Ever wonder where the top gambling vacation destinations are, and how to make the most of a trip there? Wonder no more. Bradley Booth is one of the most successful high stakes poker players in North America, if not the world. "Yukon" Brad Booth is also the official Head of Poker Development and spokesman for GR88 (pronounced Great Eight), an online gaming site. As a professional poker player, Brad Booth has traveled to top gaming travel destinations across the world; he has learned how easy it is to incorporate poker into a high-end vacation anywhere with legal gambling. He recently answered some questions about luxury travel and gambling vacations, and described his picks for the top 5 gambling destinations.
Luxury Travel: What are your top five gambling vacation destinations, and why?
- Atlantic City, New Jersey. Close to New York City, Atlantic City is considered the Las Vegas of the east coast. Some of the largest casinos in the world are here, and millions of gamblers come each year.
- Connecticut/Southern New England. The glitz of gambling nightlife is toned down in rural Connecticut, but Foxwoods has one of the largest poker rooms in the world and Mohegan Sun has top-notch entertainment and luxury shopping as well as the casino. Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods are right between Boston and NYC, and are very popular with college-age gamblers.
- Cruise ships. Do a little research; many cruise ships feature the best gambling action you'll find. You can travel by sea in the Caribbean, Indian, and Mediterranean Oceans, along the coasts of the Pacific, and play at electronic poker tables onboard at night.
- Dublin, Ireland. the "Irish Open" is in Dublin, and it's one of the biggest, most respected European poker tournaments. There is a rich tradition of poker playing in Dublin, with locals passing the love for gaming from generation to generation.
- Las Vegas, Nevada. This one's a no-brainer, and it's my number one favorite gambling vacation destination. Las Vegas has the biggest cash games, but almost any level can play poker here. Poker experts prefer the rooms at the Bellagio and the Venetian and a young, hip crowd is usually found at Imperial Palace and MGM Grand. The luxury vacation experiences are everywhere, and there's a nightclub on every corner with bottle service to cater to those looking to make their stays in Vegas lavish affairs.
Luxury Travel: What are some ways in which a travel destination like Atlantic City or Las Vegas, famous for gambling venues, can also be great for a luxury vacation?
Enjoying the casual fun of these cities is something I have never been able to do personally; I am always focused on the game when I am there. It is just my natural inclination. I have spent months in the Bellagio without leaving the building, just playing poker. My friends can enjoy the nightlife, food, pool scene, and shows as these are the luxury activities that give places like Atlantic City or Las Vegas their reputations for excitement. "What goes on in Vegas stays in Vegas" was not coined because of the gambling. It was because of all of the high and low end trouble you can get yourself into in a city where almost anything goes.
Luxury Travel: Dublin is on your list of best gambling destinations. What else do you like to do in Dublin?
The pub culture in Dublin, and in Ireland, is the best in the world. It is a legendary part of the Dubliner's lifestyle. The people in Dublin seem to love life and live in the moment, and I love this vitality. Historically, Dublin is an amazing city that is unique and exciting.
Luxury Travel: I see cruises made your list. Is there one cruise line, or one cruise destination, that puts it above all others for you?
The cruise that I personally would find fantastic to explore with that special someone would start off in Venice, and work its way around Croatia, Turkey, Greek Islands, and back up. Historically that is the center of culture, and the cross roads between Asia and Europe. Any cruise line that has new super vessels just built would be fantastic. Nothing like a floating city to give you all of the amenities at night, and the opportunity to sample the destinations at port. Holland America, Princess – these are a couple of the top cruise lines with very interesting itineraries and luxury ships.
Luxury Travel: What are some of your favorite annual tournaments? Do you attend or participate in them?
There are so many tournaments to attend. I am more of a cash game player as opposed to a tournament guy, although I really enjoy the tournament excitement and the opportunity to meet new people. The tournament here in Vancouver at the River Rock, BC Poker Championships, is always a GR88 tournament to get involved with on a local level. Of course, the WSOP in Las Vegas is a must attend due to the excitement and level of play around it. I really enjoy the cash games that surround these events. When you get a lot of poker players in town, it can create some great poker opportunities.
Thanks, Brad. Many tourists like to take a trip to a casino during their vacations; these top gambling destinations make it easy to mix luxury travel with a little fun gaming.
Jennifer W. Miner - Jennifer has years of travel writing experience, spoken at several national conferences, and more. See Jendeavor.com for more details.
