Hi there, I'm turning 21 in less than 2 weeks and I'm going to be visiting Vegas with 4 close friends. We're staying at the Hard Rock hotel Friday Nov.27-Nov.30.

They want to go clubbing and seeing shows but I'm more interested in playing poker because it's what I enjoy the most. Instead of going there blind I wanted to ask you guys if you can recommend the best spots for both tournaments and cash games.

I'm looking to play tournaments around $100-200 buy-in and as deep-stacked as possible, and either $1/2 or $2/5 for cash. I looked around on the card player vegas tournament page and I got a basic understand of what's running while I'm there, but I want to know if you guys have any recommendations, thanks.

have you searched the forums? tons of threads on this stuff already if you wanted to spend time looking.

in short, probably venetian isnt a bad way to go.

Why are you staying at Hard Rock?

I'd recommend spending more time with your friends at clubs/shows, with some poker mixed in. Especially if you're taking a short trip for your 21st birthday. Maybe a Venetian daily tournament and a few hours of $2-$5, but otherwise spend time with your friends.

or you can go to Aria for their daily tournaments. $120 buyin 1pm start and 7pm start.

I would not stay at Hard Rock if you want to play tournaments. Go to Aria, Wynn, or Venetian. Check out www.pokeratlas.com for tournament listings...

Good luck!

Agree with this advice. But if you must stay at Hard Rock you can always cab it over to Wynn and Venetian.

I would probably recommend playing cash not tourneys as you don't have to invest as much time, plan in advance and can quit whenever u want.

Hard rock was not my choice these idiots saw a deal and bought tickets for everyone right away so I didn't even have a say. I will be going to the club at least one night, but I'm not really interested in shows and wax museums and other stuff they're planning to see. How much does a cab cost from hard rock to venetian or aria?

Madame Tussauds is at the Venetian, so you can all share a cab.

Heard the cash games at Hard Rock are pretty soft. Small room though.

first ever trip...you'll want to see the poker rooms at Aria, Bellagio and Venetian. don't waste your time at the other ****holes, not for a first-ever trip anyway.

Aria and Venetian have good daily tournaments. reasonable buy-ins, reasonable structure, good size fields and prize pools.

don't forget to tip the dealers and waitresses.

oh ya, hard rock is off-strip so plan on cabbing.

Approximately $13-$15

What is tournament registration like in Vegas? I'm coming from Vancouver and here we have a tournament number that's used in most casinos, does something like this exist there or do you just show up and play?

Show up early for the tournament you want to play in so that you can assure you get in right away and are not an alternate to the tournament. Just go to the podium in the room and ask what you need to do to sign up. At most places I believe you will need to have a player's card for that casino. You may be able to sign up for these online, but I am not sure. If not, make sure you give yourself a little extra time in order to obtain the player's card prior to registration.

I recommend using Uber or Lyft for getting around LV.

Aria touney for $125 at other 1pm or 7pm is the way to go. Wynn for $140 Monday through Friday also a good tourney.

I like downtown, Fremont street especially area on the eastside for some interesting bars, "Insert Coins" & "Atomic Cafe" and eats at "La Comida" or Le Thai".

Most places have rebuys first hour so you can start later if you like, no rush. Just go to cashier and sign up and they'll send you to your seat. I'm always seated right away.

Yes if you can catch a game and get a seat. I'd call them before going over there.

Insert coins has been closed for a while now and its atomic liquors, unless they opened up another bar also called atomic cafe which wouldnt surprise me at all lol

Fremont is awesome but they are just putting wayyyyy too many bars in that area and not nearly enough customers.

One more quick question, how do the taxes on poker work? Do they take them off any winnings when you cash out or do you have to report something?

you're canadian so you're gonna get raped on tournament taxes

just stick to cash

If you're from a country without a tax treaty with the U.S. they will withhold 35% from tournament winnings in excess of $5k. How you get the money back I don't know, that will differ by country and how you file.

Any winnings at all or just over 5k?

over 5k only

I pretty much play exclusively at the Aria when I'm in vegas. It's just a beautiful casino, probably the best location on the strip, and plenty of 1/3 and 2/5 games going, plus decent tournament turnout. But thats also because I stay at the Aria. You should reconsider your room. I always got a good poker room rate but cant remember what it was, something like $99 plus food comps that paid for a cheap dinner.