- I have a huge scandal in my new offices that I'm having to clean house and start all over with new management.
- Was depending on my tax return to fund some of my budget, but the state of California announced that they will be sending out IOUs instead of checks for the time being.
- I accidentally hit 50% instead of 5% for my contribution out of each paycheck to my 401K. So one of my paychecks basically paid for one meal at McDonalds instead of stockpiling the cash for vegas.
- The non review of the last play in the Superbowl cost me money since I took yes in the "Would the last play of the game be something other than a QB kneel." Terrible officiating in that game by the way. Ugh.
- Was just informed that I will have to be out in Vegas about once a week, starting in mid Feb for business. This will definitely end in one of two things...bankruptcy or a divorce.
So to cheer me up, I've been thinking about where are we going to stay for our Vegas trip. Its down to two place, the Mirage or the Palazzo. There are no losers since both places are solid and will provide the setting for a great trip, but the indecision is killing me. So below outlines the positives and the negatives of each hotel.
Rooms (Advantage Palazzo): Might as well start off with the easiest one. Palazzo's rooms are very close to the nicest ones I've ever stayed in. The Four Season's in AZ is close, but its just so nice and the flat screen in the bathroom sends it over the top for me.
Price (Advantage Mirage): $285 for 5 nights can't be beat. And this allows two to a room that might work. This will make for interesting dinner conversation with the Zahn brothers rooming together again after a ten year hiatus. Eric, start learning how to sleep with the TV on now so you are prepared.
Craps Tables (Advantage Palazzo): Palazzo has great dealers, new tables, and great location to check out the entire casino floor. The Mirage has gremlins and trolls as their dealers and that funky blue felt.
Pai Gow (Push): John is at the Mirage and it has a good location to people watch. But the Palazzo has access to the high rollers bathrooms and a TV near by to watch the games.
BJ (Push): Both very strong with the Palazzo having more options of non shuffle machine tables, but the Mirage having lower limits. Both have great dealers and pit bosses.
Roulette (Advantage Mirage): I have yet to have a winning session at the Palazzo. The felt is tan and dirty for some reason and their dealers are terrible. At the Mirage, the only downside is that the tables are always packed. But if you and get in early, its a solid setting.
Ultimate TX Holdem (Advantage Mirage): I'm sure that this will be the focus of so many post trip blog posts. Excellent game, excellent dealers, and generally great people playing the game. Mirage gets the points here because the Palazzo offers a different version that is not fun.
Sportsbook (Advantage Mirage): Longer hours, easily accessible, and more gambling options. I hate going to the subway station (Palazzo's SB) to place my bet. Terrible oversight by the casino.
Poker (Push): Hate the Mirage poker room since their chairs are too tight and the players are assholes. Palazzo doesn't even have a room so I guess its a push.
Floor setup (Advantage Palazzo): While the Mirage is not bad, the Palazzo has an ideal setup. You can see almost the entire casino from any seat and you can easily jump from table to table if needed. If you are playing Pai Gow and you hear the craps tables heat up, then you can quickly jump over there. If you are deciding to leave craps, but wonder if there are any open tables for BJ, you can easily see that as well. The crap tables are the center and makes for an easy gathering place and an even easier place to get side tracked. The elevators, bathrooms, garage, and the cage are all a quick walk from anywhere in the casino. There are ample TVs throughout the floor that allows you to play and watch the games.
Atmosphere (Advantage Palazzo): As I told the group, my stay at the Belagio was very telling. The Palazzo has this great calming effect on you. Its not dead, just calming. You won't realize this unless you go to the Bellagio or some other loud casino first. With its wide walkways and high ceilings, you never feel crowded or stuffy. It plays OK music and is lit well, but not too much. And the people there are great. The dealers in general are very nice. The pit bosses are very talkative. The gamblers are also at a higher level. I don't think I had any issues at the BJ tables with idiots. I can't say the same thing at the Mirage.
Eye Candy (Advantage Mirage): Big difference in people watching at the two casinos. And the influx of foot traffic that Revolutions and the Beatles show gets makes for great entertainment while playing Pai Gow or Texas Holdem.
Food options (Advantage Palazzo): Its the big CPK vs Grand Lux Cafe battle. I'm a huge fan of the Grand Lux with their great breakfast and excellent twice baked potato egg rolls. You also have that kick ass Mexican place and a solid noodle house. And they have an ice cream stand outside in the mall area.
Pool (Advantage Palazzo): The cabana alone almost makes the Palazzo an easy choice. So much fun out there. What a relaxing time while watching the games. I have zero exposure to the Mirage's cabana.
So that puts us at a score of 6-5 in favor of the Palazzo. Now the question rests, how much does that one score difference equate to how much more are we willing to pay?
7 comments:
To say I'm exicted for this trip would be a complete understatement. Have I ever been this jacked up for this trip in the past? I don't think so. Maybe its the economy or the constant flow of bad news but jesus christ I'm looking forward to this. Ultimate Texas Hold Em'!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This will be my first time staying so far north. I find both of these casinos to be rather isolated. For all its shortcomings, the Monte was well positioned on the strip-just a quick walk to NYNY, MGM, Bellagio, monorail to Mandalay, but still walking distance to mid-strip. I never truly felt like I was staying at the Monte because we were all over the place. But, now that I don't have to rely on indentured servitude at the poker room for 5 hours a day to pay for my good time, I agree that north-strip is the only good option.
I can't add anything about the Palazzo since I've never set foot in the place, but I have a neutral opinion of the Mirage overall. I was there last in 2003 so things have probably changed, but mainly, I remember the low ceilings which seemed to trap the smoke and make the place really smelly. Navigating the casino was easy enough. And, they do have a great Pai Gow dealer.
Poker: I contend that the Mirage does has an edge with 3-6 holdem. That extra $1 can add up over a few days. I wouldn't want to play there at night, but that goes for pretty much anywhere.
Spa: If we stay at the Mirage and the cabana plan is nixed, I'll probably head to the spa for a massage. Has anyone visited both to make a comparison? I have to assume that the Palazzo would win on this one.
BJ: The non-shuffle machine BJ would tip it for me. Not that I expect to gain an advantage from this, but you can usually run to the bathroom during the shuffle without missing any hands.
Craps: Sounds like everyone enjoyed the Palazzo for craps last year so I assume they must tolerate loud and obnoxious yelling? Since it's upscale, my first thought is of the Bellagio, where the dealers don't smile and all the uptight guests shake their heads at you for yelling and drinking too much. Please tell me it's different?
Anyway, my fate is in your hands. I'd stay at Hooters this year if that's what you chose. I can't wait for this trip.
Hooters lol, done that before, never again. I've done the spa thing at the Monte Carlo and Palazzo/Venetian. To me they're all pretty much the same. The Palazzo was nice and the massage was descent but the most expensive massage ($150 vs. $120) I've had so far. vegas.com has quick write ups for all the spas. For me, the Monte Carlo was more than adequate in that area. Can't comment on the Mirage since I've never stayed there.
The Harrah's casinos have pretty much been begging me to come to their casinos. That kind of tells me they must be hurting if they're giving me a free room when I don't gamble more than 2 or 3 weekends a year. I get a couple of mailers and a phone call from them a week. That's why I decided to come. Free room at Caesers? If I have to....
First of all, let me start with a question.
WHY do some of you not want to play poker at the Mirage at night?
Isn't that when the fish come out? I'd much, much rather play with 20-something drunk frat boys at 11 pm than with the 60 year old locals at 2 in the afternoon.
Isn't it easier to win at night? And isn't that the point in playing?
Laura - I'm just really curious on why you (and Don) refuse toplay there at night. It's crowded? So? So is a hot craps table.
My thoughts on the rankings:
Rooms: No question - Palazzo. We had 4 to a romm and I never felt crowded. Period. (except when a certain person hogged the bathroom for 30 minutes).
Price: Sure, Mirage, but that may be changing....
Craps: Palazzo. Yes, they put up with me - they actually made fun of me for crying because I was laughing hysterically when Wiz was doing his rolling while better on the don't pass. So they put up with a lot. And those terrible delaers at the Mirage still stick in my craw.
Pai Gow: I think this is a clear Mirage win. I think we were the only non-Asians at the Palazzo playing, including delaers.
BJ: I'll give it to the Palazzo for the atmosphere. This is a close one.
Roulette: no opinion. Just say no!
Ultimate Texas Hold-em: Yes, of course, obviously Mirage.
Sportsbook: Yes, Mirage. But you can't watch the games there for any length of time. And now with Jay/Laura, maybe some people o this trip will actaully want to sit down and watch games....
Poker: Mirage for me.
Floor Setup: No question - Palazzo. Laura: I just can't describe it to you. It's so open, yet a bit secluded. You feel like you are playing in an exclusive club, without the pretenses and arrogance. I'm sure you will like it.
Atmosphere: Palazzo again. At the Mirage, I feel like I am gambling in the middle of Kroger's with all the foot traffic. Really, not much of that (except on the main aisle) for the Palazzo.
And the cabana - Vodka Banana Daiquiri's for everyone!
I don't refuse to play poker at the Mirage. I would love to find some hole in the wall where inexperienced folks are throwing cash at the table (actually 'd like them to show up at the Venetian, but I don't think thats gonna happen).
However, the drunk frat boys aren't "ripe" at the Mirage until 2-3AM, and by then I'm barely coherent (ie step away from the table sir). Having said that, the level of play at the Venetian isn't any better/worse than the Mirage.
We could make a run to the room at the Monte ...if the building isn't on fire this year.
Eric-nighttime poker is not my favorite for a few reasons. 1-I like to play sober. It takes some concentration and that's easier to do in the daytime before I start drinking. Also, you tend not to do as many stupid things, like call on a hunch. It just saves a bit of your bankroll. By 10pm I'm usually not thinking straight enough to follow everyone's bets and keep track of who's coming and going at the table. 2-I find daytime play much more predictable. I can't stand when people call a raise pre-flop with 9-2 suited, but you get that a lot more at night. Yes, it's great to play against stupid players, but the problem is that there are so many of them at night that one of them is bound to get lucky on any given hand. 3-Drunken gambling is much better suited for craps, blackjack, and let it ride/3-card poker. Some might even say roulette. Poker is quiet, solo-play. Not much high-fiveing, etc. I much prefer the group atmosphere in the evenings.
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