Stayed at Hooters to avoid all the hustle & bustle. Rooms ok for $50, bring earplugs though, they have noisy old air conditioners, and there is condo construction across the street during the day. Skip the overpriced coffee shop at Hooters, eat better food for cheap around the corner at Ellis Island.

POKER (all NL content)

Hooters: They have added 3 more tables, with autoshufflers. 3 games going at night is the norm, mostly all 1/2 $200NL, one night they had a 3/6 limit going with 2 NL. Days generally only 1 game. Mixed competition, mostly young aggressive guys drinking and acting all tough, some good players some not. Imagine any Hooters restaurant around the country on a saturday night, that is the clientele at the poker room. Staff is ok, 3 hot female dealers: Megan, PJ and TK. Yum yum! I played 4 sessions and was able to walk with between 50-$100 profit each time. Pretty card dead, lost count of my 32o & J2o cards here, wore a track in the felt from folding constantly.

TI: First time here. Played here Wednesday night, it seemed very crowded & cramped to me. Staff & dealers very good. Room a bit cramped, dark & cold. Players snooty, some obnoxious and downright pissed off, lot of players from the WSOP, they seemed tired and stuck for a lot of money. Not a very fun vibe when I was there. I will probably go back and give it one more try during non WSOP time, but I was not impressed overall, nothing for me to rave about except the easy access from the parking deck...walk in from the deck, down the escalators and the room is in a mall just past Kahuna bar & Mystere entrance.

MGM: First time here also, it was OK, nothing that impressive to me. Good list mgmt, etc, good location, lots of area to attract railbirds to play. Players so so, same type of players as Hooters, but nobody really bleeding money when I was there. I'd go back if I'm in the area but would not make special trip for it. Was not impressed with the tables, marble racetracks too big, betting area too small which makes it seem like a small table. When I fold I like to pitch my cards and there isn't really any room to do that here.

MONTE CARLO: Always love playing here! Friendly efficient staff, nice atmosphere and room, nice casino, huge roomy upscale poker tables with autoshufflers. Only bad thing is their parking deck is no longer there due to the City Center construction in the back, so there is only a small side lot next to the poker room and hotel entrance now, which is full most of the time. Only other option that I know of is to park at NYNY and walk. I got lucky and found a spot in the lot.

ORLEANS: First time here, but not the last. Cool locals place. Good sized room and they know how to run it! Excellent staff, very experienced and efficient. Clear concise video system listing all games & player lists, the cage is right next to the front desk, restrooms & bar closeby. Fun profitable session here with friendly down to earth players of all ages, and I will definitely be back alot!

HUGE property by the way, one of the biggest casinos I've ever been in, they have pro hockey and Arena Football, 60+ lane bowling alley upstairs, movie theater, and TGI Friday restaurant open till 2am. Plus I liked being able to park right outside the front door instead of having to deal with parking decks(which they do also have).