The Ultimate Guide to Poker in Sihanoukville: Venues, Hours, Stakes, Atmosphere, Rake & Jackpots
Introduction: The Poker Scene in Sihanoukville
Sihanoukville (often called “Kompong Som” or “Sihanoukville”) is not only a coastal resort destination in Cambodia but also an emerging poker hub in Southeast Asia. With the development of its entertainment industry in recent years, the city has attracted poker enthusiasts from around the world. Whether you’re a tourist seeking casual fun or a serious player looking for professional action, Sihanoukville offers diverse options. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know for the best poker experience in this coastal city.
Chapter 1: Major Poker Venues
- Sihanoukville Poker Clubs & Rooms
A. Nanhai Honor Poker Club
· Location: Nanhai International Hotel. One of Sihanoukville’s most luxurious and popular poker clubs.
· Tables: 7 professional poker tables.
· Game Schedule & Stakes:
· Cash Game (Start 8:00 PM): $2/$5/$10 Texas Hold’em. Buy-in: $500 – $5,000.
· Late-Night Game (Start 11:00 PM): $10/$10 or $10/$20 Texas Hold’em with a “Squid” (optional bomb pot/straddle feature). Buy-in: $2,000 – $20,000.
· Rake: 5% on both games, capped at $100 for the $2/$5/$10 game and $300 for the $10/$10+ game. (All currency in USD).
B. DV Club
· Location: Inside DV Casino. The casino environment is average, but the poker room is highly active.
· Tables: 10+ tables.
· Games: Primarily small stakes: $1/$1 and $1/$2 Texas Hold’em.
· Key Feature: Games run 24/7, making it the most reliable spot for round-the-clock action.
· Rake: Approximately 10%.
C. Queenco Poker Club
· Location: Queenco Hotel.
· Tables: 2 tables.
· Games & Atmosphere: Mainly $1/$3 Texas Hold’em, with occasional Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) games. The clientele is predominantly expatriates living in Sihanoukville. The player style is generally tight. Few Chinese players frequent this room.
· Rake: Relatively low, with smaller caps.
D. Other Notable Poker Rooms
There are over a dozen smaller poker rooms in Sihanoukville, typically featuring 1-2 tables each. Games are often at small to medium stakes and can be less consistent in terms of daily traffic. Examples include:
· Blue Bay Poker Room
· Red Lantern Poker Room
· Dihao Poker Room
E. Integrated Casino Poker Rooms
· Naga World Sihanoukville: Located in the city center. An international-standard casino with a well-equipped poker room offering diverse games. Ideal for players seeking a professional environment.
· Other casino poker areas exist within resorts like Dara Sakor and Sokha.
Chapter 2: Operating Hours & Best Times to Visit
Standard Hours:
· Casino Poker Rooms (e.g., DV Club): Typically 24 hours, 7 days a week.
· Premium Clubs (e.g., Nanhai Honor): Usually open from early evening until very late/early morning (e.g., 6:00 PM to 4:00 AM).
· Smaller Rooms: Hours vary; best to check in advance.
Peak Times:
· Prime Time: 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM (most tables running, highest activity).
· Weekends (Fri-Sun): More tournaments, livelier cash games.
Seasonal Variations:
· High Season (Nov-Mar): All venues are highly active with the most game variety.
· Low Season (May-Oct): Indoor venues remain active, but tourist-heavy games may thin out.
Chapter 3: Game Stakes & Buy-in Structures
Cash Game Spectrum:
- Small Stakes ($1/$1 – $1/$3):
· Venues: DV Club, Queenco, smaller rooms.
· Buy-in: $50 – $300.
· Style: Ideal for beginners and recreational players. - Medium Stakes ($2/$5 – $5/$10):
· Venues: Nanhai Honor (early game), Naga World.
· Buy-in: $300 – $2,000.
· Style: The most common serious cash game level, mix of recreational and semi-pro players. - High Stakes ($10/$10 and above):
· Venues: Nanhai Honor (late game), occasional games at premium casinos.
· Buy-in: $2,000+.
· Style: Often requires table cap or reservation; experienced players.
Tournament Structures:
· Daily/Small Tournaments: Buy-ins $20-$100, guaranteed prize pools from $500.
· Weekly Major Events: Both Nanhai Honor Poker Club and Queenco Poker Club host regular tournaments. The most prestigious is the Nanhai Honor’s Weekly Masters Tournament, considered Sihanoukville’s premier weekend poker event, attracting the city’s best players.
· Special Events: Seasonal or monthly series with bigger prize pools. The annual “Win Win Hotel Million Dollar Tournament” is a major highlight on the Sihanoukville poker calendar, featuring a massive guaranteed prize pool of $1,000,000.
Chapter 4: Game Environment & Facilities
Physical Environment:
· Premium Clubs (Nanhai Honor): Luxurious, air-conditioned, professional tables, comfortable seating.
· Casino Rooms (Naga): Opulent decor but may have ambient casino noise.
· Value Rooms (DV Club): Functional, focused on continuous gameplay.
Services & Amenities:
· Dealers: Professional clubs have trained dealers (English commonly spoken).
· Complimentary Drinks: Standard at most venues (non-alcoholic and alcoholic).
· Food: Some allow table-side dining or have attached restaurants.
Player Atmosphere:
· International Mix: Players from Cambodia, China, Russia, Europe, and other expats.
· Language: English is the common language at the table.
· Game Style: Generally looser and more recreational than major poker capitals, offering good opportunities.
Chapter 5: Rake, Tips & Jackpot Details
Rake Structure:
- Standard Cash Game Rake: Usually 5% (at premium clubs like Nanhai Honor) to 10% (at smaller rooms like DV Club).
- Caps: Vary by stake.
· Small Stakes: Cap of $5-$10.
· Medium Stakes: Cap of $50-$100 (e.g., Nanhai’s $2/$5/$10 game: $100 cap).
· High Stakes: Cap of $200-$300 (e.g., Nanhai’s $10/$10+ game: $300 cap). - Tournament Fee: Typically 10-20% of buy-in added as house fee.
Tipping Etiquette:
· Cash Games: Customary to tip the dealer $1-$2 after winning a pot. For very large pots, ~1% is appreciated.
· Tournaments: Tipping is less common during play; players often tip dealers from final table winnings.
Jackpot Systems (Common at many venues):
- Bad Beat & High Hand Jackpots:
· The largest and most notable jackpot system in the city is at Nanhai Honor Poker Club. Their progressive bad beat jackpot consistently hovers around a massive $150,000.
· Trigger: The jackpot is awarded for any hand of Four of a Kind or better that loses. The top-tier payout, for a Royal Flush, is approximately $13,000 (with the losing hand receiving a larger share).
· Payout Structure: Typically, the loser of the hand receives the largest share (e.g., 40%), the winner receives a significant portion (e.g., 20%), and the remaining players at the table split the rest. - High Hand Promotions: Many rooms offer standalone bonuses for Royal Flush or Straight Flush, regardless of the outcome of the hand.
· Always check the specific rules, qualifying hand requirements, and current jackpot size at your chosen venue.
Chapter 6: Practical Tips & Important Notes
For Beginners:
- Start at DV Club or small-stakes tables to learn the local dynamics.
- Observe the game before buying in.
- Understand the specific rules (e.g., “Squid” games at Nanhai).
Bankroll Management:
· Only bring money you are prepared to lose.
· For cash games, a standard buy-in is 40-100 big blinds.
· Keep separate funds for travel and accommodation.
Legal & Safety:
· Legal Age: You must be 21 or older.
· Identification: Carry your passport, as casinos may require it.
· Security: Use hotel safes for excess cash and valuables.
Local Etiquette:
· Act in turn and keep the game moving.
· Respect dealers and fellow players.
· Understand and follow the tipping culture.
Chapter 7: Beyond the Felt – Experiencing Sihanoukville
Activities Between Sessions:
- Beaches: Serendipity Beach and Otres Beach are minutes away from most venues.
- Dining: From authentic Khmer cuisine to international fare.
- Excursions: Island trips, temple visits, and water sports.
Accommodation:
· Budget: Guesthouses near Serendipity.
· Mid-Range: City center business hotels.
· Luxury: Integrated resorts (like Queenco, Sokha).
Transportation:
· Most poker venues are concentrated and walkable in the central area.
· Use ride-hailing apps like PassApp or Grab.
· Exercise caution when walking alone late at night in less crowded areas.
Conclusion
Sihanoukville’s poker scene offers a unique blend: serious gaming action set against a relaxed coastal holiday backdrop. From the 24/7 small-stakes grind at DV Club to the high-stakes thrill and massive $150,000 jackpot at Nanhai Honor, the prestigious Weekly Masters Tournament, the expat-centric tables at Queenco, and the allure of the annual $1,000,000 guaranteed event, the city caters to all player types and bankrolls. Armed with the information in this guide, you can confidently navigate Sihanoukville’s poker landscape while enjoying everything this vibrant city has to offer.
Final Reminder: Please play responsibly. Set strict time and loss limits, and remember that poker is ultimately a form of entertainment. Good luck at the tables in Sihanoukville!
