Take the Hotel or the $1,000

[davidross]

I won my WSOP seat at Stars this weekend [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Yay!!!

Now I'm trying to decide if I want free 9 nights hotel (probably Monte Carlo or Luxor) or the $1,000 cash.

Taking the Cash

Pro's. I'm sure I can find a place to stay for less than $1,000. Last time I attended the WSOP I stayed at the Plaza for something like $55 a night and it was quite nice. If I decide to leave early I will save even more money (and I usually feel like leaving after I bust out of something).

Take the Hotel

If my wife decides to come for a few days it will be nicer to have a better hotel. Stars will probably be centered there for any events they put on as well.

I figure Vegas in July I'm taking taxi's anywhere so I being closer will save some money there too.

Anyone else made this decision?

[MicroBob]

Congrats David.
Saw your name on there and was happy for you. Made me feel not so bad for busting you in an earlier satellite!!


If the wife comes with you just take the Stars accomodations.
Although the little Stars gathering is just on the first night there and it's not that big a deal. Also might not be at your hotel anyway.
No real advantage there.

But I do suspect you are getting a decent value for your 9 nights there.

If you only intend on staying 5 or 6 nights then just take the cash. I stayed at Treasure Island last year via Stars and it was a reasonable (although not terribly spectacular) hotel.


no matter where you stay, I suggest renting a car.
I cabbed it everywhere during the last WSOP and the fares really add up. From the Luxor it's going to be $10-$12 or so one-way to the Rio I'm guessing.
Just to go from Rio to Bellagio or Tres Isl is $8 or $9 after you tip.

Most recent trip in April, we got a cheap rental ($29/day) and saved a ton over the cab-fares.
Additionally, they were out of the cheapo econ or midsize or whatever. So we got upgraded to a nicer vehicle but still paid the lower price.

Back to the hotel issue: Evidently the Rio itself has some reasonable rates for WSOp players.
For the prelim events last year I stayed next-door at the cheapo Gold Coast for a few days. It was surprisingly adequate. Although if it's with your wife you should definitely go for something better.

[Yuv]

Hmm, you make some good arguments for taking the cash, but monte carlo seems sweet. Iunno. I'm assuming most here took the hotel?

[scottc25]

I took the $$$. It also helps that I travel for a living and have a boat load of Marriott points. I am staying at the Marriott Suites for the 3 weeks I am there. Free hotel, free air, damn rental car.

[tubasteve]

$55 per night hotel * 9 = $495

Cash = $1000

$1000 > $495

therefore

Cash > Hotel

$1000 Cash - $495 Hotel = $505 extra

$505 extra / $1500 NL Prelim = 1/3 of a NL Prelim buyin = booya

[Marwan]

I'd take the hotel.. 9 nights at the MC must be worth more than 1,000 dollars (just guessing)

[Yuv]

Monte Carlo is 165$ a night during the WSOP. So it's all a question of where you are staying, I suppose.

The Rio is booked for the Main Event already.

Depends in if you are going for the EV or for the experience. If you are going for strict EV, take the cash. I am going for a nice mix of both, so I took the hotel.

[Yuv]

I'm going for eEV. Monte Carlo is def +eEV.

[Yuv]

BTW, if any of you guys are renting a condo or whatever for the entire WSOP and have room for the week before the main event, I'd be happy to split rent and come a week earlier.