The Venetian: 3 Days of Play

[RydenStoompala]

I just finished three days parked in the Venetian's cardroom. While it is undoubtedly one of the nicest-looking rooms that I will ever have the pleasure of visiting, there are some drawbacks.

First, the good stuff:

The staff are terrific. They took great care of me, moved me around effortlessly and the floor interventions in table disputes were quick and professional. I think it is an extremely well-run cardroom. Special mention goes to Cassandra, the hottest creature on two legs to ever squeeze into one of those dated Venetian cocktail waitress uniforms. She is not only smoking gorgeous but she can apparently appear at will wherever she chooses, like some kind of drink-bearing ghost. Casi, you rule. And your husband is a lucky p*&^k.

If you're into 1-2 and 2-5 NL, then the Venetian has you covered. Anything else and you're out of luck unless you enjoy that Keno-like experience of 4-8 limit or 2-4 limit. I booked nice wins in the NL ganes and had a huge, long donk session in 4-8 when I was slightly inebriated. Actually, we were all plastered and the dealers were very understanding. We even got the 6-12 Omaha going for a few hours and I added busfare out of that party. One guy I was playing with, Mike, booked two boxes of reds out of the 4-8 then again at Omaha. He was playing anything and the cards hit him in the face. It was amazing to watch.

Food service is there but you have to scream for it. Once you get food ordered, it is fantastic.

The comp system worked perfectly and I got two free lunches as well as the poker rate, athough the Venetian has not e-mailed me my final bill so I may be back here slamming their butts within 48 hours. The hassles described in other posts about going to the checkout and getting the runraround are all true. The poker room told me "dont worry about it, the desk has all our stats." The desk said "no we don't" and started a long list of phone calls until they got someone who would own the decision. It's a huge pain in the ass and Venetian should get its act together or stop advertising the poker rate. You play 6 hours per day to get it and I exceeded the minimum by about a million hours. Just give me the rate you donkeys!

They run a 2-5 NL game right next to the rail to the right side of the entrance. Change this to a 4-8 and you'll get more walk-in. Tourists see those sunglass-wearing, hood-draped TV wannabe's tossing stacks of reds around and they take a pass on poker. It's too bad because a lot of the games could use newbies, especially the 1-2 NL ganes which were really soft. A casino stocked with that many wealthy gamblers should be able to have a 20-40 or 30-60 game rocking every evening. Put that game on the rail and you'll get walk-ins. It's the NL that scares them off and the tourists think that's all there is.

It is unfortunate that Venetian cannot get any good mid-limit or high limit games going. I jumped over to Wynn for a few hours to play in the 15-30 and catch up on the news from the standard group of locals. At Bellagio, where I will be staying next time down, every game under the sun was going, wide-open, by early afternoon. Bellagio is the king, period. I had a blast there and was sorry to leave. $20-$40 stud anyhone? $30-60? Humungous NL games, tournies, etc. etc.

I liked Venetian, a lot. But, there is not enough game selection and not enough middle-to-higher action for a Vegas cardroom of that size. I offer no sollutions, just my two cents.

Whatever you do guys, don't lose Cassandra.

[PorkchopDJG]

Thanks for the info Stoompala,
So they didn't get anything over 4-8 limit going at all? There was no 6/12 or 8/16 going?
What day of the week and time of day was this?
Can any other Venetian regulars or locals chime in as to this being normal.
Thanks

[Teetster]

Last time I played at the Venitian they had 2K/4K Stud going. Larry Flint (Flynt?) was in town and wanted the game setup, so they did. I played 2/5 two tables from their game. Amazing to think that their antes were more than we had on our whole table.

[Howard Burroughs]

"There was no 6/12 or 8/16 going?"


The last 3 times I played the V (including just a few nights ago), I had my name on the $8-16 interest list. All 3 times, nothing over $4-8 (limit) ever got going. One time, I played over 9 hours of $4/8 and I looked up and I was still the ONLY one on the $8-16 interest list. Whatever.


I'm going there later tonight to meet up with friends. I'd love to see an $8-16 going but I'm not holding my breath :-)


Best Wishes

Howard

[makeutap247]

Does the Venetian spread $8/16 at times? I thought they went from $6/12 to $9/18? Those are the only two limit games I have played there.

[WayAbvPar]

I played some $6/$12 there over Memorial Day weekend last year, but that was when the live NL games were just getting popular. Sad to see that is taking over everywhere.

[PorkchopDJG]

Wow!
I didn't know mid-imit was struggling that bad there.
Thanks for the info. I guess it's Bellagio or Wynn when I come in March.
So are we to understand that they rarely get 8/16 or above going even on weekends?

[Howard Burroughs]

I have played 6-12, 8-16, 9-18 & 10-20 there (at one time or another). As well as other limits.

My understanding is the 9-18 days (and 10-20) are over and 8-16 is back (in theory).

Whatever they try (8-16, 9-18, 10-20).......... it just does not seem to go most nights (or at least when I'm in there of late). YMMV.


Best Wishes

Howard

[Photoc]

Was there a few times over the past month. Never seen higher than 4/8 limit. Last night (tuesday) had 2x 4/8, 1x 2/4, 3x 1/2 NL, 2x 2/5 NL with "interest list" for 8/16 on the board with no names. No 6/12 on the screen either.

Their normal spread for games would be 2/4, 4/8, 6/12 (maybe), 8/16 (no 9/18), and then 15/30 which rarely goes now.

Yes, middle limits have sprouted up in various places but they NEVER survive. Seems no matter what a room does to get them, the players always go back to their former rooms/stomping grounds.

[NoRiverRats]

Nice post, thanks.

Wife wants to come while I am there during the WSOP staying somewhere cheap. I will be there for 10 days or so, she wants to come for a weekend to do me, eat, drink, spa, tan etc... and stay at the V. I understand the poker rate for a regular room, but does it apply to a suite and if so, what is it or what is the discount?