Rio Las Vegas

BigStack650 · #1 10-12-2006, 03:06 AM

Haven't heard much about it other than it being the home of the WSOP...what does everyone think of the Rio? does it have a good party/lively atmosphere? Because I have heard bad things about the poker action...how are the rooms? any experiences? Because it is off of the strip, within walking distance?

gusmahler · #2 10-12-2006, 03:10 AM

It's about half mile from the Strip. Walking isn't that bad in the winter, but I wouldn't do it in the summer. Rooms are decent. Bigger than Luxor or Tropicana. But the quality of the towels is lacking. Nothing really special about it.

As for poker, it doesn't get a good review here: http://www.allvegaspoker.com/room_22.html

(I have no personal experience. The one time I was there, the poker room was closed for a tourney, so they just had 3-5 tables stashed somewhere in the back of the casino that were full.)

pig4bill · #3 10-12-2006, 05:11 AM

I think it's further than a half-mile walk to the Strip. It's a bad walk too, alongside a road with heavy, fast moving traffic. It's not worth saving cab fare for me to make that walk.

If you're really cheap, they run periodic free shuttles to Harrah's, Caesar's, and Bally's. The bad thing is that on weekend nights the crowds waiting for shuttles gets so big you may have to wait for the next one, then fight your way on.

growlers · #4 10-12-2006, 05:16 AM

I think the Rio is my most hated big casino. I have no idea how they stay so busy.

It is a glorified Harrah's full of rednecks with money. I find it really cheesy as well. The table minimums are pretty high for the quality of the hotel, the restaurants (with the exception of the Indian place) are nothing special and expensive, you have to cab or take a pretty long walk to get anywhere (and I've seen people almost get hit by cars many times on that walk), the rooms aren't that great and the buffett is crappy. The seafood buffett was pretty good 3 years ago, but the managed to [censored] that up now to.

I can honestly think of no reason to stay there unless you are at a convention there.

growlers · #5 10-12-2006, 05:18 AM

II just reread your post - if you want a better "party" atmosphere go to MGM or even Hooter's.
Rio is full of a bunch of middle age couples from Ohio-types.

SheridanCat · #6 10-12-2006, 02:02 PM

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I think the Rio is my most hated big casino. I have no idea how they stay so busy.

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The highlight of the place, in my opinion, is the Wine Cellar - a wine bar just off and below the casino.

Otherwise the place is nothing special.

gusmahler · #7 10-12-2006, 02:26 PM

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I think it's further than a half-mile walk to the Strip.

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Yeah, I have no idea what I was thinking. It's closer to a mile. But that's just to the strip itself. You still need to walk on the strip to get anywhere (except Caeasars, which is right there.)

Here's a satellite view of the Rio and its proximity to the Strip:
Map

And yes, it's a busy street and you have to walk on a bridge that goes over the Interstate. It's walkable, but I would never go to Vegas without a rental car. They're cheap and parking is plentiful (and free).

badblood44 · #8 10-12-2006, 02:39 PM

I walked from Palm's (across from the Rio) to the strip one morning last October at about 10am. It was a brisk 68° when I left. Nearly an hour later, when I hit my destination (Aladdin), I was sweating.

Additionally, I wished I had spent the $7 for a cab.

shdw01 · #9 10-12-2006, 02:46 PM

I've stayed there a couple times...

The rooms are pretty big. I've only gotten standard rooms at MGM, Flamingo, NYNY, TI, and various downtown hotels. The standard at Rio is at least twice the size! I give it two thumbs up for hotel room SIZE.

The poker room is crap. I've seen it empty a lot of the time and everything you hear about the poker room is correct.

The casino is so-so, the table limits are consistant with normal strip hotels but there are less tables than some of the big casinos.

I don't know which nights but there are times where you can play blackjack and the dealer is wearing just a bikini! Now that is awesome!

I find the casino quite small and easy to find your way. Whether you valet or self-park (or taxi), much faster to get to your vehicle than somewhere like MGM (15-20 min to get to self park)

Do not waste your time walking. Especially at night!

That is my input, take it for what it is worth.

BOL

BaldEaglePkr · #10 10-12-2006, 02:51 PM

I used to play at the Rio ALL the time. Before the world series they had one of the best 4/8 games in town, it was full of over rolled gamblers and was a great soft game (7 to the flop, 4 to the river almost every hand). They also had great waitresses (with some good outfits I must say), and high hand bonuses.

Before the series they had a montly freeroll for 80 hours that was very good and paid 9 places on a 30-40 person tourney.

Lately however, it has been 2-3 wild 2/5 No-limit games and that is it. Many nights there is not even a game going at all, or what is going is short handed. I don't know what happened to the room, probably just the time of year... but it is fairly gamble heavy since 2/5 is the lowest no-limit they normally spread. There are lots of regulars there so beware the sharks.

[ QUOTE ]
Haven't heard much about it other than it being the home of the WSOP...what does everyone think of the Rio? does it have a good party/lively atmosphere? Because I have heard bad things about the poker action...how are the rooms? any experiences? Because it is off of the strip, within walking distance?

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