4321 W. Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, NV 89103

702-942-7777

10 Tables

Official Palms Poker Room Website

Comments:

I have played at the Palms quite a few times, but this is just based on my last trip:

I called ahead, and they gladly put me on the list. They also took my cellphone number and told me that they would call me when my spot was ready. As luck would have it, they were calling me as I was walking through the front door of the casino. This cellphone service is very cool, and as far as I know, unprecedented.

I bought my chips, swiped my card, and sat down at a table.

Good news: A spot was open. Bad news: It was bingo.

At least it’s not 2/4 so why not gamble a little.

The game was a slight variation of true 4/8. The blinds are $1/$2, and the minimum to see a flop is $2. If someone raises pre-flop, then the minimum goes to $6, re-raise to $12, etc. Basically, the game is played as 6/12 pre-flop, then goes to 4/8 post flop …. with the caveat that you can see a cheap $2 flop if nobody raises, and the blinds are small. This structure leads to at least 5 people paying to see the flop on any given hand. Pocket Aces will only hold up if the flop is garbage, because you will see a flop.

The game also has a kill. Basically, if someone wins two pots in a row, the game goes to a $3 call/$9 raise structure. These differences are little confusing at first, but it is interesting in the vein that the game fluctuates between low-limit, and mid-limit, and gives you a taste of bigger action from time to time. I saw several pots that exceeded $100, and in a strict 4/8 game, pots of this size are rare. You actually can double your $100 rack on a single hand if you catch decent cards in a kill hand.

The room itself is no-frills, but comfortable. I like the swivel, rolling chairs at the Palms more than the plush, heavy chairs used at the Wynn and Bellagio. They are more functional as you can slide in and out easily, and move from side to side, sort of like office chairs. The room is also located right next to the bathrooms. I was able to fold pre-flop, take a whiz, and be back in time for the next hand. Most poker players really appreciate a well-placed restroom, and this one is by far the most convenient in Las Vegas.

Drink service is average Vegas service. I have had some bad experiences in the past with some waitresses with terrible attitudes, but the last couple of trips have been uneventful. I usually bring my own provisions to poker rooms now. I can buy a 20oz soda and 64oz of water from 7-11 on my way to the casino, and spend $3. Or I can spend $4 in tips for 5oz of soda which is 90% ice cube and a 12oz bottled water … and wait 20 minutes for each. Seems like a no-brainier for a local.

Lately, though, the waitresses seem to be cordial enough to people ordering.

The Palms has free coffee in the back, and has a couple of Television sets which nobody seems to watch. It’s extremely laid back and comfortable … almost like a home game.

The dealers are pleasant enough. Few misdeals. Nice folks. They pretty much leave you alone and deal unless you address them. There are no unnecessary delays.

The interesting thing about this room is the mix of locals and tourists. It is one of the few room where the two come together on such a regular basis in almost equal numbers. About half of the table were locals, the other half were tourists. The locals tend to play very tight, and the tourists more likely to gamble. This can lead to interesting games. Many times it’s 1 local vs. 3 tourists. Locals are rocks and throwaway hands that have no business being played. Tourists will call your raise with 9-6o. And because of this, you WILL take a bad beats as the tourists draw out straights, flushes, or sets on the river. It’s a fun room, but the competition can be schizo.

If you play textbook cards, and the tourists don’t get too lucky, you will probably walk away with more cash than you sat down with. But your pocket Aces are going to have to survive draws. Period. I almost always get at least two calling stations at a Palms table. These guys make my day when my great hands hold up, but they slowly suck out my cash when they catch that third 2 on the river. I have made more money here than I have lost, but statistically, I should be up much more than I am.

Such is the nature of limit poker.

The Palms comps you $1 per hour if you have a card. This is decent. If you are a local, and play a few hours per week, you are good for one or two free buffets each month.

Parking is much easier than most casino’s. You can almost always get a ground floor space, and the walk is easy. It’s not the nightmare 30 minute “March of the Penguins” you have to go through just to get to and from your car at the MGM. The Palms take you about 3 minutes car to room.

I like this poker room for what it is. A basic Vegas card room with varying levels of competition, competent dealers, and casual atmosphere.