Gaming clubs in Paris: how to get started

Want to experience the thrill of the gaming tables, but don't know where to start? Poker, Blackjack, Punto Banco, Ultimate Poker... Parisian gaming clubs open their doors to you. But how does it work? Which games should you play for the first time? And above all, where can you go for a great experience? Sortir à Paris gives you the keys to taking your first steps, with a focus on three not-to-be-missed establishments: Club Pierre Charron, Club Circus Paris and Club Barrière.

What is a Paris gaming club?

Since 2018, gaming clubs have replaced the former gaming circles. These government-licensed establishments offer card and table games (but no slot machines or roulette). Open every day until late at night, these clubs are designed as elegant, friendly spaces, halfway between a casino and a lounge bar.

Entry requirements?

Be 18 years of age or older
Present valid identification
Respect the rules of courtesy and fair play

Getting started: which games to choose?

You don't have to be an expert to have fun. Some games are particularly suitable for beginners:

Blackjack: the most accessible! You try to reach or get close to 21 without going over. The club version is dynamic, with jackpots at stake.
Ultimate Poker: you take on the bank with two hole cards and five community cards. The rules are simple and the thrills are guaranteed. And the jackpots climb fast!
Punto Banco : bet on the player, the bank or a tie. It's fast, rhythmic and there's no complicated strategy to learn.
Texas Hold'em poker: more complex, but very popular. Try it out in a small tournament, or watch a few hands first.

Where to play? Three clubs to discover

Club Pierre Charron: a hushed setting a stone's throw from the Champs-Elysées

The busiest and most elegant. With its thirty or so tables and hushed atmosphere, it's the place to be if you want to experience the Parisian "Beau Jeu". Poker, Blackjack, Punto Banco, Ultimate Poker... and it's a real lifestyle spot, with a bar, piano sets, a gourmet restaurant open non-stop, and a smoking room with a cigar cellar.

Why we love it
- Chic atmosphere and warm welcome
- Wide variety of games and stakes (Ultimate from €5)
- High-tech poker room with RFID
- Also accepts cryptocurrencies
- Poker and Blackjack high stakes rooms

Beginner's tip: sit down at an Ultimate Poker table, let the dealer guide you, and enjoy a quick game with a bonus.

Club Pierre Charron
62 rue Pierre Charron, Paris 8e
Every day from 12:30 to 6:30
clubpierrecharron.com

Club Circus Paris: poker, conviviality and adrenalin

The most festive. Just a stone's throw from the Parc des Princes, this spacious club (1,800 m²) offers a warm atmosphere. The highlight? Its poker program, with tournaments every day, and its teams dedicated to helping beginners.

Why we like it?
- A very rich poker offer (cash game + tournaments from €170)
- Traditional games from €10
- Relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff
- Independent restaurant (La Baraka) with flavors from around the world
- Blackjack jackpot: the mythical Blazing Seven

Beginner's tip: come and watch a tournament during the day, then try your hand at Blackjack for a gentle introduction to the mechanics of the game.

Club Circus Paris
37 boulevard Murat, Paris 16e
Every day from 2pm to 6am
Club Circus Paris website

Club Barrière Paris: a prestigious address

The most prestigious. On the Champs-Élysées, the Club Barrière has taken the place of the former Aviation Club de France. With its meticulous design and hushed ambience, it attracts poker enthusiasts and fans of traditional games alike.

Why we love it?
- The only club to offer Sic Bo (a very simple dice game)
- Regular poker tournaments and cash game tables from €2/€4
- Big jackpots at Ultimate Poker and Blackjack
- High-limit VIP room
- Design by Bruno Borrione

Beginner's tip: sit down at the Sic Bo table: you don't need any experience, just bet on numbers... and keep your fingers crossed!

104 avenue des Champs-Élysées, Paris 8e
Every day from 2pm to 6am
Club Barrière website

Final tips for getting started

Observe before you play: you can sit close to a table to understand the dynamics.
Ask questions: our teams are trained to guide neophytes, without judgment and by adapting the pace of play.
Set yourself a budget: play small stakes and treat the experience as entertainment.
Stay zen and courteous: even if you lose, the club atmosphere is based on respect and conviviality.
Enjoy the surroundings too: bars, restaurants, smoking rooms... clubs are also places where you can relax.