(Source: https://www.pexels.com/photo/playing-card-and-poker-chips-and-dices-269630/)
The United States is the country with the highest number of brick-and-mortar casinos and poker tables in the world. Although legislation regarding gambling varies from state to state, the US as a whole provides a vibrant casino scene and within in, at active gambling community. One thing is clear across most states, and that is the United States’ love of the popular casino game, poker.
But since the rules of poker tend to change depending on which state you are playing in, and different states have different opinions regarding poker itself, where is the best place to play this much-loved game?
Online Casinos
Before we dive into the specific states that have the best poker scenes, we must first give a shoutout to the realm of online casinos. Online casinos are incredibly popular because they give their users instant access to a vibrant digital poker scene and a welcoming community of fans. The accessibility of online casinos, as well as the various bonuses and incentives they offer to both new and seasoned players, make them an ideal method of engaging in poker no matter where in the US you are based. They also support a wide selection of other casino games – from roulette to slot machines (source: 76paylinesslots.com).
Number One: Nevada
No list of the best casino scenes in the US would be complete without Nevada. This state has often been referred to as the capital of gambling in the world, and for good reason. The state boasts an impressive 256 brick-and-mortar casinos which reel in over 50 million players from across the world every single year. As might be expected, almost half of the total number of casinos in Nevada are based in Las Vegas, the city which is globally known as the heart of gambling.
Regarding poker, Nevada impressively holds over sixty poker rooms, within which they regularly host the biggest poker events across the globe. The most famous of these being the World Series of Poker tournament (WSOP) which has been held in the state for over sixty years, and has seen some of the biggest winnings across the history of poker.
No matter whether you’re a seasoned professional or want to try your hand at poker for the very first time, you are certain to fit right in, in Nevada. Simply walking down the Las Vegas strip would see you pass eighteen distinct poker rooms meaning there really is something for every kind of player.
Popular forms of poker within Nevada include No Limit Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a game they don’t host within the state.
Number Two: Texas
Speaking of Texas Hold ’em, how could we not mention the state that the iconic game got its name from? Film and television have well and truly latched on to the popularity of poker for texans, but this representation isn’t not well-founded. Poker was a popular pastime for many Texans during the 19th and 20th centuries, and it’s popularity still has echoes in the media we consume today.
However, what may be surprising is the fact that poker is no longer strictly legal in Texas. At least, not in the way it is played across other states. Poker rooms in the state are unable to take rake from pots, which should make it impossible to host cash games. However, a few years ago, some poker room owners realized that by running private clubs, they could charge individuals for the time that they spend seated at the table and take in funds this way as opposed to through a rake.
As such, the poker scene in Texas has remained a vibrant and busy environment. The way that poker works in the state, with players having to pay for their seat at the table, makes Texas the place to be for high-rollers, and those who want the chance to win big.
Number Three: Florida
With its rather strict regulations, Florida might not be the first state to come to mind when it comes to states with the best poker scene, but it really is quite the hidden gem. Casinos are allowed in Florida on Native American soil, as these areas have tribal sovereignty which allow them to exist outside of the regulations imposed upon other areas of the state. This had led to the establishment of some successful and vibrant casinos, many of which host a variety of poker tournaments each year.
With that being said, Florida isn’t the best state to visit if you want to play big, as the state does limit betting and has placed a $100 maximum buy-in on players. However, this hasn’t seemed to affect the vibrancy of the poker scene in this state. Florida residents don’t have to travel far to find a poker table and enthusiastic players to share a game with. Additionally, the state is the perfect place for poker tournament fans as many of the major poker tours pass through Florida’s casinos every year, and the 30 in-state poker rooms offer daily tournaments for amateurs and professionals alike.
Number Four: California
Another major hub for poker in the US is California. The state has over 50 poker rooms in total, meaning that no matter where you are in the state, it will be easy to find a game. The city with the biggest poker scene is, unsurprisingly, Los Angeles. In fact, LA has three of the largest poker rooms in the world, which stand in a testament to the state’s love of the game. One of the largest poker tournaments in the US, The LA Poker Classic (LAPC), takes place every year in Los Angeles. Aside from LA, San Francisco, San Diego and Sacramento all hold an impressive number of casinos and poker rooms too. California also has a rich history when it comes to poker, beginning in the 1930s and growing ever since.
Like Florida, California is a tribal gambling state; in fact, it is the biggest one in the US, with over seventy native casinos and five mini casinos scattered across the state. This means there’s a game for every kind of player, from beginners to high rollers. Some of the biggest games, with the biggest payouts, take place in the state.
Number Five: New Jersey
Anyone familiar with the popular musical Hamilton may have heard the quote, ‘Everything is legal in New Jersey.’ Of course, this isn’t quite true, but knowing the leniency the state has when it comes to things like gambling, the sentiment hits home for many people in the US. With many states still imposing strict regulations on gambling, New Jersey was one of the first states to fully legalize casinos and was the very first to allow the use of online casinos. As such, New Jersey has become quite the place to be for poker fans in the US.
Atlantic City used to be one of the best places in the world to play poker, and though the city’s glory days may be behind it, it is still a vibrant place for the poker fanatic. As such, the state is often reported to be the best place for live poker in the world. New Jersey is such a hub for gambling that the state generated over $6 billion in gambling revenue last year.
Number Six: Pennsylvania
We know what you’re thinking: Pennsylvania might not seem like the most vibrant state for gambling, but you may be surprised. When it comes to discovering a vibrant poker scene across the East Coast, Pennsylvania really is a hidden gem. A lot of this results from the stricter gambling rules that are imposed on Pennsylvania’s neighbouring states, which causes a lot of punters to travel to the state to play and watch poker tournaments.
The poker tables available in Pennsylvania are always popular, and the games tend to be a little more accessible than those that take place in bigger poker locations like Las Vegas. Not only that but since online poker is fully legalized in the state, Pennsylvania residents don’t even need to leave their own homes in order to feel the thrill of the game.
Conclusion
As explored, the poker scene in the United States varies from state to state, with some being much more supportive of the game than others. You can rest assured, however, that if you are living in or visiting any of these six states, then you are sure to find a vibrant and bustling community and plenty of opportunities to try your hand at the game. Whether you’re in Nevada and planning to visit Las Vegas, the global heart of gambling, or want a more low-key experience in Pennsylvania or Florida, there’s certain to be something for every kind of player in these states.