What's up, friends!? I'm in the process of planning a trip out during WSOP and am hoping to get some suggestions and criticisms of my current plan. The kicker here is that my GF will be out with me and Vegas with a lady is something new to me.

Some Background:

Poker:

-I play poker mainly, a healthy mix between MTTs and cash. I used to be a decent MTT player but after a couple of years off, I'd consider myself meh. I'm hoping to play about one tourney a day, usually between a $100-300 BI and I'll take a shot on one in the $500-700 range. The same can be said for my cash grind. I've probably gotten better at cash but worse at MTTs. Long story short, I'm the guy you want to sit down at your table! It just seems like as the time to work on my game gets smaller, it gets easier to play cash because of the shorter sessions. Anybody else run into this?

Girlfriend and I:

-We're both in our late 20's. She's never been to Vegas. I've been numerous times but it's usually just for poker and some diet degening. My plan is to not play any poker (unless she plays) when her and I are together. I've never taken a girl out to Vegas so I'm hoping to show her a good time and make her want to come back! She's never gambled but I'm planning to at least get her to try some of the less intimidating table games as well as maybe a limit hold 'em game.

She is a big fan of New Orleans and live music. I'm hoping to get some advice about places to go/things to see that may bear some similarities!

So, as to the trip, I'm flying out 6/1 and will be leaving (hopefully a millionaire) on 6/11. She is flying out 6/3 and will be with me through 6/5. After that, her friend will be meeting up with her and those two will be doing their own thing until her return flight 6/8.

Here's my tentative plan:

6/1- I arrive around 6 PM and plan on checking into El Cortez
6/2- Play some kind of MTT, probably in the $100-300 range, maybe on Strip or at GN depending on schedules. This could be a nice warm up tourney. Maybe mix in some degening (common theme).
6/3- Probably just grind cash at GN until GF arrives, maybe mix in some degening. When she gets here, maybe go to a nice dinner followed by enjoying Fremont?
6/4- Wake up, go check out some more downtown (Container Park?), then head to the Strip to check into Harrahs. Ideally, go an check out a show as well.
6/5- Wake up at Harrahs, pool it up, do some general walking around until her friend arrives. Hang out with those two and get into some general shenanigans.
6/6- Kiss m'lady goodbye, let her and her friend go find their own trouble and start focusing back on poker with some diet degening.
6/7-6/11-More MTTs, cash games, and degening.

Musts for me poker wise:

-Play in one MTT in the $500-700 range.
-Play in at least five total MTTs. I'd like to mix in at least one Rio Daily Deepstack but I'm open to playing at any of the casinos. I've played in PH, Wynn, and GN events before.
-Maybe mix in a $2/5 sesh since this should be the best time to shot take
-Hit a craps heater!!!!

Musts for me otherwise:

-Make sure GF has fun and enjoys herself to the point that she wants to come back.

My questions for you all:

What do you think of my scheduling?

-I intentionally try to leave things somewhat vague since Vegas is Vegas but I also don't want to waste too much time!

Where should we go for our nice dinner?

- I was thinking Hugo's Cellar since we'll already be downtown and the reviews look nice but I'm happy to look into other options!

How are my lodging choices?

-GF is not picky when it comes to lodging. She's actually on kind of a budget which is clearly mehh when it comes to Vegas. She originally wanted to come for a week and I tried to shorten her trip to 3-4 days but with her friend coming out plus her wanting some alone time with me, we settled on her current trip time! Either way, I selected rooms hoping to keep her happy that aren't also terrible. Regarding El Cortez, I chose one of their nicest available rooms and I figure Harrahs will be sufficent for the sake of being able to stay on the Strip. I've stayed there before with no problems. I figure some time downtown will be good since GF likes street performances and such. I'm open to suggestions but I'm also not trying to spend a ton as I am extremely cheap and I don't think GF will be terribly impressed by a room. I'm just hoping that El Cortez won't be a total mess or anything in terms of noise or getting from it to Fremont. It seems like it's right next to Fremont.

What show should we see?

-From what I've read on here, Absinthe seems pretty popular. I've read reviews and the raunchy humor seems to hit well with GF and I. Any suggestions otherwise?

What am I missing regarding poker?

-Any must play tourneys within my range? I have a printout in my office at work that I can reference but I didn't know if any of you had any great suggestions? I played the GN Main Event last year and really enjoyed it.


If we have the time, what else should GF and I do?

-Like I said, we like to drink, enjoy performances, and are generally pretty laid back. I like the idea of at least spending some time downtown and also enjoying some people watching. I think time at the pool would be nice as well as a nice steakhouse dinner and a show. Any other suggestions? I've never been but I thought about maybe checking out the HighRoller or the Strat? Is it worth it to go to a different section of the Strip to just walk around? She looked up some late night pool party that was selling tickets. It looked cool but I'm generally weary of anything in Vegas so has anyone had any success with something like that?


**BONUS QUESTION!!! GF is gluten free. I'd love restaurant suggestions for places that have great gluten free menus?!


Thanks in advance for any help everyone! If this is in the wrong place, feel free to move it! I figured it's too much for the general FAQ thread and that I'd start here.

Absinthe was awesome, my GF and I really enjoyed it. Pretty spendy tickets though!

I would switch out Harrah's for Flamingo if you can, the rooms are roughly equivalent in quality and price, but the pool at Flamingo is way better.

High Roller was fun, we did the Happy Half Hour which gets you booze as well.

Walking the strip and people-watching is our favorite free pastime when in Vegas.

A show I really, really liked was Blue Man Group. Really fun musical show but I think it's playing at the Luxor at the south end of the strip.

If you want to see a cheap show in the afternoon, I'd recommend Mac King at Harrahs. I saw Chris Angel and Mac King within 24 hours of each other and Chris Angel was 5 times the price of Mac King's show but was way, way worse. Mac King offers what you'd expect from a comedic magic show and is worth way more than he charges.

Absinthe for sure. Most of the Cirque shows. Wildcard: Carrot Top at the Luxor.


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For tournaments over $500, you might want to look at Planet Hollywood Goliath Guaranteed $1 million prize pool w/ $600 entry. Starting days are either 6/6, 6/7, or 6/8 and ends on 6/10 so it fits into your schedule ie after your girlfriend leaves.

Also, I know you said you're on a budget and your girlfriend doesnt really care about hotel rooms but....lets be real here even if women say they dont care about the hotel rooms, they really do. Why not surprise her with something a little different but not overly expensive. You could stay at the Oasis at Gold Spike downtown in one of their Ultimate Suites for like $85 a night. Hardly a wallet breaker, but it shows her you made a little effort for her. While Harrah's is an ok place to crash, I really wouldnt take a girlfriend there. And I definitely would not take a girlfriend to El Cortez. I'd go for some place like Cosmo if you wanted to stay on the Strip. Or just stay at the Oasis at Gold Spike for all the days she is in town. Trust me on this it is money well spent as you listed as an important goal is for her to want to come back.

Be sure to check out Downtown Cocktail Room while downtown.

For dinner downtown check out Carson Kitchen

http://carsonkitchen.com

Thanks for the response! Someone mentioned Mac King so maybe we'll try that one out if Absinthe is looking pricey. I agree about Flamingo! I'll check their rates to see if it's comparable.

thanks! I'll check into the Mac King show! That sounds right up our alley especially if Absinthe ends up being crazy expensive

Carrot Top! Ha! I love it. I'll look around and see if it can fit in

Thanks for the insight, Duderino!

I had similar thoughts regarding room booking. I'm glad you mentioned this because one thing I wasn't sure of was which is better, a higher end room at a worse casino or a lower tier room at a better casino? I'm going to check out the Oasis as it looks pretty cool. My initial plan was to just book at one place downtown and one place on the Strip but I suppose I can book myself at the cheap places and separately book her and I at some nicer ones? I do think she'll appreciate somewhere nice.

As for poker, the Phamous $600 definitely made my short list of ones to play! I'm also thinking about trying their Big Low Roller as one of my normal buy ins. GN has a good $250k guarantted $200 BI that I was considering too.

Fantastic! That place looks great and right about what I'd like to spend for meals out there. Aside from the nice steakhouse meal, I was hoping find some good, middle of the road places that aren't chains and this looks like just that. Thanks!

Agree with everything thedude404 said, regarding hotels. I'd stay most places on my own, but wouldn't stay at either of those 2, if my GF was there, too.

I'd suggest Downtown Grand, or GN Rush Tower, while you're on Fremont, and then I'd definitely agree with doing somewhere nice on the strip, too.

Can you work it so that you're on the strip Sun-Thurs, and that way you can get a nicer room, at a much cheaper rate.

Downtown has lots of modern spots now, so you shouldn't have much problem finding GF menus, and most places nowadays will have options anyway, I would imagine.

Le Thai is a great little spot opposite El Cortez - http://lethaivegas.com/

Vic & Anthony's or Andiamos are the 2 best steakhouses downtown, imo.

V&A has a distinctive dining menu, which is a 3 course meal for ~$50

Found it https://www.goldennugget.com/globala...ining-menu.pdf

Thanks, man. I love Le Thai!! My buddy is a public defender for Clark County so every time I'm out, he and I will go there for lunch since it's so close to work for him.

Unfortunately, she can't fly in until Sunday so if I'm trying to spend a night in both areas, I can't book the Strip until Monday. I actually made some adjustments based on what everyone has suggested and cancelled the El Cortez reservation, changing it to one night (6/3-6/4) at an Ultimate Suite at Oasis at Gold Spike, it seems like a nice upgrade. I'm not sure if the Gold Spike reservation is refundable but if it is, I'll definitely look into GN or Downtown Grand. I also switched the Harrahs reservation to Flamingo. Not a huge upgrade or anything but I am with you guys on the idea making things a bit better. Maybe I'll ask for complimentary upgrades when we arrive at Flamingo?

As for extra curriculars, I'm thinking I'll make a reservation at one of those steakhouses downtown for Sunday night, buy tickets to a show on Monday night, and then when her friend gets in on Tuesday, our group can maybe do the High Roller or something? That seems like more of a fun group activity while our show and dinner can be a bit more intimate.

Now I'm also trying to decide if I just want to book myself at El Cortez for 6/1-6/3 before she arrives or if I should try somewhere different downtown? I've stayed a Four Queens a few times so I have an idea of what to expect from a rougher room but for fun I've been looking through the other cheaper options just for me.

I should say that the CNET reservations I've made are easily cancelled so I'm always up for changing things up. I suppose I could always set us up for a couple of nights somewhere nice on the Strip and then I could go to Harrah's or Flamingo by myself. Her and her friend haven't figured out their accommodations yet and part of me wonders if they'll just try to set up where I am. I suppose if that happens though, we'll be able to find a set up at one of the cheaper Strip casinos as I don't want to pay for a nice one for a whole week

If the price is comparable, then I'd say stay at 4 Queens. They have just refurbed* and as of yet, still don't charge resort fees.

I'd guess that a Go room would be the best one to shoot for in Flamingo, and shooting for an upgrade is never a bad idea.

*Nothing major, just new bathrooms and furnishings, I think.

Hugo's is probably a good shout if you're having a romantic meal. All very old school, with nice touches, like the female being given a rose etc.

Ok, great. I think I'll contact Hugo's and make a reservation. If they're not available, Andiamo's looks nice too. As for tickets for the show, should I just book directly? Are there any special deals I should look out for? I'm thinking if I go with Absinthe, that I should book it sooner rather than later.

Andiamo & V&A's are my two favourite steakhouses downtown, with Hugos a close 3rd. Not much in it, and the added touches at Hugo's work well when you're taking the gf.

My friend went to Absinthe with his wife when they were out there last summer, so I'll ask what he did when he comes online later.

Thanks! The romance of Hugo's was what had me leaning towards it but it's actually all booked for that Sunday night so I made a reservation at Andiamos. I've actually been there once before so I know how great the experience will be.

I'm trying to decide if I should plan anything additional or leave the plans as they are. Right now we have:

6/3- Her arrival around 5:00. Steakhouse reservations at 8:00 PM.
6/4- Hang by the pool at Goldspike, walk around Fremont, see Container Park, eventually check out and head to the Strip. Check in at Flamingo (for now), get settled and maybe do some walking around. Get dinner somewhere and prepare for Absinthe show (if tix are available).
6/5- Wake up, hang poolside for a bit, do some more walking around until her friend arrives. When her friend arrives, maybe hit the High Roller and/or Strat tower for some cool views.
6/6- See her off with her friend. She and I may see each other again before she leaves on 6/8 but no real plan!


*She may stay with her friend on 6/5 as well. I think it depends if the friend brings anyone with her because I'm guessing GF will feel guilty if friend has to stay somewhere alone.

Regardless, I'm thinking that's a decent tentative plan. I don't want to try to squeeze too much stuff in because Vegas and part of the fun is just seeing where you end up.

Plans look pretty reasonable, and agree that you don't want to try doing too much. I always used to plan a bunch of tournaments, and shows etc. When it came to it, I'd play about 3 tournaments, and see nothing

Looks like a pretty good itinerary, and definitely one that's not too hard to accomplish.

Friend said he just booked his up a few days before, with the Concierge @ Encore. I'm sure someone here will have a better option than that, though.

My better half is coming out for International Fight Week. Beyond UFC, Jean Georges, and El Dorado Cantina, I've made no plans.

Ha! I'm glad I'm not the only one who never makes it through his plans when it comes to poker.

Good Stuff, I'm in town with the GF soon too, so I might check out a couple of these restaurants too.

for your GF's first trip i strongly suggest staying somewhere in the heart of the strip. spoil her. stay at bellagio or pallazzo.

Ahhh, the more people that suggest an even bigger upgrade are making me second guess myself. If I do it, would it make
More sense to stay at a CNET property since that’s where I typically stay? I mainly play poker with some pit games mixed in so I’m not sure if it would matter much in terms of getting comped?


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