Poker in Europe: Bucharest

A Few Recommendations for Tourists and Poker Players

1. Palace of the Parliament: One of the largest administrative buildings in the world, this monumental structure is a must-see. Guided tours are available to explore its opulent interiors.
2. Old Town (Lipscani District): Wander through the charming streets filled with cafes, shops, and historical buildings. Highlights include the Stavropoleos Church and the National Museum of Romanian History.
3. Revolution Square: A significant site in Romania’s history, this square is surrounded by important buildings, including the former Royal Palace and the National Museum of Art.
4. Village Museum (Muzeul Satului): An open-air museum showcasing traditional Romanian village life, with authentic houses and artifacts from various regions of the country.
5. Cismigiu Gardens: A beautiful park in the heart of the city, perfect for a leisurely stroll or a picnic. It features a lake, walking paths, and lovely gardens.
6. Therme Bucharest: If you’re looking for relaxation, this large wellness and entertainment complex offers thermal pools, saunas, and spa treatments.
7. National Museum of Contemporary Art: Located in the Palace of the Parliament, this museum features a diverse collection of contemporary Romanian art.
8. Attend a Performance: Check out the Romanian Athenaeum for classical music concerts or the National Theatre for a taste of local performing arts.
9. Street Art Tour: Explore the vibrant street art scene in neighborhoods like the Old Town and the outskirts, where you can find impressive murals and installations.
10. 1Local Cuisine: Don’t miss trying traditional Romanian dishes such as sarmale (cabbage rolls), mămăligă (cornmeal porridge), and cozonac (sweet bread).

Poker History 

The first hand of Texas Hold’em in Romania was dealt back in September 2001, inside the beautiful Palace Casino — a stunning building dating back to 1820. I was part of the decision to run Hold’em there, starting with a 10-20 blind limit game. At the time, that was as high as anyone would comfortably play.

This was before Chris Moneymaker turned the poker world upside down, so no-limit wasn’t yet the default. Within a couple of years, we shifted to 10-20 pot-limit Hold’em, and by 2003 we were dealing 10-20 no-limit. The game was soft, the player pool tight-knit — about 40 regulars, all with plenty of disposable income. Pot-limit Omaha soon joined the mix.

By 2006, you could find nightly games at big-name spots like Hilton, Palace, Platinum, and Queen. The tables drew mainly Romanians and Israelis, with the occasional American drifting through town. Back then, Romanian law kept poker inside casinos — poker clubs were off-limits. Thankfully, that changed, and now Bucharest is home to some excellent clubs.

If you want to know what’s running, download the Let’sPoker app by Andrei Alecu. It works on iOS and Android, letting you check active tables, waiting lists, and upcoming tournaments.

These days, daily action tends to be at the smaller end by European standards, but it’s steady and available 24/7. The bread-and-butter is 1-3 Ron (about $0.25-$0.75), with stacks between 300 and 2,000 Ron ($75-$400) and plenty of aggressive play. Bigger games like 2-5 Ron and 5-10 Ron run as well, while the Platinum Casino spreads Bucharest’s biggest — a 100-200 Ron pot-limit Omaha game.

Gentlemen’s Poker Club Bucharest

Right in the heart of the city, Gentlemen’s Poker Club Bucharest is a real draw for the travelling poker crowd. It covers 900 square meters and houses 27 poker tables, 21 slot machines, electronic roulette, and sports betting. There’s a well-stocked bar too — always handy between sessions.

It runs cash games and tournaments around the clock, and it’s hosted some big ones: a €250,000 Main Event and a €100,000 High Roller in partnership with ACE and Smart Poker Tour. The club’s aiming even higher, with plans for a €500,000 guaranteed Main Event in 2025 and an ambitious €1,000,000 guaranteed.

Play GG Poker Room Bucharest

Over in the Piata Alba Iulia area, Play GG Poker Room has its own following. Known for smooth-running tournaments and cash games, it caters to all bankrolls. In May 2025, it hosted the “Bucharest Cup” — 2,000 Ron to buy in, with 500,000 Ron guaranteed.

Upcoming Tournaments

Bucharest’s poker calendar isn’t short on headline events. One worth circling is the Weekend Poker Challenge, set for August 22-24, 2025, at the Romexpo Exhibition Center. It’s aiming to pull in 5,000 players for a €500,000 prize pool, and spectators get in free to watch the action unfold.

Poker Community and Education

Beyond the gaming tables, Bucharest’s poker venues are committed to promoting the educational aspect of the game. Gentlemen’s Poker Club Bucharest, for example, hosts monthly workshops aimed at teaching newcomers the ins and outs of poker. These educational sessions provide valuable knowledge, regardless of experience level, and are part of the club’s commitment to poker education. 

Play GG Poker poker room hosts a great dealer forming school and training classes for those interested in a career in poker.

A Few Final Remarks

For the poker traveler, Bucharest is a city worth the stop. You’ll find a mix of modern, well-run rooms, a tournament calendar full of big guarantees, comfortable (and affordable) hotels, and a chance — if you play your cards right — to leave with a little more than you arrived with.

And just in case you’re looking for a few more poker destinations in Europe, here’s a few more ideas:

• Poker in Europe: Bratislava
• Poker in Europe: Varna