Playing Like a Vegas Local?

[FloridaPhil]

On August 21st my wife and I are leaving on a much anticipated week long Vegas video poker field trip.  This visit we are staying away from the Strip and making a point to play where the locals play.  We are staying at the Red Rock all week and renting a car. High on our list is a chance to play the positive VP games we keep hearing about.   We also want to get a feel for what it's like to live there full time.  Checking with VPfree2.com it looks like the better DW games are in quarters which is fine with us.  We know 98.9% and NSU deuces strategy cold, but we're not too sure about full pay deuces.  What major play changes are required?   Any particular places we should check out?  We want to play as if we lived there.  We'll be reporting our results on this forum.  Thanks!

[alpax]

I think Sea Lion, Rebus, DAAnMAAn, and billryan (provided you guys can get along) are some of the best people to ask here.

If you revisit this thread, you've already asked this question not too long ago. I gave you my detailed response on page 2, which I believe is one that is researched by myself. Explore the Summerlin area around Red Rock Casino such as Red Rock Canyon and the golf courses. You could probably afford to live there. There is a shopping center that was just built just a few years ago.

Can you live off video poker?

It seems like everyone is finding the time to go to Vegas at this time of year. It is hot everywhere so cannot escape the heat. Good luck to everyone out there.

[OTABILL]

The rooms at Red Rock are terrific, the best we have experienced in Vegas. Lots of VP both machines and variety. Paytables are good. Our only problem is we have had really bad results playing there though I ascribe it to luck, which I have mentioned before, trumps paytables, EV, etc. The casino is pleasant, ventilation and lighting are good.

The buffet is decent and hotel guests get priority seating along with Chairman card holders. There is a Yardhouse on-site which is a restaurant chain we like.

We have discussed a trip to RR next month but it depends on certain things working out.

I will leave it to others to discuss other casinos. Hope you have a successful trip.

[alpax]

The rooms at Red Rock are terrific, the best we have experienced in Vegas. Lots of VP both machines and variety. Paytables are good. Our only problem is we have had really bad results playing there though I ascribe it to luck, which I have mentioned before, trumps paytables, EV, etc. The casino is pleasant, ventilation and lighting are good.

The buffet is decent and hotel guests get priority seating along with Chairman card holders. There is a Yardhouse on-site which is a restaurant chain we like.

We have discussed a trip to RR next month but it depends on certain things working out.

I will leave it to others to discuss other casinos. Hope you have a successful trip.

Thanks for providing your vote of confidence to the Red Rock. The Yardhouse is a good gastropub-like chain, there is a few in my area. I hope you and your spouse's health can withstand the second hand smoke if you wish to seek to have fun again, it has been awhile.

[alpax]

We know 98.9% and NSU deuces strategy cold, but we're not too sure about full pay deuces.  What major play changes are required?   Any particular places we should check out?  We want to play as if we lived there.  We'll be reporting our results on this forum.  Thanks!


The most major change and habit you would have to adjust to when playing FPDW is when you get two pairs on the draw, you have to break one of them, either one.

You are used to 4 for 1 on both Full House and 4 of a Kind, FPDW only does 3 for 1 on Full House but 5 for 1 on 4 of a Kind.

The strategy chart is found here:

http://wizardofodds.com/games/video-pok ... y/optimal/

[Rebus]

Since my name was mentioned, I'll make a comment.

I do play a bit at Red Rock partly because I live nearby, although playing at any Station casino isn't all that profitable. Their buffet is very good for the price but the line can be horrendously long. Last Saturday lunch the line was over one hour long. The handicap line is usually much shorter and the VIP line much shorter still.

An aside: During the recession Stations no-mailed just about everyone who won too much, but I haven't heard of that happening there since then. Contrary to what others have posted here, those who played the FPDW machines weren't restricted. It was just the higher limit players mainly $1 and up. They definitely use theo for mailed offers, so if you play FPDW exclusively don't expect any future offers, but it doesn't mean you're on any kind of black list. I do know some locals who play almost all FPDW and do get very small mailers.

[billryan]

You might want to join the Las Vegas Advisor. An online subscription is $37. The coupon book has a 2-4-1 for Red Rock buffet, which cuts your cost in half.
A trip to Emerald Island will get you two coupon books for four free meals, and a wheel spin worth at least $10. Go on the right day and they have crazy promos.
Just those two places and your cost is under $10 with hundreds of coupons to go.

[PokerParadise]

We stay at Red Rock twice a year and love it. The pool area is great if you stay away from the main pool (too many kids for us!). T-Bones is pricey, but very good. Another upscale steakhouse is Andiron located next to Red Rock (Downtown Summerlin, as they call it). For a great sandwich, don't miss Capriotti's, as there is one in the food court at Red Rock, and a nicer one in Downtown Summerlin. Expect lower paytables at the bars, but higher ones near the entrances and movie theater. Libre is a decent Mexican restaurant there too. And like other posters mentioned, you need to go to Red Rock Canyon. Beautiful formations of rock!!! Good luck, Florida Phil!

[onemoretry]

May i suggest a trip downtown (not the strip) and a visit to one of my favourite haunts, Main Street Station?
They don't have full pay deuces, but they do have some pretty decent games to play. And, while you're there, visit the Triple 7 Brew Pub.

And, while downtown, go over to Freemont Street in the evening to take in the Freemont Street experience.

[FloridaPhil]

Thanks for the input.  I can't image what it's like to have so many casinos to choose from.  I guess like everyone else you would find a favorite and stay there. We spent a lot of time in Vegas years back, but never done much off the strip.  If we like what we see, we may put Vegas on our annual trip list.   The altitude in Black Hawk is starting to get to me and Reno is a hassle to fly to from Orlando. Full pay games are intriguing.   Playing in Reno we have NSU, so we know the odds don't guarantee a win all the time.  We'll carry $2K in bankroll each and see how that works.  Mainly I want to see what it would be like to move there.  My wife would never do it, but it's interesting to think about.   The heat's not an issue as long as we have air conditioning.   Why are many people in Vegas so interested in mailers and coupons?  This isn't a big issue in the Southeast.  What I want is a game where I have a better than even chance to win more than I lose.  We'll see what happens.