The Palazzo/Venetian Resort Casino

First, I must couch this review within my general affection for the Venetian/Palazzo complex at large. My wife and I started our annual poker jaunts to Las Vegas three years ago. I was uncertain whether I would like Las Vegas at all. As much as I love poker, I do not necessarily groove to the full casino experience. An entire city of that environment might prove to be too much for me.

Choosing the Palazzo as our hotel was the critical and fortunate first step to loving Vegas. The rooms have a large, multi-level design complete with a desk, dinette set, square coffee table and huge wrap around couch. The bathroom is bigger than some hotel rooms I’ve rented in New York City! Our room at the Palazzo always feels more like a small, beautifully appointed apartment. Whenever I stay there, I never want to leave.

Although the room is certainly the star of my Palazzo/Venetian experience, the whole complex is wonderful. It is pleasant to walk through the faux canal area that connects the two casinos. There are great restaurants everywhere and good quick food options in the St. Mark’s square area. There seem to be nice shopping choices for those into such things. The gaming areas themselves are at the high end in terms of the look and feel among the major Las Vegas casinos. While not as expensive or elegant as the Wynn right next door, I realize the Palazzo charges higher than the median price for rooms on the strip. I promise you it is well worth it.

OK, enough of the general resort experience. Let’s get to the poker room.

The Venetian Poker Room

Heather and I have played tournaments at the Venetian Poker Room during each of our annual visits. The Venetian poker room appears to have gone through a significant renovation from 2016 to 2017. They have lost several tables by shrinking the room space significantly. The room also seemed a bit dimmer than I remember, but that could just be my rapidly aging eyesight. Because they were a bit washed out, discerning chip denominations from one another across the table was a challenge. However, the tables remain nicely spread out with comfortable elbow room and comfortable chairs.

In April of 2017, we played in a Sunday evening DeepStacks Extravaganza tournament. Special tournaments happen so regularly at the Venetian that they might as well be daily tournaments. This was a $200 rebuy tournament (15,000 chips, 20 minute blinds, antes start at level 4. Players were stronger overall than those we played against at Caesar’s the night before. Meanwhile, the Aria offered stiffer competition the following evening.

The Venetian’s highly skilled and efficient dealers kept good control of table, if not always consistent about announcing raises. The floors actively managed the action and no major issues developed. The tournament was professionally run (as you’d expect at a large Vegas cardroom). Service was prompt, although we did not order anything other than water. Wait times did not seem inordinately long for those around us.

The Venetian poker room is installing plexiglass dividers to allow eight-handed games. Ten tables already have dividers, and all 32 tables in the room will be fitted with them in the next two weeks. Refusing to play at the Venetian Poker Room, or the Venetian altogether, is one way to hit capitalist Adelson where it hurts the most. In fact, many in the poker community refuse to even walk into the Venetian. There are many other poker rooms across Las Vegas owned and operated by people who don’t hinder Nevada’s right to license online poker.

ning protocols. If any of these safety measures change your comfort level, then be sure to educate yourself about the specific accommodations of the room where you intend to play.

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Fifty-six players bought in (including rebuys) and the top prize was over $3,000 with an overall guarantee of $9,000. Heather chopped the top 5 spots for a $1,400 take. I had a top 6 equity chop in 2016 in a similar tournament format. Tipping was low stress and convenient, as you just put what you want in a box away from the table. There is a dealer hold out from your entry, so large tips are not expected.

Obviously, there are a lot of poker options in Las Vegas. We particularly enjoy the Aria poker room, as well. The Venetian poker room, however, is one of the best in terms aesthetics, comfort, and professionalism.

Related Recommendation

As I said earlier the Venetian/Palazzo complex is filled with great dining options. One of our favorites is Yardbird. Close to the Venetian poker room, Yardbird offers great Southern-style food featuring a fabulous fried chicken. Most plates are meant to be shared; the fried chicken is certainly enough for two as a main course. Side dishes of biscuits and grits with cheddar cheese are also very good.

• Comfort
• Tournament Structures
• Personnel

Summary

The Venetian offers a first-rate, Las Vegas professional poker experience. The surrounding Palazzo/Venetian complex is spectacular with large, unforgettable rooms. Vegas has a wide array of great poker options obviously, but the Venetian easily rates among top echelon rooms.

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Venetian Poker Room

The Venetian poker room was the first in Las Vegas to announce its reopening after the COVID-19 closures. It welcomed players back on June 5, 2020. It is open from 9am to 3am daily. It is home to 32 poker tables.

Poker players flocked back to Venetian when it reopened. At some points, all tables were in use as cash games, sit and gos and eventually multi table tournaments returned. Venetian install partitions at its tables. For this reason, it may only seat eight players at each game.

Venetian poker room cash games

The Venetian poker room spreads one of the largest varieties of cash games in Las Vegas. Typical no limit Texas Hold’em limits include blinds of 1/3, 2/5 and 5/10. A larger game is available if there are enough players. There is a 4/8 fixed limit Hold’em game with a half kill. Players will also find pot limit Omaha from time to time.

Venetian poker tournaments

The Venetian offers DeepStack tournaments almost daily at 11am. The DeepStack Extravaganza begins on October 26 and runs through November 29. The following series goes from December 10 through January 10. Daily tournaments will run on other days. Other DeepStack Extravaganza events are scheduled for February and March 2021.

Venetian poker promotions

Venetian poker room promotions are funded by a $2 jackpot drop. The prizes rotate monthly. There is a $125,000 drawing promotion in November and December. Active players earn entries into the pool.

Another common promotion is one where players that are clocked in earn tickets to a large drawing. The number of tickets earned is based on the hours played.

Players earn $1 an hour in comps when clocked in with a Grazie card. These funds may be used at food outlets or to buy into a Venetian poker tournament.

Environment

The Venetian poker room is destination for serious players. It is a mix of locals and tourists. The poker room is spacious with comfortable seating. It is managed professionally with experienced staff. The Venetian poker room earned a reputation as one of the best in Las Vegas.

Venetian poker room rake

The Venetian poker room rakes 10% up to $5. There is a jackpot drop of up to $2.

Venetian poker room FAQ

Is the Venetian poker room open 24 hours a day?

No. Its hours are 9am to 3am daily.

Venetian Poker Room Number

What cash games are spread by the Venetian poker room?

You will find 1/3 and 2/5 no limit Texas Hold’em often. Higher limit games may run during busier times. Pot limit Omaha and mixed games are spread occasionally.

Casino Venezia Poker Room

Does Venetian spread poker tournaments?

Yes. Between DeepStack events and dailies, there is a tournament every day at the Venetian poker room.

How many players are seated per table at Venetian?

Venetian Poker Room Blog

There are eight seats at Venetian poker tables.

Venetian Poker Room Facebook

Updated: December 9, 2020