Vegas Trip Information for anyone looking to go this year.

[Gazza]

I never see the point of having curry In the U.S. It's one of the few cuisines we do better than them.

[Marky147]

I never see the point of having curry In the U.S. It's one of the few cuisines we do better than them.

For me, ours is no more authentic than theirs and it's more a case of familiarity with the food here.

I have had excellent Indian meals in Vegas, and I wouldn't say we are better at cooking anything bar a fry up

[Graham C]

How do you guys take money for a US trip?  It's been years since I had a decent holiday and I'm sure I took travellers cheques but I'm sure they are dated by now.  I think withdrawing from my bank card will be expensive each time but I don't want a couple of thousand dollars in my back pocket either. 

What's the done thing these days?  I'm such a holiday newbie!

[Marky147]

How do you guys take money for a US trip?  It's been years since I had a decent holiday and I'm sure I took travellers cheques but I'm sure they are dated by now.  I think withdrawing from my bank card will be expensive each time but I don't want a couple of thousand dollars in my back pocket either. 

What's the done thing these days?  I'm such a holiday newbie!

For Vegas I just take cash, but I know that travellers cheques are still pretty popular and you can also use the FairFX prepaid $ card too.

This link gets you £5 free   http://www.fairfx.com/moneysupermarket3

[Simon Galloway]

for a couple of grand... take cash   You have a room safe, you can convert to chips (for ease of carry, but 20x$100 is hardly bulky) and you are about as safe on the Strip with $2k as you can be.

[Yian]

How much would you have to take to start thinking about a different method of taking money over there? And what is that method?

[Graham C]

I'm not on the strip for most of my trip, it's more of a holiday question rather than a Vegas one.  Cheers for the link, I may look into that but will prob end up taking cash I guess.   Just checking.

[Marky147]

How much would you have to take to start thinking about a different method of taking money over there? And what is that method?

I took about $10k cash last year, and would probably be happy enough with cash up to about $20k. However, I would wire it if I was gonna be rolling like Mr Channing with a stable the size of Nicky Henderson

[Simon Galloway]

How much would you have to take to start thinking about a different method of taking money over there? And what is that method?

There isn't a right or wrong on amount, obviously dependent on individual risk aversion.  Taking $20k or so is still fine in cash... declare it both ends and carry some kind of documentation to support that you legally own it, just in case.

Trying to sort out wires, credit lines etc etc for less is bordering on not worth the hassle.  For those expecting to be a regular WSOP visitor, open a bank account while you are over there for next time.

[brookie]

4 weeks lol

[mumblesrock]

realistically, how much does a vegas trip cost???  not including tournament entries as that is a personal choice.  estimated cost required for flights, food, entertainment, tips, cabs, drinks, any other unforeseen costs??? etc..  would appreciate advice.

[Simon Galloway]

Flight:
Sale fare direct: £500-£600
Indirect: £500-£600
Direct: £800

Hotel (did you forget this one?)

Dump: £300 pw should cover it
5* on poker rate: £900 inc

Food
Comp $$ from hours logged will cover a buffet each day
Food Court $10
Casual Meal: $30
Steak, sides, glass of wine $100

Entertainment
Watching the Bellagio fountains / Mirage Volcano - Free
Watching Candy gyrate for 3 songs - $100
Show tickets ~ ranging from free (go figure) to $200
Water Park: $40
Craps ~ $profit

Tips
There should be a tipping containment thread somewhere...

Cabs
Airport to centre strip ~ $20
Centre strip to Downtwon ~ $30
Hotel to Hotel ~ $6 to $30  (If you make a cabbie wait in line for an hour to take you to the next hotel for $6, leave him a few extra $$..)

Drinks
Tip $1 a drink whilst playing (drinks are free)
Beer: ~ $3-$10 depending how schmancy the place is when you buy it
Nightclub ~ may as well be $20/drink by time you leave a tip (or bottle service at a table for a group of you, $$$$)

Unforeseen Costs
Not sure how well you can foresee costs
For most people, this is going to be gambling money, helicopter rides, slightly drunken decision to take a 5 bottle minimum table in a nightclub, and hotel costs if they forgot to include that in pricing up their trip....

[Simon Galloway]

Soooooo... a question I asked last year, but figured worth revisiting in case a new product is out on the market.

SIM card for Vegas

I have: An unlocked HTC OneX (micro SIM)

I want: To be able to make or take USA calls and texts and ideally be able to make or take International calls/texts (or at least to one appointed number)

I would like, but not critical:  To have a call fwd service so that calls to my UK SIM are auto-fwd'd to my USA SIM (i.o.w. don't need to carry 2 phones)  To know the USA # before I set off from UK.

I do not want:  To have to hang out of the balcony on tip toe to get a signal.  To have to go to anything more than minimal effort.

Last year I went for http://www.holidayphone.co.uk/products.html?fromCountrySelect=uk&category_id=14 £84.90 inclusive

The other valid option was http://www.simcardguru.co.uk/product/sim-cards-for-the-united-states/t-mobile-usa-pay-as-you-go-mobile-phone-sim-card for £26 and then $2 or $3 a day.

I had problems getting the holidayphone SIM working consistently for data, no issues with calls, and tbf, didn't try any of the help topics they provided to fix it.

Is there anything else out there that would fit the bill?

[Paulie_D]

I use these people.

I too have an unlocked HTC ONE X and had no issues last year with data or calls / texts.

http://www.mrsimcard.com/s.html

[Simon Galloway]

Thanks that looks ideal.  Which package did you go for?  The SIM for Android looks like a regular sized SIM, so does that mean presumably I should choose SIM for IPhone as, despite having an Android, that looks like a micro SIM?