I play with a group of guys that play a mini-series each year. The 2 winners get a buy-in for a $1,500 WSOP event and some travel expenses. Everyone in the group shares a 35% stake in the players that go to the WSOP. This is the 3rd year we have held this mini series and I finally was able to win one of the 2 seats for the WSOP! To say I'm excited is an understatement. Playing the WSOP has been on my bucket list for quite some time.

I'm trying to figure out where to stay and here are some of the options:
Rio: 420
Flamingo: 250
Harrahs: 250

I've stayed at Harrahs before and the room I got was probably worse than the room I stayed in at IP on a different trip. Others in the group got rooms that were considerably nicer though, so I think it is just the luck of the draw. I've been in some rooms at the Flamingo (not 'Go' rooms) and they were comparable to the nicer rooms at Harrahs. I've never stayed at Rio but have heard that the rooms are pretty nice. I'm thinking that it would be really convenient to stay at Rio just so I could run up the room any time I need to during the tournament. I could grab snacks during the shorter breaks, recharge the phone, and kick back a little if I was fortunate enough to make the dinner break (it is 90 minutes). What are your thoughts?

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lots of the guys i play with think im someone with money compared to them - sevencard2003

Just my 2 cents - but when I played in the Series I stayed at
the Rio and it really does make it convenient. I had a nice
room and liked not having to travel back somewhere late at night. Being
female - I really prefer that.

I don't care for Harrah's rooms, but I have stayed at the Flamingo often
and it was fine. I have never stayed in a regular room - always a Go room,
but my friends did and they didn't complain. It is also just a straight shot
up the road to the Rio from the Flamingo.

If you plan on playing a bunch at the Rio - I'd stay there, Flamingo 2nd - I wouldn't stay at Harrahs - but that's just me.

Plus - I noticed your pricing - I would check that on and off again - that seems pretty steep to me for the Rio. You might check the Caesar's page on the Total Rewards Hot Deals. If you don't have any comps built up - that is a great way to catch a hot price. Keep checking off and on though - it fluctuates.

Thanks for the feedback.



I doubt I have any comps but I will have to dig out my TR card to check. It is Memorial day weekend, so most hotels are a bit higher than normal. Sunday is 220 and the other nights are all about 50.

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lots of the guys i play with think im someone with money compared to them - sevencard2003

Just a thought i know this hotel isnt on your short list but last year i stayed at Gold Coast it is a very short walk from the Rio and i found no problem with any part of this hotel. The room was fine, as was the shower and you also get a coffee maker in the room. They also have cheap table games and the buffet is pretty good value. Think when i booked it last year it was half the price of the Rio, i am staying at the Rio this year as i have a friend so the room cost is halfed but otherwise i would stay at the Gold Coast again.

If I can remember right if you are playing in any of the WSOP events you can get a good discount when you show your buyin receipt at the front desk. Might want to check that out.

As Jamesegg said, the Gold Coast is worth considering, away from the busy Rio and an 'ok' hotel, but really good value. From your list, I'd stay at the Rio though, when you consider convienience and 'cabs' it's probably just as well.

I have no idea about the WSOP discount that plumbutz mentioned, but that sounds like it's worth asking !!

Whatever good luck and enjoy the experience.

Thanks for the idea. I had checked that and it is a $99/night + tax, so about $445 after taxes. I might try calling to inquire further about that rate because it lists it as $79/night in the package details but comes up as $99/night when trying to make the reservation.

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lots of the guys i play with think im someone with money compared to them - sevencard2003

Might be you have to show your WSOP receipt to the front desk to get the better rate. At booking they charge your card the higher rate then discount it later. That has happened to me down in Biloxi before good luck.

I'd say 2 things:

1) Go to the Harrah's site and login with your Total rewards card. Then pull up the rate calendar. I often get better rates when I do that, then the "offers" that they e-mail to me; although looking at those offers on the TR website can also be worthwhile.

2) Check out Bill's Gamblin' Hall. They aren't fully integrated into the Harrah's website, so you have to go there separately, but the rooms are nicer than IP by a long shot and a direct shot to the Rio.

Dave

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The opinions in this post are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Poker Atlas, AVP or PokerTrip Enterprises.

Thanks for all of the replies. I ended up combining two different offers that I found to get a pretty good rate at the Rio. I used the WSOP rate for the first night (package code = RWSOP for $79) and an email promotion for the last 3 nights (code = IRNRF for $55/night). After taxes it will be just under $275 for the 4 nights.

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lots of the guys i play with think im someone with money compared to them - sevencard2003