Phil,

I just returned from Phoenix on Sunday. While my wife was attending a conference, I spent my free time collecting chips and playing poker at the casinos. I rented a car just so I would have the ability to come and go as I pleased. The casinos are fairly spread out. I highly recommend renting a car. Not sure how many casinos there are in the Phoenix area, but I found seven of them. There are the three Gila River casinos, the two Casino Arizonas, Fort McDowell, and Harrahs Ak-Chin. Casino Arizona (Talking Stick) on Indian Bend I think will be the closest one to you. Huge poker room. I was there on a Saturday night and I think they had 44 tables going. I also enjoyed playing poker at the Gila River - Wild Horse Casino. Very friendly dealers. All in all, a very fun trip. If you want a scan of a map delineating where the casinos are send me an email.

Brian Schmoyer