There's More to Las Vegas than The World Series of Poker

In just two weeks' time, the 2013 World Series of Poker (WSOP) will attract tens of thousands of poker players to Las Vegas each of who will each be hoping to secure themselves a coveted WSOP bracelet and a potentially life-changing sum of money.

Although a significant number of the bracelet-awarding events at this year's WSOP are priced under $2,000 this is still a substantial entry fee for most keen, recreational players. Unless someone has been saving all year or for a number of years it is unlikely they will be playing in more than a couple WSOP events. 

Thankfully there is more to Las Vegas than the WSOP, in fact there are some fantastic poker tournament series' taking place alongside the WSOP that are packed with value. Here is a selection of the best of them.

At the lower end of the buy-in spectrum are the events that make up the Grand Poker Series at the Golden Nugget. Between June 1 and July 4, the Grand Poker Series will see more than 300 poker tournaments take place. With buy-ins ranging from $125 and topping out at the $1,080 Main Event, even the smallest of bankrolls should be able to stretch to more than a couple events.

The original home of the WSOP, Binion's is also attempting to cash in on the popularity of poker during the WSOP by offering its customer the Binion's Poker Classic. Now in its seventh edition, the Binion's Poker Classic features 47 events that run between May 25 and July 7. Unlike many No Limit Hold'em orientated venues, Binion's is spreading a plethora of games including Omaha Hi Low, Seven card Stud and H.O.R.S.E. 

Most of the Binion's Poker Classic tournaments are within the $125-$200 buy-in range, there are two $1,000 No Limit Hold'em tournaments scheduled that will each be played over two days. As Binion's is situated in downtown Las Vegas, the field sizes should be much smaller than the tournaments being held on The Strip.

One of the most popular poker series outside of the WSOP is the Venetian Deep Stack Extravaganza. Between May 23 and Juy 21 there will be a minimum of three tournaments per day with a wide range of buy-ins and game types.

The highlight of the festival is the $5,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em Main Event that attracts plenty of established pros to the tables. A total of 398 players bought into the 2012 edition of the Deep Stack Extravaganza Main Event, creating a prize pool in excess of $1.85 million! The likes of Aaron Gustavson (32nd), Todd Terry (20th), Galen Hall (19th), Cliff "JohnnyBax" Josephy (13th), Kevin "BelowAbove" Saul (8th), World Poker Tour Grand Prix de Paris champion Matt Salsberg (6th), William Reynolds (5th), Shannon Shorr (4th) and eventual champion Timothy West all secured significant payout; West won $444,165 for his victory.

Other major festivals are to be held at Caesars Palace, The Wynn and at a whole host of major venues across "Sin City." If you are heading to Las Vegas then you will not need to look far for your poker fix, let us tell you that with great certainty.

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