VegasChatter

The timing of the announcement is a bit of a surprise being right before the upcoming Detox Poker Series. Detox is a deepstack series of events in the vein of a mini-WSOP that will be run by perhaps the world’s best tournament director, Matt Savage. We viewed that series, running August 13-22, as a big push to build up player awareness and traffic to the room. Instead the series will be the Poker Lounge’s swan song as it shuts down in lieu of a smaller room to open in September.

Poker will be relocated to Hells Bells, an area between The Joint Box Office and Wasted Space. That area is currently curtained off and we couldn’t tell if construction had started yet or not. We were told by a room manager that no downtime was expected during the move, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see the room close for a few days sometime after the Detox Series. Given the name, Hard Rock execs probably expect you to hit Rehab if that does happen. While we weren’t able to confirm if the tables, chairs, or any existing décor will move with the room, the new area will house only six to eight tables but be more visible to the rest of the casino, potentially resulting in more walk-in traffic.

No word on what the existing poker room will morph into. Several rumors were said to be circulating, including a buffet. But that room seems awfully small to corral hungry gamblers. If the adjacent bar remains, the space would work well as a (non-poker) lounge or small restaurant. Potentially connected to the Joint for concert goers?

Have you heard any rumors on the new or old room? Let us know.