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El Cortez Poker Room Review Last updated: 02/27/09 Sponsored Advertisement Phone: (702) 385-5200 Web: Email: Address: 600 East Freemont Street Editor's Review El Cortez Poker Room News El Cortez Poker Room Information Tables: 3  Full Tilt Poker 100% Deposit Bonus up to $600! Use Code: ALLVEGAS. Full Tilt Poker Betting Limits:
El Cortez Poker Tournaments: No
Weekend Wait-Time: 10 to 30 minutes. There are only two tables, so although the list is usually short, the wait can still be quite long. Smoking Allowed: No The El Cortez poker room went completely non-smoking in 2007, but smokers need only step one or two feet away from the table to light up. Poker Room Rate: No Editor's Review - El Cortez Poker Room Total Rating: 2.20 Room Quality Rating: 2 **Last Updated: 02/27/09** The El Cortez poker room is home to the lowest rake and lowest limit games in all of Las Vegas. Recently relocated, expanded, and promotions updated, the El Cortez poker room is the only room in the city where you can play with a former Las Vegas casino owner/developer on any given day of the week. Offering 3 tables of 1-3-6 spread limit Hold’em and a 1-3-6 Stud game, the El Cortez poker room caters to low level locals and tourists looking for a nice casual game of low limit poker. Aesthetically, the room is simple, quant, and basic. It is located in an alcove off the main casino floor, adjacent to a quiet piano bar and a few slot machines. Encompassing a mere 3 tables, the room matches the classic property it is housed in quite well. Keeping in mind that the El Cortez has been around for nearly 70 years (in the same building, mind you), it is quite impressive to see things such as autoshufflers, a recently implemented non smoking policy, and newly updated dealer uniforms in the poker room. The felts on the table were recently redone, and lack the cigarette burns and wear that they once had when this was a smoking room. The chairs are of the traditional low quality non swivel variety that one would generally expect from a value property such as the El C. Despite the very practical and no frills aesthetics, the room is home to one of the most brilliant ceiling skylights this reviewer has ever seen, and certainly the nicest in any poker room. Directly above the poker room, inlaid in the ceiling, is a Tiffany style stained glass skylight of a poker table as seen from above. It is quite a beautiful piece of art that can only be found at the El Cortez poker room. The layout of the poker room at the El Cortez is very simplistic, and fits what one would expect. The three tables are situated in a U formation with two permanent walls enclosing the room, and a manager/cashier podium sealing in the venue. A small section of slot machines are directly adjacent to the north side of the room, with the front and forward table jutting slightly out of the alcove and aligning the main casino thoroughfare that leads to the pit and sports book. Jackie Gaughan, the former casino mogul who at one time owned most of Downtown Las Vegas, resides at the El Cortez and acts as an Ambassador for the hotel and casino. Up until only a few months ago, Mr. Gaughan owned the El Cortez, but decided to sell it; thus enabling him to fully enjoy retirement and occasionally sit and play poker amongst his customers. He is easy to spot, always donning a custom tailored suit and a smile. Overall, the El Cortez poker room is a comfortable and social venue that is not in any way intimidating. Its permanent low stakes atmosphere welcomes new and casual players looking for a nice low limit game of cards. Competition Rating: 3 The El Cortez poker room caters to daily local regulars that are playing to pass the time, maybe win a high hand jackpot, and hopefully break even. The room is strictly very low limit (1-3 spread on flop and turn, and 1-6 spread on the river), so the games are generally slow, casual, and usually consist of small pots moving back and forth. The players at the El Cortez are generally older value minded locals, with a few nostalgic or bargain hunting tourists mixed in. The games are usually as soft as any other low limit game, though the regulars that play every day are more accustomed to the unique game format then the average walk in player. The game changes slightly at night when there are more gamblers and casino workers roaming around Downtown Las Vegas. The games are softer at night (as with any card room in the city), and generally there is more action and higher variance. Overall, the competition of the El Cortez poker room is soft simply because it is strictly a low limit casual poker room with players that are there for recreational entertainment, and not to grind out a living or make tremendous amounts of money. Dealer Rating: 3 The El Cortez dealers have improved greatly over the past few years. As poker dealing jobs are becoming scarcer, the rooms benefit by being able to be more selective in their hiring and staff retention processes. The El Cortez dealers are welcoming, friendly, and maintain solid game control. Though known throughout the industry as being a training ground for new dealers and break-in management staff, the current group seems to be quite well trained on customer service, and proper game control. Though one does notice occasional lapses in modern protocol, it is more due to the casual nature that the room’s rules and procedures are applied versus a lack of knowledge of modern accepted poker room procedures. Overall, the dealers at the El Cortez are average within the industry, and better then one would expect from such a property. Cocktail Rating: 2 The El Cortez poker room offers about what you would expect as far as liquor and drinks. All basic beers are available, as are nearly all standard mixed drinks and liquors. Granted, little to no top shelf is available, nor is any energy drinks of any kind, but none should be expected from such a value driven property. The cocktail waitresses vary from young to mature, and all serve rather quickly due to the service bar being nearby the poker room. The glasses are quite small, though, and the mixed drinks are often rather weak. It is due to this subpar drink quality that the rating is as low as it is. The service quality deserves closer to a 3, easily. Overall, the drink service at the El Cortez is quick and reasonable, given the property. Management Rating: 3 The El Cortez management team has significantly improved their room over the past few years. Once the room was relocated to the current alcove, the room was treated significantly more seriously than it had previously by the management. The casino invested in autoshufflers for 2 of its 3 tables, and the room went completely non smoking. The management staff no longer sits in the games when working the floor and the staff is very attentive toward the players and the games. It is important to note that the rake of the El Cortez poker room is the lowest in the city, at 10%/$2.50 max, plus $.50 jackpot. This is impressive and is a strong selling point of the room. Overall, the management of the El Cortez poker room is slightly above average within the industry of low limit value minded rooms. Comps Rating: 1 The El Cortez does not offer much in the way of comps. A paper voucher for $5 is given to those that play a few hours and ask nicely. This is the only comp that is readily given out to players, though the room was discussing the possibly future implementation of hourly comps for players the last time that this reviewer visited the El Cortez a few days ago. The room has changed its high hand promotion program slightly, and now drops a small jackpot ($.50) from each pot to pay for the high hand of the day promotion. This promotion seems to change regularly, but as of this writing, the highest hand of the day wins $300-$500, and is collectible the hour after the day concludes. Overall, the comp program at the El Cortez leaves much to be desired, but once again taking into account the value driven aspects of the property as a whole, this comp program seems to fit the room nicely and meets all expectations. El Cortez Poker Room News New and Updated El Cortez Editor Review is now posted! Date: 02/27/09 Summary:The El Cortez Hotel and Casino is one of the oldest continuously operating properties in Las Vegas. The poker room at the El Cortez offers the lowest rake in all of Las Vegas as well as the lowest stakes games. Rumor: El Cortez is expanding its poker room from 2 tables to 3 Date: 09/21/04 Summary:You heard it here first. In October, the El Cortez will add one new poker table, enlarging the poker room to a whopping 3 poker tables. |
El Cortez Poker Room Player Reviews Summary of Player Reviews: Overall: 2.98 Room Quality: 2.77 Competition: 3.31 Dealer Rating: 3.23 Cocktail Rating: 3.46 Management Rating: 3.92 Comps Rating: 2.08 The only 7-stud game in town... By: Whitey5150 12/26/09 had fun, my wife won some money and we'd play there again By: cabopc 09/03/08 Smallest game in town By: BxFitz 08/26/08 It's a whole new world By: packbacker 06/03/08 Walked into the El Cortez at 6am By: Lester 12/21/07 Unique poker experience By: dewey089 08/08/07 Cortez now non-smoking By: groverbg 01/16/07 Old Fashioned Vegas By: Whitey5150 09/13/06 Stinky, with characters, low rake, a lot of fun By: joebrazil3 08/21/06 Not a bad pick By: pizzaboy 03/05/06 cheapest games in vegas By: vegasbound 09/01/05 Colorful Late Night Poker By: Mailguy55 08/13/05 Media Misses Major Poker Room Expansion By: TheBeast 06/26/05 Trip Reports About El Cortez Poker Room 16 nights in Vegas 01/31/06, Player: dewey089 For Rooms: Bally's,Binion's,Caesars Palace,El Cortez,Golden Nugget,Imperial Palace,Orleans,,Plaza,,Stratosphere, Low/Mid NL poker for a week 06/12/06, Player: overeducated For Rooms: Bally's,Bellagio,Caesars Palace,El Cortez,,Golden Nugget,Mandalay Bay,MGM Grand,Mirage,,Venetian,Wynn, 24 days in Vegas for 60 years of life 01/06/07, Player: dewey089 For Rooms: El Cortez,,Gold Coast,MGM Grand,Orleans,Stratosphere,Texas Station,Venetian, Downtown action 02/24/07, Player: SamQuentin For Rooms: Binion's,Caesars Palace,El Cortez,Fitzgeralds,Golden Nugget, Poker trip report 6/27-7/4 07/05/07, Player: bigalbr For Rooms: Bally's,Bellagio,Binion's,Caesars Palace,El Cortez,,Fitzgeralds,Flamingo,Golden Nugget,Harrah's,Hooters,Imperial Palace,Mandalay Bay,MGM Grand,Mirage,Planet Hollywood,Plaza,Treasure Island (TI),Venetian, My second time in Las Vegas 10/10/07, Player: BulletToothTony For Rooms: Binion's,El Cortez,Flamingo,Golden Nugget,Imperial Palace,O'Shea's,Plaza,Sahara, First time Vegas trip and all downtown play 12/21/07, Player: Lester For Rooms: Binion's,El Cortez,Fitzgeralds,Golden Nugget,Plaza, So many rooms, so little time 12/22/07, Player: MickeyD For Rooms: Bellagio,Binion's,Caesars Palace,El Cortez,Flamingo,Golden Nugget,Mirage,Orleans,Palms,Riviera,Sahara,Stratosphere,Wynn, December low limit experiences 12/24/07, Player: dewey089 For Rooms: Bally's,Caesars Palace,El Cortez,Golden Nugget,Palms,Riviera, Solo Trip w/ Nasty Cash and Tourney Play 04/29/08, Player: GolfBaller70 For Rooms: Binion's,Caesars Palace,El Cortez,,MGM Grand,Orleans,Sahara,Wynn, Beaten up, Great profit on the tables and stripper friends; Vegas rocks! 05/06/08, Player: GuarczZz For Rooms: Bellagio,Binion's,Caesars Palace,El Cortez,Planet Hollywood,Treasure Island (TI),Venetian, SPPerry and LVMike's excellent adventure, part 2 05/07/08, Player: SouthPointPerry For Rooms: Binion's,El Cortez,Fitzgeralds,Golden Nugget,Plaza, EA14 - A budget poker competition 10/10/08, Player: SouthPointPerry For Rooms: Bill's,El Cortez,Imperial Palace,Mirage,Tuscany, Thank you, Golden Nugget! 01/08/09, Player: ecke101 For Rooms: Caesars Palace,Circus Circus,El Cortez,Fitzgeralds,Golden Nugget,Harrah's,Imperial Palace,MGM Grand,O'Shea's,Plaza, Krusherlaw's Trip to Vegas 03/23/09, Player: Krusherlaw For Rooms: Bellagio,Bill's,Binion's,El Cortez,,Fitzgeralds,Flamingo,Golden Nugget,Hard Rock,Luxor,M,Mandalay Bay,MGM Grand,,Venetian, Downtown boys weekend 08/07/09, Player: Jed Cooper For Rooms: Binion's,El Cortez,Golden Nugget,MGM Grand,Venetian, EA27 - The poker gods hate me 06/02/10, Player: SouthPointPerry For Rooms: Bill's,El Cortez,Excalibur,Luxor,Mandalay Bay,MGM Grand, 11 Days All Over Vegas During WSOP 06/28/10, Player: AdRock For Rooms: Aria (CityCenter),Bally's,Bill's,El Cortez,Fitzgeralds,Flamingo,Golden Nugget,Hard Rock,Imperial Palace,MGM Grand,Mirage,Planet Hollywood,Rio,Sahara,Sunset Station,Treasure Island (TI),Venetian,Wynn, |
 Front view of 3 table room at El Cortez  Side view of El Cortez poker room.  View of front table at El Cortez |
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