Vegas poker (and rugby) in March. (3 Viewers)

[k9dr]

Aria info: http://www.pokeratlas.com/poker-room/aria-las-vegas

 

[bentax1978]

Anyone here stay at (or have an opinion of) Vdara? After doing a little research, I was thinking about switching our reservations from the Aria to Vdara. My wife isn't a fan of casinos in general, and we have no interest in clubs/nightlife/etc. So I was thinking that Vdara might be more her style, and it would still be very close to poker at Aria and Bellagio for me,

 

[Poker Zombie]

I haven't stayed at Vdara, but I've stayed in a non-gaming hotel attached to a hotel-casino (TheHotel / Mandalay Bay). Other than a marginally longer walk (everything in Vegas is a long walk anyway), I found it to be perfectly acceptable. The lines for check-in appeared to be shorter, and the hotel was equally as nice as it's sister property (perhaps a little nicer). I always consider both options, but in the end stay at the one that has the cheapest rate for the value I seek.

 

[bentax1978]

I haven't stayed at Vdara, but I've stayed in a non-gaming hotel attached to a hotel-casino (TheHotel / Mandalay Bay). Other than a marginally longer walk (everything in Vegas is a long walk anyway), I found it to be perfectly acceptable. The lines for check-in appeared to be shorter, and the hotel was equally as nice as it's sister property (perhaps a little nicer). I always consider both options, but in the end stay at the one that has the cheapest rate for the value I seek.

Makes sense. In this case, Vdara would be slightly cheaper (not enough to really make a difference), although the rooms looked a little nicer (either ones would be perfectly fine). But as much as anything, the real benefit (for her) would be that it's not actually in a casino and she potentially could go the entire trip without seeing or hearing a slot machine; She's only going to Vegas for the rugby

But despite the fact that she dislikes Vegas and casinos in general, the trip should work out well for both of us. We can hang out in the morning, have a nice breakfast before she drives out to the stadium to watch rugby all day while I play poker. Then we'll meet back up for dinner and spend the evenings together. Of course I'll sneak off to go play more poker after she falls asleep, which is why I want to be within reasonable walking distance of a decent poker room. Rinse and repeat until we have to come back home.

 

[BukNaked36]

Based on your comment I would choose Vdara.

I've stayed at Vdara and Aria. Vdara standard room was about as large as the upgraded suite I got a Aria. Vdara room was extremely nice and included a kitchenette. Much more of a condo feel as opposed to just a room.

Vdara does have a low key vibe to it with no casino. I found it kind of boring, but it sounds like mellow is what you want. The only knock I have on the place is the pool area is small and ordinary. Aria pools are extremely nice.

There is an enclosed walkway that goes from Vdara directly to Bellagio.

Anyplace else I went, I walked out the front of Vdara into the back of Aria (~60 yards) then went from there. To the strip was usually Vdara to Aria, underground walkway to Monte Carlo, thru Monte Carlo then out to strip.

There is also a tram you can hop on at Aria that goes to Bellagio and Crystals if you get tired of walking.

My only caveat is I stayed at Vdara about 1 or 2 years after it opened so it was still in extremely nice shape.

Tripadvisor has it ranked #10 and Aria at #14 so it must still be a sweet place to stay.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g45963-Las_Vegas_Nevada-Hotels.html

 

[bentax1978]

Vdara does have a low key vibe to it with no casino. I found it kind of boring, but it sounds like mellow is what you want.

Thanks for the reply. Nice room, low key, mellow and no casino sounds perfect for her (y) :thumbsup:

 

[BukNaked36]

Of course I'll sneak off to go play more poker after she falls asleep, which is why I want to be within reasonable walking distance of a decent poker room.

Aria is a major room and obviously very close. Monte Carlo is right next to Aria.

Bellagio, MGM, Bally's, Flamingo and Caesar's poker rooms would all be a relatively easy walk.

 

[bentax1978]

Aria is a major room and obviously very close. Monte Carlo is right next to Aria.

Yeah, Aria is where I would likely end up playing.

Last time I stayed in Vegas it was at Monte Carlo with some friends there I spend the majority of my time in the Aria poker room, which was a very easy walk as I recall.

 

[bentax1978]

Vegas is less than a week away! Slight change of hotel plans, ended up switching our reservation from Aria to Vdara. My wife liked the idea of a casino-free/smoke-free hotel, and I liked the idea of my wife liking some aspect of this Vegas trip besides the rugby. I'm also going to go the last day of the rugby tournament on Sunday with her, and she's skipping the games on Saturday so we can do some Vegas touristy things together. So the net effect is probably a pretty substantial reduction in my total amount of time at the tables, but I think it will make for a better overall trip for us; I'll just have to make the sessions I do get to play count.

 

[David O]

Yes keeping wifey happy is good. My trip this time I spent less time playing and more time with Mrs O and enjoyed it.

 

[k9dr]

Vegas is less than a week away! So the net effect is probably a pretty substantial reduction in my total amount of time at the tables, but I think it will make for a better overall trip for us; I'll just have to make the sessions I do get to play count.

We get in late Saturday. Since my wife is going, I have booked several shows and non-poker activities. I'm either going to have to skip my conference or sleep to get in some poker tiime.

 

[David O]

Been there done that

 

[derekdd23]

Whenever the wife goes with me to any casino I get no sleep. I put her to bed and play poker til i cant see, try to get an hour of sleep, repeat. Although, whenever I go alone, i dont really get much more sleep anyways.

 

[bentax1978]

Whenever the wife goes with me to any casino I get no sleep. I put her to bed and play poker til i cant see, try to get an hour of sleep, repeat. Although, whenever I go alone, i dont really get much more sleep anyways.

I have a feeling it will come down to the same choice for me, (extra) poker or (acceptable amounts of) sleep.

 

[guinness]

Like someone mentioned, you get more for your $ at Vdara due to lack of casino. H|Q and I spent some time visiting people at Vdara between sessions and the room was more like a penthouse apartment. Very nice. Given the Aria walking distance and your wifes requirements, seems like a win win.

Although you are on the complete opposite side of the strip, the Wynn is the deepest stack 2/5 buyin in Vegas ($1500 max). Also, the Wynn poker room is supposedly going under renovations but I don't know when. I also don't know why since I was just there and its in great shape. Maybe expanding? Dunno.

 

[bentax1978]

Like someone mentioned, you get more for your $ at Vdara due to lack of casino. H|Q and I spent some time visiting people at Vdara between sessions and the room was more like a penthouse apartment. Very nice. Given the Aria walking distance and your wifes requirements, seems like a win win.

Yeah, she seems excited about it, and that's really what's important here. Also managed to just snag some decent reserved seats for the rugby tournament for about the same price we were going to pay for general admission seats, so she's excited about that too. I'm sure she'll be less thrilled when on the drive back from the stadium when I mention that I have to stop at Arizona Charlie's to harvest a couple racks of $1 chips.

Although you are on the complete opposite side of the strip, the Wynn is the deepest stack 2/5 buyin in Vegas ($1500 max). Also, the Wynn poker room is supposedly going under renovations but I don't know when. I also don't know why since I was just there and its in great shape. Maybe expanding? Dunno.

I may have to check out the Wynn as I've never played poker there. I think back when they first opened the poker room there was actually no cap on the buy-in.

 

[derekdd23]

I love the Wynn for tournaments, for cash it is hit or miss. Sometimes you will get a table full of locals who player tighter than a (insert pun) sometimes you get people with money playing like maniacs. When I lived in vegas(2010-2013) my order for cash was Venetian > Bellagio > Aria > Wynn. Aria got knocked down due to horrific staff, I have never had so many problems with bad dealers and also the floor staff caters heavily to regs. Venetian was number 1 due to high room traffic and terrible players.

 

[bentax1978]

Just posting this, which is somewhat related to my upcoming Vegas trip.

 

[k9dr]

Just posting this, which is somewhat related to my upcoming Vegas trip.

I think The Venetian would be your easiest. It is a very busy room and they spread 4/8 limit games with large stacks of $1 chips.

 

[bentax1978]

I think The Venetian would be your easiest. It is a very busy room and they spread 4/8 limit games with large stacks of $1 chips.

I figured given the size of the room the Venetian wouldn't be a hard place to grab a few racks. I was planning on playing there at least one time, so I wouldn't be going out of my way to do it. Purely in terms of the chips themselves, did you have a preference?

 

[k9dr]

I figured given the size of the room the Venetian wouldn't be a hard place to grab a few racks. I was planning on playing there at least one time, so I wouldn't be going out of my way to do it. Purely in terms of the chips themselves, did you have a preference?

Arizona Charlie's if you can find them in quantity. Otherwise, I like the Venetian better than Monte Carlo.

 

[bentax1978]

Arizona Charlie's if you can find them in quantity. Otherwise, I like the Venetian better than Monte Carlo.

I think I will be able to get them in quantity, but we'll see. Their website suggest that they run 2/5, 3/6 and 4/8 limit games, and chipguide shows that as being the most recent $1 chip. So we'll see. I think it's worth stopping by and at least giving it a shot. @Ronoh said they have $5 steak and eggs, so even if they don't have easy access to $1 chips, it won't be a total waste of time

 

[Kyle]

The aforementioned Aria session. In for $400 out for $3200 in a four hour period.

Damn, what a good run. Were you playing 2/5 or 1/2?
Great picture!

 

[bentax1978]

We get in late Saturday. Since my wife is going, I have booked several shows and non-poker activities. I'm either going to have to skip my conference or sleep to get in some poker tiime.

Speaking of your conference, Mrs Bentax has instructed me to ask if there will be any animals, specifically dogs there. A petting zoo and/or free samples would be ideal. I told her I don't think that's how these conferences work, but she's still hopeful.

 

[Mr Tree]

Damn, what a good run. Were you playing 2/5 or 1/2?
Great picture!

2/5.

I was running hot but it was also one of those great situations where I had guys at the table totally turned around. Every time I had to show I had a monster. Leveraged it into buying a lot of good size pots because I actually had a table image of only playing really big hands when that was very far from the truth.

 

[k9dr]

Speaking of your conference, Mrs Bentax has instructed me to ask if there will be any animals, specifically dogs there. A petting zoo and/or free samples would be ideal. I told her I don't think that's how these conferences work, but she's still hopeful.

Their will be a few animals in the exhibit hall, but entry is restricted to conference attendees only. Mostly just sales reps promoting their latest and greatest items. Free samples of some things are available.

 

[bentax1978]

Their will be a few animals in the exhibit hall, but entry is restricted to conference attendees only. Mostly just sales reps promoting their latest and greatest items. Free samples of some things are available.

Lol. She was (jokingly) angling for free samples of puppies, which I suspect doesn't exist, even for conference attendees.

 

[12thMan]

They absolutely do exist, there are plenty of free puppies out there. Rescue dogs are everywhere!!!!

 

[bentax1978]

They absolutely do exist, there are plenty of free puppies out there. Rescue dogs are everywhere!!!!

Our Jake (black lab) was a rescue. We adopted him when he was 3 and had him in our family for 11 years. He passed a little over a year ago and it was really rough on us, but it was especially hard on her.

He was the inspiration to this set that I've working on.

 

[12thMan]

My weimaraner is a rescue, he's starting to have problems.... It's not going to be easy.

That's the most horrible thing about loving pets so much, if we are fortunate in our lives we will out live many of them and have to go through this multiple times. Every time I've lost an animal I've said no more, then I do it again and get to this point and have to go through it all again.

I firmly believe that if you've never loved and recognized the love from an animal like a dog your life is sadly incomplete.