[malo]

FatMan...don't know what limits you play, but if you are happy with 3/6 or 4/8, you are 90 minutes (or a little less depending on traffic and how lead-footed you are) from B&M's.

Head west on I-44, and visit the town of Miami, OK 20 miles west of the MO-OK stateline.

Buffalo Run and Quapaw both have poker rooms. The Stables may. Last I heard, rake at BR was $3 and Quapaw $4. I think rakes are somewhat higher in Tulsa.....capped at $5 on $30 pot even at low limits. Also a poker room in Grove.....just a few miles further off I-44 to the south.

I haven't played them yet.....still working out kinks in my game at 1/2 online. But the Miami casinos make poker very accesible from Springfield without an overnite stay.

Tunica is driveable....but a haul. You will hit a lot of two lane road, much of it in Arkansas. 6 1/2 to 7 hours usually. This is a rural area, and you will run into old pick up trucks (slow) stock trailers, etc. on the more rural two lane roads. As far as flying to Memphis and renting a car.....very pricey. Unfortunately, Springfield-Branson Airport is considered a regional hub. That means high fares, and the first (or last) leg of the flight on a glorified puddle-jumper with wings.

For really out of town gambling Allegiant Air came to Springfield last April offering non-stop flights to Vegas....cheap. Less than $200. They have package deals including hotel that are very good.