The newest California poker room is open for business at Bear River Casino in Loleta.
Bear River Casino’s Poker Den opened as part of a multifaceted renovation in 2023. The poker room has five tables in a new location within the casino.
Other upgrades include:
– A new restaurant: the Three Rivers Eatery.
– A special event space.
– A remodeled Tish-Non ballroom.
In addition to the poker room, Bear River Casino has a 103-room hotel, over 350 slot machines, and 12 table games. The casino also offers bingo in the Tish-Non ballroom on Mondays, Tuesdays, and the first Sunday of the month.
Poker Den offers five tables, open four days per week
Californians have access to poker games statewide at tribal casinos and cardrooms. They can also play CA online poker through sweepstakes casinos. Cardrooms can only offer card-backed games, while tribal casinos allow slot machines and other casino games.
The Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria operates Humboldt County’s Bear River Casino, roughly 20 minutes south of Eureka. The new poker room opened in March.
Justin Ciarabellini, the Northern California casino’s director of table games, told The Times-Standard via email, “The Poker Den is open four days a week on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and we offer poker tournaments at 6 p.m. every day that the Poker Den is open.”
Players can also participate in no-limit hold’em and dealer’s choice cash games. The room offers daily high-hand and aces cracked promotions for live cash games.
Remodel better serves the community
Each of Bear River’s recent upgrades will positively impact the community it serves in Humboldt County.
The casino hosted last month’s Fortuna Chamber of Commerce mixer, showcasing its remodeled ballroom with a built-in stage, dance floor, and upgraded audiovisual system. The Tish-Non ballroom features 3,500 square feet of event space and can accommodate up to 175 guests.
Three Rivers Eatery replaces the former Bear River Express Cafe and offers a greater seating capacity and an expanded menu. It’s open seven days a week from 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. (3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday) and provides one of the only late-night food options in Humboldt County
“We now have more seating, better food selection, including wings with many flavors, ice cream, and Starbucks Coffee,” said Bear River Casino Resort Event Sales Manager Kara Ferguson.
Lastly, Rivers Edge Grill and Bar’s private dining space includes a sectioned-off area that can accommodate smaller events such as business meetings, bridal showers, and wedding rehearsal dinners.
Daily tournaments held at Bear River
As mentioned, Bear River offers poker tournaments all four days it’s open during the week.
While Bear River’s calendar has shifted slightly from last year’s daily tournament schedule, Northern California poker players can get involved in the action at 6 p.m. every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Here’s a look at the poker tournament calendar:
- First Wednesday of the month: $260 NLH Deep Stack Mystery Bounty
- All other Wednesdays: $100 NLH Green Chip Bounty
- Fridays and Saturdays: $100 NLH
- Sundays: $60 NLH
