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There are many reasons to visit Vegas in 2023, whether for a show, a wedding, or just to soak up some sun. You might even be taking one of the great American road trips and choose to detor into Sin City to relax for a while.
Of course, Las Vegas is also the premier destination for casino enthusiasts, with the Gaming Control Board recording as much as $1.35 billion in casino revenues and more than three million visitors each month. Poker is arguably the most popular casino game played in Vegas. After all, it is home to many of the world’s largest and most popular poker tournaments, such as the World Series of Poker and the Venetian Deepstack Extravaganza.
Poker has a deep and rich history in US culture, having come here in the eighteenth century, and firmly established itself as the game of choice in the Wild West. There’s a strong argument for poker being tourist-worthy in 2023, and Vegas is the destination of choice for the modern poker fan.
Millions of poker players across different levels of expertise flock to Las Vegas to flex their skills and compete against each other. Amateurs may go to try their luck or to experience some of the poker-related attractions that line the streets of the City of Lights. A trip to this city would not be complete without a list of destinations to maximize a poker hobbyist’s enjoyment.
Here is a list of five Vegas destinations for poker fans:
1. Nevada State Museum
The Nevada State Museum Las Vegas is located at Springs Preserve and is one of the seven state museums operated by the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. It exhibits Nevada’s politics, industries, and geographies, such as fossil and desert wildlife, the construction of the Hoover Dam, and its famous Mob history. For poker fans, the museum presents rich information about the rise of casinos and gambling on The Strip and even houses a $25,000 poker chip from the now-defunct Dunes Hotel.
2. Golden Nugget
Often, tourists think of Bellagio, Aria, or Venetian as the go-to poker rooms in the city and tend to overlook great places outside The Strip. The Golden Nugget is one of the most underrated poker rooms in Las Vegas. Located on Fremont Street in Downtown Las Vegas, the Golden Nugget offers a 10-table poker room that’s a favorite destination for poker players after a night of partying. This place even hosts a poker series called The Grand in the summer, with dozens of tournaments for novice and experienced players.
3. The Neon Museum Las Vegas
Founded in 1996, the Neon Museum Las Vegas is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and celebrating the iconic signs of Las Vegas. For poker history fans, Binion’s original sign can be found in this museum. As you may recall, Benny Binion was a famous casino owner who conceived the World Series of Poker in 1989. Binion also pioneered the practice of giving free drinks to all players, regardless of records or wins.
4. Gambler’s General Store
The Gambler’s General Store is the best place to get poker souvenirs, such as playing cards featuring famous players or poker chip sets in varying styles and denominations. It is even home to the famous Gamblers Book club, a bookstore that stocks information on poker, Vegas history, sports betting, and other famous games. Their downtown store at 727 South Main Street was opened in 1984 and has been offering gaming supplies ever since.
5. Maddy Paddy’s Cafe
Maddy Paddy’s Cafe is a restaurant located near the Poker Palace Casino. Because the casino is a favorite among locals, this restaurant is where they get their fill of classic casino fares such as chicken tenders, cheeseburgers, fries, and New York steak. This charismatic full-service diner even offers an affordable breakfast menu, making it a worthy addition to the list of places to dine in when visiting Las Vegas.
A trip to Vegas wouldn’t be complete without at least one enriching exposure to poker, whether through a game or a trip down memory lane. These five places are worthwhile visits for every poker fan making their way to the world’s entertainment capital.
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