Sahara Las Vegas Poker Room Closing to Make Way for Slot Machines

The Sahara Poker Room is closing next month to make way for slot machines in the latest hit to live poker in Las Vegas post-pandemic.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Thursday on the upcoming closure, which is slated for Nov. 16.

In a statement, Sahara General Manager Paul Hobson told the Journal, “When it debuts in mid-December, the enhanced offerings will include dedicated slot banks where players can be some of the first in Las Vegas to play the newest test games from top gaming content providers.”

Caesars Palace Las Vegas Poker Room Closes

Fun Local Poker Room

The Sahara Las Vegas poker room has seven tables and is equipped with five TV screens across the red and beige casino area. According to PokerAtlas, the room runs both daily cash games and tournaments with buy-ins as low as $50.

The poker room was known for being a fun, friendly environment that ran unique events like a weekly Crazy Pineapple tournament. The room spread mixed games on demand and hosted several private games for PokerNews and other poker media over the years.

Poker rooms throughout Las Vegas struggled to regain their footing after shutting down during the pandemic. Some, like Planet Hollywood and the Mirage, closed permanently.

In June, the Caesars Palace poker room closed and has yet to reopen.

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Connor Richards is an Editor & Live Reporter for PokerNews and host of the Life Outside Poker podcast. Connor has been nominated for two Global Poker Awards for his writing.