Poker in Las Vegas

Las Vegas poker is currently undergoing a major boom. In the past couple of years a plethora of new poker rooms have opened, and many cardrooms have expanded their poker capacity. There are now over 40 poker rooms in Vegas:
Strip: Aladdin, Bally's, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Circus Circus, Excalibur, Flamingo, Harrah's, Hilton, Imperial Palace, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Mirage, Monte Carlo, Paris, Riviera, Sahara, Stardust, Stratosphere, Tropicana and Wynn.
Downtown: Binion's, El Cortez, Golden Nugget and Plaza.
Off-Strip: Arizona Charlie's, Boulder Station, Cannery, Club Fortune, Gold Coast, Green Valley Ranch, Joker's Wild, Nevada Palace, New Town Tavern, Orleans, Palace Station, Palms, Poker Palace, Rio, Sam's Town, Silverton, South Coast, Speedway, Sunset Station, Texas Station and Tuscany.

Here is a quick breakdown of where you can find specific games:
Very low-limit Hold'em ($2/$4 and below): Aladdin, Arizona Charlie's, Bally's, Binion's, Cannery, Excalibur, Flamingo, Gold Coast, Golden Nugget, Green Valley Ranch, Harrah's, Imperial Palace, Joker's Wild, Luxor, MGM Grand, Monte Carlo, Orleans, Palace Station, Palms, Plaza, Riviera, Sahara, Sam's Town, Silverton, South Coast, Speedway, Stratosphere, Tropicana and Tuscany.
$15/$30 and above: Bellagio, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Mirage, Orleans and Wynn.
No-limit: Aladdin, Bally's, Bellagio, Binion's, Caesars Palace, Cannery, Excalibur, Flamingo, Gold Coast, Golden Nugget, Green Valley Ranch, Harrah's, Hilton, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Mirage, Monte Carlo, New Town Tavern, Orleans, Palms, Paris, Rio, Riviera, Sahara, South Coast, Stratosphere, Tropicana and Wynn.
Weekly Tournaments: Aladdin (Monday-Friday), Arizona Charlie's, Bellagio (daily), Binion's (daily), Caesars Palace (daily), Cannery (daily), Circus Circus (Monday-Friday), Club Fortune (daily), Flamingo (Monday-Friday), Golden Nugget (daily), Harrah's (daily), Hilton, Imperial Palace (Sunday-Thursday), Joker's Wild (daily), Luxor (daily), Mandalay Bay (Monday-Friday), Mirage (Sunday-Thursday), Nevada Palace (daily), Orleans (daily), Paris (Monday-Friday), Plaza (daily), Poker Palace (Saturday), Rio (daily), Sahara (daily), Sam's Town (Friday-Sunday), Stardust (Monday-Wednesday), Stratosphere (Monday-Friday), Sunset Station (daily), Texas Station (Tuesday) and Tuscany (Monday-Thursday).

The following cardrooms are non-smoking: Aladdin, Bally's, Bellagio, Binion's Horseshoe, Boulder Station, Caesars Palace, Circus Circus, Excalibur, Flamingo, Gold Coast, Golden Nugget, Green Valley Ranch, Harrah's, Hilton, Imperial Palace, Joker's Wild, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Mirage, Monte Carlo, Orleans (except between 3AM and 9AM), Palace Station, Paris, Rio, Riviera, Sahara, Silverton, Stardust, Sunset Station, Texas Station, Tropicana and Wynn.

Below is a brief summary of what is on offer at each casino. I have tried to make this information as accurate and up-to-date as possible. However, some cardrooms have not responded to my request for accurate current information. If anything is incorrect, please do let me know so that I can keep this list as current as possible.

I would like to extend a big thank you to Howard Burroughs, who did a huge amount of the research work. The list wouldn't be anything like as accurate without Howard's contribution. In addition, I would like to thank Kevin Clauson for his comprehensive update of the no-limit cash game information in June 2004, Dennis Rand for details of the games at New Town Tavern and Speedway, and Nick Soul, Son Hong, Mark Fogle, Michael Elkins and Michael Walker for other updates. Of course, any errors that remain certainly aren't their responsibility!

Poker in Las Vegas is in a state of constant flux, and you are strongly advised to phone ahead if you are planning to play in a specific game or tournament.

N.B. A printer-friendly version of this document (in Microsoft Word) is available upon request.

Aladdin (Strip, 12 tables)

3667 Las Vegas Blvd South
Tel: (702) 785-5555 or (702) 785-9150 (poker room)

The Aladdin opened its spacious new cardroom in October 2004.

Hold'em: 2/4, 3/6, 4/8 (with a kill)
Omaha Hi/Lo: 2/4 (occasionally)
Seven-Card Stud: 2-5 (occasionally)

There is also $1/$2 no-limit hold'em with a $50 minimum/$200 maximum buy-in, and occasionally $2/$5 no-limit hold'em with a $100 minimum/$500 maximum buy-in. The Aladdin also has daily no-limit tournaments (Monday-Friday only). On Monday-Thursday these start at 10.00am, 1.00pm and 7.00pm, and on Friday there is only one tournament, which begins at noon. The morning events have a $40 buy-in, the afternoon events a $60 buy-in, and the evening events a $110 buy-in. The Friday noon event is a freezeout with a $110 buy-in. On Sundays there are $50 (&$5) no-limit 'sit-n-gos' according to demand. There is a high hand jackpot, and a complimentary breakfast is available for early risers.

Reduced room rates are available for people who play six hours or more per day. Apparently these are currently $129 per night for Fridays and Saturdays and $79 per night for the rest of the week.

N.B. The Aladdin poker room is a non-smoking area.

Arizona Charlie's (Off-Strip, 4 tables)

740 South Decatur Boulevard
Tel: (702) 258-5200 or (800) 342-2695
e-mail: Jimmy.Johnson@azcharlies.com

A very small off-strip poker room, which opens at 10AM.

Hold'em: 2-4, 1-4-8-8 (mostly), 4-8-8

There are also tournaments and the occasional $2-$5 blinds ($100 minimum; $300 maximum) no-limit game. Comps and a reduced poker room rate are available, along with a high hand bonus.

N.B. Smoking is allowed.

Bally's (Strip, 7 tables)

3645 Las Vegas Blvd South
Tel: (888) 742-9248

A new cardroom which opened at the start of August 2004.

Hold'em: 2/4, 4/8
Seven-Card Stud: 1-5

There is also a $1/$2 blinds no-limit game with a $100 minimum/$200 maximum buy-in.

N.B. The Bally's poker room is a non-smoking area.

Bellagio (Strip, 40 tables)

3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 693-7290 (poker office) or (888) 987-3456

The established capital of Las Vegas poker and home to the World Poker Tour Championship every April. The Bellagio poker room is booming and can get fairly crowded, so you may have to endure a bit of a wait for a game at peak times. However, ten tables were added when the poker room was fully refurbished in April 2005, so this may now be less of a problem.

Hold'em: 4/8, 8/16, 15/30, 30/60, 60/120, 75/150 and up
Omaha Hi/Lo (all with a kill): 6/12, 15/30, 20/40, 30/60, 50/100 and up
Seven-Card Stud: 1-5, 15/30, 20/40, 30/60, 75/150 and up
Mixed Games: 200/400 and up

A $200 buy-in no-limit Hold'em game, with blinds of $2/$4, was recently introduced, which has proved extremely popular. You must buy-in for $200, no more, no less. The Bellagio also spreads a $600 minimum buy-in no-limit game with $10/$20 blinds.

The Bellagio holds a $500+$40 buy-in tournament every Sunday thru Thursday at 2PM, and a $1000+$60 buy-in tournament every Friday and Saturday at 2PM. Satellites for the $540 tournament are held from 9AM and cost $130, with the top two players receiving a seat plus $30 cash. Satellites for the $1060 tournament begin at 9AM and cost $240, with the top two players receiving a seat plus some cash.

A poker room rate is available for six hours or more play per day. I believe that the current rate is $129 Sunday-Thursday and $199 Friday and Saturday. Food comps are also available, a couple of times per week.

N.B. The Bellagio poker room is a non-smoking area.

Binion's (Downtown, 18 tables)

128 East Fremont Street
Tel: (702) 366-7397 (poker room) or (800) 937-6537

The granddaddy of all poker rooms. Traditional home to the World Series of Poker, but will only be used for the climax of the main event in 2005. Re-opened under new management on 1 April 2004 after a short hiatus.

Hold'em: 2/4, 4/8, 10/20
Omaha Hi/Lo: 4/8 (with a half-kill)
Seven-Card Stud: 1-5

A $100 minimum buy-in (no maximum) no-limit game with $1/$2 blinds also runs regularly. There are also daily no-limit tournaments at 2AM and 2PM with a $60 buy-in (one $10 bonus buy-in and one $40 re-buy). There is also a $125 tournament on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings at 8PM (one $25 bonus buy-in and one $50 re-buy).

Food comps are available after a couple of hour's play and there is also a poker room rate.

N.B. The Binions poker room is now a non-smoking area.

Boulder Station (Off-Strip, 9 tables)

4111 Boulder Highway
Tel: (702) 432-7577 (poker room) or (800) 683-7777

One of four Station casinos that spread poker (the others are the Palace, Sunset and Texas).

Hold'em: 4-8-8 (with a half-kill)
Omaha Hi: 4-8-8 (with a half-kill)

The Boulder Station has a bad beat jackpot and comps policy, for which you need to collect a card the first time you play.

N.B. The Boulder Station poker room is now a non-smoking area.

Caesars Palace (Strip, 63 tables)

3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (800) 634-6001

Poker finally returns to Caesars! The new room opened in December 2005, and has a particular focus on daily tournaments.

Hold'em: 3/6, 6/12, 10/20, 30/60 and up
Omaha Hi/Lo: is spread but limits not known
Seven-Card Stud: 2-10

There are also various no-limit games. A poker room rate is also available,

N.B. The Caesars Palace poker room is non-smoking area.

Cannery (Off-Strip, 8 tables)

2121 East Craig Rd, North Las Vegas
Tel: (702) 507-5700 or (866) 999-4899
e-mail: customerservice@canneryresorts.com

The $105m Cannery Hotel & Casino opened in January 2003, and has a 1940s industrial theme.

Hold'em: 2/4, 4/8, 6/12

There is also a $2/$4 blinds no-limit game. The Cannery runs a daily $25 no-limit Hold'em tournament at 10AM.

N.B. Smoking is allowed, but there is one non-smoking table.

Circus Circus (Strip, 9 tables)

2880 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 836-6606 (poker office) or (877) 224-7287

A family-oriented casino with a fairly popular low-limit poker room.

Hold'em: 3/6 (one $3 blind), 4/8
Seven-Card Stud: 1-5

There are $40 limit/no-limit hold'em tournaments every day, Monday through Friday. Circus Circus offers bad beat and daily high hand jackpots. Food comps and a poker room rate are also available for four hour's play a day. There is also a free mini-buffet for poker players every night.

N.B. The Circus Circus poker room is a non-smoking area.

Club Fortune (Off-Strip, 3 tables)

725 South Racetrack Road, Henderson
Tel: (702) 566-5555

The Club Fortune offers daily $24 buy-in no-limit tournaments at noon.

El Cortez (Downtown, 3 tables)

600 East Freemont Street
Tel: (702) 385-5200 or (800) 634-6703

Very small old-fashioned downtown cardroom. The poker is located in the pit so it can get rather smoky and noisy!

Hold'em: 1-3 (with 6 on the river)
Seven-Card Stud: 1-3

The rake at El Cortez is one of the lowest in Nevada: 10% up to $2.50 max for Hold'em and $3.00 max for Stud. Poker players receive a complimentary breakfast, and coffee shop comp tickets are available once you've been playing for a few hours.

Excalibur (Strip, 20 tables)

3850 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 597-7625 (poker room) or (877) 750-5464

A popular Strip cardroom with a friendly atmosphere. Daily poker lessons make this an ideal first stop for complete beginners.

Hold'em: 1-3 spread limit, 2-6 spread limit, 2-10 spread limit (occasionally), 4-8 (1/2 blinds, with a kill), 6/12
Seven-Card Stud: 1-5

The Excalibur also now spreads a $1/$2 blinds no-limit game ($100 minimum/maximum buy-in). Food comps and a poker room rate are available for 4-5 hours play per day. There is a free poker player's buffet every night except Saturday. The Excalibur has a daily bad beat jackpot and a unique 'consolation wheel' for getting pocket Aces cracked in Hold'em or losing with a full house in Stud. You can also spin the wheel if you get four of a kind or better in Hold'em (except 1-3) or Stud. No jackpot drops or wheel spins are made for the 1-3 Hold'em game.

N.B. The Excalibur poker room is a non-smoking area.

Flamingo (Strip, 8 tables)

3555 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 733-3485 (poker room) or (800) 732-7111

Built by Bugsy Siegel in 1946, the Flamingo is generally regarded as the birthplace of Las Vegas as the gambling capital of the world.

Hold'em: 2/4, 1-4-8-8
Seven-Card Stud: 1-5

The Flamingo recently added a $100 minimum/$300 maximum buy-in no-limit game with $2/$5 blinds. There are also daily 30-player $55 no-limit freezeout tournaments at 10AM (Monday-Friday only). No food comps available, although there is a poker room rate. There is also a daily high hand jackpot.

N.B. The Flamingo poker room is a non-smoking area.

Gold Coast (Off-Strip, 8 tables)

4000 West Flamingo Road
Tel: (702) 367-7111

The Gold Coast opened its poker room in December 2004.

Hold'em: 2/4, 4/8, 6/12, 10/20 (all with a half-kill)
Omaha Hi/Lo: 4/8 (with a half-kill)
Seven-Card Stud: 1-5

There is also a $1/$2 blinds no-limit game with $100 maximum/minimum buy-in. Every morning at 10AM there is a $20 tournament, which is limit for the first hour, and no-limit thereafter.

The Gold Coast operates a comps policy. New players need to collect a card from the poker room, after which they receive $1.25 per hour for the first four hours plus $1.00 per hour subsequently (maximum $9.00 per day).

N.B. The Gold Coast poker room is a non-smoking area, although you can smoke nearby.

Golden Nugget (Downtown, 9 tables)

129 East Fremont Street
Tel: (702) 386-8383 (poker room) or (702) 385-7111

After a 16-year hiatus the Golden Nugget opened a new poker room near the pool in April 2004. In September it was moved to a new, more central area, which is apparently very noisy.

Hold'em: 2/4, 4/8, 10/20

A $2/$5 ($200 minimum buy-in) no-limit hold'em game is also spread.

The Golden Nugget runs a $60 limit (for the first hour)/no-limit (afterwards) tournament with one $40 re-buy/add-on every day at 11AM. There are also tournaments (with various buy-ins) every evening at 7.00PM, all of which are no-limit. There are satellites for the bigger buy-in events on Friday and Saturday. In addition, there are $125 one-table tournaments ('satellites') every day from 10AM. Food comps and a poker room rate are available.

N.B. The Golden Nugget poker room is a non-smoking area.

Green Valley Ranch (Off-Strip, 14 tables)

2300 Paseo Verde Parkway
Tel: (702) 617-7017

Hold'em: 2/4, 4/8 (with half-kill)
Omaha Hi: 4/8

There are also $1/$2 blinds (min $100/max $200 buy-in) and $3/$5 blinds (min $300/max $500 buy-in) no-limit games.

N.B. The Green Valley poker room is a non-smoking area.

Harrah's (Strip, 10 tables)

3475 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 369-5000 or (800) 392-9002

A new cardroom from the company which now owns the World Series of Poker. It opened in July 2004.

Hold'em: 2/4, 3/6, 4/8

There is a $60 minimum/$120 maximum no-limit game with $1/$2 blinds, and a $150 minimum/$300 maximum no-limit game with $2/$3 blinds. There are also $40 (one re-buy) no-limit tournaments every day at 11AM (registration opens at 9AM, when there are also beginners' poker lessons). On Wednesday and Thursday at 7PM there are one-table 'sit and gos' with $40 and $60 buy-ins.

N.B. The Harrah's poker room is a non-smoking area.

Hilton (Strip, 11 tables)

3000 Paradise Road
Tel: (702) 732-5351

The small Hilton cardroom opened in September 2005.

Hold'em: 3/6, 4/8
Omaha Hi/Lo: 10/20 (with half-kill)

There are also tournaments and no-limit games with $1/$2 blinds (min $50/max $200 buy-in) and $2/$5 blinds (min $100/max $1000 buy-in).

N.B. The Hilton poker room is a non-smoking area.

Imperial Palace (Strip, 10 tables)

3535 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 731-3311 (ext 3750) or (800) 351-7400

The Imperial Palace opened its poker room at the end of the 2004 WSOP. It is located on the third floor of the casino.

Hold'em: 2/4, 3/6, 4/8

There are no-limit tournaments at 1PM on Sunday ($50 buy-in) and Monday ($40 buy-in), and at 7PM on Tuesday through Thursday ($50 buy-in). In addition, there is a $40 event at midnight on Wednesdays. High hand bonuses are offered, and free sandwiches, coffee, water, and cookies are laid out in the poker room. There is also a very generous $3 per hour comp policy. Beginners' lesson are offered every day at 11AM.

N.B. The Imperial Palace poker room is a non-smoking area.

Joker's Wild (Off-Strip, 3 tables)

920 North Boulder Highway, Henderson
Tel: (702) 564-8100

Part of the Boyd Gaming Corporation, who also own Sam's Town and the Stardust.

Hold'em: 2/4, 5/10 (occasionally)

There are daily $25 no-limit tournaments at 11AM and 2PM, and $50 tournaments on Monday-Thursday evenings at 7.00PM. Players receive $1 per hour towards comps.

N.B. The Joker's Wild poker room is a non-smoking area.

Luxor (Strip, 11 tables)

3900 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 730-5510 (poker room) or (888) 777-0188

The Luxor specialises in low-limit games and rapid-fire low buy-in tournaments.

Hold'em: 2/4, 1-4-8-8
Seven-Card Stud: 1-5

The Luxor also now spreads a $50 minimum buy-in no-limit game with $1-$1-$2 blinds.

The Luxor has two freezeout tournaments a day, one at noon, and the other at 8.30PM Monday-Friday and 10AM at weekends. These tourneys almost always fill up, so it is probably a good idea to sign up when registration opens 1.5-2 hours before the event. Be warned that the blind structure for these events is very quick, so be prepared for something of a crapshoot!

On weekday afternoons at 2PM the Luxor runs lessons for complete beginners followed by a $1/$2 blinds hold'em game. The room also has a bad beat jackpot and high hand bonus. Food comps and a poker room rate are available for 4-5 hour's play.

N.B. The Luxor poker room is a non-smoking area.

Mandalay Bay (Strip, 10 tables)

3950 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (877) 632-7800

A pleasant modern room, which opened in 1999.

Hold'em: 4/8 (with a half-kill; 1/2 blinds)

There is also a $200 maximum/minimum buy-in no-limit game with $2/$4 blinds. Mandalay Bay offers $30 buy-in limit hold'em freezeout tournaments at 10AM Monday thru Friday (plus an additional $60 buy-in no-limit event on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday at 6PM). These tournaments are limited to 30 players and almost always sell out, so it is a good idea to get there a couple of hours beforehand (sign-ups begin three hours in advance of each event). The morning events are all limit Hold'em for the first hour, and no-limit thereafter. Food comps are available after 4-5 hours and there is a high hand bonus. You can phone ahead up to one hour beforehand to put your name on the list.

N.B. The Mandalay Bay poker room is a non-smoking area.

MGM Grand (Strip, 23 tables)

3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 891-7434 (poker room)

A great new room which opened in March 2005.

Hold'em: 2/4, 4/8, 6/12, 10/20, 20/40 and 30/60 and upwards (on demand)
Seven-Card Stud: 2-10

There are also three no-limit cash games. The small game has $1/$2 blinds and a $40 minimum/$100 maximum buy-in. The medium game has $2/$5 blinds and a $100 minimum/$500 maximum buy-in. The big game has $5/$10 blinds and a $500 minimum buy-in.

Players are comped $1 per hour, up to a maximum of $10 per day. You will need to sign up for a comp card to qualify for this, and then ensure that the dealer swipes your card when you take your seat. A discounted room rate is also available for five or more hours play per day.

N.B. The MGM Grand poker room is a non-smoking area.

Mirage (Strip, 31 tables)

3400 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 791-7291 (poker room) or (800) 374-9000
e-mail: guestservices@mirage.com

After a recent expansion the Mirage is now one of the two largest poker rooms in Vegas, the other being the Bellagio. Only the Orleans really comes close to these two. The Mirage host the Mirage Poker Showdown (a WPT event) from May 9-26.

Hold'em: 3/6, 6/12, 10/20, 20/40, 40/80
Omaha Hi/Lo: 5/10 (with kill), 10/20 and up
Seven-Card Stud: 1-5, 5/10, 10/20 and up to 30/60

There is also a $100 minimum/$500 maximum no-limit cash game with $2/$5 blinds. A $5/$10 no-limit game is also spread sometimes. The Mirage also has nightly no-limit hold'em tournaments on Sunday (5PM) and Monday thru Thursday (7PM), and daytime no-limit tournaments at 1PM Monday thru Saturday. Sign-ups begin 90 minutes beforehand. The Mirage now also offers sit & gos 24 hours: $60+$15, $100+$15, and $150+$20; top two places pay with a 70%/30% split.

There is a poker room rate (arrange via the poker office, although you need to play a lot of hours to qualify!), which I believe is currently $99 Sunday-Thursday and $139 Friday & Saturday. Food comps are also available, a couple of times per week.

N.B. The Mirage poker room is a non-smoking area.

Monte Carlo (Strip, 9 tables)

3770 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 730-7780 (poker room) or (800) 311-8999

A very attractive modern casino, which opened in 1996.

Hold'em: 2/4 (one $2 blind), 1-4-8-8, 4/8 ($1/$2 blinds), 4/8 (with half-kill)
Seven-Card Stud: 1-5

The Monte Carlo occasionally has a no-limit game with $2/$5 blinds ($100 minimum buy-in), mainly at weekends. There is also a high hand jackpot. Food comps and a poker room rate are available for 4-5 hour's play.

N.B. The Monte Carlo poker room is a non-smoking area.

Nevada Palace (Off-Strip, 2 tables)

5255 Boulder Highway
Tel: (702) 458-8810 ext 7298 or (800) 634-6283

No live cash games, just daily tournaments. These hold'em events have an $18 buy-in and start at 10AM.

New Town Tavern (Off-Strip, 2 tables)

600 West Jackson
Tel: (702) 647-3995

The New Town Tavern is located in a rather unattractive part of town. It opens at 5PM and exclusively spreads a $20 no-limit game with a single forced bet to the left of button. You can bet any amount, $1 upwards.

Orleans (Off-Strip, 23 tables)

4500 Tropicana Avenue
Tel: (888) 365-7111 ext 7150 (poker room; toll-free) or (800) 675-3267
e-mail: poker@coastcasinos.net

One of the leading poker rooms in Vegas, offering cash games and twice-daily tournaments. Such is the popularity of its tournaments, that an additional eight tables are used in a separate room for tournaments only.

Hold'em: 2/4, 4-8-8 (with half-kill), 6/12 (with half-kill), 10/20 (with half-kill), 15/30
Omaha Hi: 4-8-8 (with half-kill), 6/12 (with half-kill)
Omaha Hi/Lo: 4-8-8 (with half-kill), 6/12 (with half-kill)
Seven-Card Stud: 1-5

A new no-limit game with $2/$5 blinds (minimum $100 buy-in/maximum $500 buy-in) is also being spread at weekends. There are also two tournaments per day, one at noon and the other at 7PM (these events are extremely popular, so arrive very early to ensure a spot!). The 2005 Orleans Open festival takes place from July 16 to 31 inclusive.

The Orleans operates a comps policy. New players need to collect a card from the poker room, after which they receive $1.25 per hour for the first four hours plus $0.50 per hour subsequently (maximum $9.00 per day). A poker room rate is also available for anyone who plays four hours per day.

There is also a bad beat jackpot, for which a rake of $1 is taken ($0.50 at $10 and $0.50 at $20).

N.B. The Orleans poker room is a non-smoking area except between 3AM and 9AM.

Palace Station (Off-Strip, 9 tables)

2411 West Sahara Ave
Tel: (888) 677-7274

Another of the popular Station poker rooms.

Hold'em: 2/4, 4/8 (with a half-kill)
Omaha Hi/Lo: 3/6
Seven-Card Stud Hi/Lo: 1-3-6 (most weekends)

The Palace has a bad beat jackpot and comps policy, for which you need to collect a card the first time you play. A poker room rate is available for four hour's play.

N.B. The Palace Station poker room is a non-smoking area.

Palms (Off-Strip, 10 tables)

4321 West Flamingo Road
Tel: (702) 942-6961 or (702) 942-6896 ('high-limit' poker room) or (866) 942-7777

The very trendy Palms casino opened in 2001 and now hosts the popular TV programme 'Celebrity Poker Showdown'. The previously rather cramped poker room was expanded from seven tables to 10 in March 2004, with four tables in a new 'no-limit' area and six in the old one.

Hold'em: 2/4, 4/8

A very popular $2/$5 blinds no-limit game ($100 minimum/$500 maximum buy-in) is also spread, and at weekends at $10/$25 blinds no-limit game is also spread sometimes. The rake is a very competitive $3 maximum for all games.

A progressive high hand jackpot is available for four of a kind or better (using both hole cards for flop games) together with a reasonable player comps policy ($1 per hour; maximum $7 per day), for which you need to collect a card the first time you play. Poker room rates are available for four hour's play per day.

Paris (Strip, 8 tables)

3655 Las Vegas Boulevard South
(702) 946-7000

The Paris poker room opened in 2005.

Hold'em: 3/6

There are also daily weekday tournaments at 9.30am and 7pm and a $1/$2 blinds no-limit game with a maximum $100 and minimum $200 buy-in.

N.B. The Paris poker room is a non-smoking area.

Plaza (Downtown, 10 tables)

1 Main Street
Tel: (800) 634-6575

The Plaza poker room has expanded to 10 tables during the recent poker boom.

Hold'em: 2/4, 3/6, 4/8
Omaha Hi/Lo: 2/4, 4/8 (both with a half-kill)
Seven-Card Stud: 1-4

There are daily $50 buy-in (one $10 bonus buy-in and one $50 re-buy) no-limit tournaments at noon, 4PM, 8PM and midnight. There are also $35 single-table sit and go tournaments all day, with the top two places being paid. Poker room rates and food comps are available, along with high hand and bad beat jackpots.

N.B. The Plaza poker room is a non-smoking area.

Poker Palace (Off-Strip, 2 tables)

2757 Las Vegas Boulevard North
Tel: (702) 649-3799

Hold'em: 1-4-8-8 or 4/8

There are weekly $20 buy-in (and $20 re-buy) no-limit hold'em tournaments every Saturday at 6pm, which are spread over five tables. Food comps are also available.

Rio (Off-Strip, 10 tables)

3700 West Flamingo Road
Tel: (702) 777-7777

The Rio opened its cardroom in December 2004. It will host the 2005 World Series of Poker in June/July.

Hold'em: 3/6, 6/12

There is also a $200 minimum/$500 maximum no-limit game with $2/$5 blinds. The Rio also runs a daily $40 no-limit tournament (one $40 re-buy or add-on) at midday, and a $60 no-limit tournament (one $10 bonus buy-in and one re-buy Monday thru Thursday at 6PM (note that the buy-in and re-buy for Thursday is $100 and the bonus buy-in is $15).

N.B. The Rio poker room is a non-smoking area.

Riviera (Strip, 6 tables)

2901 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 794-9620

The Riviera opened a small, low-limit cardroom in May 2005.

Hold'em: 2/4, 3/6, 4/8

There is also a $2/$5 blinds no-limit game with $100 minimum buy-in.

N.B. The Riviera poker room is a non-smoking area.

Sahara (Strip, 15 tables)

2535 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 737-2317 (poker room) or (888) 696-2121

The venerable Sahara poker room recently expanded from 10 to 15 tables.

Hold'em: 2/4 (one $2 blind), 1-4-8-8 (one $2 blind)
Seven-Card Stud: 1-5

The Sahara also spreads a $1/$2 no-limit Hold'em game with a $100 minimum/$500 maximum buy-in. There are popular $42 buy-in (one obligatory $20 re-buy/add-on) no-limit tournaments every day at 11AM, 7PM, and 11PM. Food comps and a very good poker room rate are available for three hour's play. There is also a bad beat jackpot.

N.B. The Sahara poker room is a non-smoking area.

Sam's Town (Off-Strip, 9 tables)

5111 Boulder Highway
Tel: (702) 454-8092 (poker room) or (800) 897-8696

Sam's Town opened in 1979 and hosts a pleasant off-strip poker room.

Hold'em: 2/4, 4/8 ($1 & $2 blinds)
Seven-Card Stud: 2/4

Sam's Town also used to spread a $2/$5 blinds ($100 minimum buy-in) no-limit Hold'em game in the evening at weekends, but apparently this game is now dormant. It runs a $60 buy-in (one $40 re-buy) no-limit tournament at 7PM every Friday and Saturday, and a $40 ($20 multi re-buy) tournament on Sunday at 7PM. There is a bad beat jackpot, and food comps and a poker room rate are also available.

Silverton (Off-Strip, 5 tables)

3333 Blue Diamond Road
Tel: (702) 263-7777

The Silverton poker room opened in 2005.

Hold'em: 2/4, 3/6, 4/8

There is also an occasional $1/$2 blinds no-limit game.

N.B. The Silverton poker room is a non-smoking area.

South Coast (Off-Strip, 8 tables)

9777 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (866) 796-7111

The South Coast poker room opened in late 2005.

Hold'em: 2/4, 4/8 (both with half-kill)

There are also no-limit games with $1/2 blinds ($100 min/$300 max) and $2/$5 blinds ($200 min/$500 max).

N.B. The South Coast poker room is a non-smoking area, but you can smoke very nearby.

Speedway (Off-Strip, 2 tables)

3227 Civic Center Drive
Tel: (702) 399-3297

The Speedway opened its poker room in June 2004.

Hold'em: 2/4

A freeroll no-limit tournament is held at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. After one hour's play the house gives you three $1 chips, once per day.

Stardust (Strip, 10 tables)

3006 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 732-6513 (poker room) or (800) 824-6033

The Stardust was the largest hotel in the world when it opened in the fifties. The poker room is strictly low-limit only.

Hold'em: 3/6
Seven-Card Stud: 1-5 (occasionally at weekends)

There are $40 buy-in freezeout no-limit tournaments Monday through Wednesday at 10AM. Food comps are available after three hour's play and a poker room rate for four hour's play a day. There is also a bad beat jackpot.

N.B. The Stardust poker room is a non-smoking area.

Stratosphere (Strip)

2000 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (800) 998-6937 or (702)380-7777

Hold'em: 2/4 and 3/6

A $1/$2 blinds no-limit game ($40 minimum/$200 maximum buy-in) is also spread.

There are daily tournaments in the morning and evening Monday thru Friday. The 9AM events are $22 (one re-buy) and the 8PM events are $44 (one re-buy and one add-on).

N.B. The Stratosphere poker room is a non-smoking area.

Sunset Station (Off-Strip, 12 tables)

1301 West Sunset, Henderson
Tel: (702) 547-7671 (poker room) or (888) 786-7389

Another of the popular Station poker rooms.

Hold'em: 3-6-9, 4/8 (with a half-kill), 6/12
Omaha Hi/Lo: 3-6-9
Seven-Card Stud: 1-5

Sunset Station runs a small buy-in competition every morning. These start at 10AM Monday to Thursday and 11AM Friday to Sunday (except the second and last Sunday of the month, when there is a 3PM ladies-only event instead).

Food comps are available, for which you need to collect a card the first time you play (these comps can actually be used at any of the Station casinos). There is also a bad beat jackpot (linked with all the other Station casinos) and a small high hand bonus. The rake is 5% up to $3 maximum, with an additional 5% up to $1 maximum for the jackpot.

Texas Station (Off-Strip, 10 tables)

2101 Texas Star Lane
Tel: (800) 654-8888

The fourth Station poker room. Mainly Hold'em and Omaha Hi/Lo.

Hold'em: 4/8 (with a half-kill)
Omaha Hi/Lo: 3/6 (with a half-kill)
Seven-Card Stud: 1-5 (occasionally, at weekends)

There is a $1/$2 blinds no-limit game with a $40 minimum/$100 maximum buy-in. Hold'em tournaments are held Monday thru Thursday at 11AM and 7PM. Comps are available, for which you need to collect a card the first time you play. There is also a bad beat jackpot.

N.B. The Texas Station poker room is a non-smoking area.

Tropicana (Strip, 6 tables)

3801 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 739-2222

The Tropicana poker room opened in April 2005.

Hold'em: 1-3 and 2-6 spread limit

There is a $1/$2 blinds no-limit game with a $40 minimum/$100 maximum buy-in.

N.B. The Tropicana poker room is a non-smoking area.

Tuscany (Off-Strip, 5 tables)

255 East Flamingo Rd
Tel: (702) 947-5917

The Tuscany poker room opened in the summer of 2005.

Hold'em: 2/4, 4/8

A $1/$2 blinds no-limit game is often spread at weekends, and there are 10.30am tournaments Monday thru Thursday.

N.B. Smoking is allowed.

Wynn (Strip, 27 tables)

3131 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 770-3090

The state-of-the art Wynn poker room opened in April 2005 with Daniel Negreanu as host.

Hold'em: 4/8, 8/16, 15/30, 30/60, 40/80 and upwards
Omaha Hi/Lo: 10/20 (with a kill)

There are also the following no-limit games: $1/$2 blinds ($100 minimum buy-in); $2/$5 blinds ($200 minimum buy-in) and $10/$20 blinds ($500 minimum buy-in).

Poker room rates are available for six hours play per day. I believe that the current rate is $129 Sunday-Thursday and $199 Friday and Saturday. Food comps are also available ($1 per hour for low-limit players and $1.50 per hour for $30/$60 and upwards).

N.B. The Wynn poker room is a non-smoking area.