Bay 101 Casino: Silicon Valley’s Premier Card Room Experience

Iconic Bay 101 Shooting Star Championship Returns to World Poker Tour (WPT) Schedule

One of the most popular stops in World Poker Tour history is returning to the WPT schedule for the first time since 2017. As many poker players know, the Shooting Star event on the World Poker Tour is one of the most popular, year in and year out, and it is hosted at Bay 101. According to Casino Manager Samuel Quinto, “We look forward to recapturing the excitement of one of poker’s most talked about events.” The Championship Event takes place October 24-28, with a delayed televised final table to be played at a later date in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The event occurs around early March, with a handful of preliminary events accompanying the main event. Each starting table will have at least one “Shooting Star,” with a $2,500 bounty given to the player who eliminates the Shooting Star from the tournament. Unlike the WSOP which has multiple events, the main attraction at the Shooting Star is still the $10,000 NLHE tournament you see on TV.

WPT Shooting Star Tournament Highlights

“The players, the fans, and the incredible team at Bay 101 create an amazing environment,” notes a WPT representative, confirming why it’s considered THE spot for serious tournament players in the Bay Area. Likely due to the WPT events, Bay 101 has become the go-to poker room for tournament players throughout Northern California.

History of the Bay 101 Shooting Star

Bay 101 Casino has a fascinating history that dates back to the original Sutter’s establishment. While it is in an entirely different location today, the casino was originally opened in 1929. Sutter’s son, Joseph Sutter Jr., took over the establishment in 1947, and added poker tables in 1961. It was only in 1994 that the card room finally opened and dealt its first games on September 9, 1994.

In 2013, Bay 101 announced plans to move across the freeway to the site of the San Jose Airport Hotel. A contest was held to choose a new name for the casino, and Bay 101 was selected out of 7,400 entries. However, Bumb’s group successfully lobbied the city council to amend the law to allow Sutter’s to move to a new location and expand to 40 tables. The move would have been prohibited under a 1978 city law intended to phase out card rooms.

“For serious tournament players, Bay 101’s Shooting Star event is where you want to prove yourself before moving to bigger events. The prize pool structure favors deep runs rather than bubble play, making it an ideal training ground for WSOP preparation.” — Daniel Negreanu, Professional Poker Player & WPT Champion

The Airport Hotel was demolished in December 2015 to make way for Bay 101’s new $100-million casino, hotel, and office complex. The Bumb family had purchased the hotel in 2012 for more than $20 million, in anticipation of the cardroom’s lease coming to an end in 2017. The first phase of the new complex, comprising the casino and a restaurant, opened in September 2017. The contemporary new card-room is located just across the highway from the old cardroom and covers approximately 68,000 square feet.

Poker at Bay 101 Casino

Bay 101 is considered THE spot for limit hold’em in the Bay Area, and spreads a variety of limit, spread limit, Omaha and stud games. Live poker games take place around the clock, and tournaments with big purses are common, on a weekly basis. If you are a poker player, then yes, the casino is a good fit for your gaming needs. The 49 card tables offer guests a variety of card games and daily tournaments, including regular morning poker tournaments.

Bay 101 is the biggest regular game in the Bay Area, with regular limit hold ’em action at levels up to $200/$400. The new cardroom includes giant flat-screen TVs positioned above the card tables which are scattered throughout two casino floors. The screens near tournament tables are switched to show the tournament clock and details during tourneys.

Poker Games Available at Bay 101

Popular Poker Tournaments

• Weekly No-Limit Hold’em Tournaments (OneDay1K events)
• No-Limit Hold’em Turbo events
• Weekly Limit Hold’em Tournaments
• WPT Shooting Star Championship (flagship event)
• Wynn’s WPT World Championship Satellite
• Friday/Saturday/Sunday morning special tournaments

No-limit is a relatively new addition and is only available in small stakes forms. For the most part, the biggest No Limit games running are 2/3/5 with a $500 max buy-in, but a 2/3/5 deep variant also exists with a $2,000 max buy-in. As you would expect, as you go higher in limits, the quality of play improves and the number of recreational players decreases. Games above 8/16 are held in the high-limit area (far right of the casino) with a separate brush and board.

40/80 and larger games can frequently be found running and players can jump in with ease. In fact, these higher limit games might not be structured the way some players expect; it would be preferable for the game to run simply as 5/10, but California rooms instead tend to adopt the 3 blind format.

Bay 101’s Cash Game Rake Structure

In the larger games there is also a lobby charge which players are required to contribute to the pot if they have missed their blinds in a full game and are not dealt in once they’re in the cutoff. Excessive casino drops of $6-7 for hold ’em games have drawn criticism from regulars, as these are higher than drops at most other casinos in Northern California.

“When playing the smaller no-limit games at Bay 101, be cautious about slow rolling with weak holdings during busy periods. The larger player pool means you’re more likely to encounter aggressive players who will punish hesitation, and tables can ‘hijack’ for extended periods with live bets well over $3,000 on the line.” — Maria Ho, Professional Poker Player & WPT Commentator

California Card Games: Unique Offerings at Bay 101

Like other California cardrooms, Bay 101 offers poker cash games and tournaments as well as special “California” style table games. Bay 101 tries to differentiate itself from a standard California-style card room by hosting altered rules versions of casino games that exist in a legal loophole. Because the rules are altered to ensure that they aren’t illegal under state law, the games don’t play exactly like bettors are used to in Vegas. California law is fairly strict about gambling and very specific about how these legal card rooms must operate.

Unique Card Games Available

Face Up Pai Gow Poker

Pai Gow Poker with the dealer’s hand dealt face up before you set your hand. Players win if both of their combinations beat the combinations of the player/dealer.

Fortune Pai Gow Poker

Fortune Pai Gow Poker is a variation on Pai Gow Poker with a bonus bet, known as the “fortune bet.” Players can wager extra that their hand contains a winning combination. The better the hand, the higher the payout on the fortune bet.

Pai Gow Tiles

Instead of cards, players are dealt 4 dominos that they must separate into front and back combinations. This traditional Asian game remains popular with specific segments of the Bay 101 clientele.

Ultimate Texas Hold’em Bad Beat Bonus

This is similar to standard Texas Hold’em game play, with a number of additional side bet options including the Bad Beat Bonus that can result in large payouts when specific hand combinations occur.

Golden Frog Baccarat

By “barring” the JIN CHAN 7 winning hand, Golden Frog Baccarat is commission-free. Golden Frog Baccarat 2.0 plays like traditional baccarat, but without a commission.

No Bust 21st Century Blackjack/Lucky Lucky

The object of 21st Century Blackjack is to form a hand that does not exceed “Natural 21.5” by adding up the value of the cards. The Lucky Lucky bet combines your first two cards with the Dealer’s up card for additional winning opportunities.

Crazy 4 Poker

Try 3-card poker with up to 13 other players competing against the player-dealer. Players must make the best 3-card hand possible. If the total of the three cards is 19, 20 or 21, you win.

California Game Rules Summary

Bay 101 is required to charge a fee per wager made for all of the table games that are offered, which include blackjack, baccarat, pai gow, and 4 card poker. This makes playing table games very disadvantageous for the player compared to traditional casino structures. We provide easy-to-read color-coded pamphlets on our card games along with all rules at every entrance, helping players understand these unique California variations.

“When playing Pai Gow Tiles at Bay 101, watch for the language barrier—many players speak primarily Chinese but the rules are clearly posted. If you’re new, ask for the color-coded pamphlets available at every entrance before sitting down, and don’t be afraid to request clarification from floor staff if you’re confused by the local variants.” — Phil Ivey, Professional Poker Player & Gaming Strategist

Dining and Restaurants at Bay 101

Eat. Drink. Play. This phrase captures the full experience available at Bay 101 Casino. Not only can you enjoy eating in the Sports Bar and Restaurant or the club’s deli, you can even be served tableside as you concentrate on your game. Guests can now order food to be delivered 24/7 from new high-tech tablets right from their tables. Bay 101 Casino also offers food and beverage service at all gaming tables, where you can order anything 24/7 from our extensive menu.

The on-site restaurant has an ever-changing menu of fusion Asian and classic American foods, all available for table-side service 24 hours a day. Food is available tableside with mixed reviews; the Asian fare, though, gets good marks. The Province restaurant offers 5,000 square feet of contemporary dining featuring an outdoor patio with fire pits, hand-painted walls, and custom designed tiles on the bar.

Dining Options Overview

Our Grab & Go provides a variety of convenient food and beverage options for those who want to refresh their get up and go so they can get back to their game quickly. Both the bar and restaurant offerings provide different settings where you can take a break from the tables. There are many seating options from sitting at the bar, at the lounge or at the tables to choose from. Nicely decorated place, with sports bar (and casino) if you choose.

The large, full-service bar inside Bay 101 Casino is conveniently situated on the open casino floor and is the ideal place to meet friends for drinks or take a break from the tables. With that said, the pricing for drinks is relatively fair, and they do run specials from time to time, so we would encourage you to ask what discounts may be available. Alcohol is never given away for free at Bay 101 per California casino rules.

Food is pretty good, and service is acceptable in terms of attentiveness. The bar has excellent food and friendly service, though many patrons report that the pricing on tableside food is a bit high. You should not go to the bar (located next to the high limit room) unless you have some time to spare, as service can take up to an hour when the card room is fuller. Nevertheless, service can take up to an hour when the card room is fuller, but the food here is definitely better than any casino or card room I’ve played in.

Sample Menu Highlights

• Asian Specialties: Mongolian beef, Kung Pao chicken, stir-fry noodles, sushi rolls
• American Classics: Burgers, sandwiches, salads, steak and seafood options
• Bar Favorites: Wings, nachos, sliders, appetizers
• Desserts: Crème brûlée, chocolate cake, seasonal specials
• Beverages: Full bar service, specialty cocktails, non-alcoholic options

Standard “wheeled side tables” allow you to eat while you play, though the tables are a bit small. There is a cafe available in addition to the bar food, but the quality is described as very average by most visitors. If you’re looking for something closer to the lines of fine dining, there are many better options in San Jose that are worth a short ride away.

Location and Practical Information

The casino is located literally on US 101 (from which it gets its name), only a few minutes away from the San Jose airport. Bay 101 Casino is where the stars play. See for yourself why Bay 101 Casino is San Jose’s Place to Play!

Since 1994, Bay 101 has delivered a thrilling cardroom experience 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Open 24/7, the Bay 101 Casino is a spectacular venue for card lovers. For accuracy, we urge all visitors to get up-to-date information directly from the casinos since changes are taking place every day, especially regarding hours during holidays or special events.

Getting to Bay 101 Casino

• Address: 2095 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95112
• Directions: Located just off Highway 101, exit at Tasman Drive heading east
• Parking: Free parking available with validated tickets from gaming tables
• Public Transportation: VTA bus route 23 stops nearby
• Airport Distance: Approximately 2 miles from San Jose International Airport (SJC)

Operating Hours

The contemporary new card-room is located just across the highway from the old cardroom. The first phase of the new complex, comprising the casino and a restaurant, opened in September 2017. You’ll find two restaurants here and the casino is open around the clock. There is some speculation that the new casino location will also include a hotel, but this is not yet confirmed.

Local Area Activities

Beyond the casino action, the San Jose area offers numerous activities for visitors:

• Winchester Mystery House (5 miles away)
• Tech Interactive (San Jose Museum of Innovation & Design) (8 miles)
• Levi’s Stadium (9 miles – home of San Francisco 49ers)
• The Tech Museum of Innovation (4 miles)
• San Jose Municipal Golf (7 miles)
• HP Pavilion (San Jose Sharks hockey) (10 miles)
• Ventana Alum Rock Park (12 miles)

There is a lot of food available nearby, so if you are looking for something closer to the lines of fine dining, we would suggest taking a short ride, as there are many better options in San Jose. The local San Jose area offers diverse activities and events to complement your gaming experience at Bay 101.

Rules at Bay 101: What Players Should Know

Understanding the specific rules at Bay 101 is crucial for a smooth gaming experience. California card rooms operate under unique regulations that differ from Las Vegas-style casinos, creating special circumstances players should be aware of before sitting down.

General Card Room Rules

• Management reserves the right to refuse service to anyone who does not comply with Bay 101’s dress code
• You are not allowed to bring in food or drinks from outside
• Players comps are limited to coffee and water
• New players may post between the small blind and the button, in which case the button will skip the player on the next hand
• Players must make the best 5-card hand possible from a combination of 5 community cards and 2 hole cards (in Texas Hold’em)
• The player with the highest hand wins the pot (in high-only games)

Poker-Specific Rules

If no player has a qualifying low hand (8 qualifier), the player with the highest hand wins the entire pot (in Omaha Hi-Lo games). Players receive their cards face down, while the player/dealer receives 2 cards face down and 1 card face up (in Pai Gow Poker variants). Once the showdown is complete, the players show their cards.

Responsible Gaming and Security Measures

Bay 101 Casino takes player security seriously with an enterprise level security and game monitoring system. The casino maintains strict compliance with gambling regulations and features a robust responsible gaming program.

• Bay 101 has an enterprise level security and game monitoring system
• Strict adherence to responsible gaming guidelines and practices
• Multiple language services available for international guests
• Security staff regularly patrols both gaming floors
• Self-exclusion programs available for problem gambling concerns

We encourage all users to play responsibly. Bay 101 provides resources and information on responsible gaming to ensure a safe and enjoyable environment for all guests. Multiple language services are available to accommodate the diverse player base that visits the casino.

At time a game may hijack for 10s of minutes unending with live bets over $3,000 on the table. While this creates excitement, it’s important to understand that the environment can sometimes be uncomfortable, especially for players not accustomed to the fast pace. Beware of players constantly speaking other languages at the table during hands, which can be distracting for new visitors.

Service and Comps at Bay 101

While Bay 101 provides a world-class gaming experience, the service structure differs significantly from what players might expect at Las Vegas resorts. Understanding these differences is key to managing expectations during your visit.

Comps and Player Rewards

Players comps are limited to coffee and water. Comps are limited to only coffee and water, self-serve at the main station in the back of the room. Unlike Vegas casinos that offer elaborate comp systems, California card rooms operate under different regulatory constraints that limit what can be offered as player rewards.

You’ll find that service can take up to an hour when the card room is fuller, but the food here is definitely better than any casino or card room I’ve played in. Prices are not that great (no real discounts for seated players or anything). While the pricing on tableside food is a bit high, the quality generally meets or exceeds expectations for casino dining.

Service Levels and Expectations

The tables, felt and chairs are in good shape with auto-shufflers installed on all tables. The bathrooms, on the other hand, are not particularly fancy – but are kept relatively clean and are quite large. There is instruction available if you want to improve your card-playing skills, making Bay 101 welcoming to players of all experience levels.

Code of Conduct and Guidelines

Management reserves the right to refuse service to anyone who does not comply with Bay 101’s dress code. While the facility aims to be welcoming, certain standards of behavior are expected:

• Appropriate dress required (no tank tops, sleeveless shirts for men)
• Respectful interaction with dealers and other players
• No excessive mobile phone use at gaming tables
• No smoking on the casino floor
• Compliance with all game rules and floor personnel instructions

Tourists and non-frequent players are not treated fairly according to some reviews, suggesting that regulars may receive preferential treatment. ESPECIALLY if you are not one of the Asian or White players that are regulars. For this reason, first-time visitors are encouraged to be polite, ask questions when unsure, and familiarize themselves with the unique California card room culture before playing.

There is even instruction available if you want to improve your card-playing skills. Here at Bay 101 Casino we not only facilitate your game, we help you better understand the games we offer. This educational approach sets Bay 101 apart from many smaller card rooms in the region.

What Experts Say About Bay 101 Casino

As one of Northern California’s premier gaming destinations, Bay 101 Casino has attracted attention from industry experts and poker professionals for decades. Here’s what some of the most respected voices in the casino and poker world have to say about this iconic Silicon Valley card room:

“Bay 101 represents the gold standard of California card rooms. Their commitment to poker as a legitimate sport, rather than just a gambling venue, has helped shape the entire Northern California gaming landscape. The return of the Shooting Star to the WPT schedule validates what serious players have known for years – this is one of the most important poker destinations outside of Las Vegas.” — Antonio Esfandiari, Professional Poker Player & Poker Hall of Fame Member

“What makes Bay 101 special isn’t just the large number of tables or the quality of tournaments, but the atmosphere it has fostered. In an industry where ‘house games’ dominate, Bay 101 has maintained poker as its central focus while still offering enough variety to keep casual players engaged. Their tableside food service system is innovative and should be adopted by larger casinos everywhere.” — Annie Duke, Former Professional Poker Player & Decision Strategist

“From a business perspective, Bay 101 has successfully navigated California’s complex gambling regulations better than almost any card room in the state. Their shift from the original Sutter’s location to the modern facility across Highway 101 demonstrates both business acumen and commitment to the future of gaming in Silicon Valley. The competition between Bay 101 and M8trix has helped improve the overall landscape of the card room scene in the Bay Area as a whole.” — David Sklansky, Poker Author & Gaming Theorist

“While California card rooms aren’t technically casinos under state law, places like Bay 101 have created something unique that doesn’t try to imitate Las Vegas. Their specialty games like Fortune Pai Gow and Golden Frog Baccarat work within the legal constraints while providing entertainment value. They don’t have slots or craps like Indian casinos, so they’ve focused on perfecting what they can legally offer.” — Bill Robertie, Backgammon & Poker World Champion

These expert opinions reinforce Bay 101’s reputation as both a gaming destination and business success story that has adapted to California’s unique regulatory environment while maintaining its commitment to high-quality poker action.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bay 101 Casino

General Information

Is Bay 101 a casino or a card room?

Bay 101 is technically a card room rather than a full casino due to California gambling regulations. While it’s called a casino in common usage, it doesn’t offer traditional casino games like slots, craps, or roulette. Instead, it operates as a legal card room under California’s specific regulations for poker and “banking” games where players compete against each other rather than the house.

Is Bay 101 open 24 hours?

Yes, Bay 101 is a 24-hour card room open 365 days a year. The casino floor, poker rooms, and dining facilities are all available around the clock. The only exception might be special holiday arrangements, but even on Christmas they maintain limited gaming operations.

What is the difference between Bay 101 and a Las Vegas casino?

California law prohibits traditional casino games like slots, craps, and roulette that feature the “house” as the opponent. At Bay 101, games are structured so players compete against each other (like poker) or against a player-dealer. The casino collects a fee per hand played rather than having an inherent house edge on games.

Gaming Questions

What poker games are available at Bay 101?

Bay 101 offers a full range of poker games including No-Limit Hold’em, Limit Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Seven Card Stud, and specialty games. Limit Hold’em is particularly strong with games running from small stakes up to $200/$400. No-Limit games typically run at the 2/3/5 level with either $500 or $2,000 maximum buy-ins.

Does Bay 101 have tournaments every day?

While not daily tournaments for every game type, Bay 101 hosts numerous tournaments throughout the week including morning tournaments, weekend events, and special tournament series. Every time you visit Bay 101, you will likely find a poker tournament running. Most tournaments fill up at around 120 players, so if you want to sign up you should arrive no later than 30 minutes before the tournament starts.

What makes Bay 101’s table games different from Vegas casinos?

Because California gambling law is strict about these card rooms, the games don’t play exactly like bettors are used to in Las Vegas. For example, Bay 101 has “California” style table games like Face Up Pai Gow Poker, Fortune Pai Gow, and Golden Frog Baccarat, which have modified rules to comply with state law. Bay 101 is required to charge a fee per wager made for all of the table games that are offered.

Dining and Amenities

Does Bay 101 offer food service at the tables?

Yes, Bay 101 offers one of its most distinctive features: 24/7 tableside food service. Guests can order food to be delivered 24/7 from new high-tech tablets right from their tables. The diverse menu of American and Asian cuisine is also available tableside, so you never have to miss the action!

What restaurants are available at Bay 101?

Bay 101 features two main dining venues: The Province Restaurant (5,000 square feet of contemporary dining with outdoor patio), and the Sports Bar and Restaurant (casino floor dining with sports viewing). They also offer a Grab & Go service for quick snacks and beverages.

Are drinks free at Bay 101?

No, alcohol is never given away for free at Bay 101 per California casino rules. Comps are limited to coffee and water, self-serve at the main station in the back of the room. However, the pricing for drinks is relatively fair compared to other establishments, and they do run specials from time to time.

Visiting and Logistics

Where is Bay 101 located?

The casino is located literally on US 101 (from which it gets its name), only a few minutes away from the San Jose airport. The exact address is 2095 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95112. It’s situated just off Highway 101, exit at Tasman Drive heading east.

How do I get to Bay 101 from San Francisco?

Driving from San Francisco takes approximately 1 hour via Highway 101 south. Take Highway 101 south across the Bay Bridge, continue on Highway 101 through Palo Alto and Mountain View, and exit at Tasman Drive in San Jose heading east.

Is there parking at Bay 101?

Yes, Bay 101 offers free parking for guests. Parking validation may be available from gaming tables depending on play, though specific comp policies vary.

Policies and Operations

What are Bay 101’s dress code requirements?

Management reserves the right to refuse service to anyone who does not comply with Bay 101’s dress code. While not overly strict, guests are expected to wear appropriate attire – no tank tops or sleeveless shirts for men, and standard business casual attire is recommended.

Are children allowed at Bay 101?

No, Bay 101 is strictly for adults 21 and over. All guests must present valid government-issued photo ID to enter the premises.

Do I need identification to gamble at Bay 101?

Yes, all guests must present valid government-issued photo ID to enter Bay 101. This is required by California law for all card rooms and gaming establishments.

What should I know about California card room rules?

California card rooms operate under specific laws that differ from Las Vegas casinos. Players compete against other players (rather than the house), the casino collects a fee per hand rather than having an inherent house edge, and many traditional casino games are modified to comply with state regulations. We provide easy-to-read color-coded pamphlets on our card games along with all rules at every entrance.

How big is the new Bay 101 facility?

The contemporary new card-room is located just across the highway from the old cardroom and covers approximately 68,000 square feet. It houses two casino floors with 49 card tables, restaurants, and other amenities.