Where to Join the Poker Crowd

There's more than just poker at the Commerce, though. In 2001, the Crowne Plaza Hotel opened a 200-room hotel tower at the casino, which also has a day spa, beauty salon and a number of restaurants. Rooms are rather affordable and start at $130 a night.

Don't, however, expect a Las Vegas-scale experience. More often than not, the stars playing poker are often bigger than the ones entertaining guests. Unlike nearly every other casino in America, poker is the entree at the Commerce, with the other amenities serving as garnish.

"It's simply huge. When you walk into the Commerce, it's like walking into a poker warehouse," said Lipscomb. "There are restaurants and nice accommodations and some entertainment and some comedy shows, but primarily, it's all about the poker."

Take a Flyer on Paris

In 1907, in the wake of World War I, a group of French aviators got together and created a little club to play poker. Nearly a century later, the Aviation Club de France embodies everything you'd expect from a time when a generation of sartorial gentlemen played games of chance.

"You walk right off the Champs-Elysees and enter the era of Louis the XVI," said Lipscomb. "The walls are covered in elaborate wood paneling; there are statues and a chandelier hanging from the ceiling. It's just a block-and-a-half from the Arc de Triumph. And it virtually defines sex appeal. If you're looking for a place you'll talk about for the rest of your life, this is it."

With a long history and a location unmatched by any other casino on Earth, the Aviation Club is the kind of throwback that Las Vegas can only pull off with faux finishes. This authenticity attracts an upscale clientele and some of Europe's best poker players, who pass their time lounging around on the red leather furniture, inspecting the fine artwork on the walls and eating in the four-star restaurant -- that is, when they're not playing poker.

Three Quick Poker Tips From the Pros Playing cards at home is one thing, but playing in a casino can be a nerve-shredding, money-losing experience. Here's what two pros had to say to avoid making rookie mistakes
Tip	Quote
Ask for help, as that's what it's there for.	"Before you sit down, you should watch for a good 20 minutes. And when you want to play, make sure you talk to a floor man. He will help you get your chips and will provide you with a smooth transition into playing in person." -- Daniel Negreanu
Suckers and sharks like to talk.	"To spot a shark, look around and see who is talking a lot. If you see a lot of friendly chatter, chances are they could be the sucker -- but if they're not, they could be one of the professionals, conversing with the rest of the clique." -- Negreanu
Calm down and play slowly.	"I would say the best advice I can give is 'be patient' and 'wait for hands.' Don't be involved in every single pot. The first thing I always say is, 'you play too many hands,' before I even know how they play." -- Jennifer Harman