Empire Casino, Leicester Square
The Empire Casino offers a busy roster of daily tournaments including a £108 tournament with unlimited re-entries which kicks off at noon every Sunday (apart from the first of the month.) Players get a 12,000 starting stack with 20-minute levels. Other tourneys during the week include Mondays, Fridays, Saturdays (£58); Tuesdays & Thursdays (£78), and Wednesdays (£88).
The Empire promises a warm welcome from Cardroom Manager Rommel Lapinid and his dealers, many of whom are players themselves. The poker room also has a dedicated bar and HD screens showing all the latest sports action. All tables are equipped with electronic card shufflers and mobile phone chargers. The buy-ins vary to accommodate all gamers - from £50 in the cash games and from £58 in tournaments. Bigger buy-ins are offered daily too.
Promotions at the Empire include the monthly Cash Race with players earning points on a daily top 50 leader board – giving the top 15 players each month the chance to compete for cash prizes. The overall winner snags an exclusive Team Empire Package to compete at the 2024 WSOP. Other promotions include a £500 cash prize for winning a hand with a Royal Flush and a cash game rake-free pass for players winning with 5/6 suited.
Staying right bang in the middle of London is never going to be cheap but there are some lovely options near the Empire Casino that won’t break the bank – and it’s certainly a treat to be staying in the heart of London’s West End.
The 4* Hotel Indigo is just round the corner from the Empire and boasts a fabulous rooftop bar affording spectacular views of the city. The art deco-styled property mirrors the 1920s glamour of its theatrical surroundings and has a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi.
The Londoner Hotel is definitely not cheap but it’s very glamorous and having an onsite spa with pool and gym is a real treat. There are six concept restaurants and bars including a rooftop lounge. The Residence guest-only club provides complimentary antipasti, soft drinks, tea and coffee all day.
At the more budget end, there are two Thistle Hotels to choose from – Thistle London Picadilly (pictured below) is two minutes’ walk from the Empire Casino and Thistle Trafalgar Square is just three minutes away. The Thistle Piccadilly has an all-day dining room, 24hr pizza delivery service and fully-equipped gym. The Thistle Trafalgar Square has an on-site restaurant and bar, plus 24-hour room service.
Zedwell Piccadilly puts sleep first and foremost so if shut-eye is the only thing you want from your room, it’s a great option. The minimalist soundproofed design is emphatically clutter-free – with no distractions such as windows, TV or electronics. Their “Cocoon 8” rooms (including two double bunk beds) are ideal for players sharing.
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