Every poker player dreams of making the most out of a summer trip to Las Vegas. But let’s be real. When you combine the costs of tournament fees, hotel rates, and the sheer number of poker series happening at the same time, that dream quickly has the potential of becoming a massive financial expenditure… especially if the cards don’t fall your way.
That’s where Mixed Game Festival XI comes in. Taking place from June 8-12 and June 15-19 at Bellagio Las Vegas, we’re offering poker players something refreshingly different: a fun, relaxed event where your bankroll dollars stretch a WHOLE lot further. If you’re looking for a summer Vegas poker experience that’s both rewarding and reasonably priced, here are five reasons why I believe attending Mixed Game Festival XI is the Game Theory Optimal (GTO) financial play.
1. Cheap Vegas Hotel Stays from Sunday to Thursday? Yes, Please.
Everyone knows that Vegas becomes a madhouse on weekends. Crowds go up, and so do hotel prices. But from Sunday through Thursday? That’s a whole different story. Rates across the Strip and nearby off-Strip properties drop dramatically. For example, you can find 5-night midweek stays during Mixed Game Festival XI for $300–400 total (yes, even including resorts fees!) at places like the Luxor, Excalibur, or even the Rio.
And if you want to splurge a bit and stay right where the action is? You can take advantage of a generous 25% room discount at Bellagio Las Vegas exclusive to Mixed Game Festival participants. Just call Bellagio Poker directly at (702) 693-7290 to inquire and book.
Bottom line: If you’ve been telling yourself Vegas is too expensive this summer, think again. The midweek dates of Mixed Game Festival XI (June 8-12 and June 15-19) give you the perfectly affordable window to come play poker, hang out, and still sleep comfortably at night.
2. Bellagio Las Vegas Has Free Attractions — Enjoy Them!
Bellagio Las Vegas isn’t just home to world-class poker, it’s also home to three of the coolest free attractions on the Strip. If you’re attending Mixed Game Festival XI, you’d be doing yourself a disservice not to check them out.
Take a stroll through the Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, which is beautifully reimagined seasonally with stunning floral displays.
You should also seize the opportunity to marvel at the vibrant Chihuly glass ceiling in the hotel lobby. It’s a Vegas icon, after all! And, of course, don’t miss the Fountains of Bellagio water show, which never gets old no matter how many times you’ve seen it, day or night.
From our fountains to your hearts, may this year bring you new beginnings, endless possibilities, and unforgettable experiences.
Happy New Year from yours truly. pic.twitter.com/fDHwVZFepb
— Bellagio Las Vegas (@Bellagio) January 1, 2025
Indulging in these free experiences will add a lot of value to your trip both in terms of enjoyment and giving you something relaxing to do during a break from poker sessions.
3. Swag and Merch: Score Some for Free, or Grab a Great Deal
Everyone loves poker swag, and at Mixed Game Festival XI you’ll definitely have the chance to get some. Thanks to generous support from festival sponsors like Pokercoaching.com, RunGoodGear, D&B Poker Publishing, Faded Spade, and PokerGO, we’ll be doing regular merch giveaways throughout the two-week-long event.
If you don’t manage to get your hands on a particular piece of poker merchandise that you have your eyes on as part of a giveaway, we’ll also be selling a variety of items like T-Shirts, hats, and poker books at discounted prices ($10-$20) with a portion of the proceeds being donated to Poker Gives.
So, whether you’re looking to rep your favorite poker brand or grab a souvenir to remember your Mixed Game Festival XI experience, you’ll find plenty of value-packed options to ensure that you’ll leave the festival with more than just good memories.
4. Be in the Right Place at the Right Time… and You Could Win Big
Here’s where things get really exciting: just by hanging out and playing low-stakes poker at Mixed Game Festival XI, you could win a $3,500 seat to the BetMGM Poker Championship, set to be played at Aria Resort & Casino from June 30-July 4.
How? We’ll be giving away FOUR seats throughout the festival, specifically on June 8, 12, 15, and 19. The giveaway methods will be fun, spontaneous, and community-focused.
You won’t need to be grinding 12-hour sessions or have the biggest bankroll in order to win. It’s all about being present, enjoying the Mixed Game Festival XI vibe, and getting lucky at the right time. I imagine that for a lot of attendees, this could be their ticket towards playing in their biggest-ever buy-in tournament!
And who wouldn’t love the opportunity to play in a major poker championship event without shelling out thousands of dollars?
5. Low-Stakes Poker That Doesn’t Drain Your Roll
Dollars is the language of the poker player. If you want to stretch your humble poker bankroll anywhere else in Las Vegas this summer, good luck. We all know that under the right circumstances even $1/3 no-limit Texas Hold’em cash games can chew through a couple $200-$300 buy-ins before you even get comfortable in your seat.
But at Mixed Game Festival XI? That same $200-$300 can last you an entire day (or longer!) while you have a blast playing friendly $4/8 dealer’s choice cash games. You get all the action, camaraderie, and variety of fixed-limit mixed games without the stress of going broke or having to re-buy multiple times.
And the crowd? Welcoming, chill, fun-loving and often eager to teach. So if you’re just curious to try Badugi, Stud 8, or Razz for the first time, we’ve got plenty of seats open for you, and you’ll get the most affordable and enjoyable mixed game poker lessons possible.
Mixed Game Festival XI: Budget-Friendly Poker Paradise Awaits
While Las Vegas is going to be packed full of poker events this summer, few (if any) are the ones that offer a fun, inclusive atmosphere where you can enjoy yourself, play a wide variety of games, win real prizes, and not torch your bankroll in the process.
Mixed Game Festival XI at Bellagio Poker offer the opportunity to get the most out of your poker experience without so much of the added financial pressure. From discounted hotel rates and free entertainment to low-cost play, swag, and the chance to win major prizes, it truly is the GTO financial play this summer.
So if you haven’t already done so, go ahead and start planning your summer Vegas poker trip. I trust that after reading this article, you’ll know exactly where and when to be circling on your calendar. 🙂
