Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

Heading to Vegas for the first time since my conversion to a serious poker player. Any recommendations or suggestions on where to play mid-stakes? I'm most interested in where the opposition is juiciest, but ideas on comfort or style are also welcome.

I've played as high as 20/40 at Commerce and Hawaiian Gardens in Southern California, and plan on playing at that level in Vegas.

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

20-40 at Mirage is usually very soft but doesn't run 24-7 (seemed to just run weekends when I was there, and that was during the WSOP). 15-30 at Bellagio is very soft as well, softer than the Wynn game of that limit (though that is also good). 30-60 at Bellagio is generally very good as long as your comfortable with the stakes.

Jeff

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

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20-40 at Mirage is usually very soft but doesn't run 24-7 (seemed to just run weekends when I was there, and that was during the WSOP). 15-30 at Bellagio is very soft as well, softer than the Wynn game of that limit (though that is also good). 30-60 at Bellagio is generally very good as long as your comfortable with the stakes.

Jeff

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Yup $15-30 and 30-60 at Bellagio and Wynn. $10-20 and $20-40 at Mirage. There generally isn't anything else that goes regularly enough to bother discussing. Bellagio $15-30 is generally the softest and easiest of these.

Don't expect Commerce level games. The players are passive and tighter and most of your pots are going to be 3 to the flop. In general you should look for a wide range of hands to play in later position and you should be happy winning lots of small pots. Anything you do play should be played with the pedal to the metal, but be cautious from raises from passive players. Lots of Vegas softies are calldown/fold monkeys and a raise from them often means a very strong hand. The monster pots that happen at Commerce happen less often in Vegas. The games do get loose if there are lots of drunks.

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

Thanks. I'm really looking for to hitting some of these tables. Commerce is crazy and fun, but sometimes you just want a change of gears. I've found I make the most money on tight passive tables at Commerce, so I should be good for what you're describing.

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

Not too many around. Wynn 15-30, Mirage 10-20 Bellagio 15-30
The games are rock gardens during the week, more juicy on the weekend nights.

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

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20-40 at Mirage is usually very soft but doesn't run 24-7 (seemed to just run weekends when I was there, and that was during the WSOP). 15-30 at Bellagio is very soft as well, softer than the Wynn game of that limit (though that is also good). 30-60 at Bellagio is generally very good as long as your comfortable with the stakes.

Jeff

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Yup $15-30 and 30-60 at Bellagio and Wynn. $10-20 and $20-40 at Mirage. There generally isn't anything else that goes regularly enough to bother discussing. Bellagio $15-30 is generally the softest and easiest of these.

Don't expect Commerce level games. The players are passive and tighter and most of your pots are going to be 3 to the flop. In general you should look for a wide range of hands to play in later position and you should be happy winning lots of small pots. Anything you do play should be played with the pedal to the metal, but be cautious from raises from passive players. Lots of Vegas softies are calldown/fold monkeys and a raise from them often means a very strong hand. The monster pots that happen at Commerce happen less often in Vegas. The games do get loose if there are lots of drunks.

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Or one obnoxious lucky drunk. He'll tick everyone else off, who then chase like crazy to beat him.

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

see my post a month back about "why I hate Bellagio" w.r.t. comfort. It may be different at the levels you're playing; I'm not sure and if you're playing higher stakes the best games are likely at the Bellagio

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

Hey guys I'll be out in a few weeks and will also be playing these limits. I was wondering a few things about the 10/20 game at the Mirage which I plan on playing.

1) Does it pretty much run all the time or just busy times like nights and weekends?
2) How many games of this limit do they usually get going?
3) How does the game usually play? If it is going during the weekdays is it a complete rock garden?

Also, I have heard The Wynn 8/16 and 15/30 play pretty tight and have lots of good local players so It's probably just better to play these at Bellagio.
Any truth to that?

Thanks Guys

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

My impression is that the Mirage 10-20 game probably runs 16 hours a day with one to three tables (1-2 20-40 games). No idea how it plays. You are mistaken about the wynn. 8-16 is a fish fest and the "good local players" aren't that good at 15-30.

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

Mirage 10-20 pretty much plays 24x7. During periods, there maybe up to the tables. I have found the game varies greatly. Sometimes TAG tables, sometimes LAG tables.

Ignoring the whining about the Bellagio, I found the 15-30 very enriching. I plan to play there almost exclusively in the future. It seems to be filled with people visiting LV who have heard of Texas Holdem and have money to throw away.
You really only have two choices for Limit holdem in LV. Bellagio and Mirage. Other places mostly play just 3-6. Wynn and Venice have other limits, but mostly only during peak times. Bellagio plays all the way up to 4000-8000 limit on Saturday nights.

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

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1) Does it pretty much run all the time or just busy times like nights and weekends?


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It depends. Sometimes its always there, sometimes not. Fortunately its an easy walk to $8-16 and $15-30 games at Wynn and Bellagio.

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2) How many games of this limit do they usually get going?


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Usually 1 or 2.

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3) How does the game usually play? If it is going during the weekdays is it a complete rock garden?


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Again it depends. And just cause the game is a rock garden does not mean it is a bad game. Rocks can suck at poker also.

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Also, I have heard The Wynn 8/16 and 15/30 play pretty tight and have lots of good local players so It's probably just better to play these at Bellagio.


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Wynn $8-16 is filled with morons. Its a good game. The $15-30 is tougher than Bellagio's $15-30, but it's also beatable. If you have time, its worth playing at both. If not, stick to Bellagio.

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

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15-30 at Bellagio is very soft as well

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Having been there this weekend, I can confirm this -- particularly, it turns out, if I am sitting in it. [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

-McGee

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

Sounds like the Bellagio 15-30 will probably be the first place I'll try. Is there a 20-40 there or is the next jump to 30-60?

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

Bellagio has 15-30 and 30-60 (no 20-40). Mirage has 20-40 sometimes, not 24-7 though.

Jeff

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

Bellagio 15/30 is most likely to be a good game IMO, but you could get there and be stuck on a two-hour wait list. You could also get seated right away...but don't be surprised if you're waiting.

I'd start at Mirage and walk down to Bellagio if you don't like the action there. You'll be treated better at Mirage as well, and you don't have to beg for a food comp.

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

Mirage has changed their food comp to be much more stingy. Now U have to play two days for 4 hours or more. The 20/40 plays usually in the evenings only at the mirage. Unlike the 10-20 tables, it rarely ever is a soft game. It is not unusual to see half the table with 2-4K dollars.

Bellagio goes 15-30, 30-60, and then 100-200, 300-600, etc.
The wait is only bad during peak times. I usually park at the 8-16 or 4-8 waiting. Obviously the 4-8 typically is a no foldem holdem table, so u should play your strong hands very agressively.

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

the Wynn does not regularly spread 20/40. Its usually the same 10/20 guys that try to start up the game, but it does not run all the time. The 10/20 doesn play like a 20/40..no buy in cap.

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

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Unlike the 10-20 tables, it rarely ever is a soft game.

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I don't have tons of experience in this game, but in the 8-10 times I've played it, I don't remember it being tough. It usually ranges from good to great, but I'm sure regulars would be able to comment in more detail.

Jeff

Re: Suggestions for Vegas Mid-stakes?
 

Comps at the Mirage are fairly easy to get. All you have to do is ask "who do i ask for a comp" and tip them $1-2 for a $15 food comp. They will most likely ask you what game you are playing and if it's 10/20 or 20/40 they hand it over no questions asked.

As per the games, the 20/40 game at Mirage is prob the softest game in the city...espescially on the weekends. Many loose/passive players who call, call and usually fold on the river.Haven't played the 10/20 game there much.

30/60 at Bellagio is also good during the weekends, rock solid during the week. Way too many regulars who are grinding out a few hundred each session.

15/30 at Wynn is also a good game. I'd rate it as the toughest game relative to the 15/30 Bellagio and 20/40 Mirage.