I've only been playing poker since late 2004, but since then I've become downright hooked. I've played at a variety of different rooms in Vegas, including all 5 big rooms. Here is a run-down of my thoughts on each room I've played:

First night I landed around 11 pm and some friends picked me up from the airport. We immediately went straight to the Stratosphere for their midnight tournament. I believe the buy-in was $60 or $65. There were only 3 tables total. The tourney was filled with a ton of fish. At one point 3 people at my table hesitantly checked down the nuts with an A-high straight (all 3 were holding the A). I knew it was going to be a long night....I busted out about halfway just because I was getting really impatient with the slowness of everyone's decisions...it can definitely test your patience when you are playing in a tournament with a bunch of people who seem to have never played before. Afterwards I played the cash game, which was pretty soft. Not alot of money to be won...mostly young college guys who seemed to have very little cash game experience.

I then went over to Bellagio around 2 am and sat down at a 2/5 NL table. Now this was a game! There was tons of lively action at the table all night long...I only bought in for $240, so I didn't even come close to some of the stacks at the table. But I was able to hold my own with patient, but aggressive play. I was under-impressed with the condition of the room, considering it is supposed to be one of the most luxurious rooms on the strip...there was alot of trash and debris under the table, and very tight elbow room in between tables. I did see Ming Ly and Mike Sexton while I was there, so that was fun. I finally left the table around 10 am the next morning up around $270. I was proud that I managed to come out on top, considering people would sit down and buy in for $500 and then immediately rebuy without a second thought.

Later that afternoon (after a quick 2 hr cat nap back at my room) I hit the MGM 1/2 NL. I agree with previous posts that I do not like the marble edge on the table. I've played in this room before and there are definitely alot of newbies playing the 1/2 NL tables...I decided to play a bit more aggressively when I first sat down, just so the guys wouldn't think they could bully me. I was up about $500 after 2 hrs of play, when I caught QQ on what was going to be my last hand before our dinner break. I raised, and I got one caller. The flop came down all under cards, rainbow. I bet out, the caller raised me, and I moved all in. He called with KK. Luckily I had him more than covered, so I only lost about half my stack. So because of that last minute dent in my stack, I decided to play a few more hands. An hour later I cashed out for about $300 up. Not a bad "short session" at the MGM. My friends and I then went to the buffet at the Wynn to celebrate our winnings. Their buffet is amazing and well worth the $40 price tag. The Alaskan King Crab Legs are enormous and to die for!

The next morning I played in the 11:00 am tournament at Paris. Although there were some very good players, there were also some very bad players as well. I wound up chopping 4 ways at the final table and we each took $460. (Buy in was $60). I played at the Paris over New Year's Eve last year and it was pretty fun. I would probably hit another tournament there next time I'm in town, but I prefer the nicer rooms to play my all-night benders :)

Next stop was the Venetian. By far this is my all-time favorite room in Vegas. Plenty of room between tables, decent mix of players (some locals, some tourists, some newbies, some seasoned players). Be sure to have a meal at the Grand Luxe Cafe while you're in the Venetian. It is across the casino floor from the Poker Room and the food is absolutely fantastic! I played 1/2 NL here from about 3 pm until 6 am the next day. You can order food right at the table, so I never even had to get up. I did have an extreme allergic reaction to the air freshener there. Be sure to order a large, fresh-squeezed oj without the ice, if you need something really refreshing at the table (something one of the locals sitting next to me recommended). I ended my session here up about $400. I absolutely love this room and it will be hard for me to play anywhere else, ever again!

Other Poker Rooms I've Played:
Caesar's: I hate that the poker room shares the same bathrooms as the ones for Pure nightclub. On weekends, this means you have to contend with lots of drunk/loud club-goers waiting in line when all you want to do is do your business so you can get back to the tables! I felt it was fairly easy to make money in this room at the 1/2 NL tables...people seem to always underestimate the abilities of a young, female player--and I'm always quick to take advantage of that fact! :) I never had a losing session at Caesar's...made about $1100 in 3 different sessions.

Wynn: I do love the $3 chips, but it is definitely intimidating when you see players with 4 inch thick wads of $100's across from you. I know it is just for show at a 1/3 table, but still...I'd say the competition at the Wynn is the most advanced out of all the rooms I've played in...definitely still get the drunk frat boys now and then, but don't go here if you are just starting out in poker! I like that the poker room is set aside from the main casino, but it doesn't feel as cozy and welcoming as the Venetian, in my opinion.

Orleans: Lots of drunk, obnoxious, think-they-are-better-than-they-are players here when I've played. Very smokey room too, because there is no barricade separating it from the main casino. I probably wouldn't play here again by choice.

I will be going back in early June for the start of the WSOP satellites...I can't wait to get back!!