Questions about the Oasis open in Mesquite NV

[benkath1]

I am going to Mesquite this weekend for our annual guys only trip and it happens to be the Oasis open poker tourney. I have been playing online for about 4 months now, but have never played in a casino. I usually play in $5 SNG at stars and have been reasonably successful, I think. (about 45% in the money) I have read TOP, HEFAP, TPFAP, Super system, and Zen and the art of poker. Been lurking here for about 2 months, so I don't feel like I am going into this totally blind.
My questions are:
There are sattellites during the day. Are they going to be similar to SNG's?
What, in your opinion, is the experience level at a small casino's 'open poker tournament'?
Also,(not tournament related) how do you guys keep track of the pot size so you know what odds you are getting?
I am looking at a $60+$25 rebuy NL holdem and a $125 no rebuy Limit hold em. I hope this makes sense? Thanks in advance.
Ben