When Brad Thomte got the call to come over from Binion’s to run the newly designed poker room at the Palms, he didn’t hesitate.

“It’s very exciting to open a room with a brand new concept,” said Thomte, who spent nine years at Binion’s, one of downtown’s most famous poker rooms.

“Having a poker room built next to the sports book is an absolute no brainer,” he said. “Poker players are sports bettors and sports bettors are poker players. Easy to be both at the same time.

“Right now we are cash focused,” Thomte continued. “We’re trying to build up some of the large cash games that the Palms had prior to us being here. Our no limits are larger and we plan on having bigger games as well.”

While there are no definite plans for hosting a pro tournament or having a world class player represent the Palms, Thomte said management is open to those ideas.

“We are always willing to look for new opportunities,” he said. “Right now we are concentrating on making our book better. Our room opened at noon last Friday with active tables that will go 24/7.”

Thomte was also excited about being handed the ability to run the room his way.

“I was given a lot of leeway and allowed to bring in a staff that was the best of the best,” he said. “Me, I’m a 2 to 4 limit grinder.”