Opinions on the Bellagio? (2 Viewers)

As classic and timeless as the Bellagio is, consensus seems to have it that they have taken their foot off the gas a little, with their standard rooms lacking a little by today's standards.
That’s the story of Vegas. Build a big new fancy casino that is better than all the rest and then watch everyone else try to top it until you become the old hotel and get imploded for something newer and fancier.
 
The Bellagio is still a great property and one of the best in Vegas, but as others have pointed out, it has been surpassed by hotels like the Wynn/Encore, Aria, and Cosmo. The reality is that its more than 20 years old (which is like 60 in Vegas years), Aria is now MGM's "premier" Vegas resort, and its in a weird ownership situation where MGM sold it to the Blackstone Group (who owns Cosmo), but still leases and operates the casino. As a result, neither MGM or Blackstone has any real interest in investing heavily in the property when they can instead focus on properties they own and operate outright.

Bellagio also suffers from the fact that it doesn't really have a theme. When you focus on "luxury" your age becomes very noticeable as other more luxurious properties open up. That's why I still love the Mirage even though its 30 years old; it has the right blend of high end options plus a noticeable theme that still makes it unique.

I'm not a huge fan of Sheldon Adelson for murdering online poker, but I stayed at the Venetian on a family trip back in January before COVID ruined everything and I was really impressed. Venetian's "standard" rooms are probably the best in Vegas. I'd rate Cosmo, Aria, Venetian/Palazzo, Wynn/Encore, and even Mirage (my personal favorite) over the Bellagio.
 
If you like breakfast and don't mind walking for 10 min I always visit Hash House at the Linq on the strip. Whenever I bring the Mrs. we visit Peppermill up the strip as she likes the old school Vegas feel there, plus the food is delicious.

FYP

Hash House is a food event. Peppermill has a cool vibe with ordinary breakfast.

In the strange hall thing that connects Paris and Bally's is a crepe place. I basically eat breakfast there most days.

La Creperie, across from the Paris buffet

Cheers for the thorough info — hugely appreciated. The hotel you were on about not living up to expectations in your first paragraph, did you mean The Venetian?

Need to learn how to play craps before we go as it looks like a lot of fun. Funny you should mention the casino at The Cromwell as that is one that I've eyeballs already — love the vibe there. Am I right in thinking they have $5 blackjack and craps there, too?

But their chips suck.

That's easy. Start with minimum place bets on the 5-6-8-9 and put the dealers up for $1 on each. They will be happy to show you how to play.
EDIT: Don't put any money on the prop bets in the middle

House edge on 5 and 9 is much higher. You can have a fun game if and your girl split 6 and 8 and see which number is luckier. After the point is established (look for the puck that says ON , that will be the point). If the puck says OFF then the game hasn't started yet. Put $6 each on the table anywhere within the dealer's reach and a say "place the 6 (or 8)" and the dealer will move the bet for you. If you win say, "same bet". If you want increase your bet after winning, say "add one unit", or "press" if you want to double your bet. Anytime you want to quit, say "take my bets down". This is for a $5 min bet table (Cromwell - but it can be hard to get on the table or Casino Royale). A $10 min bet table, you will have to start at $12 (units of $6). The units are $6 increments because a win will pay in units of $7. You can bet increments of $5 on 5 and 9 (win still pays $7) but as I said, the house edge is a lot higher.
 
FYP

Hash House is a food event. Peppermill has a cool vibe with ordinary breakfast.



La Creperie, across from the Paris buffet



But their chips suck.



House edge on 5 and 9 is much higher. You can have a fun game if and your girl split 6 and 8 and see which number is luckier. After the point is established (look for the puck that says ON , that will be the point). If the puck says OFF then the game hasn't started yet. Put $6 each on the table anywhere within the dealer's reach and a say "place the 6 (or 8)" and the dealer will move the bet for you. If you win say, "same bet". If you want increase your bet after winning, say "add one unit", or "press" if you want to double your bet. Anytime you want to quit, say "take my bets down". This is for a $5 min bet table (Cromwell - but it can be hard to get on the table or Casino Royale). A $10 min bet table, you will have to start at $12 (units of $6). The units are $6 increments because a win will pay in units of $7. You can bet increments of $5 on 5 and 9 (win still pays $7) but as I said, the house edge is a lot higher.
My advice was geared to getting the dealers on your side and helping you to understand the game and win (based upon many years of dealing craps).
5-6-8-9 represent exactly 1/2 of all possible outcomes on any roll.
 
My advice was geared to getting the dealers on your side and helping you to understand the game and win (based upon many years of dealing craps).
5-6-8-9 represent exactly 1/2 of all possible outcomes on any roll.
True, betting 2 numbers can be boring if they aren't hitting, though 6 and 8 are the most likely to hit. When I was a pass line bettor, I would try and play 3 numbers but now I am mostly a place bettor so I want the lowest house edge when I place and try to run it up.

From Wizard of Odds

Pass pays 1 to 1, house edge 1.41%

Place 6 and 87 to 61.52%
Place 5 and 97 to 54%
Place 4 and 109 to 56.67%

So you lose a little bit on placing 6 and 8 vs betting the pass line but you get to pick the numbers you want to play and when and you have the option to take your bets down anytime you feel like quitting, whereas you can never take down a Pass line bet until you win or lose. Big jump though on placing 5 and 9. Expected rolls to win/lose your bet is every 3.27 rolls for placing 6/8 vs 3.38 rolls for Pass so you still get a fair amount of action.

As long as the table is not too busy any dealer will be happy to explain the game without you needing to feed them money. Craps is a social game though so I wouldn't recommend an empty table because it is boring rolling the dice all the time and the game goes very quick. But if the table is empty, without playing, the dealers will still probably be willing to explain how the game goes.

But yeah craps is the only game where people genuinely cheer for the shooter because everyone wins or loses on that roll. You can bet against the shooter and yeah the odds are infinitesimally better but only a true nit would bet against the shooter. If people are betting against the shooter, odds are the table won't be fun and I will find another table. After/during a hot roll, players will actually toss money/make bets for the shooter to say thanks. Name me another casino game where this happens! I mean it's nice when someone at your table hits a blackjack but it doesn't affect you in any way. But when you roll a hard 10 and someone has a black chip on that bet, you bet they are pretty happy for you.

Dealers usually like to be in the game. At the end of a session if I have been winning or if the dealers have been particularly good or helpful I call out "all the hard ways for the dealers" and toss $4 out to the stickman. The stickman handles all the center bets. Then if a hard number comes up, the dealers get a nice tip. (22, 33, 44, 55). Best I ever did was a win on all 4 hard ways for a $36 tip. Of course you don't have to make bets for the dealers, you can toss whatever tip you want on the table and say "for the crew".

More than the game of golf there are a myriad of superstitions involved. Virgin shooters for some reason seem to be extra lucky. If the dice roll off the table, you get new dice, unless you call "same dice". It is considered bad luck to change the dice mid-roll so always do this. It is bad luck if you hit a chip with your dice on the throw. It is bad luck to say "7" at a table as this roll loses the game. If you need to talk about "7" at the table, always call it "big red".

But nothing matches the excitement of craps. In my lifetime I have witnessed the table require a fill twice and a third time they should have filled but the casino was closing shortly and they didn't want to bring more chips. The players trays were full and they were stuffing extra chips in their pants. The casino was actually colouring up the chips in the trays to $500s so they could continue to make payouts. Craziness!
 
As long as the table is not too busy any dealer will be happy to explain the game without you needing to feed them money.
I agree with most of your post except this.
Most crap dealers make about minimum wage, less than minimum in many cases. It's all about dealing with superb skill and engaging players in a way that makes them want to tip.

Edit: To put a fine point on it, about 80% of my income is tips
 
That’s the story of Vegas. Build a big new fancy casino that is better than all the rest and then watch everyone else try to top it until you become the old hotel and get imploded for something newer and fancier.
Surely they'd never get rid of the Bellagio though? But then again, they probably said that about the Riv etc.
 
The Bellagio is still a great property and one of the best in Vegas, but as others have pointed out, it has been surpassed by hotels like the Wynn/Encore, Aria, and Cosmo. The reality is that its more than 20 years old (which is like 60 in Vegas years), Aria is now MGM's "premier" Vegas resort, and its in a weird ownership situation where MGM sold it to the Blackstone Group (who owns Cosmo), but still leases and operates the casino. As a result, neither MGM or Blackstone has any real interest in investing heavily in the property when they can instead focus on properties they own and operate outright.

Bellagio also suffers from the fact that it doesn't really have a theme. When you focus on "luxury" your age becomes very noticeable as other more luxurious properties open up. That's why I still love the Mirage even though its 30 years old; it has the right blend of high end options plus a noticeable theme that still makes it unique.

I'm not a huge fan of Sheldon Adelson for murdering online poker, but I stayed at the Venetian on a family trip back in January before COVID ruined everything and I was really impressed. Venetian's "standard" rooms are probably the best in Vegas. I'd rate Cosmo, Aria, Venetian/Palazzo, Wynn/Encore, and even Mirage (my personal favorite) over the Bellagio.

I think you've nailed it with regards to hotels with a theme! Vegas was built on theme hotels and, truth be told, if another one were to open today and be done well, I think it would smash it.

Also, we need to get you this mug by the sounds of it...

il_570xN.1462817116_ib5h.jpg
 
I agree with most of your post except this.
Most crap dealers make about minimum wage, less than minimum in many cases. It's all about dealing with superb skill and engaging players in a way that makes them want to tip.

Edit: To put a fine point on it, about 80% of my income is tips
As I understand it craps dealers are actually decently paid given it's the most challenging game to deal. But I tip a LOT when I play craps winning or losing.
 
Bumping this thread, as life has changed a lot since I originally posted this; I'm now heading to Vegas at the start of May 2022, as a single man, no less.

Planning five nights at the Bellagio and three at Caesars — opinions on the latter? I feel as though both have great cigar options and are centre strip.

Would be interested in meeting fellow PCFers that are out there at the same time.
 
The Venetian and Mirage are my two favorites properties. Venetian probably has the nicest standard rooms and the location is great. For what it’s worth, every time I stay there I get a lot of great offers (ex: 3 free nights) to stay again. My biggest gripe about Caesar’s is that place is an absolute labyrinth to try and navigate your way through.
 
I’m a cheapskate when it comes to rooms, because I spend less than 8 hrs a day in them. I prefer to save money on rooms and maximize my bankroll to lose at the casino, stripclub, or some 5 star restaurants. So I’ll slum it somewhere like the Strat in order to do that. The top hotels are nice, but I only sleep a few hours a night while I’m there. So it really doesn’t make a difference to me. But if you objective is to hang out at the pool and go to clubs, and need to use your residency to help make that happen, I get it.
 
Would love the Venetian, but it's a big hike in price in comparison to Caesars...

I often go to the Palazzo.
I haven't been for 2 years because of the closed borders.
But at the time if you book 1 month before the room you had 25% reduction.
I was paying $ 300 per night instead of $ 400 (double room for 4 people).
I don't know if the offer still exists.
Otherwise I really like the Aria too.

For us Europeans the best is to book directly on the Hotel website and not through a website that offers the plane + hotel package.
You will save money imo.
 
I've never stayed in a Bellagio room, but their casino floor is probably one of my favorites in Vegas. They've also got a great High Limit room that, in my experience, is very welcoming to "low rollers." (I put that in quotes because minimums are $100 during the day, which is still a lot for many people). The Lounge right outside the High Limit room is also a cigar bar if you're into that, and I think the only place you can smoke inside the property (??).
 
Please do a meal or two at Bouchon. Especially breakfast/ brunch. Was also going to day Rhumbar at the Mirage for drinks and cigars but just saw that it was closed and being replaced :cry::mad::cry:
 
I am partial to Elara. It’s a Hilton grand vacation property behind planet Hollywood. No casino and no smoking, and attached to a mall with some great casual dining options. I prefer to gamble at the Mirage (may have to change since they closed their poker room) but despise the smoking when you need to cut through the casino. Elara is wonderful if you can get a room there if you’re not a HGV member. Great atmosphere in general.

For a casino resort on the strip, I am partial to the Mirage. Not Bellagio prices but still iconic, and from my experience, seems to be the least smoke filled casino in the strip.

I‘d also check out Park MGM. Since it’s opening, it seems extremely nice for a very reasonable price.
 
I loved visiting the Bellagio but I usually stayed in or close to the poker room I play the most in. Back in the day that was MGM.
 
The Venetian and Mirage are my two favorites properties. Venetian probably has the nicest standard rooms and the location is great. For what it’s worth, every time I stay there I get a lot of great offers (ex: 3 free nights) to stay again. My biggest gripe about Caesar’s is that place is an absolute labyrinth to try and navigate your way through.
Appreciate the advice. It's a real close call between Caesars and Venetian / Palazzo as my second property for the final three nights. I definitely rather the rooms and vibe of the Venetian / Palazzo, but cigar smoking options are probably more important to me — hence my inclination towards Caesars.
 
I’m a cheapskate when it comes to rooms, because I spend less than 8 hrs a day in them. I prefer to save money on rooms and maximize my bankroll to lose at the casino, stripclub, or some 5 star restaurants. So I’ll slum it somewhere like the Strat in order to do that. The top hotels are nice, but I only sleep a few hours a night while I’m there. So it really doesn’t make a difference to me. But if you objective is to hang out at the pool and go to clubs, and need to use your residency to help make that happen, I get it.
Love this school of thought! I think if this wasn't my first time in Vegas, I'd book the Luxor for the entire stay as I love the theme and price. As is, I really can't be dealing with the hassle of getting Ubers to and from centre strip on my first Vegas visit.
 
I often go to the Palazzo.
I haven't been for 2 years because of the closed borders.
But at the time if you book 1 month before the room you had 25% reduction.
I was paying $ 300 per night instead of $ 400 (double room for 4 people).
I don't know if the offer still exists.
Otherwise I really like the Aria too.

For us Europeans the best is to book directly on the Hotel website and not through a website that offers the plane + hotel package.
You will save money imo.
Yeah, I've checked both options and it does work out a lot cheaper for me to book a package deal with British Airways (as I imagine they are desperate to get money in the bank following the pandemic).
 
I've never stayed in a Bellagio room, but their casino floor is probably one of my favorites in Vegas. They've also got a great High Limit room that, in my experience, is very welcoming to "low rollers." (I put that in quotes because minimums are $100 during the day, which is still a lot for many people). The Lounge right outside the High Limit room is also a cigar bar if you're into that, and I think the only place you can smoke inside the property (??).
Yeah, I have only heard great things about the casino floor, and obviously playing poker in the Bellagio is on any self-respecting poker player's bucket list. Their cigar bar is a huge pull for me, too.
 
Please do a meal or two at Bouchon. Especially breakfast/ brunch. Was also going to day Rhumbar at the Mirage for drinks and cigars but just saw that it was closed and being replaced :cry::mad::cry:
Rest assured that Bouchon was at the top of my list for breakfast places — even before you'd posted your message!
 
I am partial to Elara. It’s a Hilton grand vacation property behind planet Hollywood. No casino and no smoking, and attached to a mall with some great casual dining options. I prefer to gamble at the Mirage (may have to change since they closed their poker room) but despise the smoking when you need to cut through the casino. Elara is wonderful if you can get a room there if you’re not a HGV member. Great atmosphere in general.

For a casino resort on the strip, I am partial to the Mirage. Not Bellagio prices but still iconic, and from my experience, seems to be the least smoke filled casino in the strip.

I‘d also check out Park MGM. Since it’s opening, it seems extremely nice for a very reasonable price.
When I went to check prices through MLife the other night, I couldn't quite believe how cheap Park MGM was! After Exaclibur and Luxor, it was the cheapest option by a fair bit!
 

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