Poker in Vegas
DEAL ME IN
*A Guide to Las Vegas Poker Rooms
words by > Larry Olmsted
Poker is enjoying a worldwide renaissance, and research by the “World Poker Tour” (a popular television series) suggests that more than 80 million Americans are playing. While there is little doubt that the WPT, along with ESPN’s “World Series of Poker”—and other shows like “Professional Poker Tour,” “Celebrity Poker Showdown” and “High Stakes Poker”—have helped fuel the game’s sudden popularity, these colorful shows have also done poker players a disservice.
If you were inspired to play by a TV show, you probably only know one poker game variation: No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em. But there is far more to poker than big money No Limit tournaments. In Las Vegas, there are dozens of poker rooms going 24/7 with a wide variety of games, stakes as low as a dollar per bet, $20 minimum buy-ins, and ’round-the-clock tournaments priced for every pocket book. Whether you watch poker on TV and want to give it a try, or you already play and want to test yourself, by all means—head to Vegas. You don’t need a duffel bag full of hundreds to get in a game; you just need to know where to go.
VARIETY
If you play poker at home but never in a casino, chances are you might be more familiar with games like 7-card Stud and Omaha than Hold ‘Em. But the popularity of Hold ‘Em has made other games harder to find, and in many cases, smaller rooms have given them up altogether. If you are looking for a variety of games, visit the largest rooms, which include Stud, Omaha and Limit Hold ‘Em tables. For instance, the Bellagio (www.bellagio.com) offers Stud and Omaha at up to six different levels of stakes and a wide variety of Limit and No Limit Hold ‘Em. Other large rooms can be found at the Mirage (www.mirage.com), Venetian (www.venetian.com), Orleans (www.orleanscasino.com) and Caesar’s Palace (www.caesars.com).
FIRST TIMERS
If a poker room has achieved a level of fame, it tends to attract a more aggressive crowd. This means higher stakes and better players. For that reason, rooms at Wynn Las Vegas (www..wynnlasvegas.com) and the Bellagio (the modern high stakes headquarters) can be intimidating to first timers. A kinder, gentler choice is Mandalay Bay (www.mandalaybay.com), a small room with a friendly, intimate feel—and one of the only poker rooms in the MGM Mirage casino empire that offers “jackpots” (big extra cash payouts for hitting certain hands like four of a kind or a straight flush). Some other small rooms offer “bad beat” jackpots, where, if you lose with a very good hand, you get a bonus. Since a massive renovation two years ago, the Excalibur (www.excalibur.com) has earned a reputation as one of the best venues in town for beginners, with 20 tables and low stakes. Hold ‘Em starts at $1-$3 and Stud at $1-$5. It is also one of the easiest rooms for finding a seat at peak times. Another winner is a new room that remains the best kept secret in town: the poker room at TI (www.treasureisland. com). Hip and modern, this room foregoes the worn, dull feel of many “classic” rooms and instead opts for lounge flair. While you play at tables covered with bright tangerine felt, you can enjoy sports on several big flat screens, kick back with contemporary music and enjoy prompt food and beverage service (something few poker rooms can claim). Finally, there is the grand dame of Vegas poker: the Mirage (www.mirage.com). This is one of the few rooms to offer something for everyone. It has friendly dealers, a large number of tables with a wide range of stakes and very professional management.
LOW STAKES
Some of the lowest stakes can be found at the locals’ casinos, like those that belong to the Station group. Despite the low stakes, however, you’ll probably find yourself playing against an experienced group, and you may be the only one at the table who does not know everyone else. For low stakes with tourists, try the rooms at the Luxor (www.luxor.com), Excalibur, Circus Circus (www.circuscircus.com) and the Orleans.
HIGH STAKES
Everyone’s definition of high stakes varies, but Wynn Las Vegas and the Mirage routinely have $40-$80 games while the Bellagio and Venetian often have $75-$150 Limit and $600-$800 No Limit games. For the biggest game in town, try Bobby’s Room, a private parlor within the Bellagio’s main poker area, which has become high stakes poker’s inner sanctum. Here, the world’s top players—champions like Doyle Brunson, Gus Hanson and Jennifer Harman—have their “office,” where they wait for rich and ambitious challengers. The Palms (www.palms.com), home to Bravo’s “Celebrity Poker Showdown,” has a similar two-room setup. While the main room features very reasonable $2-$4 and $4-$8 Hold ‘Em, the High Stakes Poker Room (outfitted with plasma TVs and cocktail waitresses) starts at $9-$18 and goes way up. One special feature of the Palms is that it attracts many sports and Hollywood celebrities.
TOURNAMENTS
Vegas is a city that never sleeps, and the same can be said for its poker tournaments. There are more than 50 casino poker rooms, and almost every one holds regularly scheduled tournaments, often several times a day. There is almost always a tournament starting somewhere. Entry fees can be as low as $22 at the Tuscany (www.tuscanylasvegas. com), daily at 10am and 7pm, and as high as $1060 (Bellagio, Friday and Saturday at 2pm). While the TV tournaments can last for days, these are usually over in just a couple of hours—a great way to try your hand at real tournament poker, and maybe even compete in several tournaments in one day. The Aladdin has a 2am tournament every morning ($60), the Bellagio has a daily 9am game ($130-$240), and Caesar’s starts daily at noon ($80), 7pm ($120) and 11pm ($80). Both the Golden Nugget (www.goldennugget. com) and Harrah’s (www.harrahs.com) have four tournaments every day, and the Plaza (www.plazahotelcasino.com) has a nightly midnight tournament. More than half a dozen Vegas casinos have tournaments starting at 7pm, and Paris (www.parislasvegas.com) takes the cake with nine No Limit Hold ‘Em tournaments daily, starting every two hours from 3:30 am to 7:30pm.
It’s easy to find a poker tournament that suits your game and budget in Las Vegas.
IF YOU GO
Many casinos have special discounted room rates for guests interested in playing poker. You can ask at the main reservations number, or you may have to call the poker room directly.
>AirTran Airways provides daily flights to Las Vegas. You can also get great deals on car rentals with airTran Airways partner, Hertz. Visit www.airtran.com for more information.