So I'm heading to Vegas for a long weekend in March. Haven't been in years and just wondering which room(s) I should check out for 1/2 or 2/5 nlhe. I refuse to play Harrah's properties (long, boring story) so if you chose "other" and it's a Harrah's property, skip it.

Venetian AINEC. I play there 2-3 times a week since it opened a few years ago. Usually have 5-7 1/2 games and about 4 or 5 2-5 games. If you wanna play higher they usually have a 5-10 game going as well. Also they will put up a list for just about any game you wanna play. The floor staff is awesome as well. See ya in March and good luck.

When I went last september we played mainly in the Hard Rock poker room. That was pretty decent, plus the Hard Rock straddle is the one of the best inventions ever! Straddling from the button, and you'd be surprised the amount of people that don't do it!

I'm a noob to live cash - if there's so many games going, is it ok to switch tables if you think there'd be more fish on another?

How's the competition? Oh who am I kidding, I'll probably be the fishiest fish to ever swim. It's been a while since I've played at an actual card room.


On a sidenote, Rhino trip?

Hank I played mostly at the Monte Carlo when I was there recently, because I was staying there and it was convenient, but it was a really cool little card room. Not many locals, I did pretty well there, only one losing session out of 5.

All depends on what you're looking to get out of it...

MGM: Buy-ins are capped at 100BBs, but it's a quality room
Venetian: Probably the nicest room in Vegas
Bellagio: Good for novelty's sake but that's about it
Mandalay: VERY soft games
Tropicana: No point
Hard Rock: Great scenery (females), good music, the hard rock straddle, Pacifico beer. If you're looking to get drunk and have fun, this would be my choice. It isn't the easiest game in town but it could be the most unique room. Did I mention the scenery?

And if you find yourself downtown at all, check out the Nugget. Nice property and no max buy in.

Good point about what I'm looking for, and frankly I probably won't know until I go to play. Most likely play least one session for profit and one session I'll probably play just to drink, have fun, and gambooool when I get tired of 3 card/roulette/craps/blackjack. Sounds like I'll probably check out the HR based on that recommendation.

Any place still spread single deck BJ?

Also, I'm more of a rock fan and dive bar type of guy (vs. dance type clubs), if anyone has reco's for spots like that it would be appreciated.

The hard rock was busy for like 2 weeks when it opened. Nice room but dead as all hell anymore. I was just talking to a dealer the other night that used to work there and she said there are almost no games going on anymore.



Yes, you can ask for a table change at any time. Just ask a floor person for a table change and when a seat opens they will move you. Be sure to check the other tables first and give him/her a table number or two that way you dont get moved to just any table and possibly a tougher table than the one your playing on. Although at 1/2 i dont think there are any really tough tables.


The competition is weak, or at least it has been over the last 5 months or so. Basically my strategy against these players is loose passive preflop and play them after that flop. Most players at 1/2 cant play after that flop and they overplay so many hands its laughable. Im always up for a rhino trip, right now i generally go on Mon Tues and Wed, since im off work. Any questions about that i can answer to, im pretty much a veteran there now.

Upon further consideration I kind of doubt I'll hit a titty bar given that I'll be there on a weekend. I prefer early/mid week. Sure you may not get the entire "A squad" but the value is usually better.







Thanks for all the tips guys. I've got about a month to go so if you think of anything else let me know.

I agree espically with the rhino. On the weekend its completley out of control in there. During the week on a lets say a wed you still have a about 100 girls during the night and on the weekend your prob looking at over 200 easy. Value is much better during the week though, girls are still hot but there are places to actually to sit unlike the weekend.

The Hard Rock is a good spot for this too. They opened a newish bar called Wasted Space and spin mostly rock tunes. There's a cover but not as much as Pure, etc. It's supposed to be the "anti-" club.

Also, near the Hard Rock is a place called The Double Down Saloon. I haven't been yet but have heard good things.

I saw a review of Wasted Space online somewhere and put it on the likely list. Maybe check out DDS on Friday night. Thanks.

I'm a big fan of the Mirage Poker Room and their soft 1/2 NL game (particularly on weekends of course). It is a very nice room, center of the strip, and it is right next to the Mirage Sports Book which is a great sports book. Also right next to the Carnegie Deli which is a great place to get a ton of good food for 10-15 bucks.

T minus 5 days and counting.

I'm not really making a concrete plan but this is my rough itinerary:

Thur Night- either the 7pm tourney @ MGM or Venetian/Monte Carlo for cash game. Head back to the Wynn and degen at the 3 card/craps/roulette before bed. I figure the Wynn gave me 3 free nights I ought to give them some play.

Friday afternoon/evening- Cash games @ Venetian/Monte/Mandalay/MGM

Friday night- Double Down Saloon sure to be followed by degen back @ Wynn before passing out.

Saturday day/evening- Maybe sight see type stuff, head to the gun store, or possibly cash game depending on magnitude of hangover.

Saturday night- Wasted Space and/or drunk poker @ HardRock and probably some table games before bed again.

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.