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Earlier today at 9AM, the Hard Rock Poker Lounge opened to the public, and LasVegasMichael from AVP was there to cover it, exclusively for our readers.
The Hard Rock Poker Lounge is truly going to change the face of the Las Vegas Poker scene. Not since the Grand Opening of the Wynn and Venetian has a casino spent as much time, effort, and money in creating an entirely new poker experience.
The Poker Lounge is quite an amazing site. 18 tables, all with autoshufflers, private tables in open back rooms, lots of lounge seating, poker bar, with video poker, and dedicated cocktail staff, sportsbook runners/writers availalble in the room 24/7, tableside foodservice 24/7, hourly comps, daily tournaments, a poker based staff (all floormen/management come from poker backgrounds), RESTROOMS IN THE POKER ROOM, smoking lounge (poker bar/waiting area), convenient parking, players cards available in room, and a host of other details make this truly the be all end all of Las Vegas poker. Now they just need the players, as they are willing to spread any game of any limit (from 2/4LHE to 3K/6K mixed game rotation).
This reviewer was truly blown away by this poker room. There is no specific "rail", but the first poker table is only a few feet from the hallway that leads to the main casino and the parking garage.
The room is inviting, with a row of tables leading to the main area, where there are several more tables, and private tables (the "private" tables follow basic gaming regulations, of course, and are open to them main room, but have their own rails and entrances.
Also, the room has some unique aspects:
1. The BUTTON can straddle (double the big blinds). This is NOT the same as a Mississippi Straddle. The Button straddle takes priority over the UTG straddle, and gets last action REGARDLESS of action in front. If there is a raise and a re-raise, the action around the entire table completes before the button straddle acts. When the button straddles, UTG still acts first.
2. There must be $20 in the pot for a jackpot to qualify.
3. Players can use the phone at the table, just not during tournament play.
4. High Hand bonuses: Quads and Straight flushes start at $50 and are daily progressive, capped at $599. A-5 Straight Flush and Royals start at $500 and are uncapped/progressive. There must be $20 in the pot, 4 players dealt in, and the hand does not have to go to showdown.
5. At the 5/10LHE and NLHE and above, the players can vote to take out the jackpot drop.
6. 1/2NL and 2/4LHE through 4/8LHE get $1 per hour comps that can be used anywhere at Hard Rock, including the gift shop and toward your room bill. 2/5 gets $1.50, and 5/10 and above get $2 per hour. Cards are swiped at the table, and a card gam be generated for you in the room.
The Editor Review is now posted on AVP and includes LOTS of pictures. Check it out by Clicking HERE.
To discuss this Poker Lounge, please see the AVP Discussion Forum thread HERE.
One view of the room. Tons of additional photos are found on the Hard Rock Room page.
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