Breaking The Vegas Cherry

[reyho 0]

As the title suggests I am making my first trip out to Las Vegas tomorrow. With Neteller being shut down to Canadians I decided it was the right time to cash out and make the voyage. I am going with my wife, another couple, and a friend.I plan on playing some limit hold'em and checking out a wide range of casinos. We are staying at the Luxor which I mistakenly thought was in a really good location. Friends of mine recently got back from a trip and they gave me some ideas of things, "You have to check out." I know this has been asked many times but I just wanted to ask some of the more seasoned travellers what they would suggest as something that shouldn't be missed. Also if someone knows some good spots to do some shopping? The more the wife shops = the more cards I can play without getting any grief.

[mx957 0]

Caesar's has the "Forum Shops", it's a mall basically. You can play cards at Caesar's or Bellagio while she goes to all the swanky shops.And yeah, Luxor is on the end of the strip.

[psujohn 0]

If the wife is "shopping" try the Forum Shops. If she's "buying" there's an outlet mall somewhere. Forum shops should be good for 6 hours minimum though if she's buying anything you'd better be playing 100/200 and winning at least 1 BB/hr.In relation to the rest of the strip Luxor is roughly in California but you can cab to most anything pretty easily and cheaply. If you get in a cab at night and you're going to another casino tell the driver to go "around the back". There's no reason to drive on the strip.Though I haven't played LHE in Vegas word on the street is that anything below 6/12 will be no-fold'em hold'em. Profitable if you can handle that but just so you know.Vegas is always good. Have a great time.

[ajs510 122]

Take your wife to dinner at Hugo's Cellar in the Four Queens on Freemont St (Downtown Vegas). Best meal of my life, bar none. Not too expensive either, you can easily have a great dinner and drinks for under $100. If you want to go higher, the Eiffel Tower restaurant is very nice, has a great view of the Bellagio Fountain show, and is turbo expensive. That's at Paris. The Grand Canal Shops at the Venetian are amazing, your wife can spend hours there while you're playing in one of the nicer poker rooms in Vegas, or there's also decent shopping ($$$$$) in the concourse between Bellagio and Caesars. There's also a mall right on the strip that has basically everything called the Forum Shops, its right next to Caesars on the Mirage side. Luxor...um, yeah, you're going to be cabbing it *everywhere*. If you're looking to slum it for a night of cheap blackjack and slots, Ellis Island is actually a pretty cool spot to do that. Cheap drinks, and you have to make an effort to really lose a lot of money there. Also a fun spot for some stupid gamboooling is O'Sheas Casino across from Caesars and Bellagio (next to Flamingo) on the Strip. Guinness on tap, free all night long, and they have a stupid little $1/5 LHE game that's a fun way to blow through $100 on a weekend. Takes you 3 hours to go through your rack of white chips, and by the end you've had 10 pints of Guinness and are feeling like a rockstar. Have a good time, all this Vegas talk is making me drool over my next trip (September baby!)

[reyho 0]

Thanks for the great responses. Yes transportation is going to be a pain but I was told they have a shuttle that runs back and forth to MGM or another hotel that is commonly owned? For the shopping I think she was talking about going to some outlet malls. Good point on the shopping vs. buying - regardless of how I do at the tables I will be telling her I am losing just to ensure a buying frenzy does not occur.

[dms26 3]

Thanks for the great responses. Yes transportation is going to be a pain but I was told they have a shuttle that runs back and forth to MGM or another hotel that is commonly owned? For the shopping I think she was talking about going to some outlet malls. Good point on the shopping vs. buying - regardless of how I do at the tables I will be telling her I am losing just to ensure a buying frenzy does not occur.

There is a free monorail that runs from Mandalay Bay to Luxor to Excalibur. MGM is within walking distance, and behind MGM there is a monorail that runs all the way up the strip for $5 per trip. I wouldn't recomment using it to get to Ceasar's, Bellagio or any casino on the west side of the strip, unless you don't mind walking a mile or so after you get off.

[mtdesmoines 3]

As the title suggests I am making my first trip out to Las Vegas tomorrow. With Neteller being shut down to Canadians I decided it was the right time to cash out and make the voyage. I am going with my wife, another couple, and a friend.I plan on playing some limit hold'em and checking out a wide range of casinos. We are staying at the Luxor which I mistakenly thought was in a really good location. Friends of mine recently got back from a trip and they gave me some ideas of things, "You have to check out." I know this has been asked many times but I just wanted to ask some of the more seasoned travellers what they would suggest as something that shouldn't be missed. Also if someone knows some good spots to do some shopping? The more the wife shops = the more cards I can play without getting any grief.

I suppose some web site has a "vegas/shopping" link. There's supposed to be a nice mall in Vegas, but I've never seen it. I imagine there's a Gap there, though. ... (OK, inside jopke. We have half a dozen "Gap" stores within a 20 minute drive, but where ever we go, the first place my wife has to go is the Gap, because it's a "different" one.) Another thing I always wanted to see was Blue Man Group at Venetian, but haven't done it yet. Friends saw Zumanity and said it was OK. Like everyone else said, the must-sees are Caesar's, Venetian, the Wynn, and NY,NY for the roller coaster). Your "must play" target is the MGM, but I like to just keep moving until I find a juicy game (which, at low limits, can be almost anywhere.)

[ajs510 122]

Yeah, MGM has some juicy, juicy NL games to be sure. Harrah's poker room is to be avoided, lots of locals looking to fleece the tourists. In my experience, same goes for Binions, although its a nice room and fun to play where all that history is around you. I had a great experience playing $2/5NL at Bellagio, due to the fact that it's the lowest NL spread there, the game plays like a $1/2 game anywhere else. I beat up on it pretty good but my sample size is very miniscule so I can't say for sure if its always like that or not. Again, fun to play in the same room as a bunch of your heroes.

[powerpoker 0]

I suppose some web site has a "vegas/shopping" link. There's supposed to be a nice mall in Vegas, but I've never seen it. I imagine there's a Gap there, though. ... (OK, inside jopke. We have half a dozen "Gap" stores within a 20 minute drive, but where ever we go, the first place my wife has to go is the Gap, because it's a "different" one.) Another thing I always wanted to see was Blue Man Group at Venetian, but haven't done it yet. Friends saw Zumanity and said it was OK. Like everyone else said, the must-sees are Caesar's, Venetian, the Wynn, and NY,NY for the roller coaster). Your "must play" target is the MGM, but I like to just keep moving until I find a juicy game (which, at low limits, can be almost anywhere.)

The mall your most likely talking about is the Fashion Show Mall, which is directly across the street from the wynn and right next to T.I. Blue man is entertaining ive seen it twice and wasnt dissapointed. Yes low limit holdem is juicy everywhere, but like others say your most likely going to get 6+ players a flop. Best low limit games are at venetian and wynn, the 6-12 at the mirage is ok as well. I dont play at the bellagio that much mostly cause i think the poker room is too crowded. If you wife wanted to do bargain shopping she needs to take a cab to the outlet malls which are located off the strip. TONS of stores and very cheap. Any other questions you got just ask and enjoy your trip.

[reyho 0]

The mall your most likely talking about is the Fashion Show Mall, which is directly across the street from the wynn and right next to T.I. Blue man is entertaining ive seen it twice and wasnt dissapointed. Yes low limit holdem is juicy everywhere, but like others say your most likely going to get 6+ players a flop. Best low limit games are at venetian and wynn, the 6-12 at the mirage is ok as well. I dont play at the bellagio that much mostly cause i think the poker room is too crowded. If you wife wanted to do bargain shopping she needs to take a cab to the outlet malls which are located off the strip. TONS of stores and very cheap. Any other questions you got just ask and enjoy your trip.

The Fashion Show Mall was on her list of places to go but she is a notorious bargain shopper (thank God for that). I assume she and her friend will be venturing off the strip where things are much cheaper. As a local if you know of a specific area I should suggest to her I would appreciate that.We talked about Blue Man group and the Cirque de soliel but in her infinite wisdom she chose Celine Dion. Thankfully I do not have to go to that which gives me and the other guys more casino time.I really appreciate your response. Just to add, up here in Alberta it has been a really cold and snowy April - which is a little unusual. We are looking forward to the heat and are both in need of some relaxation. She finished her nursing degree and starts full time when we return. I am a contract manager and have just finished year end and new year contracts. Warm weather, good times with friends, sight-seeing, poker, and shopping are what we are really looking forward to while we are there.

[WowThats 0]

Have fun and good luck...

[powerpoker 0]

The Fashion Show Mall was on her list of places to go but she is a notorious bargain shopper (thank God for that). I assume she and her friend will be venturing off the strip where things are much cheaper. As a local if you know of a specific area I should suggest to her I would appreciate that.We talked about Blue Man group and the Cirque de soliel but in her infinite wisdom she chose Celine Dion. Thankfully I do not have to go to that which gives me and the other guys more casino time.

Well is she wants bargains then she would have to go to the outlet malls. Just tell her to hop in a cab and tell the drive to take her to the outlet malls which depending on traffic may be about a 15 mintue ride from the luxor.To be honest for her that is probably her best choice, ive seen 3 cirque shows (mystiere, ka, and la reve) and like i said ive seen blue man twice. Ironically i am the morning security supervisor at the colosseum where celine is and when i first started i was working security for the show and saw the show something like 30+ times. Anyway little tips to make her time easier. NO CAMERAS or any recording device (although cell phone cameras are fine), you cant bring a camera into the colosseum, we seach bags and you walk through metal detectors so dont even try it will just be a hassle cause she will have to check it in and get it after the show. Also no food or drink can be brought in unless the drink is in a plastic bottle. Second the doors open at 7 so she can come in and get a drink since there are full service bars on every floor. The inside doors to get to your seat dont open till 745 and thats when the long lines begin outside. So i would reccomend her getting to the doors around 730 to avoid the lines and grab a drink and then she can get her seat no problem. Hope this helps and trust me she will enjoy the show a lot and you stop hearing about it for a long time so be prepared.

[sandwedge 30]

Have you thought about renting a car while you are there? I personally prefer to do that, so that I have a little more freedom. Also, if you are there for more than a couple of days, you might want to do some sightseeing - such as Hoover Dam.Some other non-gabling things:If you like stand up comedy, Tropicana (basically across the street from Luxor) has a small comedy room. It's relatively inexpensive ($20?), and can be a good, casual break.Be sure to check out the Lion exhibit in the MGM and the fountain show at BellagioSince this is your first time, you might want to check out downtown, just to say you've seen it. It's a completely different world from the strip.

[sandwedge 30]

Have fun and good luck...

Is that JC playing Royal Holdem?

[nutzbuster 7]

What they all said. Luxor has a walkway inside that takes you right into the Excalibur now. Cross over the street from there and you are into the NYNY and across from MGM, so you can easily walk to this point without a cab. From there you are screwed....cab or bus down to Ballys, or walk on the MGM side of the street (there is a massive construction project of the 12 Billion dollar City Center between NY NY/Monte Carlo and Bellagio... do NOT walk on that side). Once you get to Ballys, the Main properties at that corner consists of Bellagio, Caesars, Ballys (obv) and Bills (once known as Barbary Coast)/Flamingo/Harrahs. This also gets you very close to Paris, Planet Hollywood (aka Aladdin) and ultimately the Mirage, TI, Venetian, Wynn.Poker is decent at Bellagio, MGM, Venitian, Wynn mainly. Caesars games can be hit or miss, but it's a very nice room. I haven't really played significantly anywhere else. MGM is very soft as said. I keep waiting for the "word ot get out" and ruin this, but so far, this game has stayed amazingly soft. No idea why as it's not exactly a secret anymore.Shopping.-, Planet Hollywood (the old Aladdin) has a HUGE shopping mall inside it. Many of the stores are very good and in the low to middle range price wise, and for that reason it is a wife shoppers paradise. Caesars Forum Shops has some decent stores, but honestly, it is not a great place for a couple women to go shopping in the classic sense. There are some VERY expensive store and a bunch of specialty shops. It's a fun place.Fashion Show Mall....if you can;t find it here it doesn't exist. This place is larger than most international airports and is one of the largest malls I've ever seen.When I want to ditch the wifey for several hours, I send her to Aladdin's (Planet Hollywood) for the more fun, cheap shopping, and then Fashion Show mall for the rest of the time. Food-It's really hard to blow this as the food in that town rules...just about anything you want and at all different price ranges.My faves, in no particular order, are ...Little Buddah at the Palms, Ni9e (sp?) at the Palms, In-n-Out burger, Mesa Grill at Caesars, Fix at Bellagio, Noodle Bar at Bellagio, Noodle bar at Venetain, Joe's at Caesars Forum shops, Ruths Chris's, The Poolside restaurant at the Wynn (forget the name), Pizza slices at NY NY, man..so many other little joints too..Shows-Blueman, Mystere, 'O', Spamalot, Carrot Top (I know, I know...I didn't want to go either, but you will laugh)Have fun!

[reyho 0]

Have you thought about renting a car while you are there? I personally prefer to do that, so that I have a little more freedom. Also, if you are there for more than a couple of days, you might want to do some sightseeing - such as Hoover Dam.Some other non-gabling things:If you like stand up comedy, Tropicana (basically across the street from Luxor) has a small comedy room. It's relatively inexpensive ($20?), and can be a good, casual break.Be sure to check out the Lion exhibit in the MGM and the fountain show at BellagioSince this is your first time, you might want to check out downtown, just to say you've seen it. It's a completely different world from the strip.

We thought about renting a car and were told the driving is pretty crazy. My parents winter in Arizona and next year we plan on driving down to see them and on the way checking out the Hoover Dam. We are definitely up from some stand up comedy and that sounds like a great idea that I am sure all would enjoy. Thanks for some great ideas. Looks like I'm not going to accomplish much work in today!!

[cbbox 0]

If you do rent a car, you can head out to Henderson and there's plenty of shopping there too. Galleria is right by Sunset, and is actually a pretty nice place that won't break the bank when she's there. Fashion Show is ridiculously large and equally expensive but great for window shopping. If you're doing the Forum Shops stop in at the Burger Bar for lunch, although I've heard they've changed it since the last time I was there.And like sandwedge said, definitely see a comedy show. They rotate the comedians so you might get unlucky but I saw three the first time I was out there since the first two were so good. All three my girl and I got in for free with a 2 drink voucher.And again like sandwedge said, go downtown. Free music on Friday/Saturday night. Cheap, big *** drinks that'll get you drunk enough that you can dance with the bums roaming the crowds.One other kinda stupid thing that I haven't seen mentioned by I actually kinda enjoyed was the Titanic exhibit.The wax museum was mediocre at best for me, but my girlfriend had a good time there, might be something to do with the wife.And for transportation, there's always the double decker bus that runs up and down the strip. Really, though, with everything to look at and the weather as nice as I'm hearing it is right now, the walk shouldn't be a bad one at all.