You can't discuss the history of poker without referencing Las Vegas.
The city grew up around a railroad work camp and was called “Sod Town” by the workers because of the grass shacks that housed the first settlers.
It wasn’t given its final name until 1905, but by then card games were already popular throughout the region. Old Timers say that during the construction of the railroad gamblers followed the workers and set up camp near present-day Las Vegas.
Since then, Las Vegas became (and stayed) the ultimate gambling destination. It has some of the best casinos in the world, with even more offering subpar gaming experiences in a sea of tacky neon. But diamonds are still in the rough for the picking if you know where to look. And the best Vegas casinos offer far more than just slot machines and roulette tables. Many of them have outstanding poker rooms with cash games running at all levels and some of the best tournaments on the planet.
So we did the heavy lifting for you and sorted through the mess to find the best live poker rooms Las Vegas has to offer. The top venues below feature soft fields, reliable games, excellent promotions and generous comps -- along with plenty of side activities so that non-poker playing friends or family members aren't bored out of their minds.
Aria Poker Room
Aria Poker Room
376 Tables
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$25+
The Aria Resort & Casino opened its doors in December 2009. Like most things in ARIA, the poker room oozes class, style and modernity. This 250 seat poker room is designed with the player experience in mind from the comfortable seating to the overhead catwalk equiped with HD Flat Screens so that you never miss out on sporting action. With Tournaments starting as low as $40 this pokers room attracts players of all level looking for an upscale atmosphere, with no smokers allowed in the room players can enjoy the fresh air that filters in from the stunning glass walls facing the City Center Boulevard. Cash Games start as low as $1/$2 blinds and move all the way up to $100/$200 with a $200 Ante.
Promotions
ARIA poker room offers $100 credit towards food at any ARIA restaurant for every 8 hours of live play.
Bellagio Poker Room
Bellagio Poker Room
36 Tables
2 Tables
$50+
With a view of the iconic fountains, the Bellagio poker room features a classic design and some of the highest hold em games in town. In fact, it's not uncommon to see Phil Ivey, Jennifer Tilly or Antonio Esfandiari at one of the 36 tables. Whether you come to play No-Limit Holdem, Pot-Limit Omaha or Seven Card Stud you'll be seated next to some of the best amateur players anywhere. That's why the Bellagio is home to several legendary high stakes poker cash games. Blinds start at $1/$2 for Hold'em and $0.30/$0.60 for Omaha. When they get up to $5/$10 Hold'em and $2/$5 Omaha it becomes official: This is a high-limit poker room.
Bellagio hosts several notable tournament series each year including the WSOP Millionaire Maker, the WPT Five Diamond and the Super High Roller Bowl. Bellagio also hosts monthly deepstack excursions into Hold'em, Omaha and Mixed-Max formats. $20-$£100 is the typical range for these events.
Players earn $1/hour comps for live play.
Caesars Palace Poker Room
Caesars Palace Poker Room
35 Tables
3 Tables
$50+
Caesars Palace poker room has been around since the 1980s when it was the flagship room for what was then the world's largest poker network - "Total Rewards." These days it's lost some of its luster but still remains a central meeting point for poker pros and amateurs alike. Every professional poker player worth his salt has spent time in this room over the years - and likely has a few interesting stories about it too. Located close to the Bally's side of the property (connected by sky walk), this non-smoking poker room has 35 table games and three tables set aside for private, reserved cash games. There's also a third table that's frequently used for poker lessons.
If you're new to the game, or just need to brush up on your skills, sign up for a lesson with one of their pro dealers. Classes run Mon-Thurs at 10am and 1pm; Fri-Sun at 10am and 1pm/8pm. Private lessons are available upon request.
Cash games generally start at $1/$2 blinds for Hold em and $0.30/$0.60 for Omaha. They can go much higher, though, so don't be surprised if someone drops $100 chips into the pot. Tournament buyins start at $25+$5 and reach as high as $300+$30 during special events and series like the World Series of Poker.
Caesars Palace poker room gets tons of recreational players thanks to its prime location and proximity to other Total Rewards properties (Harrah's, Flamingo etc). If you're grinding here make sure to link your Total Rewards card to your Caesars Rewards account so you can earn free rooms, food, drinks and show tickets.
The Venetian/Palazzo Poker Room
The Venetian/Palazzo Poker Room
80 Tables
8 Tables
$50+
Sheikans, celebrities and common folk all flock to The Venetian/Palazzo poker room. Why? Because it has the most tables (including eight private tables that can be rented out for large groups or big spenders) under one canal ceiling in Las Vegas. That, and because it's part of the "Infinity Rewards" shared loyalty program (with over 50 million enrolled members) that gives grinders access to comps and promotions at dozens of properties around the globe.
Venetian/Palazzo host a handful of WSOP events every summer and the famed Five Star World Poker Classic each November. They also run daily tournaments with buy-ins ranging from $25 to $350.
One thing we really like about this room is the variety of games offered. Yes, there are tons of No-Limit Hold em games but you can also find open Six Plus Hold em games (second only to Aria), Seven Card Stud, Omaha Hi Lo and even Azure Poker's signature game "Criss Cross" PLO/Stud Hi Lo. Cash games start at $1/$2 blinds for Hold'em and $0.30/$0.60 for Omaha
Venetian/Palazzo rewards players with 2 Comp Points for every $1 spent on rake (compared to neighboring properties like Bellagio/MGM which only give 1 point per dollar). That makes it easier to earn free play, rooms and luxury dining/show credits.
MGM Grand Poker Room
MGM Grand Poker Room
32 Tables
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$50+
Located close to the New York New York and Luxor side of the strip the MGM Grand poker room is the largest in Clark County with 34 tables spread out across 27,500 sq ft. That creates ample space for players and allows the venue to host frequent poker tournaments in Las Vegas such as the famous Annual Championship event that boasts a substantial $1m guarantee.
When the tournaments leave town the room features a standard lineup of No Limit Texas Hold 'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pot Limit Omaha ring games. Limits start at $1-$2 for Hold 'em and $0.30-$0.60 for Omaha. During peak hours you might find a $200/$400 Hold 'em or $5/$10 Omaha game going.
Like all MGM owned poker rooms, MGM Grand awards Comp points based on how much rake is paid. Players receive two comp points for every dollar raked. Those comp points can be redeemed for hotel stays, food and show vouchers.
Mandalay Bay Poker Room
Mandalay Bay Poker Room
32 Tables
1 Tables
$50+
Mandalay Bay poker room is connected to Delano and the convention center so it tends to draw a lot businessmen, retirees and politicians. That makes it a nice change of pace from seedier rooms on the strip. Blinds start at $1/$2 for Hold'em and $0.30/$0.60 for Omaha. They will go as high as $100/$200 with a $200 ante.
This room spreads more Pot Limit Omaha than any other game in Las Vegas and occasionally you'll find a fun mixed game or Dealer's Choice game in operation. Mandalay Bay is also the only place in Sin City where you can play Heads Up Poker Mugs 'N Munchies Poker.
You can earn Comp Dollars based on how many Club Paradise Points you earn while playing. For every $1 in rake assessed, you receive one Point. Here's the breakdown for Comps:
- 0 to 5 Points = No Complimentaries
- 6 to 19 Points = $2 Menu Complimentary
- 20 to 49 Points = $5 Menu Complimentary
- 50 to 124 Points = $10 Menu Complimentary
- 125 to 249 Points = 15% Discounted Resort Fee
- 250 or More Points = 15% Discounted Room Rate
Tournaments run daily and cost between $60 and $350 to enter depending on the size of the prize pool and duration of play.
Orleans Poker Room
The Orleans Poker Room
60 Tables
2 Tables
$30+
Bill Allen, president of Boyd Gaming, once said, “At Boyd Gaming, we know how to take care of our customers.” It’s hard to argue the point after doing a deep dive into the offerings of The Orleans, specifically their legendary poker room. First and foremost, the room features 65 tables staffed by some of the friendliest and most competent dealers on The Strip.
Blinds start as low as 25c/$50c and go up to $30/$60 with a $120 ante. Non-smokers will appreciate the fact that the entire casino went non-smoking in June of 2018. Players who get the munchies will love the selection of restaurants dishing out everything from seafood to BBQ to Chinese cuisine. Additionally, there’s a deli, pizza joint, food court and 24hr kitchen. After dinner you can catch a show or grab some drinks at one of six bars or lounges.
Speaking of drinks, registered players in the B Connected program receive drinking service while at the tables. Player comps are second to none as well with 1 point awarded for every dollar in rake and an industry leading 0.8 points awarded for every hour played. That’s almost double some of the competing rooms on The Strip and makes it easy to earn free room stays, meals, shows and merchandise.
UK Casino Sites That Accept PayPal in November 2023The Orleans hosts a series of popular monthly tourneys that attract hundreds of players each time out. Buy-ins range from $120 to $200 and satellites run every day for a fraction of the cost. They also host an annual Mississippi Gulf Resorts poker cruise and the Louisiana State Championship.
Golden Nugget Poker Room
Golden Nugget Poker Room
18 Tables
1 Tables
$60+
Don't let its small size fool you - the Golden Nugget poker room punches above its weight class. Sure, it only has 18 tables but it's packed with all the amenities of rooms that are 10x larger and located right in the middle of the revitalized Fremont East district. That means there are plenty of quality restaurants, bars and clubs within walking distance and valet parking is free.
As for the poker room itself No Limit Hold em and Pot Limit Omaha are the mainstays with occasional popups of 7 Card Stud and mix games. Blinds start at 25c/$50c and go up to $3/$6 with a $3 ante.
What makes Golden Nugget extra special is the VIP room, luxurious décor, massive TVs tuned into sporting events and direct access to the hotel from the poker room.
And, of course, there's the aquarium. Not many people know this but the Golden Nugget has a 200k gallon saltwater tank filled with thousands of tropical fish and colorful creatures. Sharks included. It's literally one of the seven wonders of the Fremont East area and makes this cash game pit heaven for players who like to multi tabling online poker while watching school of fish swim overhead.
Golden Nugget uses the BSIP (Boyd Gaming Internal Identification Card) system so players with cards from other Boyd properties (Eldorado, The Orleans etc) can rack up comps while grinding here. Comps include free play, rooms, food and merchandise.
Binion's Poker Room
Binion's Poker Room
50 Tables
0 Tables
$40+
After a decade long hiatus Binion's Gambling Hall is finally back in the hands of the Binion family and their goal is to bring back the "Vegas they used to know." That means non-smoking tables, cheaper drink prices, good food at fair prices and, eventually, a poker room to rival the biggest in Las Vegas.
For now the WSOP museum is open and hosting No Limit Hold em cash games on select nights with legendary WSOP photos and memorabilia serving as a backdrop. Seats are limited so call ahead to reserve a spot underneath the giant Big Chief and Lady Luck portraits.
As the Binion's team rebuilds and expands the casino expect more games to be added and some nostalgic events like the Legends of Poker. Until then you can head to nearby downtown casinos for 24/7 poker action.
Top Lessons Learned Playing Live Poker in Las Vegas
Las Vegas is the mecca of poker so it's only natural to want to hit up every room, play with the big boys and show everyone what you've got. That's a great attitude to have but we recommend setting realistic goals before entering the desert. Specifically we suggest making a list of things you hope to accomplish while getting your card game on in Sin City so that nothing falls through the cracks. To help you get started we made a list of benefits you can gain from playing live poker in Las Vegas and a few things you should try to avoid.
- Playing in Las Vegas could improve your online game - especially if you play at modest stakes. Most live games have worse players than UIGEA-blocked American IP addresses.
- You can take lessons. Many Las Vegas poker rooms offer $1 poker lessons where an experienced dealer walks you through the basics while you play with other beginners.
- Observe the pros. Sit behind or to the left of the pros. Watch how they act, what hands they play, and how they tip the dealers.
- Make mistakes freely. Nobody knows you in Las Vegas so go ahead and make dumb calls, talk at the table and tilt openly. Consider it practice for when you develop some real skill.
- Get tilted. Everyone tilts when they lose a pot or a tournament but the important thing is how you recover. Use your complimentary drinks to calm down.
- Learn to read people. About half the battle in poker is knowing who the tight players are and which pots to get involved with. Study everyone at your table and across the aisle.
- Have respect. Respect the dealers who work long hours dealing cards to drunks and morons. Tip them and follow their rules. Respect the other players despite their bad plays, bad language, bad hygiene, bad clothes, bad hair, and bad attitudes. Respect the floor managers and pit bosses who keep an eye on collusion, cheating, and foul language. Be polite when reporting a problem. Respect the cocktail waitresses and give them tips so you'll get your drinks faster. Respect the security guards who remove troublesome players. Respect fellow soldiers who put their lives on the line so you can play poker all night if you want. Show gratitude if you win a tournament.
- Avoid ATMs and bad checks. Never take money from an unsavory character. Never borrow money to gamble with. Never take a personal check. Never use an ATM machine--bring your money with you or get it from the cage.
- Bad beats happen. You will lose pots with strong hands. Try not to take it personally.
- Stealing blinds is illegal in Nevada. Don't do it or they'll kick you out.
- Keep your eyes on your own cards. Some players read too much into who's gazing at them.
- Don't tell anyone you're a lawyer from Chicago with $500k in pockets 8 and 9. Most pros can smell amateurs with agendas from a mile away.
- Don't play for more than you can afford to lose. Set a limit and stick to it.
- Don't fall in love with your hole cards. This is perhaps the most important tip of all. People play marginal hands they found while drunk and fold later when better hands are dealt.
- Don't forget to register for a player's club card and give yourself credit for all the play you get. You can get free stuff this way.
- Don't play if you're sick or tired. Save your energy for when you're alert and in a good frame of mind.
- Do tip the dealer and other employees who serve you. Tip the cocktail waitress who brings you drinks. Tips encourage good service and help reduce the "rake".
- Don't pass notes to other players. Casinos consider this colluding.
Best Cash Games in Las Vegas
Everyone wants to play the best cash games in Las Vegas but not everyone has enough money to join the big boys in the whales section. That's understandable considering $100/$200 blinds have an awkward $200 ante that will eat into your bankroll quickly. Instead of going busto we suggest finding mid or lower stakes games with softer competition. That doesn't mean you should sit down with a $30 NLHE table full of slotty tourists. It does mean, however, that you should look for No-Limit Hold Em games that attract tight-aggressive players.
If that sounds like gibberish to you we suggest taking a beginner's course in poker strategy and , reading strategy articles on our site or taking . Once you have some basic concepts down pat (like continuously , avoiding vanity moves and always being ) you'll be ready to hunt for the following Las Vegas cash games.
Aria
Aria is widely regarded as having the toughest cash games in Las Vegas outside of the whale section. That's partially true. It does have some tough games but it also has more mid stakes NLHE games than any other room on the strip. Best of all most of those games are fairly tight so a skilled player can make a profit if they avoid vanity re-raps and stay patient.
Here's a rundown of average blinds and antes for Aria cash games:
- $1/$2 NLHE - $50 ante
- $2/$5 NLHE - $100 ante
- $5/$10 NLHE - $200 ante
- 10/$20 NLHE - $400 ante
- 20/$40 NLHE - $600 ante
- 30/$60 NLHE - $1200 ante
There are also occasional games of Pot Limit Omaha at various limits with similar antes.
Bellagio
If you have the bankroll to handle it Bellagio has some of the best and most prestigious cash games in the world. The "whale section" here is legendary and you'll often see billionaires battle it out for piles of green chips. Blinds start at $1-$2 with a $5 ante and go up to $100/$200 with a mammoth $200 ante. Things can get a bit loose in these games so it takes a seasoned player to make a solid buck.
The Venetian / Palazzo
Venetian and Palazzo share the same poker room and combined have 100+ tables plus 8 private tables for groups/VIPs. That creates a ton of volume and traffic so you'll always find a decent amount of mid stakes games with relatively tight play.
Here's a quick guide to Venetian/Palazzo cash game blinds and antes.
- $1/$2 NLHE - $50 ante
- $2/$5 NLHE - $100 ante
- $5/$10 NLHE - $200 ante
- $10/$20 NLHE - $400 ante
- $20/$40 NLHE - $600 ante
Venetian/Palazzo also spreads PLO/Stud HI LO mixed games and Arizona Hold em (which we've never actually seen played).
MGM Grand
MGM Grand has a huge catchment area due to all the adjacent hotels and resorts so you'll find a good mix of local pros, out of town grinders and rowdy tourists. Blinds start at $1/$2 with a $50cent ante and go up to $100/$200 with a $200 ante. On the positive side MGM Grand awards comp dollars based on how much rake you pay. Player comps are distributed quarterly and used to reduce your room rate, cover food expenses or contribute towards show tickets.
Best Tournament Poker Rooms in Las Vegas
If you really want to test your poker mettle there's no better place than Las Vegas to enter a tournament or series of tournaments. From the to the Seniors nationals there's something for everyone and millions of dollars in guaranteed prize pools.
Sure, it costs money to buy into these events but think of it as an investment in your poker education. Even if you bubble you'll learn valuable lessons that will help you place better next time around. With that being said it's always wise to enter a few low buy-in events before jumping into a $10k Main Event. Here are some of the best Las Vegas poker rooms for tournament players.
online poker real money floridaWSOP
Every summer the World Series of Poker takes over Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino for nearly a month of non stop card playing goodness. Hundreds of tournaments are offered during the WSOP including the coveted $10k Main Event that draws tens of thousands of entrants from around the world. Other highlights include the $500 Casino Employees Event, the $1k Beginner and the $10k Heads Up Championship.
WSOP events vary in buy-in from $500 to $300,000 and various events offer Million Dollar Guaranteed prize pools. Satellite tournaments also run year round on WSOP.com for as little as $1.
Bellagio
Bellagio hosts the expensive stops on the World Poker Tour circuit including the $12,000 WPT Championship and the $10,000 WPT Prime Tournament of Champions. The WPT Bellagio Five Diamond runs every summer for a buy-in of $10,400. Overall Bellagio offers more than $10 million in annual tournaments prizes.
Aria
Aria is another proud supporter of the World Poker Tour with annual stops for the $10,000 WPT Championship and $10,000 WPT Prime Tournament of Champions. They also host the $500,000 guaranteed Aria Super High Roller Series, the $500 Deep Stack Championship and various $300 to $3,500 events on a weekly basis.
MGM Grand
MGM Grand is probably best known for the Championship Events on the World Series of Poker Circuit Raise Their Circle of Champions. These invite-only tournaments welcome WSOPC Ring winners back to Las Vegas to compete for hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional prizes. The Main Event rings for buy-ins of $1,675 (January) and $1,700 (June).
MGM Grand also hosts $1 million guaranteedDeepStacks every year as well as various $300 to $3,500 events on a regular basis.
The Venetian / Palazzo
The Venetian and Palazzo combine forces for the DeepStack Extravaganza every December with buy-ins ranging from $365 to $10,300. The schedule includes a $1 Million Buy-in for $365, a $2,650 WPT Prime Championship and a $10,300 WPT High Roller. In total The Venetian/Palazzo host more than 350 rating tournaments a year with guaranteed prize pools topping $4 million.
Golden Nugget
The Golden Nugget closed its poker room for a decade but reopened in 2013 with a bang. Complete with Big Chief and Lady Luck paintings, the Golden Nugget poker room now hosts periodic No Limit Hold em tournaments on Sundays at 7 pm for $60 buy-ins and one $100 shootout. Seats are limited so call ahead to reserve a spot. We expect more tournaments to arrive as the Binion family takes full control of the property in the future.
Best Cash Game and Tournament Combination
Hitting the Vegas tarmac and feeling lucky? Go straight for the big boy games at Aria, Bellagio or The Venetian. Feeling conservative? Head to the Orleans or Gold Coast for mid stakes Hold em and some of the tightest players on The Strip. Better yet, plan your trip around one of Las Vegas' many poker extravaganzas and watch your roll grow exponentially. Either way you'll have a blast exploring America's Mecca of Poker so pack some sunscreen, keep your wits about you and may the odds be ever in your favor.
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Where is the best place to play live poker in las vegas?
Aria, Bellagio, The Venetian, MGM Grand, Golden Negin, Binion's - these are some of the best places to play live poker in las vegas.
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Can you smoke in Las Vegas poker rooms?
It depends on the poker room. Smoking is not allowed in the Poker Room at Aria but allowed everywhere else in the resort.
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What is the legal poker playing age in Las Vegas?
You must be at least 21 years old to play poker in Las Vegas.
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Are cell phones and smoking allowed at the tables in Las Vegas?
The use of cell phones is not permitted at the tables but smoking policies varies from room to room.
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How many tables are at the Bellagio poker room?
There are 40 tables at the Bellagio poker room.
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Which Las Vegas casino has the tightest players?
The Aria poker room would be the best choice to find mid or lower stakes games with fairly tight play.
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Does MGM Valet Park for Local Players?
MGM valets local players after 3 pm with validation at the poker room.
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Is there a Las Vegas poker room that operates 24 hours?
Yes, there are several Las Vegas poker rooms operating 24 hours, such as the Poker Room at Bellagio.
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Does the Venetian poker room allow smoking?
Smoking is allowed in the Venetian poker room.