2 Best Poker Rooms in Vegas

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2 Best Poker Rooms in Vegas

The number of poker rooms in Las Vegas has doubled in the past year.

Wonder why?

Could it possibly be that poker seems to be on TV, 24/7?

Could it be that poker is now the third most popular American game? Watch out, baseball and football.

Could it be that Texas Hold ‘em has replaced Seven Card Stud as the game of choice in the casinos in America?

Could it be that the average age of poker players has come down from “near death” as it was 20 years ago to the 25-40 range today?

Could it be that casinos – which once shunned giving space to poker because it was not profitable – have discovered that those who come in to play poker also gravitate to the slots, the tables, the restaurants, the bars, and the showrooms?

Could it be that the Vegas poker rooms have gotten rid of cigarettes, cigars, and pipes?

Could it be that the rooms are now attractive and well-appointed?

Could it be that each poker room staff is now trained to be patient with new players?

Could it be that many poker rooms are offering off-hour lessons in how to play Texas Hold ‘em?

Could be.

So, let’s take a look at this aspect of the poker culture: Vegas poker rooms.

If you want to rub shoulders with the superstars of the tournament circuit, you’ll find them at one of these two places:

1. Bellagio. 29 tables. This is where the big dogs play. The last time I was there, I (literally) bumped into Phil Ivey. He’s much taller than he looks on TV. I was hoping he was headed for his car, a $425,000 Mercedes Maclaren. The Bellagio is the home of the richest poker game in history, where billionaire Houston banker, Andy Beal, reportedly lost $20 million to some of the top pros like Ivey, Howard Lederer, Barry Greenstein, Jen Harman, Todd Brunson, Doyle Brunson, Ted Forrest, and others. Hard to get a table on a busy night. The top players play away from the rail, so you can’t spill your Margarita on Phil’s basketball jersey. They are in a back room, up some steps, away from any distractions while they play their $2000 / $4000, and $4000 / $8000 games. Wanna join them? They’d love to have you.

2. The Wynn. Not a big room, but a nice room with 27 tables. One unique touch: you can sign up at the front desk on a waiting list and then retreat to your room where you can watch on TV to see when your turn is coming up. They will even give you a beeper so you can roam the casino floor (and bet, bet, bet) while you are waiting for a seat at a table to open. Steve Wynn has signed up top 2004’s Player of the Year, Daniel Negreanu, as “Wynn’s Poker Ambassador.” Daniel plays exclusively at Wynn when he is in town. Daniel has an open challenge to anyone for $500,000, winner-take-all matches, any form of poker, any time. He and Barry Greenstein have faced off, he has also gone up against Mimi Tran, and a “John Doe” has also taken him on. Since he still has his fabulous pad in Vegas and his Lexus convertible, it looks like he’s doing OK. In fact, he’s doing more than OK. He was married in August to a beautiful young woman, Lori, with fellow poker pro Erick Lindgren as best man. Wanna take up Daniel’s challenge? He’d love to have you.

The Bellagio and Wynn are not just for the pros; mere mortals also play there. There are low stakes games, reasonable tournament buy-ins, and friendly personnel at each site.

The casino knows that poker is big. Everyone wants it to get bigger and better.

The best way to do that is to welcome everyone, be nice to everyone, and offer a wide range of games to fit every playing style, and budget. These two card rooms deliver.

(c) 2005 Murphy James

Murphy James is a freelance journalist specializing in the gaming industry. He has been published in men's magazines, gaming publications, business journals, and newspapers. His website is http://www.murphyjames.com His email address is [email protected].

His most recent interviews have been with poker pros Barry Greenstein ("Ace on the River") and Jen Harman (one of the players in the richest poker game in history) about their philanthropic activities, and gambler, author, and teacher, Jerry Patterson ("Casino Gambling"), about his blackjack, craps, and roulette systems.