Solo Poker Trips

[chiTown22]

I normally go out to Vegas with a group of people, but I spend most of my time at the poker room on my own as most of my friends are not poker players. My next trip I will mostly be solo which is great on most levels, no pressure to party it up, gamble in the pits, etc. I expect to be able to really focus on poker, stay relatively well rested, etc.

However, I was just thinking today about meals. I would like to get some good meals in but I'm not really down for going to a place solo. I could careless about being seen alone, but I'm not really down with sitting at a table just eating. I'm part of the internet generation, used to eating, while watching TV, surfing the web, and talking on the phone.

My plan as of now is to do mostly room service and the sports book deli.

Anyone have any experience with solo Vegas trips?

[MrBrightside]

I did my very first Vegas trip solo. I just ate buffets and had a good book (taking a book to read on plane, by pool is always a tradition for me).

Get a poker or gambling themed book. I read both Positively Fifth Street and Bringing Down the House (about the MIT blackjack team) while in Vegas. Also, Big Deal by Anthony Holden is a classic.

[Budget Boy]

I've made a number of solo trips to Vegas and I personally really enjoy it. I'm usually stuck at the same cardroom all year, so its nice be able to check out a bunch of different rooms. One nice thing about going yourself is there are no plans, and all you have to think about is where you want to play poker next.

Food Options: You mentioned not wanting to sit down in a restaurant so I'll mention some of my favorites.

Venetian: Be sure to get a players card ($1 an hour comp). Then use that comp to get Noodle Asia to go. It's delicious, ready in 10 minutes, and you can take it back to the poker room and eat it there.

Wynn: Also $1 an hour food comp. You can order right from the poker room (tip the runner obv.) The food comes from the deli by the sportsbook, and the burgers and sandwiches are really good.

Bellagio: "Snacks" is right by the poker room, the cuban sandwich is my personal favorite.

Those are the main rooms I play at, hope that helps a little. Enjoy your trip.

[AngusThermopyle]

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I did my very first Vegas trip solo. I just ate buffets


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[sternroolz]

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Anyone have any experience with solo Vegas trips?

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All the time. At this point, I have no friends that can seriously keep up with my poker play and gambling habits. So I go to Vegas once a month. Usually 9 or 10 of those trips are on my own.

I usually get room service once a trip. The aforementioned Noodles Asia has become a staple. But I eat there, usually at the counter. There are lots of other easy solo places. I like the sandwiches at Canters in TI and at Nosh in Ballys. I've also eaten alone at the buffets at Orleans and Main St. Station with no issue. Also, I really like Chipotle's burritos. It's in between Harrahs and Venetian. Really, if I think I will get bored, I just get the daily newspaper.

Also, downtown, for solo dining I like Binions coffee shop(cheap, has a counter, and like 4 hours of drunken low limit = a free meal), and the buffet at Main St. Station.

I've also found it possible to meet other 2+2ers and chill and eat.

[mingorama]

I go to Vegas twice a month, and usually it's alone. (When I go with friends, I'm pretty much resigned that I won't get in much poker.) Really like the flexibility of deciding when to play and for how long, and enjoy having a nap shortly after dinner so I can be fresh for the late night crowd at the poker room.

For food that is quick but also good: I've gone several times to the Oyster Bar at Palace Station. I think it opens at 5PM Thurs-Sun, and they have a great raw bar, and some fantastic jambalaya/gumbo and that sort of thing. Reasonably priced and fast. I like the Turf Deli and the Noodle Shop at Mandalay Bay for a quick meal as well. If you have a car, you can get some terrific Asian food (Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Thai) just by driving across Spring Mtn Blvd - a plethora of restaurants that are all cheap and fast. Always liked Gallagher's Steakhouse in NY, NY --- particularly because you can sit at the bar on the outside where there's still a lot of activity going on, and still have a great steak. The butter toffee pudding is a terrific dessert as well. Hope this helps.

[Mano]

Where will you be staying?

I also usually go to Vegas with groups, but have gone alone for work several times. When alone I tend to eat more at the coffee shop and sushi bar type places or the food court areas. I also have gotten food to go and sat at the sports book to eat (when it's not too crowded and I can get a table). I usually grab one of the free magazines from the poker room and read that while I am eating.

[foureightsuited]

Pick nice restaurants that have bars in them. Go sit at the bar and just order there. Its a pretty easy environment to be social in and the bartenders/waiters are usually very nice to you ime.

[brutalBeater]

Interesting topic. I've been to vegas once and definitly want to go more often, but my friends aren't really the kind of people I want to go to Vegas with.
Good to read it's not unusual to go to sin city alone. I'm really thinking of booking a vegas hotel for 2 weeks any day soon and play a lot of poker whenever or for how long I like.

btw. would it be weird if I (25yr old) show up alone at a stripclub? Or do only old lonely guys do that?

[Mano]

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btw. would it be weird if I (25yr old) show up alone at a stripclub? Or do only old lonely guys do that?

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No, you'll be fine. Young lonely guys do it too.