Commerce Casino
6131 East Telegraph Rd.
Los Angeles, CA
Phone (323) 721-2100
The Commerce Casino is the largest poker room in the world with more than 240 total gaming tables, over 160 of which are dedicated to poker. The card room is located directly off the 5 freeway in the City of Commerce, roughly 8-10 miles southeast of downtown LA. The facility initially opened in 1983 and has since expanded several times including adding a hotel in 2001. The Commerce now rivals a mid-size Las Vegas casino in size and amenities including multiple dining options.
The Crowne Plaza hotel, attached directly to the casino, is an award-winning property featuring 200 deluxe rooms, a spa, pool, entertainment and more. The Commerce offers all games allowed in California including pai gow poker and tiles, pan, blackjack and baccarat variations and, of course, poker. Poker variants offered include NL and limit hold'em, 7-card stud, Omaha, lowball, Mexican poker, pineapple and mixed games. The Commerce also hosts daily tournaments and several major tournament series including the LA Poker Classic (a WPT event held in Jan-Feb), the WPT Celebrity Invitational, the California State Poker Championship and the Heavenly Hold'em series. The casino is divided into several areas, all of which are cavernous. Players used to smaller (<40 table rooms) may be overwhelmed by the size and have difficulty finding the game for which they're looking. If it's poker-related, the Commerce probably spreads it; simply ask any floor person where to look. With multiple tables at most limits, wait times are minimal for many games. Wait lists are now automated throughout and the staff seats players quickly. The tables (9-handed) and chairs (fixed leg) are all comfortable and all cash game tables have auto-shufflers to maximize the hands per hour. Note: unlike other rooms, the Commerce continually upgrades its facilities and gaming equipment; the tables, felt and chairs are always in first-rate condition. Dealers are friendly and efficient, although given the size and volume of the room, it lacks the floor-dealer-player intimacy you'll find at smaller rooms. Food and beverage service is available table-side throughout the facility and responsive at all but peak times. When playing at $15/$30 limit and $400 NL and above, food is free.
The Crowne Plaza hotel, attached directly to the casino, is an award-winning property featuring 200 deluxe rooms, a spa, pool, entertainment and more. The Commerce offers all games allowed in California including pai gow poker and tiles, pan, blackjack and baccarat variations and, of course, poker. Poker variants offered include NL and limit hold'em, 7-card stud, Omaha, lowball, Mexican poker, pineapple and mixed games. The Commerce also hosts daily tournaments and several major tournament series including the LA Poker Classic (a WPT event held in Jan-Feb), the WPT Celebrity Invitational, the California State Poker Championship and the Heavenly Hold'em series. The casino is divided into several areas, all of which are cavernous. Players used to smaller (<40 table rooms) may be overwhelmed by the size and have difficulty finding the game for which they're looking. If it's poker-related, the Commerce probably spreads it; simply ask any floor person where to look. With multiple tables at most limits, wait times are minimal for many games. Wait lists are now automated throughout and the staff seats players quickly. The tables (9-handed) and chairs (fixed leg) are all comfortable and all cash game tables have auto-shufflers to maximize the hands per hour. Note: unlike other rooms, the Commerce continually upgrades its facilities and gaming equipment; the tables, felt and chairs are always in first-rate condition. Dealers are friendly and efficient, although given the size and volume of the room, it lacks the floor-dealer-player intimacy you'll find at smaller rooms. Food and beverage service is available table-side throughout the facility and responsive at all but peak times. When playing at $15/$30 limit and $400 NL and above, food is free.
Venetian
3355 Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV
Phone (702) 414-1000
The Venetian has an elegant, 39-table, non-smoking room that's arguably the nicest on the Strip. The semi-enclosed room, located near the sportsbook and Players Club, is decorated with luxurious wood and leather fixtures, 21 large screen plasma televisions, crystal chandeliers and comfortable waiting area with large leather sofas. There's a separate high stakes area in which 7 of the tables are located. The Venetian offers limit (4/8 and up), NL (1/2 and up) and mixed games regularly.
Some of the better daily tournaments on the Strip and, during the WSOP, a series of deep stake tournaments that are highly popular alternatives to WSOP events. Wait-lists are automated and easily visible from the waiting area. The room's tables have auto-shufflers, drink holders and a tan felt that some might find unusual, and the adjustable, wheeled chairs are very comfortable. The tables have plenty of room between them; on quiet days the room can feel more vacant than it is, but it never feels crowded even on the busiest days. The Venetian offers some of the most generous comps on the Strip ($1+/hour) and room rates of $169 weekdays and $259 weekends.
Some of the better daily tournaments on the Strip and, during the WSOP, a series of deep stake tournaments that are highly popular alternatives to WSOP events. Wait-lists are automated and easily visible from the waiting area. The room's tables have auto-shufflers, drink holders and a tan felt that some might find unusual, and the adjustable, wheeled chairs are very comfortable. The tables have plenty of room between them; on quiet days the room can feel more vacant than it is, but it never feels crowded even on the busiest days. The Venetian offers some of the most generous comps on the Strip ($1+/hour) and room rates of $169 weekdays and $259 weekends.
Aria Resort and Casino
3730 Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV
Phone (866) 359-7111
Built by the finest developer and operator of luxury resorts in the world, the Aria is the newest MGM Mirage hotel in Las Vegas. And what a hotel it is. Slap-bang in the middle of CityCenter, its Olympian proportions are architecturally extraordinarily graceful, both externally and internally. Stepping into the soaring lobby – three stories high – is an experience in itself, but the building has also been designed to make maximum use of natural light, creating a sumptuously spacious and soothing ambience. Guestroom corridors, for example, are aglow with natural light, opening into fabulous viewing stages enclosed in glass offering breathtaking vistas of the mountains or the dramatic city skyline.
There are over 4,000 guest rooms which include 568 suites, and the floor-to-ceiling windows afford panoramic views of the pulsating city and skyline. Check yourself into a room in the tower and you’ll find that it’s been uniquely designed to give you stunning corner-window cityscape views.
But let’s cut to the chase. The Casino is jaw-dropping, offering a vast 150,000 square feet of state-of-the art gaming. If you’re into slots, you’re going to find yourself in slot heaven, with games that can be played for a one cent coin right up to those requiring a $5,000 wager. There are literally hundreds of options available, from standard “reel” machines to the most cutting-edge video machines on the market. There are even machines – if you dare risk them – that offer multi-million dollar rewards. The Aria also boasts a specially designed, exclusive “SPIN” room designed by Peter Marino for guests with the means to get stuck in to high-limit games.
The spacious poker room amply accommodates 24 tables. Situated on the east side of the Casino near the Skybox Lounge and Bar, it offers a pleasingly wide variety of different cash games including Texas Hold’em and No Limit Hold’em, along with 2-7 Triple Draw, Badugi, Chinese Poker, Pot Limit Omaha, Omaha 8 or Better and a range of mixed games. All the dealers are professionally trained and the management team (and the clear poker rules) ensures that the very highest standards of fair play and integrity are observed at all times. Bathed in natural light, the room is soothing and smoke-free. You’ll discover a huge range of limits available, from 1-3 No Limit Hold’em right up to the highest limits played anywhere in the world. Tourney aficionados will be unable to resist the Aria Daily Poker Tournaments but remember that registration takes place a couple of hours before each tournament begins. The Aria Daily and Nightly Poker Tournaments take place Monday through Sunday, between 1.00pm and 7.00pm. If you’re inexperienced, you can even try out some of the excellent poker lessons on offer.
Obviously I can’t list every Poker room out there. Here is a small list of other Casinos that I recommend you play at if you are in the area:
• Agua Caliente Casino – Rancho Mirage, CA
• Akwesasne Mohawk Casino – Hogansburg, NY
• Aliente Station Casino – North Las Vegas, NV
• Ameristar Casino – Black Hawk, CO
• Ameristar Casino – Kansas City, MO
• Ameristar Casino – St Charles, MO
• Ameristar Casino – Vicksburg, MS
• Argosy Casino – Riverside, MO
• Argosy Casino – Sioux City, IA
• Artichoke Joe’s Casino – San Bruno, CA
• Atlantis Casino Resort – Reno, NV
• Aquarius Casino Resort – Laughlin, NV
• Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino – Atlantic City-NJ
• Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino – San Diego, CA
• Bay 101 Casino – San Jose, CA
• Beau Rivage Resort & Casino – Biloxi, MS
• Belterra Resort & Spa – Florence, IN
• Binions Horseshoe Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• Bicycle Casino, The – Bell Gardens, CA
• Black Oak Casino – Tuolumne, CA
• Blue Lake Casino – Blue Lake, CA
• BlueWater Resort & Casino – Parker, AZ
• Boomtown Casino – Biloxi, MS
• Boomtown Casino & Hotel – Verdi, NV
• Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa – Atlantic City, NJ
• Boulder Station Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• Buffalo Run Casino – Miami, OK
• Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino – Santa Fe, NM
• Cache Creek Casino – Brooks, CA
• Cactus Pete’s Casino – Jackpot, NV
• Cadillac Ranch Casino – Longview, WA
• Caesars - Atlantic City – Atlantic City, NJ
• California Grand Casino – Pacheco, CA
• Cameo Club Casino – Stockton, CA
• Cannery Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• Canterbury Park Racetrack & Card Room – Shakopee, MN
• Capitol Casino – Sacramento, CA
• Capitol Club – Sacramento, CA
• Carson Nugget – Carson City, NV
• Casino Arizona – Scottsdale, AZ
• Casino Aztar – Evansville, IN
• Casino Aztar – Caruthersville, MO
• Casino Del Sol – Tucson, AZ
• Casino Fandango – Carson, NV
• Casino Pauma – Pauma Valley, CA
• Casino Real – Santa Clara, CA
• Casino Royale – Modesto, CA
• Catfish Bend Casino – Burlington, IA
• Cher-Ae Heights Casino – Trinidad, CA
• Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino – Coarsegold, CA
• Chumash Casino Resort – Santa Ynez, CA
• Circus Circus Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• Cliff Castle Casino – Camp Verde, AZ
• Club Cal Neva – Reno, NV
• Club Caribe Casino – Cudahy, CA
• Club One Casino – Fresno, CA
• Colorado Belle Hotel Casino – Laughlin, NV
• Colorado Central Station Casino – Black Hawk, CO
• Colusa Casino Resort – Colusa, CA
• Coushatta Casino Resort – Kinder, LA
• Creek Nation Casino – Tulsa, OK
• Crystal Casino & Hotel – Compton, CA
• Daytona Beach Kennel Club – Daytona Beach, FL
• Delta Club Card Room – Stockton, CA
• Derby Lane – Saint Petersburg, FL
• Desert Diamond Casino – Sahuarita, AZ
• Desert Diamond Hotel & Casino – Tucson, AZ
• Deuces Wild Casino and Lounge – Auburn, CA
• Diamond Jack’s – Bossier City, LA
• Diamond Jim’s Casino – Rosamond, CA
• Diamond Jo Casino – Northwood, IA
• Diamond Lil’s Cardroom – Renton, WA
• Don Laughlin’s Riverside Resort & Casino – Laughlin, NV
• Downstream Casino & Resort – Quapaw, OK
• Dubuque Greyhound Park – Dubuque, IA
• Eagle Mountain Casino – Porterville, CA
• Ebro Greyhound Park – Ebro, FL
• Eldorado Hotel & Casino – Reno, NV
• Eureka Casino – Mesquite, NV
• Excalibur Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino – Indio, CA
• Feather Falls Casino& Lodge – Oroville, CA
• Fiesta Henderson Hotel & Casino – Henderson, NV
• Fiesta Rancho Hotel & Casino – North Las Vegas, NV
• Firelake Grand Casino – Shawnee, OK
• Fitzgerald’s Casino & Hotel – Las Vegas, NV
• Flagler Greyhound Track – Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• Flamingo Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• Fort McDowell Casino – Shea, AZ
• Fortune Bay Resort & Casino – Tower, MN
• Garden City Casino – San Jose, CA
• Gilpin Casino, The – Golden, CO
• Gold Coast Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• Gold Country Casino & Hotel – Oroville, CA
• Gold Rush Gaming Emporium – Grass Valley, CA
• Gold Sombrero Cardroom – Merced, CA
• Gold Strike Casino Resort – Tunica, MS
• Golden Acorn Casino – Campo, CA
• Golden Gates Casino: Poker Parlour – Blackhawk, CO
• Golden Moon Hotel & Casino – Choctaw, MS
• Golden Nugget – Las Vegas, NV
• Golden West Casino – Bakersfield, CA
• Grand Casino Biloxi – Biloxi, MS
• Grand Casino Coushatta – Kinder, LA
• Grand Casino Hinckley – Hinckley, MN
• Grand Casino Mille Lacs – Onamia, MN
• Grand Sierra Casino & Resort – Reno, NV
• Greektown Casino – Detroit, MI
• Green Valley Ranch Resort – Henderson, NV
• Gulfstream Park Racing & Casino – Hallandale, FL
• Hard Rock Casino & Hotel – Catoosa, OK
• Hard Rock Casino & Hotel – Las Vegas, NV
• Hard Rock Casino & Hotel – Biloxi, MS
• Harrah’s - Ak-Chin– Phoenix, Arizona
• Harrah’s - Atlantic City – Atlantic City, NJ
• Harrah’s - Harvey’s Lake Tahoe Casino – Stateline, NV
• Harrah’s - Las Vegas – Las Vegas, NV
• Harrah’s - Laughlin – Laughlin, NV
• Harrah’s - New Orleans – New Orleans, LA
• Harrah’s - North Kansas City Casino & Hotel – Kansas City, MO
• Harrah’s - Reno – Reno, NV
• Harrah’s - Rincon Casino & Resort – San Diego, CA
• Harrah’s - St. Louis – St. Louis, MO
• Harrah’s - Tunica – Robinsonville, MS
• Hawaiian Gardens Casino – Hawaiian Gardens, CA
• Hinsdale Greyhound Park – Hinsdale, NH
• Ho-Chunk Wisconsin Dells – Baraboo, WI
• Ho-Chunk Wisconsin Dells – Baraboo, WI
• Hollywood Casino – Aurora, IL
• Hollywood Casino – Lawrenceburg, IN
• Hooters Casino Hotel – Las Vegas, NV
• Horizon Casino & Hotel – Biloxi, MS
• Horseshoe Casino – Bossier City, LA
• Horseshoe Casino – Cleveland, OH
• Horseshoe Casino – Cleveland, OH
• Horseshoe Casino – Council Bluffs, IA
• Horseshoe Casino – Elizabeth, IN
• Horseshoe Casino – Robinsonville, MS.
• Hustler Casino – Gardena, CA
• Imperial Palace Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• I.P. – Biloxi, MS
• Island Resort & Casino – Harris, MI
• Isle of Capri – Bettendorf, IA
• Isle of Capri – Biloxi, MS
• Isleta Casino & Resort – Albuquerque, NM
• Jackpot Junction Casino – Morton, MN
• Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel – Jackson, CA
• Jai-Alai - Dania – Dania, FL
• Jai-Alai - Miami – Miami, FL
• John Ascuaga’s Nugget – Reno, NV
• Jumer’s Casino & Hotel – Rock Island, IL
• Kewadin Casino – St. Ignace, MI
• Klondike Casino – Eureka, CA
• Lake Elsinore Hotel & Casino – Lake Elsinore, CA
• Leelanau Sands Casino – Peshawbestown, MI
• Lucky Buck Card Club – Livermore, CA
• Lucky Chances Casino – Colma, CA
• Lucky Derby Casino – Citrus Heights, CA
• Lucky Lady Card Room – San Diego, CA
• Lucky Nugget Card Club – Deadwood, SD
• Lumiere Place – St. Louis, MO
• Luxor Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• Majestic Star Casino & Hotel – Gary, IN
• Mandalay Bay – Las Vegas, NV
• Mardi Gras Racetrack & Gaming Center – Hollywood, FL
• Marina Club Casino – Marina, CA
• Menominee Casino-Bingo-Hotel – Keshena, WI
• Meskwaki Bingo & Casino – Tama, IA
• MGM Grand Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• Miccosukee Resort & Gaming Center – Miami, FL
• Midnight Rose Casino – Cripple Creek, CO
• Mike’s Card Casino – Oakdale, CA
• Mirage – Las Vegas, NV
• Mohegan Sun – Uncasville, CT
• Monte Carlo Resort & Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa – Lake Tahoe, NV
• Montego Bay Casino – West Wendover, NV
• Morongo Resort Casino & Spa – Cabazon, CA
• Motorcity Casino – Detroit, MI
• Mountaineer Racetrack & Gaming Resort –Chester, WV
• Muckleshoot Casino – Auburn, WA
• Napa Valley Casino – American Canyon, CA
• Naples-Ft.Myers Greyhound Track – Bonita Springs, FL
• Normandie Casino – Gardena, CA
• Northern Lights Casino – Walker, MN
• O’Sheas – Las Vegas, NV
• Oaks Card Club – Emeryville, CA
• Ocean View Cardroom – Santa Cruz, CA
• One-Eyed Jacks Card Room – Sarasota, FL
• Oneida Casino – Green Bay, WI
• Orleans, The – Las Vegas, NV
• Nugget Hotel & Casino – Pahrump, NV
• Palace Club – Hayward, CA
• Palace Station Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• Palm Beach Kennel Club – West Palm Beach, FL
• Palms Casino Resort – Las Vegas, NV
• Palomar Card Club – San Diego, CA
• Paradise Casino – Yuma, AZ
• Paragon Casino & Resort – Marksville, LA
• Pechanga Resort & Casino – Temecula, CA
• Peppermill Casino – Reno, NV
• Pete’s 881 Club – San Rafael, CA
• Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• Players’ Poker Club – Ventura, CA
• Poker Flats Casino – Merced, CA
• Poker Palace – North Las Vegas, NV
• Potawatomi Bingo Casino – Milwaukee, WI
• Prairie’s Edge Casino Resort – Granite Falls, MN
• President Casino-St. Louis Riverfront – St. Louis, MO
• Quechan Casino– Winterhaven, CA
• Red Rock Casino Resort Spa – Las Vegas, NV
• Reno Hilton Casino – Reno, NV
• Riverside Casino – Laughlin, NV
• Riviera – Las Vegas, NV
• Royal River Casino – Flandreau, SD
• Running Aces Card Room – Columbus, MN
• Sam’s Town Casino – Tunica, MS
• Sam’s Town Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino – Highland, CA
• Sandia Resort & Casino – Albuquerque, NM
• Sands Regency Casino & Hotel – Reno, NV
• Santa Ana Star Casino – Santa Ana Pueblo, NM
• Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Hollywood, FL
• Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Tampa, FL
• Seneca Niagara Casino – Niagara Falls, NY
• Seven Clans Casino – Thief River Falls, MN
• Seven Feathers Hotel & Casino Resort – Canyonville, OR
• Shooting Star Casino and Hotel – Madnomen, MN
• Showboat Casino - Atlantic City – Atlantic City, NJ
• Soaring Eagle Casino – Mount Pleasant, MI
• South Point Hotel and Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• Spirit Mountain Casino – Grand Ronde, Oregon
• St.Croix Casino – Turtle Lake, WI
• Stratosphere – Las Vegas, NV
• Suncoast Hotel & Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• Sunset Station Hotel & Casino – Henderson, NV
• Sycuan Casino – El Cajon, CA
• Tachi Palace– Lemoore, CA
• Tampa Bay Downs – Tampa, FL
• Texas Station Casino – North Las Vegas, NV
• Thunder Valley Casino – Lincoln, CA
• Treasure Island – Las Vegas, NV
• Treasure Island Resort Casino – Red Wing, MN
• Trump Taj Mahal Casino – Atlantic City, NJ
• Turlock Poker Room – Turlock, CA
• Turning Stone Resort & Casino – Verona, NY
• Tuscany Suites & Casino – Las Vegas, NV
• Ute Mountain Casino – Towaoc, CO
• Valley View Casino – Valley Center, CA
• Vee Quiva Casino – Laveen, AZ
• Viejas Casino – Alpine, CA
• Village Club Card Room – Chula Vista, CA
• Wheeling Island Racetrack & Gaming Center – Wheeling, WV
• White Oak Casino – Deer River, MN
• Wild Horse Pass Casino – Chandler, AZ
• Wildhorse Resort & Casino – Pendleton, OR
• Win-River Casino – Redding, CA
• Wine Country Card Room – Lodi, CA
• Winstar – Thackerville, OK
• Wynn – Las Vegas, NV