More than 2 1/2 years after packing away the chips, Ho-Chunk Casino north of Baraboo reopened its poker tables at 10 a.m. Sunday with 40 players filling four tables and more excited gamblers waiting in the wings. The casino's table games were removed on June 30, 2004, after a state Supreme Court ruling in 2003 that nullified the gambling compacts negotiated by Gov. Jim Doyle with Wisconsin's tribes. That ruling was reversed by the same court in July and the casino has been training dealers and preparing tables ever since, casino spokeswoman Beth Anacker said. The resumption of table games at the casino could mean the addition of at least $70 million to state coffers. After the 2004 ruling, the tribe suspended payments owed to the state under the 2003 compact. According to the state, the tribe owes taxpayers $70 million in back payments. That figure takes into account a $30 million payment the tribe made last year, said Scott Larrivee, a spokesman for the state Department of Administration. Larrivee said Tuesday that negotiations were ongoing regarding Ho-Chunk's payments to the state under the compact. "The state will continue to work with the tribe to ensure that their compact payments are made," Larrivee said in a statement. "The state of Wis consin is pursuing all available options - negotiation, arbitration, mediation - to collect those payments for taxpayers, and remains optimistic that the Ho-Chunk will make their payment before the end of the state fiscal year" in June. Ho-Chunk officials could not be reached for comment late Tuesday. The opening of the poker tables Sunday followed the opening of craps tables on Dec. 1 and roulette on Dec. 17. Tables for Let it Ride and three-card poker will open Feb. 1. "It's a relief to have something to offer," said Amy Kirby, table games operations manager, while overseeing three packed tables Tuesday. "For the past 2 1/2 years, that's been the question out on the floor: When is poker coming back?" she added. As momentum built and rumors swirled prior to the tables' reopening, the casino was receiving so many calls it set up a poker hotline - (608) 356-6210, ext. 2190 - to answer questions, Anacker said.
The poker room is in the same 11,000-square foot circus-tent-shaped dome that houses the casino's new off-track betting parlor. There are 12 poker tables set up, though only five have been going at once so far, Kirby said.
Games and blinds are flexible to the players' consensus, Kirby said, and could vary from the popular Texas hold 'em to Omaha, and from blinds of $2-$4 up to $15-$30.
There are no tournaments scheduled, but the casino is planning for them in the future, she said.
The nearest casino that offers similar table games is the Potawatomi Bingo Casino in Milwaukee, Kirby said.
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