High Stakes Poker in Vegas: Pros Left Out in the Cold

Professional poker players are facing significant challenges in gaining entry to high stakes private games in Las Vegas. Rob Yong, a prominent figure in the poker world, recently highlighted this issue on Twitter, noting that all cash games over $25/$50 are run privately by “hosts” who often exclude decent professionals.

This practice of excluding certain players has raised concerns about potential violations of Las Vegas gaming laws. Private poker games inside casinos are not new, but the exclusion of specific players could be seen as breaking the rules. The casinos, likely at the request of the game hosts, maintain long waiting lists to keep the games full, making it difficult for professionals to find a seat.

The widening gap between the best players and recreational players has also contributed to the problem. Good players now have such a significant edge that recreational players are reluctant to compete, further complicating the situation for professionals seeking to join high stakes games.