This is the best room left in Downtown Las Vegas, located on what is, by far the nicest property north of the Strip. The Golden Nugget has 13 tables featuring $1/$2 NLH and $2/$4 limit hold'em. For beginner poker players, there's no better place right now than the Plaza. The limits are the lowest you'd find on either the Strip or downtown. $0.25/$0.50 blinds seem to be the norm. That may double in the evening or if it gets a bit crowded. They also offer the cheapest tournaments around. A $10 tournament runs every day. When making your Vegas checklist it should include a show, at least a couple meals at a Vegas restaurant, but before you check out the best nightlife anywhere, you should learn how to play the classic and popular Texas Hold 'Em poker in a Vegas casino. You may have perfected your poker face, but you still need a few tricks up your sleeve before hitting the tables. Answer 1 of 5: Hi All I am off to Vegas this Saturday for my 1st time and so excited. I have just started to play poker with friends and want to play texas Hold em at vegas. Where is a good casino for a beginner to play?
Las Vegas is home to more poker tables than any other city in the world. This fact isn't surprising when considering that Vegas hosts the World Series of Poker and other notable tournament events.
However, you don't always need to hit the live poker tables when you feel like playing. Instead, you can enjoy Nevada's legal and regulated online poker market.
You may be interested in Vegas online poker if you'll be visiting Sin City soon and want to play in your hotel room or elsewhere within the state. The following guide covers what you must know about playing online poker in Las Vegas.
What Is the Online Poker Situation Like in Vegas?
The Silver State has been running legal online poker sites since 2013. The Nevada Gaming Commission and Nevada Gaming Control Board both oversee the market.
Station Casinos' Ultimate Poker became the first Nevada poker site when they launched in April 2013. However, they didn't experience much success, especially when WSOP.com opened their virtual doors in September of 2013.
South Point's Real Gaming was the third site in the mix. They never managed to generate any notable traffic before folding. Again, WSOP's online poker room is your only option in Vegas. It draws a fair amount of traffic thanks to its quality software and lack of competitors.
Nevada is part of a multi-state poker compact with New Jersey and Delaware. This deal sees all three states share internet poker liquidity. The compact hasn't resulted in a traffic boon. After all, the three states' populations combined don't even equal 13 million.
In any case, you at least hold the option to play legal online poker when in Vegas. You can't, however, play at the gray market poker sites (e.g. Ignition, Americas Cardroom) that serve the rest of the US.
Can You Play Poker Online If You Don't Live in Nevada?
You can legally enjoy Nevada online poker even if you're not a resident. You simply need to be of age and located within state lines to play.
The minimum age requirement is 21 years old. You'll need to provide your birthdate upon registration. Additionally, a site can ask for additional identification when you make a withdrawal.
For example, you may need to provide a photo ID before cashing out. This request might seem invasive, but it verifies your age and helps prevent somebody else from withdrawing money from your account.
Nevada requires you to be within their state boundaries to ensure they aren't taking wagers from players from other states. WSOP uses geolocation to determine where your device is located before allowing you to play.
How Do You Get Started With Nevada Online Poker?
You shouldn't have much trouble playing online in the Silver State. But you may want to keep the following points in mind if you're new to the matter.
Meet the Requirements
Is There Poker In Vegas
You must be at least 21 years or older to legally play in Nevada. You also have to be physically present in the state.
Assuming you're outside of state boundaries, the software will issue a warning. Remember, it's technically illegal to play real money Nevada poker if you're not in the Silver State.
Register for an Account
You need to register for an account before playing. This process requires entering the following information:
- Name
- Birthdate
- Home address
- Phone number
- Username
- Password
- Last four digits of social security number
- Bonus code (discussed next)
Upon filling out the registration form, you submit it and wait for approval. As long as you're of age and within Nevada, you should receive instant approval.
Nevada online poker rooms must ask for your last four social security digits for identification purposes. After all, they don't want to approve you if you're on an excluded gamblers list.
Enter a Bonus Code
You can qualify for a welcome bonus if you enter the appropriate code during registration. These codes are available on actual poker sites and/or through affiliates.
For example, you need to earn a certain amount of loyalty points before cashing out chunks of your bonus.
You may also be privy to other rewards too, such as freeroll tickets or a no-deposit bonus. The latter only requires you to enter the relevant bonus code and complete wagering requirements to earn free money.
Make a Deposit
One of the best aspects of Nevada's poker market involves the prominent banking options. You can use the following reputable services and brands to fund your account:
- ACH – You can send funds from your bank account to a poker site instantly (i.e. eCheck).
- Cash at the Cage – Visit land-based casino partners in Vegas to fund your account in person.
- Credit card – Use Discover, Mastercard, and Visa to deposit.
- E-wallet – PayPal, the world's largest e-wallet service, is also available as a deposit option.
- PayNearMe – You can visit a local 7-Eleven and deposit with cash (you receive a payment voucher).
Nevada requires operators to provide you with responsible gambling tools. For example, you can set deposit and loss limits on your account.
Pros to Vegas Online Poker Sites
The Nevada internet poker market offers several benefits over non-regulated (i.e. gray) markets. Here are the main advantages to playing in the Silver State.
Completely Legal and Regulated
The state legislature legalized online poker in early 2013. That said, you can play at state-regulated poker sites without worry.
Again, you just need to meet the minimum age (21) and geolocation requirements to play. As long as you're good in these departments, then you'll have no issues with enjoying Vegas online poker.
Plenty of Banking Options
The gray market suffers from a shortage of banking options. Some of these non-regulated sites resort to using Bitcoin, because they have no other choice.
Nevada, in contrast, boasts a legal internet poker market. You can use well-known payment options, like PayPal, Visa, and Mastercard, to fund your account.
Compete Against Players From Other States
The multi-state pact with New Jersey and Delaware lets you play against grinders from other states. More importantly, it helps increase liquidity and allows for larger poker tournaments.
The number of states offering online poker is small at the moment. However, more states are beginning to enter the fray, such as Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Cons to Vegas Online Poker Sites
Nevada's online poker situation is far from perfect. Here are some drawbacks that you should consider before playing here.
Only One Site
Ultimate Poker and Real Gaming dropped out of Nevada years ago. This leaves WSOP.com as the sole online operator in the state.
Hopefully, more competition will enter in the near future. As it looks now, though, the Silver State may not be large enough to accommodate more operators.
Low Liquidity
Nevada is only home to 3 million people. And while it gets a boost from the Vegas tourism, it still doesn't feature much iPoker liquidity.
The result is a market that can't offer much beyond four-figure tournaments and low-stakes hold'em cash games.
What Is the Online Poker Situation Like in Vegas?
The Silver State has been running legal online poker sites since 2013. The Nevada Gaming Commission and Nevada Gaming Control Board both oversee the market.
Station Casinos' Ultimate Poker became the first Nevada poker site when they launched in April 2013. However, they didn't experience much success, especially when WSOP.com opened their virtual doors in September of 2013.
South Point's Real Gaming was the third site in the mix. They never managed to generate any notable traffic before folding. Again, WSOP's online poker room is your only option in Vegas. It draws a fair amount of traffic thanks to its quality software and lack of competitors.
Nevada is part of a multi-state poker compact with New Jersey and Delaware. This deal sees all three states share internet poker liquidity. The compact hasn't resulted in a traffic boon. After all, the three states' populations combined don't even equal 13 million.
In any case, you at least hold the option to play legal online poker when in Vegas. You can't, however, play at the gray market poker sites (e.g. Ignition, Americas Cardroom) that serve the rest of the US.
Can You Play Poker Online If You Don't Live in Nevada?
You can legally enjoy Nevada online poker even if you're not a resident. You simply need to be of age and located within state lines to play.
The minimum age requirement is 21 years old. You'll need to provide your birthdate upon registration. Additionally, a site can ask for additional identification when you make a withdrawal.
For example, you may need to provide a photo ID before cashing out. This request might seem invasive, but it verifies your age and helps prevent somebody else from withdrawing money from your account.
Nevada requires you to be within their state boundaries to ensure they aren't taking wagers from players from other states. WSOP uses geolocation to determine where your device is located before allowing you to play.
How Do You Get Started With Nevada Online Poker?
You shouldn't have much trouble playing online in the Silver State. But you may want to keep the following points in mind if you're new to the matter.
Meet the Requirements
Is There Poker In Vegas
You must be at least 21 years or older to legally play in Nevada. You also have to be physically present in the state.
Assuming you're outside of state boundaries, the software will issue a warning. Remember, it's technically illegal to play real money Nevada poker if you're not in the Silver State.
Register for an Account
You need to register for an account before playing. This process requires entering the following information:
- Name
- Birthdate
- Home address
- Phone number
- Username
- Password
- Last four digits of social security number
- Bonus code (discussed next)
Upon filling out the registration form, you submit it and wait for approval. As long as you're of age and within Nevada, you should receive instant approval.
Nevada online poker rooms must ask for your last four social security digits for identification purposes. After all, they don't want to approve you if you're on an excluded gamblers list.
Enter a Bonus Code
You can qualify for a welcome bonus if you enter the appropriate code during registration. These codes are available on actual poker sites and/or through affiliates.
For example, you need to earn a certain amount of loyalty points before cashing out chunks of your bonus.
You may also be privy to other rewards too, such as freeroll tickets or a no-deposit bonus. The latter only requires you to enter the relevant bonus code and complete wagering requirements to earn free money.
Make a Deposit
One of the best aspects of Nevada's poker market involves the prominent banking options. You can use the following reputable services and brands to fund your account:
- ACH – You can send funds from your bank account to a poker site instantly (i.e. eCheck).
- Cash at the Cage – Visit land-based casino partners in Vegas to fund your account in person.
- Credit card – Use Discover, Mastercard, and Visa to deposit.
- E-wallet – PayPal, the world's largest e-wallet service, is also available as a deposit option.
- PayNearMe – You can visit a local 7-Eleven and deposit with cash (you receive a payment voucher).
Nevada requires operators to provide you with responsible gambling tools. For example, you can set deposit and loss limits on your account.
Pros to Vegas Online Poker Sites
The Nevada internet poker market offers several benefits over non-regulated (i.e. gray) markets. Here are the main advantages to playing in the Silver State.
Completely Legal and Regulated
The state legislature legalized online poker in early 2013. That said, you can play at state-regulated poker sites without worry.
Again, you just need to meet the minimum age (21) and geolocation requirements to play. As long as you're good in these departments, then you'll have no issues with enjoying Vegas online poker.
Plenty of Banking Options
The gray market suffers from a shortage of banking options. Some of these non-regulated sites resort to using Bitcoin, because they have no other choice.
Nevada, in contrast, boasts a legal internet poker market. You can use well-known payment options, like PayPal, Visa, and Mastercard, to fund your account.
Compete Against Players From Other States
The multi-state pact with New Jersey and Delaware lets you play against grinders from other states. More importantly, it helps increase liquidity and allows for larger poker tournaments.
The number of states offering online poker is small at the moment. However, more states are beginning to enter the fray, such as Michigan and Pennsylvania.
Cons to Vegas Online Poker Sites
Nevada's online poker situation is far from perfect. Here are some drawbacks that you should consider before playing here.
Only One Site
Ultimate Poker and Real Gaming dropped out of Nevada years ago. This leaves WSOP.com as the sole online operator in the state.
Hopefully, more competition will enter in the near future. As it looks now, though, the Silver State may not be large enough to accommodate more operators.
Low Liquidity
Nevada is only home to 3 million people. And while it gets a boost from the Vegas tourism, it still doesn't feature much iPoker liquidity.
The result is a market that can't offer much beyond four-figure tournaments and low-stakes hold'em cash games.
No Chance to Become a Professional
If you're living in Vegas, you must hit the live tables to become a professional. The online game doesn't offer nearly enough action to make a decent living.
Internet traffic does experience a spike every summer, when the WSOP takes place. However, this boost only lasts for six weeks, at which point, most players leave town.
Conclusion
You can see that the Nevada internet poker market isn't exactly a dream. It will get better as more states join the multi-state compact.
At the moment, though, you can't find much in the way of options (one site), big tournaments (none), or cash games. These conditions, however, don't mean that you can't still enjoy online poker action when in Vegas. If you're a low roller, then you should be comfortable with the cash games and tournaments here.
You may also appreciate being able to play at regulated sites, rather than the offshore market poker rooms that serve many other states.
Of course, you need to be at least 21 and located in Nevada before playing. Once you meet these requirements, you're good to go.
Anyone have any advice for a beginner here in Vegas?
I have never played in an organized tournament and here for a few days...
Thanks!!!
Comments
Best Place To Play Poker In Vegas For Beginners
for low price, the Quad at $30, or Treasure Island at $50 ( that one is a rebuy ). Flamingo is a $60 tourney. I think Mirage has $65 tourney at 7pm. Planet Holloywood is $60-70 or so.
If money isnt a huge issue, then the best tourneys are either at the Aria, $125, or Venetian, also $125. Both are deep stack, Aria has 30 min levels, you get 10,000 chips. Not sure if Venetian is running the 10k chip stak or 12 K chip stak right now.There really isnt a ' beginner ' tourney, just lower cost ones. You will run into some of the exact same type of players in any buy in level, just maybe a few better players in the bigger ones. The advantage of the deep stack tourneys, while costing more, is you can play a simpler style of poker, you hit you bet, good cards you bet, crap you fold, etc, and have some time to play. The lower cost tourneys, some of them have 15 min levels, and if you dont get doubled up or some cards real quick, well, the blinds hit 400-800/ 500-1000 realllllly quick.
I rather spend more money, have more time to hopefully either get some cards, or rebound from a bad beat, than get knocked out in the first round by some idiot who thinks 8-5 suited is an actual hand, calls a huge re re raise, and suks out.. lol...
good luck...@DPTAZZZ Thanks for the quick reply.
Gonna try and hit up the Mirage.
Thanks!!!
I agree with DPTAZZZ and would also add the Orleans Friday night $125 tournament. They get a lot of pretty bad players so it's good value and even a beginner can do pretty well if the buyin isn't too high.
If you are mobile, I can recommend Club Fortune (Henderson), which runs a 'Daily Deuce' tournament at 2:00 PM (thus, the name). The buy-in is just $30, with an optional add-on at $10. With 15 minute levels, the tournament is fairly fast, usually completing by 4 or 4:30. This tournament draws about 18 - 24 entries. Staff is very friendly and congenial, and many of the players (primarily local) are sociable.
There are tournaments, as well, on Monday and Wednesday evenings (7:00), with buy-ins at $45 and $65, respectively. The Monday night tournament includes a few bounty bonuses, and the one on Wednesday nights is a deeper stack tourney, with 20 minute blind levels.
As Club Fortune is only a 15 - 20 minute drive from The Strip, it is worth the trip to get in on tournaments that are comfortable for beginners.
Planet Hollywood runs a $20 rebuy tournament Tues-Thurs, which can get anywhere from 3-6 tables. Structure is awful, but it is a fun tourney, and not designed to last a long time. Another decent one is the $40 at Monte Carlo, either afternoon or early evening. ... Even though people like them, I refuse to play at Aria and Venetian for different reasons - Aria for stupid house rules, Venetian because of Sheldon Adelson.
Agree with DPTAZZZ. Nowhere to hide in Las Vegas. If you want to dip the toe in for a warm-up, check out the Nevada Poker League for freeroll bar tourneys. I kinda like the tourney at the Strat. Decent play level, cost and structure. Otherwise, I'd spend the money and go Aria or Venetian. More players so more payout spots but some good players there too.
I didn't see anyone mention the online sites like WSOP, where you can probably use a sign up bonus to take a free shot at playing, or just deposit like $20 or whatever. You won't get the live experience of playing with other people, but you can play real money tournaments for like $1 and learn the game. That's how I originally learned
@GameChanger Since he said he was in town for a few days, my guess is he was referring to live poker.
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