I'm off to Vegas this weekend to play poker in all of my favorite Las Vegas Poker Rooms. But I am always open to new opinions and ideas! So vote on what you think is the best place to play, and if your vote goes to 'other,' please leave me a comment so I know which rooms to make sure and add to my list of places to play!
Poll: Where's the best place to play poker in Vegas?
Poll: Where's the best place to play poker in Vegas?
Comments
Well it looks like your off to the Bellagio as its everyones fav. Do report back and let us know how your trip went and good luck at the tables.
Hey Toby,
I read your article about the top ten places to play poker at in Vegas. I’ve never been but friends have told me you have to pay money just to enter the rooms, and than they take a rake on top of that? This can’t be right, can you explain the process to me?
Thanks
Probably too late to help, Phil, but I’ll answer anyways. No, there’s no entrance fee to play in any of the Vegas poker rooms (at least the ones I’ve played in). The rake in most rooms is $3 or $4 taken when the pot hits $10, $20, $30 and (if applicable) $40 in $1 increments. (If you’re playing higher limits, like 20-40 or higher, it’s a different story)
A note about the Palms limit games…the $4-$8 plays with $1 and $2 blinds and it’s probably the 2nd fastest, loosest limit game I’ve ever played in. Preflop betting reaches the cap pretty frequently ($18 instead of $20 because of the 1/2 blinds). Usually after 5 or 6 people have limped in for $2. While the game wasn’t particularly tough, you need to be ready to go in 2 or 3 racks if you want to play in this one, because you WILL be showing down on the river.
If you’re looking for the loosest 4-8 game ever, if you get lucky you might find the same crew I got seated with at the Orleans on a Sunday morning. 4 locals lined up on one side of the table were straddling, then putting in dark raises preflop to the cap whenever they could. Degenerates! It would’ve been fun if I’d had the time to invest a few racks, but I couldn’t stay.
TI Has a great little room, and the dealers are some of the best in town, action picks up after 10pm
I travel to Las Vegas every month to play poker and have played in all of the rooms on the strip (except for the Hard Rock). I would rate the poker rooms by the level of play you are at. In other words, if you are a beginner who knows the game but needs some experience, the MGM is the best place to play. Not a lot of really good players here so you have an opportunity to play and win!
If you are an intermediate player (like myself) the Venetian poker room is the best on the trip. lots of action, lots of tables, wide open room, good service and lots of opportunity to make money. The 2/5 and 5/10 NL games are action packed and always full.
For expert players I would say the Bellagio is the spot. I’ve played there a few times and got busted because I’m just not good enough yet. However, I got to play with a few of the susperstars there so it was interesting .. until I lost my money.
All in all the venetian is the best, all-around room in vegas.
Mike McD
I’m a local here in Vegas and I thought I would throw in my perspective. I play at Red Rock most of the time out here. It’s a nice new room with about 30 tables and is usually always busy. It’s away from the strip and had a lot of local players, but if you’re looking for action the 2-5 no limit will give you all you can handle. The Red Rock’s room has become known for having some of the best players in town in their 1-2 no limit games as well, it’s a good place to hine your skills. A quick description of some of my other experiences:
1. MGM – fish a plenty, expect a bad beat or two to be put on you by someone calling a $50 gut shot straight draw on you.
2. Caesar’s – Pretty standard mix of players and action, I like their 1-3 no limit game.
3. Venetian – Very similar to Caesar’s.
4. Sahara – Their 7pm tourny is a great one to practice your skills. There is usually a good turn out, 100 or so, small buy in $65, and good mix of really bad to semi good players, never any good cash games here though.
5. I avoid the Bellagio and the Wynn simply because I don’t have the desire to play in their style of no limit games. The Bellagio’s 2-5 has a $500 cap on it, but you frequently see people with $3000 sitting at your table. The Wynn has no cap on any no limit game buy in, some people will sit down at 1-3 no limit with over $3000!
Thanks, Spence.
You’re the second person who’s said the MGM is a place to win money from fish. Maybe that means it’s consistently the truth. But do you or anyone else know of more places like that, but that have $1-$2 games? I called MGM and they don’t have small games like that. Or how about just $1-$2 in general? To my knowledge, they have $1-$2 games at Mandalay Bay, Excalibur, Tropicana, Harrah’s, Flamingo, Imperial Palace, Sahara, Rivera, and Hooters. Anywhere else? And where are the fish/ATM’s?! Are there such thing as $0.50-$1 games? I’m taking a trip out there this weekend.
CORRECTION: Spence and McD make it THREE people who’ve said the MGM have fish you can win money from!
Thanks to everyone in advance who respond to my question.
CORRECTION: Spence and McD make it THREE people who’ve said the MGM has fish to win money from!
Thanks to all in advance who answer my questions. Where are the $1-$2 games in Vegas, especially the ones with FISH/ATMS?! I’m an intermediate player.
You can not beat Binions for the atmosphere. Not much regular but very nice daily tournaments. Final table is elevated and spotlightted. I made a final table last month and thought that this is where Doyle Brunson was sitting in an earlier time.
I’m a HUGE fan of the Luxor for Poker. They have $1-$2 no limit games there and it’s always quite easy to get in. As with most places you’ll find good players and the ATM’s here as well, just keep an eye out for those ATM’s going in with nothing and coming out with everything. Good luck!
I agree with McD. I had the same experience at the MGM on multiple occasions. Plenty of “calling stations”/inexperienced players. Good place to make money, but if you want to test your skills play at the Venitian or at Ceasers. I prefer the Venitian.
hey
just was in veags 8 days ago.
entered a few tournys..mgm,monte carlo(very raggy players) ballys.. and planet hollywood..
mgm is ok ,but you start with a short stack,monte carlo isnt busier enough (alot of beginners) and i prefer the planet hollywood.
reason..its now moved into a nicer place,your not enclosed into a a room,so if you do smoke ,you only have to walk 3 yards away from the table…
nice dealers and half decent players..
for 1/2 dollar no limit games.. i was wondering where the best place to get a good pay out if you hit quads,str8 flushes etc..
my friend hit quad kings and got a 370 bonus at planet hollywood,and a guy at the table at the mandalay got 500 for str8 flush to the king..
does anyone know if there are any rooms that go higher than 500 dollars for bonus??
The best place right now is the Venetian. Avoid the Palms, their rake 10 percent $5 dollar max.
Yes, watch the rake! Stay away from Harrah’s properties or others that charge the high rakes-$4 should the absolute maximum. But some greedy properties charge a max. of $5.
An Oziin Vegas.Nowhere in Vegas are the games as good as The Golden Nugget.The $1/$2 no limit has unlimited buy in PLUS bonus for four of a kind and Straight flush.Staff fantastic and super helpful.If a reasonable player, you can win as 80% tourists.Love the place.Ray from Australia
Dont go anywhere but the Golden Nugget.Better than any Ozi poker casinos.Won 19 out of 22 days I played there in October 2010, and I am only a reasonably good online player.Comps. great plus bonuses.Staff super friendly.Ray from Australia
Observed this information really beneficial.thanks for sharing
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