Just a quickie TR for my recent weekend in Las Vegas. Went with a buddy and booked through Orbitz. Decided on the package for Caesar?s Palace, but after reading up on things, decided to book the Palace Tower at Caesar?s, as it is newer and had bigger rooms. We were not disappointed. America West flight from Denver was right on time, and because it was Park Place Entertainment we were able to check in at the airport. A very helpful reservation agent at the airport upgraded us to a mini-suite after I just asked. Pushed my luck and asked for pool view. Request granted. Room was 2244, and we arrived at the hotel just in time to watch the whole fountain show at the neighboring Bellagio. The room was just as promised, with a very cool feature, 2 bathrooms, connected by a double shower. Plenty of room, nicely furnished, and, contrary to some posts I?d seen, not smoky at all.

Shower and change, and a quick trip to the Bellagio for about 9 straight hours of poker. Disturbing that in the time I was at the tables there were 3 fistfights from Light, next to the Poker Room, and one purse snatching. Watching the ?security guards? attempt to handle these disturbances was disquieting to say the least. If only their red jackets fit better! At 9 a.m. I got up to ask for a breakfast comp, and despite the fact that I?d been there that long, request Denied! That?s in keeping with my experiences generally at the Bellagio.

Went to bed and woke at 3:00 p.m., with my buddy coming back to tell me he?d had a run of great luck at blackjack at the Flamingo across the street. Walked in the oppressive heat to Fatburger, where a double fatburger, fries and a shake put all negative thoughts about my absent breakfast comp to bed. Played Poker at Monte Carlo until it was time to go to see George Carlin at MGM at 9:00 p.m. We were upgraded to VIP seats first row, and it was an awful show. Carlin was morbid, and spent ? of the act talking about how great it would be to televise suicides on a suicide channel. Red bull and vodka?s did the trick, though.

After the show it was off to Mandalay Bay for more Poker, and a late dinner at Shanghi Lili, fabulous food and a really nice atmosphere, a little pricey though, but in the end worth it. Back to the hotel at 4:00 a.m., and up at 9 for a swim in Caesar?s pools. Big pool is the family pool, smaller pool is the couples? pool, and the smallest lap pool is the single/topless pool. Very beautiful people, etc. Of course I went topless! But ultimately too hot and then it was time to go!

My takeaways: avoid most comedic headliners ? I?ve yet to see a good one in Vegas. And score one for Caesar?s. Looks like they?re finally getting their act together.

Flop,
Nice trip it sounds like..I will be in vegas on Sept. 5th and got a package with funjet..we are staying at the Treasure Island..Im pretty excited..havent been to vegas in over 6 years..did you hit any bars/Clubs?

Just a general question...forgive me for being nosy, but what type of bankroll does it take to indulge in 18 hours or so of poker (or any other table game, for that matter)?

flopmeister-do you play any online poker?

leona and claire -- i don't play online anything, let alone poker. it's been said that poker is a "people game played with cards, not a card game played with people" and so it is. the only way to truly know your table is to see the people playing in person.

as for the bankroll. that depends on your style of play and the table limits. i was mostly at a 4-8 game at the bellagio, so i did not need a huge one.

hipster -- i did not hit any clubs, the trip there with my buddy cost most of my marital capital, so i didn't want to blow the rest! HOwever, what i hear is that the club in Bellagio Light the one with all the fights, is a good one, as is HOB in Mandalay. check vegas.com and you'll probably get some good ideas.

FLop,

Does Bellagio even rate poker play for comps? I wasn't sure. Poker is tough because the house edge is just the rake. Maybe some casinos rate 30% of your share of the rake? How have you been comped elsewhere for poker play?

Best poker comps i've seen are in Louisiana-Isle of Capri-excellent comps and no one can touch them. My husband is a poker fanatic...every book, every online site...He loves to play at Bellagio when we are at Vegas...i don't remember him getting comps.

well, there are the usual comps at the table for drinks and the vip passes for the buffet (which is a good thing at bellagio), then you get the player rate for the hotel room if you play for more than 5 hours (usually not a problem), but they don't rate play because they don't take your money (except for the rake) other players do!

I have to say that after it all, Mandalay Bay was a better experience than Bellagio.

As noted above, it was my understanding that comps were very hard to come by if you play poker or the sports book.
Not enough potential for the house unless you're in the $10,000 handle range.