For APA Players, especially newbies!

[Bob Romano]

Hello All,

The APA event in Vegas at The Riviera Hotel is coming up very quickly.

Just a few short hints for all of you, and mostly for those who have never attended before.

1. When making your airport reservations VIA Internet, always check all available times of flights. Just because they either give you the option of a certain flight, doesn't mean that's the cheapest flight there is. EVEN if you put in to find by cheapest fare. ALWAYS look at the different times coming and going for best prices.

2. The check in wait the day before the event's are brutal. If you can come in a day before, I suggest it. You will end up spending hours in line to check in the day before. Be prepared to rotate pushing luggage in line.

3. IF the Riviera Hotel is sold out, the Westward Ho has the cheapest rooms that are the closest. The rooms are nothing special similar to a low end Super 8. Circus Circus is next but be prepared to stay at the farthest tower in the casino for the cheapest rate. Again, check in is Brutal, so be prepared to wait in line.

4. If you plan to gamble, ALWAYS sign up for a "Players Card." The more you use it, the more comps you get. Comps are points that you accumulate while playing the machines or sitting at the tables.

5. Stay away from Katy's Coffee Shop in the Riviera during peak times. It is expensive, and a Pepsi will cost you $2.50. They do have some specials like a T-bone steak for $9.95 or BBQ Rib Dinner for $5.95 and they run non stop. The coffee shop is not open after midnight on Sun ~ Thurs., but open on Fri and Sat Nights.

You can go to the World Buffet after midnight, for around $10.00 pp. I suggest getting there around 1 AM for the best selection. Otherwise, it can be a limited selection. In addition, ask them to make you a hamburger, it is the best thing out of the grill that time of night. If you go to the $40 for $20 booth at the front of the Riviera, you can get a coupon book with a coupon for all the Riviera's restaurants.

6. NEVER, NEVER Leave any money or expensive items in your room. There are safes in most of the rooms for a nominal charge or you can use a safe at the front desk.

7. Confirm your reservation. The hotel is SOLD out and sometimes over booked. Get names and confirmation numbers when confirming!

Hope this helps a few of you newbies, for Vegas can be lost wages, not Las Vegas.

Eydie

 

[Steve Ellis]

Hello All,

The APA event is Vegas at The Riviera Hotel is coming up very quickly.

Just a few short hints for all of you and mostly for those who have never attended before.

...

Eydie

Thank you Eydie.

My wife is a wizard at getting the best deal. Thank God I have her. (for other reasons too)
My wife and I couldn't get off work the day before so we're stuck with the lines. When do they start getting real bad? Generally I guard the luggage and my wife stands in line, they don't object to that do they?
Concerning valuables. Obviously a cue won't fit in a hotel room safe, is there a place to stow them safely run by the hotel? That's about all I've got to steal.
Concerning confirming reservations... we made our reservation through America West airlines they have a block they own. Do you think we should further confirm with the Riviera?
Don't gamble much, but does the Riviera have a low-limit stud game as far as you know?
How far is the Riviera from the Flamingo and that area beyond?

My 28th anniversary is the 22nd, think my wife will enjoy spending it watching me play 9-ball? Maybe we'll get remarried Vegas style.

I hope the oppourtunity comes up to meet you guys. I'm the "old guy" on the "Untouchables" from So. Eastern MA.
Thanks again,
Steve.

 

[Bob Romano]

Some Answers:

Some Answers:

The lines start to get bad starting the morning before the start of the show, but mostly before the team event.

When you get to the hotel, check your luggage with the Bell cap. They will give you a claim check and it can sit safe and guarded by camera's while you wait. It makes it easier to maneuver the lines, your luggage is safe and the norm for a tip is about $2.00 pr bag. They will then bring it directly to your room.

8. NEVER NEVER let your cab driver take you the "expressway route". The expressway circles around Vegas and it costs you $30.00 or more to get to the Riviera. The cabbies are notorious for trying this stunt. ALWAYS, tell them to take "Paradise Road" or the back way, and the trip should not cost more than $15.00 for 2 people with airport fees and time. DO NOT let them take you down the strip, unless you want to pay to see it. It can be especially nice at night when it's lit up, so that's your call. It will cost you twice as much too. For those of you coming as a group, you can rent a limo at the airport which is cheaper than several cabs. You can also finagle the price for the limo.

As far as safety for your cue, you have a couple of choices. During the BCA and Valley events, they have a cue cage located directly off of the 1st main ballroom. This is always a good place to keep it. You can rent it for the entire time, or by the day at a nominal fee. Or, you can check it with the Bell Captain and lastly, write me privately at windycityopen@aol.com and I will give you a few other suggestions. For obvious reasons, I don't want to post it.

Airplane reservations are always a good thing to confirm, but I was mostly referring to the hotel. I have heard horror stories of lost reservations, no reservations, wrong reservations. In one case a nasty ex girlfriend of a friend of ours, new that her ex boyfriend was going to Vegas. She called the hotel and canceled his hotel reservation. When the guy and his room mate (the new girlfriend) got there, they had no room.

The Riviera has added PENNY machines to Nickel Town. They are at the front of Nickel town by the street. They have a lot of really fun games you can play for a penny a spin. That is the lowest limits, I know of. The tables tend to change bigger antes when big groups come in. I don't play many table games, but I have heard that tables that were once $5.00 ante are now $10.00. Go across the street to Slot's of Fun. They have low limit table games and penny machines. You do have to go into Circus Circus to the Ringmaster Club to get your players card for Slot's of Fun.

Speaking of Circus Circus, tip #

9. They have the BEST steak house in Vegas.

To answer your question regarding the Flamingo to the Riviera, it's a haul, take a cab!

Getting married in Vegas can be a hoot or the boot. Make reservations at where you want to get married at and be prepared to wait. You can pull wedding chapels off the Interner that range from expensive $14,000 at Paris to several hundres at smaller chapels. Then there is always the ELVIS wedding chapel and honeymoon suite. I saw it once on the Travel Chanell, kinda cheezy in my book, but for those die hard Elvis fans, it's a dream come true!

The chapel at the Riviera is beautiful, I managed to pull off a last minute wedding for friends there a couple of years ago. They planned to get married when they got to Vegas in-between matches, but when they got to the Little Chapel next to the Riviera hotel, the wait was so long it was impossible. So, from the many years that I have been going to the Riviera, I have made many friends, who managed to squeeze my friends in last minute at the Riviera chapel, got them married and back for their next match just in time!

Look us up at the hotel, feel free to contact our room, and leave a message if we are not in.

Eydie

 

[Wally in Cincy]

...2. The check in wait the day before the event's are brutal If you can come in a day before, I suggest it. You will end up spending hours in line to check in the day before. Be prepared to rotate pushing luggage in line....

3. IF the Riviera Hotel is sold out, the Westward Ho has the cheapest rooms that are the closest. The rooms are nothing special similar to a low end Super 8. ...

All good advice Eydie. We checked in at 2:00 am on Friday morning and the wait was about 90 minutes.

I have heard the Westward Ho is really clean and very reasonably priced.

You can go to the World Buffet for around $10.00 pp. I suggest getting there around 1 AM for the best selection. Otherwise, it can be a limited selection. In addition, ask them to make you a hamburger, it is the best thing out of the grill that time of night.

They also have an omellette station. It's pretty good food for the price. And open 24/7 IIRC

 

[Pelican]

And always remember - The Money You Take to Vegas, Stays in Vegas

 

[breakup]

Another hotel option is the Las Vegas Hilton. I always stay there for BCA events. Check in is a snap and there are always cabs out front. The ride to the Riv is less than $5 (back entrance for the tournament). I check my cue with the cue check guy and leave it at the Riv. Works for me anyway.

My vote for the best bar in town is the Voodoo Lounge on top of the Rio, dress code enforced, so wear some whoop ass clothes.

have fun

 

[Bob Romano]

Yes, The Las Vegas Hilton is another option too! They have a Star Trec theme casino along with some simulator ride. The rooms are excellent and as "Breakup" mentions, the lines are short. It is within walking distance.

The Voodoo Lounge rocks, defiantly a place to visit. And if you are on the star watch, go to The Palms, I can't remember the name of the bar. It is where you will find the Hollywood crowd.

 

[frankncali]

All great advice.
I ahve found that I dont "have to stay on the property or right next to it"
You can generally save money by getting away and it will help with
a car rental or cab fares. The Valet in back is right beside the events
so use it if you have a car rental.
Eddys Limo advice is right on. Even if you are a twosome there will be people around you with cases and most all will be heading to the Riv.
Get a few together and get a Limo. We talked them down to 30 bucks for
about 8 of us. I think we each paid five bucks a piece including tip or maybe a little more but it was quick and worth it. The Limo no not have to follow the same rules as the cabs as far as the cab stands at the airport.
You can go directly up to them and make a deal.

The table games in The Riv are raised while everyone is there. Slots o fun
is an okay and very laid back place. They have a couple quick food type places with big hot dogs and a subway/round table pizza. Cheap tables and
slots.
There is also a free shuttle to The Cue Club. It loads right outside where the
events are and I think runs every half hour until 12-1. Its only a five min
trip to the pool room.
Do the 40-20 deal at the front. Everyone gets a prize and surprisingly they are not bad. A polo type Riv shirt is always available. A souvenier with
a chance for more and a coupon book.
The cue storage is a must so plan on that. Its about 40-bucks for the week and is very very secure.
This year check out the artistic event that will be going on as well. It should be fun to watch. I think its in the middle of the week but I am not sure.
For the guys and I guess Ladies as well--- check out Pinkies Billiards
on monday night. They have a night wet T contest and plenty of tables
with a few drink specials. Did I mention the Wet T contest!!
Katys is not that bad and not too high. They have a good beef stew in
a bread bowl that is cheap. There is a food court that is a little high but
is easy to please a group. The Stardust is within walking distance and
has a good steak and lobster deal.

If you stay away from the Riv its not catering to the APA you can usually get a 10% or more price discount. Find out their rate and then look around on the net and find a cheaper price. Most places will match it and beat it by 10% or more. I have gotten it matched and then beaten by 30%. It must have been slow or something and they wanted the biz.
There are plenty of deals around Vegas but everything very close to the Riv
will be higher. They know they will get the fall out biz.

 

[Pelican]

Checking room rates. Since we got two rooms furnished by the league operator we were able to get 4 more and it amortized out at $374 each with check-in on the 21st and check-out on the 28th. Works out to 53 bucks and some change a night. Personally, I don't think it's too bad.

 

[catscradle]

...
dress code enforced, so wear some whoop ass clothes.

have fun

Good enough reason for me NOT to go there.

"Distrust any enterprise which requires new clothing" - Henry David Thoreau.

 

[Steve Ellis]

All great advice.
... This year check out the artistic event that will be going on as well. It should be fun to watch. I think its in the middle of the week but I am not sure...

Does that mean there will be no pro tournament or is the trick shot stuff in addition to it?
I'd much rather watch a regular tournament, as a matter of fact you'd have to tie me down to get me to watch a trick shot contest. (Just a personal preference)

 

[Wally in Cincy]

Does that mean there will be no pro tournament or is the trick shot stuff in addition to it?
I'd much rather watch a regular tournament, as a matter of fact you'd have to tie me down to get me to watch a trick shot contest. (Just a personal preference)

I don't believe there has ever been a pro tourney at the APA team nationals.

 

[hustlefinger]

I hope the oppourtunity comes up to meet you guys. I'm the "old guy" on the "Untouchables" from So. Eastern MA.

Hello Steve, when I first read this I thought of the movie The Untouchables with the old guy being Sean Connery. Then I thought that you perhaps look a lot like him. And if you sound like him, then I’d respectfully ask you to stay away from my wife. But after a second reading I then realized that this must be your team name.

I’ll be out there as well playing in the three-man 8 ball event. Hopefully we’ll get a chance to meet. Good luck to you and your team though.

Eydie, thanks for all the tips and advice I’m taking notes.

Rick

 

[Steve Ellis]

... the old guy being Sean Connery. Then I thought that you perhaps look a lot like him. ...
Rick

I wish, maybe in another life. No, your second conjecture was right my team is the "Untouchables", kind of corny, but our captain's had if forever.

If you see the "Untouchables" playing, look for the guy with the grey hair and grey goatee (but still a handsome devil. ).

BTW, my twin sons look like Matt Damon (an unmuscled version) or Leonardo DeCapprio or neither depending on the angle. To make things more interesting one of them is a dead ringer for the picture of Corey Duell which was on the cover of the Accu-stats catalog a few issues back. Real weird, I don't think I got around that much back in my drinkin' days, though Matt Damon is a Massachusetts boy.

 

[Steve Ellis]

I don't believe there has ever been a pro tourney at the APA team nationals.

Hmmm, my captain said there was in the past, but he's a pool player you can't believe anything they say.

 

[Skess]

I know there was a pro event in '98 when we were there. IIRC, it was 8 ball and they played up in the penthouse tower. (I think that's what they call it.) I can't remember anything going on in '01, but we were too busy playing to notice. (finished 3rd overall)

 

[frankncali]

Does that mean there will be no pro tournament or is the trick shot stuff in addition to it?
I'd much rather watch a regular tournament, as a matter of fact you'd have to tie me down to get me to watch a trick shot contest. (Just a personal preference)

I am not sure.

I think the Gabriels tournament goes on in conjuction with the
Nationals. It was there the last two years I am pretty sure.
Last year that closed off a section of the Mini Mania room and
had the Pro event in there and I believe some of the finals for the APA
as well. It was a good event with all the top players.

I would guess that the trick shot event would be in addition to the
Pros. This is what I found about the trick shot guys...
--------------------------------------------------------------
This year, at the Riviera Hotel & Casino, you will be entertained by some of the biggest names in artistic pool as they compete for the title of Artistic Pool Champion during our National Team Championships.

On Wednesday, August 25, and Friday, August 27, you can watch Mike Massey, Tom “Dr. Cue” Rossman, Andy Segal, Bruce Barthelette, and many more artistic superstars perform some of the most challenging artistic shots known to poolplayers. This event is sanctioned by the World Pool-Billiard Association and produced by the International Artistic Poolplayers Association (IAPA).

Tickets for these featured competitions will be on sale outside the finals tournament arena. Be sure to bring along your membership card! Ticket cost for APA and CPA members is $10. Ticket cost for non-members is $15. You’ll have the opportunity to get Pro autographs and participate in audience challenges and Pro-Am feature match-ups, enter raffles and win prizes!

Don’t miss seeing these renowned trick shot artists competing in this exciting Championship!
-------------------------------------------------------------------

I looked on the net a little bit for an annoucement for the Gabriels event but found nothing.

 

[Wally in Cincy]

I think the Gabriels tournament goes on in conjuction with the
Nationals. It was there the last two years I am pretty sure.......

What the hell was I thinking? They had the Gabriel's tournament there last year. How could I forget that? I saw Allen Hopkins in the lobby the morning we left.

I was only there to watch the ladies 8-ball. We took off before the pro tourney started so I got confused.

I don't know if they're doing it this year though.

 

[frankncali]

What the hell was I thinking? They had the Gabriel's tournament there last year. How could I forget that? I saw Allen Hopkins in the lobby the morning we left.

I was only there to watch the ladies 8-ball. We took off before the pro tourney started so I got confused.

I don't know if they're doing it this year though.

Wally
I just found out that Gabriels will not be there this year. I am not sure
if there will be a Pro event while there or not. I hope so. A lot
of APA members dont get the chance to see the Pros and its nice to have them there at the same time.

 

[Bob Romano]

I heard something about NO pro event this year. I don't know if its is true, but I am checking it out.

Eydie