Play Poker with the Big Boys at the Mirage Poker Room in Las Vegas

Most people who enjoy poker have seen the movie Rounders, starring Matt Damon as the enthralling Matt McDermott and Edward Norton as the engaging best friend, Worm. In that movie, Damon's quest for poker greatness constantly revolved around getting to one place. He set his sights on building up a bankroll and heading out to the Mirage to play against some of the best players in the world. On my last trip to Las Vegas, I decided to live Mike McD's dream of playing poker at the Mirage poker room. Though I didn't sit down next to Doyle Brunson and Amarillo Slim, I was able to play some of the best poker of my life in a fantastic environment.

The Mirage poker room is the crown jewel of this casino. After being immortalized in the ultimate gambling movie, they have a certain reputation to uphold. The room does that and more. It comes about as close to the Bellagio as possible without actually being the Bellagio. When you enter the Mirage, you can count on it being in pristine condition. The floor has great lighting and everything is top of the line. Poker is serious business here and you can tell once you enter the floor.

As far as games go, this poker room has a large number of them. The no-limit play ranges from $1/$2 up to a popular $5/$10 game that runs regularly. The Mirage poker room also features a number of popular limit poker games. With this large number of games, a large number of players are attracted. The quality of play at the Mirage is some of the best in all of Las Vegas. It is not uncommon to see poker professionals taking a seat at one of their tables. Simply put, this is not a game for first timers. For every bad player that sits down at the Mirage, there are two or three good players who are ready to take his money. While this challenging play can be fun for some players, others find it too strenuous.

The dealers and other staff at the Mirage are what gives the poker room its characteristic flare. They deal skillfully and keep the table entertained. They carry on conversation, but don't lose track of their duties. If you sit down at a Mirage poker table, there's a good chance that you will be handled by a professional.

Poker at the Mirage poker room is serious business and they know it. From the minute you enter, a player can feel the ambiance that seems to radiate throughout the room. This isn't a place where first timers want to head, but for the experienced player, it can be a fun challenge.