Las Vegas
- Stan Manev
- Jan 21
- 9 min read
Being part of the culture,
The WSOP and the Art of Poker
Hello like-minded Vegas and poker fans—and Happy New Year!
This post is deliberately timed to come out prior to the release of the schedule for the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Championship summer events. Simply recounting one of my trips to Las Vegas wouldn’t quite set the mood I’m going for. Instead, I like to share a relevant story as my way of celebrating and honoring Las Vegas and the most anticipated poker news of the year.
And the “festivities” don’t stop there. Iris and Poppy Travel Studio also has exciting news to share, with the launch of The Poker Roommate Hub — a registry designed specifically for traveling poker players—offering more affordable and creative accommodation options. More on that after the story.
Don’t worry if you are not deeply invested in poker. Throughout this blog, I also share practical travel tips and my favorite off-Strip places to eat and drink.
Post Map (Reader’s Guide)
Being part of the culture in Las Vegas,
The WSOP and the Art of Poker
A Thought Experiment.
You open your eyes and the blinding light from the projector lights are burning your retinas. However, this is a small discomfort compared to the extreme mental pressure you are under by somehow making it to the final match of the US Open and facing the world's N1 tennis athlete. Your serve has been right on point today and it hasn’t been your opponent’s best day. Or maybe you were severely underestimated. Whatever the reason you are about to serve for the match and the chances of seeing your wildest fantasy materialize are surprisingly promising.
What an unusual circumstance for an over-the-hill tennis enthusiast! The road to here was kind of a joke:
You decided to enroll for a college degree—picked up the tennis racket—had decent success—charmed the crowd… so you landed a wildcard into the qualification rounds at the biggest professional tournament in the country. Despite your inspired and consistent game, it hasn’t gone without a fair amount of good fortune including a few disqualifications, injuries, meltdowns, capped by a lucky draw and all this leading to this pivotal moment…
…You toss the ball overhead and the perfectly clean contact with the racket sends the ball right on top of the sideline giving you a second consecutive Ace and respectively the game, the set, the match and the title.
MIRACULOUS! WHAT AN INCREDIBLE TURN OF...
…Oh, who am I fooling? Can't even convince myself!
While technically possible, this whole story is just way too far-fetched. Only if there was an arena where an amateur competitor could battle through a field of pros and had a realistic shot at success!
Let's hold that thought for now, turn our attention to the very subject of this post and imagine this other scenario:
First Encounters with Las Vegas
You’ve never been to Las Vegas before. It’s your first taste of Sin City, and somehow the time you spend here far exceeds every expectation. Time passes, and before you realize it, you’ve come back—again. Now, all the iconic stops along the Strip feel strangely familiar as you’ve walked the stretch from New York - New York to the Wynn and back more than a dozen times. With a woot-woot here and a woot-woot there—here a woo, there a woo, everywhere a woot-woot, the infectious positivism and carelessness that floats in the air takes over your senses every time as you cheer absolute strangers in the street.
You willingly—and systematically—submitted to the unfavorable odds at roulette, blackjack, slots. And what a memorable entertainment experience your dollars were able to exchange again for a questionably fair barter deal!
Does that sound familiar so far? Maybe not. This had been my experience, anyway. And yet, at some point, the question creeps in: what does it mean to truly experience Las Vegas culture?
Poker as Culture—and as Art
Luckily, the city has more to offer than partying and casino floors. Las Vegas is a grand stage for countless industries: major sporting events, world-class shows, culinary excellence, and much more—all unfolding on what is — fun fact — the single brightest spot on planet Earth when viewed from space.
One of the most emblematic, of course, is the poker industry. Each year, it all culminates in the summer, when the World Series of Poker takes over the city. Circling back to this “fictional” equal-opportunity-arena — thousands of professional and amateur players descend on Las Vegas, chasing bracelets, glory, and that uniquely intoxicating mix of skill, luck, and ambition that only the WSOP can deliver. As of 2025, 16 amateur players have won the WSOP Main Event since its inception in 1970 and claimed the “World Champion” bragging rights. That’s roughly one-third of all champions! Imagine Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, or Roger Federer routinely losing Grand Slam finals to recreational players.
Here's a quick visual taste of that possibility.
While this glamorous image of the game is often what draws newcomers in, poker carries a deeper and more meaningful dimension—one with real-life application that I find deeply fulfilling.
The pursuit of excellence in this complex, multi-disciplinary strategy game naturally urges you to consciously work on yourself. Here, you are repeatedly placed in pressure-filled, force-majeure situations, and any irrational response comes with immediate financial consequences.
Ego. Anger. Fear. Overexcitement. Fatigue. Adrenaline.
Overcoming these impulses — while staying composed despite the toll they take — is the ultimate objective. Talent certainly plays a role, but so does creativity. The ability to recognize an opportunity and express yourself while all these other factors are still at play is, no doubt in my mind, a form of art.
If you feel strongly about this, please leave a comment—I’d love to hear your thoughts.
And If you are a poker player that still feels indifferent to this bet, allow me to elaborate by running it twice for you…
...Folding those impulses on a self-made rule,
Keeping a steady stack while the swings grind on,
Or going bust by a cooler, but knowing how not to fold your cool.
And yet, hero’s not Daniel Negreanu nor Michelangelo.
Life, like in Hold'em, can be an open ender—
It’s good to be dealt a pair of Aces,
but so is the suited connector.
Telling story at the table by deviating from GTO,
Trusting your read against the odds,
While there’s no more time banks left for you to be raking.
Or squeeze the last bit of impartial thoughts
By double-check the lines you’re taking.
In the end, don't be result oriented.
Ask the Dealer to deal you in again,
And don’t be stalling over winning big or being tilted.
Logistics Matter:
A correlations between life and poker strategy
Any well-invested recreational or professional poker player eventually learns poker strategy doesn’t start—or end—at the table. If you want to beat the game and be a +EV player (profitable in the long run) you must be pragmatic when you go about the logistics and expenses around poker. Travel costs, accommodation, and day-to-day expenses quietly eat into your win rate just as surely as bad decisions at the felt.
The Poker Roommate Hub.
This is where Iris and Poppy Travel Studio step in with a new feature on their website: The Poker Roommate Hub. Essentially, it’s a travel-matching platform for shared accommodation, built specifically for tournament players following the poker circuit. The platform is community-driven, free to use, and designed to connect like-minded players looking to split lodging costs without sacrificing comfort—or sanity.
Instead of overpaying for hotels or scrambling for last-minute housing, players can match with others attending the same series and coordinate shared stays that make financial and practical sense.
Start by choosing your poker series here: |
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Dining and Drinks.
Not that long ago I stumbled into Las Vegas’s off-mainstream craft beer, cocktail, and dining scene—and most of it lives in the aptly named Arts District. The Art District is a rapidly evolving, hipster-kind-of-vibe hub located along Las Vegas Blvd between the Strip and old Vegas.
Here are my recommendations by category:
Beer:
I started working on this post while sitting on the bar at Able Baker Brewing sipping on “Nevada State Flower” - my favorite NEIPA in town brewed in the spring. With over 30 beers on tap this would be my first recommendation for the beer drinkers. It also has friendly staff and an uncharacteristic for most breweries - artisan kitchen.
The Silver Stamp - if you are a Belgium beer enthusiast like the owners of this taproom, this is the place to go to. If it happens to come across Jacob behind the bar, enjoy his quirkiness—no introductions necessary.
CraftHaus Brewery - their Czech Plz is a GABF Gold Medal Winner. Get a slow pour of it.
Cocktails:
Liquid Diet – a hip, raw-edged cocktail bar tucked down an alley in the art district—exactly the kind of place you’d miss if you weren’t looking for it. The menu leans refreshingly original, with inventive drinks you won’t find elsewhere. Don’t skip the shots: standouts like the Tequila Verdita! Come with house-made juices that elevate the whole experience beyond a quick pour.
Stray Pirate – Also in Vegas’ Arts District, this pirate-themed tiki bar feels like a sunken ship adventure. Locals flock here for creative tropical cocktails made with fresh juices and house-made syrups. Fun, lively, and unpretentious — perfect for a unique downtown night out.
The Laundry Room - A must‑visit hidden speakeasy in Downtown Las Vegas tucked inside Commonwealth. This intimate cocktail lounge seats just ~22 guests and feels like a step back in time with dim lighting, vintage charm, and hushed conversations. Entry is by reservation only, and once inside you’ll find meticulously crafted cocktails — often tailored to your flavor preferences — in a cozy, prohibition‑era inspired setting free from phones and photos.
The Verbena at The Chandelier - A must-try cocktail on the Strip at The Cosmopolitan. It’s an off-menu, citrusy tequila‑based drink with ginger and a unique edible Szechuan‑button garnish that tingles the palate and heightens every sip.
Food:
Perhaps dining in Vegas is a broad enough subject for a blog post on its own. Here, I only share a couple of favorite quick-bite spots:
Able Baker Brewing – Offering more than just burgers and fries, it’s great to have a tasty alternative to enjoy alongside a good beer.
Hard Hat Lounge – Another Art District dive bar with laid-back charm. It’s a locals’ favorite for its juicy smash-style burgers.
Istanbul Mediterranean Restaurant – When I’m looking for a quick bite on the Strip, this place is my top pick. It’s not every day you come across a truly authentic lamb/beef/chicken pita sandwich.
Getting Around: Buses and the rideRTC App.
While taxis and rideshares are convenient, they can get expensive, especially on the Strip during peak hours. The rideRTC app makes using the city’s municipal bus system simple, letting you plan routes, track buses in real time, and buy tickets right from your phone. It’s an affordable, convenient way to use the entire city bus system and explore on, and beyond the Strip like a local.
Note that the Monorail running along the Strip is managed by a private entity, it relies on fares and it’s not part of the municipal transportation system.
Helpful highlights with the rideRTC app: |
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The landscapes that keep pulling us back.
I couldn’t end this post without mentioning what is probably the biggest draw for planning a visit to Las Vegas. The landscape that surrounds the city has been the dearest to me for a long time. Ever since Neli and I laid out eyes on the unique red-rock-landscape, it's an annual tradition for us to plan a trip that balances time in Las Vegas with outdoor exploration.
The only reason this section is brief is because each destination deserves its own story. Future posts will feature our adventures to Havasupai, the Kaibab Trail in Grand Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Glen Canyon and Lake Powell, Escalante National Monument, and many more unforgettable places.
Thank you for reading.
And Good Luck during the Summer!
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