August 25, 2008
That’s the question this week. Scroll down a bit and over at the right. –>
We know lots of things factor into your decision on where to play — from the stakes to the amenities to the action. So using whatever algorithm you employ in your head, we want to know where it is that you feel like you’ve got to play — or where you really want to play — whenever you come to town. (Or, of course, if you live here … then just what’s your favorite room in town.)
You can actually vote once a day, so have at it however you want: stuff the ballot box for your favorite room, or spread out your votes to show your diggage of multiple poker joints.
See results of previous poker polls here.
Posted by
DanM at 6:51 am
August 9, 2008
Las Vegas Vegas let us know this week that the poker room at the Excalibur will be folding its hand but buying in to a new game. The room will close on August 18th and send all of its dealers searching for work elsewhere, and it will reopen on August 21st with nothing but automated tables and a minimal floor staff.
I don’t know about you, but the thought of going into an all-automated poker room - no chips, no cards, no dealers - is not appealing. Sure, it will be cheaper for the casino, but the lack of character, not to mention human contact and any sort of tradition, makes it all too much like a room filled with slot machines - fun for a few minutes, then a little too robotic and monotonous.
Sad to say that this appears to be the start of a trend, but thankfully, some poker rooms like Bellagio and even Sahara, will likely keep their dealers and their appeal to true poker players.
After much talk and some anticipation, Dan notes that the Hard Rock poker room will open sometime in August. Evidently, poker pro Joe Awada got a sneak peak at the room and wrote an article about it for Gaming Today.
1. Who knew that Joe Awada wrote articles?
2. Decent stuff, but he could use an editor.
The $12 million Poker Lounge (yikes) will not only have some swanky features and its own bathrooms, but the room can be reserved for parties, as they claim two dozen divorce parties are already lined up. There will also be a poker league with various teams of employees and open groups, such as radio stations and gentleman’s clubs. Sounds intriguing as more information comes out, no?
For instance, the 7,500-square-foot poker lounge will start with 18 tables (expandable to 25) and will feature five roped-off, high-limit tables.
The lounge will have its own bar with tables, comfy chairs and couches, five high-end slot/video poker machines and its own bathrooms.
The room will also have its own cashier and safety deposit boxes for the players.
There will also be a dedicated host staff, massage therapists, bottle service at the tables, a race and sports writer and a kiosk for placing bets. Players will be entitled to a full comp system, with extra goodies like concert tickets, backstage passes, cabanas at the adult pool and other benefits.
August 6, 2008
As happens with so many openings in this town (and LA and NYC, presumably) … the unveiling of the Hard Rock’s new poker room has been delayed (um, like four years late?) and delayed … but we could tell they were moving forward with things — whether it was the dealer auditions being held in June or the HRH Poker Lounge attire sported by Jeremiah Smith (and another guy — I forget whom) during the WSOP main event. Anyhow, am now hearing it’s set to open-open by the end of this month … and here’s what the Hard Rock will be saying about the poker component of the hotel-casino’s $760 million revamp:
Poker Lounge - The Poker Lounge is the only poker room in Las Vegas with a full bar and lounge, but don’t get the wrong idea—this is the real deal for poker players of every level. New to the game? The Poker Lounge offers free lessons. Want to find you hand with your own music? Bring your iPod and plug it in to one of our private VIP tables. This isn’t your old man’s poker party. It’s everything you’ve come to expect from the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and a world-class poker room—18 tables, great music, a full service bar and lounge in signature Hard Rock style.
Posted by
DanM at 4:48 pm
April 3, 2008
Low-stakes mixed games are popping up around town, and the Venetian will spread Chinese Poker for $5 a point — $150 should be plenty to play with — and the house rakes on a time charge.
The game isn’t running 24/7 of course, but if you ask to put your name on an interest list for the game, they’ll know what you are talking about, and considering that Chinese is played 4-handed, it shouldn’t take long to fill a table.
Posted by
DanM at 7:24 am
