Few things in life are better than poker and travel. Global tours continue to showcase the humble game we love, and bucket-list poker events seem to increase annually.
We’ve created the ultimate travel guide for the best poker events worldwide, showcasing amazing destinations that must be added to your bucket list.
1. World Series of Poker – Las Vegas, NV
It doesn’t get any bigger or better than the World Series of Poker (WSOP). For most, this is the highlight of the year. It is a chance to taste this incredible gambling Mecca and play alongside the biggest and best poker personalities.
The WSOP has 70 bracelet events. Buy-ins range from $500 to $10,000, and each attracts thousands of players who battle it out to write their name in poker folklore and take home a coveted winner’s bracelet.
WSOP Main Event
- Buy-In: $10,000
- Entrants: ~10,000
- Satellites: Online and in-person
- Winning prizemoney: $10,000,000
If you’ve got the flex to buy straight into the main event, you’ll have to part with a cool $10,000. The fields are huge and split across multiple days, so book enough time in Las Vegas to ensure availability.
For mere mortals, multiple satellites are available in Vegas and online. WSOP.com and GGPoker are the best locations for this, with the latter sending a record 1,000 players in 2024.
How to Get to Las Vegas
The main airport is served by the Harry Reid International (LAS), which offers direct flights from most major cities in the United States. You’re only four miles from the strip, making it super accessible.
Where to Stay
If there’s one thing that Las Vegas knows, it’s hospitality. With dozens of hotels on offer, it can be hard to pick, but here are three that are standout picks from the team at VIP Grinders:
- Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino: The Rio is the home of the WSOP, so if it’s convenient for you, this should be your pick. As you’d expect, you will pay a premium to stay here, but for most, it’s worth it, if only for the atmosphere.
- Bellagio: Arguably the most iconic hotel in Las Vegas, the Bellagio is also one of the most luxurious. They’ve also got a great poker room, so drop in here if the WSOP is a little out of budget.
Things to Do
You’ll never be bored in Las Vegas, but some things are worth doing more than others.
- Explore the Strip: The heartbeat of Las Vegas. Check out the Bellagio, Caesars Palace and Aria Resort to tick off the main hotels/casinos.
- Show and Entertainment: Cirque de Soleil at the Bellagio is an absolute must for poker travel enthusiasts. The Fly Linq is a zipline hosted 114 feet up and perfect for the adrenaline junkies amongst you or something a little more relaxed, take a trip up the Eiffel Tower for unrivalled views of the city from their viewing deck.
- Outdoor Adventures: Escape the city heat with day trips to Red Rock Canyon for hiking or for those of you that have had a little more luck at the felt, a helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon is about as bucket-list as you can get.
2. European Poker Tour (EPT) Grand Final – Monte Carlo, Monaco
It doesn’t get any more glam than Monte Carlo. Channel your inner James Bond and head to one of the prestigious poker events of the year at the EPT Grand Final.
Monaco is the epitome of the lifestyles of the rich and the famous. The poker rooms are like no other, and it’s one of those must-see locations for gambling fans worldwide.
EPT Main Event
- Buy-In: €5,300
- Entrants: ~1,200
- Satellites: Online and in-person
- Winning prizemoney: €1,000,000
EPT Monte Carlo takes place over 11 action-packed days with buy-ins ranging from €250 to an eye-watering €100,000 for the Super High Roller.
However, the main event is the one everyone wants to win. A relatively affordable €5,300 buy-in with a medium-sized field of 1,200 players offers pretty good value.
For those on a budget, satellites are run on PokerStars in the months leading up, or you can claim a seat at a live poker tournament hosted within the Casino de Monte-Carlo.
How to Get to Monte Carlo
Nice Airport is the closest airport to Monte Carlo. It’s a 30-minute taxi ride into the city and accessible from most major US airports.
For those feeling a little more frivolous, take a helicopter ride with Monacair. This is a super cool way to see the amazing Southern French coastline, and prices start from €195 per person.
Where to Stay
Monte Carlo can be very expensive. It’s about as lavish as it gets, and the closer you are to the casino, the more expensive it will be.
It’s not impossible to be more budget-friendly, and we have some great recommendations for those looking to invest in the cards rather than the view.
- Hotel de Paris: High rollers will flock to the Hotel de Paris, across the road from the Casino de Monte Carlo. It’s the definition of opulence and a truly five-star experience. With that comes a five-start price tag, and rooms start from €600 per night.
- Fairmont Monte Carlo: If €350 per night is considered budget-friendly, the Fairmont is the go-to here. Check out the amazing rooftop pool perched over the Mediterranean with stunning views.
- Beausoleil: A French town just outside of Monaco. Prices here are a fraction of Monte Carlo. If you want somewhere to get your head down for the night and are willing to jump on the bus to get to and from, this is where you want to stay. Prices range from €100 to €200 per night for some excellent 4/5 star accommodation.
Things to Do
Let’s face it, EPT Monte Carlo might be one of the highlight poker events of the year, but it’s not cheap. If you want to play, more often than not, you have to pay. Here’s how to spend your time in Monaco.
- Casino de Monte Carlo: You’ll be based here for the poker, but it’s such a cool place even if you’re not playing. There are bars and restaurants inside, packed with cool function rooms and stunning architecture.
- F1 Monaco Grand Prix: EPT Monte Carlo usually starts at the start of May, and F1 comes to town in mid- to late May. If you plan to travel after the poker, come here for F1 weekend. The place is totally transformed as the streets you usually walk around are converted into the most iconic street race in the world. Be warned, prices hike over F1 weekend and that €300/night hotel will likely double.
- Prince’s Palace Monaco: The Palace is the official residence of Monaco’s Royal Family. It’s open to the public throughout the week, and you can even hire a guide to show you around.
3. Aussie Millions – Melbourne, Australia
The Aussie Millions was first run in 2008 but hosted its last event in 2020 before being postponed by the you-know-what virus. It’s set to return in 2025, and it’s instantly made it our list of live poker tournaments that you simply must visit.
Aussie Millions Main Event (Reported for 2025)
- Buy-In: $5,000
- Entrants: 500
- Satellites: Online and in-person
- Winning prizemoney: $820,000
The Crown Casino in Melbourne plays host to the Aussie Millions, and it’s reported that this will be where the tournament returns. Buy-in for the Main Event will be lower than in previous years, coming in at around $5,000 USD, with ~500 entrants and a healthy $820,000 first prize.
We’re still waiting to hear if the high-roller events will return. The $100,000 and $250,000 (the first of its kind anywhere in the world) always attract the big names, which boosts the series overall. Like most cities, Melbourne’s casinos buzz throughout the week with hundreds of smaller side and cash games to exploit.
How to Get to Melbourne
LAX, San Francisco, and Dallas are just a handful of US airports that fly directly to Melbourne. It’s around a 16-hour flight, so if you have points or miles to spend, this is the time to do so.
From the airport, there is a 30-minute taxi to the center of Melbourne. Alternatively, jump on the SkyBus and take in the sights, avoiding notoriously busy Melbourne traffic.
Where to Stay
One of the best things about Melbourne is that it ticks the boxes for luxury and affordability. If you want to ball out of control, you have more five-star resorts than deadstock Yeezy trainers. If you’re on a budget, you get much more for your money than Vegas or Monte Carlo.
- Crown Towers: Fall out of bed and into the Aussie Millions—a stunning hotel with all the five-star amenities you’d expect for $400 per night.
- Novotel Melbourne South Wharf: Recently refurbished and great value for money at $150 per night.
- YHA Melbourne Central: If you want that budget to stretch as far as possible, the YHA has rooms from just $30 per night, although you’ll likely share at that point. You can book individual rooms for $80 per night, which is still great value.
Things to Do
Melbourne is one of the coolest cities in the world for getting out and about. It’s sport-mad, and everything is based around getting out, seeing the sites, and sampling a hotbed of cultures in this cosmopolitan hotbed.
- Federation Square: A beautiful location to take in an array of fine arts, culture, and events. Be warned, it gets very busy on weekends.
- National Gallery of Victoria (NGA): The NGA is Australia’s oldest and most visited art museum. It’s free to get in, and there are new exhibits and events weekly.
- Melbourne Cricket Ground: With a capacity of 100,000, the MCG is the largest stadium in the country. They play cricket through the summer and Aussie rules/rugby through the winter.
4. European Poker Tour (EPT) – Barcelona, Spain
EPT Barcelona is one of the most iconic stops on the tour. It’s hosted within the Casino Barcelona and is best known for its huge fields, electric atmosphere, and vibrant beach-city vibes.
EPT Barcelona Main Event
- Buy-In: €5,300
- Entrants: 1,500 – 2,000
- Satellites: Online and in-person
- Winning prizemoney: €1,290,000
Outside of the World Series of Poker Main Event, this is about as big a live field as you will find. The tournament runs across seven days, with two day one’s and progressing onward from those.
As PokerStars is the main sponsor, all online satellites are run through this, starting with a handful of freerolls up to €500 buy-in for a chance to grab a seat.
Huge games run throughout the event, including the three high rollers, which have buy-ins of €10,300, €25,000, and €50,000, respectively.
How to Get to Barcelona
Barcelona-El Prat (BCN) is the main airport, a 20 to 30-minute taxi ride from the center or a 15-minute train ride on the Metro. However, the Metro can be confusing, with multiple lines going to different parts of the city. It’s best to download the app, enter your destination, and see exactly what platform and route you need to use.
Where to Stay
One of the reasons EPT Barcelona is a popular poker event is its budget-friendly. You’ve got a good mix of five-star accommodation and solid cheaper stays in a short taxi/bus/train outside the center.
- Hotel Arts Barcelona: It doesn’t get much better than this. Hotel Arts is a luxury beachfront stay with stunning views. Prices start at €400 per night.
- H10 Marina Barcelona: Not too far from the casino and a little more accommodating for those looking for a nice hotel without breaking the bank. €200 per night.
- Hostel One Paralelo: If you want cheap and cheerful accommodation, hostels are a good option, and this is the best in the city. Expect to pay between € 30 and €60 per night.
Things to Do
You’ll never get bored in Barcelona. It’s a great city with a diverse culture and the perfect balance between city escape and beach resort.
- La Sagrada Familia (Cathedral of Barcelona): A must-visit. It’s one of the most architecturally stunning buildings and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Barceloneta Beach: A beach in a city!? You heard us right. Barcelona is right on the coast, and the stunning beach line is often overlooked. If you can, get a hotel right on the seafront as it can get lively at night with a great atmosphere and away from the bustle of the city center.
- Gothic Quarter: More an area than a single attraction, but there are few things better to do in Barcelona than wandering through the narrow medieval streets and trying some amazing cafés and bars.
5. PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) – Bahamas
PokerStars Caribbean Adventure makes its much-anticipated return for 2025. When we talk about bucket list poker events, it doesn’t get much better than this.
For one, you’re in the Bahamas. White sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and enough rum to sink a pirate ship. What’s not to love?
Two, the poker scene is buzzing throughout PCA Bahamas. It’s the most fun you can have at a live poker destination with your clothes on…allegedly.
PCA Main Event
- Buy-In: $10,3000
- Entrants: ~1,000
- Satellites: Online and in-person
- Winning prizemoney: $1,100,000
The PCA Main Event is a massive $10,300 buy-in, rivalling the WSOP Main Event. However, with around 1,000 players, the field size is much smaller, with a sizeable first prize of over $1,000,000.
Since the PCA returned in 2023 after being discontinued in 2019, the tournament is now held at the brilliant Baha Mar Resort in Nassau, located just off the main island of the Bahamas.
There are three high-roller tournaments that run during PCA, ranging from $25,000 up to $100,000 buy-ins. Side events pop throughout, with a mix of No Limit Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, and Mixed Games that get entertaining as the days pass and people bust from the bigger live poker events.
How to Get to the Bahamas
Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) is the main access point to reach Nassau. Even though the airport is relatively small, it serves direct flights from most major cities in the US, UK, and Canada.
Most hotels provide shuttles from the airport, but a taxi ride takes around 30 minutes to Paradise Island, costing $30 to $50. You could also rent a car, but given the size, it’s not necessary.
Where to Stay
The Bahamas is one of the more expensive locations on our list of poker travel destinations. You can, of course, budget, but to have the full experience, you need to be willing to loosen the shackles a little. Channeling your inner YOLO is our advice.
- The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort: The best of the best. This exclusive beachfront resort has a range of premium suits and comes complete with butler service. Prices start (!) from $800 per night.
- Bay View Suites: A choice of spacious suites and apartments that are ideal if you want to share to save some money but don’t want to duck on quality. From $200 per night.
- Sandlewood Studios: For the nits, affordable apartments that are clean, tidy, safe, and do everything you need for a comfortable stay in paradise. Prices from $100 per night.
Things to Do
Caribbean islands are all about rest and relaxation. Taking advantage of being away from the hustle and bustle of city life and slowing down. Here’s a list of things to do while you’re there.
- Beaches: As you can imagine, there’s a lot to choose from, and to be honest, they are all beautiful in their own right. But must-try locations are Cabbage Beach, Cable Beach, and Junkanoo Beach.
- Boat Tours and Snorkeling: Have you even been to the Caribbean if you haven’t been snorkeling? Get a ride to Exuma Cays, where you can swim with pigs and explore underwater caves.
