Where to Stay, Play and Eat in Vegas

[Emily Trott]

Definitely try the Wynn Poker Room at the Encore and the Aria has pretty good tournaments too.

They both have a $160 tourney...thank you Debi!

 

[Mortis]

Updated Poker Room List for 2025, as some of the list do not have a poker room anymore, or don't even exist anymore:

Strip:
Venetian
Bellagio
Resorts World
Wynn
Aria
Horseshoe
Mandalay Bay
MGM Grand

Barely Off Strip (within a few blocks or a mile):
Westgate
Orleans
South Point

Very Off Strip:
Boulder Station (Henderson)
Skyline (Henderson)
Poker Palace (North Las Vegas)
Red Rock (Summerlin)
Santa Fe Station (Northwest)

Downtown:
Golden Nugget

As of this time, Horseshoe is the only Caesar's property where you can play poker in Vegas, which is kind of surprising. Caesar's Palace temporarily closed down their poker room back in August of last year, due to renovations, I believe. But they have yet to open it back up. A lot of casinos closed down their poker rooms during Covid and have decided not to reopen them.

The Venetian has the most poker tables out of all the casinos. Personally, I liked playing at the Caesar's properties, because I believe they give you the best bang for your buck to stay and play while on the strip. I like staying at the Horseshoe or The Flamingo.

Off strip, I heard South Point may be the best casino for gaming, food, and entertainment, but I have yet to go there. South Point is on my list to visit when I go in June. Their prices are really good compared to other casinos. Their poker room is supposed to be really good and they just might have the best affordable buffet in town currently.

Golden Nugget is the only place to play poker downtown now. I haven't played there since 2019, so I couldn't give an update of how it is today. But I liked playing there back then.

 

[Debi]

Updated Poker Room List for 2025, as some of the list do not have a poker room anymore, or don't even exist anymore:

Strip:
Venetian
Bellagio
Resorts World
Wynn
Aria
Horseshoe
Mandalay Bay
MGM Grand

Barely Off Strip (within a few blocks or a mile):
Westgate
Orleans
South Point

Very Off Strip:
Boulder Station (Henderson)
Skyline (Henderson)
Poker Palace (North Las Vegas)
Red Rock (Summerlin)
Santa Fe Station (Northwest)

Downtown:
Golden Nugget

As of this time, Horseshoe is the only Caesar's property where you can play poker in Vegas, which is kind of surprising. Caesar's Palace temporarily closed down their poker room back in August of last year, due to renovations, I believe. But they have yet to open it back up. A lot of casinos closed down their poker rooms during Covid and have decided not to reopen them.

The Venetian has the most poker tables out of all the casinos. Personally, I liked playing at the Caesar's properties, because I believe they give you the best bang for your buck to stay and play while on the strip. I like staying at the Horseshoe or The Flamingo.

Off strip, I heard South Point may be the best casino for gaming, food, and entertainment, but I have yet to go there. South Point is on my list to visit when I go in June. Their prices are really good compared to other casinos. Their poker room is supposed to be really good and they just might have the best affordable buffet in town currently.

Golden Nugget is the only place to play poker downtown now. I haven't played there since 2019, so I couldn't give an update of how it is today. But I liked playing there back then.

I think the closure of the poker room at Caesars is permanent.

Thanks for posting this list!

 

[Mortis]

I think the closure of the poker room at Caesars is permanent.

Thanks for posting this list!

Ah man.. that would suck. I keep reading that people are hopeful it will open back up. But I know it was only supposed to be closed down for a couple of months and now it's been 7 months. :-/

 

[Debi]

Ah man.. that would suck. I keep reading that people are hopeful it will open back up. But I know it was only supposed to be closed down for a couple of months and now it's been 7 months. :-/

When I as there I was told something else was going there. They didn't mention it re-opening.

 

[Emily Trott]

Off strip, I heard South Point may be the best casino for gaming, food, and entertainment, but I have yet to go there. South Point is on my list to visit when I go in June. Their prices are really good compared to other casinos. Their poker room is supposed to be really good and they just might have the best affordable buffet in town currently.

I love South Point! ❤️

 

[SPANKYSN]

When I as there I was told something else was going there. They didn't mention it re-opening.

I am not surprised that some poker rooms are closing. Near me, the Seneca Niagara poker room closed during Covid, never reopened, and they have no intention of doing so. Poker rooms simply do not turn a profit...they are a draw to keep players busy while their spouses lose the mortgage payments to the slot machines.

 

[Debi]

I think the closure of the poker room at Caesars is permanent.

Thanks for posting this list!

When I as there I was told something else was going there. They didn't mention it re-opening.

I am not surprised that some poker rooms are closing. Near me, the Seneca Niagara poker room closed during Covid, never reopened, and they have no intention of doing so. Poker rooms simply do not turn a profit...they are a draw to keep players busy while their spouses lose the mortgage payments to the slot machines.

Apparently they are re-opening.

 

[pirateglenn]

Man i love this thread - always love to hear about our US pals and their exploits in Casinos and where they go/what they do.

 

[Mortis]

Updated Poker Room List for 2025, as some of the list do not have a poker room anymore, or don't even exist anymore:

Strip:
Venetian
Bellagio
Resorts World
Wynn
Aria
Horseshoe
Mandalay Bay
MGM Grand

Barely Off Strip (within a few blocks or a mile):
Westgate
Orleans
South Point

Very Off Strip:
Boulder Station (Henderson)
Skyline (Henderson)
Poker Palace (North Las Vegas)
Red Rock (Summerlin)
Santa Fe Station (Northwest)

Downtown:
Golden Nugget

As of this time, Horseshoe is the only Caesar's property where you can play poker in Vegas, which is kind of surprising. Caesar's Palace temporarily closed down their poker room back in August of last year, due to renovations, I believe. But they have yet to open it back up. A lot of casinos closed down their poker rooms during Covid and have decided not to reopen them.

The Venetian has the most poker tables out of all the casinos. Personally, I liked playing at the Caesar's properties, because I believe they give you the best bang for your buck to stay and play while on the strip. I like staying at the Horseshoe or The Flamingo.

Off strip, I heard South Point may be the best casino for gaming, food, and entertainment, but I have yet to go there. South Point is on my list to visit when I go in June. Their prices are really good compared to other casinos. Their poker room is supposed to be really good and they just might have the best affordable buffet in town currently.

Golden Nugget is the only place to play poker downtown now. I haven't played there since 2019, so I couldn't give an update of how it is today. But I liked playing there back then.

Planet Hollywood may be opening their poker room back up, which has been closed since 2021.

 

[Poker_Mike]

Planet Hollywood may be opening their poker room back up, which has been closed since 2021.

I don't know about you but PH had been one of my favorite poker rooms for a lot of reasons.

I am always concerned though when a "room" just marks some territory on the casino floor and throws ropes around it and calls it a "room". lol

Still, I would be excited to see it return.

 

[phantoma69]

does Vegas to expensive for leaving?

 

[Tammy]

does Vegas to expensive for leaving?

I think maybe the translator did not work so well for you here. Did you mean to ask if it is too expensive to live in Las Vegas?

 

[phantoma69]

I think maybe the translator did not work so well for you here. Did you mean to ask if it is too expensive to live in Las Vegas?

Yea i wanted to ask that its not translator its my gramatic mistake

 

[Tammy]

Yea i wanted to ask that its not translator its my gramatic mistake

No worries. I did a quick search - and I do know/have known people that live in and around Vegas, and it's no more expensive than anywhere else. In fact, it's more affordable than some cities like San Diego, San Francisco, or Los Angeles.

He's what AI said... 😁

Cost of Living Compared to National Average:
Overall: The cost of living in Las Vegas is slightly lower than the national average.

Housing: Housing costs (rent and home prices) are slightly higher than the national average.

Utilities: Utility costs are also higher than the national average.

Transportation: Transportation costs, including gas and public transportation, are higher than the national average.

Groceries: Groceries are slightly more expensive than the national average.

Cost of Living Compared to Other Cities:
More Affordable than Other Major Cities:
Las Vegas is generally considered more affordable than other major cities in the Western region, such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.

Cheaper than Scottsdale: (Scottsdale is a very high-end area in the neighboring state of Arizona)
Las Vegas housing is more affordable than in areas like Scottsdale, Arizona.

Housing Costs:
The median rent in Las Vegas is around $1,397 per month, while the median home price is around $365,300.

Utilities:
Essential utilities in Las Vegas for a 915-sq. ft. apartment run around $251.03.

Income Needed:
To live comfortably in Las Vegas, a single person should aim for an annual salary of around $47,000 before taxes, according to the MIT Living Wage Calculator.

Hmmm... maybe I should move to Vegas - it would be cheaper than where I live now... only problem is I hate the desert, it's so depressing to me. I need greenery and trees.

 

[Mortis]

No worries. I did a quick search - and I do know/have known people that live in and around Vegas, and it's no more expensive than anywhere else. In fact, it's more affordable than some cities like San Diego, San Francisco, or Los Angeles.

He's what AI said... 😁

Cost of Living Compared to National Average:
Overall: The cost of living in Las Vegas is slightly lower than the national average.

Housing: Housing costs (rent and home prices) are slightly higher than the national average.

Utilities: Utility costs are also higher than the national average.

Transportation: Transportation costs, including gas and public transportation, are higher than the national average.

Groceries: Groceries are slightly more expensive than the national average.

Cost of Living Compared to Other Cities:
More Affordable than Other Major Cities:
Las Vegas is generally considered more affordable than other major cities in the Western region, such as Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.

Cheaper than Scottsdale: (Scottsdale is a very high-end area in the neighboring state of Arizona)
Las Vegas housing is more affordable than in areas like Scottsdale, Arizona.

Housing Costs:
The median rent in Las Vegas is around $1,397 per month, while the median home price is around $365,300.

Utilities:
Essential utilities in Las Vegas for a 915-sq. ft. apartment run around $251.03.

Income Needed:
To live comfortably in Las Vegas, a single person should aim for an annual salary of around $47,000 before taxes, according to the MIT Living Wage Calculator.

Hmmm... maybe I should move to Vegas - it would be cheaper than where I live now... only problem is I hate the desert, it's so depressing to me. I need greenery and trees.

Erica and I are actually talking about moving to Las Vegas after we leave Georgia, which may be in a couple of years. Just depending on how things go here.

So, we've done a lot of research on moving to Vegas. It was either Vegas or Florida, as both states are very poker friendly, and both states have no state income tax.

Everything you posted is pretty much correct. Housing and Groceries are just slightly higher than average. Not much more than what we're paying now. Utilities are similar, too.

What is very pricey in Vegas is car insurance, which I hear is one of the highest in the country, and Las Vegas traffic is really bad!

The lack of greenery is what took me a lot to convince Erica that we should move there lol. But my mom lives in Arizona, not far from Vegas, so that is a big deciding factor moving to Vegas for us. There are parks with greenery, but a lot of the houses don't have big yards and a lot don't have natural grass. We looked at Mt. Charleston, which is a rare green mountainous area that has snow about 45 minutes from Vegas. But it is pricey there and just about prices us out of buying there. But it's a goal to get something there.

 

[Tammy]

Erica and I are actually talking about moving to Las Vegas after we leave Georgia, which may be in a couple of years. Just depending on how things go here.

So, we've done a lot of research on moving to Vegas. It was either Vegas or Florida, as both states are very poker friendly, and both states have no state income tax.

Everything you posted is pretty much correct. Housing and Groceries are just slightly higher than average. Not much more than what we're paying now. Utilities are similar, too.

What is very pricey in Vegas is car insurance, which I hear is one of the highest in the country, and Las Vegas traffic is really bad!

The lack of greenery is what took me a lot to convince Erica that we should move there lol. But my mom lives in Arizona, not far from Vegas, so that is a big deciding factor moving to Vegas for us. There are parks with greenery, but a lot of the houses don't have big yards and a lot don't have natural grass. We looked at Mt. Charleston, which is a rare green mountainous area that has snow about 45 minutes from Vegas. But it is pricey there and just about prices us out of buying there. But it's a goal to get something there.

Oh that would be so cool! Yeah I think the farther out from the Vegas metropolitan area you get, the better your insurance rates would be. There are some prettier areas of Nevada - it makes sense that the place you mentioned would be highly sought after, and therefore more expensive. :/ Up north, east of Tahoe on the eastern side of the Sierras, there are some pretty sort of grasslands with a lot of horse ranches, etc. (near Carson City, I think). Which I could deal with, and a drive to Tahoe isn't far, so could get my greenery fix.

 

[Mortis]

Oh that would be so cool! Yeah I think the farther out from the Vegas metropolitan area you get, the better your insurance rates would be. There are some prettier areas of Nevada - it makes sense that the place you mentioned would be highly sought after, and therefore more expensive. :/ Up north, east of Tahoe on the eastern side of the Sierras, there are some pretty sort of grasslands with a lot of horse ranches, etc. (near Carson City, I think). Which I could deal with, and a drive to Tahoe isn't far, so could get my greenery fix.

We looked around Lake Tahoe, Carson City, and Reno too.. but the housing is more expensive there than Vegas!

 

[Tammy]

We looked around Lake Tahoe, Carson City, and Reno too.. but the housing is more expensive there than Vegas!

Yeah, that makes sense. And remember - Tahoe will bring lots of snow (well, Carson City and Reno as well - but DEFINITELY Tahoe.)

 

[nabmom]

I’m planning a trip to Vegas for a long weekend in mid-May to see the Dead and Company at the Sphere (a birthday/anniversary gift for my darling).

We are planning on flying out Wednesday 5/14 (the date we got tickets for is Thursday 5/15) and returning home (Maryland) on Saturday, 5/17.

Asking for recommendations for where to stay that will be clean and nice (although don’t need great views from the room) and non-smoking. Ideally near good cash game ($1/2 or $1/3) non-smoking poker room and in a safe/walkable area. Not crazy expensive would be nice, but we’re willing to splurge a bit if it is really worth it. What do you recommend?

Edit to add that we won’t have a car.

 

[Mortis]

Planet Hollywood just reopened their poker room with 23 tables this weekend, making it the largest Caesar's Properties poker room in Vegas. I think The Venetian is considered the largest poker room in Vegas with around 50 tables.

 

[RENEY444]

Perhaps I will try both if I ever get back there .

 

[Emily Trott]

Off strip, I heard South Point may be the best casino for gaming, food, and entertainment, but I have yet to go there. South Point is on my list to visit when I go in June. Their prices are really good compared to other casinos. Their poker room is supposed to be really good and they just might have the best affordable buffet in town currently.

I'm sure that it lived up to your expectations. I'm going to stay there on my fourth annual birthday trip next year. My big reason, other than I love playing there, is that I want to stay at a place where I can play an hour or two of poker before going to bed. I'd planned to do that at the Sahara when I made my reservations for this year, but one month later they closed the poker room. I hope that I don't jinx the South Point poker room.

I love the southwest feel of the place too, with the tribute to Benny Binion. They have plenty of tourneys in my price range as well. I'm figuring that I can take a Lyft/Uber to the MGM and then cover the strip, and have a breakfast at Vickie's Diner, using the monorail. I was ridesharing at least two days to South Point before anyways, so now I'll just do it in the other direction.

 

[Mortis]

I'm sure that it lived up to your expectations. I'm going to stay there on my fourth annual birthday trip next year. My big reason, other than I love playing there, is that I want to stay at a place where I can play an hour or two of poker before going to bed. I'd planned to do that at the Sahara when I made my reservations for this year, but one month later they closed the poker room. I hope that I don't jinx the South Point poker room.

I love the southwest feel of the place too, with the tribute to Benny Binion. They have plenty of tourneys in my price range as well. I'm figuring that I can take a Lyft/Uber to the MGM and then cover the strip, and have a breakfast at Vickie's Diner, using the monorail. I was ridesharing at least two days to South Point before anyways, so now I'll just do it in the other direction.

I actually didn't get a chance to make it out to South Point when I was in Vegas back in June. But that's where my parents usually stay when they are in Vegas.

 

[mattiebumpo]

I have stayed and Sout Point. It is very nice and has everything you need...great poker room, lots of restaurants, easy parking (for those that need it), bowling alley, movie theater, nice pool area, plus the $1.50 hot dog cart when you need a quick bite on break in a tournament!