Golden Nugget deals poker players a Christmas gift

Poker players can celebrate the holiday with the gift of a new card room at Golden Nugget Atlantic City.

Saturday, the still-under-renovation Nugget--which used to be Trump Marina--will open its 20-table poker room. In keeping with the AyCee norm, the facility will be 100 percent smoke-free.

The new card parlor will "spread" Texas Hold'em, Omaha and 7-card Stud games, as well as offer a daily menu of what are being described as "low buy-in" tournaments.

The poker room represents the first time the game will be dealt at the bayside property since what was then Trump's Castle offered it in the 1990s. It is another phase of the $100 million-plus rehab project that is expected to transform the long-decaying casino-hotel into a top-tier gaming and entertainment complex. The makeover is due to be completed by February.