Walking in the room you feel like you've arrived at the Madison Square Garden of poker rooms. Big room, with tables crammed in everywhere. Every table was full, so who can blame them for squeezing in tables. Everything was in nice shape and clean. Cup holders would be nice at the tables, once or twice other players spilled a drink on the floor.
Played at a $4/$8 limit table on Friday night from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. This is the lowest limit hold 'em available at the Bellagio. Some good tight players, lots of loose players, but most people seem to understand basic strategy and know how to read a flop. Won't find more than one or two beginners here. Most players at my table learned to play somewhere else and felt like they had enough experience to take a shot at playing here. Play was typical in difficulty to other $4/$8 tables I played at other casinos.
All the dealers were technically proficient (fast, no mistakes), friendly, and correctly and strictly enforced rules (e.g., no string bets) w/out making the offending player feel bad. For the one or two new players who did show up with lots of money, the dealers did the rest of us at the table a favor by making them feel welcome to the table and quickly explaining the basics so that they wanted to stay and learn the game.
Fast, accurate and frequent service. I didn't drink at the table, but I noticed the good service.
Somehow managed to seat me right away even though the room was packed. Whenever a spot opened at our table, a new player arrived quickly. Everything ran smoothly, or appeared to, despite the packed house. When I first walked in the room, I explained it was my first time here, and that I wanted to play $4/$8 limit. Despite being a low stakes player (at least in this room),and despite the room being busy, I was made to feel welcome.
Not quite as good as other places, but I doubt anyone came to play here for free food or comp dollars.
