Top 10 tips for traveling to the WSOP as a fan
The WSOP is one of the most important times of the year for professional players, but it is just as exciting for poker fans. Thousands of people come to Vegas during the period just for the experience and a chance to meet some of their favorite players.
If you’re planning to travel to this year’s World Series of Poker as a fan, we bring you some tips that should help you save some money, avoid some of the usual tourist traps, and get the best possible experience during your stay. So, let’s get into it.
10. Be aware of Las Vegas heat
When you arrive in Vegas, you’ll probably be anxious to start exploring the city. However, you should be very aware of the heat during the daytime, especially between noon and four or five in the afternoon. Too much exposure to the desert sun, especially if you’re not used to these extreme temperatures, can lead to serious complications.
Try to stay inside the casinos during the hottest periods, and plan your walks for early mornings and evenings. It’s not only better for your health, but you’ll actually enjoy the city much more.
9. Make sure to download the WSOP Live app
Even though it’s designed primarily for players, the WSOP Live app is a great resource for fans as well. Inside the app, you’ll find all the information about running and upcoming tournaments, seating charts, and much more.
Many players also use the app to post updates, so you’ll be able to keep track of where they are, how they’re doing in a particular tournament, and where to go if you want to cheer them on. The WSOP Live app is completely free and available for Android and iOS, so you should definitely install it before the trip or as soon as you get settled.
Everything you need to know about the 2026 WSOP.
— WSOP - World Series of Poker (@WSOP) April 30, 2026
Full bracelet schedule, hotel discount codes, livestream details, and ways to qualify - all in one place.
WSOP 2026 Info Hub: https://t.co/lEvDGVHblU
8. Treat players with respect
If the 2026 WSOP will be your first time at the series, it’s easy to get super excited and overwhelmed. You’ll get a chance to see in the flesh and (potentially) meet some of the players you’ve been watching for many years.
Many of these players are used to a celebrity status (to one degree or another), and they try their best to be nice to everyone. However, you need to understand they are in Las Vegas primarily to play poker and, at the end of the day, they are also human beings.
So, if you spot someone you want to say hi to or get a photo with, approach them with respect and try to find a moment when they’re not busy with other things. More often than not, this will work out great. But, when it doesn’t, don’t take it personally. We all have bad days sometimes.
7. Set aside some time to play poker
Watching the big names battle it out at the WSOP is fun and all, but if you’re in Vegas and you love poker, it would be a real shame if you didn’t put in a session or play in a couple of tournaments while there.
Buy-ins at the World Series may be out of your price range, but you’ll find plenty of options at nearby properties, such as Caesars Palace, Bellagio, and Aria Resort & Casino. Often, some of these properties will run cheaper series alongside the WSOP, so make sure to check out what’s going on and take your shot.
It may not be the same as winning a bracelet, but coming home with a trophy of some sort and a few extra grand will certainly improve your summer experience.
6. Be smart about your gambling budget
If you’re going to Vegas as a WSOP fan, you’ll probably spend a lot of your time on tournament floors, following the action and rooting for your favorite players. However, there are always slow periods during tournament breaks or before the action gets fully underway.
Many tourists decide to spend that time trying their luck playing some slots or table games. If you’re exploring these options, it’s worth understanding how different formats work, whether you’re playing live or checking out online casino options before or after your trip.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this. After all, you want to make this a trip to remember. But if you want to make good memories, try setting a gambling budget and sticking to it. Figure out how much money you are willing to spend and stay within those limits.
5. Use Las Vegas Monorail to move around
While you’ll be staying at a certain property, hopefully near the WSOP action, you’ll probably want to use the opportunity to go and explore the rest of the Strip. Some people will be perfectly fine walking up and down to check out different places, but it is a lot of steps.
For when you’re tired or want to save time, the Las Vegas Monorail is actually a great option to get you all over the Strip at a fair price. Of course, you can use Uber as well, but those costs add up pretty quickly, and, once again, it’s the money you can use for something more entertaining.
If you’re staying at Paris/Horseshoe, there is a Monorail station located at the lower level of the Horseshoe Casino, and it can get you all the way across the Strip, with stations located at LINQ Promenade, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, and Sahara.
4. Don’t eat inside casinos
While staying inside Paris or one of the nearby casinos could be the best option for easy access to the WSOP action, you should be careful about spending money on food inside these properties. If you’re looking to manage your budget, you can find some very solid options outside of casinos at a much lower rate.
For fans of fast food, In-N-Out Burger, located smack bang in the middle of the LINQ Promenade, is a great choice. You’ll be able to get a decent meal for under $20, which is a great deal for the Strip. Their burgers are quite tasty, too, so you won’t have to sacrifice the quality to save money.
This is not to say that you should completely avoid fine dining in Sin City. There are some great restaurants in LV, and you can find nice promotions and special deals if you set your mind to it. But if you’re looking for a quick afternoon snack, there is no need to dish out $50.
3. Find a partner in crime
Doing Vegas alone is great, but it’s even better if you have a good friend who also loves poker to tag along. Not only will this help with costs, but you’ll have someone to hang with and enjoy everything Sin City has to offer.
Regardless of how much you like poker, you won’t be spending whole days in tournament areas. Therefore, it’s good to have someone with you to keep you company while you do other non-WSOP stuff.
2. Get a room inside Paris/Horseshoe
There are plenty of accommodation options in Las Vegas, some more affordable than others. However, if you’re primarily going for the WSOP, you’ll want to stay inside Paris Las Vegas or Horseshoe Las Vegas. If you put in a bit of effort, you can find some pretty good deals, especially on weekdays, so your stay won’t be crazy expensive.
In terms of room quality, these two properties aren’t exactly the top of the line, and, if you can, you should choose Horseshoe over Paris. On the flip side, you’ll be right at the heart of the action. You can take an elevator down to the main floor and be in one of the tournament rooms within minutes.
This will certainly make it easier to grab some selfies and catch your favorite players before they sit down to play.
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— Paris Las Vegas (@ParisVegas) April 20, 2026
See all the info here: https://t.co/5JAhxiFr7e pic.twitter.com/actXFaVfd6
1. Book your flights and accommodations early
If you already know you’ll be going to Vegas this summer and have your plans all figured out, there is no reason to delay booking your flights and accommodation. The longer you wait, the more expensive it will get, and if you drag it out for too long, you could end up paying a significantly higher price.
There are still a few weeks before the action gets underway, so you’re early enough. Shop around for the best flights and compare accommodation prices before you confirm, but you can rest assured that whatever deal you can get right now will only get worse as days go by.
Finalize all the arrangements as soon as possible and save all that extra money for some fun activities that Las Vegas abounds in.