By Johnny Kampis
Like many, I got hooked on poker in the early days of the World Poker Tour and a guy named Moneymaker winning the World Series of Poker. Thanks to that fandom, I’ve only missed two WSOPs since 2004. During those many trips, I’ve gleaned a tip or three on best practices for maneuvering around the event and Las Vegas itself. Here are some things to consider as your plan your 2025 WSOP trip.
Diamond is a Guy’s Best Friend
Caesars Rewards has begun running a regular promo that is tantalizing – earn 5,000 tier credits in a day and you are automatically upgraded to Diamond status, which usually requires 15,000 tier credits. (Scan your card at a kiosk to make sure the promo is in effect, first). How much you earn in tier credits varies by game. For example, you’ll get one credit per $10 wagered at video poker. I’ve seen people posting online about grinding their credits by playing video roulette and covering all of the numbers. This method reduces variance, but guarantees you will lose about 5 percent of what you wager.
Why is Diamond useful? It will get you free parking and no resort fees if you stay at a Caesars Entertainment property. You also get to jump to the front of the line on poker cash game waiting lists, cashier windows and restaurant queues. On top of that, you can often match statuses with other companies, such as getting heavily reduced cruises through Carnival. So, while you’ll usually lose money in the quest for Diamond status, it may be worth the cost, and Diamond status earned in 2025 will be good through the end of 2026.
The Strip for the Frugal
Now that we’ve talked about (relatively) high rolling, let’s look at low rolling. Vegas is expensive, and the Strip especially so. Any opportunity we have to save on costs, as long as convenience isn’t greatly affected, we should take it.
One popular option for cheaper dining (and gambling) is Ellis Island Casino a block behind the Horseshoe, on Koval Lane. Of course, block is a relative word on the Strip – it’s still a decent hike – but Ellis Island may be worth the journey. Here, you will find 3-to-2 blackjack, the famous $10 steak special and some of the best craft brews in Vegas.
For cheaper travel, many people have a love-hate relationship with the Las Vegas Monorail. It runs from Sahara to MGM Grand. While the price is right — $6 per ride or $15 for a one-day pass – getting to and from the monorail requires a lot of walking to and from the back of the Strip casino properties.
The monorail won’t take you to Downtown, but whether you get there by rental car, bus or Uber, you’ll find more budget-friendly dining and gambling on Fremont Street. Just don’t let your wife catch you taking photos with the “showgirls” hanging down there after dark.
Tournament Options Galore
Thanks to the immense popularity of the WSOP, other casinos began hosting their own tournament series to capitalize on the large crowds that flock to Vegas in the summer. The schedules will slowly trickle out prior to the start of the WSOP, but you can expect to see tournament series at Aria, Golden Nugget, Orleans, Resorts World, Venetian and Wynn. Whereas the WSOP bracelet events, focus primarily
