A significant portion of poker's media buzz and accolades originates from the realm of tournaments . Famous events such as the World Series of Poker and World Tour present opportunities to secure life-altering sums of money. Poker However, many of the game's top talents test their skills in high stakes cash games on a daily basis.
Some nights in these games can see astonishing amounts of money exchange hands, often reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars. Playing at this elite level requires both exceptional skill and a substantial bankroll.
Let’s take a brief look at seven of the most prestigious poker cash games globally.
Competitors: Doyle Brunson, Patrik Antonius, Eli Elezra, Gus Hansen, and others
Table of Contents
1 – The Big Game
- Location: Bellagio , Las Vegas
- Stakes: $800/$1,600 and up
- Games: Mixed games
- For many, the phrase high stakes cash games is synonymous with “ Bobby’s Room ” at the Bellagio. Although it was renamed to the “Legends Room” in 2020, it continues to host significant cash play.
Bets in this room can soar as high as $4,000/$8,000, making it a leading venue for high stakes games.
Regular participants include players like Brunson, with occasional appearances from the likes of Tom Dwan and others.
The games offered vary widely, from the popular Texas Hold’em to rarer variants like Ace to Five Triple Draw. Typically, the entry fee for one evening of play starts at around $200,000.
In the following video clip, Daniel Negreanu provides an insider's perspective on this elite game.
Participants: Tom Dwan , Elton Tsang, Paul Phua, and others
2 – Triton Cash Game Series
- Location: London, Montenegro
- Stakes: £1,000/£2,000 and up
- Games: No-Limit Texas Hold’em
- The Triton Poker Series has set a standard for hosting extravagant tournament events aimed at high stakes players. These tournaments take place in exotic venues across the globe.
Recently, Triton has also introduced high-stakes cash games, all broadcasted and streamed for poker enthusiasts watching from home. These games have witnessed some of the largest pots recorded in recent times.
For instance, in 2019, a massive hand unfolded between Tony G and Mikita Badziakouski. After Tony established a top pair, he continued betting right through to the river. Badziakouski, however, made a monumental raise that test Tony's resolve.
This encounter culminated in a staggering €1.1 million pot, encapsulating the intense action typical of these cash games.
Participants: Tom Dwan, Phil Ivey , along with various professionals and affluent businessmen
3 – Macau Cash Games
- Location: Macau, China
- Stakes: $4,000/$8,000 and up
- Games: No-Limit Hold’em
- These high-stakes games gained attention in the mid-2010s, with players like Tom Dwan and Phil Ivey frequently traveling to Southeast Asia for poker battles.
These games see a blend of professionals and rich business moguls, with the Poker King Club at Venetian Macau serving as the primary venue for most encounters.
Back in 2014, poker professional Tom Hall remarked that the table could host up to $20 million on occasion. Several of the non-professional players involved were part of gambling excursions from China. These games are consistently noted for their
In fact, Hall recounted that the largest win he had ever seen during the game was approximately $12.8 million after a epic 30- or 40-hour session. While many may presume that the pros always come out on top, that’s not necessarily the case. wealthiest players in the world .
Hall told PokerNews “Unquestionably, the highest live table poker winner in history is one of the big game entrants who regularly plays the Macau circuit, along with other prominent private games in the vicinity,” Hall stated. “This player is not one of the typical pros, but anyone who plays in those circles will surely recognize the name.”
Players: Doyle Brunson , Jean-Robert Bellande, Phil Ivey, and many more
4 – High Stakes Poker
- Location: Las Vegas
- Stakes: $400/$800 and up
- Games: No Limit Hold’em
- The streaming platform revived this iconic show in 2020. High Stakes Poker first aired in 2006 on GSN (Game Show Network) and continued until 2011.
The PokerGO The series garnered significant popularity among poker enthusiasts as it offered a glimpse into the then-little-known scene of high stakes poker.
Viewers enjoyed a behind-the-scenes perspective on the high-stakes action featuring players like Brunson, Antonio Esfandiari , Tom Dwan, and several more.
- Watching substantial stacks of cash being tossed into the pot provided striking visuals and highlighted the enormous sums at play.
The new iteration of the show sees a buy-in requirement of at least $200,000 . It has showcased notable players like Bellande, Bryn Kenney, Rick Salomon, Dwan, Nick Petrangelo, and others.
PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas is now the home of the game.
In recent times, this venue has earned a reputation for hosting high roller tournaments and substantial cash games in the PokerGO Studio, situated close to the main poker room.
5 – Aria Cash Games
- Location: Las Vegas
- Stakes: $200/$400, $300/$600 and up
- Games: Mixed games, PLO
- Players: Varies
The Aria has seen its share of high stakes cash games Previously, this high stakes section was referred to as “ The Ivey Room .” However, due to legal disputes involving
and MGM Resorts, the name was updated to “ Table 1 ” in 2019. Phil Ivey This area consistently features intense high stakes play, although the scale of the games can vary greatly. The venue provides an excellent atmosphere for poker and has become one of the go-to poker rooms in Las Vegas.
Players: Andy Beal, Doyle Brunson, Chip Reese , Howard Lederer, Jennifer Harman, Todd Brunson, Ted Forrest, and others
6 – Andy Beal Heads-Up Matchups
- Location: Las Vegas
- Stakes: Up to $100,000/$200,000
- Games: Limit Hold’em
- This particular game isn't accessible to the public anymore and has since ceased operations. Nevertheless, it remains noteworthy as one of the most famous high stakes cash game occurrences. The Andy Beal Cash Games ran at Bellagio and Wynn from 2001 to 2004.
In these colossal cash games, Dallas banker and billionaire Andy Beal faced off against some of the most prominent professionals in poker.
- Beal had a penchant for heads-up Limit Hold'em and aimed to compete at the highest possible stakes.
He encountered fierce opposition from a select group of players in Las Vegas, including the following:
This group, known as the Corporation , pooled their resources to engage in these high-stakes matches.
- Doyle Brunson
- Chip Reese
- Howard Lederer
- Jennifer Harman
- Phil Ivey, and others
Beal proved to be a tough competitor, demonstrating exceptional skills as a heads-up player.
- During these clashes, Beal famously won the largest single cash game hand in history, taking down an astonishing $11.7 million pot.
- Ultimately, the Corporation managed to come out on top. Michael Craig tells the entire account in his book:
The Professor, the Banker, and the Suicide King: Inside the Richest Poker Game of All Time.
- Participants: Tobey Maguire, Ben Affleck, Leonardo DiCaprio , Nick Cassavetes, Jamie Gold, Rick Salomon, Phil Ivey, Matt Damon , and others
7 – Hollywood Home Games
- Location: Los Angeles, New York
- Stakes: $100/$200 to $500/$1,000
- Games: No Limit Hold’em
- Anyone familiar with the book or film Molly’s Game is aware of the secretive gatherings held by Molly Bloom , featuring some of Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Tens of thousands of dollars changed hands as professional poker players mingled with celebrities in these high-stakes games. The initial games began at the Viper Room in L.A. and later transitioned to various hotels.
Bloom subsequently relocated her games to New York, where federal authorities eventually shut them down in 2013.
The government charged her and several others with money laundering .
Ultimately, Bloom entered a guilty plea to a less severe charge and served a year of probation.
This scenario illustrates that high-stakes cash games aren't exclusively held in casinos and prominent venues.
Underground games conducted away from scrutiny are still integral to the poker scene and can also feature high stakes .
There’s an undeniable allure about risking massive amounts of money that captivates poker enthusiasts. The Legends Room is a popular destination for those visiting Las Vegas who aspire to witness famed players in action.
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For the majority of players, the opportunity to engage in high stakes poker is a rare dream, and the idea of having such significant amounts on the line can be overwhelming.
Nevertheless, following these games and watching the action unfold on television continues to be a beloved pastime for poker fans worldwide.
Sean Chaffin is a freelance writer based in Ruidoso, New Mexico, dedicated to covering topics related to poker, gambling, the casino industry, and much more. You can connect with him on Twitter @PokerTraditions or reach out via email at seanchaffin@sbcglobal.net.