Poker News

Plaza

Plaza Hotel and Casino

Number One Main Street

Las Vegas, Nevada

Toll free 1.800.634.6575 or 702.386.2110

Plaza Website.

The Plaza Hotel and Casino opened more than three decades ago to much fanfare and promotion. I was there for the VIP opening preceding the public grand opening as a guest of one of the contractors that had helped in the construction of this new “Queen of Downtown.” The Union Plaza was simply elegant and newer than anything on the Las Vegas Strip. The crowd was definitely upscale and the event was one giant free party. Trays of food were everywhere, Champaign was flowing from fountains and everyone was excited about the future of downtown Las Vegas with this new jewel of a resort at Number One Main Street. The original Union Plaza housed the train station for the passenger trains that serviced Las Vegas then, bringing visitors to downtown from all points.

Fast forward to the present and even though the property is into its fourth decade and the trains no longer bring passengers to Las Vegas it remains the anchor of Main Street and the best place to view the Fremont Street Experience show. The 1037 hotel rooms provide guests with great accommodations at rates that are much easier on the budget than many of the strip hotels. All of downtown is within easy walking distance to the Plaza Hotel and Casino. The property has changed ownership over the years and is now owned by the Barrick Group. They have begun a renovation program that has brought the hotel up to modern standards without sacrificing the friendly feel and comfortable atmosphere long associated with the downtown Casino.

The spacious casino provides visitors with a selection of hundreds of the newest slot machines, a full compliment of table games, Keno, Race and Sports book, a fast food court, and restaurants to please every taste and budget. The Center Stage Restaurant located in the mirrored dome covering the entrance to the hotel is one of the most filmed places in all of Las Vegas. Many movies have used the spectacular setting to convey the spirit of Las Vegas. During the Fremont Street Experience Light Show the lights in the restaurant are dimmed and the show’s music is piped into the room. Next time you’re in Las Vegas make an effort to have dinner at the Center Stage Restaurant for one of the original Las Vegas dining experiences. The second floor of the hotel is the location of the men’s barber shop where the master barber still provides a straight razor, steaming towel shave, another unique experience that has become difficult to find. Live lounge entertainment is always happening at the Plaza, and always free. The groups are typically well above average including an Asian Rock group that you won’t soon forget.

The Plaza Poker Room is located in the casino area close to the main cashier’s cage. Convenient to valet and self parking makes the spacious room popular with tourist and locals alike. Plaza poker operations are managed by poker industry veteran, Kenn Bennett. The room has 9 pan tables and 19 poker tables spreading all of your favorite games. The Plaza Poker Room is one of the last places anywhere to offer pan. The Plaza Poker Room even offers the occasional pan tournament. The poker room offers $3-$6 Omaha Hi-Low Split, Texas Hold’em with $2-$4, $3-$6 or $4-$8 limit, and $1-$4 Seven Card Stud. A $1-$2 blind No-limit Hold’em game with a $40 min up to $500 max buy-in and a $2-$5 blind No-limit Hold’em with a minimum $100-No max limit buy-in.

Tournaments at the Plaza are numerous with a daily 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Single Table $25 & $50 Sit-n-Go’s plus $25 Shoot-Outs. Tuesday through Sunday play in the daily 7 PM $35 buy-in w/rebuys No-limit Hold’em. Monday’s at 7 PM the Plaza Poker Room offers a $35 buy-in w/rebuys Omaha Hi/Lo Split tournament. A $55 buy-in No-limit Hold’em w/rebuys tournament is offered at noon and every night at midnight, a great tournament for the late night crowd.

The Plaza hotel is the home of the Ultimate Poker Challenge tournament series now into its third season. The Ultimate Poker Challenge is filmed for broadcast on TV and includes a championship event that always draws all the top name pros. The 2005 UPC is scheduled for November 16th through the 29th at the downtown Plaza Hotel with $500 No-limit Hold’em buy-in events offered daily. The Ultimate Poker Challenge is a great series of tournament to break into major Las Vegas poker tournaments and play your best game for a shot at a nationally syndicated TV show.

The Plaza Poker Room offers players comps at the rate of $5 after 4 hours of play, better than average. Come to the Plaza Hotel and Casino to experience the personal service, hospitality and friendliness of downtown Las Vegas. Enjoy the historic old Vegas spirit of gambling and entertainment at Number One Main Street.

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