First Trip, staying at the flamingo, and need tips

Hey everyone,

Its my first real trip to LV, and I need all the advice I can get. We are going during the 3rd week in July, and yes I know its the hottest time of the year, but I couldn%26#39;t pass on the deal I was offered. So anyways, any advice on getting from the airport to the hotel, where to eat, where to gamble, and etc. Any input that I can get will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

First Trip, staying at the flamingo, and need tips

You%26#39;ve asked some very general questions. For example, ';where to gamble'; depends on what your game is. I would encourage you to read through some of the threads on this forum and make use of the ';Search'; feature, and you will learn a lot in a short time.

As far as airport transportation, take a cab. The cab line may look insanely long but they actually move quickly. Tell the cab driver, ';Flamingo, please, and you%26#39;re not going to take the tunnel, are you?';

First Trip, staying at the flamingo, and need tips

Thanks Stratton for the info on the cab. I didn%26#39;t even know there was a specific route to take. I made my questions generalized, so I could generate any opinions that are out there. As per gambling, I love blackjack and holdem, but I will not be playing any poker due to the fact that I am not good enough to be playing in vegas. I have played some roulette and crabs but not tons. I really want any opinion on where to play the standard games, craps, roulette, Blackjack, etc. Thanks again

You%26#39;ll need to provide a lot more detail about your preferences and budget for us to answer most of your questions.

Even what transport to take from the airport is a matter of opinion. You could catch a cab after waiting in a long but (usually) fast-moving line for roughly $20 plus tip. (No matter what the driver says, tell him to avoid the tunnel.) If you have more than two people with you, it may be worth renting a walk-up limo starting at $45/hour. Besides arriving ';in style';, you%26#39;ll have the ability to pick up snacks/drinks on the way in (Von%26#39;s on E. Tropicana Ave. is the closest), ride up the Strip or whatever tickles your fancy.

I don%26#39;t recommend a shuttle unless you aren%26#39;t in a hurry. The savings IMO isn%26#39;t worth the potential of stopping at several hotels before your own.

Trolley from the airport is very reasonable and excellent value, check which bus is next to go, grab a couple of tickets and jump on, very little waithing involved.

The Deuce is excellent value, and will take you up to Freemont Street which is well worth a visit, as is El Cortez if you want good value for your gambling.

Try Ellis Island just a wee stroll from the Flamingo for a meal.

Have fun.

If there is a line at the reception at Flamingo when you arrive and there is a separate, shorter line for gold card members, simply go to the total Rewards desk and sign up for your player%26#39;s club card, you are automatically GOLD and then proceed to the GOLD line.

Get to the pool early, loungers disappear fast in the heat.

Tropical Breeze Cafe in Flamingo is good. I%26#39;ve never had their buffet and have been told it is very underwhelming. Victorian Room in Bill%26#39;s right next door is good for breakfast and for late night eats, open 24 hrs also (as is the Trop Breeze).

Thanks Foxy! Late night eateries are key for me since I truly do not plan on finding my hotel room until anywhere from 3-5am. Would you guys reccomend signing up for the players (or whatever the hotel calls their card) card at any hotel I gamble at?

Always sign up, new members often get on the spot free play and gifts and often when you are back at home you receive offers for all kinds of things, discounted or free rooms etc. : )

When checking in, ask for a remodeled standard room. Some standard rooms have been remodeled and some have not.

As already stated, The Tropical Breeze Cafe is good for breakfast.

The Flamingo has a great pool and tends to be very crowded. It%26#39;s a little difficult to find seating most of the time.

The Flamingo also has Jimmy Buffett%26#39;s Margaritaville on premises which is a fun restaurant/bar. There is some great seating on the upper patio there with a great view of The Strip. Also, Margaritaville is now open of breakfast, which is very good.

I recieved a free upgrade to the new GO room when I booked my package, so hopefuly they dont overbook those. Has anyone stayed in the new GO rooms?

Both in the Reviews section of this site, and by using the ';Search'; feature on this forum, you can find an endless amount of commentary from those who have stayed in a GO room.

On the gambling front: If you play blackjack, avoid tables that payout 6:5 on blackjacks instead of the standard 3:2. This is especially common in singledeck games and, unfortunately, at lower limit tables. Also look for tables where the dealer stands on soft 17, which are getting harder to find. Tropicana is one place that pitches a good game with a $5 minimum. For table games generally, you will find lower minimums and better rules downtown and off-Strip than on the Strip itself.

As for poker, there is no reason you should be intimidated to play poker in Vegas. There are plenty of people who play for the first time. You might want to start with a low-limit game so you%26#39;ll be unlikely to be targeted by sharks. Excalibur is a place I%26#39;d recommend for this. You can also sign up for a tournament where the maximum you can lose is your initial buy-in.