Just got back from Vegas. Went there for a conference, so my table time was limited...but got a fair amount of sessions in.

Before I begin, I should note that I consider myself to be a very conservative poker player. I played $1-$2 NL exclusively, since that's where my comfort level is, and my play is somewhat 'rock'-ish.

I would like to dispell a myth about playing in Vegas and that myth is this: "WATCH OUT FOR THE LOCALS".

I've always believed that it's better to play against the conventioneers and other 'tourists' who hit Vegas (like myself) rather than the local lot. I discovered quite the opposite on this trip and that the locals are:
(a)nicer in general than the drunk tourists and (b)less likely to send you on tilt by some horrible suckouts.

Plain and simple...the locals know how to play and for that reason are more predictable than "Johhny-Saw-This-On-TV-Once".

Now...I don't mean to say you can't win a ton o' money on the drunk tourists...but be prepared for some bigger swings in your stack...since it seems the only move some of these clowns have is the 'all-in'...playing the cash games like a turbo tournament or something. As I explained earlier....I'm a tight mofo....so I preferred the more conservative play of the locals.

So where to play? I played most of my sessions at The Orleans. The reason? One of the few places around with a bad beat jackpot.(In fact, it got hit a couple hours before I arrived on my second trip there...damn!) I realize the Orleans if 'off-strip'...but if you're there to play poker, why not play where you have a chance to hit a big jackpot? That being said, you'll find the Orleans is 90% local players. I was pleased with everything at the Orleans...the dealers, the drink service..but then again I was winning so I was pleased in general!!:P

They only have one table with a shuffler and the chairs are nothing special, but the local players turned out to be quite affable and made the experience that much more enjoyable