No. sorry I did not express myself clearly there.
I meant that rather than play at Mirage 8 hours merely for the buffet I'd pay the cheaper price for a similar upscale buffet (once a trip) at PH and go at lunch time.
The best poker comps I know about are Imperial Palace on the strip and Binions downtown. Both were giving $2 an hour right on the card. Plus the Binions $3-$6 is the best limit game, taking no bad beat lottery rake, and raking only 5% of the pot. Wynn also has a good rake on their $4-$8 game, waiting to take the last dollar until the pot gets to $80 and no bad beat lottery. Of course, the downside is that locals who play well and everyday also know the better rakes and comps, so the games may be tougher.
Take the quarter guide and then use this CAT trip planner.
http://ttpweb.rtcsnv.com/
It will let you pump in destinations, including most casinos, and give you exact routes. Then the guide will give you a printed route copy. After you enter the destination information, it will probably print out a full address, and then you hit again. When the itinerary summary comes up, hit "itinerary details" and you will get how long every thing takes and where you have to walk and how far.
It is particularly useful if coming back from Ellis Island because you have to walk a bit for the 116 return at Koval and Rochelle. I tend to come back on the Deuce because I don't like walking Koval late at night. If you come home at 2 AM the Deuce is rarely crowded past the Riviera. I try to arrange my nights if possible, so I don't end up having to take the Deuce from
NYNY. I I am up there 11-12PM I just go play poker for a couple more hours, even 2-4 at
Excalibur, and then head out.
Also, study all the free shuttle information on this site. They have maps with times that can be printed out too and often these shuttles can avoid Deuce traffic by taking you to another area of the strip. Good preplanning of areas is essential to traveling by bus so that you cut back on the waiting times.
http://lasvegasadvisor.com/referenceguide-transportation.cfm?type=Free%20Shuttles
If you want the best access to the most Vegas by free shuttle and bus from an inexpensive casino with good gambling, the Gold Coast is a great location.
Look at this flexibility:
Walk to Rio, Palms
free shuttle to Bill's and center strip
Free shuttle to Orleans for a quick pint at McMullan's with Tropicana bus to
NYNY strip area
Free shuttle from Palms to Fashion Show Mall/Wynn
Rio free shuttle to three spots on the strip
Flamingo local bus to Terribles (easy walk to Hard Rock) or all the way to the Boulder highway if you like.
Flamingo local bus to Ellis Island.
Then a short walk to Koval and Rochelle (0.6 miles) Best in daylight hours. and pick up the 116 to downtown.
Also, laundromats are tough to fine in Vegas. One of the best is on Arville (between
Flamingo and Tropicana. It is a bit of walk, but it is possible by bus. I don't know the times because I've only gone there by car. Read this review and plug the address into you CAT trip planner for details.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/wizard-of-suds-las-vegas