Poker is the classic card game because it rewards skill, experience and the right mindset. It’s one the best tactical games to play. That’s true whether you’re playing among a group of friends or at a high-stakes table at a glamorous casino. Poker isn’t about beating the house – it’s a competition between the players. And that creates the unique atmosphere of poker.
That’s why there are more and more holidays on offer that give you a break in an exotic location – along with the chance to play poker too. Great international resorts, hotels and casinos now offer relaxing luxury vacations. Today’s players might spend many hours playing online poker in the comfort of our homes – but there’s an extra excitement about playing in a poker room next to a palm-fringed beach or in the vibrant heart of a glittering high-rise city.
Online playing has sparked the surge in poker but increasing number of real bricks-and-mortar luxury resorts are reaping the rewards. Today’s top casino resorts range from the classic grandeur of Monte Carlo, where the casino is like a historic national monument, to futuristic modern resorts like the Marina Sands in Singapore.
Here are some of the best places to play poker around the world today:
Casino de Monte Carlo
The oldest and grandest of them all a 19th-century palace on the clifftop in this spectacular Mediterranean principality. Around its palm fringed square are some of the area’s top high-class hotels and gourmet restaurants. In the harbour below are mega-yachts of the rich and famous.
Monaco is a tiny but wealthy state built on decades of the profits of this casino which is owned by the Royal family. So, playing a hand of poker here is more a part of local culture than anywhere in the world. You might not be the next player to break the bank at Monte Carlo – but even today, few resorts can match the atmosphere of this place.
The Atlantic, Bahamas
Towering above the palms and ferns along the beach, the Atlantic is a fantastical modern resort complex on a magical island in the Caribbean. It’s surrounded by long sandy beaches and sparkling blue seas. Playing poker at the Atlantic is different again. It’s about relaxing with the chilled beach life vibe of the Bahamas. Stay calm, sip a cocktail and see how the cards turn out.
Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas
The newly revamped Palms Resort is considered one of THE places to play poker in Vegas today. The resort has been completely overhauled with s stunning in-house art collection from names like Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst. You’ll even be able to play poker among art in the ultra-glam casino rooms. Palms has the city’s biggest multi-casino linked progressive Texas Hold’em. This means you play against the dealer, but the jackpots start higher, increase faster and hit more often.
Crown Casino Complex, Melbourne
Australia is emerging as the latest long-haul casino destination. On the south coast The Crown is the big name everyone is talking about. This new complex is a combination of three skyscraper hotels. There’s even a rooftop tennis court where you may spot a world-famous player. Poker rooms operate until 4am in the morning with the option to join tournaments every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This is a poker venue for real enthusiasts.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
The Marina Bay Sands is a resort in one of Asia’s most innovative modern buildings. The Sands’ three towers are topped by a sweeping roof garden hundreds of feet up. Take a break from the table and find the highest infinity pool in the world, enjoy a wide choice of restaurants and a discount shopping mall with more than 170 high-end designer brands.
But the casino is the star here. It’s a glittering four-storey temple to games of chance. With approximately 600 table games and 3,000 electronic gaming machines, there’s plenty of distraction for even the most focussed poker enthusiasts.
The Venetian Macau
Asia’s booming gambling capital Macau has a Venetian resort that has outdone even its sister branch in Vegas. For starters the 39-floor, 3,000-room resort is simply huge. It claims to be the world’s biggest casino and the whole complex has more than 10 million square feet of floor space. Poker players can choose between 21 tables here. They seem to come alive during major poker events.
Look out for its international poker tournaments and televised games.
The growth of destination poker
As more luxury casino resorts open round the world, poker has now become an established type of holiday activity. You’ll find poker tables on cruise ships, beach holidays and city breaks. The convenience of playing online is great – but it seems to have also fuelled a need to play poker in incredible atmospheres around the world too.