Artichoke Joe's is a Peninsula institution. Open since 1916 and operating continuously at El Camino Real in San Bruno, it's been serving local poker players for over a century — making it one of the longest-running card rooms in California. The room has a distinct personality: it's a limit hold'em house, and it's proud of it.

If you're looking for deep-stack no-limit tournaments and a modern casino aesthetic, this isn't your room. If you want to sit in a classic, loose-passive limit game and grind for hours, Artichoke Joe's delivers.

The Room

18 tables, 24/7, with a focus on limit Hold'em at multiple stake levels. The primary games running are 3/6 and 6/12, with occasional 15/30 and 20/40 action when demand allows. The games are machine-shuffled for speed.

The crowd at Artichoke Joe's skews toward regulars. There's a community feel here — players who've been coming for years and know each other by name. For a new player, it might take a session or two to feel comfortable, but the games are welcoming once you settle in.

Expect loose-passive play with multi-way pots and frequent capping. That's the Artichoke Joe's style — it's what the regulars prefer, and the action reflects it.

Games Spread

• Limit Texas Hold'em: 3/6 ($3 rake), 6/12 ($4 rake), 20/40 ($5 rake), occasional 15/30
• No-Limit Texas Hold'em: Available when demand supports it
• Ultimate Texas Hold'em: House-banked game vs. dealer with Trips bonus (3-of-a-kind+) and Bad Beat payout
• California Blackjack variants

For table availability, call the Poker Desk at (650) 589-8812 x219 before making the trip — occupancy varies and most tables run 3/6 and 6/12.

Promotions

Artichoke Joe's runs an active promotions schedule:

Aces Cracked: $100–$300 payout when pocket aces are beaten. Runs:

• Daytime: Monday–Wednesday 10 AM–1 PM
• Nighttime: Sunday–Thursday 9–10 PM and 11 PM–midnight

High Hand Bonuses: 4-of-a-kind pays $100, Straight Flush pays $200. Active during select hours: midnight–8 AM, 11 AM–noon, 5–7 PM, 10–11 PM.

Royal Flush Bonus: $300 paid 24 hours a day. See the floorman — no purchase necessary.

Location

El Camino Real in San Bruno, easily accessible from the 101 and 380 freeways. Close to SFO Airport. On-street and lot parking available.

The Verdict

Artichoke Joe's occupies a specific niche in the NorCal poker ecosystem: it's the place for limit hold'em players who appreciate a classic, community-oriented room. The promotions program is among the most generous for its game type, and the consistency of the games is a genuine asset. Not for everyone — but exactly what its regulars want.

Must be 21+. Poker desk: (650) 589-8812 x219.