Stratosphere Poker Vegas The Stratosphere Casino and Resort is located at the top of the Las Vegas strip, the last casino to be found. And on March 1, 2008, they celebrated the grand opening of a brand new poker room on their casino floor, no longer hidden in the back of the establishment by the sports book.

This poker room was the first one on the entire strip to offer tournaments before 10am. Needless to say, just about everyone else followed suit. The new poker room has eight tables at the north end of the casino floor and there is plenty of room for both wait staff and players. The dealers definitely are enjoying the new digs and they are very good at running the tables in a polite and professional manner. Lessons are available from 8:30am to 9:30 am daily.

Stratosphere Poker Games

The Stratosphere’s card room spreads Texas Hold’Em poker. Limit stakes at $2/$4 and $3/$6 while no limit goes with a $1/$2 blind with a $100 buy-in. Players of all skill levels like this room and many beginners walk away from the $1/$2 tables with more money than what they paid out. With Texas Hold’Em being the only game spread here, new players may actually stand a chance of not getting lost in the poker crowd and gain some good experience at the felt.

Tournaments, on the other hand, are a different story. The Stratosphere changed their daily tournament schedule in November of last year and the spaces for these go quick. Not only did they change the start time for the six daily events, they also upped their chip limit. Tournaments start at 4am, 8am, noon, 4pm, 8pm, and midnight. The 4am and 8am tournaments have a buy in of $65 with 6,000 in chips, which break down to the following: $40 fee, $15 admin, and $10 staff bonus. That’s 4,000 chips plus another 2,000. The noon, 4pm, 8pm, and midnight games buy-in at $60 for 4,000 with the same breakdown except the staff bonus is $5 resulting in 2,500 chips plus an additional 1,500. All rounds are in twenty minute segments and blinds start at $25/$50.

Currently the Stratosphere offers $1 per hour comp that is put on a swipe card and maxed out at $12. There does not seem to be a room rate for the poker players but considering they just did a grand opening only last month, this is subject to change and potential guests and poker players at the Stratosphere should inquire when they book their rooms.

Incidentally, the Stratosphere has one of the best views of Las Vegas. Ticket to go up the tower and walk along the observations deck of the Stratosphere are $11.95 for adults and $8.00 for children, seniors, and hotel guests. There are a variety of international flavored shops there, some extreme thrill rides, and the best view of the city with a lot of photo opportunities available. You will definitely want to take in the Vegas strip from here.