Beginning Thursday, thousands and thousands of poker players will be arriving in Las Vegas to play the 2016 World Series of Poker. They’ll all be making their way to the Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino for 52 days of bracelet chasing. For veterans of the scene or rookies making their first trip, surviving your time at the Rio can be a challenge in itself. That’s why we’ve put together this quick guide to the property.

The Rio All Suites Hotel and Casino became the home of the World Series of Poker when Caesars bought the brand over a decade ago. While the footprint of the WSOP changed every couple of the years, the Rio has stubbornly stayed the same over the years.

The Rooms

For most players traveling to the 2016 WSOP for a weekend for a few events, a week-long trip or those planning on playing on the Main Event, the Rio is solid choice to stay. There’s a discounted rate for WSOP players, you’re only a 15-minute walk to the tables and the larger rooms are quite comfortable.

Most players seem to prefer the Ipanema tower as it’s newer, a little closer and a Starbucks and general store is in
the elevator lobby.

The Food

The limited food options at the Rio are a recurring complaint from many players. In the convention center there’s the Poker Kitchen or All American Dave’s delivery service. The Poker Kitchen is most comparable to an airport food court, ranging from burgers and fries to sushi. All American Dave is somewhat pricey but tableside delivery, optional meal plans and organic, healthy food makes it an easy choice for a lot of players.

Rio staples Voodoo Steak and All American Bar & Grille are solid choices, but many were sad to see Guy Fieri’s new El Burro Borracho restaurant takeover the space where Buzio’s Seafood. KJ Dim Sum & Seafood is a new addition and the Royal India Bistro remains.

Hash House A Go Go opened in 2014 offering their signature over-sized menu but are only open from 6 am to 1 pm (3 pm weeknds). The Sports Book deli offers sandwiches, burgers and pizza with a dining area adjacent to the Sports Book.

The Drink

Drinks flow freely in Las Vegas and the WSOP has cocktail servers 24/7 along with a cash bar in the hallway. The Wine Cellar & Tasting Room in the Masquerade Village provides a quiet spot but you’ll have to pass “The Hooker Bar” to get there – the bar where the convention center meets the hotel.

The Entertainment

Penn & Teller have a residence at the Rio, with a dedicated theater (which doubles as home of the November Nine), and is one of the best reviewed shows in Vegas. Eddie Griffin hosts the comedy show and there are two adult only shows – Chippendales and X Rocks.

The Transportation

The giant parking lot outside the Rio’s convention space is also what makes the Rio the best option logistically to handle the crowds. But the best stops fill up quick, the valet service is standard for Las Vegas, so the long walk in the parking lot trumps parking at any of the available parking decks.

A free shuttle runs between all Caesars properties on the strip – the only drawback is the long walk past the Rio poker room. The taxi stand line can get long at peak times and the primary taxi stand by hotel check-in can be an alternative. Thankfully the WSOP signed a partnership with Uber this year that allows the ride share service to have a designated pick-up spot right outside the tournament area.