Live Play Musings
Iggy had a theory, once upon a time, that good poker players abhor bad online poker clients. As a result, he felt that the softest games were at the places that had the most god-awful interfaces. I think Pacific Poker was one of his favorites.
Recently I've been wondering if there isn't a similar application to live poker rooms here in Vegas. Some people will say the quality of games is more or less the same across the board, but I'm not so sure. Last night CK and I went to Wynn, primarily to avoid having to deal with hellions looking for candy. The Wynn poker room has several things going for it in terms of generating a good base of "regulars". It is off the main floor (less noise, less smoke). It has easy access to the parking garage, located about one hundred feet from the door. It has an excellent waiting list system. The list is computerized by game and the brush will put you on the list by calling ahead. There's ample space between the tables and the room is well-lit.
The Wynn poker room also doesn't generate that much "random passer-by" foot traffic. As already mentioned, the room is tucked away off the main floor. In addition, the casino itself is separated from the main part of the Strip by Spring Mountain Road, with only the dreadful Circus Circus and Riviera north of it. The property across the Strip from Wynn is the Fashion Show Mall -- not a mecca for gamblers. It's a recipe that means far fewer casual, recreational players will make it into the poker room, and for whatever reason lots of the local grinder types prefer it that way.
Contrast that with the Bellagio. If there's one thing that I repeatedly hear from locals, it's that they dislike the Bellagio room. It's cramped. The waiting list system is extremely user-unfriendly (they still use paper and pen!). The room is too close to the noise of the casino floor and is located a half-mile from the parking garage.
On the other hand, Bellagio is located in a prime spot of the Strip -- dead center of all the action. The casino is a major draw in Las Vegas, and with the poker room so close to the floor it easily can draw in recreational players who've "seen poker on TV" or played with buddies a few times. Bobby's Room brings in even more players who want to say they played where the best play. These are the types of people who are in town for a few days, may not necessarily play live or online poker regularly, and don't mind dealing with hassles like paper waiting lists and cramped tables (at least partially because they don't know any better).
Now if your objective is to make money, where would you play -- Wynn or Bellagio?