First Time in Vegas...

[DEvice]

Long time viewew...infrequent poster.

Well, I have decided to cash out a portion of my online bankroll to a trip to Vegas with my older brother and father over the week of X-mas. Since this will be my first time in Vegas I will be very intimidated by the whole atmosphere and the only way to prepare myself is with helpful information by fellow 2+2'ers.

I am only going to be staying for 4 nights so I decided that 1200$-1400$ should be an adequate ammount for gambling. I am used to playing 5/10 live at the B&M thats closest to me (Potawatomi in Milwaukee) but since most LV cardrooms don't spread 5/10 due to the lack of chips in the middle I'd assume 4/8 or 8/16 would suit me just fine for the week.

I am goint to be staying at a Best Western thats within walking distance of the Monorail station (on the north End by the Sahara)--I can't really complain about the hotel since the hotel/air is a X-mas Gift from my dad.

Now my questions:

Where is the best place to play 4/8 and/or 8/16 games on the strip?

Is the monorail as nice and convienant as it seems or would it just be better to take a cab/bus to the south end of the strip (to the Luxor or the MGM or something).

A friend of mine said the Saharah $65 tournaments are good but they jam you 11/12 handed to start. I am not really interested in 12 handed MTT poker (Fold AK in EP anyone?). Is there anyother tournaments on the strip that are little more better structured for around a $100 buy-in?

Also, whats the cheapest place to play BlackJack that gives you free (fast) drinks while playing. I am a very big believer in donking away $80 playing $2-$3 blackjack and getting shitfaced after a good session. /images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Also, I heard rumors that the Westward-Ho got knocked down and/or is being remodeled...please say this isn't so. I was looking forward to two fisting $1 32oz Margarita's and jobbing away money playing low dollar blackjack.

[Holden97]

Mirage spreads 6/12.

On a slow day, Sahara might get $3 Blackjack going. San Remo (across the street from the motor entrance to MGM) sometimes goes pretty low. Cheapest way to get free drinks while playing cheap: Video BJ built into the bar at the major strip casinos. Put in $20 or $40 and play the minimum. I guess the odds are really bad, but the minimum can be 25c or 50c. You have very easy access to the drinks - because the bartender is standing right there.

[justdanutz]

I would have to say that the best place to play 4/8 is probably The Golden Nugget, Luxor, or Binions. If you want a small to medium buy-in tournament. I'd try the Golden Nugget's $100 + $25 w/2000 in chips on Mon-Thursday and Sunday at 7p.m. Ususally about 60-80 players enroll and their is a good mix of 'rookies' and experienced players.

The monorail is not as convenient as it sounds. It's kinda pricey and still breaks down a bit. I'd take a cab to the south end, where you can go to the MGM & Luxor on foot.

The GOLD COAST casino has cheap $5 dollar blackjack, and they keep the drinks flowing. /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[livinitup0]

The Lux tried for 3 days to get a 4/8 game going when I was there in Oct. No takers. That room sucked, go to the Wynn or the Mirage. Also Imperial Palace has like 3$/hour comps if the rumors around here are ture.

[DEvice]

Excellent, thanks for the replys...keep the information coming everyone.

Sucks about the monorail, we aren't renting a car and I'd like to do the most travel without spending too much to travel around the city.

The 6/12 game at the Mirage I have heard is a little tough to beat, any easier games in LV? I assume the wait time durring the week of X-mas would be pretty slow so I can probably jump right on a table. In a 6/12 (or 8/16) game how are the chips given? Do they run $2 and/or $4 chips or something?

I don't need to be too spoiled with BJ, as long as it isn't 6:5. But single/double deck $5 would be optimal..quick drinks are a must.

[Howard Burroughs]

"The Lux tried for 3 days to get a 4/8 game going when I was there in Oct. No takers."

They almost never get a 4-8 since they changed their blind structure a few months back (at least it never seems to be going when I'm in there twice a week).
The other games (2-4 & NL) are more popular then ever though.



I was in there yesterday (Friday) for the 5:00 am high hand promo. They have added 3 new tables (they now have 14). FWIW, They took away the old brush table and have a real nice (& big) brush table at the front of the room now. The no-limit is as good as it gets IMHO. YMMV.



Best of Luck

Howard

[Holden97]

6/12 is with 1's and 5's. I'm not a great judge of how tough it is. The Mirage 3/6 is definitely easier. Maybe sit down there first and move to 6/12 if you're feeling comfortable (just recognize the typical players at the table have changed).

If you want an easy game, try the Excalibur spread limit games. This also might satisfy your drinking and playing simultaneous equation.

Monorail is fine, just not 100% convenient like a cab (it's only convenient to certain locations), so my advice is to not buy all-day or multi-ride tickets, just pay as you go.

[NoRiverRats]

If you follow the wisdom here and based on my experience, I would say that the Mirage $6-12 is not an easy game, not fishy at all. I have found that there are never more than two tables and more often than not only one table going, and the level of play is quite good. I would suggest you check out the $8-16 at at Bellagio and Wynn and if you have the BR, skip $8-16 altogether and go to $15-30. Indeed, its often easier to find a good $15-30 game than $8-16, but I would appreciate others comments as well. Enjoy!

[EWillers]

"In a 6/12 (or 8/16) game how are the chips given? Do they run $2 and/or $4 chips or something?"

Niether Mirage (6/12) nor Bellagio (8/16) use anything other than $1 and $5 chips for these games.

The 8/16 at Bellagio is, therefore, the slowest game in town. You haven't really seen slow play till u've seen a drunkard with a $16 bet in front of him (using only 1s and 5s) facing a raise and desiring to reraise.

First he has to figure out what 16 + 16 + 16. When he finally comes up with 48, he then remembers that he already has 16 out there. So now it's 48 - 16. .. ummm. . .carry the 1. . .ummmm. . .to hell with it "i wanna raise, what do i do?"

They should offer slide rules for this game.

I also recommend 4/8 at Bellagio. Should be a little slower early in Christmas week, but pick up later in the week as it becomes closer to New Year's Eve. Wynn also spreads 4/8. Bellagio plays 8/16 with blue (singles) and red. Wynn plays it like 4/8 with $2 chips from what I've heard. Mirage may be extra slow early in the week because it's a slower room to begin with.

[Bulbarainey]

for cheap blackjack ($2), loose slots (97% payback), and super fast drinks... hit up The Klondike! very small place right past mandalay bay on your left while going south, youll get drunk quick, and its double deck. not to mention the $1 roullete with 10c inside bets

[DrCool]

I would give the 8-16 at Wynn a shot. They use $2 chips for that one. The quality of the game varies so if you see what looks to be local rocks at the table try something else. If it looks like mostly tourists give it a shot and it can be very profitable.

[kenberman]

4/8 at MGM is great for fishiness and free drinks. they have a few good bottles of beer (Sam, Newcastle), and they come frequently.

[robinsons]

I was in a similar situation as you a while ago, and had great fun many times at the 1-3 spead limit game at the excalibur. If you are interested in having a good time and lots of free drinks, it would be my number 1 choice.
However if you want to play serious poker then it'd have to rank pretty far down the list

[BoogerFace]

You might want to consider playing 2/4 LHE at the Flamingo for the free drinks. The service there is pretty fast.

[habsfanca11]

I concur - Mirage is a rock garden. Nice room, but I won't play the 8/16 there again. Belagio or Wynn would be better choices based on what I have heard. Have also heard that that MGM 4/8 is good! If you are looking for a nice classy environment they're the spots to go. If you're just looking for a fun low limit game on the strip with no line-up try the Flamingo. Ceasar's should finally be open and might be worth a look.?!

Sahara tournament is a re-buy tournament and yes the escalation schedule really jams you particularly because it is rebuy. It's one of the places where all the cheap local wanna-bees play as well. Someone said the Palms has a good tournament. Good luck!