Vegas in December.
 

Hello, I was wondering if any of you experienced fellows could give me some guidance. I'm going to Las Vegas in December for the third time. I started playing poker a year ago and have progressed to .50/1.00 6 max and 1/2 full on stars, caribbean, and ultimate. In June, I played for the first time live at MGM and the Trop. I beat a 1/2 game for awhile at the Trop, but pulled a Sir Robin, "when danger reared its ugly head, Sir Robin turned his back and fled," at the MGM when I found out the 1/2 I bought into was No Limit and someone raised $160.

My question is, does anybody know the best rooms for small fry? I've been to the online sites but I assume those are journalists reporting to me. As vested players, what do you recommend? My bankroll could, again, could, go up to 3/6, but I'd prefer 2/4 or lower if anywhere other than the Trop had it.

Any suggestions? I'd totally appreciate it because I'll go online and request a players card in advance.

Also, would it be worth going to Fremont Street?

Thank you, very much.

Re: Vegas in December.
 

There are good games every where.

I would say give the Excalibur 1-3 or Monte Carlo 2-4 a special look.

If you feel like it, give the Excalibur 2-6 or Monte Carlo 4-8 a look as well.


As far as Freemont Street goes......

I like Freemont Street. But, then again I like the Baltimore Orioles too :-)


The Nugget can have some good games (I've never had a losing session at the Nugget, Knock Wood!).


Where ever you wind up playing; good luck and have some fun!


Best Wishes

Howard

Re: Vegas in December.
 

Thank you very much, Howard. Are the Excalibur's splits done as a gimick? 1-3 and 2-6? That sounds wild to me.

Re: Vegas in December.
 

I think they actually do spread 2/4 at the MGM.

PS- you realize it's well nigh impossible to beat vegas rake/ tips/ drinks (don't pretend you're not gonna order drinks) this low, yes?

Re: Vegas in December.
 

"PS- you realize it's well nigh impossible to beat vegas rake/ tips/ drinks (don't pretend you're not gonna order drinks) this low, yes?"


I don't agree.

Re: Vegas in December.
 

[ QUOTE ]
"PS- you realize it's well nigh impossible to beat vegas rake/ tips/ drinks (don't pretend you're not gonna order drinks) this low, yes?"



I don't agree.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm with you. Maybe 10 years ago, when I first started playing it was a little tougher, but now it seems like there are 8 horrible players at every table. I play 15-30 at Bellagio and there are usually 4-6 horrible players. Occasionally I play 4-8 and have never been disappointed in my competition in the last 5 years or so.

Re: Vegas in December.
 

Hi Chi-Town,


The Excalibur 2-6 has been going on for decades. Not sure why they started it in the first place but I believe the game can be a mini-gold mine (even though I mostly play a little higher these days).


Have a good time and post a trip report!


Best Wishes

Howard

Re: Vegas in December.
 

I will be at Excalibur next week, does 2-6 mean spread limit? you can bet anything from 2 to 6 at any time? Thanks.

Re: Vegas in December.
 

Hi Action Scott,

Yes, bet 2 to 6 at any time.

If someone bets $2 on the flop (or any other street) and you want to raise the max.... You would make it $8 to go.

Also in the Excalibur 2-6, if you lose with pocket aces (and there's at least $30 in the pot), you spin a money wheel.
Kind of cool.


Also at Excalibur, they bring out free food 6 nights a week. Some nights it's down right awesome food!


Best of Luck

Howard

Re: Vegas in December.
 

thanks howard, i'll def. give that game a shot...the aces thing seems pretty cool too.

Re: Vegas in December.
 

I'm with you. Maybe 10 years ago, when I first started playing it was a little tougher, but now it seems like there are 8 horrible players at every table. I play 15-30 at Bellagio and there are usually 4-6 horrible players. Occasionally I play 4-8 and have never been disappointed in my competition in the last 5 years or so.

[/ QUOTE ]


Disappointed how so? If its because the players are bad, (which in my experience is definately the case) I don't understand. Bad players +EV. If its because they are good, I am confused, again because Bellagio $4-8 players are at best, marginally competent during the day, but at night, there are several complete newbies at each table, the games are fantastic. I agree with you about $15-30, at night the games a quite good.

Re: Vegas in December.
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm with you. Maybe 10 years ago, when I first started playing it was a little tougher, but now it seems like there are 8 horrible players at every table. I play 15-30 at Bellagio and there are usually 4-6 horrible players. Occasionally I play 4-8 and have never been disappointed in my competition in the last 5 years or so.

[/ QUOTE ]


Disappointed how so?

[/ QUOTE ]

he said never disappointed

Re: Vegas in December.
 

I should never post minutes after waking up...

Re: Vegas in December.
 

Why should you post minutes after waking up?

Re: Vegas in December.
 

To suffer the slings and arrow of outrageous fortune...obviously...

Re: Vegas in December.
 

For low limit games I prefer Luxor. There is always a 2/4 game going and the games are very soft. The staff are friendly and knowledgable. They also offer jackpots for called hands of quads or better. If I remeber right, there must be $10 in called bets in the pot. Quads pay $20, straight flushed $50, and royals $100. The Las Vegas Review Journal voted Luxor best poker room in town

Re: Vegas in December.
 

[ QUOTE ]
PS- you realize it's well nigh impossible to beat vegas rake/ tips/ drinks (don't pretend you're not gonna order drinks) this low, yes?

[/ QUOTE ]

Try the 3/6 at MGM on a Friday or Saturday night, the rake/tips are negligible when compared to the opportunities. The drinks are only $1, at least that's what I tip.

You can't go wrong with the MGM.

good luck

Re: Vegas in December.
 

I agree 100% about the Luxor. I played there a tad less then an hour in the $50 max buy-in NL this morning (around 5:00 am). Cashed out with over $500. I wish all poker room visits would go this good :-)
YMMV.


Best of Luck

Howard

Re: Vegas in December.
 

[ QUOTE ]
I agree 100% about the Luxor. I played there a tad less then an hour in the $50 max buy-in NL this morning (around 5:00 am). Cashed out with over $500. I wish all poker room visits would go this good :-)
YMMV.


Best of Luck

Howard

[/ QUOTE ]

I would probably rather jump up and down on a bed of rusty nails than play at the Luxor. The dealers are awful, the structure of the games is awful, the drink service is awful, and the tourneys are awful. With so many other poker rooms nearby that have better games, why on earth play at the damned Pyramid?

Re: Vegas in December.
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I agree 100% about the Luxor. I played there a tad less then an hour in the $50 max buy-in NL this morning (around 5:00 am). Cashed out with over $500. I wish all poker room visits would go this good :-)
YMMV.


Best of Luck

Howard

[/ QUOTE ]

I would probably rather jump up and down on a bed of rusty nails than play at the Luxor. The dealers are awful, the structure of the games is awful, the drink service is awful, and the tourneys are awful. With so many other poker rooms nearby that have better games, why on earth play at the damned Pyramid?

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow I don't think I have ever disagreed with Howard before and I can't completly this time but the Luxor Suxors. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

The stucture of the games is very poor but the level of play does help make up for that.

The tournaments on the other hand have the worst structure ever and I would need to get paid to play in another one again.

Mike

Re: Vegas in December.
 

Those Luxor is not a great room, well beneath the MGM. The only positives about the room: good scenery walking past the rail, they used to spread stud/8 tournaments, well OK, that was 7/8 years ago.

Re: Vegas in December.
 

"Wow I don't think I have ever disagreed with Howard before and I can't completly this time but the Luxor Suxors."

Hi Mike,

I think you and Mister King "MAY" be talking about the old Luxor. And I would agree with you there. The old Luxor sucked big time! BUT.......

I'm talking about the new & improved Luxor.

1) The new blind structures.


2) The great dealers (Drew & Bill on Grave are as good as anything Bellagio or Mirage have IMHO).


3) Comps flow like rain.


4) New speedy cocktail service.


5) Great parking just steps away from the poker room.

6) Softest NL games in town. You don't just double up when you go all-in. You often triple up!


7) New friendly vibe in the room.



*************************


No, I don't work there but I do think they have made strides in making it a much better place to play then it was in the past. I have a blast every time I play there now (on graveyard mind you). YMMV.


Best Wishes

Howard

Re: Vegas in December.
 

[ QUOTE ]
In June, I played for the first time live at MGM and the Trop. I beat a 1/2 game for awhile at the Trop, but pulled a Sir Robin, "when danger reared its ugly head, Sir Robin turned his back and fled," at the MGM when I found out the 1/2 I bought into was No Limit and someone raised $160.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry for the terrible thread hijack but this reminded me a phone call I got yesterday. My roommate from college, who is now a VP of some big company in Chicago, called me to tell me his newest poker story. He was at the Excalibur last week and wanted to play some poker. He plays in a home game but I don't think he has ever played in a B&M.

He gets on the list for $1/$2 as he wants to play small to start. He gets to the table finally and buys in for $300. After a few hands he posts the blind and waits to look at his cards until it is his turn. A few people call and when it gets back to him he looks down to find AA. He raises it to $2 and waits. There is one call and then some older lady makes it $50. JT immediately stands up and asks how someone can make it $50 in $1/$2 game. The dealer explains that it is NL, he gets all red from embarrasement and sits back down. Everyone folds to him, he moves in for the rest of his $300, old lady calls. She turns over KK, his AA holds, he gets up and leaves.

I just thought that you might enjoy hearing another newbie story.

NZ

Re: Vegas in December.
 

Hello

I am just back from my first 2 weeks vegas-vacation. The excalibur was fun 1-3 and 2-6 have only one blind, and the free meatballs at dinner was nice. Luxor 2-4 and the tourneys in the alladin (60$)was fun. If you was never there look to the Bellagios 1000$ tourney, funny to watch first price was 170 000. But if you have a good bankroll play higher than 1-3 2-4..the rakes / tipps are unbelievable high in the casinos guess thay had removed incl tipps 5-6$ from a 40$ pot. Have fun and enjoy it we had a great time.

Wolfgang