Florida has been a hotbed of poker activity ever since No Limit Texas Hold’em cash games were legalized in the Sunshine State back in 2010. Already prior to that, the Isle Poker Room opened for poker tournaments in 2007, and activity at the venue has only increased since. Now called the Harrah’s Pompano Beach poker room, it is one of the top spots to play poker in Southern Florida, boasting 52 tables.
To learn more about the room, and what makes it such a popular destination for poker players, we spoke to the newly installed Tournament Manager Leon Wheeler. Leon brings decades of poker industry experience to his now role and is responsible for putting together new series and managing the daily operations of tournaments on property.
So, let’s kick things off with a couple more stats beyond what we’ve already said about the poker room in our intro. What’s the cash table/tournament table breakdown, and is the room open 24/7?
Among our 52 total poker tables, 36 of them are designated for cash games. We are open Sunday through Thursday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 AM, and Friday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 AM.
How often do you run dailies and at what price points? Do you ever run any non-Hold’em tournaments?
We took a step back from tournaments for a period because our cash game business grew so quickly that it demanded our full attention. After expanding and strengthening our staff, we’re now ready to put a greater focus on tournaments again. We’ve had success with PLO on both the cash game side and in larger tournament series.
Currently, we run two weekly tournaments: a $200 buy-in with a $10,000 guaranteed prize pool every Tuesday and Thursday at 6:00 PM.
🔥 Join us tonight, Thursday September 24th at Harrah’s Pompano Poker Room for our 6 PM No-Limit Hold’em tournament featuring a $10,000 guarantee! Registration is open until 9:10 PM—come take your shot at the prize pool! ♠️🏆💰 https://t.co/YCzoGjV4P4
— PompanoPokerRoom (@HarrahsPompano) September 24, 2026
What does “being a WSOP-branded poker room” mean in a practical sense? How deeply is your room associated with the WSOP Circuit?
We’ve been fortunate to grow from hosting two WSOP Circuit series each year to three scheduled stops in 2027:
- January 28 – February 8, 2027
- April 8 – April 19, 2027
- September 30 – October 11, 2027
https://t.co/W891fc2K3i
— PompanoPokerRoom (@HarrahsPompano) August 20, 2026
Do you guys run or host any other prominent poker series or festivals?
Beyond the WSOP Circuit stops, we’re continuing to expand our own branded tournament series under the “Poker at the Pomp” banner. Here are our upcoming scheduled dates:
- Battles at the Beach: March 11 – 21, 2027
- Florida State Poker Championship: August 26 – September 5, 2027
- Fall Festival: November 4 – 14, 2027
- Holiday Classic: December 2 – 12, 2027
You’ve been settling in to your new role with the room over the last couple months since moving to Florida. How are you planning to take the Harrah’s Pompano Beach poker room to the next level over the next year?
Our focus is on continuing to grow the poker business while delivering the best overall experience for our players. Over the next 6-12 months, we’ll be expanding our tournament offerings, leveraging the WSOP brand, introducing innovative promotions, and continuing to invest in staff development. The goal is to make Harrah’s Pompano a destination poker room that offers something for every type of player, from recreational guests to high-volume grinders.
How many cash games typically run on weekdays and at what stakes? How about on weekends? Does the room run any special promotions and do you guys spread any games besides Texas Hold’em?
From Sunday through Wednesday, we typically spread between 15 and 18 cash games. Our most popular games include $1/2 No-Limit Hold’em, $1/3 No-Limit Hold’em, $2/5 No-Limit Hold’em, $2/2 Pot-Limit Omaha, and a $10/20 OE (half Omaha 8 or Better, half Stud 8 or Better) that runs on Fridays.
From Thursday through Saturday, we typically run between 26 and 32 cash games featuring the same mix of stakes and variants.
What level of experience/training does your dealing staff have?
We emphasize continuous training and development for all team members. In addition to regular coaching and refresher training, we utilize a “Preferred Dealer” rotation, where our top-performing dealers earn opportunities to work our high-limit and private games.
Nobody likes playing poker on an empty stomach. Can you tell us a bit about the food and beverage offerings at Harrah’s Pompano Beach that poker players can enjoy?
We offer a complimentary self-serve beverage station right in the poker room for our players. Guests can also enjoy three on-property dining options: Slice, Myron’s Deli, and Farradday’s Steakhouse.
Show some love for Myron’s Delicatessen in the South Florida’s Favorites food & drink category! Cast your vote here: https://t.co/hPg3UwRkXz https://t.co/Q8FKtxEVoz
— PompanoPokerRoom (@HarrahsPompano) October 30, 2025
For someone who has never been before, what’s the easiest way to get to the Harrah’s Pompano room, and what other activities/attractions might you find in the area?
We’re easily under an hour away from three major South Florida airports: West Palm Beach, Miami International, and Ft. Lauderdale. Our property is located just minutes from South Florida’s beautiful beaches and we enjoy great weather for most of the year. While our on-property hotel is currently under construction and expected to open in 2028, visitors can take advantage of the area’s beaches, dining, nightlife, boating, fishing, and other attractions while enjoying everything the region has to offer.
There are a number of well-known poker rooms in South Florida. What makes Harrah’s Pompano stand out and why should a poker player plan a trip there?
We believe we offer the most aggressive and innovative promotions in Florida. We’re constantly pushing the envelope to create value for our players, including high-hand promotions ranging from $1,500 to $2,000 that run more frequently than anywhere else in the market. We pioneered the $2,000 high-hand concept, and many other rooms have since followed our lead.
https://t.co/3wbSOuCP5g
— PompanoPokerRoom (@HarrahsPompano) August 7, 2026
Combined with our growing tournament schedule, strong cash game action, and commitment to player experience, Harrah’s Pompano offers one of the most unique poker destinations in South Florida.
