Online poker connects millions of players worldwide to bluff, raise, and win at any hour of the day.

If you’ve ever found yourself grinding late into the night under the glow of your computer screen, you’ve probably wondered what it would be like to take that passion beyond your living room. And if the thrill of facing opponents across the globe is part of what drew you to online poker, why not combine the game with travel and turn it into a true poker holiday?

Many live poker events now offer online qualification paths through satellites and special promotions. Winning a seat this way can be the perfect gateway to a poker getaway. Most major poker sites host satellites into at least one prestigious live event, giving players a chance to merge their love of the game with world-class destinations.

Here are the top poker holiday spots that make the ultimate combination of cards, competition, and adventure:

Las Vegas, Nevada – The Poker Capital of the World

At the very top of any poker player’s travel list is the legendary Las Vegas. Nestled in Nevada, this city is the ultimate poker holiday destination, constantly reinventing itself with new casinos and attractions.

Every summer, Las Vegas becomes the epicenter of the poker world by hosting the World Series of Poker (WSOP), now staged at the Horseshoe and Paris casinos on the Strip. Players can even qualify online through GGPoker satellites to turn their poker holiday into a WSOP dream.

Despite a reduction in poker rooms over the years, Las Vegas still boasts 19 casinos where you can play. Iconic venues such as the Bellagio, Wynn, and Aria remain world-class poker hotspots, all within easy reach of the WSOP’s new home. For a slice of history, head downtown to Binion’s Horseshoe Casino, the birthplace of the WSOP more than 50 years ago.

But Las Vegas is more than just poker. It’s a surreal, dazzling playground filled with entertainment, nightlife, and experiences that make it unlike anywhere else on earth.

Barcelona, Spain | A Mediterranean Poker Paradise

Barcelona has cemented its reputation as Europe’s premier poker hotspot, regularly hosting the continent’s largest tournaments. The European Poker Tour, World Poker Tour, and PartyPoker all bring major events to Casino Barcelona, perfectly located near Port Olympic and the city’s golden beaches.

A poker trip to Barcelona offers the ideal balance of cards and culture. Outside the headline events, Casino Barcelona runs daily cash games and tournaments year-round, making it a reliable destination for players of every level. Alongside the poker tables, you’ll also find classic casino staples like roulette, baccarat, and blackjack.

Beyond the felt, Barcelona is a city that rewards exploration. From Gaudí’s architectural wonders to world-class galleries, sandy Mediterranean shores, and a thriving food scene, it’s as much a holiday for your companions as it is a poker adventure for you.

Rozvadov & Prague | Czech Republic

Rozvadov, a small village near the German border, is home to King’s Casino – the largest poker venue in Europe with more than 200 tables. Owned by art collector and high-stakes player Leon Tsoukernik, the property has been transformed into a true poker paradise. On site you’ll find a luxury four-star hotel, a 24-hour buffet, and lavish décor, including impressionist paintings in the salon privée and even an original Andy Warhol piece in the reception.

King’s Casino is also famous for its personal touch. Regulars know that if Leon invites you for lunch at his home, there’s a good chance he’ll fly you there himself by helicopter from the casino’s helipad. For most visitors though, the focus is squarely on poker. The venue hosts festivals year-round and is the permanent home of the World Series of Poker Europe, alongside major stops such as Party Poker Millions, the WPT, 888 Live, and the Eureka Poker Tour. Even outside of headline events, dozens of cash games – from No Limit Hold’em to Pot Limit Omaha – run daily.

Beyond Rozvadov, the Czech Republic offers another world-class stop: Prague. Each December, the European Poker Tour arrives at the Hilton Hotel’s King’s Casino Prague, staging the second-largest EPT festival after Barcelona. With its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant food scene, Prague doubles as both a premier poker stop and one of Europe’s most affordable capitals for a city break.

Malta | The Mediterranean’s Poker Playground

Situated in the heart of the Mediterranean, just south of Sicily, Malta has quickly established itself as one of Europe’s premier poker destinations. Blessed with over 300 days of sunshine and a rich cultural history stretching back thousands of years, it offers the perfect balance between poker action and leisure.

The island hosts some of Europe’s most popular mid-stakes festivals. The Battle of Malta has become the flagship event, growing from 359 entrants in 2012 to more than 4,300 players in 2022 for its €550 main event. Alongside it, the Malta Poker Festival and the Unibet Open draw thousands of poker enthusiasts each year. Beyond the festivals, players will find active cash games and daily tournaments across three of Malta’s four casinos, ensuring year-round poker action in a truly stunning setting.

Texas, United States – The Birthplace of No Limit Hold’em

Over the last few years, Texas has become the fastest-growing poker hotspot in the world. Despite gambling being illegal in the Lone Star State, poker clubs operate legally thanks to a loophole: they don’t take rake but instead charge players by the hour.

The boom has been remarkable. Just a few years ago, only a handful of clubs existed. Now, Texas boasts more than 60 poker rooms—second only to California. With California’s card rooms shrinking in number, Texas could soon claim the title of the largest poker state in the country.

That said, the industry faces uncertainty. Local authorities continue to challenge the legal loophole, and a ruling from the Texas Supreme Court is expected to decide the future of these clubs. If they survive, Texas could solidify itself as a must-visit poker destination, fittingly in the state that gave its name to Texas Hold’em.

United Kingdom | A Classic European Poker Hub

Poker in the United Kingdom is vibrant and varied, with top-class venues scattered across the country. London naturally dominates the scene, offering several iconic poker destinations. Leicester Square is home to the Empire Casino and the Hippodrome Casino, both bustling hubs for daily cash games. The famous Grosvenor Victoria Casino on Edgware Road—affectionately called The Vic—has been a staple of the London poker community for decades, hosting lively tournaments and cash games alike. Another standout is Aspers Casino in Stratford, located within the massive Westfield shopping centre, making it a must-visit stop for poker tourists.

Beyond the capital, Nottingham is a powerhouse thanks to Dusk Till Dawn, the UK’s largest dedicated poker venue, established by entrepreneur and high-stakes player Rob Yong. It has played host to countless major events since 2007 and remains at the centre of UK poker culture.

Poker festivals thrive across the country, headlined by the long-running Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT), which rotates between cities year-round. The jewel of the circuit is the GUKPT Goliath, held every August at the G Casino in Coventry. With a modest £150 buy-in, it has grown into the world’s largest low buy-in poker tournament and the biggest live poker event outside Las Vegas.

The 2022 Goliath smashed records with 10,584 entries, a £1.27m prize pool, and £200k for the champion. Notably, ex-heavyweight boxing champion David Haye took part in 2019, coached by Audley Harrison, and finished an impressive 40th out of 9,300 entrants. With online satellites available at Grosvenor Poker, the UK remains one of the most exciting destinations for both casual players and seasoned pros.

Cyprus | Mediterranean Poker Paradise

Another jewel of the Mediterranean now firmly on the poker destination map is Cyprus. The island has been quietly hosting international poker tournaments for years, including stops from the World Poker Tour (WPT).

In recent times, Cyprus has stepped up as a premier stop for high-profile events, most notably the Triton Series, attracting the world’s elite high-roller players. In 2022, the country cemented its status when the Mediterranean Poker Party debuted at the newly opened Merit Royal Diamond Hotel & Casino in Kyrenia. Featuring one of the largest poker rooms in the world, the venue has become a hub for players at all levels.

The three-week poker festival brought together mid-stakes, high-stakes, and super-high-stakes events, paired with nightly parties and the island’s stunning beaches. This perfect blend of poker and leisure looks set to secure Cyprus as a permanent hotspot on the European poker calendar.

Dublin | Ireland

Dublin is famous for its warm hospitality and lively “craic,” making it a perfect setting for a poker holiday. While there are no legal casinos in the Irish capital, poker tournaments are regularly permitted by the local authorities and Garda (Irish police). Most major events take place at either the Bonnington Hotel or the Green Isle Hotel.

The Irish Poker Tour and the Dublin Poker Series both make frequent stops in the city, while PokerStars brings the UK & Ireland Poker Tour to Dublin once a year for higher-stakes players. The highlight of the year, however, is the Irish Open – Europe’s longest-running poker tournament, first held in 1980.

Now considered a must-play event on the international circuit, the Irish Open consistently draws a strong field. In 2023, it was hosted at the RDS in Ballsbridge, attracting 2,491 entries and generating a prize pool of nearly €2.5 million. PokerStars qualifier David Docherty turned a €109 satellite entry into a €365,000 first-place prize, underscoring the event’s prestige and accessibility.

France | The Glamour of European Poker

France boasts more casinos than any other country in Europe, and many of them feature active poker rooms. Paris, famously the city of lovers, is also a city for poker lovers. The capital offers several venues with daily cash games and tournaments.

While the legendary Aviation Club de Paris on the Champs-Élysées is sadly closed, today’s poker hotspots include Club Pierre Charon with 40 tables, Club Circus de Paris, and Club Montmartre. Each hosts regular festivals alongside their busy local games.

Beyond these, Paris has a thriving scene of clubs offering both Texas Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha, while across the country dozens of poker festivals run each year—more than anywhere else in Europe.

Destinations like Cannes and Deauville combine glamorous beachside holidays with world-class poker. With frequent weekend events and plenty of online satellites through operators like Unibet Poker, France offers a poker holiday with both prestige and variety.

Los Angeles, California – United States

Los Angeles may not dominate the poker scene the way it once did, but it remains a vibrant hub with six major poker rooms still in operation. A poker trip to LA offers a mix of Hollywood glamour, sunny beaches, and world-class poker action.

The standout venue is the legendary Commerce Casino, known as the world’s largest poker casino, with over 240 card tables. Also notable is Hustler Casino, home to the popular weekly live-streamed “Hustler Live” cash game, which regularly attracts poker icons like Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey, and Tom Dwan.

Beyond the poker tables, LA has no shortage of attractions. Shop designer boutiques on Rodeo Drive, stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, or take a day trip to Disneyland for a break from the cards.

Melbourne, Victoria | Australia – Poker Capital of the Southern Hemisphere

Melbourne rounds out our list of top poker holiday destinations. Once a world-renowned hub thanks to Crown Casino’s iconic Aussie Millions, the city was firmly on every poker player’s bucket list. The prestigious event ran every January until 2020, perfectly timed alongside the Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam.

The pandemic saw Crown Casino close its poker room and suspend the Aussie Millions along with other major festivals, which dimmed Melbourne’s standing on the poker map. Poker has since resumed at the Crown, though the return of headline events remains uncertain.

Even without the big tournaments, Melbourne is a fantastic city for a poker getaway. Its vibrant nightlife, exceptional dining scene, and laid-back Aussie charm make it a destination well worth experiencing beyond the felt.

Monte Carlo, Monaco – The Pinnacle of Poker Luxury

Monte Carlo is the original home of luxury gambling and remains one of the most glamorous destinations on earth. Whether you’re fascinated by the history of casinos or drawn in by its James Bond allure, this is where high-stakes gaming earned its iconic reputation.

From a poker perspective, the action peaks in May when PokerStars hosts the European Poker Tour (EPT) and the France Poker Series at the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort. Outside of this festival, live poker is limited, with only a few tables occasionally running. Still, its prestige secures Monte Carlo a spot on any poker player’s bucket list.

Beyond the felt, Monaco is an experience in itself. The principality hosts the legendary Monaco Grand Prix, offers pristine beaches, Michelin-starred dining, and streets that exude wealth and elegance. Even without constant poker action, Monte Carlo delivers a once-in-a-lifetime holiday setting.