We arrived in Vegas on the morning of Sept 1/07, flight on US Airways was smooth and arrived an hour early, car rental pick up couldn't be easier. Rented through Hotwire.com, which was half the price at $216 for a mid-size car than renting directly through the rental retailers.

Got to the hotel the Venetian, booked a King suite directly through hotel and got a rate that averaged $226/night that I was happy with considering the size of the room. I slipped a $20 tip to the registration clerk and asked for a complimentary upgrade for view (if booked in advance you'd have to pay between $50-$100 per night), I wanted one of the upper floors of the Venetian Tower (Venezia Tower section is too far of a walk and two elevators away from the action), I wanted one of the newly renovated rooms with a safe and a mini-fridge delivered (don't use mini-bar in room it's expensive and it's weighted so if you add or remove stuff you'll be charged), we wanted a view of either the strip or the pools. End result is we got a great view of both the pools and the strip in a newly renovated room with a safe and a fridge waiting for us. It pays to tips and be specific about what you want. I know it's a poker forum, so I won't go into great detail about the room and hotel, but both were spectaculor and we are now spoiled.

As for dining and gaming, we ordered a coupon book from American Casino Guide online which cost only $9.95 (as it was halfway through the year, normally about $20) and we had coupons for 2-for-1 buffets, entrees, snacks, free drinks, and free blackjack play at many places. We ate at a locals favorite Ellis Island on Koval, had 4 free drinks at bar, with tip and taxes for meal and drinks it came to $21. Played some blackjack there and made $100. Other notable dining experience was the lunch buffet at Red Rock Casino,it was amazing for $12.00 and also had a 2-for-1 coupon. Ate our anniversary dinner at Mon Ami Gabi at the Paris hotel, the appetizers and sides were great (French Onion soup, salmon and cream cheese and frites), but the main course (steak and chicken) were just average. Had better meals at the cheaper restaurants like the Grand Luxe in the Venetian.

As for gaming, we played in about 5 tourney's between PH, Ceasar's Palace, TI and one cash game at the Venetian. I was looking forward to playing at the Venetian as it's so highly rated and we were staying right there, but I was disappointed. I found the staff not very friendly and seemed self-absorbed, the dealers were like robots. I expect them to be professional and knowledgeable, but not cold and impersonal. Also had a brat at the table, a young fellow in his 20's that obviously was trying to emulate Phil Hellmuth. He was obnoxious, degrading players action etc. Dealer just looked into the air the whole time as if he was thinking of all the better places he could be. Most of the table took strips out of the young buck, but he probably just enjoyed that more. I was unbelievable card dead for the entire 2.5 hours I played, I have never in the few years I've been playing experienced this in this extreme. I've sat cold for a while, but usually I'll get the odd half decent hand I can play to keep me alive. I received nothing more then Q-little offsuit or 7-2 off, 9-2 off, you get the picture. Even when I played them if I was a blind I'd hit nothing. So, this did nothing to attract me to their poker room, it's a comfy room, but there are better atmosphere in other rooms that I'd rather go for.

Tournament play was at PH, which my hubby made final table, but no pay and I won a Ladies Night tourny of about 44 players. I liked the atmosphere and low buy-in's at PH (not a huge financial comittment considering we're relatively new players and had never played in Vegas as we weren't into Poker 3 yrs ago when we were last in there). We played a few tournie's at TI where my hubby again made final table, but couldn't get in the money. We actually kind of laughed when we saw the room for the first time as it wasn't any bigger than our rec room, just had more tables. We really liked TI, nice staff, good group of players, low buy-ins and just a nice atmosphere again. The room that surprised us the most was Ceasar's Palace, it was by far our favourite room. We liked how it was set apart from the gaming areas, so was quiet, it was bright, spacious, comfy and the staff were very nice. Good level of play, got into their $65 buy-in afternoon tourney's and had alot of fun. I wish we had found it earlier as we would have played more afternoon tourney's there.

Blackjack play was all on single deck 21 at TI, Ellis Island and Casino Royale (next to our hotel) and was pretty good.

I think after I did the math with my buy-in's, wins at poker and blackjack, minimal losses at slots (I hate slots) I ended up -$15 for the week, not too bad. Next trip I'll be more experienced and move it into the plus side.

Anyways I hope this helps, I tried to provide some specific info as I always find that helpful. Sorry the only hand I can easily recall is when I was within a couple of players to making the final table at TI and I was short-stacked and look down at pocket KK's I thought this is my lucky day. Person ahead of me who's also short-stacked calls all-in and I think great. Unfortunately they had pocket 10-10's and flop a 10, so bye bye me.

Good luck to all heading to Vegas and I can't wait to get back. We may take a detour to Bahamas in between though.