This year there will be more P5ers in Vegas than ever before for the WSOP main event. Many of you are 'Vegas Virgins' and couldn't be more excited!! Part of the excitment is for all the fun that will be had OUTSIDE of the poker rooms. Vegas is the BEST city in the US for partying, dining, entertainment, and shopping. Although I am no authority on poker, I am an authority on the Vegas scene.

I have been to vegas to party, shop, eat, and be entertained more than 20 times over the last 3 years. The first few times I went, I found myself stumbling around and trying to figure out what to do. LV can be intimidating and even disappointing if you don't know what you are doing. Hopefully this basic guide to tearing up Vegas will help you avoid common virgin mistakes. <READMORE>

First of all the partying... The best nightclubs are in all the major casinos. Friday and Saturday night will be off the hook at all the clubs. You have three choices if you want to get into these places. One, get there very early (9:30pm if the club opens at 10pm), perhaps even first in line and start a friendly conversation with the door Nazi's. This is the cheapest way in and it works.

Option two, call the club the day before and reserve a table with bottle service. You will have a two bottle minimum (at $350/bottle) if you have a party of four. You still need to get there by 11pm, or they will give away your table. THEY OVERSELL THE TABLES. This has happend to me many times and it stinks, because now it is too late to get in anywhere else.

Third option to getting in is to bring one or two pretty girls for every guy in your party and weasle your way up front. Having girls with you (and a hundie $ for the door guy) helps a lot. They don't have to be your dates; they can just be girls you met earlier in the day or even in line for the bar. I even have my fiance' recruit girls to help our party get in by saying they are in a bachorlette party and I am with them. Once you are in, don't make the classic virgin mistake of leaving to go to another club, because you won't get in anywhere else after 11.

The weekdays are a little more tricky, because you need to know which bars are hopping for industry night. Industry nights are party nights for all the local people in the service industry. Sunday is Body English (awesome) at the Hard Rock or Light at the Bellagio, Monday is the Foundation room at the top of Mandalay Bay (best view of the strip, so bring your camera), Tuesday is Pure at Caesars Palace (rated #1 club in vegas), Wednesday is Tangerine at TI (very crowded, get a private table), Thursday is Tryst at the Wynn (nicest interior of any club), Jet, Tao, Ghost Bar, and Rain are also very popular. The same rules apply regarding getting there early or getting a table on weekdays as on weekends. Friday and Saturday during the day, go to Harrah's outside bar; the free entertainment is very impressive, and they have the world champions of 'Flair' bartending - very cool, fun, and free. The clubs are open until 5am, and then you can go to Drai's at Barbary Coast for after hours.

If you only listen to one thing I have to say, then this is it: go to the pool party held every Sunday at the Hard Rock Hotel. It is called ReHab. All of the most beautiful degenerate people who work as bartenders, waitresses, and dancers have Sunday off and go to this party. It is Mardi Gras, spring break, MTV, and your favorite Vivid Video all rolled up into one crazy afternoon. Of all the people-watching you will ever do, this will be the craziest. DON'T FORGET YOUR CAMERA - and don't get into any of the pics yourself. It is just that nuts. You MUST get there by 9am (go back to bed after you get in and get your wristband) otherwise you will be in a 3 hour line minimum. It gets off the hook about 1pm when everyone starts getting buzzed.

Also, the eating... Many of the best chefs in the world work in Vegas. Even if you are on a budget, don't deny yourself at least one night out at a fine eatery. There are too many great places to eat to name here. Some of my favorites would be NoBu at the Hardrock for Sushi--you MUST get the Yellowtail Sashami and Black Cod lettuce wraps!! For dessert, go across the hallway to Simon's Steakhouse for a drink and mountain of cotton candy - it's fun to eat that at a fancy place as an adult. For the best steak of your life, make reservations at Fix in the Bellagio (even if you don't like macaroni, get it as a side dish - crazy good), and have a post/pre dinner drink at Carmel Lounge near Fix. Emeral is a very good place to eat in MGM also. Make sure you make reservations early, especially for NoBu.

Finally, the Entertainment. I am always amazed at the talent and quality of the shows here in Vegas. If you want to see the best show in town, buy tickets today for the "O" show at the Bellagio. If you can't get tix for that, then I suggest any Cirque de Sole' production at the Wynn or TI. If seeing a comedian, magic act, or concert is your thing, then check out the flyers and billboards when you get here. There are many to chose from, and I hear Carrot Top and Danny Ganns are two of the best. Shoot me if you ever see me entering the Celine Dion show.

Remember, if you only focus on the Main Event (which everyone but one person gets knocked out of), you are missing some of the best things Vegas (and life) have to offer.
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