Stratosphere opens their new poker room

[Al_Capone_Junior]

Stopped by the strat last night to check out the new room, and I have to say, I was impressed.

The new room is located right at the bottom of the escalators that lead in from the parking garage, which is directly next to the sports book (a great location in the casino, btw). It's also just about the first thing you see if you valet your car. The restrooms are close, and so are the snack bar and starbucks.

Currently their are eight tables, and they have plans to expand further into the sports book area in the near future. I must say that I remember the old poker room at the strat, and it was not very nice, barely a space cleared out on the casino floor with a few tables. Not so anymore, their new room is surprisingly nice. I personally like the new ceiling, very attractive. The tables are simple, yet attractive, and they have a betting line, which of course is GOOT. One thing that the room was NOT was too cramped, there is enough space between the tables so that everyone has a little elbow room. The strat did not push poker off to the side this time, they created a room that will definitely attract players.

A few of us stopped in to play a little no limit, 1-2 blinds. Overall, we had a blast playing. The staff was very pleasant, and the room had an atmosphere of relaxed party time. Of course they bring the booze right to your table, which is a plus. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] The room has only been open two days, but there were four games going while I was there, two 2-4 games, a 3-6 and the no limit game. It's going to be a low limit room at first, as all rooms are, but they will of course spread whatever people want to play. Currently the no limit was $100 buy in, but they are considering changing that to the $200 standard that seems to be taking over the city (I recommend they do change it to $200). They'll spread 2-5 no limit as well.

They said that in the next couple days they will have a player card system installed that will allow players to get the standard buck an hour in comps, with $12 max per day. I was told the comps can be used for anything in the casino.

High hand bonuses are coming in the near future, but no bad beat jackpot (bravo for that decision, I hate bad beat JPs).

Tournaments are starting already, they are having two or three per day, the exact schedule of which I am not completely sure of yet.

Overall, the new room is very nice, and should be a nice addition to pokering on the north end of the strip.

al