A Look at the Inaugural MPN Poker Tour Venue, Aspers Casino Stratford
The eagerly anticipated MPN Poker Tour (MPNPT) heads to London, UK in a little over a week’s time where it will play out its inaugural festival at the magnificent Aspers Casino Stratford.
Aspers Casino Stratford is one of the UK’s two so-called ‘Super Casinos,’ which are open 24-hours per day, seven-days per week and have much more floor space than a typical British casino. Anyone who has had the pleasure of visiting Aspers Casino Stratford will attest to the casinos sprawling floor space, its hundreds of slot machines and countless gaming tables. There is also, of course, a vibrant and busy poker room and this is where the action will take place for the MPNPT.
With 300 permanent seats (that can be extended to 500 seats), the poker room at Aspers is the largest in London. It is also one of the busiest too with a wide range of no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha cash games running around the clock, not unlike in the major casinos in Las Vegas.
I have had the pleasure of working at this casino for two other major poker tournaments and I have thoroughly enjoyed myself on both occasions. The casino is always busy and, particularly over the course of the weekend, has a real party atmosphere that I am 100 percent certain the MPNPT is going to add to when it arrives on May 29.
In addition to the poker room and gambling facilities, Aspers Casino Stratford has a wealth of other options to keep you entertained, well fed and watered.
The excellent Clary’s Restaurant serves mouth-watering, belly-filling dishes from noon until late. Whether you fancy tucking into a stone-baked pizza, Chinese kung pao chicken or spicy BBQ chicken wings, Clary’s will have you covered.
To help you relax away from the tables there is a choice of two bustling bars. The Sky Bar, as the name suggests, allows you to take in the magnificent views from the open roof terrace while sipping is superb selection of signature cocktails. The Sky Bar is also where you will find the very best in live music and entertainment. During the MPNPT’s stay in London, the Sky Bar hosts The Signatures (a five-piece Northern Soul band) and Jordan Marsh’s Rockin’ 3 (a boogie woogie pianist and rhythm and blues singer) who will only add to the already party-like atmosphere.
Sports fans will want to set their compass for the Tanzibar, a 60-seat sports bar and betting area that features 27 wall-to-wall multimedia screens displaying major sporting events from around the world. It is also the perfect place to kick back and relax after a long day at the poker tables, I can tell you that from past experience.
Should you fancy getting away from the casino during the breaks or if you sadly bust from your tournament, you are spoilt for choice in regards of things to do thanks to the casino’s location. Aspers Casino Stratford is situated in a massive Westfield shopping centre that would not look out of place in an American super mall.
You can de-stress with the help of some retail therapy in one of many clothing stores, or titillate your tastebuds in one of the 82 restaurants or street food stalls. There is even a cinema and bowling alley if those take your fancy. You’re sure to find something for you as there are 336 stores spread over four floors!
For more information about the Aspers Casino Stratford (you can take a virtual tour of the casino), the Westfield Stratford City complex or the MPNPT head over to their dedicated websites and see what they have to offer!
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