subject: Five Places To Play Poker Before You Die [print this page] Here are the top five live poker rooms to try your luck at. Good luck, and here's hoping you can win a monster pot at all of them!
5. (Western U.S) Commerce Casino, Los Angeles, California. The Commerce is the largest card room in the world, boasting over 240 tables to accommodate a massive array of games and limits for its players. Its a must see simply to take in the sheer volume of cash game players playing at once. In addition, because it functions as a card room and not a classic casino (slots and house based table games are not available in the Commerce) the perks and comps for poker players are far better than at general card rooms; in games as small as $20/$40 limit, you can look to get complete, chef prepared dinners served to you at the table on the house. Its a nice touch that many poker rooms cannot offer at traditional style casinos.
4. (Eastern U.S.) The Borgata, Atlantic City, New Jersey. The newest of the casinos in Atlantic City, the Borgata also offers the largest poker room, with 85 tables available for play. Borgata boasts some of the best tournaments on the east coast, including a $3,000 WPT event that is accessible enough for even the most casual of card players via satellites and super satellites. In addition, the casino itself, a $1.1 billion dollar venture, boasts lavish entertainment, including the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Stone Temple Pilots, and Sting as some of its latest acts. It may be one of the more modern casinos on the list, but it takes nothing away from the overall experience of playing in Atlantic City.
3. (International) Crown Casino, Melbourne, Australia. The home of the Aussie Millions poker tournament, the Crown Casino offers the player the chance to play in a major tournament while having the opportunity to explore one of the most scenic backdrops for any casino in the world. The Aussie Millions takes place in January, which is winter to us here in the U.S., but summertime for the Aussies, meaning you get to enjoy the Australian Open tennis tournament or the local nightlife whenever you get a free moment from poker. Including this on your list of places to play means understanding that poker isnt always just about the game itself; the ambiance and settings of your play need to be taken into account when choosing exotic locations, and Melbourne is a perfect locale to discover.
2. (Vegas/Cash) Bellagio, Las Vegas, Nevada. Bobbys Room is a must see for any poker player. Granted, it may be the most difficult to ever get a chance to play in; million dollar bankrolls are needed to contend with the lineup at this game, but the list of players whove played in the seat before you is a whos who of poker immortality; Brunson, Reese, Harman, Ivey, and so on. If you ever have $100,000 and want to tell your friends that youve played the biggest game in the world, take it to Bobbys Room at Bellagio and have a seat with the best in the world. Youll have a story for the ages.
1. (Vegas/Tournament) Rio, Las Vegas, Nevada. The casino itself may not hold the same nostalgia of some of the older, more exotic locales, but it offers something that no other casino can top; the pinnacle of tournament poker, the Main Event. Youre following in the footsteps of poker royalty; Ungar, Brunson, Chan, Hellmuth, Moss, all of whom have won this tournament, some multiple times. You have the shot, as minuscule as it may be, of besting a field of thousands and adding your name alongside these titans of poker. How is there any other place that can beat the chance to become a singular name; Moneymaker, Hachem, Raymer, and you, if you can beat the best and all the rest.
