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Equity Abyss
Full House
Joined: 31 Jul 2008
Posts: 209
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 Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:57 pm Post subject: |
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After a nice weeklong trip to Vegas with a room comped at the Imperial Palace here are my reviews.
Overall Impression: What recession? The strip was packed at any hour each day, even the middle of the week. Table games were crowded and most places were at least $10 minimums. At 10AM on a Thursday morning the Bellagio had five craps tables going, and three had $25 minimums. When I wanted to play at my favorite craps spot, the dirty little Casino Royale, it took half an hour for a spot to open at the table. And yes, 6:5 blackjack is still everywhere but you can find 3:2 if you go off strip or play higher limits.
Poker Rooms: When I go to Vegas I like to play in a relaxed, non-pretentious room that runs some creative promotions. Since I’m not grinding (that’s what online poker is for) I don’t really care about an extra dollar of rake here or there. With that in mind, here are my reviews in no particular order.
Imperial Palace: A great room/corner of the casino floor. The staff is very welcoming, dealers are great at running the game and creating a fun and friendly atmosphere, and the drinks come fast. Players here are terrible and very predictable. Playing patient, fit or fold poker pays off big. The only exception to that is from 8-11AM when they run an AA/KK cracked promo where AA cracked gets $100 and KK gets $50. Nits galore line up to play 2/4 limit. Switch up to a LAG style and you’ll run the table over.
Bally’s: A room that has come a long way since a few years ago in terms of room management. Now they have more attentive floor staff and the games seem to run more smoothly. Drinks are lightning fast since the bar is ten feet from the poker room. I’ve heard many stories about how Bally’s is the place to find loose drunk tourists, but having played there until around 1AM I saw no drunkards, just tables full of rocks. Bally’s is a decent room but there’s nothing special that separates it from others on the strip.
MGM Grand: This place has so many games of 1/2NL going that there should never be a long wait to get in a game. If I were to be a regular live player, a room like the MGM would be near or at the top of my list of places to play. Dealers are great at managing the games, drinks come quick enough to keep a good buzz but not get totally hammered, and there are usually 3 or 4 bad players at every table. The downside is that there are also 1 or 2 very good players at each table. If you’re on the south end of the strip, MGM is the place to play.
Bill’s Gaming Hall: I’m still wondering why I played here. There are three tables roped off towards the front of the casino at the busiest I saw it was with 7 players. You’d think that with only three tables and 7 players the floor/brush would be trying to get more players to sit down. Nope. It’s almost as if they are content to see this room die off. I also never saw a waitress here.
Bellagio: Hands down, the most pretentious room on the strip. When you ask for a game the floor acts like he or she is doing you a favor by allowing you the privilege of playing at Bellagio. Dealers make few, if any mistakes but don’t seem to care that you’re there unless you’re a regular. The only reason I could see playing here is if you’re a higher stakes player (5/10NL+), but if you’re looking for a 1/2NL or 2/5NL game there are better options.
Treasure Island: A fun little room that attracts a lot of railbirds due to it’s location along a walkway. There’s a giant promo wheel in the back for high hands, bad beats, etc. but I never saw anyone spin it. Dealers are a mix with some being great and others just seeming to go through the motions. One dealer mistakenly pushed a pot to one player when it should have been a chop and then later realized his mistake and asked for half the pot back. With so many other rooms nearby (Mirage, Venetian, Wynn) it does a good job at differentiating itself, but the room definitely isn’t for everyone. |
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MPETROCK
High Card
Joined: 08 Apr 2009
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 3:50 am Post subject: |
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| Tonight I saw online that Hooters casino has some pretty decent rates. |
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BOYNAMEDSUE
Moderator
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 9542
Location: Mypos
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| Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:42 am Post subject: |
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Also note that the Imperial Palace poker room gives $2 an hour in comps. Most places give $1-1.50. Also, it goes onto your Harrah's Total Rewards card, so you can use the comps at any Harrah's property. It's recommended that you don't use your comps to buy food at the IP, lol.
And speaking of decent rates, the Golden Gate (downtown) has a special on right now. I booked for my final two nights in Vegas this summer, ad got the second night free. It was already the cheapest hotel listed on Expedia. I was looking for a place on the Strip, but couldn't say no to this deal. Two nights, $26 CDN (about $21 USD) total. You won't confuse the place with the Bellagio, but it gets decent reviews, especially since their recent renovations. |
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Equity Abyss
Full House
Joined: 31 Jul 2008
Posts: 209
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| Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 2:00 pm Post subject: |
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| BOYNAMEDSUE wrote: |
| Also note that the Imperial Palace poker room gives $2 an hour in comps. Most places give $1-1.50. Also, it goes onto your Harrah's Total Rewards card, so you can use the comps at any Harrah's property. It's recommended that you don't use your comps to buy food at the IP, lol. |
The $2/hour comps really add up, even if you're only there for a short time. There's a nice little food court at Caesar's Palace right by the forum shops where I use most of my Total Rewards comp dollars. The restaurants in the Paris hotel are also a good option. |
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BOYNAMEDSUE
Moderator
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 9542
Location: Mypos
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| Posted: Wed Apr 08, 2009 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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| My goal this summer is to not pay full price for any meal. Comps and the LVA coupon book should make it possible. |
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mgodd
pwns
Joined: 31 Dec 2007
Posts: 2486
Location: North Carolina
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| Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 12:01 am Post subject: |
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| I'm going to be heading over to Vegas in July. I've been searching around for places to stay, and I'm leaning toward Bally's at the moment. I want to stay somewhere on the strip that is nice but affordable. Found what looks like a pretty nice deal for like $40 a night. Has anyone stayed there or seen the rooms that can comment on them? |
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BOYNAMEDSUE
Moderator
Joined: 27 Jun 2005
Posts: 9542
Location: Mypos
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| Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 11:20 am Post subject: |
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| Check out tripadvisor.com. Lots of tourist submitted photos of all the hotels in Vegas. You can't really go by the gussied up professional photos you see on Expedia. $40 a night is a good deal. I'm guessing that's for a south tower room. They're not fancy, but they're larger than most deluxe rooms. Also, Bally's is in a great location. |
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Zarken_Ventreth
Full House
Joined: 09 May 2009
Posts: 160
Location: High in the Mountains
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| Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 7:22 pm Post subject: |
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Depending on your expected level of play... you can call any casino on the strip and speak with a host in advance. This is by far the best way to get the best deal possible. Haven't paid RFB at the Bellagio for over 7 years! Our host is wonderful. We treat her very well and the favor is returned in spades (pardon the pun)!
Zark |
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dodge these
Message Board Junkie
Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 1052
Location: undisclosed
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| Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 2:21 pm Post subject: |
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| I just got a letter from FTP asking me join them in Pro's Choice Suite is in the Palma. Anyone else get this or know what that is all about? Prob not going to be out there bus was just courious what I'm actually missing out on. |
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bizarroquinn
IQ of 260
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Posts: 2046
Location: I WANT RAKEBACK, CHICAGO, IL
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| Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 5:36 am Post subject: |
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just got back from Vegas.
one cool promo.
Luxor will pay you $100 if your AA gets cracked and there's $20 in the pot.
Luxor also pays $100 if you get quads, and YOU DONT HAVE TO HAVE A POCKET PAIR.
Example you can play A9, and the board comes 999KQ, since your kicker plays you get the $100.
If you get the bonus the $ goes into your stack and you have to put it into play (unless you leave right then.)
That's a pretty sweet promo.......and it gets better
Between 5am and 9am the bonus is doubled to $200
Getting AA beat in a $1/2 game gets you $200 from 5-9am so buy in for $100-200 and play AA to lose, and you'll get a nice bonus. |
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bizarroquinn
IQ of 260
Joined: 02 Oct 2006
Posts: 2046
Location: I WANT RAKEBACK, CHICAGO, IL
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| Posted: Sat Aug 15, 2009 6:15 am Post subject: |
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| moor rekop wrote: |
Looking for good vegas entertainment
Taking the in-laws to vegas for their first time.
Would like to see a few shows, can't decide between Mystere and LeReve for a circus show.
Also trying to decide between "V" and Scinta's for a varitey show
On the comedy show side ? any suggestions.
Also will be touring Hoover Dam, any other sites to see as long as we are out and about? Plan to rent a car.
Also might as well add some good food recommendations.
Thanks
-Doc  |
I know this is late but for other's that are going and looking for info here are some cool things around vegas:
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Hoover Dam of course expect to pay $7ish to park, tours are $11 for the power plant only, and around $30 for the full tour. Walking across the dam is free. (you cant stop your car on the dam if you're driving, so you'll have to pay the $7 at the parking garage)
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At 3330 E. Tropicana is the Pinball Hall Of Fame , after a few days at the tables and slot machine, buying $20 worth of quarters will give you quite a bit of entertainment. There are no 'ticket spitters' here (aka kiddie casinos or redemption). It's all pure pinball (and a few arcade novelty games) from the past. And since it's a non-profit, excess revenues go to non-denominational charities. Definately worth checking out.
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The Neon Boneyard http://www.neonmuseum.org/
If youre an old school junkie like me, you'll wanna visit the neon boneyard. As seen in episodes of CSI and movies like Vegas Vacation, the neon boneyard is where old signs go to die. The Neon Museum offers tours by advanced appointment Tuesday through Saturday at 11:30 AM. Beginning September 15, tours will be offered at 12 pm and 2 pm Tuesday through Saturday. The minimum donation for our tours is $15.00 per person. Please reserve your spot as far in advance as possible, as we often sell out. We are not able to accept same day appointments or walk-ins without a CONFIRMED appointment via return email.
You're gonna be outside, in a gravel lot touring the signs, so don't wear open toes shoes, as there's glass and metal on the grounds. You can take pictures but you'll have to sign a form stating you're taking them for non commercial use only.
The tour guides are really knowledgeable and if you just love vegas I recommend everyone goes.
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There are a ton of free shows along the strip:
Bellagio fountains
Ceaser's Statues
Mirage's Volcano
TI's "Sirens of TI"
and of course the Freemont Street Experience downtown.
All are free, and fun so check for schedules.
I've noticed you can usually time it so you walk the strip as the shows start.
(See the Bellagio Fountains, walk to the mirage volcano, walk to TI for the pirates etc.)
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If you need a break from the casinos for a while, go see a movie or go bowling, a few off strip casinos have theaters and bowling alleys, (check the orleans or the station casinos) for some good cheap fun.
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Food: yes there are still specials you just have to find them:
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My favorite is at Ellis Island Casino and Brewery.
It's actually next to a Super 8 Motel, but dont let that fool you.
For $6.99 you get a top sirloin steak, potato, veggies, and a microbrew or root beer from their in house brewery. It's excellent and cheap and you'll get a $5 blackjack matchplay coupon on your placemat. Sometimes the lines can be 20-30 minutes during busy times, but it's worth the wait, and the casino, while small, feels quite cosy and has the feel of a local's hangout.
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Mr. Lucky's at the Hard Rock Hotel offers a $7.77 Gambler's Special: Steak, three grilled shrimp, a choice of potato or broccoli, and a salad.
It's not on the menu so you'll have to ask your server, but it is available around the clock.
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Go downtown and get a Free "Club 1906" (their player's club name) card at the Golden Gate Casino (Vegas's oldest casino) and then head to the back to the deli and snack bar, show your card and get an awesome shrimp **** for 99 cents. (it's $1.99 without the card)
It's an awesome deal and if you'd prefer bigger pieces of shimp you can upgrade to a $2.99 or $3.99 ****. All served in real glasses...classy!
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NEW! The Gold Spike near downtown used to be my all time favorite casino for pure crappiness.....but that all changed, it's really really nice in there now. If you wanna read about the "good old days of the Gold spike" check out the funny review from cheapovegas before the remodeling: http://web.archive.org/web/20071218120808/http://www.cheapovegas.com/vegas_casino_full.php?hotel_id=1020
Golden Grille: Right where the old diner was, but certainly cleaned up with a lot of white patio chairs. Prices are quite reasonable, so it may once again be a place for a very late night meal. Although, the food is only mediocre, so you get what you pay for. There are some crazy cheap steak and eggs deal, or biscuits and gravy sometimes. like $1.49 cheap!) But there's also a Rosati's Pizza walk up counter (yay chicago!) with decent slices also.
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Vegas is full of awesome secrets, you just gotta ask around, and do some research before your trip and you'll get tons of great deals and have lots of fun.
1 poker note, if you plan on playing at Binions, or The Hard Rock, and a few other places, be sure you understand what a Mississippi Straddle is, (or downtown straddle) as they call it at Binions. It totally changes the NL game imo, and you need to understand the advantages and disadvantages to playing at a casino that allows it.
Cheers! |
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The Detonator2
Pair
Joined: 25 Aug 2009
Posts: 24
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| Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 5:58 am Post subject: |
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| bizarroquinn wrote: |
just got back from Vegas.
one cool promo.
Luxor will pay you $100 if your AA gets cracked and there's $20 in the pot.
Luxor also pays $100 if you get quads, and YOU DONT HAVE TO HAVE A POCKET PAIR.
Example you can play A9, and the board comes 999KQ, since your kicker plays you get the $100.
If you get the bonus the $ goes into your stack and you have to put it into play (unless you leave right then.)
That's a pretty sweet promo.......and it gets better
Between 5am and 9am the bonus is doubled to $200
Getting AA beat in a $1/2 game gets you $200 from 5-9am so buy in for $100-200 and play AA to lose, and you'll get a nice bonus. |
Im from Australia and was over in Vegas earlier in the year and stayed at the Luxor
I didnt play poker there, however it didnt seem like much of a casino for poker (or a casino for that matter) but for a place to stay we all agreed it was really good.
The people I was with usually stay at the bellagio when they go, and they said the Luxor was alright, so standards wise I think it does fine. Its clean, located on the strip (even though its near the end). Nothing is more than a $10 taxi ride away.
The casino floor its quite small, but it has what you need if you dont want to make the trip down the strip to another casino.
But as a roof over your head and clean bed, I found it perfect. |
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minimalistico
Two Pair
Joined: 28 Jun 2009
Posts: 69
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| Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 8:26 am Post subject: |
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| actually how many poker are there in Vegas |
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bottlecapthief
Kleptomaniac
Joined: 10 Oct 2005
Posts: 4888
Location: At the craps table where I have an edge
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| Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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| minimalistico wrote: |
| actually how many poker are there in Vegas |
294 |
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micktilt01
High Card
Joined: 20 Sep 2009
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Sun Sep 20, 2009 12:37 pm Post subject: |
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I was in Hotel Imperial (Las Vegas) Palace 2 months ago and it was great !
Cash game in NL and L (cave 60$) blind 1-2 |
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