Summertime in Las Vegas is hotter than Khalid’s latest album. But don’t let the daily triple-digit temps discourage you from attending your first WSOP because, in the words of the great Gus Hansen, “it’s going to be a great summer.” So, what are you waiting for? Oh, right, the 50 Vegas insider tips the headline promised.
Oh, yes, it’s going to be a great, no – fantastic summer. Seven weeks of bright lights, massive pots, pool parties, bracelet hunting, and some things I can’t repeat (what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas, you know). You’d be crazier than my ex-girlfriend to miss out (YOLO!).
I’m going on my eighth summer in Sin City and fourth time covering the WSOP from the media side. So I’m going to share with you 50 Vegas tips I’ve picked up over the course of my residency to help ensure your World Series of Poker is an enjoyable and memorable experience in this glorious desert city I call home.
The 50th annual WSOP kicks off May 29 at the Rio, a hotel and casino just off the Strip. You still have plenty of time to prepare for the Series. But you’d better start figuring out where you’re going to stay and play, how you’ll get around town, and which tournaments you’ll enter.
So, About that Scalding Hot Weather …
Las Vegas is located in the middle of the Mojave Desert. It’s a short drive from Death Valley, the hottest place on the planet. And, it turns out, Vegas’s temps are getting even worse.
1. Temps are on the rise
Being ranked #1 is great if you’re a college football team or just dropped a new album. But not if that ranking is for being the fastest-warming city in America since 1970, which is the case with Las Vegas. It’s always been hot in Sin City during the summer, but now it’s getting even more unbearable. You can expect temperatures in the triple digits starting in late May all throughout the summer.
2. Yes, it is a dry heat, but …
The good news is, for most of the summer, pollen and humidity levels are low. The bad news is, 100 degrees is 100 degrees any way you slice it. Coming from Iowa where it’s humid in the summertime, the dry heat in Vegas has done wonders on my asthma and allergies. I breathe easier out here but I’m more disinterested in spending time outside that time of year than when I lived in the Midwest. There isn’t much shade in town and the sun beats down on you all day, almost every single day.
3. Above average temps predicted
AccuWeather, one of the top weather forecasting models, projects temperatures in June until early July to be slightly above average. However, they don’t forecast any crazy hot days (i.e. 115 degrees), which is a good thing. By the time the Main Event final table rolls around in mid-July, AccuWeather expects temps to drop into the mid-90’s, which is well below average for that time of year. The anticipated cool-off comes right when I’ll be leaving for a long vacation. Go figure.
4. Inside the Rio is a different story
It may seem strange considering how hot it is daily in Las Vegas during the summer, but I’d suggest bringing a light jacket and maybe even a parka with you to the Rio. At times, it gets colder inside the convention center than Antarctica, or at least it seems that way. For about 10 seconds after you enter the hallways, it feels great. Then you’ll be begging for a cup of hot cocoa and a heavy blanket. Of course, I’m being slightly facetious but most days inside the WSOP tournament rooms the air conditioner is cranked up a bit too high. Unless you’re a polar bear, you may feel uncomfortable without a light jacket.
5. Everything is further away than it looks
Looks can be deceiving in Las Vegas. That giant building that appears to be within spitting distance might actually be a full mile away, if not further. So before you decide to brave the heat and walk, ask Siri how far away your location really is. The Rio is technically within walking distance to the Strip, but the one-mile trek is a long one. So if you have health issues, please don’t try it. Take a bus or an Uber. It’s further away than it appears to the naked eye.
Getting by on a Budget …
You don’t have to be filthy rich to come to Las Vegas for the WSOP as a fan or competitor. While it’s true it costs a few limbs for certain meals and services out here (hey, there’s a reason we have payday loan stores on every block), you can survive a week or an entire summer in the desert on a modest budget. Let me show you how.
6. Get a roommate and avoid hotels
Even if you stay at a cheap hotel, you’re still looking at $50-$60 or more per day, which comes out to over $1,500 per month, and you likely won’t have amenities such as a kitchenette. That isn’t horrible but you can get those necessary amenities for a similar price. If you are coming to Vegas alone, search forums and Craigslist for a roommate, or ask around on social media.
There are thousands of poker players coming to town for the summer looking for a roommate just like you. If you don’t know any potential roommates, feel free to post in the CardsChat forum, tweet your need for a roommate on Twitter, or search Craigslist “rooms/shared.”
7. Where to find a pad
Planning for the WSOP, especially if you’re staying the entire summer, is a bit trickier for the budget traveler. You’ll have to search a bit harder for a decent place to stay than if you had stacks of high-society.
But it’s not impossible. A quick search located a Las Vegas Rentals 4 U site that has many one and two-bedroom pads available at reasonable rates. A two-bedroom runs for $1,980 to $2,250 per month, or about $1,000-$1,100 per person.
8. Avoid tempting “furnished weekly rentals”
A full kitchenette, outdoor pool, cable TV, fully furnished room, cheap weekly rates, and a short drive to the casinos? Sounds pretty good, right? It does, except most of those motels are in bad neighborhoods and the community isn’t safe. Places such as Siegel Suites and Harbor Island offer all the amenities you need – even free cable TV – and the only bill you pay is the weekly rent. But you’ll be gambling with your safety, especially if word gets out that you’ve been winning money at the casino.
9. Find a place close to the Rio
Gas prices have skyrocketed in Las Vegas over the past month. The average price is currently over $3.30 per gallon. If you’re on a budget and are bringing your car with, search for residency within a few miles from the Rio. That eliminates some nice areas such as the Green Valley Ranch district and Southern Highlands, but many find housing near the Rio, or east of the Strip where it’s a bit cheaper.
Personal recommendation: The Oasis apartments across the street from Manadalay Bay, just a block off the Strip. They aren’t fancy, and the appliances are outdated, but they offer short-term leases with furnished apartments in a safe community a short drive from the Rio. A two-bedroom will cost you well under $1,000 per month plus utilities. I lived there my first year in Las Vegas back in 2012 and can confirm it’s a solid spot for a poker player on a budget.
10. Drive for Uber or Lyft part-time (if you’re from Nevada)
Las Vegas is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Most travelers here don’t have a car, which means there is a 24/7 need for Uber and Lyft drivers. If you’re bringing a car with and you reside elsewhere in Nevada, drive part-time for Lyft or Uber to make some money on the side. You can choose your hours so it’ll be easy to work around your poker schedule. Drivers are required to reside in Nevada, however.
11. Bring dinner with you
One thing I dislike about the WSOP is the food situation. The restaurants at the Rio are overpriced and, quite frankly, not very good. There are some WSOP-approved table delivery options, but they’re not cheap. So, if you are on a tight budget and don’t want to starve yourself all summer, I’d strongly recommend fixing your own meals, putting them on ice and bringing them with you each day.
12. Avoid paying a premium for food on the Strip
I’m going to let you in on a little secret about the celebrity chefs who stamp their names on Vegas Strip restaurants. In most cases, the food is overrated. And in all cases, it’s overpriced. A budget traveler can’t afford to drop $50-$100 for dinner very often. So, your best bet when you’re away from the Rio is to either eat at home or grub on one of the local non-Strip joints. My favorite reasonably priced restaurants in Vegas are (in no particular order):
- Protein House (healthy food)
- Skinny Fats (healthy and unhealthy menus with burgers, salads, and more)
- Fuddruckers (national chain fast-ish food burger joint)
- Red Rock Casino Feast Buffet (solid value buffet)
- Roma Deli (authentic Italian restaurant owned by poker player Todd Brunson)
- Capriotti’s (quality sandwiches, locations all over town)
- Wahoo’s (quick and decent fish tacos)
- Giordano’s (Chicago-style deep dish pizza)
- The Cracked Egg (delicious breakfast)
- Plantone’s Italian Market (tasty Italian restaurant that doesn’t get enough publicity)
- Ping Pang Pong (Uber-authentic Chinese restaurant at Gold Coast Casino next to Rio)
13. Where to shop for groceries
I don’t need to tell you to avoid Whole Foods if you’re on a budget. You probably already know that. But we do have a cheaper alternative in Las Vegas. Sprouts isn’t as big but it’s less expensive and has plenty of quality produce, protein, and other groceries. If you’re on this earth for a good time, not a long time, and don’t care about carbs and calories, shop at Smith’s. You’ll find a good mix of healthy and non-healthy products. The fruits and veggies are always hit or miss, however. It seems like one day the fruits are nice and colorful and the next day they look like a clump of mud.
14. Take advantage of free parking on the Strip
Caesars and MGM have most, but not all, of the Strip covered. And parking isn’t free at those properties unless you’ve earned enough player points. But there are plenty of free places to park along Las Vegas Boulevard. Tropicana, Wynn, Venetian, Stratosphere, Circus Circus, and SLS all offer free parking. Even if you aren’t headed to those casinos, you can still park your car there and walk to your destination.
15. FYI: Those free drinks aren’t actually free
One of the best perks of gambling in Las Vegas – at any casino – is you get free drinks when you play. The downside to that is the free booze often becomes the most expensive drinks you’ll ever order. You have to actually gamble to get a “free” drink and if you don’t tip, the cocktail waitress probably won’t come back to serve you another round. Sure, you can milk a $20 bill for hours on a penny slot betting the minimum, only occasionally pushing the button, but that’s about as entertaining as sitting at a poker table full of headphone-wearing GTO robots.
16. How to drink on the cheap in Las Vegas
Unless you’re committed to staring at a slot machine for hours to get drunk, you’ll need to find another way to drink for cheap. The first option is to not drink at all, which is probably the best option most nights. But, come on, you’re in Las Vegas. You can’t be responsible all the time. So, for those evenings (or mornings, I don’t judge), your best bet is to hit up the liquor store closest to your pad and drink at home. If that doesn’t sound appealing, there are some fun bars away from the Strip.
Personal recommendation: One of my favorites is Hi Scores Bar-Arcade, a chill place to drink some beers, play free old-school arcade games, eat some grub, and play video poker. I’ll even let you buy me a beer or 10 if you stop by. But I guarantee you will get destroyed if you challenge me to a game of Pac-Man.
If Cost is no Concern …
If, as Jermaine Dupri so eloquently sung, “money ain’t a thang,” you have more options for food, lodging, and entertainment than the cost-conscious WSOP player. Las Vegas is a great place to visit even if you’re light on cash. But it’s arguably the most epic destination in the world for those who print money.
17. Housing options are plentiful
Since Las Vegas is a tourist-friendly city, you won’t have any problem finding a place to stay. Las Vegas Poker Homes rents luxury properties to poker players during the WSOP. Las Vegas Furnished Homes also offers a good selection of nice homes and condos within close proximity of the Rio. Or, you can always live in one of the casinos such as the Rio, or even better, on the Strip at a place such as the Bellagio or Venetian.
18. Best healthy eating option
Dave Swanson, who owns the All-American Dave food truck, is the go-to guy for healthy eating at the Rio during the Series. You can purchase a monthly meal plan which costs between $300 to $1,000 depending on how often you’ll be ordering food. Swanson has a high approval rating among poker players. The food is healthy, tasty, and the best part of his service is the meals are delivered directly to your table.
19. For those on a Krispy Kreme diet
If the thought of eating veggies and lightly seasoned protein sounds less appealing than stuffing your face with a greasy burger or Tomahawk steak, I’ve got you covered. Las Vegas has a plethora of fancy restaurants for any appetite. My personal favorites include:
- Gallagher’s Steakhouse at New York New York (high-quality meats and excellent service)
- Gordon Ramsay Burger at Planet Hollywood (some of the best burgers and fries in town)
- Panevino (authentic Italian grille near the airport)
- Joe’s Seafood Prime Steak and Stone Crab at Caesars Palace (tender steaks and fresh seafood)
- King’s Fish House at Green Valley District (fresh seafood to die for)
- Kabuto (arguably the best sushi I’ve ever had)
- Hank’s Fine Steaks at Green Valley Ranch (one of the best steakhouses in town)
- Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace (you won’t find a better buffet…anywhere)
- Lemongrass at Aria (best Thai food I’ve had in Las Vegas)
20. Where the party’s at
After a long day of bad beats, it’s time to kick back and forget about the fish who stacked you. The Rio is a short Uber ride away from the Strip, which is home to some of the best nightclubs in the country. Hakkasan at MGM Grand is always a blast, and world-famous DJ’s such as Tiesto and Steve Aoki cut tracks regularly. But Kaos Nightclub at the Palms, which is across the street from the Rio, is Vegas’ hottest new club and will certainly be a popular hangout among poker players this summer.
21. What to do on your day off?
It’s okay to step away from the poker room once or twice during the Series. Get your mind off poker for a day and go see a show. Jerry Seinfeld, Paul McCartney, Ron White, and Jay Leno are among the big acts performing in Las Vegas this summer. Regular shows such as Absinthe at Caesars Palace, Blue Man Group at Luxor, Zumanity by Cique du Soleil at New York New York, and The Beatles LOVE at Mirage, never disappoint.
Where to Play Poker …
The Rio has been home to the World Series of Poker since 2005. But it’s far from the only place to play cards in town. Las Vegas poker rooms are packed in June and July, so you can anticipate long wait times for cash games, whether you play high or low stakes.
22. Download the Bravo app
The Bravo poker mobile app is an essential tool for poker players in Las Vegas, especially during the WSOP. Don’t waste your time heading to the casino to play cash games unless you’ve checked out the wait list on the Bravo app and then called ahead to get on the list. Wait times during the summer are high even at the poker rooms that aren’t otherwise busy. At a card room like Aria, you might have a two-hour wait to get in a game.
23. Best places for cash games
You won’t find better live cash game action in the world than what you’ll experience in Las Vegas during the WSOP. But while the games are juicy inside the Rio Convention Center, there’s plenty of action elsewhere. Some of the best places to play low, medium, and high stakes poker happens at Aria, Wynn (Encore), Venetian, and Bellagio on the Strip. Away from the Strip and Rio, the games are solid at Green Valley Ranch, Red Rock Resort, Golden Nugget (downtown), and South Point.
24. Best non-bracelet tourneys in Vegas
If you’re coming to town to grind the tournament circuit but have no interest in competing for gold bracelets, you’ll find multiple profitable events every single day in June and July. Wynn, Venetian, Golden Nugget, Aria, and Planet Hollywood, each host an exciting poker series beginning in late May until mid-July. You’ll find cheaper buy-ins in these tournaments than the average WSOP event which is great for the mid and low-stakes grinders. The Rio also hosts three daily deepstack tournaments that attract hundreds of players.
25. Playing poker online
Online poker is legal in Nevada and you aren’t required to be a resident of the Silver State. So long as you’re within state boundaries, you can play at WSOP.com. And it’s easy to make a deposit especially if you’re in Las Vegas. You can head to any Caesars property – including the Rio – to make a cash deposit and withdrawal. Or, you can use a bank card if your bank doesn’t block the transaction.
Jon’s take: WSOP.com will host nine gold bracelet events online this year. Personally, I’m not a fan of this as I feel the WSOP should be exclusively a live poker series. I can support one online event, but nine is crazy, in my opinion.
26. Top low-stakes WSOP bracelet events (under $1,500)
The World Series of Poker is catering more to the low-stakes poker crowd this year than ever before. For just $500, you can win $1 million in the Big 50, which begins May 30. Another cool under $1,500 event early in the Series is the $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em Super Turbo Bounty, a one-day tournament on June 4. Later in the series, the first ever $1,000 Mini Main Event, a miniature version of the Main Event, takes place on July 1.
27. Top mid-stakes WSOP bracelet events ($1,500 to $10,000)
If you have a little bit more cash to spend, there are more prestigious events to play. The $1,500 Millionaire Maker on June 7 is one of the most popular annual tournaments at the WSOP. On June 22, the $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed kicks off. That one always attracts the best PLO players in the world. If you like heads-up poker, you can’t miss the $10,000 Heads-Up Championship on June 5. And we certainly can’t forget about the Main Event, the most prestigious poker tournament in the world. This year’s world championship of poker runs from July 3-16.
28. Top high-stakes WSOP bracelet events (Over $10,000)
While the WSOP is catering more to the lower stakes players than in previous years, the high rollers aren’t being left out. The first high roller – a $50,000 buy-in event – is May 31. On June 24, the prestigious $50,000 Poker Players Championship kicks off. That is arguably the most important non-Main Event tournament of the summer. The $1 million Big One for One Drop and $111,111 One Drop High Roller charity events are gone this year. But on July 11, you’ll find an exciting $100,000 High Roller to close out the summer.
30. What makes the top poker rooms the most appealing?
I’m partial to Aria, Bellagio, Venetian, and Wynn. I play 90 percent of my poker in those card rooms, occasionally venturing off to Mirage or Green Valley Ranch. There a few reasons I like those poker rooms. First off, the rooms are comfortable and well-run by a pleasant staff. But what I love most is I find the wealthiest tourists who have money to blow usually play in those card rooms.
31. Where to find the worst players
Most successful poker pros play in the top poker rooms in Las Vegas. But if you’re looking for easier games, you’ll find them at Harrah’s, Stratosphere, Caesars Palace, Green Valley Ranch, Red Rock, Mirage, and MGM Grand. Once in a while, I head over to a Station Casino (GVR or Red Rock) to take money off the chain-smoking elderly folks who are still using the same poker strategy we all learned 15 years ago. The only problem with doing this is many players buy-in for the table minimum and you won’t always find a game above the $1/$3 limits.
For the Fans …
Not everyone comes to town to play cards. Some like to visit the World Series of Poker strictly as a fan. And there’s nothing wrong with that. The atmosphere at the Rio is exciting even if you’re just here to cheer on your favorite poker star.
32. Railing your favorite pros
One of the coolest aspects of the World Series of Poker is getting to see the action up close. There is no admission fee to watch from the rail. You can take pictures, chat with the players on break, and even cheer when your favorite player wins a pot. Just don’t bug the players when cards are in the air.
33. Which players are fan-friendly?
Some pros don’t like to be bothered by fans, even on break. But most will chat it up with you for a bit. From my experience, no poker celebrity is more fan-friendly than Daniel Negreanu at the WSOP. He rarely declines an autograph or selfie request. Mike Matusow, Joe Hachem, Anthony Zinno, and actor James Woods are also great about chatting it up with the fans. And there are many others who do the same. If you want an autograph or a selfie, just ask. Nine times out of 10 they’ll be more than happy to hook you up.
34. How to get a seat at the Main Event final table
The first thing you can do is to win your way there by accumulating enough chips. But if you aren’t insanely lucky, you can still watch the action live and up-close. Another option is to befriend one of the participants so you’ll be guaranteed a seat. If neither of those options are possible, you can arrive at the Rio a couple hours before start time. I can’t guarantee you’ll find a seat with a view of the felt, but this is your only remaining option.
35. Where are the restricted areas for fans?
Without a media pass, fans are limited to where they can stand and sit. There are three main tournament rooms and each of them have a railing surrounding the tables. You are only permitted to stand outside the railing. If your favorite pro is seated in the middle of the room away from the railing, unfortunately, you won’t be able to watch him or her play. During breaks, fans must leave the tournament rooms and stand in the hallway until the break concludes. If you don’t abide by the rules, a large muscular gentleman will not-so gently escort you to the Clark County Jail.
36. Which tournaments are best for spectator viewing?
Nothing beats the atmosphere at the Rio during the Main Event. But you must beware that this tournament attracts a larger audience, which means you’ll be bumping elbows frequently. The $50,000 Poker Players Championship is a great event to rail because nearly every player in the field is a big name pro. So, you’ll recognize most of the players.
Avoid the Scammers …
Like any tourist hot-spot, Las Vegas isn’t short on scammers and sleazy individuals who are too unskilled or too lazy to earn an honest buck. But despite these clowns’ lack of useful skills, many tourists – and probably even some locals – fall prey to their scams. And, no, I’m not talking about Johnnie Vibes here, Shaun Deeb.
37. NOTHING is free
A free three-night stay at a Las Vegas resort sounds wonderful. All you have to do is walk through the Luxor or Excalibur and find one of those obnoxious friendly timeshare sales reps and they’ll hook you up. Except, the promised free room is all just a scam to get you to watch a lengthy, aggressive sales pitch for an overpriced timeshare. Everything costs something in this town.
38. Be careful who you bring to your room
There are attractive women who take advantage of drunk or careless men in the casinos. They pretend to be sexually interested in the man and suggest he bring her back to his hotel room. She then slips something poisonous in his drink, steals his money and leaves. Lock your money and valuables in a safe if you ever bring someone you don’t know back to your room.
39. There is no “free” VIP upgrade
When you walk the Strip, you’ll most certainly encounter some talent-less hacks individuals claiming to be “promoters” offering a “free VIP upgrade” to various clubs. I can’t stress this enough – nothing is free. Nothing. They’ll hand you a card that is supposedly good for VIP service at a club and then con you into giving them $20 as a gratuity for doing you a favor. The problem is that card is virtually worthless which you’ll find out when you arrive at the club and are denied any VIP service. One more time – nothing is free in Las Vegas. Got it?
40. Avoid pesky cell phone accessory salespeople at the Rio
Each summer, the Rio leases a kiosk to some pesky cell phone accessory sales people who sell overpriced products at around three times the retail value. They prey on elderly folks and foreign travelers who are unsure of fair American prices. They use obnoxious sales tactics, hounding passerby’s as they walk through the halls. And they will pester you all summer long. The best thing you can do is to not give them your business and maybe they’ll go away next year. But in lieu of that, avoid eye contact and keep on moving.
41. If it’s too good to be true…
Everything in Las Vegas is designed to separate you from your money. One way or another, whoever is offering a seemingly amazing deal is going to get your money. That’s not to say you can’t find a good deal. But if what you’re buying seems like the best deal ever, it’s likely a scam. Use those poker instincts to sniff out a bluff from a local con artist.
WSOP Miscellany …
I’ve already gone over the places to stay and eat, shown you how to avoid scams and get by if you’re on a budget or can afford a bit more. But there are still some things left that you need to know about Las Vegas. And for those, I’ve lumped them all together in an “everything else” category.
42. Prostitution isn’t legal in Las Vegas
Contrary to popular belief, if you pay for a hooker in Sin City, you’ll be committing a crime. You can’t legally hire a sex worker in Clark County, but it is legal in Nye County, home of the lovely city of Pahrump, Nevada, which is about 40-45 minutes from the Strip. If you want to, as they say, “hump in Pahrump,” be my guest. There are legal brothels in town full of women who will be more than happy to tell you how handsome you are in exchange for some of your poker winnings.
43. Weed, however, (almost) totally is
Marijuana became legal in Nevada in 2016, with recreational dispensaries opening in 2017. But according to the law, weed can only be consumed in a private residence, and is expressly prohibited in casinos. However, few actually follow those rules and I have yet to meet anyone who has been arrested on marijuana charges the past few years. You didn’t hear this from me – I’ve never even smoked weed (honest) – but no one is going to bust you if you toke up in your hotel room. Still paranoid about the smell? Try vaping or edibles, I’m told.
Locals in the know: Just this week, on Wednesday, the Las Vegas city council approved “consumption lounges,” allowing some marijuana licensees to open up a place for people to smoke indoors. Already some businesses are planning for arcades and Amsterdam-style coffeehouses. Such places won’t be allowed within 1,000 feet of schools or casinos, but city officials will begin processing applications next week, with the first places for public smoking to open before the end of the year.
44. Fremont Street offers great free entertainment
Okay, fine, you got me. I lied about how “nothing is free.” There actually are a few free activities that are fun such as the Bellagio fountain show. But my favorite way to be entertained for no change in Las Vegas is to catch the free concerts downtown on Fremont Street. There are cover bands playing on Fremont Street nightly and the downtown entertainment district features a free Summer Concert Series with big name entertainers such as Nelly (June 15) and Sugar Ray (June 29).
45. WSOP is a celebrity magnet
The World Series of Poker is the game’s biggest event. And because of that, the non-poker celebrities come out to the Rio to compete or just to be seen and mingle with fans. Among the celebs you’ll spot throughout the summer include James Woods, Michael Phelps, Ray Romano, Norm Macdonald, Paul Pierce, and Richard Seymour. Make sure you snap a photo when you see someone you know. I’ve found almost all of the celebrities who come to the WSOP are quite pleasant.
46. You can request security to assist you to your car
Leaving the casino with a large sum of cash can be a bit nerve-racking. If you don’t feel safe leaving with hundreds or thousands of dollars in cash, ask a security guard to assist you to your car. Also, don’t flash big stacks of cash in public. Your hometown might be a tight-knit community, but Las Vegas is a big city that, despite its many positives, isn’t the safest place. There are scammers and crooks everywhere who are looking for a careless sucker.
47. Avoid the temptation to gamble
I’ve known many solid poker players who come to Las Vegas and lose their roll on slots and table games or at the sportsbook. There are so many temptations in this town. If you can’t make it to your car from the poker room without stopping off to hit up that shiny Batman slot machine, you’re going to be in for a long summer.
48. This could be your last opportunity to play at the Rio
Rumors began swirling around town months ago about a potential sale and demolition of the Rio in the coming months. No deal has been made but many are speculating that Caesars will sell the Rio and move the WSOP to a location on the Strip next year. I’m always skeptical of any rumor, but it would be nice to see the Series move elsewhere.
49. Road construction could make the Strip undriveable in places
The city of Las Vegas recently announced a major road construction plan on the Strip that will last three years beginning in June. Traffic is already a pain in this tourist area of town. This will only make things worse. Expect frequent delays when driving north and east of the Rio this summer. I would strongly suggest avoiding the Strip like the plague during rush hour.
50. Bring women or buy a VIP table to get into a club
At the hottest clubs in Las Vegas such as TAO, men get the shaft. The clubs want their dance floors packed with attractive women. So, if you’re a single guy and bring a group of male friends to the club, either befriend women in line to join your group or buy a VIP table which is quite expensive but a ton of fun. Dressing to impress will also help your chances of getting in.
I hope you have a lucky and memorable summer in this lovely city I call home.
