Let’s start with the WSOP, as it is the reason most poker players trek to the 105-degree heat in the middle of tourist season. The first two events are reserved for casino employees and those who can afford the $25K buy-in to the heads-up championship, but the first $1,500 buy-in is on June 1 and the game is Omaha-8.

For those who need to do some serious planning, the entire WSOP schedule is listed here . For hold’em fans on a budget or tight bankroll, some of the highlights are as follows:

Friday, June 3 - $1,500 limit hold’em (3 days)

Saturday, June 4 & Sunday, June 5- $1,000 no-limit hold’em (5 days, 2 starting days)

Sunday, June 6 - $1,500 6-handed no-limit hold’em (3 days)

Saturday, June 11 - $1,500 no-limit hold’em (3 days)

Sunday, June 12 - $1,000 no-limit hold’em (3 days)

Thursday, June 16 - $1,500 no-limit hold’em (3 days)

Saturday, June 18 - $1,500 no-limit hold’em (3 days)

Sunday, June 19 - $1,000 no-limit hold’em (3 days)

Wednesday, June 22 - $1,500 no-limit hold’em (3 days)

Saturday, June 25 - $1,500 no-limit hold’em (3 days)

Sunday, June 26 - $1,000 no-limit hold’em (3 days)

Tuesday, June 28 - $1,500 no-limit hold’em (3 days)

Saturday, July 2 & Sunday, July 3 - $1,000 no-limit hold’em (5 days, 2 starting days)

Tuesday, July 5 - $1,500 no-limit hold’em (3 days)

Also on the $1,000 level are two special annual events, one being the Seniors Championship for players 50 years and older that starts on Friday, June 17, and the other being the Ladies Championship that begins on Friday, July 1. Both are three-day events.

Other tournaments of note, for the poker fans who would like to catch a glimpse of some of the high-limit players all gathered in one place at the same time, are the big buy-in events that bring out names like Ivey, Brunson, and Negreanu without fail. The first is the aforementioned $25K heads-up on Tuesday, May 31; and the second is the $50K Poker Player’s Championship starting on Saturday, July 2. And of course, the $10K NLHE Championship - the Main Event - will kick off with the first of four starting days on Thursday, July 7.

But that’s not all! Every summer there are other tournaments around Las Vegas, though most of them have not released their official schedules yet. The Venetian will offer its Deep Stack Extravaganza III, which typically runs from the very end of May through the middle of July with most buy-ins in the $340 to $550 range. The Binion’s Poker Open usually runs at the same time, from the end of May to mid-July, and the downtown casino will offer tournaments closer to the $200 buy-in range. And Caesars Palace will likely host its Mega Stack Series from end-May to mid-July as well, with buy-ins ranging from $225 to $550 for most events, though this series has not yet been confirmed.

What is confirmed is that another downtown locale, the Golden Nugget, will be hosting its Fourth Annual Grand Poker Series from June 4 through July 4. While the exact schedule has not been announced - but will be found here (http://www.goldennugget.com/casino/grandPokerSeries.asp) when it is - it should feature more than 200 tournaments, including a ladies-only and seniors-only event, the Poker Queen Ladies Championship, and numerous poker variations in addition to hold’em, all within a reasonable buy-in range for players of most bankrolls.

What’s more is that many casinos around Las Vegas host daily and/or nightly tournaments, one of the most famous being the 11:00am, 7:00pm, and 11:00pm $45 + $20 rebuy tournaments at the Sahara. Almost every casino, from the Orleans to the Bellagio, offer those options, including the home of the WSOP, as the Rio will host daily deepstack no-limit hold’em tournaments in the form of a $235 buy-in at 2:00pm, $185 buy-in at 6:00pm, and $135 buy-in at 10:00pm.

And do I need to mention cash games? They are everywhere, all the time!

The bottom line is Las Vegas during the WSOP months is truly a poker player’s paradise. There are poker options around every corner, so it is of the utmost importance to get one’s bankroll in order before the trip. Take a look at the schedules, plan accordingly, and make the most of your summer poker vacation.

Next month, I’ll take a closer look at the hotel and transportation options around Las Vegas, including special deals at Caesars properties and other low-cost alternatives.

Should you have any questions or subjects you’d like addressed here prior to the WSOP, email me at jennifer@womanpokerplayer.com.