MGM Grand Detroit reopens poker room Friday

MGM Grand Detroit sent out an email to customers Wednesday, saying it will reopen its poker room Friday, with capacity restrictions amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This comes as the Michigan Gaming Control Board has approved provisions for Detroit's casinos to reopen poker rooms.

"It is my pleasure to announce the reopening of the MGM Grand Detroit Poker Room," Keith Frankel, manager of poker operations, wrote in the email. 

🃏 POKER IS COMING BACK!
Join us this Friday as we re-open the doors to our Poker Room.
Details: https://t.co/ojTBOAH85Z
21+ | Excludes MI DPL pic.twitter.com/3PoYZTxkqb

— MGM Grand Detroit (@MGMGrandDetroit) January 13, 2021

Among the restrictions, MGM Grand Detroit plans with its return to poker: There will be a maximum of 5 available tables, properly spaced out; Each table will seat a maximum of 8 players with plexiglass dividers installed between each player position, as well as between the players and the dealer.

Upon reopening, the casino plans to offer $1/$2 and $2/$5 No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em, $2/$4 Limit
Texas Hold ‘Em, and $2/$5 Pot-Limit Omaha. Additional game types will be offered based on
player request and demand.

MGM Grand Detroit said its poker room will be open 24-7, but its food and beverage counter will not be available amid state regulations forbidding the consumption of food and beverage indoors. Masks must be worn at all times, and the Plexiglas dividers are set to be sanitized frequently, as are the cards and chips. There will only be cash games, no tournaments. 

Detroit's casinos were shut down in mid-March amid the early stages of the pandemic, and reopened briefly in August, but with no poker. Poker also was shut out of the latest reopening, in December.