Spielbank Stuttgart Guide and Review
Located in the vibrant city of Stuttgart, Spielbank Stuttgart offers a casino experience described by visitors as both fancy and classy. While it may not compare to the sprawling establishments found in places like the US, it boasts a modern and intriguing atmosphere.
General Ambiance & Design ✨
Guests frequently note the casino's aesthetically pleasing interior, describing it as "very fancy looking" with a "nice and modern decoration." The overall vibe is one of sophistication. However, it's worth noting that while the decor is grand, the actual table games themselves are quite traditional, lacking advanced technology.
Game Offerings & Minimums
For those interested in classic casino games, expect standard table layouts. For roulette enthusiasts, the minimum bet is €10.
The Poker Experience ♠️
Spielbank Stuttgart features a poker room, though it's considered "very small" by some. Here's a breakdown for cash game players:
Table Availability & Blinds:
- Historically, the casino had 2-4 No Limit Hold'em tables (2-4 blinds) and 2 tables (1-2 blinds).
- Currently, there are typically only 2-3 tables available, usually with 2-4 or sometimes 5-10 blinds.
Reservation System:
One of the most frequently criticized aspects for poker players is the reservation system. It's described as "the absolute worst":
- Reservations must be made one day in advance, starting at 12:00 AM (midnight) on the website.
- Slots fill up extremely quickly, often within minutes, leading to long waiting lists.
- Confirmation emails can take up to 12 hours to arrive.
- Dropping in without a reservation typically means a 2-hour or longer wait, with no guarantee of a seat.
Rake:
The rake is approximately 3-4% of the pot (no flop, no drop). However, a significant point of concern is the €50 rake cap for 2-4 blinds, which is considered very high by many players.
Player Pool & Dynamics:
Due to the challenging reservation method, the player pool is predominantly composed of regulars who often know each other. While many regulars are described as "mostly weak but not really terrible," there are also "solid" semi-pros. The game tends to become "much looser and crazier after 3-4 hours."
Poker Operating Hours:
Poker cash games generally run from 7:00 PM to 1:30 AM, Monday to Thursday (as of May 2023).
Poker Etiquette & Rules:
- Tipping: While not mandatory, players are usually expected to tip €2 or more for medium to large pots.
- "Forward Motion" Rule: Be aware of this specific rule: if you have a certain number of chips in your hand and cross the betting line, you are betting all of those chips.
Food & Beverage 🍽️🍷
Opinions on the food and drinks vary. One reviewer praises them as "amazing" and "perfect" with "attentive staff." Another states the food is "quite OK but not great." It seems there's a good chance for a satisfying culinary experience.
Service & Staff
The staff generally receives positive remarks, with some reviewers noting a "nice and friendly" welcome for first-time visitors and "very attentive" service. However, for poker dealers, opinions are mixed; some are "decent," while others are described as "bad" or even "rude" by German standards, though generally correct and polite.
Dress Code 🤵♀️🤵♂️
Spielbank Stuttgart strictly enforces its dress code. Guests are expected to wear a blazer or similar attire; casual t-shirts are generally not permitted, with polo t-shirts being a better alternative. Blazers can be rented on-site if needed.
Potential Downsides & Important Considerations
- Crowding: A significant issue, particularly during peak times like New Year's Eve, can be extreme overcrowding. One New Year's Eve visitor reported paying €80 for entry only to find it impossible to play, get drinks (30 minute wait), or even move around due to the sheer volume of people. This suggests that during special events, management might struggle with capacity control.
- Poker Specifics: As detailed above, the challenging reservation system and high rake cap for poker are notable drawbacks for dedicated players.
Overall Recommendation
Spielbank Stuttgart is generally considered a classy and enjoyable casino for a good time, especially if you're not visiting during an overly crowded event. Its elegant ambiance and friendly welcome are definite pluses. While poker players should be aware of the specific challenges regarding reservations and rake, the casino still offers a place to "definitely have fun playing here," especially for those seeking a sophisticated gaming atmosphere in Stuttgart.
Min 10€ for roulette. Dress code is being watched.The place is very fancy looking, but the actual table games are normal without and technology or so.
Super Casino not that big but classy. You can have a very good time. And if you go the first time they welcome you so nice and friendly. Definitely a place to visit and enjoy.
We spent New Year’s Eve at the Stuttgart Spielbank, and unfortunately, it was not a pleasant experience due to the excessive number of people. Despite paying €80 for entrance (without food), the venue was so overcrowded that we couldn’t find space at the tables to play or even order a drink (the minimum waiting time was 30 minutes). Naturally, there was no room to dance or even see the stage. In the end, we paid €80 just to stand in a crowded room and struggle to get drinks or find a spot at the tables (managing to find a place felt like a victory). It would have been much better if the management had limited the number of tickets sold to match the venue’s capacity.
The food and drinks here are amazing!! I mean, perfect. The staff is very attentive and the atmosphere is intriguing. I definitely recommend 👌🏾
Review for Poker cash players:(May 2023)Casino (Classical games room): Small. Can't be compared with US poker rooms or big casinos. Very small. Nice and modern decoration and atmosphere.Poker tables: There used to be 2 to 4 No Limit Hold'em tables with blinds 2-4 and 2 tables for 1-2. Currently, there are only 2-3 tables (2-4, sometimes 5-10).Reservation: This is the absolute worst. Currently, you have to reserve 1 day before from 12:00 am on the website, which basically means that 2 days before you want to play, you have to wait till midnight and then be super fast, since a few minutes later everything is booked and you will be on the waiting list. You have to wait around 12 hours to get an email with the confirmation. If you just drop by 10 minutes before the game, you will either wait for 2 hours+ or, in the worst case, you won't play at all. Hopefully, they will change that.Rake: Around 3-4% of the pot (no flop, no drop) BUT the rake cap for 2-4 is at 50 EUR!! So that is the second worst aspect.Level & Player pool: Due to the reservation method, you will find almost only regulars and rarely 1 or 2 actual recreational fun players. Everyone knows each other. The regulars I would say are mostly weak but not really terrible. A couple of semi-pros are also regulars (solid). Sometimes you find a couple of really good online players who go there for fun and try to make the game bigger. The game gets much looser and crazier after 3-4 hours.Other info:The games are now running mostly from 7:00 pm to 1:30 am from Monday to Thursday. (I hope that changes soon). Most dealers are decent but not really good. Some are really bad. They are correct and somehow polite for German standards, but don't expect them to be friendly, and sometimes they can be really rude. The food is quite OK but not great. For tips, you are usually expected to give 2 EUR or more if you win a medium-sized pot or bigger, but it is not mandatory. One special rule of this casino that you should remember is "forward motion": if you have a certain number of chips in your hand and cross the betting line, you are betting all of that. The dress code is to wear a blazer or similar and not too casual t-shirt. Better a polo t-shirt. You can rent the blazer there.All in all, there are better options in Germany and much better options in Europe, but you can definitely have fun playing here. Good luck! (If you are not playing against me).