First time going to Vegas.

[JTrout]

I've got a buddy that said he would get the tickets to Vegas if I would get the hotel room.

The plan is to leave on a Thursday, and return on a Sunday.

Neither of us have been. We can both go pretty much any week.

I'm looking for advice/suggestions.
I play Holdem 3-6 to 10-20.
He plays holdem and Omaha Hi-Lo 3-6 or 4-8.

Neither of us play any other casino games.
Pretty much just a poker trip, but maybe a couple other "extracurricular" activities.

When is a good/bad time to be there?
Any recommended hotels for a man on a budget. Don't want a hole-in-the-wall place, but don't need a palace.
Clean, and great location.
Casino recomendation?
Rent a car?

Any help appreciated.
JTrout.

[Ms 45]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm looking for advice/suggestions.
I play Holdem 3-6 to 10-20.
He plays holdem and Omaha Hi-Lo 3-6 or 4-8.


[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.pokerupdate.com/lasvegas.htm has pretty accurate listings of the various games & limits spread by the casinos. (I am not affiliated with the site.)

[ QUOTE ]
The plan is to leave on a Thursday, and return on a Sunday... When is a good/bad time to be there?
Any recommended hotels for a man on a budget. Don't want a hole-in-the-wall place, but don't need a palace.
Clean, and great location.
Casino recomendation?
Rent a car?

[/ QUOTE ]

If you're on a budget, consider arriving Sunday and leaving Friday morning if you can fit that into your schedule. Rooms will be half as expensive during the week then on the weekend.

The Orleans is nice and usually has good deals, but it is a few blocks off the strip. The older Strip casinos (Tropicana, Flamingo, Sahara) are relatively cheap, but can still get pricey on the weekends. Your best bet is probably to put in a bid on a site like Priceline, and see what you can get.

[sleepyjoeyt]

I'd try Imperial Palace.

WARNING - this is not a nice hotel. But it is perfectly located across the street from the Mirage, and even has its own new poker room (I haven't been but I heard its not too bad).

MANY nicer hotels, but a lot more $. First time in Vegas, if you spend more than 6 hours in your hotel room during the entire trip, then you've done something wrong.

[sucka]

yeah, as was already mentioned - going over the weekend will not only cost you more money for hotel - but you'll also be subjected to MUCH longer waits for games, particularly at the Bellagio and Mirage.

I'd try www.cheapovegas.com - there are links to each of the resorts websites on there and your best bet is to spend an hour and surf around and see who is going to have the best deal that weekend. For a friday and sat. night you can plan on spending at least $100 if you want to stay somewhere half-way decent on the strip. Depending on the weekend, thursday night's likely to cost you about as much but should be a little less.

As another poster said - if you can go Sun-thurs you'll save a ton of $$ on hotel room and I think you'll find it to be a better experience. It's no fun waiting 2 hours to get into a game...

[chesspain]

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The Orleans is nice and usually has good deals, but it is a few blocks off the strip.

[/ QUOTE ]

The Orleans is MANY blocks off of the strip, but there is a free shuttle that runs to its sister casino, The Barbary Coast, which is centrally located on the strip, not too far of a walk from most of the good poker rooms.

During my first and only trip to Vegas this past winter, I played at the Mirage, Circus Circus, Monte Carlo, and Orleans. I actually enjoyed my time at the Orleans the most, as I thought it had the best combination of comfort, soft games, and friendly players (many locals). There also is a Subway shop inside of the casino abutting the poker room where one can use the food comps from the poker room.

[JTrout]

Thanks for the input from everyone.
I take it that renting a car isn't necessary?