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VEGAS: who is going this year?

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  • chicknMeltchicknMelt
    edited January 2014
    Loads more interest than I was expecting :)


    so, interested in coming with us so far are (let me know if i missed you):
    Lnarin
    Div
    DTM
    Flashy
    1267
    gazza
    Timmy
    Sikas
    ChicknMelt


    so, I think the first crucial decision to make is whether we want a villa, or a hotel. If I get time over the weekend I'll have a look at some villas and pick out a few good ones so you can get an idea of cost etc. Feel free to make your own suggestions too.

    as far as I can tell...

     villa:  Everyone is together, more of a party/friendly atmosphere. no one cooks for you (but presumably there will be the option of delivery??). no one cleans for you. travel can be a pain, but if we rent enough cars, or get one close enough to the strip, maybe its not a problem.

    hotel: convenient.

    For me it kinda depends on price. If we can have a swish villa for similar to a hotel, which is close to the strip, and has some food delivery options, then I think i might prefer that. Anyone else got an opinion??


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  • foldUfairyfoldUfairy
    edited January 2014
    Would like to get on board but i'm supposed to be going to tomorrowland the month after and don't think i can afford both :( Haven't booked anything yet though so just posting an interest.

    Sounds like it would be a belter if we could get a lil poker firm together. I'm in the same boat regarding mates, there's a few that like to play a home game or an occasional trip to the casino but organising a holiday revolving around poker just isn't going to happen.
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  • mewillowsmewillows
    edited January 2014
    In Response to Re: VEGAS: who is going this year?:
    im interested, never done vegas b4, similar situation, depends on dates/misses/kids nursery etc... tho so im a 'maybe' mayb create an FB group
    Posted by sikas

    +1. Pesky kids.  Tempted to put mine on eBay to boost the roll. 

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  • scotty77scotty77
    edited January 2014
    I will be going, dunno how long yet as I think I'd like to do LAPT/WC but if not then I will be in Vegas for the whole 6 weeks.

    Rented a villa one year and it was a great experience.  Really worked well however there were only 4 of us.  It was a nice place to chill.  Only issue was having 1 car and people wanting to do different things but the local cab company was decent.  All Vegas places have pool/table tennis tables as well as hot tub/swimming pools plus tonnes of space.  The one main downside was that once you were home you kinda didn't wanna grind and we all did miss valuable time making money.

    Hotels is just so much easier for everyone I think, especially if its your first time.

    Renting a car, even if just getting a hotel, is a really good option I think.  I did that during most of my time in Vegas last year, and the cost isn't that much more than 2/3 cabs a day plus the mates I was with always were happy to chip in for fuel etc.  Very easy to drive there.  Going to casinos off strip are so much more enjoyable plus just going to places like Red Rock and local restaurants is a lot of fun.

    If you really wanna grind poker, then I'd say that Rio/Gold Coast/Palms are probably the best options.  All fairly cheap and all walking distance from the WSOP rooms.  Gold Coast will be the cheapest so expect what you pay for but its perfectly fine.  I stayed there last year for a couple of weeks and bumped into a lot of UK regs doing the same.

    My favourite mid range hotel on the strip is the Mirage tho, but tbh as long as you don't book into a Motel 66 or the Travelodge, you really can't go wrong.  I would avoid the Quad tho, despite a recent refurb, one of the towers is very very dodgy.

    Twin rooms there are usually all both double beds so comfort isn't an issue...in fact if you wanna chop the rooms even more you can ask for a rollout bed to be put in the room for a third person...just give the receptionist/porter a little drink to say thanks.

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  • scotty77scotty77
    edited January 2014
    Rio - Daily deepstacks (deepstacks only in name, turbo in nature) that run 3/4 times a day.  Very, very soft SnG tables thar run round the clock from $125-$525.  Cash games galore.  I'd advise anyone who is rollled and feels comfortable at $1/2 to take a shot at the $2/5 games as the standard is actually worse.  There are so many young kid grinders who go to Vegas with a dream/piles of makeup who are really good but can only afford $1/2 so often you'll find the next level up has more recreational players.  I'd say a really good choice is grinding the SnGs and using the lammers for the WSOP events.

    Venetian - The deepstack series has taken a hit for many reasons, one of them being the Casinos owners attitute to online poker.  Again they aren't actually that good strutures and attract more 'reg' players.  Neil Channing summed it upto me last year that a farmer from Nebraska doesn't head to Vegas to take down a Venetian Deepstack - he goes for a bracelet.  Good options to have as a backup, but IMO I'd focus mainly on Rio events if you are an MTT player.  Cash games are good and a decent reward scheme.  Think I've got a few hundred in comp dollars to use now.

    Wynn - IMO the best place for poker in town.  The Wynn Classic series is excellent and would now be my preferred choice to the Venetian.  The average customer of the Wynn is mainly more European/has more money than anywhere else in town.  Best cash games on the strip, and they spread 1/3 rather than 1/2 so plays a bit bigger.

    Caesars - Excellent room but never been a place I've enjoyed.  Their tournies have a strange structure and antes come in quite late and are really small compared to the blinds, so they play quite fun and have a more 'Sky MTT' feel about them.  The BIs for their series is also on the smaller side so a decent choice for those on a tight budget.

    But every casino has a poker room.  I always try a few different ones out every time I go, as I have a little hobby of collecting different $1 poker chips.  Most casinos also run daily/nightly super turbo tournies that can be a decent laugh.
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  • scotty77scotty77
    edited January 2014
    Nightlife.

    The big nightclubs can get very expensive and for a table expect a minimum spend of at least $1/2k at places like Hakkasan.

    There are plenty of bars on the strip that are fine, many of which have a line dancing theme :)

    Outside the strip, a really hidden gem is called Stoneys.  Very cheap drinks, mainly locals and the ratio of girls to guys is very high.  A real favourite of UK regs too.

    For food, just endless choice.  I would advice you to budget for a least one really expensive meal tho as the quality is unreal and well worth the money.

    Remember to tip.  If you are staying in a hotel for a few days, a $20 dollar tip can get you a room upgrade.  Even if its for a couple of weeks then the receptionist will do the best they can to get you a better view/corner room/in a nice tower/recently refurbed room.

    When I check in, I've started tipping the head maid and shes made sure that theres bottles of water (usually $5 from the mini bar) and fruit in my room.  Even if you can't find the head maid then just a few bucks and a request on a note will usually see you get what you want, within reason.

    Sometimes the taxi lines are rammed after a big show ends.  If you don't wanna wait around, find the taxi guy, hand him $10, say you need to go now, and you will avoid the queue.  Of course you may feel embarrased but its just how vegas works.  The taxi guy will even tell you to wait a few yards away so you won't feel the death stares.



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  • LnarinOOLnarinOO
    edited January 2014
    In Response to Re: VEGAS: who is going this year?:
    Would like to get on board but i'm supposed to be going to tomorrowland the month after and don't think i can afford both :( Haven't booked anything yet though so just posting an interest. Sounds like it would be a belter if we could get a lil poker firm together. I'm in the same boat regarding mates, there's a few that like to play a home game or an occasional trip to the casino but organising a holiday revolving around poker just isn't going to happen.
    Posted by foldUfairy
    TOMORROW LAND LOOOOOKS SICK..!!! im actually jealous..!!!
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  • foldUfairyfoldUfairy
    edited January 2014
    In Response to Re: VEGAS: who is going this year?:
    In Response to Re: VEGAS: who is going this year? : TOMORROW LAND LOOOOOKS SICK..!!! im actually jealous..!!!
    Posted by LnarinOO
    :P Yeah it looks a belter, been wanting to go 4 like 3 years, hope it happens this year....
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  • chicknMeltchicknMelt
    edited January 2014
    In Response to Re: VEGAS: who is going this year?:
    Rio - Daily deepstacks (deepstacks only in name, turbo in nature) that run 3/4 times a day.  Very, very soft SnG tables thar run round the clock from $125-$525.  Cash games galore.  I'd advise anyone who is rollled and feels comfortable at $1/2 to take a shot at the $2/5 games as the standard is actually worse.  There are so many young kid grinders who go to Vegas with a dream/piles of makeup who are really good but can only afford $1/2 so often you'll find the next level up has more recreational players.  I'd say a really good choice is grinding the SnGs and using the lammers for the WSOP events. Venetian - The deepstack series has taken a hit for many reasons, one of them being the Casinos owners attitute to online poker.  Again they aren't actually that good strutures and attract more 'reg' players.  Neil Channing summed it upto me last year that a farmer from Nebraska doesn't head to Vegas to take down a Venetian Deepstack - he goes for a bracelet.  Good options to have as a backup, but IMO I'd focus mainly on Rio events if you are an MTT player.  Cash games are good and a decent reward scheme.  Think I've got a few hundred in comp dollars to use now. Wynn - IMO the best place for poker in town.  The Wynn Classic series is excellent and would now be my preferred choice to the Venetian.  The average customer of the Wynn is mainly more European/has more money than anywhere else in town.  Best cash games on the strip, and they spread 1/3 rather than 1/2 so plays a bit bigger. Caesars - Excellent room but never been a place I've enjoyed.  Their tournies have a strange structure and antes come in quite late and are really small compared to the blinds, so they play quite fun and have a more 'Sky MTT' feel about them.  The BIs for their series is also on the smaller side so a decent choice for those on a tight budget. But every casino has a poker room.  I always try a few different ones out every time I go, as I have a little hobby of collecting different $1 poker chips.  Most casinos also run daily/nightly super turbo tournies that can be a decent laugh.
    Posted by scotty77


    what a legend...everything we were wondering about is right here in these posts...thanks Ryan!

    maybe a hotel is best then - both you and Teeks (i hear he likes that name more than teacake :D) recommend it.

    those SNGs sound really good, I think I will grind a misture of those and MTTs in the ROI, and then head over to the wynn when I fancy grinding a bit of cash. hopefully I am rolled for the 2/5 games!

    Haven't checked out the prices yet, but staying at the Rio is tempting, just for convenience. Has anyone else had a look at rooms, or have any other opinions??

    I plan to book around the start of April - need to make sure my BR is still in tact after having a baby and moving house. 
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  • KazukoKazuko
    edited January 2014
    I'm interested dependant on dates
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  • sikassikas
    edited February 2014
    any more developments with this melt?
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  • scotty77scotty77
    edited February 2014
    The schedule is out for the WSOP


    Remember you can satellite into any of these tournies by playing SnGs and winning tournie 'lammers'.


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  • chicknMeltchicknMelt
    edited February 2014
    Sikas - nothing new yet - but looks like the millionaire maker is on 31st May...and i think that will be a popular one for the sky people going... so would be looking to arrive around 29th/30th and staying 14 days.

    who would be interested in staying then?


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  • sikassikas
    edited February 2014
    In Response to Re: VEGAS: who is going this year?:
    Sikas - nothing new yet - but looks like the millionaire maker is on 31st May...and i think that will be a popular one for the sky people going... so would be looking to arrive around 29th/30th and staying 14 days. who would be interested in staying then?
    Posted by chicknMelt

    nightmare im going portugal end of may :-(
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  • yoyoyoyo
    edited February 2014
    hey guys,

    i'll go for a fortnight, not sure of dates yet...happy to hang out/hook up with one & all,

    scotty seems to have pretty much summed everything up so i ain't got a lot to add...i did the villa once but it was way off strip & a real balls-ache getting any cab to drop us off, pick us up; personally when i'm just there for two weeks i want to be where the action & bright lights are.

    i used to favour the venetian deepstacks over the wsop but found myself playing more at the rio recently, like ryan sad, more of a lottery but softer fields & way more wonga/glory!


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  • chicknMeltchicknMelt
    edited February 2014
    In Response to Re: VEGAS: who is going this year?:
    In Response to Re: VEGAS: who is going this year? : nightmare im going portugal end of may :-(
    Posted by sikas
    well...out of the people that have responded to my post 100% cant make it then. (so just you then sikas!)

    I'd rather go with people than play the millionare maker... Its probably a bit of a bingofest anyway - 7000 people in a 2/3 day event or whatever it is.

    when are you back from portugal?

    Even if it ends up just being 2 or 3 of us, thats gotta beat going on your own, and as I said before, I'm pretty open to dates

    post now if your intersted and want to influence the dates!
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  • chicknMeltchicknMelt
    edited February 2014
    btw - if your a bit short of funds for vegas, but have a decent online record then why not tap up friends and family who would be interested in taking a punt and sell some action to them? 

    I have sold around half of my action for vegas to reduce the varience a bit and to allow me to play a bit higher comfortably.

    the deal was the % you invest in the entire trip (expenses included) is the % you get of the money I come back with.

    according to ryan nl500 is softer than nl200 in alot of cases

    just a thought... 
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  • LnarinOOLnarinOO
    edited February 2014
    im still keeeeeno
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  • Tikay10Tikay10
    edited February 2014

    I hope to be there for - fingers crossed - the whole 6 weeks, but I'll mainly be playing oddball PLO8 type stuff, much of which is Downtown.

    I will, if I go, play two WSOP Events though, the $1,500 PLO8 & $3,000 PLO8, on June 24 & June 27.
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  • dylan12dylan12
    edited February 2014
    In Response to Re: VEGAS: who is going this year?:
    I hope to be there for - fingers crossed - the whole 6 weeks, but I'll mainly be playing oddball PLO8 type stuff, much of which is Downtown. I will, if I go, play two WSOP Events though, the $1,500 PLO8 & $3,000 PLO8, on June 24 & June 27.
    Posted by Tikay10
    Probably best for people to look at being in Vegas between the 24th and 27th July if your after proper value and any good at PLO8. 

    I think Vegas is the type of place that you can actually go on your own anyway, always plenty to do and once out there you will always meet someone you know, if tikay is there for the whole week then just buy him a Starbucks latte and go to the media room and he will introduce you to a lot of people that way. Also, Ryan will be there for the most part and will help out whenever he's not playing in a tournament, so he will be available quite a lot. Then you have sky regs going at different times such as Jules and the Bromleys usually go for a week or two so I am pretty sure whenever people went there would be sky stalwarts out there at the same time anyway. 

    Also, now that the Golden Nugget schedule is out, it is worth looking at that as there will be a few good tournaments in there that only cost around $110 and it will be great value along with having the opportunity to experience Old Vegas, a must imo. 
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  • mewillowsmewillows
    edited February 2014
    any thoughts on Riviera, Stratosphere Tower and Monte Carlo Resort for accom?

    Melt i am also looking to come over end of May, but im in same boat as sikas regarding kids etc etc
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  • thomas87thomas87
    edited February 2014
    Booked vegas today going 4th June for 7 days, going to be playing one of the $1000 wsop events either event 21 or 23.

    Is anyone bringing there wife/girfriend? as mine needs a sunbathing buddy :)
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  • scotty77scotty77
    edited February 2014
    For those that can't make end of May then being there for the 26th June Monster Stack WSOP event - 1500$BI, 15k chips with the same WSOP structure is prob the next thing you should aim for.

    Vegas is probably the one place in the world where being by yourself is totally fine and normal.  During WSOP time there will be so many Brits around too and I expect a few from Sky will be there for the duration too.  So easy to arrange things in Vegas with meeting up and also American's are generally really friendly people (just avoid healthcare, politics, relgion, guns).

    I'd say just book dates that suit you and go for it.

    With the flights, last year I actually booked quite late and was lucky enough to have Dylan give me a nudge when a sale was on.  Think it was around Easter time we got a flight for around £500 when usually they are £7-800ish.

    Hotels - just use a combo of all the usual comparison sites and also add in lowcostusa too.  Might wanna give those special poker player hotel companies a check too.

    Dollars - FairFX has always been decent for me, and they deliver by secure mail.  You can just order it at the airport and pick it up at the relevant desk.  Know one poker player tho last year who BOUGHT at the aiport getting $1.40ish to the £ when I got $1.55.  Poker players do lack common sense some times...





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  • scotty77scotty77
    edited February 2014
    In Response to Re: VEGAS: who is going this year?:
    any thoughts on Riviera, Stratosphere Tower and Monte Carlo Resort for accom? Melt i am also looking to come over end of May, but im in same boat as sikas regarding kids etc etc
    Posted by mewillows

    None of those would be a choice for me.  IIRC all of those are at the wrong end of the strip for poker and they are also pretty 'bowl'.  Nothing wrong with that at all, however the unique thing about Vegas is the array of hotels and deals on offer and you can often find a huge upgrade in hotel standard for not much more money.

    And June/July are traditionally the slower months in Vegas because of the heat so the hotels come down in prices even more.

    What would your plan be if you did make the trip?  Just poker?  Would you be bringing the family or mates? 


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  • scotty77scotty77
    edited February 2014
    If your plan is just poker poker poker and like whats on offer at the Rio, then I'd advise staying there especially for the first WSOP trip.  The days get really long and the thing I'ved missed during my last WSOP grinds is the ability to just walk to my room and chill for an hour or so without getting a cab/driving. Gold Coast is the best place for a WSOP grinder on a budget; rooms are fine.

    Also if you are looking for a budget option, that is say £500 for 2 weeks and you can get the Rio for £800, then you can actually save that difference in taxi fares.  Sometimes I've had 6 cab trips a day, and the strip to the Rio is around $10, it soon adds up.

    For decent 'budget' hotels on the strip then I think that Harrahs and the Treasure Island are the best options, maybe the Flambingo too.  Both close to the Venetian/Wynn and also Harrahs has a nice little cash room too. 

    As a general rule, the more tacky a casino looks, the more budget it is.  Circus circus, Excalliber, New York, New York should be avoided.

    Once you choose your hotel, remember the $20 trick.  Will usually secure you anything from a recently refurbed room to your own suite.


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  • mareeves11mareeves11
    edited February 2014
    In Response to Re: VEGAS: who is going this year?:
    In Response to Re: VEGAS: who is going this year? : nh, wp sir!
    Posted by MattBates
    Me hopefully via casino in Portsmouth
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  • mareeves11mareeves11
    edited February 2014
    In Response to Re: VEGAS: who is going this year?:
    Very good from the rotund one.
    Posted by Tikay10
    I`ll be going when I win the regional Redtooth in Portsmouth - Mark
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  • LnarinOOLnarinOO
    edited February 2014
    ryan s post have jus got me proper up for goin.. supprisingly i havnt been before so im jus gonna put it out there and say im defo gonna aim for goin late may/early june - gonna jus get a hotel room somewhere close as ryan says will only spend the difference in taxi's anyway- im gonna try to quali for vegas too and not sure if sky are runnin sats so could get away with goin twice lol.. who wants to look into booking summin up with me..?
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  • Tikay10Tikay10
    edited February 2014
    In Response to Re: VEGAS: who is going this year?:
    ryan s post have jus got me proper up for goin.. supprisingly i havnt been before so im jus gonna put it out there and say im defo gonna aim for goin late may/early june - gonna jus get a hotel room somewhere close as ryan says will only spend the difference in taxi's anyway- im gonna try to quali for vegas too and not sure if sky are runnin sats so could get away with goin twice lol.. who wants to look into booking summin up with me..?
    Posted by LnarinOO
    If you want a Hotel Room that is "close", then "Gold Coast" is the answer, it is smack next door to The Rio, & it is cheaper than The Rio.

    It is, literally, 100 yards from The Rio, you just cut through the Car Park & cross the road, job done.
     
    Remember, by the bye, that The Rio & Gold Coast are NOT on "The Strip", they are a $10 cab ride away. Depends how much time you plan to play at The Rio really, but many people prefer to stay on The Strip.         
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  • SwogSwog
    edited February 2014
    Yes i'm going Vegas this year with the girlfriend. We're going for 2 weeks in August as this was the only time of the year we could go. (we both turn 21 this year so it's a 21st present for each other lol) I'm not going to play poker specifically, more of a holiday, of course i'll be playing a little poker ;)

    We are staying at the Venetian, any advice from things to do to poker tournaments/cash games worth playing if i get chance? Much appreciated.

    p.s i've also heard August is a bad time to go due to the heat, anyone been at this time of the year?
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