A good poker trip needs more than cards and chips. You want places with solid games, smooth logistics, and something to do between tournaments. Here’s a rundown of poker-friendly destinations that also work as real trips — based on actual venues, player traffic, and seasonal events.
Las Vegas: Still at the Center
Las Vegas remains the top stop for poker travelers. It hosts the World Series of Poker every summer, which now runs at the Horseshoe and Paris casinos on the Strip. There are still 19 casinos with poker rooms in town. The Bellagio, Wynn, Aria, and Resorts World offer action at various stakes all year.
Visiting Binion’s is worth it for old-school fans — it’s where the WSOP first ran — even if poker’s no longer spread there.
Poker by the Beach: Welcome to Barcelona
Casino Barcelona is known for regular tournaments and reliable cash poker games. It brings in players from across Europe, especially during the European Poker Tour stop in August. The poker room is a short walk from the beach, and tournaments there are well-run with decent structures.
Watch your pockets in crowded areas near the Gothic Quarter — Barcelona is tourist-heavy, and scams are common.
Monte Carlo: High-Stakes and High Prices
Monte Carlo runs a tight poker calendar, but it packs international traffic into one week in May — during the Monte Carlo Bay-hosted EPT. Games outside that window are limited. The Casino de Monte-Carlo table minimums are high, and casual players might find it uninviting.
Still, it’s worth seeing once. The area is known for the F1 race and luxury restaurants. Schedule your visit around the tournament series.
Macau: For the Deep-Pocketed
Macau caters to high-rollers. Venues like City of Dreams and The Venetian Macao are built for big games, with high buy-ins and top-tier amenities. Professional players often fly in for specific events, but regular action is a bit thinner than in places like Vegas or LA.
It’s tourist-friendly. English-speaking staff and cashiers make conversion and buying into games easily enough.
London: Consistent Action in Smaller Rooms
The Grosvenor Victoria Casino is the heart of London’s poker action. The tournaments there are a bit smaller in scale but well-structured. Games run daily, and the staff is professional.
Its location works well for travelers hopping between European cities. Flights in and out are simple, and local transport is reliable.
Melbourne: A Comeback in Progress
Crown Casino used to be home to the Aussie Millions, one of the biggest series outside North America. The event has been paused since the pandemic, but poker is picking back up at Crown. The poker room still runs regular cash games and mid-stakes local tournaments.
The city itself is walkable and has things to do outside of poker without going far from the hotel.
Prague: Affordable and Underrated
King’s Casino in Prague offers a solid schedule, and costs there are more reasonable than in Western Europe. Food and lodging are affordable, and the games attract players from across the continent.
The historic backdrop of the city adds some flavor, but more importantly, the fields aren’t too big, and structures give room to play.
LA Poker: Commerce Runs the Show
Commerce Casino outside Los Angeles has 150 tables and round-the-clock games. It’s built for action. You’ll find everything from $2/$3 no-limit to $100/$200 mix games. The Bicycle Casino is nearby and runs its own event schedule.
Nearby airports make it easy for out-of-town players. Plenty of tournaments to choose from all year.
Singapore: Comfortable and Tourist-Centered
The poker room at Marina Bay Sands serves casual and mid-level players well. Tournaments are organized with visitors in mind. Tables are usually full during evenings and weekends.
There aren’t as many big events here, but it’s a convenient stop for travelers across Southeast Asia.
A Quick Word on Online Options
More live events are offering online qualification. Sites like GGPoker run satellites that give you a shot at bigger live tournaments without flying across the world. It’s worth checking the schedule before you go — you might win your seat ahead of time.
Wrap-Up
No one-size-fits-all answer here. Some spots are best for serious volume. Others are better for combining short sessions with relaxed travel. But with good planning — and knowing what each place offers — it’s easy to pick a holiday destination that also comes with solid poker.