Using my "One Time" in Vegas

Woohoo live blog! Should be interesting!
Will be following on here & twitter

Sorry can't really help with any of the questions

Nice one Matt. I can't really help with the questions either.

However I'm extremely jealous that you are living out my dream.

Have fun and hope to hear lots of stories of you sitting with well known pros. Maybe an autograph or 2 is in order, as well as relieving them of some cash.

Cheers

Laz

Yea, unfortunately I can't help you out with the questions either, will definately be following tho.

What's your twitter name?

Nice ♦

1) for 14 days, how often do You intend to call home from cell phone, in your room You should have wifi so call on skype or use WattsUp or Viber or any kind of Voip, only thing is if you get separated from your friend, that's the case when you'd like to have a US sim card, my friends gave up searching for me after 4 hours

2) Yep just standard fees for foreign currency, and maybe fee for different bank

3) Can't help You with that, only played Blackjack with my bankroll @ that time (if you decide to play BJ go to Hooters for sure, those girls know how to shuffle )

4) No help as well, I know I got lost @ MGM trying to get from the Strip to Tropicana Ave.

5)Since You got two whole weeks definitely visit Hoover Dam, that is closest to Vegas, and if You decide to go on a road trip, than Grand Canyon shouldn't be far ( titty bars and amazing shows You can ask anywhere along the strip, or @ the hotel)

Have an epic trip ♠_cool:

I haven't been for years but I agree Hoover Dam is a must.
Have a fantastic time and run well.

Mark

1.) i'm pretty sure there's nothing like the UK top up plans in the states, i had to get a card with one month of advance payment.

2.) Yup works pretty much the same as everywhere, there's plenty of ATMs at the casinos. However some charge you extra for the transaction, especially in strip clubs, so read all the messages.

3.) Yes and I wouldn't recommend you to play anything below 2/5, certainly not 1 / 2 (which i only saw at the Venetian from what i recall). When it comes to rake - softness, trust me on this one, 2 / 5 is a much better game.

4.) Apparently the softest games can be found in crappy casinos like the flamingo etc., however it all depends. I liked playing at the Aria best.

5.) Pool parties during the day, grinding throughout the night!

Cheers!

Originally posted by Lazza61
Have fun and hope to hear lots of stories of you sitting with well known pros. Maybe an autograph or 2 is in order, as well as relieving them of some cash.

I sure will! Not sure about the Pros though, doubt they'll be playing NL200

Originally posted by nmilan84
1) for 14 days, how often do You intend to call home from cell phone, in your room You should have wifi so call on skype or use WattsUp or Viber or any kind of Voip, only thing is if you get separated from your friend, that's the case when you'd like to have a US sim card, my friends gave up searching for me after 4 hours
I doubt I'll phone home not too much so Skype/WhatsApp should be enough.
My main concern is keeping contact with the guy I'm in Vegas with, it's a big place after all ♦

Originally posted by nmilan84
5)Since You got two whole weeks definitely visit Hoover Dam, that is closest to Vegas, and if You decide to go on a road trip, than Grand Canyon shouldn't be far ( titty bars and amazing shows You can ask anywhere along the strip, or @ the hotel)

Yea, we plan to go there and have a look around, do you have a rough cost? Hopefully the Hotel gives out some vouchers etc.
I've heard Grand Canyon is expensive? If I'm up a good amount I may hire a car and drive out there myself but the idea of driving in such a busy foreign place frightens me to death...

Originally posted by Mark1790
Have a fantastic time and run well.

Thank you !

Originally posted by pforce1
1.) i'm pretty sure there's nothing like the UK top up plans in the states, i had to get a card with one month of advance payment.

What do you mean by this? Can you explain a little more?

Originally posted by Mark1790
3.) Yes and I wouldn't recommend you to play anything below 2/5, certainly not 1 / 2 (which i only saw at the Venetian from what i recall). When it comes to rake - softness, trust me on this one, 2 / 5 is a much better game.

My bankroll isn't large enough for 2/5, I'm taking money I can afford to lose but I need to make sure I can keep myself afloat for the full 2 weeks, maybe the last few days I'll take shots and see how it goes.

Oh, and my Twitter is #Madenness. I have a whole 9 followers, such a boss.

Wow 14 days is a longggggg time!

Try and not burn out too quickly.

Definitely visit aria and cosmopolitan my favorite 2 hotels in Vegas.

The Wynn should have some pretty good games going.

Good luck man

Lotsssssss of pictures!!

Lotsssssss of pictures!!

Yes please!

Can't give you any advice on Vegas, but good luck and have fun sir

1) I'll want to keep in contact with people at home and the guy I'll be with whilst I'm there. Should I buy a US Sim Card to use whilst in the states and then switch them over when contacting home? Or just use theirs and tell everyone to only contact on WhatsApp?

It's been 7 yrs since I was Stateside but at that time it was cheaper to text home (Ireland) from my US Phone (5 cent) than it was for my friend from his Irish phone. Calls were relatively cheap then as well but we didn't have Skype etc back then so it's probably cheaper that way.

2) Getting out cash, I have a standard HSBC current account, can I simply put my card in a machine and get cash out? Same with the Cashier? I know that my bank will charge me a fee for withdrawing foreign money but that's it.

Should be OK, but double check with them that it's CIRRUS enabled (at least that was the case 7 yrs ago) Or at least ask them can you use it in the US of A. There was branches of HSBC over there but not sure if in Vegas there was in San Fran from memory

3) I read that the smallest games are $1/$2 & $1/$3, is this true? No $1/$1?

1/2 from memory but we only played at a few different casinos. The MGM, Binions and the Irish one (Shea's IIRC)

4) I also read that the MGM games are the softest due to many tourists being located there, it's true or?

The only casino where I won money ♦

5) I've looked at lots of things to do whilst there (touristy things) but is there anything anyone would recommend has thought would be awesome?

14 days is a long time there - go to the Grand Canyon for sure. We had 6 days but we didn't do anything except Poker and eat!

Cool blog, I will definitely follow! How much does the trip cost in total (hotel, flights, bankroll...)? I've always wanted to make similar trip.

Best of luck , crush them all and please share lots of pictures!

Originally posted by ThatGuyMatt

Originally posted by nmilan84
5)Since You got two whole weeks definitely visit Hoover Dam, that is closest to Vegas, and if You decide to go on a road trip, than Grand Canyon shouldn't be far ( titty bars and amazing shows You can ask anywhere along the strip, or @ the hotel)

Yea, we plan to go there and have a look around, do you have a rough cost? Hopefully the Hotel gives out some vouchers etc.
I've heard Grand Canyon is expensive? If I'm up a good amount I may hire a car and drive out there myself but the idea of driving in such a busy foreign place frightens me to death...

For Hoover Dam, if I recall correctly, You only pay car entrance fee (around 8$), and You get too see the Dam, there are some guided tours, if You want to get to the heart of it, but for that ask out @ hotel.

For Grand Canyon, You should reach it before sunset, get amazing photos, sleep over in Tusayan, (Your entrance ticket lasts for three days) and get back to the Canyon before sunrise to get even more amazing photos (cross Your fingers to avoid fog/mist ♦ )

As for driving in US, it's the easiest thing in the whole world (trust it from a guy who drove thru ~20 US states), just give a few more bucks to the Rent a Car service and get a GPS device, all the roads are perfectly marked, You have rest stops and gas stations everywhere along the road, so don't be worried about that.

Once again have a great time ♦

Originally posted by ThatGuyMatt

Hey!

So. In just under 3 weeks (22nd) I'll be landing in Vegas.

Around 5 months ago I decided to check out Flight + Hotel prices for giggles, I was amazed at how much cheaper it was than what I thought! So I sent a text to a friend and he pretty much said "Book it" So I looked around to find it cheaper and with a hotel I wanted and a few weeks later it was booked.

We're staying for 14 Night at The Luxor Hotel, we thought about going for a shorter time but most of the cost is in flying so a few more nights didn't up the costs too much (Unless the last few days cost me everything on the tables >.<)

I am taking what you'd consider a small bankroll for Vegas due to my work ending earlier than expected. I will be taking around $2500/$3000 (I do have an extra $1500 to use but I'm keeping this back as an emergency fund). This is still a good 10/15BI's for NL200 though, so hopefully I'll run good

I may struggle to put in volume and show good results online but I'm comfortable in my live play. I have played a lot at my local casino and turn a reasonable profit, I also play in a local live NL20 game once a week where we mostly start with 200bb's. Last year I made around £900 from this game and I'm confident in my live game and I'm hopeful that I can keep myself a float.

I decided to post a Blog here as I plan to post constant updates, mainly through Twitter which I've recently set up just for this. I will try to post as many updates in here as possible but I will have only my mobile to post updates with.

I do have some questions though for anyone who has been or knows general information about Vegas.

1) I'll want to keep in contact with people at home and the guy I'll be with whilst I'm there. Should I buy a US Sim Card to use whilst in the states and then switch them over when contacting home? Or just use theirs and tell everyone to only contact on WhatsApp?

2) Getting out cash, I have a standard HSBC current account, can I simply put my card in a machine and get cash out? Same with the Cashier? I know that my bank will charge me a fee for withdrawing foreign money but that's it.

3) I read that the smallest games are $1/$2 & $1/$3, is this true? No $1/$1?

4) I also read that the MGM games are the softest due to many tourists being located there, it's true or?

5) I've looked at lots of things to do whilst there (touristy things) but is there anything anyone would recommend has thought would be awesome?

It's late, I'm tired. I think I have more to add, but I can't remember anymore, hence the terrible thread name.

Hey! I'll be at the tail end of my Vegas trip around the same time as your arrival. We'll have to try to meet up for a beer or something.

As for your questions:

1) Try to avoid any phone use, stick to Skype and all the freebie online stuff.
2) Get all the cash you need before you go, convert it before you leave your country. You don't have to declare less than $10k USD entering and leaving the USA. By exchanging in your own country you're likely to pay much cheaper exchange rates than airports/Vegas and you can avoid all the gross bank charges by using ATMs and such.
3) Most casinos spread $1/2, however The Quad spreads a $.50/1 game that used to be housed at a now defunct casino (RIP Bill's Gamblin Hall!). Honestly a $3k bankroll is more than enough. The first time I went with $2.5k to play mostly $1/2 and I felt it was definitely more than I needed. If you beat live games at home, you'll be fine.
4) MGM games are no different than $1/2 games at any other poker room in Vegas. It's a nice room, but doesn't stick out in terms of softness or anything.
5) People have mentioned Grand Canyon/Hoover Dam which is outside Vegas and prob not a bad idea for a 14 day stay. As for in Vegas stuff - just soak in all the fun on the strip. Try to catch a few shows while you're there (a Cirque show is a must while you're there IMO) and enjoy all the great food. Some of my favorites from my last strip: Musashi Steakhouse just off strip, the ice cream made from scratch before your eyes place in Harrah's (can't remember its name lol), Earl of Sandwich in PH, Holstein's in Cosmo. I've got others I'm looking forward to trying and I'll try to give you a list of more if I see you in Vegas.

Have a great time, and maybe I'll catch ya down there.

Originally posted by pleno1
Wow 14 days is a longggggg time!

Try and not burn out too quickly.

Definitely visit aria and cosmopolitan my favorite 2 hotels in Vegas.

The Wynn should have some pretty good games going.

Good luck man

Lotsssssss of pictures!!

I'm sensible enough to not burn out, or at least I hope ♦ We plan to play for a few days, and at least every 3 days or so have a tourist day and do something, have a break from the tables ready for the next few days.

We plan to visit every Casino there, I want to bring back a chip from each. I've got enough time there, so it shouldn't be too difficult.

I'll take lots I'm sure, whether they're be worth posting or not, I've no idea.

Originally posted by HollyMichelle
The only casino where I won money ♦

If Gary can win there, I think I'll setup my camp in MGM

Originally posted by mesisification
Cool blog, I will definitely follow! How much does the trip cost in total (hotel, flights, bankroll...)? I've always wanted to make similar trip.

Thanks Most updates will probably be through twitter though.

We've paid £800 ish each for the Flight & Hotel, also has some £50 Travel insurance with that. We have to pay a $20 Resort Fee per night for the room so we split that for $140 which is an extra £90, there may also be a tax to pay on resort fee, so lets say just shy of £1000 if I include travel to airport & back.

If you wait around and keep looking you can get it even cheaper as the flights sometimes go on sale by go very qiuck, I nearlly saved around £250 but was too slow -,-" You can also choose to stay at a cheaper hotel and save >£150

If you go alone or don't share a room the price is going to be quite a bit more, so I advise to find a friend that wants to go

Originally posted by wasy8
3) Most casinos spread $1/2, however The Quad spreads a $.50/1 game that used to be housed at a now defunct casino (RIP Bill's Gamblin Hall!). Honestly a $3k bankroll is more than enough. The first time I went with $2.5k to play mostly $1/2 and I felt it was definitely more than I needed. If you beat live games at home, you'll be fine.

That makes me feel much more excited ♦ Hopefully I have a huge heater on my first night so I can chill for the rest of the trip.

I should be up for meeting, we haven't set any plans for what we're going to do straight away but I can't see it being a problem, sent you a request in ComTool.

No new followers Damn you freeloaders

Hey, nice blog. I am planning to go to Las Vegas in the summer, definitely I'll keep an eye here.

How much have you payed for Hotel? I heard that it can be really cheap comparing to Europe.

Good luck!

Went to Vegas Feb 2012 hoping to go again Feb 2015 so will be following this blog
Didn't know how to play poker when I went but had a blast learning and playing some s'n'g style tourneys, but no cash games so can't comment there.
the steakhouse @Newyork newyork is amazing, best steak I've ever eaten. Sometimes I retreat to the happy place in mind where *that* steak resides...
Allso, you gotta go to one of the gun ranges. M16. Red dot sight. God bless the USA. And I'm not even into guns..

keep it foolish

Originally posted by cleoclaudiu
Hey, nice blog. I am planning to go to Las Vegas in the summer, definitely I'll keep an eye here.

How much have you payed for Hotel? I heard that it can be really cheap comparing to Europe.

Good luck!

I paid for it together, I've used Expedia. I'm slightly nervous about it all tbh, never booked anything so large online, part of me thinks It's going to mess up

The trip itself was £757 each, I think the flight costs roughly £350 so the hotel for 2 weeks cost around £400. This is for a Twin Queen room, staying alone would cost more, perhaps £100/£150.
You can also stay in the cheaper hotels such as The Stratosphere where you'll probably pay £300 for sharing.

My best advise would be to check out Expedia yourself and mess around with the dates/hotels and see what comes up.

@redrawstump - Nice! Shame you didn't know how to play though
I'll be sure to check out the steakhouse as you say it's sooo amazing. Do you offer refunds if I don't enjoy?

I plan to go to a fun range too, how can you not shoot something when in the states?

Oops, turns out I misread the dates and I actually leave the day before you arrive. Good luck regardless! Use [Link Removed] as your guide to finding all the poker rooms in Vegas - of course it only lists the places where they spread poker, and you can also get chips from casinos like NYNY, Paris, etc that don't spread poker.