I had not been back in Agua Caliente's room for about a year. When I returned, an unpleasant surprise was in store.

1. Agua Caliente Hotel Casino
2. Agua Caliente Casino Poker Room
3. Agua Caliente Casino Poker Room Poker Tournament
4. Agua Caliente Casino Entertainment

The room at Agua Caliente used to be glorious - set off in its own fully enclosed space, smoke-free, lots of tables, and free coffee and soda. Recently the casino closed the poker room to prepare it for conversion into a sports betting lounge. The fact that Agua now embraces the upcoming sports betting wave does not bode well for poker.

The Agua Caliente Casino is a gambling facility, run by the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, in Rancho Mirage, California.The facility has over 45,000 square feet (4,200 m 2) of gambling floor.The casino completed a 16-story, 173-foot (53 m) hotel tower which opened on April 18, 2008. Ready to play? Head for the tables! We have the only live poker room in the Coachella Valley and greater Palm Springs area — and we are elevating the experience to the next level! Designed to create the ultimate experience each time you play, we have relocated our Poker Room to the casino floor.

The 'new' poker space is an area next to the casino's back door off Bob Hope Drive, at the back of the non-smoking slots area. The number of tables has been cut in half. While the space remains non-smoking, you are subject to smoke from any smoking passersby.

Agua Caliente Hotel Casino

Agua Caliente Casino Poker Room

Agua Caliente Casino Poker Room Poker Tournament

Due to the smaller space, the number of tournament tables is now capped at four in order to preserve space for the regular NLHE cash games. The room still spreads 3-6 limit (1/2 kill) and 4-8 limit HE (full kill) upon request, as well as limit Omaha and PLO.

Agua Caliente Casino Entertainment

But I'm seriously bummed. No more free coffee or soda, and no couches to lounge on while waiting for a seat. If Agua does plan to re-open its enclosed space, it will not occur before 2019.