ComboProf: Quick! Circus Circus vs Key Largo

[ComboProf]

Given various constraints, I seem to be forced
to choose between these two hotels. I've not
stayed in either. Which is better?

Just in case you have a better idea.
The main constraints are:
under $100 avg/night (6 nights that include a weekend) and open heated outdoor swimming pool
in november or an indoor pool.

I need to decided today.

[Parker]

Like those old questions about which method one would choose to die, neither hotel would be my first choice.

Do you like children? This is my main complaint about Circus Circus - it is usually overrun with screaming brats. Also, beware of "manor" rooms. The "manor" an aging motel-type structure behind the main hotel/casino. It is a long walk to the casino, or anything else for that matter.

On the positive side, Circus has a good north strip location, both the steak house and Mexican restaurant are exceptional (the buffet is poor), and you can occasionally find some playable blackjack in the casino.

Finally, Circus is part of Mandalay Resort Group, and uses the One Club players card. Comp points earned at Circus may be used at Mandalay Bay, Luxor, Monte Carlo, etc., as well as their properties in Tunica, Reno and Laughlin.

Key Largo is a small property located at the corner of Paradise and Flamingo, about a mile from the strip. The only other property really close is Terrible's. Still, if you have a car (or really enjoy walking), it is a quick hop to the heart of center strip.

The rooms are somewhat worn but larger than average and equipped with niceties such as refrigerators, wet bars, coffee makers, etc.

The casino is a dump with unplayable games and the only restaurant on premises is a mediocre coffee shop.

I do not know if either pool is heated, or even open in November. Both are outdoors, and it is really too cold for swimming in November, IMHO, heated pool or not.

If it were me I'd go with Circus as long as I knew I was getting a tower room.

But I'd really rather stay at the Stardust next door, or somewhere downtown. :-)

[ComboProf]

> Like those old questions about which method
> one would choose to die, neither hotel would
> be my first choice.

Neither is my first choice, but
there is some sort of convention happening,
so I don't have much choice, given my constraints.

I did book Circus^2 and cancled Key-Largo.

How cold is it in November?

Thanks again for your quick reply.

[Norm Wattenberger]

> But I'd really rather stay at the Stardust
> next door, or somewhere downtown. :-)

Haven't stayed in the Stardust since they tore down those long motor hotel strips in the back. So poorly constructed when the maids rolled their carts along the bare concrete balconies it sounded like an earthquake.

[ComboProf]

I found that there are poker rooms at the following casinos: Bellagio, Binion's, Boulder Station, Circus Circus, Excalibur, Flamingo, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, Monte Carlo, Nevada Palace, Palace Station, Plaza, Sahara, Sam's Town, Stardust, Sunset Station, Texas Station, The Mirage, The Orleans, and The Palms.

I am a beginner (well I've read Lee Jones and I have played 4 times.)

Which Casinos should I avoid, which should I play and when should I play? Any advice would be apreciated. BTW I'm only going to play low limits.

[Norm Wattenberger]

I don't play Poker in Vegas. I don't find it enjoyable to play with complete stangers.

[Parker]

> Neither is my first choice, but
> there is some sort of convention happening,
> so I don't have much choice, given my
> constraints.

> I did book Circus^2 and cancled Key-Largo.

> How cold is it in November?

Daytime highs are usually in the low to mid 60's. At night it can drop down into the 40's. In addition, sometimes strong winds come whipping across the desert, which make it seem even colder.

This isn't too bad if you've just flown in from Minnesota, but it seems downright frigid to this San Diegan.

About the only good thing I can say about November is that December and January are even colder.

[Parker]

> Haven't stayed in the Stardust since they
> tore down those long motor hotel strips in
> the back. So poorly constructed when the
> maids rolled their carts along the bare
> concrete balconies it sounded like an
> earthquake.

I've always asked for (and received) a room in the West Tower. This is the main tower - the big purple thingy.

While the motel rooms in the back are long gone, they still have something called the "Villa" which is a two story building surrounding the pool. I've never stayed in these rooms, so I can't comment on the quality.

The West Tower rooms, however, are spacious, comfortable and tastefully appointed.

[ComboProf]

[Parker]

It's kind of funny. A typical winter day in Las Vegas will find weak sunshine, the temperature hovering around 60, and a biting stiff wind.

Some people will be wearing lightweight jackets and going about their business. These are the locals.

Others will be bundled up like Eskimoes, with heavy parkas and scarves, and be complaining bitterly about the cold. These are the tourists who drove in from southern California.

Still others will be walking around jacketless in short sleeve shirts and bermuda shorts, gushing about the wonderful weather.

These are the tourists from your part of the world. :-)

[Ted]

For everything you want to know about poker in Vegas search the Bricks & Mortar forum at www.twoplustwo.com

In my opinion, the nicest rooms with structured low limit games (rather than spread limit) are: Mirage ($3-$6) (non-smoking), Bellagio ($4-$8) (non-smoking), Monte Carlo ($2-$4, $4-$8), and Mandalay Bay ($4-$8).

As far as the North Strip is concerned, there are pokers rooms at Circus Circus, Sahara and the Stardust. I've never played at any of these rooms, but they are reportedly populated with local retirees (rocks).

In my limited experience, the low limit games at Strip properties are pretty loose and very passive. If you've read Jones' WLLH (and have enough discipline to play tight), you're a better player than 90% of the people at these tables.

Have fun and let us know how you did.

[ComboProf]

I'm visting vegas with my wife and also attending
a conference, so I don't don't know how much play
I'll get in, but I'll write up my experiences and
tell you how I did.

[Bettie]

> It's kind of funny. A typical winter day in
> Las Vegas will find weak sunshine, the
> temperature hovering around 60, and a biting
> stiff wind.

> Some people will be wearing lightweight
> jackets and going about their business.
> These are the locals.

The locals wear a lot more than a light jacket! If born and raised here, or here for more than a few years, they will be bundled up and complaining about how cold it is. Those in the lightweight jackets are sure to be locals recently moved from Illinois (the second largest feeder state to LV, behind CA).

I moved here in January a couple years ago, during below-zero weather in Chi-town. It was in the mid-seventies here - a paradise for me! I recall going to my insurance agent's office the following week - high 60's - and the girl (a local) who came out to look at the car put on a parka before going outside, while I was wearing jeans and a t-shirt!

And yes, there is always at least one tourist on the Strip wearing shorts and flip-flops in the middle of winter!

Bettie