Your thoughts on Vegas

Doctor Who · Post by **Doctor Who** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 10:09 am

Hey guys, was in the NFBC last year but still realtively a rookie. Went to the St. Louis one last year but am thinking of heading out to Vegas this year. So my questions for you guys that go there every year are below. If you could really help me out that would be cool.

1) 1st time going to Vegas for me, how many nights should I stay? Not really interested in any shows. Just the leagues I join, gambling, and seeing the sites. No clubs or anything, just the casinos down the strip.

2) How much money should I bring to gamble, eat, and drink with to cover my expenses? I know it depends on your budget, just trying to see what everyone else usually brings.

3) Is it better to stay at the Bellagio, where the drafts are held, or is there some other place I should get the experience.

4)Where does everyone get the cheapest flights fromn?

Money · Post by **Money** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 10:23 am

Originally posted by wagner13454:

Hey guys, was in the NFBC last year but still realtively a rookie. Went to the St. Louis one last year but am thinking of heading out to Vegas this year. So my questions for you guys that go there every year are below. If you could really help me out that would be cool.

1) 1st time going to Vegas for me, how many nights should I stay? Not really interested in any shows. Just the leagues I join, gambling, and seeing the sites. No clubs or anything, just the casinos down the strip.

2) How much money should I bring to gamble, eat, and drink with to cover my expenses? I know it depends on your budget, just trying to see what everyone else usually brings.

3) Is it better to stay at the Bellagio, where the drafts are held, or is there some other place I should get the experience.

4)Where does everyone get the cheapest flights fromn? You could not have picked a better spot. I attended the NFBC and NFFC in Vegas last year and it was a first rate experience all the way. As for your questions.

1. 3 nights is max for me. If you plan on gambling and possibly drinking late each night, three is a good number.

2. Plan on losing whatever you take. If you don't it's a bonus. Depending on the hotel you choose anywhere from 150 -300 per day for food and lodging.

3. The Bellagio is nice. A lot of folks here seek out cheaper close by hotels.

4. I'd recommend cheapflights.com or travelocity.com. You may even look for rooms on those sites.

Good Luck.

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 12:15 pm

Wagner:

Good stuff from Fast Money, I'll add my version so you have another point of view.

1) 1st time going to Vegas for me, how many nights should I stay? Not really interested in any shows. Just the leagues I join, gambling, and seeing the sites. No clubs or anything, just the casinos down the strip.

- Since you are flying from Houston, according to your grid the flight seems manageable. My plan of attack is to try and arrive the 2 nights before my first scheduled draft. Flying into Vegas at night is an extra treat, especially if you get a window seat. This allows you to get settled, so if you are up for it after arriving a great chance to hit the strip for a walk. The following day, nothing planned. Visit the Bellagio and check out where we'll be drafting.

2) How much money should I bring to gamble, eat, and drink with to cover my expenses? I know it depends on your budget, just trying to see what everyone else usually brings.

Hard to gauge your gambling budget, Fast Money hit it on the head. Personally, from experience, I try to avoid the gambling and treat this run to Vegas on concentrating on the teams I'm drafting. Drop a few bucks gambling, it may distract you from concentrating on the REAL important reason you are in town. Eats and Drinks are available on both ends of the spectrum.

3) Is it better to stay at the Bellagio, where the drafts are held, or is there some other place I should get the experience.

Double edged sword here. Staying IN the host hotel is excellent for a first timer. Bellagio Sports Book is one of the best. The food here is rather expensive, even a cheap breakfast costs. You do have great access to the strip. Being able to walk to and from the drafts and then hit your room is a pure bonus. However, I've been doing this since day #1. I prefer to rent a car and grab a hotel close to the airport with the perks of a free breakfast. Look into the Hampton & Homewood Suites. The room will be better and getting to and from the room is 150% easier than ANY Strip hotel. The obvious drawback is that there is no casino and you'll need to drive in ( 5 miles ) to the drafts. Bellagio Parking Deck is easy to find space on draft day.

4)Where does everyone get the cheapest flights fromn?

If Houston is your spot - Continental/United have the hubs for you. Look up flights on there website and register for the free rewards program. I think you'll get the same prices offered at the discount sites, plus the mileage points can lead to free flights.

Good Luck, hope you enjoy the experience

Ken M

[ February 10, 2011, 06:16 PM: Message edited by: Sack ]

Doctor Who · Post by **Doctor Who** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 12:52 pm

Thanks guys.

Sack- Is it worth staying off site with a cheaper hotel and pay to have a car there? It looks like the best thing to do is be there for 3 nights, from the two opinions I got. Others are still welcome, I love having many different thoughts when I go to a new city.

Also, is there anything I MUST do while I'm there?

King of Queens · Post by **King of Queens** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 1:04 pm

According to itasoftware.com

IAH / LAS

Continental or United

Thursday, March 24 to Sunday, March 27

$375 including taxes

Friday, March 25 to Sunday, March 27

$408 including taxes

Roughly a three hour flight each way, with no stopovers.

KJ Duke · Post by **KJ Duke** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 1:05 pm

Originally posted by wagner13454:

Thanks guys.

Sack- Is it worth staying off site with a cheaper hotel and pay to have a car there? It looks like the best thing to do is be there for 3 nights, from the two opinions I got. Others are still welcome, I love having many different thoughts when I go to a new city.

Also, is there anything I MUST do while I'm there? Some hotels have shuttles to the strip if you stay off-strip, for a 3-day trip I wouldn't want to have a car. I drive over but I know the backroads to get around, driving down the strip can be a huge bumper-to-bumper hassle.

BATS · Post by **BATS** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 1:09 pm

I usually like 3 nights. You come in on friday and get acclimated, then have saturday and sunday to explore and enjoy and loose your ass, then you depart on monday. I go there 2 or 3 times a year and it works for me. The bellagio is a really nice place and is centrally located on the strip. You can walk one direction and city center is next door, which is awesome. You can go the other direction and ceasars is next door. Go a little old school and cross the street to ballys and flamingo. Also right across the street is paris and planet hollywood and the miracle mile shops. Mirage is right next to ceasars. Loads of stuff to see without even getting in a car. You have to check out one of the Peter Lik galleries, either in ceasars, venetian, or mandalay bay. Incredible photographer. As for the 2nd week in vegas, the room rate at bellagio is awesome. When i booked it was even less than ballys and luxor. That just don't happen. Enjoy

fwicker · Post by **fwicker** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 1:20 pm

Originally posted by wagner13454:

Thanks guys.

Sack- Is it worth staying off site with a cheaper hotel and pay to have a car there? It looks like the best thing to do is be there for 3 nights, from the two opinions I got. Others are still welcome, I love having many different thoughts when I go to a new city.

Also, is there anything I MUST do while I'm there? IMHO it's worth the extra money to stay at the Bellagio. I wouldn't rent a car as the traffic can be bad, and even if you do rent a car the trek from the garage can be a hike, as is any "walk" from one hotel to the other. You will save a lot of time and hassle staying where the draft is held.

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 1:31 pm

I would stay at Bellagio catch a direct on continental. I see no reason whatsoever to have a car for what you are doing. Vegas is not a large place and cabs are everywhere. The airport is 20 minutes max from Bellagio.

You will do what 90% of us do there. First night this is the greatest place on earth, 2nd night this is cool, 3rd night when is my flight get me out of here...

Bob Enzyte · Post by **Bob Enzyte** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 1:36 pm

Wagner-You'll enjoy Vegas. You are invited to have breakfast with Sack and me and others on Saturday morning at the Imperial Palace before the Main Event. I think Spartacus is buying this year.

Doctor Who · Post by **Doctor Who** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 3:05 pm

Ha! I might take you up on that offer. You guys going the first or 2nd weekend?

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 3:10 pm

Wagner:

For me, the off-site hotel and rental is a must. First, we are talking March Madness hotel prices on the strip. $200 plus per night. I can land a quality room at one of the chains for $100 or less and have a free breakfast tossed in with the cost of the room.

National Rent a Car has Emerald Aisle( A free rewards program )allows you to book in advance and walk straight to your rental after taking the short shuttle from the airport. Cabs are everywhere, but so are the long long lines during March Madness while you wait. Rentals allow you to control your fate and you can explore more of the town. Avoid Las Vegas Blvd and ride Koval Lane and you'll eliminate the traffic headaches.

Must See: Limitless

1- Bellagio Fountain Water Show in the evening

2-Walk the Strip, nothing is as close at it seems with stops at Venetian & Caesars musts

3- Hard Rock Cafe - stop by Mr Lucky's and order the Gamblers Special for $7.77. Not on the menu, an old fashion Vegas throwback special....need a car

4- Spearmint Rhino - Gentleman's Club.....need a car

5-Stop by Planet Hollywood and play a few hands of Poker. If you get a dealer named TOM Z, you'll have found one of the better NFBC players. Buy him lunch (he never buys) and pick his brain.....

6- And please consider joining Bob Enzyte, myself, and some of the other NFBC regulars at the Imperial Palace at 8am at the Emperors Buffet on the second floor the morning of the Main Event on 3/26

MadCow Sez · Post by **MadCow Sez** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 3:42 pm

Wagner,

I usually fly out Thursday early and stay thru Monday morning. I'm one of those that usually stays away from the host hotel but my use of a room is for sleeping and showering. The rest of the time I tend to be in a sports book, visiting friends, or at an NFBC function (be it official or a get-together). Weight out the cost of an off-strip hotel+rental car and balance it with additional cost to stay close to or in the host hotel.

The to-do list Ken (Sack) posted is a good one.

If you need someone to give you a ride somewhere....ask Piggy (Astros Jersey #151) to point you toward MadCow. Then find someone else

Might have to join y'all at the IP for B'Fast this year, Ken.

Aloha!

ScottieBaseball · Post by **ScottieBaseball** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 4:02 pm

Hey Wagner, here a few of my suggestions listed below your questions. I am a Vegas veteran, have been going for many years.

1) 1st time going to Vegas for me, how many nights should I stay? Not really interested in any shows. Just the leagues I join, gambling, and seeing the sites. No clubs or anything, just the casinos down the strip.

If you like sports, the Las Vegas Hilton has the best sports book in Vegas in my opinion. Huge chairs, tons of tvs and great atmosphere. You can take the monorail directly there from the strip. A 3 day monorail pass costs $28, a one day pass goes for $12. It is well worth it if you don't have a car. If you want to see old school downtown that's very nice too. You can take the Deuce bus to and from the strip to downtown and back for a $7 unlimited Deuce pass.

2) How much money should I bring to gamble, eat, and drink with to cover my expenses? I know it depends on your budget, just trying to see what everyone else usually brings.

Lol, this is very hard to gauge. What kind of games are you good at? Blackjack, video poker, sports book? If you like Blackjack, some casinos have table minimums starting at $10 or even $25 depending on what time of day it is and what casino it is. For example, if you go to the Sahara Casino or Downtown, you can find $5 Blackjack minimums. You probably won't find many low minimums like that at the Bellagio unless it's early in the morning and it's very slow.

3) Is it better to stay at the Bellagio, where the drafts are held, or is there some other place I should get the experience?

Personally, I'm staying at the Las Vegas Hilton but that's because they mailed me a postcard for a three night deal for only $139 plus tax, which includes free buffets, slot credits, etc. The key is to sign up for the players card at whatever casino(s) you are going to play at and use them every time you put money in the machine or are at a table. The key to Vegas is to try and not pay for anything but gambling. I usually don't spend that much on food because I either get it free with comps or even using a website like Restaurant.com can be beneficial for even Vegas! Also, buy the American Casino Guide 2011 and subscribe to the Las Vegas Advisor, which includes a coupon book every year for Vegas hotels, restaurants, etc. These two books will save you thousands of dollars if you use all of the coupons.

4)Where does everyone get the cheapest flights fromn?

Try Southwest.com if you are checking 1 or two bags, you will save money since they don't charge for bags. If you don't mind connections, try Delta. Airtran is another low cost carrier, who recently merged with Southwest. Also you can try Allegiant or Spirit.

Wagner, any other questions please feel free to ask, always willing to help.

Sack, that sounds like a great get together. I'm new to baseball too on this level (played NFFC football before), would have enjoyed meeting up with you guys on the morning of the main event but I will only be able to do the first Friday drafts in Vegas this year. Am flying out for spring training from Vegas on the Saturday of the main event for a few days to meet up with some friends. Still contemplating about whether or not to do the main the following week in my hometown Chicago...

Spartacus · Post by **Spartacus** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 5:29 pm

Originally posted by Bob Enzyte:

Wagner-You'll enjoy Vegas. You are invited to have breakfast with Sack and me and others on Saturday morning at the Imperial Palace before the Main Event. I think Spartacus is buying this year. Hmmm, I thought Jupinka was buying this year...............

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 5:42 pm

Scott S: Good stuff, especially like the monorail to the Hilton idea. Great way to get a quick view. Hilton Sportsbook has that old Vegas feel, lots of action. Enjoy ST and good luck in the NFBC

Madcow - you are always welcome Brotha, I'll even buy if you promise to tell Lindy BEFORE the draft how good your team is going to be this season! See you in March!

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 5:52 pm

"Hmmm, I thought Jupinka was buying this year..............."

Spartacus: With it being my turn, why the heck do you think I invited the Champ? With HELL freezing over this year on the East Coast, maybe it is a sign that Lindy's son Gabe will do the honors in regard to the check? But on second thought, that would be like Bruce Chen stepping up to win 20 games - ain't happening.

Gonna hold out hope for Mr Jupinka

Cocktails and Dreams · Post by **Cocktails and Dreams** » Thu Feb 10, 2011 6:30 pm

Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

I would stay at Bellagio catch a direct on continental. I see no reason whatsoever to have a car for what you are doing. Vegas is not a large place and cabs are everywhere. The airport is 20 minutes max from Bellagio.

You will do what 90% of us do there. First night this is the greatest place on earth, 2nd night this is cool, 3rd night when is my flight get me out of here... I am hoping this is not the case. As I have a 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th , 9th , 10th and 11th night to contend with.

Ando · Post by **Ando** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 2:08 am

Cocktails, I've had 2 weekend wraparounds like that as well before. It gets to be a long week, but Vegas is a great vacation destination and quickly becoming a culinary capital.

But, talking from experience here, this is what I did in Vegas from nights 4-11:

Drink, drink, drink, drink, drink, drink, drink, drink.

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 2:55 am

Originally posted by Sack:

"Hmmm, I thought Jupinka was buying this year..............."

Spartacus: With it being my turn, why the heck do you think I invited the Champ? With HELL freezing over this year on the East Coast, maybe it is a sign that Lindy's son Gabe will do the honors in regard to the check? But on second thought, that would be like Bruce Chen stepping up to win 20 games - ain't happening.

Gonna hold out hope for Mr Jupinka Mr Jupinka had visions of a small breakfast gathering. Now it seems to be growing exponentially. Now Mr Jupinka isn't sure where Imperial Palace is

Or Jupinka's going to have to pull out the old bag of college tricks - alligator arms/dine and dash

I won't let you down Sack, although Bob told me the breakfast was at Circus Circus !

Chest Rockwell · Post by **Chest Rockwell** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 3:04 am

Originally posted by Cocktails and Dreams:

quote:Originally posted by Chest Rockwell:

I would stay at Bellagio catch a direct on continental. I see no reason whatsoever to have a car for what you are doing. Vegas is not a large place and cabs are everywhere. The airport is 20 minutes max from Bellagio.

You will do what 90% of us do there. First night this is the greatest place on earth, 2nd night this is cool, 3rd night when is my flight get me out of here... I am hoping this is not the case. As I have a 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th , 9th , 10th and 11th night to contend with. [/QUOTE]You never know maybe it resets at some point. I think you probably know what I mean though.

Sack · Post by **Sack** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 3:11 am

Champ:

No worries, things are seldom as big as they appear. Take your Main Event Championship Check. $100,000 looks sweet on that check, but I'm betting Uncle Sam did all he could to make that BIG check look a lil bit smaller. See, I have proof for ya!

The gathering at the IP won't grow that large, but it has become sort of a "family" tradition for a few of the Oldtimers ( I'm talking about Mazur & Hinkelman ) . Nothing fancy, but good friends and a good time before the best day of the year. Hope you'll find a way.

Now, about Circus Circus...... no shot!

[ February 11, 2011, 09:12 AM: Message edited by: Sack ]

Quahogs · Post by **Quahogs** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 4:03 am

Originally posted by Sack:

Champ:

No worries, things are seldom as big as they appear. Take your Main Event Championship Check. $100,000 looks sweet on that check, but I'm betting Uncle Sam did all he could to make that BIG check look a lil bit smaller. See, I have proof for ya!

The gathering at the IP won't grow that large, but it has become sort of a "family" tradition for a few of the Oldtimers ( I'm talking about Mazur & Hinkelman ) . Nothing fancy, but good friends and a good time before the best day of the year. Hope you'll find a way.

Now, about Circus Circus...... no shot!

Bring it on, I just dare you to do the damage Uncle Sam did! Looking forward to it.

MadCow Sez · Post by **MadCow Sez** » Fri Feb 11, 2011 1:08 pm

Originally posted by Quahogs:

quote:Originally posted by Sack:

Champ:

No worries, things are seldom as big as they appear. Take your Main Event Championship Check. $100,000 looks sweet on that check, but I'm betting Uncle Sam did all he could to make that BIG check look a lil bit smaller. See, I have proof for ya!

The gathering at the IP won't grow that large, but it has become sort of a "family" tradition for a few of the Oldtimers ( I'm talking about Mazur & Hinkelman ) . Nothing fancy, but good friends and a good time before the best day of the year. Hope you'll find a way.

Now, about Circus Circus...... no shot!

Bring it on, I just dare you to do the damage Uncle Sam did! Looking forward to it. [/QUOTE]Champ, you just challenged a cop to eat at a place that serves donuts. Was that wise?

Da bears · Post by **Da bears** » Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:05 am

My trips to Vegas are always three days and for me personally that is the right amount of time.

I'm usually wiped out by the end of the trip from doing multiple drafts and doing plenty of drinking those three days!!

I can't imagine 10 straight days in Vegas and will never atttempt that.

Good luck to those brave souls!

Anyways I can't wait to get out to Vegas in a few weeks for the NFBC second weekend.

[ February 12, 2011, 02:06 PM: Message edited by: Da bears ]