Heading to Las Vegas for an exciting poker adventure?! Make your dream poker destination a trip to remember with our go-to Las Vegas trip guide.
Find the best tips and resources for a memorable Las Vegas poker journey here, including the best websites, apps, and experience information before and during your stay.
KKPoker made dreams come true with our second VEGAS DREAM promotion! You can read interviews with our winners, such as Ilijia Savevski, Chris Alcindor, Justin Anderson, and Lula.
Table of Contents
RESEARCH LIKE A PRO
Your dream poker trip to Las Vegas needs to be planned, with many important choices to make. Firstly, where to stay?!
The Las Vegas Strip is the most popular destination, featuring an array of world-class hotels just four miles from the International Airport.
Luxury Hotels on the Strip
Big Names: MGM, Caesars Palace, The Bellagio, Aria Resort, Venetian, Wynn
Highlights: Each hotel comes with unique themes and amenities such as pools, nightclubs, shopping, events, and, of course, casinos.
Budget Hotels on the Strip
Options: Excalibur, Flamingo, Paris/Horseshoe, Luxor, Harrah’s, LINQ, Planet Hollywood, New York-New York
Highlights: These hotel and casino resorts offer cheaper nightly rates, allowing you to save more for your poker bankroll while staying within walking distance of luxury hotels.
Top Tip: Las Vegas strip hotels often have a separate nightly charge on arrival to cover tax and Wi-Fi costs. Be aware of this before booking, and make sure you understand the additional charges for on-arrival.
Off-Strip Hotels
Options: The Orleans, Gold Coast, Palace Station, The Palms, Rio All-Suite, Tuscany Suites, Downtown Grand Hotel
Airbnb: Popular for renting villas within a 10-minute stay of the Strip.
Top Booking Resources
TripAdvisor: Browse reviews and ratings for hotels, restaurants, and attractions. It’s an excellent tool for planning your itinerary and ensuring you pick the best spots.
Yelp: Discover detailed reviews and recommendations for dining and entertainment options. Perfect for finding hidden gems.
BUDGETING FOR YOUR VEGAS TRIP
Las Vegas experiences can be had on all budgets. You just need to know how many big blinds your stack has...#pokerjoke
Costs: Transport, Hotel, Food, Entertainment, Tips, Poker Bankroll
Dining Options
Every casino will have a range of fine dining, convenience, and fast food options, perfect for quick bites on tournament days or relaxing meals during non-poker hours.
Top Tip: The Miracle Mile Shops close to the Paris Hotel and Planet Hollywood are open daily until 9 PM / 10 PM during the summer. It features well-known shopping and food brands, independent retailers, and live shows.
Poker Bankroll Management
Cash Games: Limits from $1/$2
Daily Tournaments: Buy-ins from $40
Venues: Caesars Palace, Orleans, Mandalay Bay, Sahara, MGM and more.
Find important poker cash game and tournament information and schedules at these resources: Bravo Poker Live, Poker Atlas, WSOP.
You can also find information on each casino's poker games via their official websites.
Top Tipping Tip: Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are free when playing a casino or poker game, which can save you a lot of money. However, the tipping culture in America is vast, especially in Las Vegas. Be sure to tip your server at least $1, and they will keep coming back even quicker.
PACK SMART FOR LAS VEGAS
When visiting Las Vegas during the summer, your packing list will be vital! The desert heat can reach highs of 44 degrees Celsius.
Essentials
Lightweight Materials: Cotton, linen, and moisture-wicking synthetics
For Poker Players: Pack for both inside and outside the casino due to the constant blasting of oxygen and AC. It might be burning hot outside, but you can soon catch a chill or a cold in the casino!
Las Vegas Shopping List for Poker Players:
T-Shirts / Light Dresses
Shorts
Swimwear
Jumper/Hoody
Headphones
Flip-flops
High-factor Suncream
Hat
Sunglasses
Water Bottle
Small Backpack
Favorite Card Protector
NAVIGATING LAS VEGAS
Key Areas
Strip: The main hub of activity.
Downtown: Home to Fremont Street and classic casinos.
Paradise, Henderson, Spring Valley: Nearby areas with their own attractions.
Closest Hotels to the Airport: Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Excalibur, MGM
Head further north on the strip to find Planet Hollywood, Bellagio, Wynn and Resorts World, followed by the STRAT Hotel, Las Vegas Premium Outlet and Downtown, featuring hotels such as Golden Nugget, Circa, Binions, The D, and the unmissable Freemont Street Experience.
Top Tip: The Las Vegas strip is approximately 5 miles and would take 90 minutes to walk from Mandalay Bay at the south to the STRAT. A walk from MGM to the Wynn would take 45 minutes, doable in the winter but almost impossible during the summer heat.
Las Vegas Monorail
With 7 stations along the route, the Monorail is a cheap and accessible way to travel the Strip.
Hours: Open daily from 07:00 - 03:00 (day-dependent).
Costs: Single rides from $5.50, 1-day pass from $13.45, and 7-day pass from $57.50 when booked online.
Stations: MGM Grand, Horseshoe/Paris, Flamingo, Convention Center, Westgate, Sahara, Harrah's/LINQ.
Ride Apps
Options: Uber, Lyft, Taxi, Limo
Uber & Lyft journeys start at $6, and you can often be picked up at convenient locations such as hotel front gates or parking garages. Taxis can be hailed from taxi stands located at most hotels, casinos, and attractions. It’s uncommon to hail a taxi directly from the street. A limousine can be purchased from hotel reception areas and hailed by a staff member.
Top Tip: A Limousine journey for a big group of people will give you a unique VIP experience and often cost a similar price as hailing 2 or 3 seperate taxis. Try it out at least once for fun!
Buses
Bus services operate on the Strip, such as The Deuce on The Strip, SDX, and RTC.
MUST-DO EXPERIENCES IN LAS VEGAS
Free Las Vegas Experiences
Fountains of Bellagio: Iconic water show featuring a musical and light performance. Performances typically run every 30 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes during the night. Evening shows will provide the best atmosphere, so arrive on time and find a good viewing spot. Some restaurants at the Bellagio Hotel offer amazing dining views.
Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens: A beautiful indoor garden experience that changes seasonally, showcasing elaborate floral displays and sculptures.
Wildlife Habitat at Flamingo: Located in the middle of the strip, the Flamingo Hotel is also home to the pink animals of its name, koi fish, turtles, and more exotic birds. Although the hotel is open 24/7, the animal enclosure will typically be open from dawn to dusk.
Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign: If you find yourself south of the strip, close to Mandalay Bay, visiting the famous 'Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas Sign' is a must-do photo opportunity and free access.
Top Paid Las Vegas Experiences
Cirque du Soleil: Shows include O (at Bellagio), Mystère (at Treasure Island), KÀ (at MGM Grand), The Beatles LOVE (at The Mirage), Michael Jackson ONE (at Mandalay Bay), MAD APPLE (New York New York). Tickets from approx. $69 per adult.
Absinthe: Named “the #1 greatest show in Las Vegas history” by Las Vegas Weekly. Tickets from $130 per adult.
Global Music Superstar Residencies: Artists such as Celine Dion, Elton John, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Mariah Carey, Aerosmith, Cher, and Elvis Presley have had Las Vegas residencies.
Active residencies as of May 2024 include Shania Twain, Adele, Carrie Underwood, Garth Brooks, Mariah Carey, and Lionel Richie, plus many more artists for special one-off shows throughout the year.
LAS VEGAS POKER TIPS
Make sure you know all the needed live poker rules and etiquette. We have the perfect guide for you here.
Go-to vegas poker information sources include, PokerAtlas and Bravo. Offering you live poker tournament schedules and up-to-date cash game information.
Live poker tournnaments and cash games will also be on offer, with the summer months even busier, with boosted playing opportunties due to the World Series of Poker between May - July.
As always, pratice good bankroll management and aim to play for fun!
SAFETY TIPS FOR LAS VEGAS
Stay Hydrated: Always carry water, especially in the summer heat.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Stay in well-lit, populated areas. Secure your valuables when walking.
Use Reputable Transportation: Stick to ride-sharing apps and official taxi services.
Street Artists: Be aware that street performers may offer photo opportunities that may appear free of cost but often require payment as a tip. Do not take photos with street performers if you are not willing to pay a tip of $10 upwards.
ID: Carry valid identification in case of emergencies.
LAS VEGAS BONUS TIPS
Casino Loyalty Cards: Sign up for each casino's loyalty card to collect points when staying or playing there. You can often claim free vouchers for food, gameplay, and even free hotel nights.
Room Upgrades: When checking in to your hotel, it is always worth asking if complimentary or discounted room upgrades are available. If you don't ask, you don't get!
Check for Deals: Always look for package deals or discounts on websites like Groupon, Vegas.com, and the official Las Vegas tourism site.
Enjoy your Las Vegas poker adventure with these tips and make the most of your stay in this vibrant city!
EXPERIENCE LIVE POKER
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