Poker and travel can go hand in hand. Whether you’re in Las Vegas, Europe, or some other exotic location, a trip to the local card room can make for a great day.
Players may want to check out a poker room for some great action, plush surroundings, or historical significance.
With those ideas in mind, here’s a look at some of the best poker rooms in the world.
1 – Aria
The Aria means elegance, and that goes for the poker room as well. Along with major tournaments and cash games, the Aria also features some of the biggest stakes around.
The Aria High Rollers have become popular for big buy-in players over the last few years. As a result, this property has become a significant part of the poker landscape in recent years. The staff goes out of their way to treat players well.
Aria also hosts major tour events like the World Poker Tour. If a final table is underway, poker fans can slip into the PokerGO Studio to check out a live-streamed final table. The state-of-the-art $20 million venue is located right in front of the property, just steps away from the Vegas Strip.
? Significance: Plenty of major names jump in the regular High Rollers the property hosts.
?️ Amenities: Plush and elegant with great dining options.
➕ Something extra: Kick back, relax, and order a cocktail by the fantastic pool scene – it's an incredible way to put a bad beat behind you.
2 – Borgata
Are you heading to the East Coast of the United States? The Borgata is a must-visit for anyone looking for some serious poker. This Atlantic City property features elegance, style, and the best poker scene on the eastern seaboard.
The Borgata boasts numerous regular tournament series,including major WPT events. There seems to be major action almost constantly with players heading over in droves to the comfortable poker room.
For many, a Borgata title is poker’s holy grail– and for good reason. There’s undoubtedly a unique poker vibe.
? Significance: Huge moments and great poker scene.
?️ Amenities: Visit Wolfgang Puck for an unmatched dining experience.
➕ Something extra: Hit the sportsbook on an NFL Sunday for a relaxed sport betting experience.
3 – Wynn
The opulence of this property on the Las Vegas Strip carries over to the poker room. The venue doesn’t hold major WPT or WSOP events. But its own regular tournament series are popular and offer some decent value with massive guarantees.
Players will find a modern, well-lit facility that receives high marks from players. It rates highly for games and tournaments offered as well as surroundings and staff.
? Significance: A poker room with unparalleled luxury and style.
? Amenities: Head to the award-winning spa for some deep relaxation.
➕ Something extra: Jump in a Wynn Master Class to learn from some of the best – from cake baking to cooking at home.
4 – Gardens
This cardroom has quickly earned an excellent reputation as one of the best Los Angeles-area poker venues. And no matter the stakes or games, it’s a good bet the Gardens will have it.
The casino aims to please with the 200,000-square-foot facility undergoing a $90-million renovation in 2016. The poker room features 300 tables and features a more subdued atmosphere than most casinos.
The Gardens is strictly a card room, meaning no slot machines. This setup makes for a more relaxed feel – and some serious poker.
In fact, The Gardens is the only officially WPT-branded property in the country.
? Significance: Hosts two WPT events annually.
?️ Amenities: Check out the Chinese food, including the delectable dumplings wheeled around on a cart.
➕ Something extra: Triple 7 Sports Bar and Grill is a great place to catch up with friends.
5 – Seminole Hard Rock
Are you looking to rock out? Every rock ‘n’ roll fan should head to South Florida for some poker action. This exquisite property has a great scene, regularly hosting WPT tournaments and other major events.
The casino also fittingly hosts plenty of major musical acts. Get inspired by the ambience and bring your own Mick Jagger moves to the poker tables.
The Hard Rock unveiled the Guitar Hotel in 2019, as well as a new 40-table poker room. The venue is an ode to rock ‘n’ roll, offering plenty of action in style and comfort.
The musical motif makes it one of the most unique rooms around.
? Significance: Historical WPT moments and rock history.
?Amenities: Music, music, and more music.
➕ Something extra: Council Oak offers delectable steak and seafood. The pool is also an amazing oasis to cool down.
6 – Crown Casino
Head down under for this great property in Melbourne, Australia. The venue hosts the annual Aussie Millions, which has become one of the most significant events in international poker.
Since 1997, poker has been a part of the action at Crown, and plenty of big names have won titles at the casino. Players will find a 50-table room with plenty of cash games and tournaments. (Although the property remained closed in early 2021 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.)
The Crown is a world-class facility with great dining, shopping, and other amenities. Players will find three hotels on site, all connected to the casino.
A trip to this great city is worth a visit to Crown for any poker player.
? Significance: Plenty of history in a great vacation destination.
?️ Amenities: Spacious and comfortable with a brilliant hotel stay.
➕ Something extra: Soak in some relaxation with a trip to the luxurious spa. Get the works with personalised service with the $570 “Suite Indulgence” spa package.
7 – Hippodrome Casino London
This London establishment dates its history to 1900 when it originally opened as a theatre. The venue operated as a circus variety show featuring a 100,000-gallon tank for polar bears and sea lions to swim. Famed magician Harry Houdini even once performed at the property.
Massive entertainment acts have also taken to the Hippodrome stage -
- Shirley Bassey
- Judy Garland
- Sammy Davis Jr.
- The Jackson 5
- Tom Jones
Beyond the obvious history of the property, poker players will enjoy a quaint, state-of-the-art room. The property is on the third floor, offering plenty of cash games and tournaments, including huge series throughout the year.
? Significance: An historical property with plenty of big names who have appeared – both poker and otherwise.
?️ Amenities: The award-winning Heliot Steak House might be worth a visit for some delectable dishes.
➕ Something extra: One added note about Hippodrome is the location. The casino is a short walk to Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square, parks, galleries, and more.
8 – Bellagio
This property remains one of the best poker locations around. Some of the most inportant names in poker have won major titles at this property. And the Bellagio still hosts some of the biggest cash games.
- The Bellagio helped usher in the poker boom in the 2000s by hosting the first WPT event – the Five Diamond World Poker Classic.
Famous names like Gus Hansen, Antonio Esfandiari, Daniel Negreanu, and Joe Hachem have all scored Five Diamond wins.
The poker room is also home to the “Big Game,” one of the highest-stakes regular cash games in the world. Players like Doyle Brunson, Jennifer Harman, and many others have all taken a shot in the Big Game.
A stunning property and great poker, the Bellagio should be on any player’s list.
? Significance: Plenty of history and big names.
⛲Amenities: The Fountains of Bellagio show remain one of the best moments to check out from the Strip.
➕ Something extra: Mix some cards and culture with a trip to the stunning art collection.
9 – Casino di Venezia and Ca’ Noghera
Forget the modern notion of a casino when visiting Casino di Venezia. This casino is the oldest in the world, dating its history to 1638.
Sitting on the Grand Canal in Venice and originally a theatre, the venue also held a wing for gambling during intermissions.
- The property doesn’t technically have a poker room but has hosted some smaller WPT events in the past. The casino’s sister property, the Ca’ Noghera, does offer cash games and daily tournaments.
- Casino di Venezia offers a step back in time as it was originally built in the 15th century. The facility boasts a full-scale casino in a distinctly European setting with rich and ornatehistorical charm.
The large wooden doors particularly stand out, and any poker player or gambler will enjoy this unique experience.
? Significance: Delivering a trip back in time. The casino and theatre were also popular spots for German composer Richard Wagner.
?️ Amenities: The property honours Wager with a restaurant bearing his name, a private garden on the canal and a museum.
➕ Something extra: What else can be said? A trip to a 17th-century casino via a canal – what a trip!
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These are just a few of the great poker rooms around the world. A great location with decent amenities only makes for a better overall experience.
When booking that poker vacation, it might be worth keeping these locations in mind.
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