As Las Vegas casinos prepare to reopen following the COVID-19 shutdown, The Venetian is taking the lead in bringing live poker back, albeit with major changes. The resort’s poker room is set to reopen on June 5, and will implement the four-handed poker format mandated by state health guidelines.
A Lone Player in the Game
In a city known for its poker rooms, The Venetian is one of the few to embrace the revised poker regulations. Sheldon Adelson’s flagship property will go ahead with four-handed cash games and tournaments, despite many competitors choosing to keep their poker rooms closed for now.
Nearby properties like The Wynn have already confirmed that their poker operations will remain closed during the initial reopening phase. Similarly, Station Casinos, which operates five poker rooms in Las Vegas, has opted not to resume poker immediately under the new restrictions.
A New Look for Live Poker
While many imagined a post-pandemic poker room filled with plexiglass dividers and mandatory face masks, The Venetian is opting for a more familiar—yet safety-conscious—approach. Here’s what players can expect:
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Four players per table maximum
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Face masks optional, though available on request
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No plexiglass at tables
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Regular sanitization of all poker surfaces, chairs, and high-touch areas
The changes are part of a larger set of protocols outlined by the Nevada Gaming Control Board, which all casinos must follow in order to resume operations. June 4 is currently the tentative reopening date for casinos in Nevada, but that could shift depending on public health conditions.
Making Four-Handed Fun
In an effort to make the experience more appealing, The Venetian is introducing several player-friendly perks:
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Reduced rake for cash games
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Fast-paced $100 winner-take-all Sit & Go tournaments that start as soon as four players are seated
While four-handed games aren’t the traditional poker experience—most players prefer six- to nine-handed tables—there’s no denying the strong demand for live poker in Las Vegas. Even with limited seating and format adjustments, players are eager to return to the felt.
