Las Vegas often rides out the final few weeks of summer in a post-WSOP slump, but the big events are back in Sin City this week, as the $1,100 MSPT Nevada State Poker Championship comes to town.
Mixed games are back on the cards at the Bellagio, while the Wynn has renewed its daily events designed to suit all pockets.
While some are providing value, another classic Vegas venue is doing anything but, and you need to know who has cut their guarantees, while there’s something unique to enjoy off the felt in the gambling capital of the world this week.
Let’s play some cards, and without being a daft punk, stay up all night to get lucky.
Playing The Board: State Championship Stakes are High
If you’re prepared to spend four figures on a tournament, this is the week to consider making the trip to The Venetian. The $1,100 MSPT Nevada State Poker Championship is the standout event at The Venetian this week and the best value over the next seven days.
Starting flights run at 11:10 am on Thursday, September 10, Friday, and Saturday, before the survivors return for Day 2 on Sunday at 11 am, so if you miss the first one, it’s not the last chance saloon. If $1,100 is a stretch, The Venetian is also running $260 satellites at 4:10 pm and 7:10 pm on Thursday and Friday.
With a vast $300,000 guarantee, Event #18 of the venue’s September tournament schedule is one to play. Whoever wins will receive the Nevada State Poker Championship title and a $3,500 MSPT Championship seat on top of the tournament’s top prize, and that makes it my premium tournament pick of the week.
Here are all the rooms worth considering playing in this week in Las Vegas.
| Las Vegas Live Poker Tournament Schedule Thursday 10 – Thursday 17 September 2026 | ||||||
| Start Date | Venue | Tournament | Buy-in | Guarantee | Start Time | |
| Thu 10-Sun 13 Sep | The Venetian | MSPT Nevada State Poker Championship | $1,100 | $300,000 | 11:10am | |
| Thu 10-Fri 11 Sep | The Venetian | MSPT Satellites | $260 | Seats | 4:10pm, 7:10pm | |
| Sun 13-Wed 16 Sep | The Venetian | NLHE (Event #24) | $600 | $125,000 | 11:10am | |
| Fri 11 Sep | Wynn Las Vegas | NLHE Rebuy | $240 | $40,000 | 12pm | |
| Sat 12-Sun 13 Sep | Wynn Las Vegas | Weekend NLHE | $200 | $25,000 | 12pm | |
| Fri 11-Thu 17 Sep | Wynn Las Vegas | Nightly NLHE | $160 | $10,000 | 6pm | |
| Fri 11 Sep | The Orleans | NLHE Mega Stack | $200 | $15,000 | 11:05am | |
| Fri 11-Wed 16 Sep | South Point | NLHE ($240 Fri, $200 Sat/Sun/Wed) | $200-$240 | $2k-$10k | 6:10pm | |
Around the Rooms: Wynn Refreshes Schedule, Bellagio Brings Back Mixed Games
The Wynn Las Vegas has quietly become one of the more interesting options this week. While the Signature Series finished on Monday, some work has been happening behind the scenes to refresh the daily and nightly schedule. There are now $10,000 guaranteed daily ($200 at noon) and nightly ($160 at 6 pm) events, and I’d recommend the latter given it’s $40 cheaper to play and often has a better field.
But they haven’t stopped there. Their $40,000 guaranteed Friday NLHE rebuy event is good value too, as are both the $25,000 guarantee Saturday and Sunday events.
At the Bellagio, mixed games are well and truly back. Local player David Berger took down the $25,000 guaranteed H.O.R.S.E. tournament I told you about last week, winning over $8,000, while the poker room now hosts mixed games every Monday and Wednesday night, with details available by calling the room at (702) 693-7291.
The Orleans remains a strong option for players operating with a smaller bankroll. Its Friday $200 NLHE tournament starts at 11:05 am, followed by $150 options, and Sunday also has a $200 tournament. This week also sees the start of the Football Mystery Envelope promotion, where NFL hot seats are drawn every half hour and $200,000 is up for grabs across the season.
South Point, meanwhile, remains the low-stakes grinder’s cheaper and way more cheerful option. There is such a variety of events around the clock that you can always grab a tournament seat, and the Friday $240 at 6:10 pm is very often well worth playing. The $200 tournaments take place on Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday, and I wouldn’t tell you to avoid those either. Fun times.
One to Swerve: Guarantees Reduced at Caesars
Once upon a three-bet, Caesars Palace used to be associated with all the glitz and glamor of the Las Vegas Strip. Not anymore. Their daily tournament schedule now guarantees $1,000. With buy-ins of $100 and $160 and an add-on of $50 only available after the first break, this tells just how few players they expect to be in the mix.
It’s not that I wouldn’t play at Caesars for the clientele. I would, it’s a friendly casino, and their tourneys are fun. But how they can expect to grow when their guarantees are now ten buy-ins or fewer for anyone who registers and doesn’t add-on is beyond me.
With four daily tournaments starting at 10 am, 2 pm, 6 pm and 9 pm, they’d be better off with two events guaranteeing $3,000 and expecting much healthier crowds than splitting their attendance four ways and losing out to cardrooms with better guarantees around the corner.
Off the Felt: Pinball Hall of Fame
The Pinball Hall of Fame is located at the south end of the Strip near the Welcome to Las Vegas sign, open 10 am to 9 pm Sunday to Thursday and until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday. Admission is free, so you’ll only pay for the games you play. The retro vibes are off the charts, and with games ranging from 25 cents to $1, change machines are everywhere, too. If your bankroll is running as dry as the Mojave, it’s a value option: a session costs less than $10, with good parking and amenities.
This week, Las Vegas offers you the best value at the high end and low, you’ve just got to know where to go. Hopefully now you do. I’ll be back in seven days for the latest tournaments and which seat to leave open.
