An exciting milestone is being celebrated at the Talking Stick Resort, an enterprise of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.

The exclusive pre-opening party for the brand-new Arena Poker Room was held on February 7 for SRPMIC Council members, Gaming Board directors and media. After a few years of planning, the room is now fully operational and stocked with 68 poker tables.

During the afternoon, the room was open to SRPMIC employees, Community members and Talking Stick Casino and Casino Arizona employees for a sneak peek. A blessing of the room was given earlier in the day at a private ceremony. The room officially opened to the public on February 8.

From concrete to poker room, the entire room now expands westward to where the parking lot used to be.

True to its name, the Arena Poker Room has 130 arena-sized LED television screens hanging from the ceiling and around the walls and pillars.

“We’re very excited about this room! It’s the largest poker room in Arizona,” said Ramon Martinez, director of public relations at Casino Arizona/Talking Stick Resort.

“We have service at every table, a sit-down dining area and a beautiful bar as you walk in. There is an outdoor balcony for fresh air. The ambiance is really nice.”

The Arena Poker Room will continue to host the Arizona State Poker Tournament and offer a full schedule of poker games, with daily tournaments and hands of Texas Hold ’em, Omaha and 7-Card Stud.