Any tips for getting the most out of a stay at the MGM Las Vegas? - Page 2

sternroolz · #11 10-16-2007, 01:01 AM

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In December I'll be staying at the MGM at the suggestion of a friend who lives in Vegas. Any tips for getting the most out of my ten days there? As for poker, I'll be looking for $4-$8 to $5-$10 limit, some low buy-in nl, and good $70 to $100 range tourneys (with 30 minute levels or better). Is it best to just explore lots of rooms during a first trip to Vegas, or try to run up some hours over the ten days at a couple?

And...what about food? I like light stuff like beans and rice, steamed vegetables. Any good place to get that kind of stuff relatively cheap in or near the MGM? Thanks, all.

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You are staying in one of the slowest times of the year. You really have to attempt the $20 trick...or since its 10 days, maybe the $50 trick. But don't take anything less than a suite.

As to rooms...are you playing for poker rate at MGM? If not, it doesn't really matter where you play. There is no $5-10. So $4-8 it is. There are poker rooms with similiar level limit holdem, low limit NL, and low buy in tournaments within easy walking distance at Luxor, MB(apparently not recommended), and Excalibur and of course MGM. There area also really nice rooms within easy cab distance and also by monorail.

pig4bill · #12 10-16-2007, 01:01 AM

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It's just easier to walk to Bellagio from MGM then blow 5 bucks on the monorail. Only makes sense in the summer.

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It's not the 5 bucks, it's the 30 to 40 minutes wasted that he could be playing.

The MGM poker room is about the only one with a snack bar right next door. Most of them are a trek, and it's overpriced when you find it.

ncpokeresq · #13 10-16-2007, 05:02 AM

The MGM is big enough that you will get some walking while just getting around the casino. For a ten day stay, you might want to get a car for at least a few of the days, which would make the trip downtown easier. Also might want to check out Red Rock casino and park, and there are hikes available in the actual Red Rock park. I stayed at MGM for a week, and having the option to leave it for extended periods was very nice.

steamboatin · #14 10-16-2007, 07:14 AM

Walk over to the Luxor, go to the Nile Deli near the sportsbook and get a brisket snadwich on pretzel bread.

You will thank me later.

dukenukem · #15 10-16-2007, 07:15 AM

You are staying in one of the slowest times of the year. You really have to attempt the $20 trick...or since its 10 days, maybe the $50 trick. But don't take anything less than a suite.

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Ummm, I probably shouldn't admit this, as it makes me look really stupid, but I booked a package deal through my usual airlines reservation website...It seemed like a good deal, but now I know I would have been MUCH better off booking the flight and hotel separately.

What do you mean by the "trick"? Asking for a discount? Do you think if I have prepaid, I can still get some kind of room upgrade? NEXT time I will know better. Geesh.

sapol · #16 10-16-2007, 07:59 AM

[ QUOTE ]
You are staying in one of the slowest times of the year. You really have to attempt the $20 trick...or since its 10 days, maybe the $50 trick. But don't take anything less than a suite.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ummm, I probably shouldn't admit this, as it makes me look really stupid, but I booked a package deal through my usual airlines reservation website...It seemed like a good deal, but now I know I would have been MUCH better off booking the flight and hotel separately.

What do you mean by the "trick"? Asking for a discount? Do you think if I have prepaid, I can still get some kind of room upgrade? NEXT time I will know better. Geesh.

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http://ezinearticles.com/?The-$20-Tr...&id=189237

Poshua · #17 10-16-2007, 08:26 AM

I haven't played in the MGM room for over a year, so maybe they've reconfigured, but:

At least last time I played there, there was a bar/nightclub adjacent to the room which, when open, had booming bass that drove me nuts.

mxp2004 · #18 10-16-2007, 10:11 AM

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I haven't played in the MGM room for over a year, so maybe they've reconfigured, but:

At least last time I played there, there was a bar/nightclub adjacent to the room which, when open, had booming bass that drove me nuts.

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You're talking about Centrifuge, and yes, it's still there and adjacent to the poker room. During some periods of the day, the bar plays a particular song, and a couple of professional dancers (unfortunately, including some guys) get up on the bar and do a dance routine. It lasts for like 3 minutes, and then it's over.

The MGM poker room is definitely louder than most, not just because of the proximity of Centrifuge, but also because of its open location in the casino. I actually think that is good because it encourages the casual player to wander in and take a seat. In contrast, there are rooms like Caesars that are down a hallway and completely segregated from the rest of the casino. Caesars is definitely a nice room, but I think it can be intimidating to newbies and tourists who can make poker a profitable hobby for you.

Also, FWIW, I second the idea of renting a car for at least one day if you are having an extended stay in Vegas and are there with your wife. On the day that you rent the car, you can go visit the Hoover Dam, which is a somewhat interesting day trip out of town. Then you can use the car at night to go the Downtown casinos (Binions, etc.) and the light show on Fremont Street.

dukenukem · #19 10-16-2007, 11:59 AM

I've never played someplace with music, but I tend to tune stuff out when I'm playing (especially the passage of time), so maybe no problem. These descriptions of the poker room at MGM are priceless--thanks!

How about Excal and Luxor--music blasting there too?

One reason I rushed to book everything ahead was to time my vacation with my wife's semester break. My friend in Vegas said that getting a poker rate means getting tied to a particular poker room, so he suggested not looking into that yet. Is this as bad as it seems? I mean do the poker rooms want lots of hours to get the hotel's poker rate?

The car suggestions make sense too, as my buddy out there already said his is ready to fly apart...Other than the Red Rock, are there some lively, character filled rooms out in the 'burbs or in Henderson? Acutally my wife is justifying this trip in part to see the campus in Henderson because she "might" apply there for pharmacy school...(That would be too cool--don't want to get excited about that dream yet!)

fishyak · #20 10-16-2007, 12:33 PM

Other tips:

1) Sternroolz is right - you can get $40 off your room at check out if you meet the minimum play time using a Players Club card. So sign up for that card as soon as you walk in. I can't get a $40 discount off of a free room!
2) If you spend $ at MGM, put it on your room charge.
3) Before you check out, stop at the Players' Club window to see if you qualify for any freebies or discounts there.
4) Do NOT use express check-out. Go to Registration and put your hand out one last time. This is why you charge everything to the room. The more they see you have used the facilities including restaurants, the more likely you are to have a charge or two deleted at the back end.