Located in the Los Angeles suburb of Commerce, the Commerce Casino complex and Crown Plaza Hotel is a historic site that’s home to the largest card room in the world. The famous card room has hosted many international tournaments and is one of the country’s most prestigious places to play. Along with the card room, the casino also has many other features that make it a must stay destinations.

Play At The Main Card Room

Celebrating its 27th anniversary this year, the Los Angeles Poker Classic (LAPC) is the longest running poker series in LA. It’s also Commerce Casino’s major annual event, an almost two-month itinerary that attracts veteran poker players and high-rolling celebrities alike to the main card room. Throughout the tournament, guaranteed prizes per day range from $50,000 to $1 million, with stakes being raised as the final event draws near. Apart from the LAPC, Commerce Casino is also the host of the California State Poker Championship, the Commerce Hold‘em Series, and the LA Poker Open. Given the historic role of the main card room, the thought of playing a casual game here can be intimidating to some players.

The good news is that the Commerce Casino is very much driven towards the social aspect of the game. In 2017,  Calvin Ayre reported that the casino even hosted an event called #TheSocialExperiment that banned mobile phones, sunglasses and hoods at the tables in order to get people talking to each other. This follows a trend that has been gaining popularity online where the focus of players is now on connecting with other people just as much as the competitive aspect.

A Cardplayer Lifestyle review of progressive online gaming giant PPPoker explains how the app gained prominence by leveraging the social aspects of poker through private clubs and only using play money. The company has gained a lot of traction since being established in 2016, and this has clearly be noted by brick and motor casinos like the Commerce Casino, who are looking to follow the latest poker trends to attract online players back to the card tables. Whether you are a veteran, a rookie player, or someone who has started out online and wants to experience playing at an actual table, the Commerce Casino’s card room is the place to be.

Relax At The Crowne Plaza Hotel

If you’re not here for casino games, there are plenty of other things to do at the Commerce Casino. Apart from being a mecca for live poker, Commerce Casino has plenty of other features and attractions by way of the 200-room Crowne Plaza Hotel. Its list of amenities include a health club and spa, a hot tub, and an outdoor pool. And if you’re looking for something more adventurous, the hotel’s multi-lingual staff can also assist you with any of the available nearby activities, including horse racing, golfing, trail hiking, bicycling, or visiting some of LA’s gorgeous beaches. The full service hotel serves as a great complement to the Commerce Casino, a place where you can get away from the hustle and bustle of the main card room and other casino facilities.

Watch MMA Fights

Here’s something that can put you in the mood to play. Commerce Casino has also hosted several MMA fights as part of its promotions. Apart from hosting several events under Lights Out Xtreme Fighting, Commerce Casino is also associated with SparStar MMA. While it’s primarily an important site for poker players, the casino also serves as the professional proving grounds for some of the best mixed martial artists in California. Not surprisingly, it’s also hosted its fair share of both boxing and professional wrestling matches in the past.

So if you’re looking for the top place to play cards, relax, or watch combat sports in California, the Commerce Casino and Crown Plaza Hotel is the place to be. For other reviews of places to play and stay, check out our feature on the Viejas Casino & Resort.