Tips On Where to Stay During the WSOP
The 2012 WSOP is a little less than two months away. Players and fans from all over the country are going to make the trek to Las Vegas for two months of nearly non-stop poker and new champions will be crowned left and right. Some of you may be looking to go to Vegas for the first time and may have trouble deciding the best place to stay while out there. Here are a few tips to help that decision.
Many first timers foot the bil for a room at the Rio.
Staying at the Rio
The Rio offers rates to players at the WSOP and in some cases can be as low as $69 per night during the week. The main advantage to staying at the Rio is that you will have a very short trek to the games and will be forced to navigate Vegas.
The downside is that you will not really be able to get away from the casino, the WSOP, etc and this can affect your play after a time depending on how long you stay there. Also, it is not really the best way to see Vegas for your first time since you are not on the strip.
Extended Stay Hotel
Many grinders have lived the extended stay hotel lifestyle either while in Vegas for the WSOP or temporarily while living in Vegas to grind for a living. The advantages to these accommodations is that everything that you need is right there. They are usually setup like mini-apartments and offer convenience.
However, what they don’t always offer is the greatest security. Some also are not the best quality. They are not always in the best neighborhoods and some of your neighbors are “less than appealing.” Also, you didn’t come to Vegas to do your clothes at a laundry mat.
Renting a House / Casita / Apartment
Many players that are looking to stay for an extended amount of time or for the entire WSOP look into renting either a house, apartment, or a casita. A casita is usually a small one room apartment that is attached to someone’s home.
The biggest advantage to this type of living is having your own separate place away from the casino and in most cases having all the amenities you would want. Also, depending on what you want to spend, you can usually find rentals in some really nice areas that sometimes offer nice perks.
For example, I rented the wing of a Million dollar home in Vegas for the WSOP. Not only did I have a full apartment a laundry room, but I also had a full pool, BBQ pits, etc. That was a sweet rental.
Of course, this is the most expensive type of option you will find. In addition to rent and food, you will also need to come up with transportation back and forth to the Rio. If you live in a really nice area of the city, you are looking at a nice little commute each way. Also, factor in valet fees if you don’t like to self park and hike from the back of the parking lot to the Rio each day.
The above are your most common options that you will see players take advantage of while staying in Vegas. While they are not only the only ones, they give you a good idea of what to expect and what to expect to spend while staying in sin city.
