by SMT

Created on: November 23, 2008   Last Updated: April 28, 2009

When I started my illustrious, yet dubious poker career 7 years ago there was only one name in Las Vegas poker; the Mirage. Referenced in movies like "Rounders", the Mirage was the premier address for the best poker action in town, among a few other selected rooms scattered throughout the city. However, the landscape of poker began to change as the game, primarily No Limit Hold Em' experienced an enormous boom subsequent to the 2003 World Series of Poker. Nearly every desert casino in an opportunistic fashion began to capitalize on a game that many have flocked to with dreams of being the next big thing in poker or to catch a glimpse of pokers celebrity crew.

I have been fortunate enough to play cash game poker full time as a professional in a city that offers me a buffet of card games at a variety of limits that cater to my every whim, 24 hours a day. Being a professional poker player in Las Vegas is like running a business; success hinges on making connections and networks to tease out the best places to play, thus increasing profitability and improving long-term outcomes of becoming a winning player. From personal experience, not all rooms are created equal and game selection becomes of paramount importance in winning cash game play. For non-professionals alike selecting a room that fits your playing experience and bankroll can be paramount to booking winning sessions.

If you fall into the category of tourist vacationing in Vegas, leisure player, a novice, or any combination thereof, any of the smaller rooms that offer 1/2 No Limit or a small Limit game like 3/6 are well suited for the above mentioned player profile. The best rooms to visit are those that are full of mostly visitors, with a low percentage of local professionals whose primary objective in life is to take your money. I have played in nearly every card room in the city and have found friendly games with lower proportions of professionals at the Sahara, Treasure Island, Paris, Stratosphere, Rio and Planet Hollywood. If you are an inexperienced player, or are playing for entertainment or leisure these are good starting platforms to discover non-threatening opponents of similar abilities and skill levels. The main drawback to these spaces is they certainly do not live up to the glamour of some of the higher end, more modern rooms. Most people look forward to going home with an elaborate story of a poker hand they played in the luxurious surroundings of the Bellagio. The Sahara will not exactly offer

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