There are thousands of casinos strewn across the world, but not all of them have special places in poker players’ hearts. This little article highlights 10 iconic casinos that every poker player should visit before they shuffle from their mortal coil.
The Monte Carlo Casino
The Monte Carlo Casino is one of the most iconic venues in the entire world. What’s not to like about it? It’s in mega-rich Monaco, there are enough elite sports cars parked outside to pay off the debt of a small third-world country and James Bond was here. James. Bond. Enough said.
The Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino
The Rio in Las Vegas may not be everyone’s favourite casino or hotel in “Sin City,” but if you love poker you simply have to head here between May and July when the World Series of Poker runs. It is the home of the WSOP after all and it is amazing to see tens of thousands of poker players crammed into the Rio’s vast tournament rooms.
Binion’s Gambling Hall
Binion’s is the original home of the WSOP and should be a venue that every poker player worth their salt visits at some point in their life. Not only is it the home to the original Poker Hall of Fame and the famous “one million dollars” that you can have a photo with, but it was also where Chris Moneymaker won the title in 2003 and sparked the online poker boom. You simply won’t believe that they fit over 800 players in Binion’s poker room!
Golden Nugget
Fan of the now defunct High Stakes Poker? Then head to the Golden Nugget to see where all of the action unfolded. The place is steeped in history and although it lacks the glitz and glam of casinos on the Strip, it has its own unique charm.
Casino di Venezia
Another splendid casino and one in a beautiful location. The Casino di Venezia is the oldest casino functioning casino in the world and you can feel the history as you snakes through the corridors and compact rooms.
Just don’t go getting drunk and walking out of the front door straight into a canal because it is situated in the heart of Venice!
The Bicycle Casino
The famous “Bike” has seen plenty of action over the years and is another casino that poker players should strive to play at. Who can forget the “top down” camera view for Poker at the Bike broadcasts? Everyone under the age of 30 probably, but that’s not the point. It’s famous, so visit it!
The Commerce
If you are one of those people who has to say they have been to the biggest whatever, then set sail for The Commerce in Los Angeles. Why? Because it has the largest card room in the world, apparently.
The Crown Melbourne
Each time I ask a poker player about their favourite card room or casino, they often reply with the Crown in Melbourne. It’s the home to the Aussie Millions, has great restaurants, a busy and vibrant card room and lots of Australian’s to offend by doing really bad Crocodile Dundee impressions at. Perfect.
Starworld Casino
The Starworld Casino, Macau is home to the Poker King room where the biggest cash games in the world take place on a seemingly continual basis. If you’ve followed the stories of the Macau Big Game that often features the likes of Tom “durrrr” Dwan, Phil Ivey, Gus Hansen, Sam Trickett etc then you have to visit the play area of the world’s billionaires.
Borgata
Atlantic City’s Borgata is massive. It’s hotel has over 2,800 rooms and its poker room is enormous; it is also the venue of choice for this year’s World Poker Tour World Championship, too.
Where is your favourite casino / poker room? Let us know in the comments box!
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