Best time of the year to go to Vegas if it's your first time?

zunni74 · Apr 27,2009, 09:35 AM

I'm a Vegas Virgin and want to pop my cherry within the next 12 months.

So here are the things I want to see/do/have happen on my first trip down, what time of year should I be thinking of going?

1) Play poker and have some fishy games. (I suspect some times of the year are thinner than others?)

2) Enjoy nice weather and do some sight-seeing (Assuming this is all year round?)

3) See/Rail a few poker pros.

4) Not be lost in a sea of humanity (Reason for not wanting to go to the WSOP for my first trip in, too many people crowding poker rooms)

I might be over-thinking this, but am looking for some advice as to what others here think....

Graham · Apr 27,2009, 10:05 AM

I was going to say WSOP until your last point, but it still isn't a bad option. The WSOP runs for a long time and I don't think it will be as bad as you make it sound if you go around some of the less popular events. It does get cool in the winter, so I would try to avoid then if you want the nice weather.

actyper · Apr 27,2009, 10:54 AM

Go during wsop time for sure, definately best time to go. Only bad thing I can think of is the heat if you want to do some hotel hopping. My first time it was deadly walking up and down the strip in July.

Graham · Apr 27,2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by actyper

Go during wsop time for sure, definately best time to go. Only bad thing I can think of is the heat if you want to do some hotel hopping. My first time it was deadly walking up and down the strip in July.

You could also go end of May, beginning of June... still WSOP and the heat won't be as bad.

moose · Apr 27,2009, 11:32 AM

It's wicked hot in the summer so avoid July/Aug. It's cold in the winter and the hotels close up their pools buy Nov.1. Coincidently July/Aug and Nov/Dec are the cheapest times to go. You would think Jan/Feb is cheap too but that is convention season and sometimes prices go through the roof.

It is a sea of humanity regardless of the time you go. I wish I could remember the numbers exactly but there are 151,000 hotel rooms in Vegas and our bus driver said Harrahs had something like 50,000 rooms in their properties running at 95%+ occupancy.

Edit: I must be close because I found this info on the net (which is always correct, right?):

Quote:

Americans — and an increasing number of foreigners — can’t seem to get enough of Las Vegas. The current construction craze is driven by a 95 percent weekend occupancy rate — and rates that approach 100 percent at the city’s newer properties. Last year, even the weekday rate fell just shy of 90 percent, partly because of the city’s success in positioning itself as an attractive convention destination.

blackmagicz · Apr 27,2009, 01:12 PM

My first time in vegas I went to the WSOP back in 06 (actually to play there....I think I have posts about it too on this very site...lol)

It was a great experience, I sat and played at MGM after I busted out of the WSOP and had a great time playing 1/2NL.

I have since gone in Mar/May/Aug/Nov and I have found my best times were in Nov as it is not as busy, great deals.

I also don't really stay on the strip anymore so I could be bias when I say it's busy or not busy. We drive into the strip, take the back roads and park and we are at the poker room in about 5 minutes....@ the Venetian.

This time at the end of June when I go with 4 other people I am staying at the Platinum Condos just off the strip. 2200sq place for 1400 for 6 days.

BBC Z · Apr 27,2009, 02:39 PM

Go anytime.

Your first time in vegas will be magical whether it's six hundred degrees outside or there's no one else there asides from you and the mexican strip club clackers.

BlondeFish · Apr 27,2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zunni74

1) Play poker and have some fishy games. (I suspect some times of the year are thinner than others?)

WSOP, baby! While the US is the most -EV place for Canadians to buy into a poker tournament, you'll never find so many recreational

in the cash games as during WSOP time. The cash games can be relatively dead at other times of the year.

Quote:

2) Enjoy nice weather and do some sight-seeing (Assuming this is all year round?)

Escaping during a Canadian winter blizzard is ideal, but Las Vegas has nicer weather than Ontario all year long anyway.

Quote:

3) See/Rail a few poker pros.

WSOP, baby! Forget about railing, you can CHAT with Negreanu, Brunson, Harrington, etc. at the various WSOP-related parties or events.

Quote:

4) Not be lost in a sea of humanity (Reason for not wanting to go to the WSOP for my first trip in, too many people crowding poker rooms)

Outside of the Rio, Caesars Palace and the Venetian, most of the poker rooms will have lots of space for you. When you feel brave, you can check out the WSOP area and be awestruck at the sea of poker humanity.

Only 29 days and counting before the WSOP, baby!

marban · Apr 28,2009, 08:50 PM

if your into Sports Betting, as well as poker..go when i like to go, May...hockey , baseball, and basketball..all on the menu..

PokerKai · Apr 29,2009, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zunni74

I'm a Vegas Virgin and want to pop my cherry within the next 12 months.

So here are the things I want to see/do/have happen on my first trip down, what time of year should I be thinking of going?

1) Play poker and have some fishy games. (I suspect some times of the year are thinner than others?)

2) Enjoy nice weather and do some sight-seeing (Assuming this is all year round?)

3) See/Rail a few poker pros.

4) Not be lost in a sea of humanity (Reason for not wanting to go to the WSOP for my first trip in, too many people crowding poker rooms)

I might be over-thinking this, but am looking for some advice as to what others here think....

1. if you play fairly low stakes 1/2NL-5/10NL 3/6-15/30Limit it wont really matter what time of year you go. theres always action.

2. its so hot during the summer...so if you plan on driving out to the Grand Canyon or Hoover Dam it would probably be better to go in the cooler months like Novemberish

3. depending on what pros you want to see it can be pretty hit or miss outside of the WSOP/WPT event times. so dont plan your trip around this.

4. vegas is just a sea of humanity wherever you go. everywhere is crowded no matter the time of year really. if your lookin for a slow easy relaxing town...wrong place.

COUPLE VEGAS TIPS

1. Alot of poker rooms offer line passes for players to go to restaurants on the property. Just ask a houseman for one and youll zing to the front of the line. Especially useful for the Bellagio and Wynn Buffets.

2. Buying tickets the day of the performance at one of the halfprice ticket kiosks all around the strip will save you a bunch of money.

3. Tipping the houseman $5-10 when you ask him for a menu (for the few rooms that have food service) can get your $30-50 meal comped.

4. If your walking with your bankroll on you (like anything above 2-3k) just change up for Bellagio chips. Way easier then carrying a wad. They are basically like a second currency down there and are accepted at all properties.

5. Drinks are free at the poker tables...load up.

6. Dont be tempted to take a shuttle from the airport...just get a cab. Way faster, same price.

moose · Apr 29,2009, 12:45 AM

7. All comps earned at Harrahs properties are pooled on your card and can be used at any Harrahs property. Caesars, Paris, Harrahs, Flamingo, Rio, Ballys, Bills and IP.

Similarly I believe for MGM. The MGM Mirage properties in Las Vegas: The Bellagio, MGM Grand, New York New York, The Mirage, Treasure Island, Monte Carlo, Luxor, Excalibur, Mandalay Bay.

So figure out where you want play and where you want to eat.

zunni74 · Apr 29,2009, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moose

7. All comps earned at Harrahs properties are pooled on your card and can be used at any Harrahs property. Caesars, Paris, Harrahs, Flamingo, Rio, Ballys, Bills and IP.

Similarly I believe for MGM. The MGM Mirage properties in Las Vegas: The Bellagio, MGM Grand, New York New York, The Mirage, Treasure Island, Monte Carlo, Luxor, Excalibur, Mandalay Bay.

So figure out where you want play and where you want to eat.

So planning where I want to play/eat is a good idea then?

actyper · Apr 29,2009, 07:41 AM

I would take your list and prioritize what you want. Then after I think most of us can point you in the right direction.

moose · Apr 29,2009, 08:02 AM

All I am saying is lets say you want to eat at the Rio Seafood buffet one time on your trip, then I would play any of the Harrahs properties and earn your comps. If you wanted to eat at the Bellagio then I would play MGM properties. At Harrahs they just swipe your card and take off whatever comps you have off the price of the meal. Last time we played mostly Harrahs properties and got discounted meals at the Rio and Paris. Note Bills Gambling Hall is a Harrahs property but they use a different card. Bills had the best comps @ $2/hour. You just have to go to the players desk and ask them to print you a paper comp for whatever Harrahs property you want to eat at.

Also Sahara gives out $4 food comps pretty easily, which buys you steak and eggs or a sandwich in their coffee shop. You can also just order the food from the poker room and they deliver it to your table so you never have to stop gambling.

T8urmoney · Apr 29,2009, 10:40 AM

This is all great advice. One difference for me, I don't let the food dictate where I eat, I let the poker rooms dictate where I eat.

ie. Play where you like the action the best, and find something there.

Oh....and don't get drunk and blow your bankroll in one night.....not that I've ever done that.