expert – not only at handling the cards but running a clean table – respectfully but firmly. Poker etiquette is enforced quickly. There are a variety of players and player attitudes – how do you avoid that? But, as I said, the dealers and management keep things running as a good room should. I have been in bigger and fancier poker rooms but none run more professionally. The drinks and food available from the bar downstairs is well above par for a poker room. I play here 2 – 3 times a week and have never had a complaint – other than having a losing session but whose fault is that? Best poker in Portland, hands down.

First off I will say that I do like this place for the poker tournaments, guarantees are nice and solid players.
The one big hang up for me is their super lenient rule involving cell phone and tablet use during play.
I had one kid at the last tournament I played there hold up the action each and every time it got to him because his head was buried in his cell phone. And he worked there!
Another lady had it propped up texting the whole time with that annoying sound going off every minute. Dealer said nothing…
I’m all for being a little less uptight, but this is a bit much for me, I’d like to see these rules looked at before I play here again.

Friendly staff and nicely appointed place. I’ve been here a few times over the last year.
My only issue is rules are rarely enforced: 1) A player, who wasn’t in the hand, telling another player they should call a bet… the dealer just giggled. 2) A guy opens with a bet, the next guy says «I call your bluff» even with 5 other players left to act… dealer giggles. 3) A player who was tired of another player’s loose play says to the others «I’ll call his all-​in if you guys fold»…dealer looks confused. The above was all in the span of an hour.
I don’t need to have every rule strictly enforced but I’ve been to home games where people know how to follow basic poker etiquette. Gentle reminders from the dealer to the players would go a long way.
Minor issue: chips are dirty, worn, and different colors represent the same value. Clean and buy some new chips please.

The major issue I have with this place is the «accounting issues» with rebuys and adding them to the prize pool tournament screen. When you enter this dark cave of poker, the only thing well lit is the tables. There is tinting on the windows which makes it *extremely* dark inside. The pictures the owner has provided show it being much lighter.
Parking is difficult to find if you are going to a big event… 15 total spaces but 4 in front of the bar are tow away unless you are at the bar only. The sign makes it clear they are towing away Ace’s players from there. A bit strange as I could only think the bar serves as the liquor arm of the poker club. The dollar tacos at the bar downstairs were cheap and good.
That being said the café has great food and the tournaments can get to be pretty juicy! Defiantly my number two pick out of poker rooms in Portland right now.

As a poker player that’s used to the fast pace and variety games the casinos in Cali have… Visiting Aces and by the way my first week visiting Portland I checked out EVERY club in Portland just to be let down one after the other. Finally my last stop was Aces and it was a «thumbs up»!! With the friendliest and prettiest dealers and by far the most knowledgeable this is where I would make my home away from home.
Might I add I also felt the safest here in they’re professional environment and security guards. You to should make Aces your first and final stop!
I used the online poker atlas to check schedule’s and that is another A+ they received for accuracy! I would get to other clubs just to find out they changed! Great job guys! keep up the good work! Gonna miss it here;) But rest assure I will be back and will always recommend it to friends and family.

I have been playing live poker in Portland for the last 6 years or so and I have seen a lot of clubs open and close and go through their phases of popularity. The bottom line is simple: Aces has the best tournaments, the best field sizes, and is the most professionally run establishment in every way.
Dealers are knowledgeable and professional, tournament directors are proficient and capable. The environment is clean and comfortable. The ownership take measures such as special rebuy and add-​on chips to prove that every dollar that is supposed to go in the pot makes it into the pot. You can do the math and it adds up correctly every time.
Probably my favorite thing about this club though is the number of folks who turn out for the action. The daily Noon tournament for instance usually has around 40 – 50 entrants. Put add-​ons and rebuys on top of that and you’re looking at a $ 600+ prize for 1^st place on a $ 25 buyin.
Yep. pretty much no need to look anywhere else for live poker in Portland. You’ve found the place!

Dave should go back to denver,
complaining about broken english and whatnot…
one less racist donk is nobody’s loss.
Most of the dealers here are talented, a few of them are outstanding (tyson?). The place is clean, atmosphere is comfortable and although its a swordfest at times, I feel its a great place to play, good tourney set-​ups and a great cross-​section of portland’s poker community.
enjoy.

Ace’s is my favorite place to play in Portland. They have 15 tables and the seating & layout is not cramped at all. The big game is always on in HD! The place is run very efficiently and the dealers are top notch. You will find all kinds of tournaments here, from $ 25 all the way up to $ 370. There 12:00 noon tournament is a $ 25 buy in with 1 rebuy and a $ 10 add on. They always have at least 5 tables going for this one and they guarantee at least a $ 1K prize pool for this game but it is usually well over 2K!