Monte Carlo Poker Room Has Dealt its Last Hand

Its game over for another Las Vegas poker room as the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino officially stopped dealing poker in its eight-table room earlier this week.

“This isn’t a bluff. The poker room is now closed” is the message relayed to potential customers on the casino’s website. The property remains open for business, but live poker is no longer an option.

Facelift

A mainstay on the Las Vegas Strip for two decades, the poker room closure is part of a plan by MGM ownership to renovate the hotel-casino. The upgrade will see part of the property renamed to The NoMad Las Vegas and Park MGM, with construction scheduled to conclude in late 2018.

Unfortunately, a new poker room is not included in the blueprints.

A blend of regulars, recreational players, and tourists were often on hand at the Monte Carlo poker room. It was a popular destination for low stakes action and more than a few players have posted on forums that they are sad to see it go.

How Many are Left?

The closure leaves the Las Vegas Strip with 19 remaining poker rooms and 268 poker tables, according to a December 2016 Nevada Gaming revenue report. Throughout the state of Nevada, six dozen poker rooms play host to a variety of poker action on more than 650 tables.

About 10 years ago, 26 poker rooms and nearly 400 tables were dealing hands on the Las Vegas Strip. The decline in action can likely be attributed to a number of factors, including, perhaps, diminished interest in the game among the general public.

The Monte Carlo poker room closure follows others such as Circus Circus and Tropicana in recent years.

Where to Play

Last year, more than $117 million in rake was collected at Silver State poker rooms. Of that total, $78 million was raked on the Strip.

MGM is pointing former Monte Carlo poker players to its other properties that include the Bellagio and Aria. The poker rooms at those casinos are equipped with 61 poker tables combined.