Mirage Las Vegas

[SNutizzle]

I was just thinking maybe we should have a few more poker room reviews on here for those visiting Vegas and looking for quality venues/play/tournys, etc.

Last night, I went shopping and afterward wanted to play poker. I wanted to go somewhere new, I am bored with the same places all the time.

So I chose Mirage.

Here is my take.

-Wait time = not bad at all. I went in at 9:30pm and waited for a 1/2 seat for about 10 minutes if that.

-The room = old. Nothing special about it whatsoever. Felt a little crammed. They could use some renovation of just about everything in there. The tables are old and the chips are crappy and filthy. So those things I wasn't a fan of.

-Cocktail service = slow as hell. Played for 5 hours. Saw a cocktail waitress maybe 3-4 times max.

-Action = decent to above average. Probably was able to limp and see flops about 60% of the time. Raises typically $12-$18. I was card dead, but I can hardly blame that on the room. Weirdest thing I saw all night, actionwise = 4 of us limped in, small blind folds, so $9 in the pot. Flop came 894 rainbow. First guy checks, next to act goes all in for $103. I obviously fold and think to myself "ok, enjoy the $9." Oh but no......he gets called by the button after not very much debate. Button flips over 2 pair, 49. Shover shows 76, so he shoves it ALL into a $9 pot on a draw and lo and behold a) gets action and b) hits a 10 on the turn for his straight. Unreal.

That's all I have to say.

I would like to hopefully kick off a series of reviews of various poker rooms. Not just in Vegas, but wherever you want to talk about. Please include pertinent details for those of us who might want to go try it out.

[Blue_O_Rock]

I'll offer a review of the Planet Hollywood (formerly Alladin)

Note: I have mostly played 1-2NL here (about 60 hours in the last two years) and haven't played their tournaments recently. They have some low buy-in tournaments, but as with almost every other low buy-in tournament in Vegas, you get fewer chips, faster blinds and a higher percent to the house.

Room... Nothing big or fancy like the Venetian or Bellagio, but it isn't small either. They have about 15 tables. The room has a very comfortable feel / nice vibe to it. So many other rooms I go to, the players always seem so serious. Most every night here you can find at least 2/3rds of the players drinking and having a good time. Strange that they don't have an electronic seating system, but I've never had to wait more than 10mins for a seat. Nearby restrooms a plus. Nearby kareoke a small negative.

Cocktail rating... Drinks keep coming like clockwork. Did not check to see if the Planet Hollywood had Red Bull. No free Fiji water (like the Venitian)

Dealers/Management... Almost no dealer mistakes. Seems to be the same experienced dealers every time I visit. Only saw two errors the last four days I was there, which were quickly and fairly resolved.

Competition... This has become my secret standby place to make back the money that I may have lost anywhere else that I have played. Come well rested and play from about 8pm-4am for a often loose, wild, drunk-fest. The last couple nights I was there, a couple players were even making largish blind bets on occasion. Be carefull not to dismiss one as a fish until you see how well they play when the bets are large on the turn and river. After playing for a couple days, I started to learn who the regulars were. One inexperienced recording industry guy with money to burn called all in on a turn card for $160 more to try and win a $350 pot with a gutshot and one over card. No pair. He lost. Was sad to see him go after his fourth buyin, lol.

Comps... From what I hear, not that great. As much as I played there, I should have signed up and logged my time in hindsight. I kept thinking I was going split my time between more rooms. This room does have a 10% up to $5 rake + 1 for a high hand jackpot. So the rake is a bit steep. But I think the typically easier competition in this room makes up for it. I don't mind the high hand drops, because I do hit them now and then, so it kinda evens out in the long run.

[dicemanj]

I have to agree with Mike about Planet Hollywood. I logged about 35-40 hours there in July. I played 8 sessions and 6 were positve, during my entire 4 night trip I was never stacked! I also flopped quad Jacks so I got the benefit of a high hand jack pot as well. I thought the drink service was prompt, and the scenery was A+ as well .

I was surprised that did not offer a 2-5 game.

GO BUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!