How to…

Sin City is quite simply the gambling mecca of the universe, but with so much neon to pile through, it’s a tough job knowing where to start. We are here to help….

How to get there?

If you’re looking to fly economy, then Virgin Atlantic has daily scheduled flights to Las Vegas’ McCarran airport, which is just a ten-minute taxi ride from the strip. You could also fly via Los Angeles. The one-hour hop across the desert takes you over some breathtaking scenery.

Going in style

Maxjet is the only way to go. The business class only airline will certainly get you there in style, and the huge seats will let you get some sleep so you arrive fresh and ready for war. It’s not quite Virgin Upper Class standard, but it’s fantastic value for less than £1,000 return.

Low-stakes, no-limit cash games

The MGM Grand is teeming with drunk guys on vacation who are there to have fun. The awesome Venetian poker room is by far the most comfortable place to play low limits, but if you’re serious about earning money then head to casinos like Aladdin and Tropicana. They have shabbylooking rooms, but attract heroic levels of drunken fish-like play. Avoid Binions downtown. This is where the sharks swim who will take every dollar you have.

No-limit tournaments

The best daily tournaments are at Caesars Palace. The buy-in is $80 with an optional $50 rebuy or $120 with a $100 rebuy. In reality they are $130 and $220 tournaments as your initial investment buys you 1,500 chips and the rebuy gets you an additional 3,000. For the higher buy-ins, the Venetian holds weekly $500 tournaments and the Bellagio a $1,000 event on Fridays and Saturdays. Satellites run during the week. Expect the standard of play to be well above average.

High-stakes, no-limit cash games

The Bellagio is still a good place to play. It attracts its fair share of bad players, along with the best pros in the world. The Wynn is the home of the wealthy fish, but they only really come out at night. Once the drinks are flowing the tables become full of players who don’t think twice about calling a $1,000 bet. And the uncapped buy-in means you can see some HUGE stacks.

Where to stay…

Vegas is a pretty small town, so you will never be more than a cab ride from where you want to be. That said, if you want to be within walking distance of the best poker rooms then you want to be located at the north end of the strip. The Bellagio (right) or Venetian (above) are the best options if money is no concern. The Aladdin or Mirage are better for those on a budget, while the economy choice should be either Circus Circus (north end) or the Tropicana (south end), just next door to the overrated MGM Grand.

When to play…

If you can face it then stay sober and do the night shift. Playing when everyone else has had a few beers will give you an instant advantage.

Don’t forget to tip

It’s very bad form not to tip the dealer when you win a pot. Don’t go overboard, though; unless it is a huge pot a dollar or two is fine. Also, you should always tip the waitress if you want to see her again.

Getting discounts

If you find a poker room you like then it is wise to sign up for a loyalty card. This will earn you free food, shows and – if you’re lucky – even a room if you play long enough. If you plan on playing more than eight hours a day you can get discounted rates on your hotel room. Ask before booking and always remember to clock in and out on your card.

What to do away from the poker…

If you want to look at classic architecture and areas of outstanding historical significance then, clearly, Las Vegas is not for you. There is the Guggenheim in the Venetian, and the Grand Canyon is a seven-hour slog by car. Essentially, though, you’re looking at restaurants, bars and shows. If you’re a golfer, there are plenty of places to play, from Shadow Creek to the public course at Las Vegas National.