At long last, The Orleans poker room is back to being open around the clock, as of Friday, October 9. For the first time since the pre-coronavirus days, you can play cards at the off-Strip property at any time of day.
The Orleans boasts one of the top and largest poker rooms in Las Vegas. With 35 card tables, the card room has a game for just about anyone — at least if you're a low to mid stakes player. Most games spread in this often packed poker room are low stakes. Occasionally you'll find some $5-$10 and above games as well.
Another draw to the casino for poker players is that it's located away from the Strip, but not too far . The Orleans is about one mile west of the Strip. Some players who don't want to deal with the hassle of the crowded Strip enjoy playing at more removed casinos like Orleans.
You won't just find cash games at The Orleans. There are two daily tournaments beginning at 11 am ($100 buy-in) and 7 pm ($150 buy-in). On Friday nights, the 7 pm tournament costs $130 to enter and has long been one of the most popular weekly tournaments in Las Vegas.
Las Vegas poker is rebounding nicely
In mid-March, every casino in Las Vegas was forced to close down until June 4. That led many to believe the live poker scene in Sin City was dead. That didn't turn out to be the case.
During that reopening weekend, only four poker rooms returned to action, one was The Orleans. But that number has grown drastically over the past few months and is now up to 18 open poker rooms. There are still 13 closed card rooms in town, but the live poker scene has rebounded despite the global health pandemic that doesn't seem to want to go away.
The Orleans initially reopened on June 4 with restrictions set at four-handed play. But the Nevada Gaming Control Board (GCB) has since permitted the card room to spread seven-handed games. Face masks are required during play. That goes for every Las Vegas poker room.
One drawback for non-smokers is that The Orleans poker room is rather smoky. So, if you prefer playing in a card room that doesn't have a strong stench of cigarette smoke, there are many other options. That includes Aria, Bellagio, Venetian, and Wynn, all Strip properties considered among the best poker rooms in the world, and not just Las Vegas.
If you're trying to avoid the craziness of the Strip and a heavy cigarette stench (smoking is banned in every poker room but often lingers throughout the casino), Red Rock Resort in Summerlin has a lively poker room that's mostly enclosed.
Featured image source: Flickr
