Bellagio and The MirageAn Unbeatable Pair!

Whether you're a tourist who has visited Las Vegas or a local who plays every day, chances are you've been to one or both of the two largest cardrooms in Nevada. Bellagio and The Mirage offer great live action, the highest limits found anywhere in the world, and with the addition of The Poker Zone, they now feature great tournaments, too. Regardless of your preference, Bellagio and The Mirage offer all that a poker player's heart may desire.

While each of these properties has its own identity, there are many things that they have in common. Starting with professionalism from the managers on down the line, each member of their caring staffs takes a serious approach to customer service and job performance. The atmosphere in each cardroom is elegant and welcoming, and provides the perfect environment for poker.

Cardroom veteran Doug Dalton, who began his career in the late '70s, manages the Bellagio poker room. He worked his way up from shift manager at the Golden Nugget in Downtown Las Vegas to the director of poker operations today. Along the way, he worked as assistant manager of the Dunes poker room, general manager of the Oceanside Card Casino, and manager of both the Treasure Island and The Mirage cardrooms.

Bellagio is an international resort destination that provides some of the best action you will ever find. The cardroom features 30 tables and spreads a variety of games from $1-$5 seven-card stud to the highest-limit poker played anywhere in the world (a $20,000-$40,000 game was spread recently). The primary games are seven-card stud, Texas hold'em, Omaha eight-or-better, and multiple or mixed games. It features a special platform that separates the high-limit games – which begin at $60-$120 – from the mid- to lower-limit games. The chairs in this cardroom are a delight; they were custom-designed and personally selected by Dalton, and are as comfortable as you will find in any cardroom. They feature swivel seats with hydraulic lifts, which enable players to adjust seats to their own height preferences. The poker room is adjacent to the casino's luxurious sportsbook, and has convenient access to valet and self-parking.

Bellagio also recently adopted a new policy of creating nonsmoking tables. Anytime there are multiple games of the same limit in progress, at least one of those games is nonsmoking. "We have received a positive response to this effort," said Dalton.

The Mirage, by contrast, has 24 tables and is managed by Donna Harris. She began her 21-year career as a shill dealer at the Golden Nugget, and worked as the swing shift manager of The Mirage when it opened in 1989. She became cardroom manager at The Mirage in 1998 when Bellagio opened. Since that time, she has worked hard to rebuild the business that went to Bellagio, and is now proudly hosting a room full of players who enjoy playing all limits and all games.

Attributing the cardroom's success to her wonderful staff, Harris says they worked nonstop in difficult times to bring The Mirage cardroom back to life. Part of this effort included her and host Ugur Marangoz's creation of "The Poker Zone," The Mirage's poker tournaments that are held Sunday through Thursday evenings. These events are the highest buy-in regularly scheduled tournaments in Las Vegas, and are run by Tournament Coordinator Richard White.

Harris believes that in order to provide the best customer service possible, she needs feedback directly from her customers. To accomplish this, a comprehensive survey form was created that enables her staff to make sure that most, if not all, of her patrons' needs are met. "The goal is to have my name, The Mirage, and the diligent efforts of my staff always remain synonymous with hard work, integrity, and professionalism," Harris said.

A major poker tournament at The Mirage is in the planning stages. Harris said, "It is still too early to make the details public, but we are working very hard to realize a big, different, and exciting poker tournament that will be unlike any other to date."

These two fine resorts also feature other highlights and attractions. At The Mirage, guests thrill to an erupting volcano or come face to face with some of the world's most awe-inspiring animals. At Bellagio, "dancing" fountains and romantic botanical gardens contribute to this property's beauty.

In addition, great entertainment is featured at The Mirage in performances by "The Man of Many Voices," Danny Gans, and the "Magicians of the Century," Siegfried & Roy. Bellagio presents a show that is beyond circus, and beyond theater; Cirque du Soleil creates an entirely original form of live entertainment. The creative team has unveiled its most daring project to date with the premiere of "O."

Dining is an unforgettable experience at both properties. The Mirage features a selection of some of the finest cuisine from around the world, and Bellagio's 10 exceptional dining facilities offer a very different array of culinary delights. Both properties feature five-star restaurants – Picasso at Bellagio, and Renior at The Mirage. Sounds great, doesn't it? It is!