As everybody knows, Las Vegas is the gambling capital of the world. Unsurprisingly, it is home to some of the best live poker action on the planet. No matter what game you are looking for, you will certainly find it here. Read on to learn how to get the most out of any trip to Vegas.
First of all, games at casinos that are known for poker tend to be the softest. This is because they appeal to casual tourists rather than aspiring poker pros. There are a variety of poker sharks that swim through the Vegas poker rooms. Most local poker pros and talented tourists are drawn to the major, big money, poker rooms on the strip, such as the Wynn and the Bellagio. Small poker rooms with low-stake games can be sought out at the Luxor or Bally’s.
Another part of playing poker in Vegas depends on what time of day you are playing. Games are softest during peak hours and late at night. While Vegas is filled with tourists year-round, most casual-playing tourists hit the poker room during the weekend evenings. Be sure to get there early if you are going during this peak time. If you can stay awake, the games tend to get very soft very late at night since people are often tired and eager to play any hand dealt to them.
If you are used to playing online poker tournaments, you will probably be disappointed by the multi-table tournaments in Vegas. About half the numbers of hands per hour are dealt at live poker tournaments compared with online ones. As such, the blinds escalate more quickly, resulting in poor tournament structure. Playing fewer hands per hour might affect your hourly rate in your hometown cash game, but this reduced amount of hands per hour greatly affects the poker strategy involved in a multi-table tournament, since it turns out to be more of an all-in fest than a true game of poker. The early goings of these tournaments seems to be more about luck then skill or a well thought out poker strategy.
Also keep in mind that it’s okay to pass up the lure of downtown Vegas. The area does have its charm, but most of the premiere poker rooms are on the strip.
That is the basic snapshot of playing poker in Las Vegas
