Everyone I spoke to who had played in the older versions of the property’s poker room universally agreed that the upgrades are absolutely top notch. This is the third or fourth iteration of the poker room since Choctaw Durant began offering poker back in 2006. Quite a lot of thought was put into designing it, according to Choctaw Casino Table Games Manager Bob Barnes. The ceilings are high, the lighting is phenomenal, the chips are brand new, the clientele is pleasant, the staff is extremely hospitable, the action runs 24/7, and the chairs are among the most comfortable I’ve ever sat in.
On both occasions I was very impressed with the room’s operations. My first experience was as a railbird, watching the meet-up game (MUG) hosted by new World Poker Tour ambassador Brad Owen, and my second experience was as a player for a few hours playing first in a $1/2 NL Hold’em game, but thereafter primarily in a $10/20 mixed game. While I’ve spent a good amount of time in the tournament area (the Grand Theater in the casino’s Spa Tower) during my visit here, I’ve also spent a good amount of time in the permanent poker room, which is located in the newer Sky Tower. Housed in a facility that would rival any of the great Las Vegas poker rooms, the 29-table room at Choctaw Casino Durant is an absolute gem.