[2Tone]

The Excalibur and Bellagio are at opposite ends of the poker room spectrums. Excalibur is very low rent – they have a 1-3 spread game, which is the lowest of any limits on the strip. I love the 2-6 spread game, and make sure I play it for a while on each trip. The dealers are ancient and sometimes a little slow, the game very friendly and casual. Seats are easy to get.

Bellagio is plush. It has a separate room for a high-limit action, and you can often find the pros playing there. Chips, chairs, tables – everything is top of the line. The lowest limit game they have is 4/8, and the big NL game has no maximum buy-in. Expect to wait for your seat.

Meanwhile, I’d also recommend the room at the MGM, which is relatively new. Spacious, comfortable, well-run (the wait list is all digital) and some tables have a view of the lion habitat, which is pretty cool.

Hot club right now is Pure at Ceasars, which I’m yet to visit, and can be difficult to get in to. Rain (Palms) and Body English (Hard Rock) are also off the hook.

I’ve been well over a dozen times, but never during New Years Eve. I’ve heard the strip is just crazy, with crowds everywhere. This year Kanye is performing at the Aladdin, which would be pretty amazing.

PS – That’s a nice friend you’ve got.