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Oaks Card Club
Category: Arts & Entertainment Casinos Casinos [Edit]
4097 San Pablo Ave(between 40th St & 41st St)
Emeryville, CA 94608
(510) 653-4456
- Good for Kids:
- No
73 reviews for Oaks Card Club
73 reviews in English
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Review from A W.
Walnut Creek, CA
11/7/2011
What great fun - a wonderful way to spend a Friday night every once in a while. I really liked the friendliness of the people. We had a great time.
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Review from Eugene L.
It is what it is . Its a Card Club that's open 24 Hrs . Tons of sketchy Characters , Thugs , Degenerate Gamblers and just plan old Regular Folk. What it does have is a 24 Hr Diner located inside the Card Club. It serves Chinese Food and American Diner Fair .
I stopped by to visit one of my sidekicks Mob Deep and decided to get a Rib eye Steak and Eggs Breakfast . As with most Gambling Joints Cash Only . The Breakfast was pretty Tasty the Steak was Perfectly cooked as were the Eggs . When I tipped my Waitress she thanked me and Bowed with Respect . I got a kick out of that at 3AM in the Morning .
Be Careful in the Parking Lot ,Don't get caught slipping .Listed in: Asian food, Cheap Eats, Bars, Burgers, Steakhouses And…, Midnight Snack Joints
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Review from Mai T.
9/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
So, if you're like me and you're not 'in the know' of what kind of gambling venues are out there, this review will fill you in pretty quick.
We were in search of a casino on our little weekend getaway. Every casino we tried to find, somehow we were never able to find any. On our last casino venture, we came across OCC (Oaks Card Club).
Surroundings: Sketchy
People Outside Smoking: Sketchy
Parking Lot: Sketchy
ALL THE MORE REASON FOR US TO GO IN!! haha
Walking towards the building, you would NEVER know that it's a gambling place except for the signage. You know how you can see those poker games on TV that looks intense with people wearing glasses and people seems like they neve took a shower? This place is that but they just aren't special enough to be on TV.
Anyhow, we walk in and you can immediately see the eyes look at you real quick and flash back to their games. They have ONLY card games so you ladies that love your slot machines, you should just turn around and go home. We walk to a 3 card poker table...it's like another world in here. We find that you have a minimum in order to play (normal), but you also have to pay the dealer $1 each time you play....and I thought IL cheats you. Well, we also noticed that they have $10 and $20 chips...I don't gamble much but I know that those are unusual to have. In 3 card poker, the dealer also shows one of his cards...umm, sure we'll take that.
Looking around, you can order your Chinese food right here too! You know on TV how you have some players eat at the table? Here, you can do that as well and they serve Asian food. Why do I go on about this Asian food? because this placed is run by Asians....something I've never seen before either. Not a bad thing....just an unusual thing.
We didn't stay long. Would I go here again? Sure, if its between the hours of 11am-2pm, NOT at nighttime again. I might grab a bit to eat too while I'm there. :) -
Review from Felix W.
Berkeley, CA
8/28/2011
I have spent more time with the people here than i would care to admit. As a former professional poker player (live and online), i've been to my fair share of card rooms across this degenerate country of ours.
And as local card rooms go, oaks is fine. Its not a glowing review because honestly, it doesn't deserve one. This is coming from someone who has befriended many of the people who both work and frequent there as patrons.
But as any of you who play cards can attest to, we don't go play where they treat us nice or make a mean turkey sandwich. We go where the people have just finished their latest viewing of poker on ESPN and think the poker world mirrors such things as televised poker.
The games are soft enough, and the employees friendly and occasionally competent enough to my liking to keep me going there since the death of online poker.
The truly nice card rooms are found in indian casinos and Vegas... local card rooms come in all varieties of filth, and that's just one thing someone has to accept. The place serves its function... and that's not such a bad thing. -
Review from Kourtney L.
Hayward, CA
2/3/2012
Lol the oaks....Well its a good time but a little sketch at that. Love the restaurant in the back and the bar drinks are pretty inexpensive.
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Review from Douglas C.
Walnut Creek, CA
1/15/2012
I've been a card and poker player for 30 years. I've been to this place a lot but will never go back. I was treated VERY badly by a floor person they named "Booker". There was question about whether my winning hand was valid and he called it invalid. Everyone at the table and even the dealer was quite suprised! He didn't like to begin with and we had dealings before because I'm white. I asked them to look at the cameras and they refused to validate I had a winning hand before they gave it to another player (I'm sure he was happy!!!) This is unfair play and I am in the works of reporting this establishment the the CA Gaming Commission for action.
In Short......don't go to the OAKS unless you want to get screwed! and treated poorly!!! -
Review from Blue S.
Oakland, CA
1/9/2012
Back before I had a car I played a bit at the oaks (since it was walking distance from North Oakland, where I live) and I have to say it is one of the worst clubs I have ever been to!!!!!
Not only is it filthy, full of stained felt, chairs, and bathrooms, I've actually gotten flea bites while playing there. (I have no pets).
Next the Oaks is LAST is customer service, while most of the dealers are professional and very proficient, most (not all) of the floor staff are nasty and rude. Not only can they not run a board well, the late night staff is famous for making you play in a game that is shorthanded full of prop players (players employed by the casino and draw a salary and benefits for playing in a game with their own money, these are pros and most players would rather play with someone off the street), while there is another table with the same game also shorthanded with prop players. If you ask to combine tables you get branded a trouble maker. (however they will run a forced move for their "high limit 30-
/60 limit players only).
And for the 15/30 limit game they will keep prop players in the game while customers are waiting to play. I've been third on the list and walked over to check out the action while waiting only to see three prop players there, when I asked why they don't take the props out and let the customers play, I'm told it is a courtesy to the props. So basically a courtesy to their staff but not their customers.
There is no goal towards customer service, the only goal of the floor staff is to make drops, and try to sponge tips off of you. I've actually heard a floor person make the comment they were going to go see if they could go get tips from players after a jackpot (capped at 50,000 and house funded so it grows slower than any other place) was hit. Just hang out by the table and talk the players up for tips, this same floor person would not help an elderly man with extremely arthritic hands pick up his rack of chips after he dropped them, because "I won't help him unless he tips me."
Many of the floor staff also make very inconsistent decisions, more than once I've seen the staff make a call in favor of the player they like and who tips them, rather than according to the rules of the game.
This place was dead before San Pablo closed their poker room, and again was starting to lose their numbers until the big Internet sites became blocked to US residents. Maybe if we start going elsewhere, the Oaks will wake up and start treating the people who come to play there better.
As for tournaments, they have many a week, yet awful structure, and when they changed it a few months back to start giving you "more chips" for your buy-in - they only increased the starting chip stack by 1,000 in chips, yet they removed one of the early levels, so the antes start before the break and the structure got shorter and worse for the players. (They wanted to finish up and get their staff home earlier, had nothing to do with making it better for the players.)
And while I have never had a problem with this, I personally know of several folks who have been robbed across the street as well as in the parking lot at the Oaks, this club draws A LOT of sketchy folks.
If you want a clean, professional, safer, and well run club, skip the Oaks, there are at least four other within a 20minute drive during off traffic hours. -
Review from james m.
Oakland, CA
7/13/2011
I hate Broaks.
Stupid commercials always suck me in and next thing I know, I'm driving back home at 4 in the morning after losing a couple hundred. -
Review from Soo Jin K.
Alameda, CA
12/23/2010
Imagine walking into a crowded room with a bunch of Asians staring at you, wondering how you set foot on their turf. Well, the Oaks Card Club is like a bad episode of the Joy Luck Club and I kept thinking, "is that my aunt?" Where's the ching ching! and the Woo-hoo? Not here, my friends. It's all business.
The club is a huge room with dozens of card tables, mostly poker tables. Hordes of people wait in line to get themselves a seat. In the back of the club, there are a few pai gow tables with the lovely Asian men screaming obscenely in Mandarin, or Cantonese, or "I don't speak English but hear me out!" I sat down to play. I asked if the waitress could stop by our table so that I could get a cocktail. The dealer laughed. it's not Vegas, there ain't no bar service. Yo ass needs to walk to the bar.
After playing for what seemed like an eternity, I thought it be best to leave before I started to really lose my money. The vibe was definitely not your usual casino feel. If you're a serious card player, go, knock yourself out. Otherwise, spend the extra 3 hours and drive to Reno. -
Review from Allen S.
Alameda, CA
12/10/2010 11 Check-ins Here
I go here from time to time as it's the closest place.
I really don't like the attitude of some of the staff here.
I was watching people play PaiGow and the manager actually told me that I could NOT stay unless I was playing. Ummmm, well, I was earlier at the Poker Table and BlackJack table and was playing! I was just taking a rest and breather.....
I just don't understand how they would be so rude.
On the flip side, at least they have a pretty decent Hof-Brau type of "restaurant" food service in the back.
The place is not that safe and there are times where people get followed home and robbed of their winnings.
My suggestion: If you go and leave at the wee hours of the night/morning, have the security guard walk you to your vehicle, OR do the Valet service as they bring your car up front when you want to leave. Being safe is worth a few dollars, right? And on the way home, keep vigil and look for cars following you... sometimes these thieves work in teams.... don't take the same route home each time, but ALWAYS stay in lit or well traveled roads, and at the slightest feeling someone is following you, go to a busy place or police station or gas station with people.
I prefer to go to Lucky Chances across the bay, or to Reno, Lake Tahoe, or Las Vegas. -
Review from Shib W.
Alameda, CA
3/3/2011
This review is for the super late-night food. Basically, you have no other options in that area. They have hong kong style noodles with various toppings which are great (I love the seafood). I always get them to go since I have a place across the street. Yeah, it's sketchy esp. late at night. Be aware of your surroundings. Also, a shot and a beer back is $4.75 or so, not bad. There's a lot of colorful goings-on there.
Now, would I ever gamble there? Oh hellz no! -
Review from Tim M.
Saint Helena, CA
4/30/2011
While the Oaks isn't the greatest place to play in the bay area, it is not bad and the service is decent and the dealers are mostly pleasant
Good list of tournaments and good action. If you like poker, check it out! -
Review from Benjamin F.
Reno, NV
11/6/2010
It's a bummer that the city of Emeryville doesn't offer no limit games. So, it's limited in some ways, but otherwise this card card room has pretty much everything for which you could ask.
It's a very large poker room with a nice many room with wood handrails along the edge and around 40 tables in the main room as well as a few in additional rooms. A few rooms are devoted to Asian favorite double hand, which is strictly gambling and done against the house rather than against other players. It's not poker.
This room typically spreads 1-2 limits of stud hi (2-4, 4-8), at least 5 limits of limit holdem (1-2, 2-4, 3-6, 6-12, 15-30), 1 limit of limit omaha hi lo, sometimes 1 draw no limit lowball (dealt by players) and they might be spreading additional games by now since it's been a couple years since I've been there. They also have evening and weekend tournaments, including some of the only limit tournaments available.
They offer table service for meals which was good 7 years ago and then terrible 4 years ago when they were redoing the attached bar and diner. They offer standard American fare (sandwiches, eggs/omelots/pancakes, steaks) as well as a variety of Asian food including a duck dish, the ubiquitous Bay Area won ton soup and other dishes. They also have a full bar for drink service. Food pricing is modest, drink pricing a little higher than the local average.
The atmosphere here is lively, typically with some hothead losing his shit and yelling, running from the table, blaming the dealers for big hand losses or a cold card streak. It's handled calmly letting people vent, but with seriousness so you really shouldn't worry. Action is still pretty good even near midnight.
There are two lots for parking, one just south of the building and one across San Pablo to the east. It's not in the greatest neighborhood.
The dealers are far more professional than other nearby card rooms, notably more professional than California Grand Casino and Kelly's Card Room and still more professional than Casino San Pablo.
Weekend tournaments are run well with fairly slow blind levels so you get a decent amount of play unless you're careless or unlucky.
It's a well known room and a bit of a fixture since it's been there for so long.
It may seem shady, but it's simply not that bad. Give it a chance. Go a few times. Ignore the angry idiots that talk as they will be the ones that give you their money. Just tell them nice hand when they win when they shouldn't and take their money in the long term. -
Review from Trixie J.
San Francisco, CA
3/28/2010 2 photos
Seedy. Skeeve Central. Depressing. Dangerous.
This place is Emeryville's tumor, the cancer of society.
We investigated this place due to the favorable comments on the food here. Listen up: IT'S NOT GOOD. AVOID. DON'T BOTHER. It's greasy and lackluster. It's just not worth the risk getting harassed by the patrons there. Many are depressed, broke, desperate, addicted, angry and possibly dangerous.
The entire block with the card club and liquor store is a hazard to the neighborhood. Pixar employees have been mugged early in the morning by broke losers who are angry enough to mug for money. At night, people have been shot by patrons who lost money and want more. The minute we fled the place, some fine quality gentleman outside asked if we can help him get a bite to eat. SAD. My dining buddy has PTSD from this experience.
AVOID THIS SURROUNDING AREA IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE.
Among the gambling venues in California & Vegas, this was deemed the worst and most depressing.Listed in: Skeeve Central
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Review from Jamal G.
San Francisco, CA
2/2/2007
Oh, you talk about having fun playing poker? Oaks is the spot.. you might get shot when you leave but you'll have fun playing!
So many Characters I tell ya! I think it's the most diverse Card Shop in the Bay. For you ballers on a budget they have $.50/$1.00 blinds $10 buy ins ;0)
Make sure to have enough gas to get home. Would hate to read about you the next day!
Ladies: what did D-Jay say from Hustle & Flow?
"It's NOT hard out here for a pimp"
Fellas: Don't walk in to play cards and end up going home with crabs!
Be safe! be easy! -
Review from Rachel H.
El Cerrito, CA
12/5/2008
I was dragged to this place by the same pyscho as in my Kitty's review. He was addicted to everything, including gambling. This place is dirty, disgusting, and full of dirty disgustingness. It is also really depressing because everyone there is depressed looking, even if they look happy.
I will never go back to this place, not ever.
Insider tip: If you do go here, don't. Turn around and leave. -
Review from Ahmad s.
LAKE VIEW TER, CA
Updated - 4/24/2009
I went today, past noon, and as i pulled in; the parking lot was full. And by full, i mean---i spent 5-10 minutes trying to find something. Eventually i talked to a security guard, he told me that "buddy, it's pay day. This place is going to be like this until 4PM. Quit being lazy and pay the $2 valet--you prolly gonna lose $100 in there, whats another $2?" I tell the security guard thanks, as i drive off....i think to myself....$2 dollars saved is gas money bitch! Eventually i had to park a few blocks away, but these few blocks were just the icing on the cake....the tip of the iceberg is to come.
I never knew Pixar Animation Studios, is about 3 blocks away from Oaks Card Club, until i had to find parking a few blocks down. I felt a little scared, but then at the same time its broad daylight....so i wasn't too worried or anything. I passed a few cop cars, so it was chill. I got to Oaks and it was fairly packed. I make my way to sign up for the $100 Max tables, (what i've been playing lately), but unfortunately the table was full, and i said to myself, "fuck it-- 200 Max or nothing." I took out my precious Benjamin...crisp and clean. I lay it on the table; simultaneously the dealer yells, "Chips please!"
and so it begins. I only won two MONSTER hands...played pretty damn tight. Walked out with $570 The first hand i tripled up with:
Pocket 7's
---I was dealt 7-7's and somebody raised $21 dollars preflop. There were a few callers. When action came to me...i contemplated...should i call, or all in (I kind of had this gut feeling that if i pushed in, maybe i would get one caller, and the rest to fold?---Yes amateurish i guess? Yeah, i had a false sense---that any of these guys could have pockets that WOULD and could wipe 7's clean. I don't remember the entire flop....but i went in with 7's...and in my understanding of the game....7's are a gutshot. My rational...which i was banking on...that maybe these guys (three other players) are splitting higher cards. It just felt like as if someone had higher pockets....but boy was i wrong! Pocket 7's beat AK, KQ, and Pocket 6's to triple up. Holy lucky number 7!
The second hand is UTTER poker skill, and perfection. My only regret and mistake is that i forgot i was playing $200 max, and probably could have milked a little bit more off my opponent.
The Jack-Queen Nutz on the flop!
I am sitting pretty...in small blind position. There are about 8 callers making a $4 dollar base call. My cards have been dealt to me, and i take a peak. Q-J...."Pretty sweet" i think to myself. I know its not a flawless hand or anything...but everybody checked/called. The action is on me. I decide i want to get under peoples' skins. I do the, "double the call raise". It's a raise that most people call, because they are pot committed. I did it because i wanted people to call, but test the waters and see if anybody would fold. No one folded.
I mentally chuckled---i knew this would happen.
The flop, 8-9-10.
Action to me! I kept my poker face, and checked.
"Check, Check, Check" and then this one guy goes all in for about $30. This other dude across from him; looks to his right, and then turns left. Noticing that there are two potential callers left---he feels good that his hand will hold, so he decides to call.
Mentally my mind is jumping in glee, as i struggle to maintain my poker composure. I just want to jump up and shout. I have the NUTZ bitches! But no. A true poker player is never that stupid. I raise $50 more on the All in. I Check the turn, because i fear a potential flush. The river card is an Ace. I am no longer in doubt. I Bet $100. By now, the guy feeling pot committed, calls my $100, and i bust out with my nuts.
I win fat. Play a few more hands, and walk out up $470. Make it $370 because i owed my buddy for last time.
After the hand, i heard some guy say, "He pulled some online poker shit"
That made it a good day.
On the side note, i have been trying more food at oaks, and the Deepfried Shrimp with fries is really good.
Overall, i must say. Oaks is fun, if you're not hung over it "not being a casino, casino"
The level of competition makes way for a varied level of play.
Good luck and remember....think twice when you play with 7's.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/4/2009
Oaks oaks oaks...why do i love thee?
Depending on your standards and your love for the game. It's… Read more »
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Review from Diana M.
Oakland, CA
4/12/2007
Don't let the outside fool ya or the neighborhood scare ya! The Oaks is AWESOME!!!! The best place to play poker in the Bay Area. I love to hang out on the .5/$1 table which you can do all night with $50. Also, the players there are super nice, some may not have all of their teeth, but they're fun.
The casino restaurant is surprisingly good - especially at 2AM when your stomach is grumbling and you can't walk away from the table. Try the shrimp fried rice. -
Review from Yan G.
San Francisco, CA
2/23/2009
We live in a world where poker is considered a sport. It's shown on ESPN2, glorified on ESPN and translated into Spanish on ESPN Deportes. ¿Cómo se dice "Open-ended straight"? There are kids out there who dream of becoming Phil Hellmuth instead of Tom Brady, which, I am sure, is a cause for concern for some parents. Believe me, it'll take a few years and several amendments to Title IX before Stanford begins offering a poker scholarship.
Here's a piece of advice for all the parents out there: if you want to make sure your 14-year-old doesn't take up poker and lose all his/her money, take him or her to Oaks Card Club. I guarantee you that after 15 minutes inside, your kid will never want to play poker again.
Eli Lilly has not manufactured enough Prozac to lift your spirits after walking into this establishment. Small, cramped room with old, weathered tables and chairs is just the beginning. Before playing here, take a look around. Look at the faces of people hunched over their chips. Look at their shaking hands as they reach for two $1 chips to reluctantly put them in the pot. Finally, take a good look at the dealers: do they look content? WOW.
It's a film noir waiting to happen. It's a "Don't Gamble With Your Life" PSA in action. It's a sad, sad edition of "Where Are They Now?" for addicts and has-beens.
There's a tired poker joke:
Q: Why doesn't anyone play 7-card stud anymore?
A: Because old-timers have Alzheimer's, and young guys have ADD.
Well, at Oaks Card Club, old-timers with Alzheimer's play the $1/$2 game. I didn't try to play with them, but I think you're required to be over 80 years old to sit at that table. Bring your own walker and oxygen mask. The house is not responsible for unexpected heart attacks.
I sat down to play $6/$12 game, the highest limit available at the time. They also spread a $15/$30 game, but not when I was there. The $6/$12 played like a $1/$2 game with people chasing ridiculous draws for no reason whatsoever. People who were winning cussed at the people they beat. People who were losing cussed at everyone and everything. I felt as though people were gambling with their rent money, food money or insulin money. Pathetic.
Oh, and by the way, Oaks Card Club has some of the worst house rules you'll ever see in a poker room. The wait list is kept on a dry erase board, visible only to the person writing them down. You'd have to twist your neck or twist the arm of the guy at the front to figure out where you are on the list. Spectators are not allowed to stand next to their friends at the table. In the rare event of small blind player getting up or busting out, the rules require that two players post big blinds! Preposterous! The rake is pretty consistent with the norm, but it's not spectacular by any means.
I walked out feeling dirty, disgusted, down a few bucks, dejected and, yes, depressed. This is no place to play poker. Drive an extra 15-20 minutes from wherever you are and visit Lucky Chances (http://www.yelp.com/bi...) or Bay 101 (http://www.yelp.com/bi...).Listed in: Oh, Oakland, Poker?
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Review from Timothy O.
Fresno, CA
11/6/2006
The Oaks has been a cardroom for over 100 years. Thanks to television, the Oaks spreads mostly hold 'em, with the occasional stud or Omaha game. Their website says they "feature" lowball, but that game hasn't been popular in California card clubs for at least a decade.
The Oaks differs from the other Bay Area clubs in that it offers a $1/2 hold 'em game. If you're interested in making the jump from home games to casinos, this would be the game for you. With tight play, you can nurse a $50 rack for a while. You're unlikely to take much home, because the rake and time collection will probably eat all your profit, but you won't have to worry about losing the deed to your house or car.Listed in: California Casinos and Card…
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Review from Jenny K.
San Francisco, CA
4/15/2008
Dirty. Surly. Desperate.
And that's just myself that I'm talking about ... ;)
Been there. Won a little. Don't ever need to go back. I feel totally comfortable going to Artichoke Joe's and Lucky Chances by myself as a woman, but I would most definitely not make a solo trip out to Oaks anytime soon. There was definitely a lot of hostility at the table I was playing at, and I just had a sense that something bad was going to go down if I stayed there long enough.Listed in: Get yer game on ...
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Review from Dmitry S.
San Francisco, CA
5/10/2008
The Oak's is a classic destination for gambling addicts of all kinds. From people trying to buy in with food-stamps (back when they weren't on a card) or welfare money to snotty Berkeley kids thinking they "own" poker after seeing it on tv. After walking into Oak's you will almost certainly feel better about yourself. The sense of impending doom from either financial or marital troubles is quite apparent on the faces of degenerate gamblers of all ages, sexes (yes, there is 3 now) and ethnicities. No matter what personal problems you have, come on down to Oak's and get a free boost of self-esteem upon entry!
The place itself is relatively nice for a card room. Two parking lots with 24 hour security and valet parking makes you feel just a tad bit less scared about your car being broken into or you getting robbed walking back to it. If you're into second-hand smoke, the front door is probably the best place to chill, as at any time there is at least 10 smokers puffing away like there's no tomorrow.
There is usually a bit of a wait for a table, but its reasonable. Oak's has lowball games, Omaha, draw, non-Vegas blackjack and of course Texas Hold-Em. They also have Pai-Gow, but I try to stay away since I am fond of having enough money for food. Although they have occasional tournaments, most of the players are at limit tables. They even have $1-2 limit, which is great for beginners or old senile people. Even the lower limit games have decent players, no one here is playing because they are "tourists in Vegas, just playing for the experience." Most players actually want to win money, there are a lot of regulars and the tables can be chatty at times.
Overall, with a good menu available for eating right at the table, a slew of fascinating characters to play cards with and a reasonable rake (about $4 per hand), this is a good card room. Another positive is the jackpot, which actually does hit on occasion and gets everyone's hopes up daily. Best time to come would be Saturday or Sunday morning, around 4am to clean up the people from the previous night.
I have many fond memories of skipping high school to come play at the Oak's.
That's right boys and girls, they rarely card, especially if you can grow a beard... -
Review from Nikki c.
Oakland, CA
9/21/2006
I've never actually played cards here. But......this is just one of those classic Bay Area dives. You need to go here once, in the middle of the week, at night and peep the scene.
I used to work close by, and they serve great comfort food, and they never close. The mashed potatoes are carby goodness. All the food I've had has been yummy, stick to your ribs type of stuff. No small plates and haute cuisine here!!!
Be warned - certain times of day/night, if you're a young lady and you're walking through their parking lot, you might get hit on by a pimp. Enjoy the moment, and keep on walking!Listed in: The Best Jerry, The Best!!!!!
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Review from Hungry G.
Union City, CA
5/14/2011
The area it's located outside can be a bit sketchy, but inside I feel totally safe. What I like best about it is that it seems easiest to win at poker than other bay area casinos because of the type of players there. I like the tournaments and also enjoy the cash games. The sandwiches are awesome - the meat like tri-tip and pastrami are about the best I've had, yummy! If I were in the area I would stop in just for that.
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Review from nono a.
San Francisco, CA
8/1/2007
Never been.
Why?
A few months ago, my uncle got shot in the leg by someone who followed him home from this casino. Guy took his money and gave him the bullet right on his own driveway.
And you know what's worse? He didn't even win that night. -
Review from Christopher S.
Berkeley, CA
2/16/2010
This place is hard to rate because it depends how much you care about the atmosphere. I am mainly writing the review because it is kind of confusing for new people when they enter and I thought I could help.
So before you go I suggest having the cash you can play with and nothing more - I usually bring 200 when I play. When you first walk in you will see tons of tables everywhere and you will just want to follow the railing to the person at the podium with a big white board in front. You will tell that person what game you want to play - It is usually busy so I sign up for several. I will usually start w 1-2 just to sit down and then ask to be put on the 100max list. So then they tell you what table to go to and you can just sit down and put your cash on the table - they will bring the chips to you. They will call out your name if a spot opens up at the other tables but if you are having a good time you can just keep playing.
I suggest waiting for the big blind to come around to you so you can watch how some of the people play and to get the general vibe of the table. Make sure to place your bets on or past the betting line. The dealers are usually pretty chill so if you do win a nice hand it is nice to give them a small tip in the form of one or two of your chips. They have servers that walk around and can bring you food or drink - I usually just order a coke.
You get a lot of different types here but generally it is a pretty depressing lot. It is convenient if you live in the East Bay - parking can be a pain when it is busy though.
Dont try to beat the 1-2 - you have to get lucky to win. Almost every hand will go to the river and most of the table will stay in on their draws despite your raises and the probabilites of their hands hitting. Focus on 6-12 or 100 max for making money and 1-2 if you have time to kill. Good Luck and don't play 2-7. -
Review from Sean D.
Oakland, CA
10/30/2009
Really easy to make money here. Most are fish dumping off their checks chasing anything and everything.
I like to go to make a quick 60-100 in 3-6 and bounce after about an hour and half.
Only 3-stars as it is the most depressing place on earth. The old guys are jaded, and the young guys are over-aggressive and annoying.
The place is filthy and a lot of stinky guys that you know have been sitting for over 10 hours.
There are some really hot dealers and servers to brighten the mood, and they aren't used to kindness lol so you become a hero by showing general courtesy and tipping servers and dealers.
Go here, make quick money, and leave quickly. Do not take the bus after and walk quickly to your car as shady characters await outside.
Do not dress sharply as to blend in. No suit and tie here. -
Review from Van N.
Milpitas, CA
2/29/2008
I've been here only once considering where it is and it's a pretty decent card room with one big flaw (unless they've changed that) and that they only have limit poker. Limit poker is not the same as no limit or spread limit. It's a structured format that is entirely a different style to play like 3-6 or 100-200.
They do have spread limit tournaments and that was what I came for. I was the bubble boy for that tournament placing 21 out of 180 while they only paid out to 20 players, but I don't want t talk about that.
Overall, with the high ceilings and layout, this wasn't a bad place to play poker if you like limit. Their Chinese food joint isn't that bad either. -
Review from Tommy N.
Alameda, CA
7/29/2009
Today was the first time I came here to play poker and so far the place is good. Don't come in here expecting Lake Tahoe or Nevada status casino's. Oaks Card Club has plenty of poker tables but I am sure it gets more busy on the weekends. I waited about 10 minutes for a table for poker on a Wednesday late afternoon. The crowd here is similar to San Pablo's casino...very diverse. But just about every casino is like that in the Bay Area. I'll come to this casino if I'm playing poker but will stick with San Pablo if I want slots and other activities.
One of my pet peeves at some of the tables are the players who raise pre-flop/straddle. Tonight I felt like playing conservatively with $60. I just happen to be on a table where I felt like I was playing 6/12 blind. The player on my left had a personal grudge against a player across so it was just straight gambling and dick measuring contests going on all night.
ps: the dealers come here to play on their breaks and off duty. they got the edge since they can familiarize themselves with the table players. -
Review from Robert G.
Oakland, CA
11/17/2008
So, this review is for the food. Not the cards. I do like to play at the Oaks, but I end up going for food a lot more often than I do for poker.
So, the food kicks ass. The hofbrau buffet is pretty solid, especially the sandwiches. The real treat, though, is the chinese menu. They serve the best chow fun around. The soups are very good, the chow mien is great, etc... I am sure this is due to the relatively high stakes chinese players at the Pai Gow, Double Hand Poker, and various other games.
I have never tried any traditional american menu items like burgers, so I can't vouch for them, but if you don't like the dry fried shrimp chow fun, you are a crazy person. -
Review from BChizzle C.
Palo Alto, CA
4/29/2008
I've been there twice. First time, I took a cab; second time, I drove. Couldn't find street parking or parking in the free lot, so I gave it to the $2 valet.
Played a little while. The first time I was here, I played $1/2 limit (yes, with 50 cent chips). Second time was 15/30, but only one table going on a Saturday night seemed strange.
Wandered out to the valet stand after I was done to get my car. The valet wasn't there. I walked into the lot to find my car, and eventually a the guy found me. I pointed to my car, he nodded. The door was unlocked.
Me: "Where's the key?"
Him: "We put them on top of the back-right tire."
Me: [pause]
Don't use the valet. -
Review from Tony U.
1/8/2009
For many year's I've driven on San Pablo and have passed the Oak's Card Club. For a long time, I've wanted to go into a card club or casino and play the Texas Hold'em Poker tables but I've been rather intimidated.
On a whim, last Friday, I went there with a good friend who gave me a tour of the place. As shown in the picture, you'll see a pit of about 40-50 tables. The poker subculture is fascinating to me. When you walk in, everyone at every table will stare yah down. That poker stare to obtain any info on you. Maybe they all were just staring off listlessly.
In order to play poker, you have talk to a table monitor who has a a list of tables open for play. His list is divided by the type of poker game (Texas Hold'em, Stud, Omaha, etc.). In a Hold'em game, it's pretty standard. Pre-flop and flop bets are between $0.50 and $100 depending on how much you wanna gamble. And on the turn and river, you're looking at $1 up to $200. There isn't "no limit" except during weekly tournaments.
Usually, if you get there at around 10-11pm, you're looking at a 1 hour wait on the $1/$2 tables. I lost my "poker playing virginity" and dared to play on the $3/$6 tables. If you play tight, you're gonna come out a winner unless you have bad luck. I had average cards and left winning $93.00 in 2 hours of play.
The action at the table is fairly quick and the neighboring players and dealers are accomodating within reason. Don't be shy to ask questions and be weary of people trying to figure out an angle on how you play and bet. That means, from time to time, you should call a player's bluff.
I had a two pair K's/J's and some nutcase had the nerve to raise my $6 bet another $6 when he had a measley 10,2 2-pair. That win was as easy as going to an atm machine.
If you play sober and patiently, you're gonna make a lot of money here.
I hear the food's not bad but when I play, I have no appetite. I might have a beer just to relax, but that's about it.
Remember that while you play, keep your hands to yourself. Do not touch your face. And when you finish playing or break, wash your hands!
You do not know what kind of filthy hands have touched the chips and cards you will have been holding!
Sure the people seem a bit seedy. It's a gambling establishment so you're gonna see some shady looking people. But there are also professionals, old souls, gypsy looking dudes, Asian thugs, normal Asians, other thugs, but mostly males of all sorts of walks of life. It's not a social place in the "club sense." It's a very intuitive and serious, but polite environment. There's a tremendous amount of security and in fact, swearing is not allowed at the tables. Again, the parking lot is pretty secure too.
While playing, do not feel shy about leaving at anytime. I kind of felt guilty walking away with people's money. But they didn't care. They were too focused on winnin' the next pot.
I had fun here so I expect to come here again sometime. -
Review from Kevin P.
2/2/2009 1 Check-in Here
The Oaks is a small casino where you can play Pai-gow and double hand poker. They have great tournaments and the dealers here are top notch.
If you have some time till your next game hang out at the bar, where the people behind the bar are as cool as the people on the floor. The food is pretty good and they have great specials. But here is the down side:
Location. During the day it's a nice enough area with possibilities, but at night, travel in twos or wait to park in the lot connected to the casino. I hear of a lot of people who have been mugged from walking around where it's dark. So be careful!
But still enjoy. -
Review from jessica i.
Oakland, CA
7/12/2006 1 photo
So during normal hours, the Hof-Brau is open, and they have these good open faced turkey sandwiches. Like leftover Thanksgiving.
Late at night, however, is a different story. The 24 hour restaurant is odd; I ordered bacon and eggs at 3 in the morning once, and the food seemed like NASA food. Bacon and eggs on the moon. Like someone cooked it, pulverized it into powder and put it in some pill capsules, then some astronaut added water and voila! Oaks Card Club bacon and eggs.
The card room is off the chain. At 3 in the morning, it is a sea of little asian women shoveling down food and gambling. Don't they have babies? Don't they have day jobs?
The card room is like the stock market floor but replace stocks with poker. I just sit there and watch.
Observe my cell phone picture attached. -
Review from D. H.
San Ramon, CA
9/16/2011
We were in the mood for Hof Brau type food-you know hunks of steamy hot meat carved to order. Hubby had the rare beef french dip and I had an open faced corned beef w/steamed veggies. I wish they were more generous with the meat but both were deelish. A slice of carrot cake satisfied our sweet tooth. But the best deal is their iced tea w/refill. For $1.50 the friendly bartender prepares the iced tea to order. Fresh squeezed lemon, sugar syrup and brewed tea are combined like a cocktail and poured into a tall paper cup. He earned a tip for that!
-
Review from Sean M.
Burlingame, CA
1/16/2007
My home club where I cut my teeth playing poker.
I just can't stay away. The 15/30 is live as can be.
Some may find it grimy but thats just the Oaks charm! -
Review from jeff b.
Berkeley, CA
11/3/2006 1 photo
I don't (usually) gamble - so let me instead review their food.
I really like their Chinese food - served there - or to go. They used to serve 24/7 - which was awesome - a place in the neighborhood with food at 3 am! Recently they are serving to around midnight.
They re-did their kitchen, they are now back-in-action with the same good food and the same reasonable prices.
Hooray for pot-stickers and vegetable fried rice at Midnight! -
Review from Adam R.
Martinez, CA
9/19/2008
I like the place but not the location. This is a spacious old-style club with many games going on at any one time. They are also the only place I can find with a good $1/$2 limit game for my poor days. Unfortunately this place is in Emeryville. I will go here in the day time, but never at night. The food here isn't great either, but that doesn't really matter as you probably wont get a chance to order any food since the servers are virtually non-existent.
I give the poker 4 stars, but everything else, 2. -
Review from Christine D.
Oakland, CA
11/12/2006
Forget gambling, the reason I go to the Oaks Club is for one thing only: HOT PASTRAMI SANDWICH, with French Dip sauce. Best ever. Yeah, I've been to the legendary pastrami royalty joints in NYC, Carnegie Deli and Katz's. For some reason, those places just didn't do it for me. They can't touch the Oaks Club pastrami sandwich.
I don't give this place 5 stars, because you have to walk past the weirdos outside, past the cracked out woman giving herself a spongebath over the sink in the restroom, and any other not-so-pleasant hallmarks of this stretch of San Pablo Avenue, but hey, that probably keeps the yuppies away and the prices down for those who will follow their noses to one of the yummiest holes in the wall ever.
So bring your wet wipes, and try it out after your next Ikea run. -
Review from Ian F.
Vallejo, CA
7/10/2011
Worst place to play poker ever. The floor people are totally unfriendly. They look burned out, bored, and unwelcoming. There's no sense of customer service. You're just a number waiting to be seated. They still use a white board to track their players because the outfit running this place is too cheap to go with a modern computer system. The place is filled with unshowered, smelly drunks--who are fine as fish in the game, but slow the game down to a horrid pace. Management doesn't seem to care. The inside of the club is dated, old and feels like you're playing in a dive. The food is awful and will probably kill you. Avoid. Play at Cache Creek.
