Mirage Poker Room Review: Are the New Digs Worth the Trip?
Once one of the longest continuously running poker rooms in Las Vegas prior to 25 January 2015, the Mirage poker room closed for nearly four months after a remodel. Despite the update, the Mirage poker room touts itself as where the past meets the present and where history repeats itself.
Whereas the old Mirage poker room had 19 tables, the new room has 12 tables. During the remodel, some of the old room’s original space was reduced to make room for the casino cage and a new casino bar. Despite being smaller than its former self, the remodel has brightened the room considerably, and it remains a decent place to play some friendly poker.
Comfort
Much like many other Las Vegas poker rooms, the Mirage poker room is located adjacent to the sportsbook. While not separated from the rest of the casino by a full wall, Perspex panels and railings do, in fact, identify the room as a poker “room.” The high ceilings and excellent lighting partner with the airy venue, thus making it quite comfortable for long poker sessions.
The décor is a combination of red, yellow, and blue swirled carpeting along with brown and beige poker tables. The chairs are basic padded swivel ones and are comfortable. Each table is equipped with automatic shufflers as well as USB ports so players can charge their mobile phones.
The overall atmosphere is rather quiet and, consequently, some daytime games can be fairly nondescript and slow. Action definitely picks up in the evening and on weekends. The Mirage poker room attracts both visitors and locals, and whether you play cash games or tournaments, you’ll definitely find a nice mixture of players at various skill levels. And yes, a fish or two.
Cash games at the Mirage
The Mirage poker room spreads several different games throughout the day. Its no-limit Hold’em (NLHE) tables are all nine-handed which is quite nice.
Among the most common and popular games are $1/$2 and $2/$5 NLHE; $3/$6 and $6/12 limit Hold’em; $4/$8 and $8/16 Omaha 8 or better; and $3/$6, $4/$8, $6/$12, and $9/$18 various mixed games.
Tournaments at the Mirage
The Mirage has many daily tournaments. Its biggest is the 11:00 a.m., Friday through Sunday “The Stack” tournament wherein $120 gets players 25,000 in starting chips. Blind levels for this tournament are 25 minutes long, and there is late registration and reentry through the first two hours.
Its second most popular tournament is the $25 bounty tournament where, for a $100-buy-in, players receive 15,000 in starting chips. Blind levels are also 25 minutes long, and late registration and reentry are permitted through the first hour only. This tournament is held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, as well as at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Other tournaments include Monday through Thursday at 11:00 a.m.; Friday through Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.; Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 7:00 p.m.; and daily at 10:00 p.m. For all of these, there is a $65 buy-in for 10,000 in starting chips and 20-minute blind levels. Again, late registration and reentry are permitted through the first hour only.
While there are, indeed, many tournaments from which to choose, these are not professional-level, ultra-competitive tournaments; however, for friendly and decent tournaments, the Mirage ranks quite high.
Promotions
As is the case with all MGM properties, MLife rewards members earn bonuses. This translates to $2 per hour in comps that can be redeemed for food, massages, and other hotel/casino services.
The Mirage poker room’s progressive bad beat jackpot is paid to players who lose with aces-full or better. When hit, this jackpot resets at $2,000. Also, this room has high hand bonuses in which quads earn lucky players $100, a straight flush pays $200, and a royal flush pays $500.
At the current time—during hockey season—the Mirage poker room has a Vegas Golden Knights promotion. Whenever the Knights score, a $50 splash pot is added to the following hand of each table. The room also has a $100 aces-cracked promotion between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.; however, this is suspended during the Golden Knights promotion.
Mirage poker room Staff
Generally, the Mirage poker room is well managed and run, and the dealers—despite many of them being “old-timers”—are friendly and quite adept. Cocktail waitresses are also amiable, accommodating, and easily accessible.
The Bravo Poker System is used to manage the tables, so players can check ahead as to up-to-the-minute available games, waiting lists, tournaments, and promotions.
The bottom line
Many people have commented that the Mirage poker room epitomizes classic Vegas poker with a great atmosphere and nice vibe. While it may not be what it once was during its heyday, the Mirage poker room is still a great place to play.
As is the case with other MGM properties, the addition of paid parking has put a damper on things. Treasure Island is right next door and it has free parking, so its poker room has taken some of the Mirage’s former players.
Have you played at the Mirage poker room? Please share your thoughts and experiences below.
Until next time.
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