The Las Vegas Hilton.
The newly opened Las Vegas Hilton poker room occupies the same space as the room of old. Even the hammered copper sheets depicting the four different suits of face cards remain on the columns marking the entrance to the room. My anticipated nostalgia for the old room was soon forgotten. The 11 table room is state of the art, ultra modern with Shufflemasters on every table and a digitized player waiting list displayed on large plasma monitors. Waiting players can check their progress on the waiting lists from the comfort of their hotel room. The well lighted room is enticing with its colorful decor and lingering elegance. The original ceiling from the first room remains.
The Las Vegas Hilton was sold to Colony Resorts International in July, 2004. Colony also owns other properties in Tunica, Atlantic City and Chicago. The Colony owners are continually upgrading and enhancing the property to reflect the wants of today’s casino visitor. The rise in the popularity of poker made the opening the poker room an easy step in the evolution of the property. The Las Vegas Hilton offers guests acres of modern slots, every conceivable table game, Keno and an one of the World’s greatest Race and Sports Books, the SuperBook. The Hilton has all the amenities one would expect from a major Las Vegas resort. In addition to the gaming, the Hilton is noted for shopping, health spas, restaurants to please any palate and big name entertainment in the Hilton’s legendary showrooms, the same showrooms that housed Elvis for his comeback. The hotel features 3,000 luxurious rooms and suites complete with all the conveniences of the digital age. A rider station for the Las Vegas monorail is conveniently located at the front of the casino. Combine all the Las Vegas Hilton’s features with the superb service afforded guest and the Hilton becomes a world class destination resort.
Looking into the Las Vegas Hilton’s new Poker Room.
Park in the back parking lot and use the entrance into the Hilton’s Superbook, a pleasant stroll through the cavernous sports book and you’ve arrived at the Hilton’s reincarnated poker room. The Hilton’s poker operations are overseen by Poker Manager, Ari Mizrachi. Ari has been working in the poker industry for five years having began his carrer as a poker dealer in Hollywood, Florida. Additionally, Ari is a professional hai-lai player with nine years of experience. Also interesting is his background. He grew up in the same hometown as the the Mizrachi brothers, Michael “the Grinder” and older brother, Robert, both accomplished professional poker players. Even though they share the same last name and background Ari is not related to the brothers. Ari said he has been involved in the game of poker most of his life having grown up in a family of poker players. His credentials for managing the Hilton’s poker room are solid, and being a player himself, he knows what the player expects and strives to provide the most comfortable, accommodating poker room anywhere.
The back Parking lot outside the Superbook is an easy stroll to the poker room.
The Hilton poker room currently spreads $3-$6, $4-$8 with a 1/2 kill and $1-$2 no-limit with a $50-$300 buy-in. All Texas hold’em. Comps are earned at the standard Vegas rate of $1 per hour of play and they can be used at any of the food outlets in the hotel. The poker room has a full time self-serve coffee bar and the coffee is supplemented every morning with pastries beginning at 6:00 am. The room has a progressive Royal Flush Jackpot that currently stands at $8,000. Details are available at the poker room
Tournaments are scheduled every morning at 10:30, Monday thru Thursday. The $60 buy-in with one $5 dollar add-on event is No-limit Hold’em. Players begin the event with $1,500 in chips and a $25, $25 blind which increases every 15 minutes. Alternates are not accepted for the daily tournaments. You must be in your seat when the cards are dealt. Ari recently added $60 sit-n-go’s with $5 in house juice + another $2 going to the dealers. The remainder of the buy-in money is returned to the players with first place paying $400 and the runner-up receiving $130. The SnG’s are available when ten paid players are there.
The Hilton is currently exploring its’ options for hosting a major tournament on the property. Whatever tournament lands at the hotel, the casual and professional players will be provided with a first class venue that has the experience to accommodate the large crowds drawn to major poker tournaments.
Poker players looking for a poker room that offers one of the lowest rakes ($3 max) in Las Vegas, comfortable surroundings, the latest in poker table evolution, convenient ground level parking and easy access, all housed within the exciting domain of the Hilton’s Superbook. And remember, there’s a glaring error in the deep relief cards embossed the copper plates.