Las Vegas casinos reopen
Despite protests and post lockdown nervousness, Las Vegas reopened strongly last night with social distancing measures (mostly) observed.
It felt like a lifetime ago that we last saw activity in Las Vegas but as the clock struck midnight yesterday the city finally reopened, with most major casinos opening their doors to show gamblers their new social distancing measures.
Despite the inevitable reluctance that many will have to go out right now, especially with protests currently taking place all over America, the city reopened to a big audience. Perhaps the biggest symbol of this return to the 'new normal' was the famous Bellagio fountains being turned back on:
To celebrate our reopening today, watch as the Fountains take the stage in honor of healthcare workers and first responders with Yo-Yo Ma and Alison Krauss’ “Simple Gift.” It is because of you that we can confidently welcome our guests #BacktoVegas. https://t.co/JqXkb22urj
— Bellagio Las Vegas (@Bellagio) June 4, 2020
In some respects it felt like lockdown had never happened. This footage from the gaming floor of The D in Las Vegas, not long after it reopened, raised a lot of eyebrows at the apparent lack of social distancing and very little mask wearing:
People did not waste any time at The D. Gaming floor is packed. #vegas #dtlv #reopenvegas pic.twitter.com/8GnHzGs1hM
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) June 4, 2020
One of the big changes you might see when you hit your own casino again this year are the many measures in place to try and identify patrons who might have Covid-19. Some have gone for thermal imaging cameras, others are simply taking temperatures at the door.
When they take your temperature it's fun to make the "pew pew pew" sound#VegasIsBackpic.twitter.com/LqZaTc1qCV
— Las Vegas Locally 🌴 (@LasVegasLocally) June 4, 2020
Poker is back, five handed
Poker options were limited with a few casinos opting just to offer house games for the first night, but the poker rooms that were open appeared to have long waiting lists.
Live poker back up in Vegas. pic.twitter.com/NBdELpGnij
— Donnie Peters (@Donnie_Peters) June 4, 2020
While the initial plans for reopening suggested poker tables would play four handed only, some poker rooms have been cleared for five handed play, including the Orleans. This bodes well for the planned WSOP in October that some sort of gradual increasing of table size is likely, as a four handed WSOP would have been unrecognisable.
Also this week the UK announced that casinos would be allowed to reopen with strict social distancing measures on July 4, so it looks like while you may not be able to travel to play poker, live poker is going to be available locally in a lot of parts of the world this summer.
When is live poker coming back where you live? Let us know in the comments:
