The tournaments are very soft because they are $60 and $100 entries. They can be anywhere from 20-100 people depending on the night (Saturday nights are best). The blinds escalate quickly, but this is likely the softest tournament in Vegas for the price. A third of the table is usually drinking at night being loud and having fun.
No one ever talks about ranges, EV, or equity. There are no anti-social grinders with headphones, backpacks, and a hoodie. I have never gotten into a dispute with another player or staff, been threatened, or felt like I was being angled.
It is a lot less of a pain to get to the Mandalay Bay than other properties in the center of the strip, especially on weekends if you play 1/2 or tournaments.
If you play during a high hand promotion or during those rakeback hours overnight, you will likely not play very many big pots (more likely to have everyone limp to hit a high hand or fold to grind hours pre-flop). If you play outside of those promotions (5PM-2AM), the games are very good and full of tourists who want to have fun.
The staff at the Mandalay Bay are wonderful. I have played 50+ hours here in the past couple of months and no one is ever rude or in a bad mood as a poker dealer or floor supervisor. Some of the waitresses are better than others of course, but that is typical in every poker room.
You get $2/hr comps. The restaurants are expensive because the resort is nice, but I have never had a meal that disappointed me! A lot better than the restaurants at the MGM Grand, South Point, and Golden Nugget IMO. The Steak at Citizen and the Ribs at House of Blues are my go-to.
I recommend the Mandalay Bay over the MGM Grand, South Point, and the Golden Nugget if you go between 5PM-2AM for cash or a tournament.
Shout out to Wayne, a morning poker dealer, who always makes me feel positive even after a loss!
