The Stratosphere is the tallest building east of the Mississippi River. The tower is 112 stories tall. Three amusement rides are offered on the top floors, as well as restaurants and a nightclub. Poker players looking for the ultimate thrill can take the SkyJump, a 107 story zip line down the side of the tower.
The 15 table Stratosphere Poker Room benefitted by the closure of the neighboring Sahara Casino property, which has helped to boost it’s numbers. Although located on the far north end of the Las Vegas Strip, the Nevada Gaming Commission considers Stratosphere to be a part of Downtown Las Vegas. This could be due to the fact that it is the only casino located on Las Vegas Boulevard south of downtown that is actually in the City of Las Vegas.
The main game for the Stratosphere Poker Room is 1/2 No Limit Texas Hold’em with a buyin of $50-$300. There may also be the occasional spread limit game, typically 2-6. The spread limit game has a single $2 blind. The Stratosphere rakes 10% up to $4. There is also a $1 jackpot drop at $10. The poker room does not spread any Non Hold’em games at this time.
The Stratosphere Poker Room is a bare bones poker room. While there are several TVs lining the north wall, there is little else in the way of amenities. Some of the cash game tables have automatic shufflers, but none of the tournament tables do. The bathroom is reasonably close, but the sports book is on the opposite side of the casino. If you’re hungry while playing, food may be ordered from a nearby café and delivered to the table.
The Stratosphere Poker Room is noisy due to the lack of any real walls between it and the casino. This also makes the tables near the south rail a bit smoky, due to the close proximity of a slot machine smoking area.
Get Paid to Play
Players receive $1 an hour in comps. Comps can be used for food, tobacco, or hotel costs. There is not a specific poker room rate, but players that play in the poker room can receive the casino rate, which is typically 20-25% below the advertised rate.
Stratosphere Poker Tournaments
The Stratosphere offers what many old school players refer to as the Sahara Tournament. Sahara closed in May 2011, but their famous poker tournaments live on at the Stratosphere Poker Room. Many of the dealers used to work at Sahara as well. The daily tournaments are held at 11am, 7pm, and 11pm. The buyin is $29+$16. One optional $20 addon is also allowed. The starting stack is 4500 chips, and the addon gives players an additional 4000 chips. The levels are 20 minutes.
Waitlists
The Stratosphere Poker Room does not use an electronic waitlist system. Players may call in for game availability, or to get on a waitlist. The poker room does not use any type of social media, so don’t expect to find any Facebook, Twitter or other announcements online.
High Hand Jackpots
Players that make four of a kind or better will receive a bonus. Four of a kind will win $100, a straight flush will win $250, and a royal flush will win $500. Four of a kind must consist of a pocket pair. Straight and royal flushes must contain two hole cards. Stratosphere is also offering a $5000 bad beat jackpot. If a player loses four of a kind the hard way, meaning that both players must use both hole cards, the bad beat jackpot is hit. The hand that lost four of a kind or better will win $2000. The winning hand will win $1000. Any player dealt in at the table will split the remaining $2000.
Route to the Poker Room from Inside the Stratosphere
Players that come in from the main entrance have two choices. Entering through the north doors, players will walk into the tower ticket lobby. The poker room is located within this lobby. Players that park in the parking deck will be in for a long walk. After going down the escalator, players will need to keep left of the pit. Follow that wall past the casino cage, down the steps to the tower admission lobby. The poker room is located there on the right.
