Where to play in Vegas

[bosco4300]

I will be making my first trip to Vegas in March. I will have a pretty small bankroll so I am thinking $5 a hand. Where do you guys recomend playing?

[newyorkbear]

If you will be there on a Thursday,The Sahara is the place to play. They pay 2/1 on BJs all day. No other casino can come close to that,and they will even give you $10 in promo chips just for signing up for a player card.Its a lo-level joint with tables starting at $3.
Ellis Island(off-strip behind Ballys) has a great $4.95 steak dinner that comes with a free $5 matchplay coupon. Its like free eats.
Fremont Street is great at night,but don't wander too far from the main areas.
Just don't play any single deck BJ that pays 6-5,or any of the gimmick 21games-spanish21,superfu21,no bust21,ect

[Mikeaber]

Originally Posted by bosco4300

I will be making my first trip to Vegas in March. I will have a pretty small bankroll so I am thinking $5 a hand. Where do you guys recomend playing?

I limit my play to Fremont St for the same reasons you stated...small BR and looking for $5 tables (double deck). My main haunts are Las Vegas Club, Plaza, California Club and sometimes 4-Queens. If the mood hits me, I wander during the day down to El Cortez.

I checked out Binions and I think the lowest table they have is one $3 (sometimes two) but the rest are $10. People are stacked on top of each other trying to grab a seat at the $3 6-deck games.

Fremont and Fitzgeralds also have double deck $5 games.

On the Strip, you might venture to the north end to Stardust and Frontier. They will be imploded next year from what I understand but both have low limit tables.

[ZMan]

Planning my First Vegas Trip and staying at Sahara (Sun - Thurs).
Have a few questions.

I understand Sahara has $3 tables, but can you find a seat at one? If not, I can play $5, but don't really feel comfortable at higher min. I have played many hours, several sessions, at $5.

What is a $5 match-play coupon and how does it work?

Since this is my first Vegas trip, will visit the Big Hotel/Casinos for sight-seeing but don't plan to play there.

Can anyone here provide me a link to good site for things to see/do?
Or if you care to give me your idea of things to not miss.
Looking for hotels to see and show(s) to go to.

Thanks for your help!

[Mikeaber]

Planning my First Vegas Trip and staying at Sahara (Sun - Thurs).
Have a few questions.

I understand Sahara has $3 tables, but can you find a seat at one? If not, I can play $5, but don't really feel comfortable at higher min. I have played many hours, several sessions, at $5.

I've never had trouble finding a seat at the $3 table. Sometimes, you might have to wait around a bit, but during the week, especially before or right at noon, I had no trouble at all.

What is a $5 match-play coupon and how does it work?

Match Play....you lay down a $5 bet and place the coupon with it. If you win, you are paid $10 instead of just the $5 you originally bet. However, if you get a double down, you either just double your cash part of the bet or you can add another $5 to it...some places will not let you double the match play coupon. Also, if you are playing with "bonus chips" (chips that you bought at the cashiers cage usually $40 cash for $50 in chips) you cannot double a Match Play with a bonus chip. Saharra offers these quite often.

Since this is my first Vegas trip, will visit the Big Hotel/Casinos for sight-seeing but don't plan to play there.

Can anyone here provide me a link to good site for things to see/do?
Or if you care to give me your idea of things to not miss.
Looking for hotels to see and show(s) to go to.

Since you are at the north end of the Strip and do not want to sit at the higher minimum tables, I suggest you visit the Stardust and Frontier. They have pretty good $5 tables during the day anyway.

If you've read posts on this board or on the Las Vegas Advisor, be advised that you will find better Blackjack at lower minimums in the Downtown area on Fremont St. El Cortez (during the daytime), Plaza, Las Vegas Club, California Club and Four-Queens all have decent $5 tables. Four-Queens has one 24/7 $2 table but you will have a hard time getting a seat at it. During the week, Golden Gate has a 6-deck $3 table.

Thanks for your help!

[newyorkbear]

Must sees;
The Venitian,Caesars Palace,Fremont St. at nite.
Pirate show at Treasure Island is pretty cool.

Midweek at The Sahara you should have no trouble getting a seat at the BJ tables.

[anglinw]

Hey, My first trip to Vegas was at the Sahara. As you probably have figured out, your on the north side of the strip. Your also at the beginning of the Monorail, which is great, and considerably cheaper than cabs. Walking anywhere from the Sahara is not really practical. Ride it all the way to the end at MGM at least once because the view of the strip from the monorail is great. It's also better to get the multiple ride pass, think it 24 hour; two round trips per day and your definitely ahead compared to cab fare.

It's not Starbucks, but they have a good coffe shop/deli. Their buffet, by Vegas standards is not much, but it is stellar compared to my local Golden Coral, and again, with coupon or comp, a good price. Always have seafood and pasta bar.

Sahara's Casino is older and reminescient of the Rat Pack days. I found the BJ to be disappointing here. The best game is 3 or 5 dollar min, 500 to 1000 max, H17 only (no ds, rsa, ls, etc.) They do pay 3/2 for BJ's on the six deckers. I think their edge on the best six decks is .76. However, it's right down stairs from your room, and the minimums are low. Sahara's Casino tops out at black chips, so don't play too hard. I found that out on a lucky spin at the roulete wheel with my wife. The place seems to be popular with the younger set on a budget, so lots of young drunk kids late night. Nascar themed, and, they have a roller coaster. Rooms are nothing special, and well warn, but clean and quite adequate for the price. If you have a choice, the Tunic Tower is in slightly better shape.

My advise for anyone new to Vegas is to spring for a "Streetwise" laminated map of Las Vegas, worth its weight in green chips. This particular map shows the Strip and Downtown on the same side; mine is about six months old, and still current, except for the MGM Theme Park; think they closed it.

P. S., Warning - avoid Circus Circus. There's a problem there; don't know if it's drugs, money laundering, gang traffic, or all of the above. Just don't get involved. There's a problem when cabs don't even want to go there!

I land at McCarran late this Friday night. Must be nice to be able to make mid week trips. Good Luck!

[ZMan]

Mike A - Thanks especially for the great explanation of the match play.
Even better, thanks for the tip about buying the bonus chips. $50 for $40.
I'll definitely check into this!!

[ZMan]

Thanks to all for your comments and tips.
I've printed these out to review just before my trip.

[ZMan]

Originally Posted by anglinw

Hey, My first trip to Vegas was at the Sahara. As you probably have figured out, your on the north side of the strip. Your also at the beginning of the Monorail, which is great, and considerably cheaper than cabs. Walking anywhere from the Sahara is not really practical. Ride it all the way to the end at MGM at least once because the view of the strip from the monorail is great. It's also better to get the multiple ride pass, think it 24 hour; two round trips per day and your definitely ahead compared to cab fare.

Many agree with your comments about the monorail

Originally Posted by anglinw

Sahara's Casino is older and reminescient of the Rat Pack days....The best game is 3 or 5 dollar min...They do pay 3/2 for BJ's on the six deckers....it's right down stairs from your room, and the minimums are low. Sahara's Casino tops out at black chips, so don't play too hard....Nascar themed, and, they have a roller coaster. Rooms are nothing special, and well warn, but clean and quite adequate for the price. If you have a choice, the Tunic Tower is in slightly better shape.

I'm a flat bettor at min ($3 or $5). I don't count so 6 or 8 deck shoe is fine. Do want to see 3:2 vs. 6:5 for BJ's though.
NASCAR theme is a bonus for me since I'm a NASCAR fan.
Low rate also attracted me to this hotel.
Also, have to be on Strip, won't have vehicle. Plan to use monorail.

Originally Posted by anglinw

My advise for anyone new to Vegas is to spring for a "Streetwise" laminated map of Las Vegas

Nice tip. I have a nice small map of strip that I laminated to carry in pocket.

Originally Posted by anglinw

Warning - avoid Circus Circus. There's a problem there; don't know if it's drugs, money laundering, gang traffic, or all of the above. Just don't get involved. There's a problem when cabs don't even want to go there!

I've read enough bad reviews of Circus Circus that I've decided to avoid this one. Lots of complaints about kids. Sahara get's plenty of bad rap as well for being older, and not so clean, but I think I'll take my chance on it.

Originally Posted by anglinw

Must be nice to be able to make mid week trips.

It's called VACATION - LOL. I chose midweek Sun-Thurs because the room rates were so much cheaper.

THANKS for all of your tips.