Bellagio & Mirage Questions

I’m planning a trip to Vegas for a week the first part of December and I have some questions.


I’m planning to play lower limits 6-12 to 10-20. If I lose early I’ll move down to 4-8 or if I win some I’ll try 15-30. I want to play at the Bellagio and Mirage but I only have about 100 hours of playing experience. In general would I be better off playing at other Casinos with my lack of experience? Assuming of course that the games at other casinos would be softer. However maybe they are not. I don’t want to be a total fish.


I have read 3 books and I’m currently reading ITPM. Currently I’m a little under the break even point. This is due for the most part to a run of bad cards that started in July and as yet to stop. I know it will and I hope it does soon.


Are there plentiful number of games this time of the year?


Does the Bellagio or Mirage have any comps for poker players such as meals or rooms? If so how do you go about receiving them?


Thanks for any assistance.


RL

100 hours playing 15-30... uh... tell you what, i'll show you around and then we can play together:)


there are a lot of gifted people who recognize their own skill early on...


- the guy

I like both the Bellagio and Mirage because of their non smoking policy. So if thats important to you and a plethora of limits and games is important to you then those rooms are the nutz.


But, given you are looking at some of the lower limit games and wouldn't mind getting comps I would suggest you look at playing in the Orleans or one of the other more locals oriented rooms.


Its most likely you will find the games in LV then your local games. I'd start out playing in some of the lower limit games (4-8, 6-12) and then decide if you want to play 10-20 or 15-30.


FWIW 10-20 seems to be the worst limit to play HE at in NV. The games tend to be filled with the most smoke belching tight old men (but easy to read!) then other limits. Its not rare to find a lively 6-12 or 15-30 existing within close proximity to some fairly horrible 10-20. OTOH if you are playing on a short BR a tight 10-20 might be what you want.

"Its most likely you will find the games in LV then your local games. I'd start out playing in some of the lower limit games (4-8, 6-12) and then decide if you want to play 10-20 or 15-30."


oops, "Its most likely you will find the games in LV are tighter then your local games."


FWIW, both the Bellagio and the Mirage have a poker rate. Call the rooms at both place beforehand. Also ask in the rooms about comps. Those rooms are tighter on comps then the other poker rooms.

The Orleans might be a good place. That's where I will be staying when I am there next month. They will give a poker rate that is lower than Bellagio and don't carefully clock your play. The last time I was there the poker rate was $80 on the weekend. I don't know what it is now or will be when I am there next. They don't require a whole lot of play for the room either. And the rooms are nice. The bread and butter hold'em there is 4-8 with 1/2 blinds which is a little different, but good for tight players and newer players IMO. They sometimes get a 6-12 w/ 1/2 kill to 10-20 with 2/3 blinds. That might be a good game to try if they have it. My first shot @ 10-20 was in the Orleans game with 2/5 blinds. I took a nice win in the 6-12 over and played. The game was pretty good and way softer than Mirage 10-20. I was able to grind out a small win without the fear of getting totally pounded or run over. I don't have the bankroll to play consistently @ 10-20, so I kind of dabble at it. I think if the Orleans gets the game going its a good opportunity because you can play a little tighter with the cheaper blinds and not get pounded on.


I usually drive to Las Vegas, so the Orleans is just fine. they do have that bus to go to the strip, but I hate waiting on buses after a loss.:) I end up playing at the Bellagio a lot when I am there. W/ 100 hours of experience the Bellagio 8-16 is a better idea than the 15-30.

RL,


With only 100 hours of playing experience and your not even 'breaking even' the best piece of advice I can give you is to play LOW LIMITS.


I would recommend the 3-6 game at the Mirage for you. DO NOT ATTEMPT to play the 10-20 game there with your experience. You will get killed. The 3-6 game was filled with fish the last time I was there.


Also most of the hotels are real cheap in December. You will probably get a cheaper 'regular' rate than poker rate. I'll be out there on December 12-16th. I got a rate at the Excaliber for $39 a night ( $59 on weekends ) Although I will be playing at the Bellagio and Mirage.


You can get a Meal comp at the Mirage for the buffet. ( usually only one though )


Hope you have a good time,


Later,


CJ

All the low limit games (4-8) on the Strip are the same...loose and easy to beat. The Mirage and Bellagio regulars are no better than those who play at the Monte Carlo or Mandalay Bay.


The Mirage and Bellagio are the only Strip poker rooms which regularly spread games larger than 4-8 though.


With 100 hours of experience, I definitely would play any higher than 4-8.

"With 100 hours of experience, I definitely would play any higher than 4-8."


Why? Without the BR to support a higher game? Would you recommend dabbling in a higher limit game then? What makes "over 100 hours of experience" the benchmark to move up without taking any other factors into consideration?

I believe Dynasty meant "Definately WOULD NOT play any higher than 4-8"


Later,

CJ

Sorry for leaving out a very important word.


I would NOT recconmend playing any higher than 4-8 with just 100 hours of experience.


Let me repeat that.


I would NOT recconmend playing any higher than 4-8 with just 100 hours of experience.


I'm check this post carefully.....ok....I can hit the "Post Message" button. Whew.

CJ,


I will take yours and Dynasty's advice and play the 3-6 and

4-8 games. If I get ahead some I will try the 6-12 at the most. I will be there the week before you get there. I hope your compitition will not be playing against you with my money.


Good luck and play well.


RL

Dynasty,


Thanks for the good advice.


RL

The Mirage and Bellagio are the only Strip poker rooms...


They have strip poker rooms? Where? Oh wait, that's not what you meant.

Now do you see why writers need editors?


An earlier thread dealt with the use of editors, with some people regarding it as "fraud." Omitting "not" is a splendid example of what happens without editors, and you see it all the time.

Every writer, professional, amateur, or in-between has made that sort of mistake. Editors have repeatedly saved me from embarrassing myself and confusing my readers.