Betting in Paris
Despite the fact that Paris introduced the timeless table games of Roulette and Chemin de Fer to the world, the French gambling scene does not come close to matching the scale of Las Vegas, Macau, or indeed London. In fact, the English capital is home to more Roulette wheels per capita than Paris. In the French capital, there are no gaudy neon gambling signs to be found, instead one will encounter more conspicuous private clubs which require memberships in order to enter.
Founded by Jean Bauchet in 1947, the Le Cercle Clichy Montmartre started out as a billiard academy and brewery, with a few gaming tables in the background. Today, the property still retains its Olde World atmosphere with its luxurious main hall, high ceilings with intricate detailing, ambient bars, valet service and elaborately decorated gaming tables.
The Le Cercle Clichy Montmartre casino offers 14 games tables which feature Poker, Stud Poker, Multicolor, 21 and Billiards. Of particular note is a table specializing in Texas Hold’em which is used for at least eight tournaments each week. Also available are cash games and a loyalty Poker initiative for frequent players.
Due to the types of gambling activities made available at Le Cercle Clichy Montmartre, the rules and regulations of the 1901 Association Law apply. For example, there are certain membership and dress code requirements. In order to obtain a membership, customers must produce a valid form of ID such as resident card, European identity number or passport, as well as paying a yearly charge.
Likewise, the Aviation Club de France provides 29 gaming tables including Poker, Stud Poker, Backgammon, Baccarat and Blackjack. Weekly and monthly Backgammon, Texas Hold’em and Omaha Poker contests are held at the venue. On site is a wonderful French Restaurant for in-between gambling recuperation, plus a valet parking area, all available round the clock. The Aviation Club de France can be found on Avenue des Champs-Elyees.
The Cercle Wagram gambling establishment offers a bar and two restaurants, plus 37 gaming tables. Its specialities include Punto Banco, Poker, Progressive Poker, Stud Poker and Boule. Nearby is the Cercle Haussmann which has a bar and a restaurant. Its gambling activities include Banque a tout va, Chemin de Fer, Stud Poker and Poker.
The smaller private casinos are even more conspicuous. For example, the Cercle Anglais, with its half a dozen games tables or the Association Cercle Eldo, which has only four games tables which focuses mainly on Stud Poker, while the Cercle Central on rue Frochot houses eleven games. Horse racing enthusiasts have two race courses from which to choose from. One is the Hippodrome de Longchamp with its thoroughbred flat racing track, full service racebook and two restaurants. The horse racing track divides its seasons into three timescales, April to May, June through to July and September through to October.
The other race course is known as the Hippodrome de Vincennes. It is located on the eastern side of the city and offers harness racing in the months of March and December. There is a Grand Hall, reception hall, tobacco centre plus three restaurants on site.
