While Poker in Laughin has struggled (i.e - Tropicana, and recent sister property River Lodge, former River Palms had closed their rooms), it is still alive and well at the Belle. (and Riverside, Harrah's, Avi).
I like the Belle - compared to all of the rooms, mainly for the friendly dealers/staff, great promos, decent comp rate of 1.25 / hourly added right onto your players card (same as slot/players card) as you clock in and out when you get in a game.
Main games offered are 2-6 spread limit (occaisionally with kill), and 2/4 limit game. Blinds: Only ONE $2 blind in the 2-6 game, Best kept secret (no more!) on the River! 2/4 game for some reason, has 2+1 small and big blinds. Both games can seat 10 handed, whiich I much prefer over 'California 9 handed seating games'.
Promotions- promos and MORE promos!
Again - sign of the times - but they still have decent bonuses for high hands ($500 for Royal, $200 for making a SF, both hole cards must play, and $25 quads). There is a Bad Beat jackpot too!
(Aces full beat by any 4k, but qualifier is 3 aces on board doesn't count, so it must be a true Aces full made with pocket AA vs another pair making 4kind, with solo ace on board - that's a pot I won a share of, certainly rare event).
Most of their promo $ however is given back to players via High Hands, AA cracked (multiple times throughout the day, prize amts up to 2x or 3x posted amts!), and / or other seasonal promotions.
Football season is the BEST time to play, imho.
AA cracked normally worth $25 for 'mixed' color pocket AA beat, red AA $50, and black AA $75; however, during fball season these values were TRIPLED during Sunday from 'kickoff' of the morning game to 'end' of the afternoon game.
In addition, during the week, players making certain hands (usually full houses) earned 'football' squares, which could earn you more bonus $$ during scores of the evening game or Monday pm fball!
2nd bonus - While the fball square promo is usually hard to win (only 4 possible scores, or due to how fball works, sometimes same sqr would win), they also paid the ADJACENT squares consolation prize $25 min! Definitely the BEST FBALL poker promo in town!
Tournaments - 2 daily ones daytime (less equity, but lower buyin), and a better evening one (Deepstack!) for $55 as mentioned in other review.
Current promo (seasonal) also gets Monday 7pn freeroll entry ($1 fee, I think) for regulars who have 'won the most pots' during the week.
Food: In addition to the comp rate (1.25/hourly which you can use at any of the properties restaurants, just not the 'franchised' outlets like at Edgewater food court), they also serve appetizer/finger foods on Fri-Sat-Sun. I forgot to mention AVI does the same.
Sometimes decent (like chicken wings/fried shrimps) sometimes not (eggrolls). Sandwiches were at the AVI.
Competition: Daytime players generally more conservative than the weekend/evening players. You'll be able to tell as they buy-in;
I think ongoing promo also allows 25 hrs played to get a free round of golf at local golf course, if you are a 'golfer'. Check with mgt as always, before you start playing.
Another good resource for Poker Promotions in Laughlin is the weekly free visitor guide (now available to view online, as you plan those visits):
http://laughlinentertainer.com/
Search for the Poker section, and you'll get a good idea of all the promotions for all the area poker rooms!
