The Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino welcomed thousands of gamblers last month who are taking their chances at this year's World Series of Poker.
The 51-day event matches skill with luck in 68 different versions of the game. By far the biggest event at the series and in its inaugural year, the Colossus game attracted more than 22,000 people.
For roughly $500, the game was meant to attract novices and experts alike.
The tournament at the Rio ends next month, before the final nine return in November to see who will win the coveted gold bracelet in the no-limit Texas Hold'em tournament.
Case Keefer was right in the middle of the action, seeing first-hand how tough the game can get. He wrote about his experience in the Las Vegas Sun.
"For the most part, I didn't have many nerves," Keefer told KNPR's State of Nevada. "I've played quite a bit of poker in my life."
Keefer finished in 300th place out of more than 20,000 competitors.
Case Keefer, writer, Las Vegas Sun