You’ve got the airfare booked and have reservations at your favourite casino resort. After some nice wins online, you’ve decided to play some poker in Las Vegas and are ready to go. Whether a low roller or a high roller, Sin City has numerous tournaments all over town for every level of player.
With that in mind, 888poker has your complete guide to tournaments all across the city as well as some entertainment options and great food selections. Grab your bankroll and lucky card protector, and, hopefully, you’ll be bringing home a nice score – if you play your cards right.
Best poker tournaments to play in Las Vegas are:
- Aria Resort and Casino
- Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
- Bellagio as Vegas Bellagio
- Binion’s Gambling Hall
- Caesar’s Palace Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
- Excalibur Hotel Las Vegas Excalibur
- Golden Nugget
- Harrah’s Las Vegas
- Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
- The Mirage Las Vegas
- The Orleans Hotel & Casino
- Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort & Casino
- Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa
- South Point Hotel Casino and Spa
- Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower
- The Venetian Resort Las Vegas Venetian
- WYNN Las Vegas & ENCORE Resort
ARIA Resort and Casino
This Strip casino is another highly popular poker destination with a great 24-table room in a calm, relaxing atmosphere. The casino is one of the hottest poker locations in Las Vegas and easily accessible. The Aria stays busy and offers numerous options for players in both cash games and tournaments.
The location serves as a host for many significant events including the World Poker Tour and regular high roller events streamed in the PokerGO Studio, which is also located onsite. The Aria also hosts the Super High Roller Bowl with poker superstars like Daniel Negreanu and Justin Bonomo battling it out at the tables.
BALLY’S Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
Located right on the Strip, Bally’s offers several tournaments option, and cash games for low rollers and higher rollers alike. The 14-table room has a lively atmosphere and the regular tournaments keep players coming in the doors.
Bally’s offers a pleasant room with plenty of fun for players – and frequent cocktail service. A stay at Bally’s – and the poker – can also be a bargain compared to other high-end Strip casinos.
BELLAGIO Las Vegas
This high-end Strip casino is one of the best spots in Sin City for playing some cards, both tournaments and cash games, and features 40 tables and two high-limit areas. The casino is easily accessible by bus, taxi, or walking from other nearby casinos. There is always a good crowd and the casino hosts plenty of major events throughout the year. Among the regulars in the cash games are Doyle Brunson and Eli Elezra.
BINION’S Gambling Hall
In the birthplace of the World Series of Poker, players take a trip back into card-playing history when they head to this property. With an old-school, downtown ambience, Binion’s is still popular with many players and has several tournaments.
Players will want to check out the Million Dollar Wall and the pictures of past WSOP champions like Doyle Brunson and Stu Ungar. The room features six tables and is located next to the sports book, making it easy to place a wager on a game while playing.
CAESAR’S PALACE Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
One of the oldest and nicest casinos offers a step back into ancient Rome and an opulent hotel stay – as well as a booming poker scene. From the Forum Shops to famous fountains out front to fine dining and entertainment, Caesars is a great spot for a weekend stay.
The 4,500-square-foot poker room features 16 tables and was recently relocated between The Colosseum and the Race & Sports Book. The room features cash games of all stakes along with regular tournaments. Player seats even feature cell phone charging stations.
EXCALIBUR Hotel Las Vegas
You don’t have to be a knight of the round table to get in on the action at this Strip property but can do plenty of jousting in several low-roller tournaments offered in the poker room. The seven-table room generally offers lower-stakes cash games and tournaments and is located in the main section of the casino. The property is located on the southern end of the Strip and offers several promotions in a low-key but fun atmosphere.
GOLDEN NUGGET
This location is one of the nicest casinos downtown and features a poker room that has become a favourite spot for players. The property has been a regular filming location of big games including hosting popular poker shows like High Stakes Poker and Poker After Dark in its High Roller Suite. Whether you’re a high roller or not, the 13-table smoke-free room offers a comfortable experience with plush decor and an inviting atmosphere. All tables have phone chargers and games for all level of bankroll.
HARRAH’S Las Vegas
This easily-accessible casino right in the heart of the Strip features seven tables in a relaxed environment. Along with Texas Hold’em, this room spreads plenty of mixed games and several limits. Beginners and more experienced players will appreciate the action – and that includes regular tournaments. Seats feature phone charging stations, and a nearby food court make grabbing a meal easy.
MANDALAY BAY Resort and Casino
Enjoy ten tables of action at the property located on the southern end of the Strip. Catch a cab, bus, or Uber for a quick trip from most casinos. The Mandalay Bay offers ten tables in its room, which provides regular tournaments and mostly low-stakes cash games. The room is located in the main casino not far from the sportsbook, making it easy to place a few wagers on the day’s on-field or court action while playing.
The MIRAGE Las Vegas
One of the forerunners to the modern Vegas mega-resort casino and at one time was the centre of the Sin City poker scene. The 12-table room remains popular and still rates highly with players. The stylish venue makes for a nice night of card-playing and offers numerous games and stakes as well as some excellent tournament options. Players will also be guaranteed a pleasant stay in this top-notch property.
The ORLEANS Hotel & Casino
This off-Strip casino is located just a short taxi or Uber ride away, and the poker room features 35 tables in a spacious, well-lit environment with numerous flat screen TVs to take in some sports action playing at the tables. Beyond Texas Hold’em, the poker room offers Seven-card Stud, Omaha Hi-Lo, and others as well as numerous promos throughout the week. The Orleans also offers various tournaments including a popular summer series. The daily tournaments include PLO, Omaha Hi-Lo, Eight-Game Mix, H.O.R.S.E., and others.
PLANET HOLLYWOOD Las Vegas Resort & Casino
This 11-table poker room has grown in popularity over the last few years including the popular PHamous and Goliath Poker Series. The room is located within the main section of the casino known as The Pleasure Pit, complete with a club vibe as players bet and bluff. The casino hosts daily tournaments and plenty of cash game action, and Planet Hollywood is located right on the Strip.
RED ROCK Casino Resort & Spa
This casino is located west of Las Vegas in the Summerlin area and is about a 20-minute cab or Uber ride from the Strip. The poker room features regular cash games and numerous daily tournaments. The casino offers a pleasant stay for those who may be looking for something away from the hustle and bustle of the Strip and downtown.
SOUTH POINT Hotel Casino and Spa
This property is located at the far southern end of the Strip and can be a nice getaway after about 15-minute cab or Uber ride. The 22-table room offers plenty of room and spreads several games and stakes. That includes regular tournaments and promotions. Another great thing about the South Point is the free parking, not available at many Vegas properties.
STRATOSPHERE Casino, Hotel & Tower
This north Strip property is hard to miss and features the tallest freestanding observation tower in the U.S. with incredible 360-degree views of Las Vegas and the surrounding countryside. The 10-table poker room offers a friendly, spacious area for playing and regular cash games and tournaments. Complimentary pizzas are a regular for tournament players, and the casino provides numerous other promotions. The recently-remodelled room is separated from the casino floor, which is not always an option in Vegas.
The VENETIAN Resort Las Vegas
One of the more unique Sin City properties, the Venetian takes visitors to Venice, Italy, right on the Strip and complete with canals and gondola rides – all with a Vegas twist. The poker scene at the property is well-regarded by many, and the casino hosts the regular DeepStack Extravaganza tournament events, which five series throughout the year. For players, there are numerous games and stakes in a high-class environment with 37 tables. The Venetian offers a fantastic stay for players and plenty to do away from the tables.
WYNN Las Vegas & ENCORE Resort
As the name implies, these luxurious and opulent sister properties on the Strip were the vision of casino impresario Steve Wynn. That luxury carries over to the 28-table poker room and its well-appointed surroundings. With numerous cash games and tournaments, Wynn has become a popular stop for players of all bankrolls and sits right on the Strip.
Team888 Recommends Their Favourite Las Vegas Spots
Heading to Vegas for some fun with friends mixed with some poker? A few 888poker Ambassadors offered some recommendations on where to dine, play, and get in a Sin City groove. Grab an Uber and get your game together.
His go-to place in Vegas is Sen of Japan sushi restaurant, located 8480 W. Desert Inn Road, a short ride from the Strip. “It’s one of the best sushi meals I’ve ever had,” he says, “and only a 15-minute drive from my house.” Enjoy!
Anna Marquez
For a bite to eat, Ana heads to Milo’s at the Cosmopolitan for the special lunch menu, Raku (a few blocks west of the Strip) for delectable Japanese tapas, Sage at Aria for a nice dinner, and Nobu (locations in Caesar’s Palace and the Hard Rock) for some more great Japanese cuisine. She offers another couple options: “The juice bars at Aria and Cosmo are expensive but super worth it.”
While not much of a clubgoer, Anna says Drais (located in The Cromwell) is a good mix of hip-hop and electronic music. Her preferred show is definitely the Beatles “LOVE” at the Mirage. When in town and staying for a few days, Anna recommends the Encore and Cosmopolitan.
“Palms Place is probably the best option to stay for a hotel during the WSOP,” she says. “It’s close and has a kitchen. And if you have a kitchen and like to eat healthily, go to Whole Foods – the best healthy food selection anywhere.”
Kara Scott
As a regular in Las Vegas for poker and her ESPN commentary duties, Kara offers a few recommendations. For a hotel, she loves the Vdara. For some great steak and chops, she loves the Golden Steer. Located just north of Circus, the restaurant is the city’s oldest and has been a regular stop for Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Muhammad Ali, and Mario Andretti. The website features the motto: “The Best Steaks on Earth Since 1958.” Those with an interest in Vegas history should check out the Neon Museum, which houses some of Sin City’s vintage signage.
Vivian Saliba
For some fun PLO action, Vivian takes a seat at the Aria poker room. When she’s up for a night out with friends, Fremont Street offers plenty of fun, or she heads to Zuma (located in the Cosmopolitan) for some fantastic sushi. When it comes to entertainment, head to the Criss Angel magic show at Planet Hollywood.
Dominik Nitsche
This poker shark’s favourite restaurant is Partage for some modern French cuisine and is located a few blocks west of Treasure Island. “I love that place,” he says. “It's a really cool and unique experience. Also, it's open late, so it’s perfect for poker players.”
When it comes to hotels, he loves the Vdara. For some fun and attractions, Dominik notes: “Anything off-Strip is fun. Go check out Chinatown for some authentic off-Strip Vegas life that doesn't feel like you're on the Strip.”
Martin Jacobsen
“My new go-to place in Las Vegas is the up-and-coming Arts District downtown,” he says. “It’s one of the few places in Vegas that serves high-quality coffee and have cool, unpretentious bars and restaurants.”
