Parking/ Transportation During WSOP?

A few things about renting - the car itself will be expensive. Pre-plandemic you could get a car for ten bucks a day. Not any more. Then you might have to pay for parking. You also have to fight traffic getting in and out of the hotels, and it's usually a long schlep from parking garage into the casino. I don't know if uber charges by the minute, but if not, it would sure be nice if they can drop you by the front door.

BTW if you plan to drive to the Grand Canyon it's pretty much a day trip just going one way (4 hours).

You do not need a car when visiting Vegas. If you are willing to plan ahead, you can easily get by using a combination of public transportation/uber. I'd recommend figuring out your tournament schedule first then figuring out where to stay. If you're staying for a month and playing most of your tournaments at Horseshoe, it would therefore make sense to looking into renting something like off of Harmon where you could just walk. If you're playing most of your tournaments at The Orleans, it would make sense to stay west of the strip to avoid Strip traffic. Lots of reasonably priced airbnb's west and north of Orleans in Chinatown. So if you're planning on using busses and staying at an airbnb, it would make sense to get one as close as possible to the main east/west streets ie trop, spring mtn, flamingo to save yourself from walking a 1/2 mile in 110 degree heat to the nearest bus stop.

If you are thinking of going to the Grand Canyon, keep in mind you are looking at an 8 hour round trip drive. I'd probably save that for another time.

Yeah that's sort of what I was thinking, that Ubers would be more economical.

Sometimes when you're ubering everywhere that can add up in different ways though. Like you end up eating at an overpriced restaurant on the strip because you're there, whereas if you had a car you could make a quick groceries run or drive to a better value restaurant. That kind of thing.

I just googled the deuce and see that it's the bus system. I'm not sure how I feel about that while carrying relatively large amounts of cash, often late at night. So unless I'm convinced otherwise I wouldn't think it would be a very good/safe option. Might be a good option for some side trips though when I'm not playing poker/ carrying cash. I appreciate any and all ideas as I hadn't even considered that.

People still grocery shop? Just have Walmart deliver it.

As far as safety of the bus system, I rode it for years and never had any problems nor saw anyone else have any problems. If you're carrying $10k or less, shouldnt be a problem.

Thanks! Yeah Uber is sounding like the way to go.

If I go to the grand canyon it would likely be a couple night trip, maybe go to the grand canyon then on to spend a couple nights in Sedona or something like that.

Thanks! The street info is very helpful. That's the kind of stuff I don't know, like I'm aware that just being on the wrong side of Las Vegas Blvd. can add a significant amount of time in traffic, but the ideas for places to stay is very helpful.

I plan on playing some at the WSOP, Aria's schedule seems to have a lot of good tournaments in the buy-in range I'm focusing on, and also possibly some Wynn and Venetian tournaments. I like to have a degree of flexibility though as I plan to focus on the highest value tournaments I can find, which typically requires some trial and error to see where the softest fields are and stuff.

Yeah that's true I have Walmart+ and get groceries delivered that way at home sometimes so that would be a convenient option. Thanks!

That's also good to know that the buses are safe. I could likely take the bus out to the casino then Uber back to where I'm staying if it's late or whatever. I mainly worry about getting followed out of the casino if I have a decent score, that kind of thing.

If you're on the younger side you might want to bring trunks so you can go to Slide Rock. Water should be warm by June.

Also, don't forget the monorail if you're visiting casinos on the east side of the Strip. Five bucks per trip.

lots of things to consider, i've pretty much explored all the options (car/uber/scooter/walking) over the years, here's my 2 cents:

if you get anything close enough to the strip, scooter is the way to go. you can buy one at bestbuy for example for like 500$, they are very fast, you are actually faster then using a car (bc you don't wait anywhere, can take side lines etc.), and you can take them inside the casino and park them in front of the poker rooms (always see 3-5 scooters parked there).

but: renting closer to the strip means more expensive, so you gotta make the appropriate adjustment.

off-strip/airbnb etc.: you need a car for that, public transport takes too long, and is messy. besides, you need/want the comfort (peace of mind, good for playing) and flexibility (running bad at aria? no prob, lets check out wynn, or whatever), also being able to do grocery shopping etc.

at wynn you park for free under 3 hours, if you are over, the poker room will validate your ticket, so its free again.
you wanna play at venetian: free parking close by is at fashion mall, 3 min walk.
aria is expensive, free parking with mgm pearl or above (need 75 hours of play)

uber adds up. going back and forth, sometimes you have to wait a while, prices fluctuate, during peak hours its really expensive ... i found that for the money i spend at uber i could get a car, and have way more flexibility and comfort.

last option: you get a place mid strip, then you can walk everywhere. but even small walks in the middle of sumer with the heat are stressful.

conclusion:
don't "only" think about the money you can save, see it more as an investment, the better you feel overall the better your results at the tables will be ... don't save on the wrong end.

That place looks like a lot of fun! I'll definitely try to go there if I make a trip to the Grand Canyon/Sedona. It seems like an outdoor adventure would be a great way to break up the grind mid-series and recharge the batteries!

The monorail seems like a great option too!

Great post! Yeah comfort and convenience are important in addition to taking the cost into account. You gave me a lot to think about.

Really appreciate the tips, especially the scooter idea and tips about where to park. That one mall parking idea will save me every time I go to the Venetian. Also Mike Matusaw has been grinding the WSOP for the last 20 years and he likely chooses to ride around in a scooter for a reason!

The more I'm thinking about it I'm leaning towards a sort of hybrid approach. Maybe I'll book places to stay in something like one week blocks. One week I could stay on the strip, maybe at the horseshoe, and then I wouldn't need a car that week. Another week I could rent an Airbnb off strip and rent a car, likely focusing on grinding Wynn and Venetian more that week.

Then if I want to go to the grand canyon and Sedona mid-series I can just check out of one place and check into another when I get back.

But you hit on a lot of key considerations. If I bust out of a tournament early one day, then having a car can sometimes be the difference between just calling it a day vs. running to another venue and entering another event. The EV of that one extra bullet can pay for the extra cost of the car. Also who knows that extra bullet could turn into a six-figure score!

I'm getting pumped thinking about it! Let's go!

trust me, i've been doing this (going to wsop) for 15+ years ... ease of mind and comfort (air conditioned car, getting in and being relaxed, being super flexible, quick trip to another casino to check out a game ...) is worth every penny you put into it

If you do go the car hire route I would be interested to see and compare the cost of airbnb + car hire + parking fees vs just staying at an on-strip hotel.

I’m also going for an extended stay this summer and came to the conclusion that any cost savings would be minimal and I’d rather walk the strip than deal with traffic and parking.
Of course if you want to do things off-strip then a car would make more sense.

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Yeah one mistake in a big ICM spot caused by being in the wrong state of mind can cost way more than something like a rental car.

So far I've been looking at places both on and off strip and I would agree with you.

The big factor you didn't mention though is dining. The strip is such a tourist trap/ripoff for food that you can easily end up paying like $30/meal for the equivalent of fast food. Your dining costs can really add up fast especially if you want to eat at nicer restaurants. At an Airbnb you can prep your own meals and/or drive to better value restaurants.

Not that you can't mitigate the food costs on the strip with some good planning though. Usually if I'm staying somewhere like the strip I will stock up the hotel room with a bunch of snacks and grab and go type meals when I first get there. Then I can get by most days just going to a restaurant for one nice meal each day and snacking the rest of the time.

But you're used to very hot weather. You could probably walk from the Strip to Death Valley. The average person would put up with a lot of traffic if they were in air conditioning.

Another quick point about going to Sedona- There is some awesome scenery on the road from Sedona to Flagstaff. Going in that direction makes it easier to pull off on most of the scenic outlooks, which I encourage you to do. It's even better in the fall when the leaves are turning, but there's not much you can do about that.

Yeah I heard that stretch of 89A is beautiful. I'll for sure go that way if I go to Sedona. Thanks.

I usually go to Vegas for 10-12 days during WSOP and never rent any more. As others have mentioned, rental car prices have skyrocketed since COVID.

That said, not having one really doesn't limit you from taking a day trip. The past two years I've taken a day trip each time (once to hike the Valley of Fire, once to the Hoover Dam) and I've just gotten a one-day rental on Turo. Pickup and return on the same day.

i hate the heat. but you can walk a ton of the strip indoors if you know where you're going. you can get from PH to Encore and barely be outside at all.

General - Look if you are planning to play Aria /Wynn/Venetian events your average buy in is about $1100 per event so I assume you have a fairly substantial poker budget. If that is the case rent a car.
Yes it can be a slight hassle even self parking (no Card benefits assumed) BUT it gives you FREEDOM totally at your discretion and personally to me that is priceless.

Run bad for a few days and want to hit the Grand Canyon ( it is marvelous by the way stopped their on my way and hiked the last two years both North and South Rim ) and an easy drive to the South Rim but remember you are going to Mountain time from Pacific.
Also remember if you plan on hiking at all TAKE WATER and lots of it. It will by JUNE /JULY and if you go into the canyon it's HOTTER in the Canyon itself. Also the hikes back up are steep don't over estimate yourself or under estimate what hiking up a 30 - 40 degree grade is like.
The South Rim hikes around the rim are flat and beautiful - its hikes into the Canyon (South Kaibab Trail for example that will test you ). https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/d...

Sedona AZ is SUPPOSEDLY amazing - personally I am stopping on my way to LV this year and hiking the area so I have no first hand knowledge to provide yet but its also another 2 hours from the Grand Canyon.

The other single day trip might be the Valley of Fire State Park which is only about 1 hour away - although I warn you it is appropriately named so LEAVE LV early.

As has been mentioned with a Car you can eat a LOT cheaper by getting away from the strip typically 1/2 the price and often better food options.

Also a lot depends if you get a hotel or a B&B type lodging for the time period. Even staying in the Casino hotels I hit a grocery store and stock my room fridge with fruit and salads.
Note I personally stay +3 weeks and have been booked since last November so my rates are incredibly low and I have driven to LV the last two years. But for the decade before when I flew I always just rented a car for the 10 -14 days .

Freedom of movement and keeping my options open made it more than worthwhile to me personally even if it cost me an event buy in.

Final note Sedona and Grand Canyon hotels are Expensive - plan on staying a distance away for more reasonable prices.

Thanks for the tips!

I'm sure I will end up at least renting a car for part of the time, because I don't think it would be good for my happiness/ mental health to never really leave strip casinos for a month or more.

As for the grand canyon/Sedona. I've never been to the grand canyon but seeing as the WSOP takes place during such a hot time of year I would likely limit any hiking to the rim hikes only. Will still be sure to bring plenty of water though. The desert in June is no joke!

I also think it would be amazing to raft through the canyon. I know there are guides you can hire, as I watched a documentary type show on it one time. You can camp along the river in completely secluded areas of the GC. It might not happen for me this year but that would be awesome!

I've actually been to Sedona one time before, and it is spectacular! Highly recommended. We stayed in Oak Creek. It's literally right up the road from Sedona and was more affordable and a great place to stay. A lot of the Sedona locals live there.

I think you'll love Sedona too. Pictures don't do those Red Rock formations justice! The roads and town can get congested, but there's plenty of space when you get out on all the numerous trails. You just have to go early to get parking at some of the popular hiking spots. People who aren't as physically able can also do jeep tours that are offered by several companies and take you off-road and up into the red-rock hills. That's a great option for anyone that isn't physically able to complete long hikes.

If you're able to hike though one of the funnest things to do is to just improvise a path up the giant red rock formations. You can make it way up there but invariably you eventually encounter a spot that's too steep/scary and have to turn back.

Anyway have fun and good luck to everyone going to the WSOP this year!

Is the size of the bulge in one's pants when carrying $10K+ the trigger to thieves to go mug a guy?

When the WSOP was at the Rio, renting a car was the obvious play. Now that it's located mid-Strip, you can go either way on it.

Given your poker budget, I just don't see any reason for you to low-roll and ride the Deuce. It's slow and requires a lot of waiting. I would also not focus on the Monorail as it requires so much walking back and forth from the front to back of casino properties and vice versa.

I go to the WSOP each summer with my buddy and we go back-and-forth on the car rental. He always wants to rent one, and I'm more of the grab-a-Uber type. I think if you're planning any out-of-town trips then you definitely want to go ahead and rent a car, but if you're hopping to places around town, an Uber is just as convenient and economical.

When we go to LV, wife loves to casino hop and we often even switch hotels to maximize comp benes. While not in great shape and over 60, we have no prob moving between casinos on foot. We even did some easy hiking in Red Rock last year during WSOP. We even usually go downtown to Fremont at least one day for few hours.

Used to always rent but realized it was more a hassle than it was worth. We simply walk on the strip where we want to go. If we don’t feel like it, just grab an uber. Going to Fremont, grab an uber. Going to Red Rock, Valley of fire, Hoover damn, rent a car for a day. But the strip is mostly walking (unless my knee acts up.)

So imo best plan is hybrid…plan to mostly walk, grab uber if needed, and rent from hotel location if car is necessary, but walk and water is most efficient (the only monorail worth using imo is if going to MBay or Luxor).