More Ways to Win at Red Hawk Casino. Located in Placerville, CA in the foothills of the majestic Sierra Nevada mountains, Red Hawk Casino has become one of the premier entertainment destinations in Northern California. An experience unlike any other, Red Hawk Casino offers a new class of excitement and gaming action in California.
The Red Hawk Casino delivers significant economic benefits to the local community of El Dorado County. Red Hawk boasts magnificent views and a natural setting that inspires true gamblers. Located on a beautiful hilltop less than 20 minutes east of Sacramento on Highway 50, Red Hawk.
A map showing casinos and other gaming facilities located near Red Hawk Casino, located in Placerville at 1 Red Hawk Parkway, in California, United States.

Toll-Free Number: (888) 573-3495 Gambling Age: 21 Restaurants: 6 Liquor: Yes Buffets: L- $13.99/$16.99 (Saturday)/$21.99(Sunday) D- $16.99/$33.99 (Friday-Sunday).

PLACERVILLE (CBS13) — About two months after shutting its doors due to the coronavirus, Red Hawk Casino announced Tuesday it will be reopening June 1 with additional safety precautions.

The Placerville casino is set to open at 10 a.m. on June 1. In a press release Tuesday, the casino said “The Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians tribal leadership and casino management team have been in close contact with appropriate agencies regarding the latest guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and will be including a stringent list of precautions in order to reopen for casino guests to enjoy their favorite games.”

El Dorado County was granted permission by the state to move through stage 2 of reopening more quickly last week. Casinos are not included in stage 2. Health officials have acknowledged tribes are sovereign authorities and not subject to state and local restrictions on operating amid the coronavirus outbreak.

READ ALSO: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino In Wheatland Sets May 21 Reopening Date

Despite the easing of restrictions, Gov. Gavin Newsom had reportedly urged tribes to reconsider opening casinos this early. Casinos were named as one of the businesses as part of the third phase of reopening, which the state has not moved into at this point.

Some of the new safety precautions include asking guests to maintain six feet of social distancing, requiring temperature checks for guests and staff at all entrances, and requiring face coverings for guests and employees.

The casino is also reducing the number of open slot machines and seats at table games.

Additionally, Red Hawk said they are implementing casino-wide chip cleaning and retraining staff on proper handwashing and sanitizing.

It's fancy. It's schmancy. And Red Hawk Casino in Placerville (El Dorado County) is the newest gambling establishment in Northern California. Considering the facility is the first in the state to offer on-site day care for kids up to age 12, one could argue it's a great place for the whole family.

The history

Red Hawk opened in December, so it doesn't have much history to speak of yet. The casino is owned by the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians and operated by Minnesota-based Lakes Entertainment. Though Lakes doubled its revenue after the casino opened, the facility has not been immune to economic slowdowns - it cut 250 jobs earlier this year.

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The games

Red Hawk has a plethora of gaming options. Table games are the main attraction - more than 75 in all. Highlights include a variety of blackjack options (single-deck, double-deck, multi-deck and Blackjack Switch), three-card poker and pai gow poker with a side bet that pays more when the dealer has a particularly lousy hand. There also are a few tables of card-based roulette, Let It Ride and baccarat. The facility has about 2,000 slot machines, including a host of progressives and video poker. One thing that's noticeably absent: a poker room.

The layout

Architects built the casino unobtrusively into the back of a hillside west of Highway 50, and the structure is more or less shaped like an upside-down U. The casino is on the top floor of this structure, with slots and table games in the center and restaurants around the edge. One floor below sits Kids Quest, an on-site day care complex complete with an indoor playground, (non-violent) video arcade and special cafe. The remaining floors of the building house a covered parking garage; parking is free.

The feel

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Dark wood paneling and red felt on the gaming tables combines to create a feeling of sophistication. Dozens of small flat-screen televisions situated around the gaming area are a nice touch. Toss in a cadre of efficient cocktail servers, and if you didn't know better, you'd think the place was smack dab in the middle of the Las Vegas Strip. A bonus: Many of the restaurants have breathtaking views of the Sierra foothills.

Casino Gambling Age 18

The eats

With six - count them, six - restaurants on site, there's something for everyone. Henry's Steakhouse is a classic steakhouse, while Koto Grille offers more eclectic American fare. Wai Sushi and Seafood, the Waterfall Buffet and Two Rivers Cafe are other options. During my visit, I dined at Pearl Asian Cuisine, a pan-Asian restaurant that rivals any restaurant in San Francisco's Chinatown. Try the salt-and-pepper squid.

The nuts

Don't let the marketing campaign fool you: Though Red Hawk bills itself as 'the easiest casino to get to from the Bay Area,' that schlep to Placerville can be interminable if you time it wrong. Still, the chic vibe and diversity of games make the place worth the trip.

Red Hawk Casino, Highway 50, Exit 40, Placerville. (888) 573-3495. www.redhawkcasino.com.

Once a month this column will address specific strategy and table etiquette questions from readers. Submits questions to 96hours@sfchronicle.com.

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