Quote:
Originally Posted by m_x_b
Hi all -- I haven't posted on 2+2 in many years, but I found this thread because I'll be playing my first ME this year and I've only ever played one (brief) low-buyin WSOP event ever. So I will soak in whatever advice any of you more experienced folks could throw my way.
The hotel aspect is one part that's already a stress factor. I don't have any comps or anything like that, so I'm not sure what the best way to go about this. And I'd love to share a room, but I don't think any of my poker friends are playing this year so I'm either on my own or would have to figure something out over the next few months.
Now that the schedule is out, I think I'll be coming into LV on about June 29, playing the Colossus (1C) on 6/30, the Mini Main on 7/2, and the ME (1C or 1D). Other than the ME, the others can change if there are better tourneys at the Wynn or Venetian or whatever.
So any thoughts? Should I book a hotel from 6/29 through 7/8 (ME Day 2D) and then adjust it longer if I'm still in? And any thoughts on the roommate situation? I'm in my 50s, so not really keyed up for partying or anything. Just want to play, eat, and sleep.
Sorry if these are stupid questions... just don't really know what I'm doing.
But I'm so freakin' excited...
I went solo last year and it sucks. It doesn’t sound like it would but with nobody to bounce poker ideas off of, nobody to help decide which tournaments to play in, nobody to share a meal with, etc. Vegas just sucks. I would highly recommend trying to convince someone to go with you.
As for hotels, it depends on what factors you’re considering. Is proximity more important than price? If so, stay at Paris or HS. Actually, if you’re doing the ME and going solo, I would definitely recommend Paris or HS simply because of access to your room and meals on breaks. I stayed at HS last year and being able to relax on my bed and have a snack during dinner breaks was well worth it. You literally get off the elevator and are at the entrance to the WSOP.
But I have Diamond status so no resort fees or parking fees so the price was a lot cheaper. If the price is a major factor, Ellis Island is cheap and right down the road from HS. Easy to walk to but might not be terribly safe walking alone at night. Four Queens downtown is cheap with no resort fees. It’s also right next to Golden Nugget which hosts The Grand tournament series (cheap buy-ins but no schedule out yet). But if staying downtown, expect old smelly casinos and a drive to the strip.
There’s a chance I might be going solo again this year and if it shapes up that way, I’ll probably just not go at all. It was just so unenjoyable like that last year. I can’t emphasize enough how much I wouldn’t recommend it. Of course, I have a wife and kids I was missing and I normally meet up with my brother out there once a year at WSOP and since he couldn’t make it, there were other factors at play that made me homesick so I’m a bit biased.