There are nearly half a dozen Missouri poker rooms in operation, offering tournaments, cash games, and major events. Take a closer look at our guide to live poker in Missouri.
In Missouri, cash games and tourneys are available at a limited number of land-based casinos. Though the range of legal cardrooms is small, it does include properties from huge operators like Caesars Entertainment and Penn National Gaming. Remember to practice responsible gambling when you play poker in Missouri.
Harrah’s is the only Kansas City casino to boast its own WSOP-branded cardroom. This room, open from 9 a.m. daily, provides a thrilling poker experience for those of the minimum gambling age. With 13 poker tables, the room offers both cash games and tournaments, ensuring a variety of options to suit your poker preferences.
This venue has the distinction of having hosted WSOP Circuit events in the past. This includes deep-stack tournaments, satellites, and main events, providing an opportunity for you to witness or participate in high-stakes poker action. In addition, Harrah’s is one of the host stops on the RunGood Poker Series (RGPS).
One notable feature is the Caesars Rewards card. As you play, you accumulate points on this card, which can be redeemed for various rewards. It’s an appealing system that rewards your loyalty and frequent play.
The more you play, the more points you gather, and the more rewards you can enjoy. It’s a straightforward system that adds an extra layer of interest to your poker experience.
The cardroom at Hollywood Casino in St. Louis offers 20+ tables, spreading a mix of mid-stakes Omaha and Hold’em action alongside tournaments and special events.
The room is open 8 a.m. to 3 a.m. through the week, extending to 24 hours on weekends if there’s demand. No wonder Missouri’s largest cardroom is a constant magnet for players across the state.
The room is no stranger to large poker events, such as the RunGood Poker Series Road Trip St. Louis. This series, a notable event in the poker calendar, attracts players from far and wide.The room’s tournaments predominantly feature No Limit Hold’em, a popular variant of poker that draws in both novices and seasoned players. However, the room also hosts a variety of deep-stacked events like the Mega Stack, X-Stack, and Monster X-Stack. These events, with their large chip counts, add an extra layer of strategy.
Cash games, another staple of the poker room, offer a range of stakes to cater to different budgets and skill levels. You can find games with stakes from $3/$6 to $20/$40 Limit Hold’em, $1/$2+ NLHE, and $4/$8 Omaha Hi/Lo with Half-Kill. These games run throughout the day, providing continuous action for players.
One of the poker room’s main attractions is the High Hand of the Hour Jackpot. This promotion, which awards $200 to the player with the highest hand each hour, adds an extra element of excitement to the games.
The PENN Play rewards program is another noteworthy feature at Hollywood Casino St. Louis. As you play, you earn PENN Cash that can be redeemed at any Penn National Gaming destination across the United States. It’s a system that rewards your play, regardless of the outcome of your games.
Century Casino Cape Girardeau, located in the heartland of Missouri, houses one of the smallest cardrooms in the state. With only four tables, the poker room may not have the size of its larger counterparts, but it has a charm and intimacy that sets it apart.
The room is open three days a week, Thursday through Saturday. This limited availability adds a certain exclusivity to the poker games played here. It’s not a place where poker is an afterthought; it’s a destination for dedicated players who mark their calendars to reserve their spot at the table.
One of the unique features of Century Casino’s poker room is its on-demand availability of games. Players can call 1-573-730-7571 to reserve a place for Omaha or Texas Hold’em. This level of flexibility and accommodation is a rarity in the poker world and speaks to the customer-focused approach of the casino.
Live poker games are also a significant draw at Century Casino. The thrill of playing in real time, with real people, adds an element of excitement that can’t be replicated in online versions of the game. The cardroom, though small, buzzes with energy during these live sessions.
Ameristar Casino is Boyd Gaming’s contribution to the Missouri gambling landscape. The cardroom houses 5 tables offering a mix of Hold’em disciplines for tourney and cash game players.
In addition, every seat in the cardroom is equipped with USB charging points, a thoughtful addition that ensures your devices never run out of power. As a patron, you can take advantage of a variety of deals on meals and hotel rooms, making your visit a comprehensive entertainment package. However, keep in mind that the casino is closed on Wednesdays, so plan your visit accordingly.
The highlight of the poker calendar at Ameristar Casino St. Charles is undoubtedly the Ameristar Poker Open. This series features a $1,100-buy-in main event with a $250k guarantee.
But the Poker Open is not just about the main event; a variety of side events are also on offer, including Big O, No Limit Texas Hold’em, Crazy Pineapple, and more.
As a member of the Boyd Rewards program, you earn comps and points for your play, which can be redeemed for a variety of rewards. This program adds a layer of incentive to the games and enhances the overall experience at the casino.
Formerly known as Lumiere Place Casino, Horseshoe Casino opened in St, Louis in 2022. The rebranding allowed the cardroom to become the WSOP Poker Room and host big events such as the WSOP Circuit.
There are 10 poker tables in total, with NLHE and PLO cash games the biggest draw. $1/$3 cash games run through the week, with $2/$5 on weekends. There’s also $1/$2 PLO cash action with a min. sit-down of $100.
The 10-table WSOP Poker Room was chosen as one of the stops in the first-ever Global Qualification Weekend held around the world during 2023. The cardroom hosted satellites to give MO players the chance to win a seat in the WSOP Main Event. We’re sure that Main Event Maynia will make a return in the future.
One of the notable features of the Horseshoe Casino St. Louis is its participation in the Caesars Rewards program. As a participant in this program, you can earn and redeem points not only at the Horseshoe Casino St. Louis but also at any Caesars-owned property. This interconnectivity of rewards across multiple venues is a feature that many visitors appreciate.
In addition, you have the chance to apply for a branded Visa card which you can use to earn 5x Reward Credits when you play poker. Again, the deal is applicable with Caesars gambling resorts across the United States.
Looking for the best Missouri live poker casinos in one place? Look no further.
| Cardroom Name | Address | City | Phone Number |
| Harrah’s Casino Kansas City | 1 Riverboat Drive, North Kansas City, MO 64116 | Kansas City | 1-816-472-7777 |
| Century Casino Cape Girardeau | 777 North Main Street, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 | Cape Girardeau | 1-573-730-7624 |
| Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles | 1 Ameristar Blvd, St. Charles, MO 63301 | St. Charles | 1-636-949-7777 |
| Hollywood Casino St. Louis | 777 Casino Center Dr. Maryland Heights, MO 63043 | Maryland Heights | 1-314-770-7600 |
| Horseshoe Casino St. Louis | 999 North 2nd Street, St. Louis, MO 63102 | St. Louis | 1-877-450-7711 |
Here are the largest Missouri poker rooms currently in operation where you can play cash games and tournaments.
| Cardroom Name | Games Offered | Number of Tables | Major Events |
| Harrah’s Casino Kansas City | Hold’em, Omaha, Texas Shootout, High Hand Jackpot, Bad Beat Jackpot | 13 | WSOP Circuit, RunGood Poker Series |
| Hollywood Casino St. Louis | Limit Hold’em, No Limit Hold’em, Omaha, Double Stack, Double Bounty, Mini Mega Stack, X-Stack | 20 | RunGood Poker Series |
| Century Casino Cape Girardeau | Texas Hold’em, Omaha | 4 | n/a |
| Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles | Texas Hold’em, Omaha | 5 | Ameristar Poker Open |
| Horseshoe Casino St. Louis | Texas Hold’em, Omaha, $1/$3 cash games, $75–$300 NLHE tournaments | 10 | WSOP Circuit |
Every Missouri poker room is situated in a resort with a hotel. Century Casino is currently developing its hotel on-site.
| Casino Name | Number of Rooms |
| Ameristar Casino Resort Spa St. Charles | 400+ |
| Hollywood Casino St. Louis | 500+ |
| Century Casino Cape Girardeau | TBC |
| Horseshoe Casino St. Louis | 295+ |
| Harrah’s Casino Kansas City | 400+ |
You can enjoy a range of poker disciplines at Missouri casinos. From mixed games to Full Kill, there’s something for everyone.
Hold’em is the most popular form of poker in Missouri. Poker tournaments are run in the discipline, plus you can enjoy cash games from $1/$3 and up. Most tourneys are run as freezeouts, especially during major festivals like the WSOP-C.
You can play Omaha cash games at every good Missouri poker room. Mid-stakes grinders are well-catered to, and look out for Half-Kill and Full-Kill variants for some added thrills.
Omaha is a 4-card variant of Texas Hold’em where you must use two hole cards to form a 5-card poker hand. It’s a great variant for cash players due to the number of draws and re-draws that happen throughout a game.
Missouri live poker isn’t just about Hold’em and Omaha. You can enjoy a mix of disciplines, particularly during major series.
Big O is a game that is usually played in a tournament format during series like the Ameristar Summer Poker Open. It’s a version of Omaha played with five cards instead of four.
Elsewhere, you can try Crazy Pineapple. This is a variant of Hold’em where you start with three hole cards and must discard one before the turn card is dealt.
Cash games and tournaments are the two main live poker options if you live in Missouri. Larger tournaments are scheduled throughout the year too.
There’s not a lot of micro-stakes cash available in MO, so make sure you budget for $1/$2 and higher. The larger cardrooms, such as Hollywood Casino, run Half-Kill and Full-Kill games.
In these cash games, the blinds increase temporarily after a player wins two or three hands in a row.
In tournaments, you receive a set number of chips to begin with. You exit the Missouri poker room once you run out of chips. Alternatively, you may re-buy to give yourself another shot at winning prize money.
A major series is the time when you can enjoy some interesting variants. The Ameristar Poker Open, for example, has a schedule that includes everything from No Limit Hold’em to deep stacks, Big O, PLO, and a Seniors event.
You can usually find a satellite running during a major poker series like the RunGood Poker Series. Satellites are relatively cheap qualifiers that gain you entry into bigger poker tournaments.
In Missouri, live poker tournaments run during the week. But the biggest events are normally scheduled during the summer months.
Ameristar Poker Open: Played around August and September at the Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, the Ameristar Poker Open combines over 20 tournaments in one schedule. Disciplines include Hold’em, Super Stack, and mixed games. The $1,100 Main Event carries a $250,000 guarantee.
WSOP Circuit: Two Missouri live poker rooms host WSOP Circuit events: Harrah’s Casino in Kansas City, and Horseshoe Casino. You have a shot at winning a coveted gold ring in a main event that’s priced ($1,700) way below the championship in Las Vegas. Plus, you can try a raft of other games with buy-ins starting around $300.
RunGood Poker Series: Hollywood Casino hosts the RunGood Poker Series during the Fall. You can win rings in events like the Seniors (Age 50+, buy-in $250), and Bounty. The main event carries a friendly buy-in of just $800, as well as a guaranteed prizepool worth $200,000.
Under Missouri gambling laws, you are eligible to earn reward points through poker loyalty programs. Currently, the Caesars Rewards and PENN Cash programs are the hottest tickets in town.
As a member of the Caesars Rewards program, earning points while playing poker is straightforward. Every time you play poker at a participating Caesars Entertainment property, you earn Reward Credits.
These credits accumulate and can be redeemed for dining, shopping, and entertainment at any Caesars Rewards destination. Make sure to present your Caesars Rewards card every time you play to ensure your points are credited to your account.
On the other hand, at Hollywood Casino in Missouri, you can earn PENN Cash. By using your mychoice card when playing poker, you accrue PENN Cash which can be used for a variety of on-property amenities.
In Missouri, the law around home poker games is clear. If the game is played in a social setting where no one is making a profit from running the game, it’s legal. So, you can host a poker night at your home with friends.
However, be cautious about charging entrance fees or taking a rake from the pot, as this could be seen as illegal gambling. Always ensure your home games abide by these guidelines to stay within the law.
Want to find out more about online gambling options in Missouri? Check out these links for more information:
From Missouri, some of the most notable poker players include Blair Hinkle and Dan Nassif. Hinkle hails from Kansas City and has made a name for himself with multiple World Series of Poker victories.
You may be required to pay tax on some of your poker winnings when you play in Missouri. According to the Missouri Gaming Regulations and Statutory Requirements, the state will withhold 4% of any prizes worth $1,200 or more. This is in addition to the 24% federal tax that you must pay.
You are responsible for reporting all tax deductions to the IRS. The casino will present you with a Form W-2G detailing the deduction. You must keep all W-2Gs to help you complete your federal tax return.
Luckily, there is a section dedicated to “Other Incomes” on your return where you can itemize all your poker wins. You can also deduct any losses from your gambling winnings.
A similar setup exists for online gambling. However, as Missouri gambling sites are based offshore, you won’t be subject to a dedicated gaming tax. Check our online gambling tax guide for more details.
Missouri live poker rooms can legally operate on riverboats in the state. A quirk in the law means that cardrooms can also run in B&M casinos that are situated within 1,000 feet of the river.
Some of the world’s largest casino operators now run riverboat casinos in the state. You can take your pick of Bally’s, Hollywood Casino, Horseshoe, and Harrah’s within Missouri.
In addition to riverboat casinos, Missouri has several tribal casinos. At present, none of them offer poker games and tournaments. Every Missouri poker room is regulated by the Missouri Gaming Commission.
You can also play at Missouri poker rooms online. However, these aren’t regulated on MO soil, and operators have no licenses from the MGC. As far as online poker is concerned, the Federal Wire Wager Act still holds in the state of Missouri.
While UIGEA put paid to any legalized online poker in Missouri for years, the landscape is slowly changing. Daily Fantasy Sports are legal in the state, as are social casinos.
Absolutely. Poker is legal in Missouri thanks to the Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 572.010. You can play poker games at licensed riverboat casinos. Check out our guide to US gambling laws by state for more information.
There are currently five brick-and-mortar poker rooms running in Missouri. Caesars Entertainment and Penn National Gaming operate the largest cardroom properties in Kansas City and St. Louis. You can play tournaments or cash games throughout the week.
Hollywood Casino in St. Louis currently has the largest cardroom in The Show-Me State. The poker room has 20 tables covering Limit Hold’em, NLHE, and deep-stack tournaments.
Currently, online poker is not licensed or regulated in Missouri. The state constitution contains no laws on poker sites, but you can play games at offshore poker rooms if you’re based in Missouri.
Yes, you must be 21 or over to play Missouri cash games or tournaments. Remember to bring photo ID when you visit a casino in St. Louis or Kansas City to gain entry to a tournament.
Most casinos in Missouri have a “resort casual” dress code. You are free to wear casual clothes, but you may be denied entry to the restaurants.
Live poker in Missouri starts around 9 a.m. at the larger resorts and stops at 2 a.m. However, some cardrooms may open 24 hours on weekends if there’s sufficient demand from cash game players.
Of course. Two Caesars Entertainment casinos in Missouri host WSOP Circuit events during the year. Both Harrah’s Casino Kansas City and Horseshoe Casino St. Louis have hosted stops on the WSOP-C in recent years.
The Missouri gambling laws are vague on the legality of home poker games. Provided you aren’t making a profit from hosting home games, you may not be breaking the law. However, unlawful gambling enterprises can trigger a Class D felony arrest.
Under Missouri tax rules, 4% is deducted from any tournament win over $1,200. Plus, you will be eligible for a federal income tax of 24% on your winnings. You may offset the wins against losses over the year on your IRS tax return.
Yes. Missouri poker rooms and casinos list problem gambling charities on their websites. Some even offer their own helplines, such as Bally’s Kansas City (1-888-BETS-OFF).
Blair Hinkle is probably the most famous poker pro to hail from Missouri. Hinkle has won over $5m in tournament winnings, as well as WSOP and WPT titles.
Yes. Each Missouri poker room imposes rake on every cash pot that passes the required size. A typical rake might be 5% on pots up to $10 maximum.
It’s rare to find Missouri poker rooms that run freerolls. These are free-to-enter tournaments that pay a guaranteed prizepool to all top finishers. More commonly, you can play freerolls at top online poker sites that accept Missouri players.
Of course. A Missouri poker room will offer a rewards program that lets you collect points every time you play your favorite games. The more poker you play, the more points you earn. You can redeem your reward credits for cash or comps such as free meals.
There are plans to build a new casino in Caruthersville to replace the Century Casino. It’s currently the only remaining riverboat casino that’s situated on open water in Missouri. However, it’s not known whether a poker room will be part of the new development.
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