The Oaks Card Club in Emeryville, CA: A Review

The Oaks Card Club is a true slice of California gaming history, having had some sort of card playing operations going on this site since 1895 when it was Conger's Tavern. Unfortunately, the historical significance is about the only really good thing you can say about it, unless you're a degenerate gambler or looking to hustle low-level poker players.

You'll find the place on San Pablo Ave. in Emeryville. There's some parking, but during peak hours it fills up fast. Pixar Animation Studios is also only about three blocks from this place, so there's lots of competition for area parking during the day with the mobs of people that work for them making their latest 200 million dollar talking elephants movie. From 7 A.M. to about 10 P.M. you can take the free Emery-Go-Round shuttle bus to and from the MacArthur BART station in Oakland.

True to name the focus here is on cards, with about forty tables covering Texas Hold 'Em, Omaha Hi/Lo Split, Seven Card Stud, Lowball, Double Hand, Pai Gow and 21.5 blackjack. The low limit is a $1/$2 game, which is touted as being good for beginners looking to make the jump from playing on the computer, but I don't think this is actually a great spot. The tables are always swamped, mostly with senior citizens and the truly problematic gamblers. Though the wait time is reasonable given that most people playing the low tables don't have either much money or skill, these folks are old pros at losing money at they expect you to go through the paces at lightning speed. $6/$12 seems to be the usual regular high limit table, they do go higher but not all the time. At this level and up you'll have degenerate "pro gamblers" who nevertheless know what they're doing and have something of a bankroll. The dealers play when they are off duty too, always looking to roll some college kid from San Francisco who thinks they are "uber at poker" because they win big on Playstation. No limit games only happen during tournaments which are usually three times a week.

Definitely not a recommended location to bring a date, or to try to find a date, unless you're after some old school Oakland style prostitution. The clientele seems to almost exclusively be run-down, dirty dudes, mostly 40-plus, with nary a woman in sight except for the ones working the bar. The gaming floor is on the cramped side, dim and dirty. They're open 24 hours a day every day, but just due to the general proximity to Oakland (which is always mired in serious poverty and gang activity) I'd be looking over my shoulder for potential robbers coming out of here after dark.

Suprisingly the food is usually decent, with a hofbrau buffet and Chinese food. I guess they need to keep people happy and occupied while they wait 20-60 minutes on the low limit tables.

Unless you're a problem gambler (ironic how many there are here given the sheer quantity of Gamblers Anonymous signs all over the place) or a Dirty Dude with some skill looking to hustle problem gamblers, I don't see much point to visiting unless you're already right nearby. If you're gonna drive anyway, places like Lucky Chances and even Artichoke Joe's offer a better environment and less risk of gunplay. Some people like all this divey bottom-of-the-barrel crap but personally I find the environment noxious and toxic. As far as the low-limit tables go, they are lower than just about any other option in the Bay, but the crowd basically ruins it by playing like addicts and going all-in constantly on every single hand. Only for the hardcore (in one way or another.)

Oaks Card Club
4097 San Pablo Ave.
Emeryville, CA 94608
# 510-653-4456
http://www.oakscardclub.com/