Most poker rooms are non smoking even if the casino allows smoking. As to not getting shot, don't sleep in a gutter or park bench. I've never had a problem anywhere and 2 weeks ago I was at the end of the strip and downtown without any problems. Well one drunken Saturday night that I barely recall.... but other than that.
Where are the best places to go for 2/5NL and 1/2NL that are no smoking?
What AcidJoe said...most (if not all) of the big poker rooms (Bellagio, Venetian, Caesar's, Rio, Golden Nugget, Binion's - these are the one I was in myself) don't allow smoking in the poker room even if its allowed in the casino. In some casino, like Venetian, the poker room is sort of close to the casino (especially the tournament area) and you might be bothered by the smoke, but Caesar's room is isolated so there is no smoking there what-so-ever.
Where are the best places to go for 2/5NL and 1/2NL that are no smoking?
I would have returned to play 1/2 at Excalibur, but it has permanently killed off its poker room by firing its poker staff and replacing them with PokerTek electronic tables. I loved playing 1/2 at Imperial Palace during the AA/KK-cracked promotional hours, but the poker room is totally open to inconsiderate players and supervisors who keep blowing smoke from the ashtrays right beside the room. :mad:
Next time I'm at Vegas (maybe not until WSOP 2009), I will play anywhere there is an AA/KK-cracked promotion, including Bill's Gambling Saloon and Flamingo. I also want to play in the Southpoint and Binion's poker rooms. I will bring enough bankroll to play 2/5 at Bellagio and Wynn, where players have no lower choice just like Fallsview.
Where's the cheapest places to crash where you won't get shot?
Imperial Palace is where I would stay again unless a group of us can rent a condo/house.
You know Excalibur was raking the pot an extra $1 to pay for that promo? I thought you avoided -ev plays.
I thought Excalibur was a shitty room catering to low limit local grinders. When the dealer sits down and says hello to 3/4 of the table by name, you are in trouble.
I'm interested however in trying out the electronic tables. No dealer mistakes, no tips to drag down your return and they are apparently spreading as low as $.5/1.
I'm not for electronic tables by any means. Gambling for me in a casino is a social event that includes the dealer. But I thought it would be a good chance to at least give it a try.
You know Excalibur was raking the pot an extra $1 to pay for that promo? I thought you avoided -ev plays.
The rake was $4 + $1 jackpot, just like Seneca and many Las Vegas casinos. In addition to winning money at the Las Vegas tournaments, cash games, craps and blackjack, I even made money with the jackpot rake:
- Played my AA the most +EV passive way at IP and got them cracked, winning the $100 bonus.
- Had my AA cracked at Excalibur by 2-4, and I got to spin the bonus wheel. When my roommate had his AA cracked at Excalibur, he hit the 3x bonus and ended up winning over $200!
- While Shannon Elizabeth was playing at the IP poker room, I got quads and got to spin the bonus wheel. Shannon brought me luck as I got a royal flush for the first time ever at NLHE that same night.
I thought Excalibur was a shitty room catering to low limit local grinders.
Based on player reviews including my friend and mine, Excalibur WAS one of the most +EV places to play 1/2 NL. I think many parents who are with their kids at Excalibur chose to stay in their hotel poker room instead of going to another casino.
I'm not for electronic tables by any means.
I have tried a PokerTek machine, playing heads-up against Brad Booth and beating his overaggression. For online sharks like you, multi-tabling on the Internet is much better. For live players who like playing with chips, cards & talking eye-to-eye with your opponents, the machine offers the worst of both worlds. It is like playing a single table online, with some players verbally cheating because there is no dealer or supervisor watching over them.
Anyway, good luck in Vegas. I look forward to your trip reports, especially if any of you play the Venetian or Binion's best-value tournaments.
Had a quick talk with Mark/Johnnie about this, and looking like we will book the Harrah's through Travelworm (Thanks Moose), and we're deciding between Spiritair out of Detroit, or West Jet out of Toronto (for approx. $100 more per person).
I'm probably going to switch to Harrahs. You've got funky math though. Unless there is a Westjet deal on lower than what I posted, it's about $175 more with exchange. That's Binion's tourney buyin + cab fare.
$449.79 is technically not halfway to $500 but definitely not 'a tad over $400'. It is within $5 of what I posted before. FYI my spirtair tickets came out with exchange/cc fees of exactly $292.29 or a difference of $157.5. On an individual basis that might be worth it but saving over $300 as a couple made the drive to Detroit definitely worth it for me. We would be happy to have you along in the car. Room for 3 in the back. Might be possible to borrow my parents van and take everyone.
Just checked..its $418..not sure what you're putting in to make it $450. Cancellation insurance or something maybe? But if you can take everyone...I think we can put that savings a long way..
Might be possible to borrow my parents van and take everyone.
That would be a gong show FOR SURE!
What's the deal with needing a passport? Considering Mario got the 3rd degree when we WALKED over the bridge at Seneca, might not be a bad idea to bring it?
What's the deal with needing a passport? Considering Mario got the 3rd degree when we WALKED over the bridge at Seneca, might not be a bad idea to bring it?
Yeah you would get over the border because you are driving and then could fly because you are within the US. But if you leave from TO you would be required to have one since it is International. But I would highly recommend you have one regardless.
Just checked..its $418..not sure what you're putting in to make it $450. Cancellation insurance or something maybe? But if you can take everyone...I think we can put that savings a long way..
Maybe. Base price both days was $124 for Westjet. I know on the spiritair you have to deselect a lot of shit to get that price. Carry on luggage only unless you want to pay, no preselecting your seat either.
But I would highly recommend you have one regardless.
I'll bring mine for sure. Somebody tell Mario to start hunting for his, or get his ass to the passport office.
ps...good call on changing the date of the trip. Our original fly date was Nov 4, the day of the US Election. Probably a bad day to get through security checks.
Just booked airfare for Johnnie/Mark/Mario, flying out of Detroit with Spirit Air
Tue, Nov 11 Detroit (DTW)
Departs: 6:05 AM Las Vegas (LAS)
Arrives: 7:25 AM NK 771
Sat, Nov 15 Las Vegas (LAS)
Departs: 10:55 PM Detroit (DTW)
Arrives: 5:40 AM NK 788
Well I don't know why you had trouble booking the 12:30 flight because it works for me. Also the cost of the flight is down to $216 now. Is that what you paid?
Well I don't know why you had trouble booking the 12:30 flight because it works for me. Also the cost of the flight is down to $216 now. Is that what you paid?
Yeah, we searched for 3 and the only ones that came up was the morning one and one much later in the evening.
We paid around $220/$230 I think? And then added on top with some luggage and also paid for advanced seating. Both Mark/Johnnie's idea.
For those who are interested soutwest out of buffalo direct was $375.50 US for those dates, while westjet out of Pearson came to $533.79 CND. The westjet flight was actually cheaper on the seat but with taxes came to more. I'm still deciding if I'll come but it will definately be out of buffalo. 2.5 hr drive vs 5+ hours to detroit.
Comments
This is good. More specifics!!!
Where are the best places to go for 2/5NL and 1/2NL that are no smoking?
Where's the cheapest places to crash where you won't get shot?
What AcidJoe said...most (if not all) of the big poker rooms (Bellagio, Venetian, Caesar's, Rio, Golden Nugget, Binion's - these are the one I was in myself) don't allow smoking in the poker room even if its allowed in the casino. In some casino, like Venetian, the poker room is sort of close to the casino (especially the tournament area) and you might be bothered by the smoke, but Caesar's room is isolated so there is no smoking there what-so-ever.
Mark
Next time I'm at Vegas (maybe not until WSOP 2009), I will play anywhere there is an AA/KK-cracked promotion, including Bill's Gambling Saloon and Flamingo. I also want to play in the Southpoint and Binion's poker rooms. I will bring enough bankroll to play 2/5 at Bellagio and Wynn, where players have no lower choice just like Fallsview. Imperial Palace is where I would stay again unless a group of us can rent a condo/house.
I thought Excalibur was a shitty room catering to low limit local grinders. When the dealer sits down and says hello to 3/4 of the table by name, you are in trouble.
I'm interested however in trying out the electronic tables. No dealer mistakes, no tips to drag down your return and they are apparently spreading as low as $.5/1.
I'm not for electronic tables by any means. Gambling for me in a casino is a social event that includes the dealer. But I thought it would be a good chance to at least give it a try.
- Played my AA the most +EV passive way at IP and got them cracked, winning the $100 bonus.
- Had my AA cracked at Excalibur by 2-4,
- While Shannon Elizabeth was playing at the IP poker room, I got quads and got to spin the bonus wheel. Shannon brought me luck as I got a royal flush for the first time ever at NLHE that same night.
Based on player reviews including my friend and mine, Excalibur WAS one of the most +EV places to play 1/2 NL. I think many parents who are with their kids at Excalibur chose to stay in their hotel poker room instead of going to another casino.
I have tried a PokerTek machine, playing heads-up against Brad Booth and beating his overaggression. For online sharks like you, multi-tabling on the Internet is much better. For live players who like playing with chips, cards & talking eye-to-eye with your opponents, the machine offers the worst of both worlds. It is like playing a single table online, with some players verbally cheating because there is no dealer or supervisor watching over them.
Anyway, good luck in Vegas. I look forward to your trip reports, especially if any of you play the Venetian or Binion's best-value tournaments.
I booked until Sat with the specific intention of playing the Binions tourney.
Just FYI for those who wanted to tag along.
That would be a gong show FOR SURE!
What's the deal with needing a passport? Considering Mario got the 3rd degree when we WALKED over the bridge at Seneca, might not be a bad idea to bring it?
Johnnie
Def bring it since we're flying.
Maybe. Base price both days was $124 for Westjet. I know on the spiritair you have to deselect a lot of shit to get that price. Carry on luggage only unless you want to pay, no preselecting your seat either.
I'll bring mine for sure. Somebody tell Mario to start hunting for his, or get his ass to the passport office.
ps...good call on changing the date of the trip. Our original fly date was Nov 4, the day of the US Election. Probably a bad day to get through security checks.
Johnnie
Tue, Nov 11 Detroit (DTW)
Departs: 6:05 AM Las Vegas (LAS)
Arrives: 7:25 AM NK 771
Sat, Nov 15 Las Vegas (LAS)
Departs: 10:55 PM Detroit (DTW)
Arrives: 5:40 AM NK 788
I'm about 80% sure we're staying in Detroit Monday night with a 6:05AM flight.
Well I don't know why you had trouble booking the 12:30 flight because it works for me. Also the cost of the flight is down to $216 now.
Yeah, we searched for 3 and the only ones that came up was the morning one and one much later in the evening.
We paid around $220/$230 I think? And then added on top with some luggage and also paid for advanced seating. Both Mark/Johnnie's idea.
FYI, most of the buffalo to vegas flights are
not direct (stop over at JFK, etc).. so keep
that in mind when calculating time savings.