After months of no poker action due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Las Vegas is preparing to reopen this weekend. However, poker players looking for action on Las Vegas Boulevard will find their options extremely limited.
Where to Play Poker in Vegas This Weekend
The only casino on the Strip that is set to open this weekend is Venetian. However, it’s not the only option available. Other casinos off the Strip that are reopening include South Point (located south of the Strip) and The Orleans (located near the Strip). Meanwhile, Westgate (also located near the Strip) is scheduled to reopen on June 18th.
Closed Casinos in Vegas
As of now, several Strip casinos remain closed, including:
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Aria
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Bally’s
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Bellagio
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Caesars Palace
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Excalibur
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Flamingo
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Harrah’s
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Mandalay Bay
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MGM Grand
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Mirage
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Planet Hollywood
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Sahara
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Wynn
Additionally, several non-Strip casinos are also closed, including:
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Binion’s (Fremont Street)
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Boulder Station (East Las Vegas)
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Cannery (North Las Vegas)
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Club Fortune (Henderson)
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Golden Nugget (Fremont Street)
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Green Valley Ranch (Henderson)
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Palace Station (near Strip)
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Poker Palace (North Las Vegas)
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Red Rock (Summerlin)
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Rio (near Strip)
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Sam’s Town (East Las Vegas)
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Santa Fe (Northwest Las Vegas)
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Silver Sevens (near Strip)
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Skyline (Henderson)
The long list of closed casinos comes as no surprise, as Nevada’s gaming board has limited poker games to four-handed tables, reducing the action and the size of the pots compared to the usual full-table experience. This new setup has also resulted in fewer players per table, which might not appeal to casual players or serious grinders alike.
What to Expect at Venetian
To make poker more attractive in this new environment, Venetian is offering something interesting. Its poker room will host $100 winner-take-all Sit & Go games, where each game starts once four players are seated. This creates a faster-paced and competitive experience, despite the smaller table sizes and new restrictions.
Challenges of the Current Poker Experience
The poker experience in Las Vegas will feel quite different than it did before the pandemic. With plexiglass dividers between players and a requirement for personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks at the table (depending on the casino), it remains unclear whether the restricted experience will attract the casual players looking for a fun outing or the serious grinders eager for high-stakes, live poker action.
