Bellagio Poker Room Info
By Kyle Wick
Bellagio, a Las Vegas resort and casino, is renowned for its European-style luxuries. Boasting gourmet dining and designer-label shopping, not to mention the posh rooms, Bellagio is a favored hotel among those enjoying Las Vegas. Guests may enjoy the water fountain show on the large artificial lake, or admire the exotic flora in the seasonal conservatory, or visit Light, the resort’s own dance floor. Bellagio’s wedding chapel offers a number of fine services and packages, including ceremonies in German, Spanish, French, Italian, and Japanese. There is even an art gallery, displaying photography by American photographer Ansel Adams.
Since opening in late ‘90s, Bellagio has remained competitive and enjoys a reputation for having avoided succumbing to a theme-park atmosphere. Perhaps the most famous attraction is its glittery poker room. The poker room has a variety of game choices. More important to many players, however, are the unusually high table limits for which Bellagio is famous. Bellagio is considered a “home base” of sorts for many professional players for this reason.
Among the games are Texas Hold ’em, 7 Card Stud and Omaha Hi-Lo Split poker. Thirty-nine tables are available in the poker room, with tournaments held daily, usually starting at noon. Ten or twelve tables are dedicated solely to Texas Hold ’em, at various stakes. Even after the remodeling, however, players can still expect waits between games. Between ten minutes and half an hour are usual, although players are almost guaranteed to get a table with the desired stakes. In an unusual nod (among casinos) to non-smokers, the 7,000 square foot poker room is smoke free.
Bellagio completed the remodeling of the poker room on April 27, 2005; Bellagio’s casino was becoming too small to accommodate every player. The room itself is elegant, with columns and railing. The entryway is marble, and a Murano hand-blown glass chandelier graces the ceiling. A second room, called “Bobby’s Room,” is for private, high-stakes games and includes comfortable living-room style chairs. Five tables are situated in Bobby’s Room, and the entire room is elevated to allow for extra privacy. Former champions have their pictures on display, alongside photos of past tournaments and championships. There are also nineteen television monitors: eight 32-inch screens and eleven 42-inch screens allow guests to enjoy their favorite shows between games. Complimentary beverages and 24-hour dining services are available to guests, and a complete overhead sound system brings music to the games.
Though Bellagio offers $4/$8 poker games, attracting many people, including Bill Gates, the more serious games attract high-profile players, including poker champions like David Sklansky. “Bobby’s Room,” named after Bellagio executive Baldwin (himself a World Series of Poker champion), is where No Limit Texas Hold ’em games can begin at $4,000 or $8,000. The inexperienced and less wealthy respectfully maintain their distance, content with lower stakes. Even so, visitors can expect to see famous poker players such as Jen Harman and Chip Reese.
Bellagio affirms the American Gaming Association’s Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming, for the benefit of their players. Bellagio’s employees are educated in responsible gaming information, including win-loss odds and identifying problem gaming. Alcohol is served in moderation, and employees are vigilant to prevent underage gambling and gambling to escape or solve personal problems. Bellagio offers a brochure entitled, “When the Fun Stops – Understanding Compulsive Gambling,” on its web site and at the Casino Cage, the Players Club Desk, and at the ATM machines.
Bellagio offers one of the finest resort experiences worldwide. Amidst the wide variety of Las Vegas gambling options, Bellagio’s poker room enjoys its reputation for quality. World champions and casual gamers alike know this, and continue to help keep the games an enjoyable experience.
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