Best Poker Rooms by Player Skill Level (Las Vegas)

Poker is one of those games that is best played in person—online just doesn’t do the game justice. But if you are headed to Las Vegas, how do you know which poker rooms are the best?

Poker rooms often vary by the clientele and their skill level—meaning what may be considered a great poker room for some is too difficult for others. Read on to learn which are the best poker rooms for your skill level.

Best Poker Rooms for Beginners

1. The Orleans

Among the Las Vegas locals, The Orleans Casino has long been known for its “softer” action—meaning there are more beginner poker players and fewer professionals at the tables. That being said, the word has spread, and it’s not uncommon to find the tables filled with more locals bluffing and looking for the soft action than fish you can take advantage of.

2. MGM Grand

Supposedly, the new place for “beginning” players in Las Vegas has shifted to the MGM Grand in recent years, though we’ve heard the action isn’t as soft as the Orleans once was. However, we don’t see a lot of professional poker players in these rooms, so we do think a beginner does have a better chance here than on the strip.

3. South Point

South Point Casino is pretty inconvenient for tourists to visit, and you’ll probably find yourself playing with a lot of locals. But, the reason they made this list is that they have some of the best and easiest tournaments for beginners. Playing one of them is a good way to learn without breaking the bank—just don’t expect to win early on.

4. Horseshoe (Previously Bally’s)

The Horseshoe is known for its low buy-in poker games and tournaments, and for the fact that it hosted the World Series of Poker in recent years. While many say it’s a great place for beginners, we find it to be a mixed bag as several of the pros do hang out here because The Horseshoe is owned by Caesar’s (one of the few casinos that offers comps for poker play), and as such, local pros choose it over many of the other options. So, while this one might be good for beginners, we recommend proceeding with caution.

Best Poker Rooms for Experienced Players

1. Caesar’s

Caesar’s Poker Room is a favorite among both professional and beginning players, as Caesar’s is one of the few casinos that offer points/comps for poker. This means that even if things aren’t going great for you, at least you might get a free meal or room out of it! Caesar’s is also one of the larger poker rooms, meaning you’ll find a variety of skill levels spread across the room and probably have several tables to choose from. Just keep in mind that Caesar’s is a local favorite among professional players, so you might find yourself playing above your league.

2. The Golden Nugget

The Golden Nugget is a local favorite for its unique vibe (you can play with both cash and chips!) And while it’s common to find professionals here, due to the lower buy-ins, you’ll find fewer than in comparable poker rooms on the strip, making it a good choice for experienced but not advanced players. While we aren’t sure about how good the action is around the clock and off-season, this is a good option for high-season gaming.

3. The Venetian

The Venetian Poker Room is both loved and hated by locals. On one hand, it has a pretty pricey buy-in—eliminating many of the “grinders” or poker players who play low stakes for the purpose of making a living. But at the same time, these high buy-ins often send “fish” elsewhere, meaning you could find yourself at a table of nothing but professionals and other experienced players. That said, the quality of the poker room is top-notch, so there is something to be said about enjoying the luxury as you play!

Best Poker Rooms for Advanced Players

1. Aria

We hear mixed things about the Aria. On one hand, it is a more premium casino, and there are likely to be several high rollers who aren’t as good of players as they think—meaning you are more likely to walk away with some cash. On the other hand, however, lots of professional players spend their time at the Aria—meaning you will be battling them to take advantage of the fish. Plus, the Aria’s poker room is a bit small—something many professionals complain about.

2. Bellagio

The Bellagio is loved and hated by professional poker players. It’s smaller than most of the rooms on this list, meaning it keeps a lot of professionals away, but the Bellagio is a popular property for “fish” or those who have money and don’t know how to play—therefore, many professionals will show up from time to time to try and win as much as they can. Because it’s uncomfortable there, and a known “fish” spot, we recommend only heading here if you know what you’re getting yourself into.

3. Encore

Encore has long been known as the poker room of the pros due to its high-class status as a casino. The buy-in is a bit higher than other rooms on the strip, which eliminates most of the mid-level players. Therefore, you are left with the high-rollers who are staying on the strip and have very little experience, and the professionals who come for the high-level action. We don’t recommend journeying to the Encore as a beginner unless you are really ready to lose to a pro.

Overall, we recommend trying out the action at a few different casinos before deciding where to spend your day. This article is based on forums and our own experience, and you may have a completely different experience. So, head to one of these casinos, buy in for the lowest amount, and don’t be afraid to cash out and leave if you aren’t having a good experience!