Poker in Marrakech: A Thriving Scene in the Red City

Cash Games at Casino de Marrakech

Before I start telling you about my stay in Marrakech and how my nights at Casino de Marrakech went, here are some basics at a glance.

• Games Offered: You’ll primarily find No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE) and Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) here, with stakes that range from low-entry 1/2 (~€50/100) up to 10/20 (~€500/1,000), with 2/5 and 5/10 in between.
• Schedule: Daily from around 7 PM to 5 AM. Weekends and evenings get busier, especially with tournament overlaps.
• Vibe: Touristy with a good mix of Europeans; games run softer than Vegas but can get competitive during festivals. Smoking is allowed at tables, and there’s occasional noise from the adjacent club, earplugs might help with this.
• Other Spots? Marrakech has a second option at the Grand Casino La Mamounia (in the iconic La Mamounia hotel), but it’s more low-key with sporadic cash games (NLHE 5/10 mostly). Stick to Es Saadi for reliable action.

The nights that I played I played poker in Marrakech, I decided to mix it up a little. So, I tried two different Hold’em limits and then played PLO on the third night.

The first night I started playing a 25-50 mad no limit. For those unfamiliar with the Moroccan currency, this translates to 2.5-5 euros, as the exchange rate from euro to mad (Moroccan dirham) is 10.6 to one. Let’s get back to the game, There were three Romanian pros at the table, a few other international pros plus a few visiting Spanish and French tourists. Overall, this was a decent game with lots of small raises and lots of calls.

I managed to book a decent win at some point, which was my cue to move on to the bigger 50-100 mad no limit. This one was again a mix of a few pros and tourists. A good source of rakeback for the regular player. I got a set over set pot that, unfortunately, had me on the lower set. Sometimes there’s nothing you can do but lose.

My last night playing poker in Marrakech, I played 25-50 mad PLO. This game was a little bit on the gambling side since it’s a 5 card game and most players buy in for a minimum of 2500, so you can imagine that after the flop most players involved will go all in.

I got lucky in this one in two pots and booked a solid win. I had a top set in one and a full house by the turn. The last pot played a complete wrap and flush that won a run it twice on two rivers. Overall, not a bad few days playing (and winning) poker in Marrakech.

A Few Recommendations When It Comes to Poker in Marrakech

Marrakech, popular among locals as the Red City or Ochre City, is one of the most vibrant and exotic destinations in the world. Here’s a quick overview why people find this little gem so fascinating:

• The mixture of history, chaos, color, and luxury that the city offers
• Year-round sunshine (even December averages 20–22°C during the daytime)
• It’s only a 3–4 hour flight from most European cities
• Incredible value for money once you’re there, especially when riads and food are concerned

If you get the chance to visit the the Red City, here’s what you’ll have to do, apart from playing poker in Marrakech, of course.

1. Jemaa el-Fnaa Square: This is the beating heart of the city at dusk, with storytellers, snake charmers, food stalls scattered around the square
2. Jardin Majorelle + Yves Saint Laurent Museum: Another must see part of the city, although I’d say it’s better to book your tickets online beforehand since it’s busier than ever after the 2024 renovations
3. Medina Souks: Souk Semmarine (general), Souk des Teinturiers (dyers’ souk for photos), Rahba Kedima (spices & “magic” potions)
4. Bahia Palace & Badi Palace
5. Ben Youssef Madrasa: It’s been fully reopened in 2023 after long restoration
6. Le Jardin Secret: When the city gets to be too much, this is your peaceful escape in the medina
7. Day trip options: Agafay desert (45 min) for glamping & quad-biking, Ourika Valley or Ouzoud waterfalls, Essaouira

If playing poker in Marrakech didn’t peak your interest, this list surely did. So, how do you get there?

Flying is by far the quickest way to reach Marrakech, especially from Europe and North America. The Marrakech airport (RAK) handles over 115 direct routes from 102 cities across 30 countries, with 43 airlines operating services. Low-cost carriers dominate, making it budget-friendly, expect round-trip fares from Europe starting at €35–€150, depending on the season. Here’s a few key (and fast) routes to reach the Red City:

• London (LGW, STN, LHR): 3–4 hours; Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways (€50–€200).
• Paris (CDG, ORY): 3 hours; Air France, Transavia, Ryanair (€40–€150).
• Madrid/Barcelona: 2 hours; Ryanair, Iberia, Vueling (€30–€100).
• Amsterdam/Frankfurt: 4 hours; Transavia, Ryanair (€50–€150).
• Other hubs: Lisbon (2h), Milan (3h), Berlin (4h).
• From North America: New direct non-stop options in 2025 make this easier. Delta flies seasonal from Atlanta (ATL, 10h), and United from Newark (EWR, 9h). Otherwise, connect via Europe (e.g., NYC to Paris, total 8–12h; $700–$1,200 round-trip).

• From Elsewhere: Connect via Casablanca (CMN) for Africa/Middle East routes, or Doha (DOH) with Qatar Airways for Asia/Australia (15–20h total).

As usual I close wishing you a great trip and good luck at the Marrakech poker tables.