I hate Imperial Palace.
Dealers made frequent mistakes, were generally in a bad mood. Card room manager (named Shane) was unapologetically rude, and should be fired. I will not be back - EVER.
My friend and I sat down at the $2/4 limit game, and were seated immediately. I noticed that the tables were cheap felt and had cheap laser print of scantily-clad women (who the dealer claimed used to work at IP) - I was not impressed.
Just about every dealer seemed like a rookie, and made frequent miscalls and mistakes - slowing the game down considerably.
The cocktail waitresses were (very) attractive, but had shitty attitudes.
I asked for a new deck, and Shane said NO without explanation. Then, after waiting 2 hours, he switched the decks with another table. Poor excuse for a cardroom manager.
The comp ($1 per hour + tier points) is among the worst in Vegas.
Avoid Imperial Palace.
sorry too hear that,i like that place..
maybe you just bring out the worst in people......I have never had a bad experience in that poker room....
As a tourist who visits Vegas 3-4 times per month, the IP is close to a "must visit" property to me. I will grant you, this room is not for everyone. The IP is one of the least visually attractive poker rooms on the Strip - and the room gets pretty smokey for my tastes (in fact, the whole IP has a bit of smell to it). However, I must feel at home here, but I did a 17 hour straight session here a few months back (no sleep, no food, no breaks except to use the restroom).
Again, despite the smells & aesthetics, I find the IP to be one of Vegas' best poker rooms. Now, I will admit that my favorite quality of the room is the soft play at the $1/$2 NL game. However, I have found the dealers to be some of the friendlier, better dealers I have experienced. I have also interacted with Shane a number of times, and found him to be both friendly and professional.
I would call the cocktail waitresses about average. I have been served by some of the girls on the felts. I would agree, though, that the tables are somewhat below average (although the over-sized aspect is both a blessing and a curse - it makes it hard for the dealers but allows players more personal seating space). The comps are roughly standard Harrah's, although not as generous as Harrah's itself. I do like that you can use your Harrah's card to redeem comps at the gift store. However, the current system is a far cry from a year ago when IP was giving $2/hour in comps.
I guess it should be pretty obvious that softness of play is my #1 criteria for ranking rooms when I say this is one of Vegas' best rooms. I wanted to add in my own experiences on the dealers and room management.
Allin67
If you want top-notch service & dealers in a great environment go to the Venetian.
If you are able to forego all of the above, but want to play against some really bad, rude & drunk players and make money, go to the IP.
I play there, but admit that I can only take about an hour or two of it. Once I double up, I am looking for the door, but fortunately, it doesn't take long.
I play at IP almost everytime I come to Vegas. Why? Well because on Halloween I played 1/2 from 6:30 PM too 6 AM the next morning and for a net profit of $495. My only complaint is they are to strick on the no swearing rule with drunks.
This isn't a trip report lol, seems to me your comments would be put to better use in a room review.
@jjmaximum
Perhaps the OP is part of the latter crowd? I've never had a problem there but then I don't expect Venetian/Wynn treatment either. I'm agreeing with jj though... IP is a good hit and run.
@zzjitterzz
+1
I loved the place. The dealers were a blast and very friendly. I didn't notice any mistakes. I played mainly 1/2, and the games were awesome. I played a little 2/4 limit one morning and had a great time. Loved the Flop a Lock
Made more money on that than I did in limit!
Sorry the OP had such a bad experience.
@zzjitterzz
+2
My experiences with the IP have always been good and it is a place that I would go to every visit. Not sure why OP had such a bad experience but it sure doesn't fit with what I have ever seen there or what I read in most of the reports I have ever seen.
FWIW, I think the "smell" in the IP people are talking about has either gone away or been far better than it was several years ago. Seems like after Harrahs took over they did something to make that better because I do not even notice it now.
@Fishwhenican
+2
My experiences with the IP have always been good and it is a place that I would go to every visit. Not sure why OP had such a bad experience but it sure doesn't fit with what I have ever seen there or what I read in most of the reports I have ever seen.
FWIW, I think the "smell" in the IP people are talking about has either gone away or been far better than it was several years ago. Seems like after Harrahs took over they did something to make that better because I do not even notice it now.[/quote]
+3
I have been coming to Vegas since 1996 from Canada, logged approximately 30 trips since Jan 2002 and stay/play at the IP most of the time. I have personally had many conversations with Shane both as a dealer and now floor and numerous encounters with all of the staff all of which have been positive. Issues have been addressed quickly and usually without incident. The only times there have been lulls in drink service has been when someone is covering for break but usually they are right on top of things and I too have been served by the felt bunnies so they are real. If you are being a douche bag then I can see the staff being less than friendly...but there is not too many places going to put up with that anyways.
I love the IP, looking forward to my next trip Jan 6...and March and August....
I actually think this is the place I feel the most comfortable playing while in Vegas. Not sure why, but I love it here. Sure I've had dealers in a bad mood, but I've had that at the venetian. But I've never experineced the same dealer in a bad mood twice, but it's never taken away from my enjoyment. I've had some of my best wins and worst bad beats at the IP, it's all part of poker and when in town, I'd rather play here then most anywhere else....
IP is always a stop for me when I am in Vegas, usually for the Sunday night mixed game. Never had any of the problems you describe.
I hate harrah's as much as the next guy, but I am glad to know that floorperson refused to give you a setup. best thing a Harrah's floor person ever did.
hmmmmmm, I wonder what the real story here is ? While I admit the room is not the most appealing poker room in Vegas the Staff there is more than competent and in my personal experience treats the customers quite well (Even when they are extremely busy).
Not sure what happened, but the IP room is one of my favorites.
Stealth
lots of reaction to a review posted by someone with 0 total posts, I'm guessing someone had a bad experience and came here to vent, every room has it's off night
During the last AVP Tournament we asked on a Friday night if they could spread the mix game. The room was very busy and they only had one table open. The manager was willing to do it but not at the reduced Sunday rake. I completely understand his position because they could spread NL just as easily on that table. We ended up not playing but I thought they handled everything quite well, which is the standard I have seen in this room. Can this room be compared to a WYnn or Venetian= NO. But is this room a nice place to sit and play a mix game- YES.
IP is one of the niceest places to play in Dealers, floor and cocktailgirls are great.The only bad thing is the artic cold brrrrrrrrr
i have always had a great time in this poker room. especially on friday or saturday night. always a drunk or two that's hilarious.
Who goes to Vegas and is not impressed with "scantily-clad" women???? shhhheeeessshh
Whats up with all the old school threads being revived? Its more like the "NOT so recent topics in the discussion forum".
You people are all entitled to your opinion. Some of you even seem smart. However, if you disagree with me, you're just flat out wrong. Enjoy.
I have found that a lot of good dealers work at IP. They have to deal the mix game. How many casinos could staff a group that deal those games and do a good job. Trust me- I have seen bad dealers, and IP is not a place I would them on that list.
Also I have found the management of the room to be good.
I think JJ has a great point. IP tends to be a lot of drunk tourist. IF you want to play in a high end room, the Venetian is down the street. The room fits in with the casino which is what the property is going for.
Simply the most fun to be had at a 2-4 limit game where the dealers join in with the banter and you get to meet great freinds...
Last trip to Vegas was in Nov 2009 and we did have one guy who objected to the congratulations we were giving to whoever won the pot.
He won a pot and the girl next to him gave him a hug (she was a little worse for wear) - DONT TOUCH ME! he screamed at the girl...
He left shortly after...
Returning to Vegas in November this year for a 10 day trip staying downtown tho when on the Strip I shall be calling in post tournament for some fun low stakes limit...