Jim Reid is The Rec — a recreational player with a lifelong love of poker, a member of the PokerOrg Player Advisory Board and the host of the popular RecPoker podcast.
In part two of a three-part series, Jim shares more advice for other recreational players taking their shot at the WSOP in 2025.
In part one of this three-part series, we looked at how to plan your own personal tournament schedule for the 2025 WSOP.
Now let’s take a look at what you’ll need to know once you’re actually in Las Vegas!
The biggest variable in the cost of your trip is going to be accommodation. You’ll generally need to weigh up convenience and proximity versus cost. It’s great to stay somewhere close to the action, but obviously that will generally come with a higher price tag. If you’re not traveling alone, splitting a two-bed hotel room is a great way to keep costs down.
Where to stay at the WSOP in 2025?
Airbnbs are great, especially as you often get a bit more living space, as well as useful things like a washing machine and somewhere to cook and eat your own food, but they’re hard to find close to the Strip. If you’re spending all your time playing, it’s a real advantage to be staying close by. Plus, your parking or Uber costs will add up, and commuting will add more time to every day.
I’ve stayed in both hotels and apartments, and personally I’d only go for an Airbnb if I was there with a large group and for a while. For shorter trips, staying on or near the Strip is just so convenient, but be sure to shop around online for the best deals. And of course, don’t forget those resort fees — they might not be immediately obvious in hotel pricing but can add a significant chunk to the overall cost.
There are four different hotels within easy reach of the WSOP that I’d recommend, each with their own pros and cons. Bear in mind these are just based on my own experiences, and there are plenty of other options out there, but these hotels are all pretty much right next door to where you’ll want to be and ones I’ve personally tried and can vouch for.
The Flamingo
Literally across the street from the WSOP, The Flamingo is a little run-down but well located; I’ve stayed here a lot and find it’s the best mix of cost and proximity. Plus they have fridges in every room, which is especially useful if, say, you enjoy making your own PB&J sandwiches!
The Linq
A little nicer than the Flamingo, The Linq is also a little further away and a tad more pricy. If you’re staying here, I’d advise not getting a lower-floor room overlooking the Strip-based music performance area: it can get noisy, and good sleep is crucial for any poker trip.
The Horseshoe
Being able to wake up, hop in an elevator and arrive right at the heart of the WSOP is as convenient as it sounds. On breaks you can use your own washroom, fetch cold drinks and snacks from your minifridge, and change clothes — it’s a perk that can’t be overstated. And when you need to get as much sleep as you can, it’s super convenient to be able to zip right down to the food court in the mornings, not to mention being able to start your day without having to handle the traffic or heat of the Strip.
Paris Hotel & Casino
The other hotel that plays host to the WSOP, Paris shares the convenience of being able to zip right to the tournament area without setting foot outside (having to hurry down the Strip in triple-digit heat is not the best way to start a long day of poker). The rooms are lovely, but with a price to match.
Here’s the thing: if all goes to plan, you won’t be spending more than 6-7 hours a night sleeping in your room, with the rest of your time spent at the tables. And with all that Las Vegas has to offer, don’t expect to spend a lot of time in your room. If you can make some savings on accommodation, it’s generally worth it — that could be money you could use to play another event!
Eating at the WSOP
Food-wise, everyone will have their own standards, options and preferences. Some of the best restaurants in the country will be right on your doorstep, but not everyone will have the budget to explore them. If you’re looking to keep these costs down, you can.
Stopping at a CVS to stock up is always high on my priority list. I like to pick up stuff like jam, peanut butter, bread and bananas — staples that will keep me going without breaking the bank. Get a pack of small Ziploc bags and prepare snacks in your room to take with you, and you’ll save a bunch. Keep things simple, with food you can eat at the tables or on breaks without making a mess, and it should go without saying that you don’t want to get food or greasy paw prints on your cards or chips!
The Horseshoe’s food court is found in the basement and contains various options for quick meals, but like the washrooms, it gets pretty busy on breaks. Out the front of the Horseshoe you’ll also find some other options in an open-air food market, and you might just enjoy the (rare) experience of seeing the sky while you’re there!
For American food in that bazaar, there’s good value at Dave’s Hot Chicken and Wahlburgers, but my favorite is Istanbul Mediterranean on the corner, where you can get a healthy salad and meat bowl for a great price. If you are heading a little further up the strip, I recommend the huge breakfast burrito at the Urth Cafe at the Wynn or anything from Tacos El Gordo across from Resorts World.
Take breaks
Depending on how long you’re in town, you may be 100% focused on poker. If your trip is longer than a week, though, I would seriously recommend taking a break from the tables at some point to recharge your batteries.
Go spend some time outside, touch some grass, relax in your room, take a swim, see a show. Your options for ‘stuff to do’ in Las Vegas are plentiful, with lots to explore beyond the immediate environs of the WSOP.
At one point on a past Las Vegas trip, I literally fell asleep at the table after playing all day, every day for 10 days straight! Don’t be that guy! Whatever you need to do to keep playing your A-game, make some time to do it. I’d try to book in a day off of some kind after your first week.
On a recent episode of the RecPoker Podcast, LoriAnn Persinger had some great ideas for how to enjoy some inexpensive time on the strip away from the tables, including the Pinball Museum and Hall of Fame, the Bellagio Botanical Gardens, Flyover Las Vegas, and the Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas. All of these are well worth taking some time out to visit.
Check back soon for part three of The Rec’s guide to the 2025 WSOP, where I'll take a closer look at the logistics of actually playing WSOP events.
Images courtesy of Sung Shin/Eloy Cabacas/Benoit Debaix/Flamingo Las Vegas/Unsplash. This article is an update of the 2024 Rec's Guide to the WSOP.
