The Aria poker room has an outstanding reputation as far as cash game variety and opulence are concerned. But what is it really like to play poker at the Aria? What cash games and tournaments are available throughout the week? And what facilities and perks are available to poker players?
This complete guide explains everything you need to know about playing poker at Aria to help you prepare for your trip to one of the most famous spots in Las Vegas.
The Aria Las Vegas poker room: worth the hype?
If you regularly tune into the World Series of Poker events and other big tournaments, you will already know a thing or two about the Aria. It’s the preferred haunt of pros like Phil Hellmuth and Phil Ivey and several other notable professional players and high rollers.
But when you first visit the Aria, you will undoubtedly be struck by its opulence. It really is one of the most stunning poker rooms in Vegas and is well worth a visit for beginners, experienced players, and high-rollers alike.
Owned and operated by MGM Resorts Limited, the Aria runs a huge number of tables throughout the day and night, with 18 regular tables and six high-roller tables the star attractions. Fans of online poker sites like 888 will love the live experience.
For the highest stakes games, Ivey’s Room is the place to be, while there’s also an elevated upper high-limit section, contributing to what has to be one of the very best poker rooms in the state of Nevada.
Ultimately, the Aria Las Vegas poker room is definitely worth the hype. But what’s on at the Aria, and what games can you play?
What’s on at the Aria poker room?
Thanks to the 24 tables (18 regulars, 6 high-rollers), the Aria is the place to be for poker in Las Vegas. There is a wide variety of cash games and tournaments for players to join, and many attractive features make the Aria the place to be.
Aria has a deserved reputation as one of the best Las Vegas poker rooms, and you will find a whole host of table games available throughout the day and night. The featured cash games at Aria include:
- No Limit Hold’em: 1-3, 2-5, 5-10, 10-20 blinds, and higher.
- Limit Hold’em: 2-4, 4-8, 10-20, 20-40, 40-80, and higher.
- Omaha 8 or better: 4-8 with ½ kill, 9-18 with ¼ kill, 20-40 with ½ kill, and higher.
- Pot limit Omaha: 1-2, 2-5, 5-10, 10-20, and higher.
- 7 card stud: 6-12, 15-30, 20-40, 30-60, and higher.
- Draw games: 4-8, 10-20, 20-40, 40-80, and higher.
- Mixed games: 4-8, 10-20, 15-30, 20-40, 40-80, and higher.
You will find cash games running at the Aria all day and all night, and you can reserve a seat at a respective table via text message. Otherwise, you can walk in and join a game, but be prepared to wait during peak hours, as the Aria is one of the busiest poker rooms in Las Vegas.
You should also note that there isn’t a designated waiting area at the Aria, so factor this in if you’re planning to walk in for a game being hosted at the poker room.
As for tournaments, there are several options at the Aria poker room to think about entering. There are multiple daily no-limit Texas Hold’em tournaments hosted at the following times:
- Monday to Thursday: 11 am & 1 pm.
- Friday to Sunday: 11 am.
- Daily: 7 pm.
The daily 7 pm daily tournament and the Monday to Thursday events have a $125 buy-in for 10,000 chips. The tournaments hosted Friday through Sunday have a $240 buy-in for 20,000 chips, with several possible re-entry levels. The top prize for the regular Aria tournaments ranges from $2,500 to $3,000.
Aria also plays host to some leading national and international tournaments, which can actually lead to the suspension of some of their regular play tournaments. As such, it’s always better to check Aria’s schedule before planning a visit, particularly if you’re hoping to sit down to a poker tournament during your visit.
Facilities at Aria
Opulence is the name of the game at Aria, and no expense is spared. The poker room’s aesthetic is ultra-modern and luxurious, with comfortable chairs, plush poker tables, flat-screen televisions, and a number of elegant touches that help the Aria stand out.
For instance, complimentary beverages (top-shelf liquor and Fiji water included) and an on-demand chair massage service for players in it for the long haul.
Poker players at Aria can order food from all of the restaurants at the MGM Casino, even if it is a little on the pricey side. The Burger Lounge and Moneyline Pizza Bar and Restaurant are popular with poker players, and the food is always excellent.
Suppose table-side ordering isn’t for you, and you want to enjoy a meal at Aria after some time at the poker table. In that case, there are several excellent eateries within the casino itself, including:
- Javier’s: Mexican flair at the heart of Aria’s – one of the casino’s most popular spots.
- Julian Serrano: Delicious Spanish tapas plates for guests to enjoy.
- Salt & Ivy: Casual dining experience with an American-inspired menu.
- Bardot Brasserie: The Aria’s most opulent eatery – the Bardot Brasserie is all about classic French cuisine.
- Jean Georges Steakhouse: Legendary chef Jean Georges Vongerichten serves up the finest steak in Vegas!
There are also several pools and bars at the Aria, providing you with the perfect opportunity to kick back and relax after a day or night of playing poker. Be sure to check the hotel’s website and social media channels for package deals that offer great rates to stay at one of the most popular casinos on the Las Vegas strip, with lots of blackjack action.
The verdict: Is the Aria poker room worth it?
There’s no doubt that the Aria Las Vegas poker room is one of the best in Nevada, if not in the United States. The Arias has every base covered in game variety, with Texas Hold’em, Omaha, 7-card stud, and mixed games running throughout the day and night.
The poker room is opulent, modern, and chic and is a memorable place to play poker. Players benefit from free drinks, table-side dining, and even massages, which all contribute to a truly outstanding poker experience.
The bottom line is that if you’re looking to play poker in Las Vegas, joining a cash game or tournament at the Aria is undoubtedly the way to go about it.
