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Is It Legal To Gamble Online In Michigan

Michigan is one of the more liberal states in the US when it comes to gambling. With several forms of gambling legalized, including more modern forms such as Daily Fantasy Sports along with state legislature moving towards legalizing further forms of gaming, the future is looking bright for fans of betting in the Wolverine State.

  1. Is It Legal To Gamble Online In Michigan
  2. Is It Legal To Gamble Online In Michigan Coronavirus
  3. Is It Legal To Gamble Online In Michigan Without
  4. Is It Legal To Gamble Online In Michigan Now
  5. Legal Age To Gamble Online

CBD Oil Legality in Michigan: Cannabidiol State Law Regulations in MI, USA Michigan is a bit of a surprise when it comes to marijuana and cannabis regulations. Though the state is often known for a.

  • Best Michigan Online Gambling Sites for 2020. Explore all top casino, poker and sports betting websites in DE at Gamblingtimes.com.
  • The Land of Lincoln recently expanded its legislation to welcome more forms on online gaming. In addition to a robust land-based gaming presence, Illinois embraced online sports betting in 2020.

On this page we will explore all forms of legal gambling, and the activities currently being legalized in Michigan. We will also outline the legal Michigan gambling age required to participate in each form of activity, as well as giving an insight into any future legal developments in the state.

Legal Gambling Age in Michigan
Casinos Age Limit Sports Betting Online Casinos Online Sports Betting Online Poker Poker Rooms Bingo Lottery Daily Fantasy Sports Pari-Mutuel / Horse Race Betting Age
18-21 21 illegal 21 illegal 18-21 18 18 18 18

In the table above we have included all the legal gambling ages required for Michigan residents to participate in each form of legalized gambling. If there isn’t a name included below the form of gambling then it is not yet legal in the state.

In the sections below we will go into further detail about each of the legal gambling ages as well as discussing the history of betting in the state. We will also offer insight into any potential legal changes on the horizon for gambling in the Wolverine State.

Casino Age in Michigan

Contents

  • Casino Age in Michigan
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Casino gambling has been legal for almost three decades in Michigan, with the first laws passed in 1993 to legalize casinos on tribal lands in accordance with Tribal-State Gaming Compacts. Closely following tribal casinos were commercial casinos which were legalized in 1996 by a bill that allowed for three commercial casinos to be established in Detroit. To date there are still only 3 commercial casinos in Michigan, but the tribal casino industry is flourishing with 24 operating at last count.

The legal Casino Age in Michigan varies depending on the casino. The three commercial casinos operating in Detroit all have a strict 21 and over policy, whereas the tribal casinos are free to set their own entry ages so long as it is above the age of 18. This means that the entry ages for tribal casinos vary either limiting entry to 18, 19 or 21 and over.

The rationale for keeping the commercial casino gambling age at 21 plus is because all commercial casinos serve alcohol on their premises. The legal drinking age across the US is 21, so it follows that if casinos are serving alcohol then entry must be limited to only those who are legally allowed to drink.

The introduction of casinos within Michigan was allowed as it brings in good revenue for the state. So keen is the state to keep commercial casinos popular and the operators onside, that the state allowed commercial casino to be exempt from state-wide indoor smoking bans.

Given that casino gambling is so popular with residents and lucrative for the state, there have been moves within the state legislature since 2014 to attempt to expand the number of commercial casinos that can operate within state boarders. This expansion remains an ongoing discussion, but as there is a real want for more funding at a state level it is only a matter of time before more commercial casinos start popping up in the Wolverine State.

What are the 18 Year Old Casinos in Michigan?

An outlier amongst many other US states, Michigan does have casinos that allow entry to 18 year olds. Under the state and tribal gambling compacts tribes are able to set their own Casino entry age, so long as it is above the age of 18. Five casinos run by the Kewadin Tribe allow entry for those above the age of 19, and there are several other casinos that allow entry for 18 plus.

The casinos that offer entry to 18 year olds do not limit the casino games on offer. Most 18 plus casinos operating in Michigan offer a full Vegas style gambling experience including Black jack, Roulette, Slot Machines, Baccarat and more.

To help you locate the best 18 plus casinos within Michigan, we have provided a list of the top eight below.

18+ CasinoAddress
Leelanau Sands2521 North West Bay Shore Drive, Peshawbestown, MI 49682
Turtle Creek Casino7741 M-72 East Williamsburg, MI 49690
Bay Mills Resort & Casino11386 West Lakeshore Drive, Brimley, MI 49715
Kings Club Casino12140 West Lakeshore Drive, Brimley, MI 49715
Island Resort & CasinoW 399 US 2 & 41, Harris, MI 49845
Ojibwa Casino16449 Michigan Ave, Baraga, MI 49908
Northern Waters Casino & ResortUS 45, Watersmeet, MI 49969
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort6800 Soaring Eagle Boulevard, Mount Pleasant, MI 48858

Sports Betting in Michigan

Michigan has only just legalized sports betting, this late arrival of sports betting seems at odds with Michigan’s proud reputation as a sports loving state supporting four major league teams including the Detroit Pistons and the Detroit Tigers.

The state had been considering legalizing sports betting for several years, but no concrete steps were taken towards legalization until December 2018 when state representatives said they would make it a priority for 2019, and finally legislation was passed in December 2019 allowing for in person and mobile sports betting. The legal age to place sports bets in Michigan as stipulated by the new legislation is 21 years old.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic only in-person sports betting was able to begin before a state-wide shut down delayed the commencement of mobile betting. Mobile sports betting was due to be released in Michigan in the Summer of 2020, but it now looks like the roll out will be delayed until 2021. This will surely be upsetting to the state legislature as Michigan is in need of the taxes sports betting will generate for the state.

One other form of sports betting that has been legal in Michigan for many decades is pari-mutuel betting on horse races. This form of gambling has been legal in the state since 1933 and allows for in person betting on horse races. The new law legalizing sports betting also allows for pari-mutuel betting to go online as well, so when mobile sports betting is rolled out in Michigan fans of the races will be able to place their bets from the comfort of their own homes.

Michigan Online Gambling Age

One area in which Michigan has not yet diversified is online casino gambling. In fact, it is illegal to gamble at an online casino in Michigan and any resident caught wagering at an online casino could be prosecuted. As betting online is illegal there is no online gambling age for casino sites in Michigan.

Fans of online wagering should not be disheartened though, as mentioned above Michigan has recently given the green light to online sports betting via mobile and online. Once the mobile sports betting is up and running Michigan residents will be able to place bets on local and national sporting events as well as place wagers on horse races. The legal gambling ages for online sports betting is 21, whereas it is 18 for pari-mutuel betting – it will be interesting to see how the state legislature navigates this age disparity when operators establish their online gambling sites.

Michigan is in the minority when it comes to legalizing some form of online betting, many other states in the US are yet to legalize any form. To check what forms of gaming are legal in Michigan and the relevant gambling ages associated make sure you reference the legal gambling ages table at the top of this page.

One thing Michigan residents should be aware of is that while they may be able to access offshore gambling sites that allow those aged 18 and over to wager on them, this is not necessarily a good idea. Offshore gambling websites are not licensed or registered in the US, therefore players would not be covered by any of the US’s consumer laws and could risk losing a lot of money should the site shut down unexpectedly.

Michigan state is aware of the impact offshore casinos and betting sites are having on the state, and the fact that legalizing online casinos would bring in more tax revenue for the state. Most recently in 2018, a bill was passed through the state house and senate which would have legalized online casino gambling, in an effort to reclaim it from offshore operators. Sadly however, the bill was vetoed by the Governor before it could be passed into law.

Poker Gambling Age

As online casino gambling is currently illegal in Michigan it would follow that online poker is also illegal. Poker fans can still enjoy in person poker games at one of the state’s many casinos where poker rooms can be found in abundance. Players must be the legal gambling age stipulated by the casino in order to play poker there. As discussed earlier, the entry age to casinos in Michigan varies from 18 – 21 so players should check up on the specific casinos regulations before gambling there.

As mentioned above, Michigan is wary of offshore online gambling operators and the impact they are having on the state’s gaming industry. To try and reclaim the market from the offshore operators there was a bill introduced in 2018 that would have legalized online gambling, including online poker. While this bill was ultimately vetoed at the last hurdle, it does show that Michigan’s state legislature is working to legalize online betting and that it will hopefully be legalized in the near future.

Daily Fantasy Sports

Daily Fantasy Sports is legal to play in Michigan, players must be above the age of 18 to participate when playing in the Wolverine State. It was a long road to Daily Fantasy Sports legalization, after landing in Michigan in the early 2000’s it operated in a very grey area of the law being neither legal nor illegal. However, in 2017 it was decided that Daily Fantasy Sports was a game of skill not chance and a Bill was tabled to formalize its legality.

The bill that was passed languished in state legislature for over two years until finally Daily Fantasy Sports incorporated into Michigan state law in December 2019 along with Sports Betting. This formal legalization of Daily Fantasy Sports allows all major operators including Fan Duel and Draft Kings to operate without any worries in Michigan, it also allows Michigan state to impose taxes on all operators which in turn raises much needed money for state funded institutions.

Legal Age to Play the Lottery in Michigan

Michigan has a legal state-run lottery which has been in play since 1972, the legal gambling age to participate is 18. To make things even better for Michigan residents the lottery has recently been taken online as well, meaning that residents can now take advantage of buying their lottery tickets from the comfort of their own home.

Michigan’s lottery is run by the state backed Michigan Lottery. Michigan Lottery has manages the profits of the Lottery and how it is distributed, since 1972 the lottery has raised over $26 billion for The School Aid Fund which is divvied out amongst Michigan’s state funded schools.

The introduction of an online lottery to Michigan in 2014 can be attributed to the state’s need for additional revenue streams. Through opening up an online lottery the state not only allowed more residents the opportunity to play, but it also created an opportunity for Michigan Lottery to further diversify the amount of Lotto games on offer and increase the ease in playing and checking tickets.

Michigan Gambling Laws & Future Outlook

The state gambling laws for Michigan can be found in the states penal code and within the Michigan Gaming Control and Revenue Act. Within these laws gambling is defined as ‘accepting money or a valuable thing contingent upon result of a game, race, contest or happening of uncertain event’.

Under this definition all forms of wagering and betting of all kind within the state are considered gambling. While gambling is an offence under the penal code, several amendments and additional legislation provides exceptions to the definition provided in the penal code.

The market in Michigan is an extremely lucrative revenue creator for the state, and in turn the state has a very positive approach to gambling. In 2019 land-based casinos alone created an economic impact of over $6 billion and supported almost 38,000 jobs. Taxes generated through land-based casinos, state lottery and now sports betting and Daily Fantasy Sports provide money to help fund state initiatives and institutions.

There are taxes applied to gambling winnings in Michigan, the tax rate applied to winnings varies on the type of gambling being undertaken. For the majority of gambling winnings are considered personal income and therefore taxed at each individual’s personal tax rate. For the state lottery however, a federal tax is also applied, for any winnings above $5,000 winners are obliged to pay a 24% federal tax alongside a 4.25% state tax.

Michigan Gambling Info
Michigan Population9,987,000
Most Popular CasinoMGM Grand Detroit
Gambling AuthorityMichigan Gaming Control Board
Tax on Gambling Winnings4.25%
Popular Sports Teams in MichiganDetroit Tigers, Detroit Lions

With the sports betting and Daily Fantasy Sports recently becoming legal in Michigan, things are definitely looking up for the state’s gambling market. While the full economic effect of sports betting is yet to take effect in Michigan due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and delay in rolling out online/mobile betting it is sure to reap massive rewards for state funding once it is able to operate at full capacity.

The next logical step would then be for Michigan to legalize online gambling. In 2018 a bill was almost passed into law that would have legalized online casinos, however this was vetoed by the Governor at the final hurdle. While there aren’t any current bills that propose legalizing online casino gambling, with the advent of online sports betting it is only a matter of time before online casino gambling is legalized.

Frequently Asked Questions

We hope that this page has helped impart a good understanding of the legal status of gambling in the state, including what forms of gaming are legal to play and the legal Michigan gambling age for each form. If you have any additional questions take a look at our answers to the most frequently asked questions below. To see the other US gambling ages by state head to our homepage.

What is the legal Michigan gambling age?

The legal Michigan gambling age changes depending on the form of gambling that will be undertaken. For Bingo, Lottery, Daily Fantasy Sports and Pari-Mutuel betting individuals must be 18 years old. Whereas players must 21 to place any sports bets in person or online. Where things get interesting is with casinos. Tribal casinos are allowed to define their entry age so the legal entry age across the state can range from 18-21.

Are there casinos in Michigan that accept 18 year olds?

Yes, there are some casinos in Michigan that accept 18 year olds. While the state has imposed 21 as the legal gambling age for state casinos, casinos located on tribal lands are able to define their own entry age so long as it is above the age of 18. Because of this there are several casinos based on tribal lands that allow entry to 18 year olds.

Can I gamble online using the site of another state?

No you cannot gamble online using the site of another state. In most cases players computers IP addresses will block them from accessing gambling websites located in other states. However, if players are able to bypass their IP addresses they should still consider that online casino gambling is illegal in Michigan and by playing on another states site they would be breaking the law.

Is online gambling legal in Michigan?

While online sports betting has just been made legal in Michigan, online casino gambling is still illegal in the Wolverine State. However now that forms of online gaming such as Daily Fantasy Sports and sports betting are legal it is probably only a matter of time until online casino gambling is legal.

Can I use the FanDuel or DraftKings app in Michigan?

Yes, you are able to use FanDuel and DraftKings in Michigan. Daily Fantasy Sports was officially entrenched in state law in 2019, meaning all major Daily Fantasy Sports operators are able to operate within Michigan.

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How Michigan online poker works

Online poker is live, and you can play for real money legally within the state. But it’s important to understand how things work. If you’ve never dealt with online poker before, you could understandably be brimming with questions about the rules and procedures you need to follow.

Who can play?

First of all, Michigan requires anyone who plays online poker in the state to be 21 or older. This requirement should come as no surprise.

When you play online poker in the Great Lakes State, however, you will not be able to play with anyone who is not physically inside state lines. As is the case with most other states, the Michigan online poker scene is confined to Michigan.

The good news is that it is not necessary to be a resident of Michigan to play. If you are a visitor, you have the same opportunity to experience online poker, so long as you are of legal age.

Now, you may have heard that some states do have interstate poker options. That’s true — New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware are all signatories of the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, or MSIGA, which allows sites to combine player pools across state lines. In practice, however, the only beneficiary of the agreement has been WSOP.com, which offers play in both New Jersey and Nevada.

For the time being, Michigan is not a part of the MSIGA. This means you will have to be inside Michigan to play, and you will only be playing other Michiganders or visitors to the state.

How does an online poker site know I’m in Michigan?

All Michigan online poker sites, casinos, and sportsbooks must verify the physical location of their players at all times. They accomplish this by using geolocation software.

This software uses your mobile device’s onboard GPS to pinpoint your location before you are allowed on-site. If you use a laptop or desktop computer, you will have to verify your location by downloading this software separately or at the behest of the site.

The sites are not inclined to waver on this requirement, either. They face heavy fines and sanctions, including the loss of their licenses to operate, if they are not vigilant about enforcing the in-state requirement.

The bottom line is that you will have to verify your location as within Michigan before you’ll be able to make your first bet, raise, call, or fold.

How to get download the app or poker client

The first thing to do is to use one of the links above to access the site of your choice. You will need to download the app to your mobile device or the poker client to your desktop computer.

Using our links will often put you in line for welcome bonuses at each site. However, make sure that you note any poker bonus codes we have listed, as they can be worth extra cash and benefits in your account.

Apple device users should have no difficulty downloading and installing the app. However, Android users will need to instruct their devices to accept downloads from unknown sources in the device’s security settings. Then, the link should take you to a page with a prompt for the site’s .apk file.

Once you’ve installed the app or client, look for a sign-up button at the top of the screen. It’s usually in the right corner with a label like “sign up” or “join now.” Pressing the button will take you to the site’s form for new accounts.

As with online casinos in Michigan, be ready to fill out your personal information in order to create your account. You will need the following:

  • Your name
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security number

These are all common requirements at online gambling sites in Michigan. You will also need to choose an appropriate screen name, password, and (potentially) security challenge questions.

If you happened to copy down a bonus code, look for the box to enter it on this screen, too. It is usually the only optional box on the page. Make sure that you enter the code exactly as it appears, with any capital letters and no typos.

After that, hit the button at the bottom to submit, and you should be ready to go.

Michigan poker sites and partnerships

PokerStars + Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

Global online poker giant The Stars Group secured a partnership with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Gaming Authority in early January 2020.

The deal gives The Stars Group first-skin market access for all gambling verticals in Michigan, including poker.

The Stars Group owns and operates PokerStars MI, which operates in NJ and PA. The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians operates three Michigan tribal casinos, with the largest being the Odawa Casino, near Petoskey.

BetMGM Poker + MGM Grand Detroit

For a long time, it was understood that MGM Resorts International and partypoker’s parent company GVC Holdings would join the online poker Michigan market. The two companies established a 50/50 joint venture sports betting and online gaming platform for the US in July 2018.

However, BetMGM Poker will be the brand available in Michigan in 2021.

The launch of partypoker Michigan through MGM Grand is no longer a go, but there are other ways for partypoker to enter the Michigan online gambling market.

Will I be able to play online poker with players in NJ and PA?

Michigan’s governor recently signed the interstate online poker bill into law, but the law doesn’t automatically set up a pact between other states. That is now up to the MGCB. It is unclear whether such a deal will be made in 2021.

One option is for Michigan to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Association. The MSIGA allows New Jersey, Nevada, and Delaware to share player pools.

Still, multi-state poker could be on its way to Michigan. It’s likely a must-have for the online poker market in the Great Lakes State to survive long-term. Michigan is slightly larger than New Jersey, where online poker is barely surviving despite pooling players with Nevada and Delaware.

Adding states, including Pennsylvania and Michigan, to the MSIGA over the next few years would certainly be a boost to the US online poker market.

Are Michigan online poker sites safe?

Yes. It is safe and legal to play on Michigan’s online poker sites. Any of the sites that you see mentioned above are fully licensed and regulated by the Michigan Gaming Control Board. Rest assured that this page will never advertise poker sites that are anything less than legal.

If you are ever unsure about whether you’re playing on a registered site, you can always scroll down to the bottom of the site’s homepage. There will always be information stating that it is a regulated site by the MGCB. In some cases, the site will publish its license number.

You can also verify that an online poker site is legal in Michigan by going to the MGCB site itself. You can either find mention of the site in question or contact one of the board’s offices.

If you come across a site that we don’t mention, it is most likely an offshore poker site. These sites are not under the regulations and laws of the state of Michigan or the United States. Invariably, these sites do not work with the MGCB, nor do they operate with a Michigan land-based partner or have offices in the US.

Playing on one of these sites puts you and your financial security at a much higher risk. International sites often exist in the gray areas of the law and in countries with far less stringent standards for business.

You also cannot count on these sites to report to a regulatory body that is effective. In many cases, the regulator has no actual authority to take action on the site if there’s an issue on site, including payouts. Worse, it’s even possible that it is part of the same organization.

The bottom line is that there’s no reason to take any kind of chances now that legal online poker is legitimately underway in Michigan. Stick to the legal and safe Michigan sites.

How to move money on and off legal poker sites

In order to play for real money on a Michigan site, you’re going to have to invest your own real money into it. Even more obviously, you’re going to want to be able to withdraw any winnings if your big hand comes in. Thankfully, every Michigan poker site comes with multiple ways to deposit and cash out quickly.

Since online poker is in the early stages in Michigan, we only have confirmations about a few types of transactions you can make. If you want to make a deposit at a Michigan poker site, these options are available for certain:

  • Credit or debit cardVisa and Mastercard are acceptable options. However, make sure to check with your issuing bank before you make this type of request. Some of them do not allow deposits to online poker sites, and, even if they do, they may charge hefty cash advance fees.
  • Electronic checksVIP Preferred is the option, although ACH is likely to come soon. These function exactly like paper checks, except without the paper. Most Michigan poker sites will accept echecks.
  • Electronic walletsSkrill and PayPal are accepted by Michigan online poker rooms.
  • Online banking — If you use online bill pay for other transactions, you may be able to use it to send money directly from your bank account to the poker site, too.
  • Prepaid cardsPlay+ and Paysafecard are the most common options for a prepaid card, which is essentially a gift card that you give yourself.

Other methods that we expect to be available soon include wire transfers from your bank and cash options like PayNearMe. Finally, the land-based partner for the poker site is likely to begin accepting deposits in person at its cage at some point in the future.

Online poker bonuses and rewards

Like most MI online gambling outlets, the best poker sites have to keep their customers happy. So every poker brand will have bonuses and rewards that you can use to pad your account balance.

Most online poker site bonuses come in two formats — playing money and tournament tickets. Although there are numerous ins and outs to the different types of bonuses you’ll find, the end result of each one will usually be one or both of those types of rewards.

For the most part, here are the types of bonuses you will encounter:

Online
  1. No deposit bonus: These bonuses are essentially free money that shows up in your account. You will most often see no deposit poker bonuses when you sign up for an account — they are otherwise rare. Although they may be withdrawable as cash, no deposit bonuses often come in the form of site credits and will require you to play through the bonus a certain number of times.
  2. Deposit bonus: With this type of bonus, the poker site will match a portion of your deposit and contribute additional funds to your account on top of the deposit amount. The percentage of the match can be any amount, even 100%. However, there will also be a limit to the maximum amount you can have matched from the bonus. In many cases, the site will withhold the full amount of the bonus and drip it to you as you play, so be aware that you may not see an immediate benefit.
  3. Loyalty or rewards programs: In many cases, you are entered as a member in the program automatically from the moment that you register. If you never pay it any mind, that’s all right. However, these programs will both classify you and reward you based upon how much you wager and how often you play. As you hit the tables, you will earn points that you can redeem for cash or prizes. The exact amounts of cash or prizes vary, but common options include free money bonuses, tournament tickets and branded merchandise from the site’s store.

The rarest reward you can receive is unrestricted cash. It is unusual, however, for sites to hand out withdrawable funds for a bonus.

In most cases, you will either receive site credits or tournament tickets. Site credits function like cash, but you cannot withdraw them until you’ve “washed” them through the system. Tournament tickets, meanwhile, require you to use them for tournament buy-ins. They are not transferable or convertible into cash.

Tournaments and cash games at real money poker sites

You have several types of online games to check out. Some of these are present in every poker room. Others are exclusive to certain online poker sites.

  • Cash games: Anyone can join or leave at any time, and play is continuous. Blind levels do not change, and buy-ins to the game have a minimum amount and (usually) a maximum amount.
  • Tournaments: Each player buys in for the same amount and receives an identical amount of tournament chips to play. Play begins at a designated time and proceeds until one player has all the chips. Blind levels increase at regular intervals, and roughly 10% of the field receives some sort of payout from the prize pool.
  • Sit and go tournaments (SNGs): A limited tournament where the event begins when a designated number of players buy into the pool. Play proceeds like a standard tournament, but the field is limited to the number of players present at the start.
  • Spin and go/jackpot SNGs: An extremely limited type of sit and go with only three players. Blind levels are set at hyper-turbo levels, meaning that they escalate quite quickly and force frequent all-ins from players. Players compete for a randomly selected prize pool that can be anywhere from 2x the buy-in amount to 1,000x the buy-in. Each tournament is winner-take-all.

In terms of the buy-in amounts that you’ll need for these tournaments, there is no one answer. Poker sites in Michigan have a range of stakes available most of the time. You can play for as little as $1 or many thousands. Most tournament options will top out at $500 to play, but some special events can have much higher price tags.

Types of poker games in Michigan

Along with all the formats of poker available in Michigan, you also have several games from which to choose. Some of them are widely known, but others are a bit more esoteric. The most prevalent game is No Limit Texas Hold’em. This game became the dominant form of poker about two decades ago and shows no sign of decline.

You can also play the limit version of Hold’em, if you like. While this format is not as popular as it used to be, there will still be options if you don’t want to deal with bet-sizing.

Other games that you might find on Michigan online poker sites are listed below. Most of these games are available in no-limit, pot-limit, or limit structures.

  1. Omaha* A four-card community card game that features bigger pots and more volatility than hold’em. Players must use exactly two cards from their hands and three from the board, but exactly which two they use can change from street to street.
  2. Five Card Omaha* This game is identical to typical Omaha, but with five cards dealt to each player. Thus, the potential for big hands, big swings and big pots is even higher. It is sometimes called “Big Mitt.”
  3. Courchevel Poker* Courchevel is identical to Five Card Omaha, except the first card of the community board is dealt face-up prior to the pre-flop betting round. In other words, you get a sneak peek at the board along with your five cards.
  4. Seven card stud* — A venerable poker game that used to be the dominant form, this game has all players receiving up to seven cards of their own and making the best five-card hand that they can. The first round of dealing puts two cards face-down and one up. The next three cards are also dealt face-up, available for anyone to see, and a round of betting occurs with each card dealt. The final card is then dealt face-down, and a last betting round takes the hand into showdown.
  5. Razz — A stud game in which players attempt to make the lowest hand they can. A hand with ace through five is the best possible hand (the “wheel”), and flushes and straights are irrelevant for hand rankings. However, pairs and three of a kind are counted negatively against the player. This game is also known as California Lowball, and may sometimes be referred to as simply “lowball.”
  6. Five card draw — This is likely the most familiar poker game to casual players. All players receive five cards and make the best hand that they can. There are two rounds of betting, and, between rounds, players can discard as many of their original cards as they like and draw new ones. This game is most often encountered in video poker now, but is still available in limited selections through Michigan online poker rooms.
  7. Badugi — Badugi is an Asian variant that combines elements of Razz and five card draw, but also has its own unique spin. Each player receives four cards and is attempting to make the lowest possible hand. However, unlike Razz, cards of the same suit count against the player, so the object is to make the lowest hand and have four cards of different suits. A qualifying four-card hand is called a Badugi. Any hands with suited cards ignore all but the lowest card of the suit but also are of lower ranking than Badugis. So, the winner of each game is first determined by how many of a player’s cards play, then by the rank of the highest-tiered hands.
  8. HORSE — A rotation game in which the game changes every time the button goes around the table once. The name of the game is an acronym for the games that are played – Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Stud, Eight or Better (seven card stud hi-lo)
  9. 8-Game Mix — This game is identical in structure to HORSE, but with eight games. The eight games are usually limit 2-7 triple draw, limit hold’em, limit Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, limit seven card stud, Limit seven card stud hi-lo (Eight or Better), No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha.

*Available in both high only and hi-lo variants. Low hands must have no cards above eight to qualify — thus, these variants may also be known as Eight or Better. Obviously, some of these games are off the beaten path. However, they can be a fun way to cleanse one’s palate, especially if you’ve been on a hold’em-only diet. So, if you’re feeling frisky, give one of these variants a try.

Poker and cardrooms in Michigan

Michiganders are not suffering from a shortage of live poker options nearby. Many of the state’s casinos offer their own poker rooms. In addition, Michigan also allows charitable organizations to offer poker games as standalone facilities. Here are all of the opportunities you have to play poker in Michigan in live settings.

Bay Mills Resort & Casino

Bay Mills Resort & Casino, in Brimley, features a four-table poker room that is open 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

There are regular cash games and low-buy-in tournaments. Players must be at least 18 years or older.

FireKeepers Casino Hotel

The newly renovated 26-table poker room at FireKeepers Casino Hotel, in Battle Creek, is the premier poker room in the state.

The room spreads Texas Hold’em, Omaha and stud cash games at a variety of low to mid-stakes. Plus, there are low to mid-stakes buy-in tournaments every day, including a regular stop on the popular Mid-States Poker Tour.

Promotions include a progressive bad beat jackpot.

Greektown Casino Hotel

Greektown Casino Hotel, in Detroit, features a 12-table poker room offering Texas Hold ’em and Omaha games. There are regular tournaments and high-hands promotions.

Gun Lake Casino

Gun Lake Casino in Wayland, features a 14-table poker room spreading Texas Hold’em and Omaha games.

There are low-stakes tournaments happening five days a week, and promotions include a bad beat jackpot.

Kewadin Casino

Kewadin Casino, Hotel and Convention Center, in Sault Ste. Marie, features a four-table poker room open Wednesdays through Sundays.

There are low-stakes tournaments on Wednesdays and cash games every day.

MGM Grand Detroit

The poker room at MGM Grand Detroit features 17 tables with Texas Hold’em and Omaha action.

There are bounty tournaments three days a week and promotions include splash pots, bad beat jackpots, and hot-seat drawings.

MotorCity Casino Hotel

The MotorCity Casino Hotel, in Detroit, features a 17-table poker club spreading Texas Hold’em and Omaha games.

There’s a regular tournament calendar, and promotions include a bad beat jackpot, high-hands and a gas card giveaway.

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, in Mount Pleasant, features a 14-table poker room open 24/7.

There’s a six-day per week tournament schedule and promotions include a bad beat jackpot, early bird rake, lucky ticket draws and high-hands.

The room spreads Texas Hold’em, Pineapple, Crazy Pineapple, Omaha, seven-card stud and Razz. Multi-game formats include round by rounds, dealer’s choice, HORSE, SHOE and HOP. Players may request any game type with any limit.