One of the main reasons that summer in Sin City is such a special time for poker players is the abundance of tournament and cash game action that can be found all over the city. In a typical year, it’s the poker beacon that is the World Series of Poker that attracts grinders and recreational players from all over the planet to Las Vegas where they battle for bracelets and, oftentimes, find themselves playing in a multitude of side events in various tournament series.
However, this year, the WSOP has been pushed back to the fall and won’t be this summer’s main attraction. That fact is not stopping plenty of Las Vegas poker rooms from rolling out massive tournament series in an effort to give those grinders looking to make their returns to the city something special to play for.
The Wynn Summer Classic
May 27-July10
With the reputation as one of the nicest poker rooms in Las Vegas, the Wynn/Encore is sure to capitalize on the absence of the WSOP this summer with its annual Wynn Summer Classic. In years past, it has always proved to be a popular series with buy-in often in the $400-$1,100 range. However, this year the room is putting it all on the line with its marquee Main Event – The Wynn Millions, a $10,000 buy-in tournament with a $10 million guarantee. It’s a replacement “Main Event” of sorts, promising a healthy field and a first-place prize of more than a million.
While the Wynn Millions will be the subject of most of the headlines, the schedule features tournaments that those who can’t afford a $10K can still enjoy. Starting on June 17, the Wynn will host a $1,000,000 guaranteed event with a $1,600 buy-in. Then days later, on June 21, a $100,000 guaranteed, $400 event kicks off with two starting flights of its own.
The series winds down with a $1.5 million guaranteed Mystery Bounty event and a $500 buy-in, $500,000 guaranteed tournament.
On top of the tournament series, the Wynn poker room is one of the most comfortable places to play cash in the city. With all of that going for it and its reputation of taking great care of its customers, it promises to be a big summer for the Wynn. The Wynn Summer Classic is taking place through July 13.
View the Wynn Summer Classic schedule.
The Venetian Deepstack Championship Poker Series
May 3 – August 1
Summer poker players know that they can count on the Venetian for plenty of tournament poker action. Like it has in previous years, the Venetian Deepstack Championship Poker Series is a “come early, stay late” kind of series kicking off at the beginning of May and running until the beginning of August.
The schedule is a mid-stakes live grinder’s dream with buy-ins for their reoccuring running tournaments ranging from $200-$800. For players looking to take a shot in a larger event, the Venetian has plenty of big-ticket tournaments to choose from all summer long. On June 14, the $1,100 Ultimate Stack with a $150K guarantee kicks off and two weeks later on June 27, the $1,600 Pot Limit Omaha and its $200K guarantee will give players a nice change of pace from the abundance of No Limit Hold’em on the schedule.
After that, the World Poker Tour rolls into town and its $5,000 WPT Venetian kicks off on July 2 with three starting flights and a $3 million guarantee. One week later, the $2,400 WPTDeepStacks Venetian begins, with another three Day 1’s and a $2 million guarantee.
With its wide range of events, the Venetian will undoubtedly be its usual go-to landing spot for tournament players looking for big fields and big scores.
View the Venetian Deepstack Championship Poker Series schedule.
The Orleans Summer Poker Series
June 11 – July 22
Not everything in Las Vegas needs to be over the top. For players looking for modestly priced tournaments with fun structures, the off-the-strip poker room, The Orleans, may have exactly what you need. Their 2021 Summer Series, which runs from June 11- July 22 has a total series guarantee of $2.5 million including a multi-flight Main Event with a $500,000 guarantee.
The room has a more recreational feel to it and its daily tournament buy-ins, outside of the Main Event, range from $150-$400. Like most schedules, it’s packed with NLHE however fans of mixed games will find a few opportunities to play in “championship” events including the $400 Triple Stud Championship ($40k GTD) on June 17, the $400 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship ($50k GTD) on June 26, and the $400 H.O.R.S.E. Championship ($40k GTD) on June 27.
Although The Orleans may not have the higher-end feel of some of the other poker rooms in the city, it does have plenty of action in a more relaxed setting. Most days there are two tournaments a day and plenty of room to accommodate large fields.