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The 9 Best Places to Play WSOP Cash Games in 2026
Not everyone who comes to Vegas during the World Series of Poker (WSOP) comes to win bracelets; there’s a thriving cash game scene over the summer, as dejected tournament players look to win back their money in the side games. To help you find the best places to play, we’ll look at which venues offer the best games and most enjoyable atmosphere.
WSOP Cash Games and Where to Play
Playing poker cash games during the WSOP in Las Vegas is a great way to feel like you’re part of the action, even if your bankroll won’t stretch to a tournament buy-in. With tens of thousands of players flocking to the seven-week, 100-tournament series, much of the value in the summer can be found on the cash gamefelt.
That begs the question, where is the best place to play cash games in Vegas during the WSOP? Having tested a variety of rooms over multiple summers, our experts have created a definitive list of the best places to play:
- The Bellagio
- ARIA
- The Wynn
- Horseshoe Las Vegas/Paris
- The Venetian
- Red Rock Casino
- The Orleans
- Resorts World
- MGM Grand
The Bellagio - 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd
The Bellagio is known as one of the most reliable spots for cash games during the summer, as plenty of recreational players come to play at the famous casino. The casino is just across the road from Paris and Horseshoe, so you can expect to find plenty of players spilling out from events looking for a cash game.
ARIA - 3730 S Las Vegas Blvd
For many years, the ARIA has been known as one of the best poker rooms in Vegas. Home of the PokerGO Studio, the poker room has a thriving cash game ecosystem with a steady stream of recreationals. While it's a favourite of regulars, the quality of the poker room and the increased fish population during the summer makes it a must-visit..
The Wynn - 3131 Las Vegas Boulevard South
The cash game action at The Wynn Las Vegas is great all year round, but it reaches another level during the WSOP. There’s a healthy mix of Hold’em and Omaha tables running throughout the day and night, with low, medium, and high stakes games available.
Horseshoe Las Vegas/Paris - 3645 Las Vegas Blvd S
During the WSOP, the Horseshoe’s cash game action is great, with games running across a variety of stakes. There are plenty of $1/$2 tables running 24/7, as well as $2/$5 and $5/$10 games regularly available throughout the series. With huge footfall during the WSOP, this is the best place to take on tournament regulars.
The Venetian - 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd
Across the road from Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris is the Venetian. While the WSOP takes place, the Venetian also steps up its tournament series, attracting a variety of players of varying skill levels. The flow of tournament players to the cash game tables is consistent across the summer, meaning that there’s always a game to join.
Red Rock Casino - 11011 W Charleston Blvd
Red Rock is a locals card room located on the outer reaches of the city. This means that there are fewer professionals who are prepared to travel this far, making the games much juicier. While there are fewer high-stakes games running compared to the on-strip poker rooms, there are plenty of low-stakes games available throughout the summer.
The Orleans - 4500 W Tropicana Ave
In our experience, many smaller-level players prefer to play at The Orleans, with hugely popular $1/$2, $2/$3, and $2/$5 games running throughout the night. As it’s off the strip, you don’t get as many WSOP players, but you’ll catch plenty of players who want to stop off for a quick game on the way back to their rooms.
Resorts World - 3000 S Las Vegas Blvd
The home of the CardPlayer Lifestyle Mixed Games Series, this excellent cardroom isn’t far from the main action at Horseshoe and Paris. Our experts agree that it’s a great option for mixed game players, as there are a variety of Stud and Omaha games running throughout the summer. The room specialises in low to medium stakes games, with plenty of action from recreationals every night.
MGM Grand - 3799 S Las Vegas Blvd
While the MGM Grand cash game action doesn’t get as much action as places like ARIA or Bellagio, it still gets a healthy amount of traffic during the WSOP. The MGM Grand is often referred to as “the $1/$2 No Limit Capital of Las Vegas,” making it the perfect destination for low-stakes players who want to be part of the atmosphere.
Central Hub: Horseshoe and Paris
The Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Casino are the joint homes of the WSOP, so naturally, these casinos will see the most traffic from tournament exits. The size of these venues means that they offer dozens of cash game tables alongside the tournament action, providing regular games at $1/$2, $2/$5, and $5/$10 stake levels.
If you’re trying to decide which one to go to each day, we recommend checking the WSOP tournament schedule, as the number of tournament players in each venue changes each day. For example, if most of the events are happening at the Horseshoe, we recommend setting up shop there to get the biggest influx of tournament players.
High Roller: Bellagio, Aria & Wynn
If you’re looking to play high stakes ($10/$20 or above), the Bellagio, Aria, and Wynn are the best places to play. These casinos have an upscale poker room with a variety of high-end amenities, including comfy chairs, 24/7 food and drink, and chip runners for the biggest games.
The competition in these games is significantly tougher than what you’d find at a standard $1/$2 table, so make sure that you have the bankroll to support yourself.
Comparing the Rake at Vegas Poker Rooms
One of the most important things to consider when choosing where to play is the rake. The cash game rake varies significantly depending on where you play, and can be the difference between leaving the desert as a winner or a loser.
From our list, the Horseshoe, Wynn, Red Rock, Venetian, and The Orleans all have the best rake for $1/$2 cash games, capped at $5 per hand. If profitability is important to you, check the rake structure of your game before you sit down to play.
Why WSOP Cash Games Are Worth Playing
While most players think of the WSOP as primarily a tournament series, many players make the journey just to play the cash games. Some of the reasons for this include:
- Softer Player Pool: There’s an influx of recreational players from late May to mid-July, making them a more attractive prospect compared to the rest of the year.
- Feel-Good Atmosphere: The WSOP is a special time of the year in the poker world. There’s a magical atmosphere that needs to be experienced, and many players make the trip just to feel the energy of the city.
- Potential Parlays: It’s not uncommon for cash game players to have a big winning session, take a punt in a WSOP event, and go on to bag a huge score.
- Strategic Advantage: Great option if you're better at cash games than tournaments and can help build bankroll for WSOP buy-ins without direct entry costs
Final Thoughts: Where to Play WSOP Cash Games
We’ve shown that there are a variety of great places to play cash games during the WSOP, so before you make your decision, we recommend asking yourself five key questions:
- How worried are you about playing against regulars?
- What stakes are you comfortable playing?
- Will you be playing tournaments as well as cash games?
- How long are you in Vegas for?
- When will you be playing?
Answering these questions makes it much easier to find your ideal poker room. If you’re not worried about playing against regulars and want a luxurious playing environment, then the Aria may be the best place for you. Similarly, if you’re planning on playing a lot of tournaments as well as cash games, then the Venetian or Horseshoe may suit you better.
Not in Vegas? No problem. Start playing for real money today at one of our trusted online poker platforms.
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