MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

Stopped by the brand new MGM poker room today (twice actually), and I must say that I am VERY impressed!

I think the MGM may be the best Vegas poker room yet. Of course this is debatable, and it really depends on what you're specifically looking for, but for the average player in Vegas, the MGM is doing a lot of things right. I think this place is headed in the right direction.

The room exceeded my expectations (which were relatively high). It was much more along the lines of what I was hoping the Rio poker room would be when it opened a few months ago.

The MGM room is big, well-lit, very modern, and located in an excellent area of the casino for attracting players (although it is quite a hike from the parking garage).

Today 75% to 80% of the tables were occupied. There were several no limit tables, a stud game, and limit hold'em from 2/4 to 10/20. The $10/20 game looked like it was going the whole day, plus there appeared to be a solid interest list in a $20/40 game. I'm not sure if they ever got it going. This place wants to spread $30/60+ and I think it will happen.

The MGM isn't (yet) the place to go for high stakes action, but I think it *could* be. This room could take over the poker market at the South end of The Strip. It's also nice to have another room in town spreading $6/12.

Also, you guys might be interested in knowing that they're offering $1 per hour in comps on raked games (max of $10 per day). You won't find that at the Bellagio or Mirage.

There were some opening-day issues with the poker room management (they are obviously trying their best to get acquainted with all the new technology), and the dealers didn't appear to be the most experienced in Vegas, but everyone was super friendly, and service overall was excellent.

Of course, there are no tournaments yet. And, there is the 800 pound gorilla quickly approaching (Wynn). But, I gotta say -- overall? Very impressive.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

Sounds like a must see on next week's voyage.

I will post a report on your website. Thanks for all your info!

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

Thanks for the post. A few of us 2+2ers will be staying at MGM this week (I arrive Friday). Looking forward to checking it out.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

Correction: $1.50 an hour comp and I did not know of a $10 max a day, I will have to look into that, supposedly that comp and can be used ANYWHERE in the MGM Grand.

Agree though, it's a very nice room!

>TW<

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

[ QUOTE ]
The MGM isn't (yet) the place to go for high stakes action, but I think it *could* be.

[/ QUOTE ]

No it couldn't. The chances of that were miniscule before Wynn was about to open. Now that Wynn is coming along, it will be very rare that the MGM gets more than a single 20-40 going. The location is simply too inconvenient for locals.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

Is that a bad thing? I would assume locals are rocks and I would prefer to play against tourists (as if I am not a tourist when in Vegas).

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Is that a bad thing? I would assume locals are rocks and I would prefer to play against tourists (as if I am not a tourist when in Vegas).

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm just saying it will never get anything more than 10-20 going on a consistant basis, that's all.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

I hope you are right man, that would make it a preferred location for me. 8)

What's your take on the Wynn PR? I have now heard conflicting views, and I just think Wynn's location sucks, so it might be the opposite.

>TW<

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

I'll be checking it out this weekend. Looking forward to it.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

OK it was day 1, and new system, so please re-review in 1 month...

All the dealers there are good, just new to the system and somewhat rusty in some cases.

They were very picky on who they hired.

>TW<

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

Depends on where you live. MGM is way more convenient for me than the north end of the strip. Even just getting to Bellagio seems to take forever these days.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

yah, but it'll be sloppy seconds - (i.e. - whoever couldn't get into Wynn)

When I was in Vegas, once a dealer found out I was from Minneapolis, I expected 2 things to come from their mouth.

1. - They would ask if I knew Deborah, who was the manager for Canterbury's card room and is now the card room manager for the Wynn

2. - I would expect them to say they had auditioned or were auditioning for the job and were going to meet her if they hadn't already. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

RB

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

I like the room a lot too.

BTW, Parking is great if you know where to park (ie, NYNY 3rd floor, walk right in by Rain Forrest Cafe).


They did call down a $20-40 when I was there. Just Key West Mike (a Mirage 20-40 regular) and myself showed up to the table though. Everyone else on the list was happy where they were (in other games).


I did get a chance to play in the 10-20, 6-12 and 2 & 5 blind no-limit.

I drank a lot of free beer and somehow managed to win the first pot of $10-20 in the history of the new room (unimproved AQ).


I also was lucky enough to get a guided tour of the upstairs high limit table/loft/area (not in use at the time). SWEET! Looks great!


I was hoping to play the $2-10 stud (they had a list) but it did not go when I was there (though friends tell me it was called down right after I left).


I like the room (I play mostly low limits) and plan on giving it another look Wednesday night.


Best Wishes

Howard

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

We some folks couldn't wait the extra month for the Wynn opening too I am sure.

I still am not expecting much from Wynn's, I have to fall back to, I'll believe it when I see it, for me in Henderson it's more of a traffic headache then South end.

And true be known, I am not a high stakes player either, ATM, so I have to factor that in, knowing I can find magoos at 1/2 NL and up to 6/12 for now without having to venture down there.

I am very curious to see how it plays out, that spot where it's at, doesn't have a glowing recent past $ wise.

>TW<

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
The MGM isn't (yet) the place to go for high stakes action, but I think it *could* be.

[/ QUOTE ]

No it couldn't. The chances of that were miniscule before Wynn was about to open. Now that Wynn is coming along, it will be very rare that the MGM gets more than a single 20-40 going. The location is simply too inconvenient for locals.

[/ QUOTE ]

Based on what I've read, I think the MGM Grand is going to put up a good fight. Being on the east side of the Strip is inconvientient for most locals. But, locals also have a hard time getting into Bellagio and will face the same east side problem with Wynn. Everyone but me seems to complain about the Mirage. So, the MGM Grand has a shot.

The computerized waiting list is similar to what I saw at Foxwoods this weekend. It obviously blows away the clipboards of the Bellagio and Mirage. (It also leaves big boards like the Commerce has in the dust too). $1.50/hr comps are going to bring in some loyal locals. And, there should be a massive tourist base with the 5,000 room hotel above.

The next 6-12 months of poker in Las Vegas is going to be interesting. We're going to see a good fight between the Bellagio, Mirage, Wynn, and MGM Grand (and maybe the Rio and Caesars Palace).

Mason has written a few times about how the big cardrooms of the 1980's lost all their business when the Mirage (and later Bellagio) opened up and offered much better service. We may be seeing that again.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

I couldn't disagree with you more. I find MGM must better location for locals and tourists alike. can get access to parking garage from Koval or Tropicana very easily. Or park in NY NY. must less traffic congestion than up at Wynn's location. not that much farther to walk from garages to poker room than other properties and if you plan to play several hours anyway, who cares about an extra few minutes walking.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

Why are you so skeptical about Wynn?

He created Mirage and Bellagio. Those have been the major poker rooms in Vegas for a long time. He has done more for poker than anyone else. Why would you think he is going to do a crappy job with his new room?

I don't understand the obsession with parking that you Vegas people have. Is it so terrible if you get a little exercise by walking across the casino?

If the properties at that end of the strip have not done well it is more likely due to their crappiness than their location. I have no doubt that Wynn will be a huge success.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

I also went last night to the MGM and I must say it was GOOT!

"A class act" are the words I used to describe the place.

Yeah, so some of the dealers were new and a little rough, but whatever, the waitresses brought us free booze and the 6-12 had lots of magoos in it. Of course after like 12 red bull and Jagers the magoos were probably US, but what the hey! Won a few bux playing, toked the hell out of the dealers, and generally had a great time schmoozing and boozing! Hats off to MGM for a GREAT room! I highly recommend it to anyone!

al

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

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The location is simply too inconvenient for locals.

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High stakes games aside, this is actually a very GOOD thing. Vegas locals are mostly rocks, jerks, or both. They may be good for providing bodies to start games, but they are usually a major detriment to the game once they are in it.

By the way, I scoped the 10-20 out three different times last night, and all three times I chose not to give up my seat in the very magooey 6-12 game, where the average pots were just as big or bigger in $$ amounts.

I am not sure, but I don't think 20-40 ever got going. Doesn't matter because I wouldn't play those stakes while drinking anyway. But hell, for day ONE they sure had a nice selection of games!

al

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

Someone mentioned the Rio in a post earlier...compared to Mirage, Bellagio, MGM, and soon to be Wynn(assuming its a good room), the Rio sucks! Totally cramped in there, not many tables at all. I'll take the Aladdin, or Excaliber over the Rio any day of the week just for the comfort factor alone.

Now onto the MGM...I tend to not be too optimistic when it comes to new rooms opening. However, this room far exceded my expectations for an opening day. The major complaint seemed to be the noise coming from the bar next door. (Apparently, the girls jump on the bar and dance for a few minutes every half hour) When the music wasn't playing during that little show, the noise wasn't an issue. Dealers were fine. I know many of the new dealers, and they're basically poker players turned dealer... They were nowhere near as bad as the dealers that opened up the Golden Nugget last year. What the MGM dealers seemed to lack in experience, they gained in customer service. For the next month, at least, I would say the MGM is the best spot for loose cash games(4-8, 6-12, and the 2-5nl). No tournaments yet, since they just opened, so I'll continue to frequent the Aladdin because of the popularity of their tourneys.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Someone mentioned the Rio in a post earlier...compared to Mirage, Bellagio, MGM, and soon to be Wynn(assuming its a good room), the Rio sucks!

[/ QUOTE ]

I've been assuming the Rio will make some moves when the WSOP is held there in June.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

Sounds great, I will have to check it out when I come into town next month. Do you know if they offer poker rates on their rooms?

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I've been assuming the Rio will make some moves when the WSOP is held there in June.

[/ QUOTE ]

B.S. Many people don't know the Harrah's corporation too well... Their dealers go months and months without even getting uniforms. I remember when Harrah's opened up their room, the dealers were sitting on regular chairs and had to wear their own white shirts to work. No uniforms...took them several months to get. (Very tacky!) Same thing with the Rio(owned by Harrahs for those that don't know...) Their dealers are also out of uniform right now. My prediction is that the WSOP will be put in some big convention center at the Rio, played out, and the hotel will be no better for it. I'm even interested to see how they screw the whole thing up...

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Mason has written a few times about how the big cardrooms of the 1980's lost all their business when the Mirage (and later Bellagio) opened up and offered much better service. We may be seeing that again.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm, if they offer to give my rake back to me, I might have to start playing B&M again. [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

Hey DIce! Was nice meeting up with you the other night. I agree with you on the room. Most dealers are a bit green, but I can tell that they were trained properly. Seemed that quite a few didn't know that someone could wait till the big blind instead of posting. One dealer told my friend that he had to post even if he didn't want a hand...lol.

The room is sweet though! I love the modern hip look and feel to the room. I got to chat with some of the floors and the room manager and they seemed to know their stuff. The only complaint I have is that cash doesn't play (100's) on the NL games even though that the sign with the room rules clearly states that "Cash Plays". Mike, I think it was, said they were going to have to have that changed. Waitress service was top notch even though they weren't the most attractive and they dont serve Hpnotic in any bar except one in the casino! lol

The electronic tracking system is awesome. They even "pause" your time while you are gone. Makes sense, you are being comped for the time you play, not the time you're away. Some will not like that, but those are the same local type players that do that at places like the Orleans and Stations. They leave, come back 5 hours later and clock out for the free comps. The same tracking system will also tell management where seats are open as long as the dealers remember to punch the buttons.

Seemed that the dealers got the short end of the stick being that every table just about, was a break table. It will take a few days to figure out exactly how many people to schedule on which days. (hint 5 dealers for every 4 tables that you want open) hehe

Ok on a 1-10 scale...I give the room an 7.5 with the potential to reach the top.

Games running: 2/4, 4/8, 6/12, 10/20, 20/40 (later at night), 1/2 NL, 2-5NL, 2-10 Stud, 5/10 O8 full kill.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

Whats the max buyin's for the NL tables.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Whats the max buyin's for the NL tables.

[/ QUOTE ]

$100 at the $1/2.
$500 at the $2/5.

Pretty standard for those limits.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

Wow that comp covers about 1/2 the tipping in NLH....

I always loved the feel of the MGM grand but was dissapointed in its not having a Poker room, it sounds like they have exceeded the Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Excalibur properties in bringing a large and professional room to that side of the strip....I expect they will do very well at the lower and middle limits.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

Sorry for being a donk, but what's a comp? [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

stands for complimentary...

Like a free meal...credit to be used in the casino...reduced priced lodging at the casino...

Unfortunately poker players do not receive the greatest "comps" among gambler since we do not engage in games like BJ or Keno in which the casino wins gobs of money.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

I thought most of the 2/5 games around town were 200max.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

[ QUOTE ]


Also, you guys might be interested in knowing that they're offering $1 per hour in comps on raked games (max of $10 per day). You won't find that at the Bellagio or Mirage.


The Bellagio gives good hotel rates for players that play 6 hours a day. I think that is pretty good.

3 Beers

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

Well, 2 reasons...

Location is one.

#2 Can this town really handle ANOTHER HUGE casino? At some point, there is failure for somebody...

2.5 the cocky owner names it after himself and features himself in advertising adding to over-hyping the place.

2.75 I would like to see it fail! I hate seeing all success for the mega-rich CEOs.
He's had too much good fortune, I hate megacorps.

There you have it. 8)

>TW<

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I thought most of the 2/5 games around town were 200max.

[/ QUOTE ]

Most are 300 or 500 max actually.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

Played again last night after work, just some 4-8. Twas a FANTASTIC game, calling stations galore. I got some good cards and left $251 in the plus.

The room was running more smoothly, but still a few kinks. There wasn't an excessive overload of dealers like last time, they appeared to have nearly normal pushes. However, their brush system wasn't tweeked very well, as we had an open seat for like half an hour when their were 14 people on the list.

Still tho, overall the room is very, very good, with fishy, fishy games. Can't complain. I will probably go back saturday night again!

al

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Why are you so skeptical about Wynn?


[/ QUOTE ]

Wynn is guaranteed to become the co-leader in the market alongside the Bellagio.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

To me, its apples and oranges... Wynn/Bellagio are competing for the big 30/60 games on up...MGM is looking to put the hurt on places like Mandalay, Excalibur, etc...(the 4-8, 6-12, 1-2nl and 2-5nl market...) I predict Wynn trumps the north end of the strip, while MGM takes over the southern end. I'll still be playing in the middle at the Aladdin because they have the best tournament going at 1:00 in the afternoon...

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

at least.

Re: MGM Poker Room - The Best Room in Vegas?
 

Does the MGM give poker players good room rates like the Bellagio?

ThreeBeers

Clark\'s one-liner posts
 

[ QUOTE ]
Wynn is guaranteed to become the co-leader in the market alongside the Bellagio.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well Duh.

here's another "guaranteed" one liner...

My dog's A$$ is guaranteed to still poot forth stinky stuff tomorrow.

al