Howdy all: Ill be flying out to Vegas in two weeks. Where as I am experienced in playing poker in internet/homes/underground clubs, etc, I haven't played in a Brick n Mortar place yet.. Question is: where would be a good place to go that isn't going to be swimming with sharks? Im talking about 1/2 NLHE and small buy in MTTs. You gotta get your feet wet eventually, but I want to go and have a good time without getting cussed at etc, if I donk someone :evillaugh Ill be in Vegas for 8 days! thanks! DH
I can tell you where not to go, if that helps. Don't go to the Bellagio, Wynn, Orleans, or Binions. I can also tell you the rooms I like playing at, with varying degrees of players. Aria is my favorite, followed by, well, no one, really. But after a steep drop off, I didn't mind playing at Mandalay Bay, PH, TI, and MGM. I really don't see a reason not to play at Aria, unless the particular players that day are especially good. Too nice a room not to. Background on me: former full time internet player, only play poker a few times a year these days, including home games, mostly MTT's when at a casino, rarely a cash game player these days. I am up both from my internet poker days ($$$) and from my current live poker sessions (only a little $).
Personally I don't think Aria is a good place to START You are going to see large stacks...even at 1/2NL. I do like the other recommendations of MBay, MGM, PH, TI; I would add Mirage. Luxor, Excalibur, Flamingo, Harrahs are very good starting games.
I will agree that the stacks can be large at Aria. They are one of the top rooms in Vegas right now. I still find a lot of dead money out there, however. I consider myself a big fish in a small pond, so if I consistently win at a place, it can't be that hard. I also tend to shy away from going against players I consider very good, preferring to let others take their chances against them, while I work on the fish. Also, download the Bravo poker app if you have a smartphone. It doesn't have all the rooms, but it's the best app out there for the rooms it supports. You can also follow casino's poker room twitter feeds for table information. Both things have been a boon for players looking for a good room and not wanting to waste time and money finding where to play.
How crowded do these poker rooms get in the evening? I want to play 1/2 or 1/3 NLH but do not want to wait forever for a table. And it will probably be spur of the moment. I'll be at the Vdara so I am trying to stay close to there, but will walk a reasonable distance to another room.
Impossible to say. Weekend, weeknight, convention in town, WSOP in town, etc. etc. Bravo poker app and twitter are your friend.
It might help you to check out allvegaspoker.com so you can research rooms and get more reviews. I wouldn't worry too much about the crowds. I don't think I've ever had to wait more than 20 mins for a table, and I think the longer waits have been when the rooms were empty, not full. In terms of options close to Vdara, the Planet Hollywood room will be fun and not too challenging for a beginner (but it will be pretty noisy as it is a roped off section of the casino floor). For a quieter room, you could check out Monte Carlo.