There’s no card game quite like poker. A clever mix of mathematics, strategy and good old-fashioned luck, it provides a test for all players, from novices to professionals. And while many people choose to play it at home, either online or with friends, you just can’t beat the thrill and glamour of playing in a casino, whether it be in a simple cash game or a tournament. If the mood takes you, the centre of Glasgow has a variety of poker rooms to choose from. Most of them are casual dress, although there’s nothing to stop you pulling on something a little more special and making a night of it!
Grosvenor Casinos
A popular national name, with venues all over the UK, you know you’re in safe hands with Grosvenor Casinos. There are two Grosvenor casinos in Glasgow, and they are both great places to start if this is your first-time playing poker. The Merchant City venue on Glassford Street and the Riverboat in Broomielaw both cater for novices, with staff on hand to run tutorials and dummy games so that you can learn to play in a friendly and supportive environment. Although you can run into some pretty serious players, so it wouldn’t hurt to brush up on rules and poker terminology beforehand to give yourself a chance. Cash games start from £30, so you can get involved in something a little more competitive once you feel ready. For the avid player, there are the daily cash games, regular local tournaments, and even a yearly Goliath Tournament you can qualify for. Both casinos offer a variety of poker games, including three card poker and Texas Hold’em.
When you’re ready to take a break from the table, both venues have an in-house restaurant and a couple of bars where you can replenish your energy reserves while enjoying top quality food and drink. The Riverboat’s Louisiana Restaurant also has unbeatable views over the River Clyde to match their mouth-watering menu. You can also step over onto the casino floor and enjoy a different type of game, with slot machines, roulette tables and blackjack available in both venues.
Genting Casino
Glasgow’s Genting Casino is located on Sauchiehall Street and is open from lunchtime until 6am, so you can get your late-night poker fix from this well-known global brand. Their cash games are available most day of the week, and they run a regular 5K Friday tournament with a buy in/registration fee combo of just £35. They also have their own national poker series, with annual legs coming to Glasgow.
As well as the traditional table games, the Genting Casino also offers state-of-the-art electronic table games including roulette, baccarat and 3-5 card poker. These games are all broadcast live from Genting International Casino and appear on each player’s personal screen, allowing you to participate in global games with a reduced waiting time.
Like other casinos in the city, Genting also offers a place away from the poker table to relax and refresh. Not only can you sample the other table games on the casino floor, but they also have private karaoke rooms where you and your friends can unwind in comfort. Their restaurant offers a variety of Asian dishes and their bar has a fabulous cocktail menu – because what is a night at the casino without a classic Martini?
Alea Casino
Perhaps the closest to the modern Vegas Experience, the Alea Casino on Springfield Quay is considered by some to be Glasgow’s finest casino. Set over two floors, you can find their table games on the ground floor and slots and electronic games at the top of the gorgeous marble staircase. If you’re after cash games, their three-card poker tables take a minimum bet of just £2, so everybody is welcome.
They run nightly poker tournaments with guaranteed four figure jackpots, as well as cash games of No Limit Texas Hold’em with a £40 buy-in. Keep your eye out for their poker festivals and events if you’re in the market for some larger stakes. Like the Merchant City Grosvenor Casino, the Alea is now open 24hrs, so you can head on over for your poker fix at any time of the day or night.
The Corinthian Club
If you’re looking for something more upmarket and with a classic, golden era feel, look no further than the Casino at the Corinthian Club. Set in an iconic grade A-listed building on Ingram street, the casino is just one of many entertainment establishments that call the Corinthian Club their home. Make sure you dress up for this fantastic alternative venue, where they have a private poker room with its own croupier and hostess service, so that you and your friends can play in peace. It’s the perfect place to celebrate anything from a birthday to a promotion.
If you would rather be on the casino floor, they have three card poker tables with bets ranging from £3 to £300, it’s simply up to you how much you feel like wagering. And when you’ve played enough hands, you can try one of the other table games or slot machines on offer, relax at their in-house bar, or try one of the other restaurants, bars or nightclubs located in the same building. The Corinthian Club is a truly beautiful venue with so much going on under the same roof, it’s perfect for that extra special night out.