2006 BINION’S POKER ROOM REVIEW

Binion’s is now owned by the MTR Gaming Group. It was bought from Benny’s daughter and brought out of closure by Harrah’s Entertainment for the sole purpose of staging the 2004 World Series of Poker. A quick rejuvenation job of the “Horseshoe” for the 2004 tournament breathed new life into the historic old property and much of the original staffing returned to work. Once the 2004 WSOP world crown was taken down by Greg Raymer, Harrah’s Corporation sold the property to MTR Gaming, then left downtown forever carrying away the final piece of the ‘Horseshoe’ brand plus the added bonus of the crown jewel of poker tournaments, the original World Series of Poker. Today, MTR Gaming Group is busy transforming the “old” Binion’s into a modern version of its’ self and fortunately they have wisely chosen to include a liberal amount of Benny’s legendary treatment of his customers.

The first time I walked into the downtown joint many years ago as a just turned twenty-one year old about two in the morning on a Friday and the place was filled with hardcore players stacked around the crap tables shouting and jostling for a look at the dice roll. We headed straight for the small coffee shop having just driven hundreds of miles across the desert with no sleep for a couple of days. We was greeted by the man himself, Benny, sitting there in his center booth wearing the famous grey Stetson and duster. He took one look at the two of us and said, “You boys look like you were rode hard and put up wet, but I can fix that.” He told the waitress to bring us a bowl of his trademark chili, a plate of warm cornbread and a pot of coffee, then he entertained us with great Vegas stories while I ate my first ever comped meal in Las Vegas. I was lucky to experience first hand a special time in Las Vegas; when Benny was there running his joint and making everyone feel special, that’s why his ‘shoe was always full of the highest limit gamblers. Ironically, there was no poker room at the original casino except when the World Series of Poker was played every spring. The poker room finally came with the Binion’s acquisition of Del Webb’s Mint Hotel and Casino.

Today, located atop Binion’s downtown hotel tower is the famous Binion’s Ranch Steakhouse. Take the outside glass elevator to the twenty-fourth floor for a memorable dining experience and some of the best steaks and seafood anywhere. Remember to make a reservation at the popular restaurant with its’ great views of Las Vegas. Try the subterranean coffee shop where they continue to offer a complete menu around the clock in an atmosphere of quaint charm and its away from the casino hustle. A buffet on the second floor is sure to please every appetite while two snack bars with the best burgers and chili in Las Vegas are located on the main casino floor. You can always belly up at the two bars for a glass of liquid refreshment.

Binion’s is the place for gamblers. No showroom here to distract from the games. The hotel offers 366 rooms for those wanting to stay within easy walking distance of many of Las Vegas’ more famous joints. The original hotel rooms located on the east side above the original Horseshoe have been retained and refurnished. It’s a great choice to experience the vintage Vegas lifestyle first hand.

A large rambling casino offers thousands of modern slot machines, Table Games, a Race and Sports book, Keno lounge and a large poker room. Housed in the original low ceiling casino, players get a feel for an intimate vintage Vegas when cars were cruising down Fremont just a few feet from the front doors. Now, Fremont Street is covered by the Fremont Street Experience, the world’s largest video screen, offering free light shows nightly. Gone are the automobiles, replaced by a pedestrian mall filled with kiosks selling to the thousands of daily tourist. Air curtains continue to separate the cool interior of Binion’s from the blazing desert summer heat, just like the old days.

The original Binion’s Horseshoe did not have a poker room. A temporary room was created for the annual World Series of Poker tournament and the annual Hall of Fame Classic by yanking slot machines and replacing them with a few poker tables. Binion’s first permanent poker room became a reality after Jack Binion acquired the old Mint Hotel, knocked a hole in the adjoining wall to make it a part of the ‘Shoe. Poker legend Johnny Moss moved into the hotel and served as the host for the poker room until his death in 1997. You could see him most days playing at the high limit hold’em tables. (Did you know the hold’em starting hand of Ace-Ten is named the “Johnny Moss”?) Everyone that was anyone in poker has played in Binion’s poker room.

Fast forward to the present and we find an 18 table poker room at Binion’s. Another 24 tables in an adjoining tournament area and the second floor Benny’s Bullpen can hold another three dozen or so tables. Poker continues to be a big draw for Binion’s. Poker operations are under the management of Jim Delorto. Jim has more than three decades in the casino business and he applies all that knowledge to make Binion’s the poker place. I spent an interesting afternoon at the room with shift supervisor Robbie Bostick providing a tour. The room spreads limit Hold’em with blinds of $2-$4, $3-$6, $4-$8 and $10-$20 and all have an on-request half kill. No-limit Hold’em is available with $1-$2 blinds with a $100 min no-max buy-in and a $2-$5 blinds with a $200 min no-max buy-in. Call the poker room direct at 702.366.7397 for complete details.

Binion’s is the birthplace of tournament poker and that tradition continues today under the guidance of tournament director Chuck Blain. No-limit Hold’em tournaments are offered daily at 10 AM, 2 PM, 8 PM and 2 AM. All events have a $60 buy-in, a one time $10 bonus buy for 50% more chips and one optional $40 rebuy except for the 8 PM Friday, Saturday and Sunday tournaments which move up to $125 buy-in, a one time $25 bonus buy and one optional $50 rebuy. The events are popular and attract a large crowd of players making for some nice prize pools. As an added winner’s bonus you’re given entry into a monthly $10,000 freeroll limited to daily tournament winners.

Binion’s comp policy is one of the most liberal in Vegas. Play four hours and receive an $8 dollar food comp. Casino room rates are available for poker players. Play in the room and your hotel stay is covered by one small pot. Shufflemasters are installed in the ring game tables for faster action, more hands per hour. Always free valet parking is located just outside the glass wall at the back of the poker room and self parking is conveniently located in two large parking garages.

Binion’s in downtown Las Vegas.

Rumors keep circulating that Binion’s will bring back major tournament poker to the property. Look for an announcement covering a first effort for an annual tournament series that will once again put Binion’s on the poker pro’s tournament schedule. Visit the downtown casino and sample some vintage Vegas poker history, check out the wall of champions listing all of the past WSOP $10 champions and while your there try the chili and cornbread, its really good.