So I’m working in Thousand Oaks CA this week and I’ve decided to tag on a weekend in Vegas afterwards. I'll be staying alone at the cheap and cheerful Ballys on the strip and I’ll be using this thread to mainly kill some time, but also to post some hand histories and thoughts on a bunch of stuff including the poker rooms, Vegas oddities and US culture. There may also be some pics if I can be arsed with imageshack.

I’ve spent a few nights in Vegas once before 3 years ago and played a few donkaments, but the focus this time will be on cash games. I’ll be taking 5BI for 1/2 and should get in 20-25 hours of play. If I run good at 1/2 early on then I’ll maybe take a shot at 2/5. If I bust the 5BI, then I’m not going to cry about it.

Based on my last poker experience in Vegas, my provisional plan is to head down to Fremont Street during the afternoons to take on the tourists in the smaller rooms (Nugget, Binions) before returning to the strip to try and play with the drunks late night/early morning. I’m really not worried about going anywhere with a ton of tables running, good dealers, comps, comfy chairs, etc: all I’m after is soft tables in a fun environment.

Before I get to that point though, if anybody has any thoughts on the provisional plan or any of the following, please do post itt:

* good poker rooms

* tips for playing 1/2 live in Vegas

* live cash game etiquette in Vegas (e.g. tipping, leaving the table)

* places to eat as a solo tourist

* places to avoid (including dangerous parts of town)

* good US ales/beers