Rants:

1. So, there were no v-suites available for Sunday at THEhotel, so we stayed at Mandalay Bay. HORRIBLE. HUGE hole in our wall, $15 charge PER COMPUTER for internet access, light was out in the bathroom, and customer service was terrible. Oh yeah, if you want to put something in your fridge, be aware it will set off the "fridge bar sensors (there was no sign in the fridge stating this) and you will be billed $242 in bar charges. Because I had 8 Millers, 2 Heinekens, 4 sodas, wine and water in my single night there....right. The desk clerk insisted that I be charged for these items until a manager checked my transfer to THEhotel, grew a brain, and decided perhaps I wasn't trying to rip off the hotel.

2. Microsoft. Fuck you. Seriously. They overbooked the Sharepoint Conference by a metric fuckton, making the all the breakout sessions standing room only events...3 hour standing room only events.

3. Vegas period. I hadn't been here a bit outside of poker tournaments (when I redeye out shortly afterward), but holy shit has this place gone downhill FAST. Customer service here is fucking horrible, regardless of how much you're spending.

4. Nickel and dime factor. Did Vegas just turn into the fucking Hilton business model or what?

Raves:

1. THEhotel. This place is the shit. Clean rooms, excellent service, amenities are above expectations. Great concierge and bellhop staff. They're going out of their way to make shit feel as it should.

2. Poker Boom still going strong for cash games. I appreciate your contribution to my kid's college fund.

3. Batista's - Still the best value in Italian food in Vegas. Place has incredible Minestrone, and the Manicotti isn't bad either

Anyway, just had to gripe before dinner with the fellas while the woman and her friends are hitting up Thunder from Down Under (which the concierge got OUTSTANDING seats for).

I had my best night of drinking at the play-bar next to the exit from Thunder. All the 80's music you could stand and free drinks as long as you had 20s buck in the machine didn't even have to play. Right after the show lets out the whole area goes crazy.

Nine Fine Irishmen is a good bar in the New York, even though the rest of the place is kitschy as hell.

I ate there last may. Excellent bangers and mash.

Last time I went to Vegas me and my Husband was so we had to walk from Luxor to the Rio couldnt get into a cab.

Was a fun walk! hah.

I am going back to Vegas second weekend in November. Best friend from Michigan (known him for 20+ years) and I are getting together and doing some poker, some shows, etc. Staying at the Luxor for the first time, so hopefully will be a good room and hotel. I love Italian so will check out that place, last time I went to Vegas back in August went to some upscale Italian restaurant in one of the casinos- six people cost us around 400 dollars. I was fine with it but everyone else had the OMG WTF look on their face when they say the bill heh...

Gone are the days of the $1.99 giant ham steak breakfast and $9.99 all you can eat main lobster buffets.

Then again, so are the hotels that used to have them...

Bill's still has the $10 steak buffet, we hit that a couple of times up there. I think it's an extra $5 for prime rib, but still. And it's good, unlike the normal hotel restaurant fare.

Bill's is called something else no? Wasnt it bought out by the Station group of hotels?

It was still there last year, unless I have the name wrong. Bill's Saloon and Gambling Hall.

It was called the Barbary Coast was owned by someone else then sold. Only reason I knew it changed because when I go to las vegas I have to have their prime rib everytime!

I remember being sorely disappointed in Vegas the first time I went there. I guess I had these fantasies of gorgeous women, big lights, cheap food, and lotsa fun. It was mostly a run-down, gawdy mess.... and that was 10 years ago. Now, when I go I just slink into downtown, play Blackjack, and leave. Even that kinda stinks. Maybe I need to do a real vacation there /shrug

You might want to consider Laughlin instead of Vegas. Less glitz but more old style gaming.

Just got back a day or so ago from a weekend Vegas trip.

Rave- Luxor hotel. First time staying in it. Was really impressed with the buffet food. I have had a lot of buffet food in Vegas, and this one was probably one of the best there. Clean, nice hotel (we stayed in the towers, not the actual pyramid).

Rave- Love (Cirque de Soleil). Based off of The Beatles. Unbelievable show. Fantastic. Audience gave them a standing ovation at the end, it really was that good. Cool thing- I was playing a poker cash table earlier in the day, and this guy sits down. Spitting image of Spiccoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High. We start talking, come to find out he is one of the performers in the Love show! Really neat to talk to him and get insight and background info on the show.

Rave- Friday/Saturday night attire on women. 8 inch heels. Dress that goes right below the ass (and I mean literally right below the ass). Push up bra, cleavage baring dress. The women were all decked out and showing off a ton of skin- and no, they weren't all prostitutes.

Rant- Friday/Saturday night attire on women. See above. Only now extrapolate that to EVERY single woman there. Old, young. Tall, short. Thin, fat. I really really do not want to see a 245 pound 55 year old with 8 inch heels, dress right below the ass, and a cleavage baring dress. Twenty something in good shape with nice legs- sure! Everyone else- not so much.

Rant- LAX. I had never been to a Vegas nightclub before, so decided to make an appearance. Line was ridiculously long, and I don't have boobs/ass/legs to try and sway the bouncer to get in. Actually every woman who approached the bouncer trying to get past the line and go inside was turned away... every one, that is, except the one who after several seconds of pleading grabbed the bouncer's crotch and whispered something in his ear. She was let in Got inside, and it was .... bleh. Maybe I am just getting too old, or maybe I am just not cool enough to be in a place. But after about 45 minutes I left and did some more gambling.

Rant- Crappy poker players who sit at a low limit cash table with 1000 dollars and call every single hand and eventually suck out on the river with anywhere from a 2-5 outer. Yeah, they suck. Thanks for losing me 350 dollars this weekend because you are a lucky calling station.

Of course, I enjoyed myself. You always do at Vegas, win or lose!

I am flying there tomorow for the weekend. I'll give a review on Tuesday or so. It's my first time going there, so it'll be a fresh perspective.

Raise bigger and raise earlier.

Shrug. When you only have 80 chips and they have 400-1000, it is hard to push them off. I was at a 1/2 table and raising anywhere from 10-15 pre flop, then did the standard continuation bet on the flop if I was first to act. However when you have AK and J high is on the flop and you see bet/raise in front of you, it is hard to push all in for 40-50 more with two overs.

My biggest issue was my chip stack compared to the other guys at the table. Really limited what I wanted to do. Of course twice I had KK pre flop, raised 6-8 times the BB and saw an A on the flop with a bet/call in front of me. That is never fun

pro tip: don't play 1/2

Thanks! Stake me a bankroll so I can play higher stakes

For now, I either (a) don't play any cash tables, or (b) I play 1/2 because I don't have the bankroll for anything higher. I had several "higher limit" players tell me that my game is pretty good and I can play higher limits once my bankroll gets there. So I feel confident, I just encountered a bad run of cards and got sucked out on by calling stations. It happens, just wish it didn't happen to me with a 350 dollar loss

You can play 3/6 limit on the same bankroll you play 1/2 no limit.

3/6 limit is normally a tighter game, and you can make a lot more money while cutting your losses easier.

Hmmm. I will be honest- I generally only play tournaments. The 1/2 cash table I was playing at the Luxor was the first time in my life I have played a cash table. Everything that I had read prior was that you want at least 30 times the big blind to start with at a cash table. Which means if you play 1/2 you want at least 60 dollars to start out with, 2/4 you want at least 120 dollars, etc. And that is the bare minimum "they" said- usually they recommend 50 times the big blind as a starting base.

Which would mean for me, at a 3/6, I am looking at a base minimum of 180 dollars and a "recommended" amount of 300. I don't have that type of bankroll to be sitting a table and losing right now.

I understand the quality of players improves as you go higher limits, for the most part. And the play becomes better (as in, people aren't calling raise/re raise/call with j7 off and hitting top two pair on the flop and getting ridiculously lucky) as you go higher. And while I definitely feel I have the game to play 3/6, I just don't have 300 dollars to potentially lose at those stakes.

So I am definitely open for suggestions. What should I bring to a 2/4 or 3/6 cash table as a starting amount that allows for good play, and will last at least several hours of play? And should I just not even bother with 1/2 at all and save my money so that in a couple months I start doing the 2/4 or 3/6?

BTW sorry for the Vegas thread derail. I guess we could start a poker thread instead, but considering only like 20 people post anymore I hope you all don't care

well, limit isn't nearly as catastrophic to your bankroll if you understand the limitations of your hand and spend an hour or so getting used to other players betting habits.

At the Tunica Grand, the minimum buy in for 1/2 no limit is $100, with a max of $200 -- the same applies to 3/6 limit last time i was there, and I made nearly twice the profit at the 3/6 table over what I made at the 1/2 table, because my swings weren't nearly so bad.

I'm the exact opposite -- i much prefer cash games to tournaments.

Another pro tip: just play video poker if you're only taking $60. And don't only take $60.

Pro-tip: take casino pro-tips with a grain of salt. Guys at the pool hall tell everyone how awesome they are too.

For what it's worth, I'd be interested in a poker thread and having people share their strategies and styles; currently trying to learn some of the nuances of the game.

generally binkee's right -- don't just take $60 if you have any plans on a cash game in a casino.

First two times I sat down at a 1/2 I started with 100 each time. Last two times I had 80 dollars. Maybe I should have just combined everything into one 200 dollar start instead of splitting it up...

all in all day every day that's what gets you on tv

I really don't know how anyone can play limit poker. It's just boring as all hell and there is virtually no strategy other than "bet strong hands and call when you miss". I have done it a couple times, and it makes me want to cry. If you play well, you can gradually leech shitty players, but if I wanted an hourly job - I'd go to McDonald's

To each there own, but I really don't see any sweeter game than no limit.

This is the best tip on the thread. If you can't afford to lose the table max buy-in, you probably shouldn't be there. Personally, I never understand why people get in at the table minimum. It virtually kills any leverage you have. If you're sitting there with $35 and I have a flush draw, I am lot more like to throw a big raise at you than if you have $235.

On the flipside, I have made a lot of bad calls because people had small stacks.

Poker is a job for a lot of people, whether full or part time. I play poker to make a profit, not to see huge pots. *shrug*

That's not to say that i don't enjoy blowing 200-400 bucks on a no limit table, but that's only after I've spent the night before grinding out double that when I hit a casino

Pot-limit is where all the talent is /shrug. Omaha and Stud ftw!

mmm omaha.

too bad you can rarely find a table for omaha or omaha 8 outside of vegas.

What do people recommend as a good first book to read on Poker? The first one by Doyle Brunson or perhaps the Sklansky one?

I've heard the Dan Harrington books were good.

Settled on 'The Theory of Poker' by David Sklansky, we'll see how it goes.

Sklansky writes amazing poker books.

But if you don't have a solid poker foundation you might get lost at first.

From what I found, this book has a strong focus on the statistics/probability side of things, which some people complain makes for challenging reading, but that aspect is one of the bigger draws of poker for me.

while this may be true, I found that I didn't have the math to understand him at first.

I have the first two volumes of Harrington's books, and Brunson's book. I haven't read all of Brunson's yet, but have read both of Harrington's. I found them easy to understand (was a novice at the time, and now I venture to say I am in the top third of majority of casino tournaments, so take that for what it is worth) and a wealth of information. Some of the math is confusing at first, but they do a good job of examples and scenarios to help you understand.

Brunson's is the "Bible" of poker; however for many it is as difficult a read as the "Bible" itself. But essentially everything you need to know is in there- or at least that is what "everyone" says.

I am probably not as accomplished as some- again I typically finish top third in casino tournaments, and online generally am making the final table. Of course online is a different beast, so I don't put that much stock into it...

I shied away from 'Super System' because it devoted so many of its pages to games other than Hold 'Em; with that said, if I'm successful in getting through this first book, it'll probably be my next purchase.

Anyone have any experience with the books that cover poker tells?

Mike Caro is generally considered the best when it comes to poker tells. Any of his books will be worthwhile, although I have heard/read that there is one that stands out above all others...

http://www.amazon.com/Caros-Book-Poker- ... 438&sr=8-1

Actually it looked like that is the only book I saw, but I do stand by the comment that he is the best at poker tells...

games other than hold em are more fun. ;p

I really wish more people played Omaha. As it stands, I settle for the occasional online match when I am in the mood.

And even though some games are more fun than Hold Em, that is where all the people (and money) are at!

That may be the case but it doesn't mean it's wise to try and learn them all at the same time.

cicely: that really depends on what casino (and to that effect, what city) you're playing at.

In Tunica, at Harrah's, it's rather easy to find a $3/6 limit omaha or omaha 8 game, or a $2/4 7 stud game, at least on Thurs/Fri/Sat. You may have to wait a bit, but tell the poker room attendant(s) that you're interested and they'll let you know if a table starts up.

argrax: the nuances of each game are the only thing that's particularly different about them. Once you have a solid poker foundation (regardless of what you learned on), each game will come easier to you than before. I started out playing 5 card stud for pennies with my dad when I was a kid, then moved up to 7 stud in college to make extra cash off the other guys in the dorms. I never really liked hold em until it became popular (thanks moneymaker!), and I still really don't care for it.

I hate Omaha for pretty much the same reason I hate Limit - it's just a sit and wait game. Patient players who play the odds win, impatient players lose. There's very little mental strategy as far as I'm concerned. Just my opinion, but Hold 'Em is the mother of all - patience and stat-work pays, but you have to also outwit your opponent.

meh. straight omaha is an amazing game of statistics, because your best hand will change each card and you have to keep track of it.

same thing goes for games with upcards (stud, razz)

I still prefer omaha 8, it's such an amazingly complex game that it tickles the math part of my brain.

The thing with Omaha (in my opinion, that is)... is that even though there is not as much bluffing as Hold Em, you can still outwit your opponents with bluffs. In fact, because there are so many cards in your hands, the chances of your opponent having a better hand than you (unless you really have the nuts) might be higher. I am not sure how much fact/opinion that last statement is, but because a hand in Omaha can change so much then you really have to determine if you have the best hand against your opponent if your hand is not the nuts... because if your opponent is betting, there is a good chance s/he does. And it could be a bluff, of course

To me, limit is such a calling game. You get incredible odds so often with limit that you are almost inclined to call on the majority of every street when you see a flop, especially if you hit a portion of it or have a decent draw. It is as if once you call pre flop and flop, you have pot committed yourself to the hand and you just have to hope to hit your outs to win. That is far more of a sit/wait game than Omaha is. Unless of course you are playing limit Omaha...

I primarily play limit. It's the easiest way to insure a positive return.