Poker in Delaware

Poker in Delaware

Want to know if you can play poker in Delaware? Worry no more because it is our topic for today’s article. Delaware, a small state in the Eastern Part of the United States, is located on the Delmarva Peninsula. In honor of the Delaware River, its name was chosen. On the other hand, it was the first state to ratify the United States Constitution in 1787, earning it the nickname “the First State.”

In addition to being one of the first states to ratify the 1787 Constitution, it was also among the first to ratify another significant piece of legislation. After the infamous Black Friday events of 2011, they became the 3rd state to allow online poker in June of 2012.

Five years have passed since then, but now all three of these states have legalized online poker as well. Therefore, this relatively small state is extremely important in the context of American poker.

Land-based casinos have been around since before America was even a country. In the 1760s, equestrian facilities such as racetracks began to appear. The area’s major casinos also feature racetracks, a testament to the region’s enduring passion for horse racing betting. The history of state lotteries can be traced from the 18th century.

In 1995, Dover Downs was the first Delaware racetrack to add a casino to its grounds.

Quick Summary

• Total population: 973,764
• Dover, Delaware (the state capital)
• Money in US Dollars ($)
• Shorthand for “Delaware” is DE
• Location Timezone: UTC+5

Where You Can Play Poker in Casinos:

• Dover Downs Casino
• Delaware Park Casino
• Harrington Raceway & Casino

Well-known Poker Players from Delaware

Delaware’s all-time money list on Hendon is led by Abraham Korotki of Bethany Beach, who has won $1.901 million in tournaments.

During the WSOP Circuit’s Atlantic City stop in February 2006, he won the $10,000 NLHE Championship Event. Held at Harrah’s Atlantic City Casino, the tournament awarded Korotki his first WSOPC ring and $433,008. This is the largest amount he has won in a single live tournament.

Later in 2006, he made it into the money at the World Series of Poker Main Event by finishing in 524th place for $20,617, out of a total of 8,773 players in the biggest ME field in tournament history. While visiting Atlantic City in 2017, he was able to secure a second WSOP Circuit bracelet.

There haven’t been any major online poker-crushing exploits out of Delaware, despite the fact that it’s one of only four states with a legal online poker market. There is only one player from the DE area who has published results on PocketFives. Josh Kitts is known as “jkitts89” on PokerStars and “WizardOfOdds” on partypoker, where he has won a combined $6,818 in tournaments.

Live Poker in Delaware

Live Poker Provisions in Delaware

State-run lotteries, horse race betting, and bingo are the only forms of gambling allowed in Delaware, per Article 2, section 17 of the state’s constitution.

Despite this unfortunate fact, additional publications were incorporated to the penal code later, making it possible for other casino games, including poker, to be played legally there. The current gambling laws in Delaware are outlined in sections 3-10001 et seq. and 11-1401 et seq. of the Delaware Code.

Delaware Gaming Enforcement is the name of the state’s gambling regulator. Due to legislation passed in the Delaware State House in 2010, they are now in existence. They advertise three legal casinos in the state.

Local Poker Rooms in Delaware

It’s possible to play in a number of cash games and tournaments at the Delaware Park Casino in Wilmington, Delaware. There are No Limit Hold’em cash games with bets as low as $1/$2 and as high as $2/$5. On Wednesdays and Fridays from 4 PM to 8 PM, the rake is waived at the $2/$5 table as part of a promotion called “Game Night.”

Their schedule is jam-packed with tournaments. On weekdays, they might have two or three, and on the weekends, they might have as many as four. Most of their tournaments have a buy-in of $65. However, if you’re looking for something cheaper, they do sell one for $50. They include one activity with a $120 buy-in for those who want to play at a higher level. NLHE tournaments are the only format available. Yet, they hosted 2016’s Mid Atlantic Poker Championships was the most recent major poker celebration.

In the town of Harrington, you’ll find Harrington Raceway & Casino, where you can participate in daily tournaments. The initial purchase price is $35, or it can be increased to $60 with rebuys and extras. Also, on Wednesdays, there is a $60 PLO tournament.

Dover Downs, the state’s third legally operating casino, sadly closed its poker room in the spring and autumn of 2019. To maximize profits, the management stated at the time that they chose this route.

Poker Rooms and Casinos in Delaware

Delaware Online Poker

As we mentioned up top, in June of 2012, the legislature of the state of Delaware passed a law legalizing online poker and other forms of online casino gaming. In October of 2013, the first legal online gambling and poker sites in the US opened for business.

In 2019, it was declared that players in Nevada, New Jersey, and Delaware would be able to share liquidity, making it possible for them to compete in the same pool of players. This was great news for Delaware’s online poker players.

There are a small number of options for online poker in Delaware, though. Furthermore, the limited options available are largely devoid of significance.

Locals can play online poker at any of the aforementioned three land-based casinos. However, they are merely rebranding the 888Poker Network, which uses the same software and design for each skins. Therefore, 888 is the only real option for players in the Netherlands who are seeking real poker action online.