Well I have been unable to get all of the images off of my phone but have a couple from a previous visit so they will go in this round up.
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Places to play Poker
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Well virtually all of the casinos now have a card room (which just shows how this great game has taken off, it was only a few years ago that they were closing the card rooms as they weren't profitable to the Casinos).
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I only visited a few poker rooms on this trip, listed as follows:
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Tropicana, MGM Grand, Ceasars, Venetian and Binions.
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I have to say that my favourite, if only for the opulent surroundings and not necessarily the game, has to be the Venetian. The room is light, airy and the tables large and uncramped. The seats are also leather, padded and fully height adjustable. You can get a back and neck massage at the tables for those long sessions for about $10 and the drinks waitress is always on hand. The games are not that fishy though with most players having a fair understanding of the game, and there are definitely a few locals that ply their trade there.
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If you want late night drunken, cash splashing action then it has to be the MGM grand. After 10pm there always seems to be about 4-5 $1/$2 NL tables running along side a couple of $2/$5 NL, they also have bigger limit games. The room is a bit cramped and is dull and gloomy, but you should be concentrating on the cards here because the action is frenzied at times.
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On the tournament front Binions weekends are my favourite with the $10,000 guaranteed tourneys starting at 2pm, they have approx 100 - 150 runners, and what better place to play than the original home of World Championship Poker. My experience of getting to the final table here last year and coming second is one of the highlights since I started playing poker.
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Entertainment
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There is no shortage of things to do in the "City that Never Sleeps". One thing you must do is see some of the freebie shows and attractions. These are put on at regular intervals by the casinos, just ask one of the dealers they will give you the currnet timings. You will need to plan seeing them though as walking from casino to casino is very time consuming and tiring.
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A list of must see freebies are listed below:
The pirate ship battle of the sirens at Treasure Island
The volcano eruption at The Mirage
The Belagio fountains
The Venetians canal system (its even on the second floor of the building!)
The animated fountain at Ceasars Palace
The Freemont Street Experience light show
(downtown)
(downtown)The lake and waterfall at The Wynn
The Mardi Gras at the Rio
The Rainforest Cafe at the MGM Grand (you will probably have to buy a drink but they do great breakfasts)
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If you are going to pay for entertainment then you must see one of the spectacular shows. The best I have seen is the show at the MGM Grand put on by Cirque de Soleil called KA. It isn't the cheapest but I defy anyone to come out of there astounded and thinking that it was the best money they have ever spent.
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Shopping
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On the strip there are a number of shopping malls associated with the casinos. Again the Venetian is very attractive with its indoor canal system, but also go and see the Arabian village at Planet Hollywood (and watch the rain storm there that happens every hour). This place is indoors!!!
Also get a taxi to the retail shopping outlet just past the Airport outside the main centre, it has great offers on Levi's, Wranglers, Hilfiger, Nike etc etc.
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General Tips
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Remember that everything anyone does for you as a service you will be expected to give a tip. So taxi drivers, waitresses, cleaners and most importantly dealers all get a tip. General rule of thumb is 10-15%, except dealers.
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It is considered courtesy to tip a dealer after you have won a hand (or you can tip them at the end of their session if you wish). I tended to follow the following rules:
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1. If I stole the blinds then I wouldn't tip, but would ensure the dealer got at least $1 before they left the table if this was the only action I was involved in.
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2. Regular sized pots I won I gave $1 a time.
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3. Large pots tip anything up to $5
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Just use your discretion and give what you feel is merited at the time. These tips make up the majority of the dealers earnings, but over tipping (on top of the casino 10% rake) can make it difficult to show a meaningfull profit.
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Don't ever pay full price for a drink (unless you are in a restaurant). Just sit down at one of the many fruit machines (preferably a 1c machine) and put in a dollar. Call over the cocktail waitress, order your drink (absolutely any drink you want), give her a $1 tip (drinks are free whilst playing the machines), play your dollar out or cash out any winnings and move on.
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And finally don't try to walk everywhere. Taxis can be found at any casino lobby and should be able to take you virtually anywhere in vegas for $20 - $30.
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So thats about it, if anyone is going to Vegas soon and has any other questions just send me a comment and I'll try to help.
So now for a round up of my poker expenses whilst holidaying in Vegas this year:
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Cash Game Buy Ins - $3530
Cash Game Returns - $3579
Multi Tourney Buy Ins - $170
Multi Tournay Returns - $0
Total Profit / Loss - $121 loss
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Keep it Tight!
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