Best place for UTH on the strip?

The next time the wife and I are in Vegas, I'd like to try my luck at UTH.
We'll most likely be on the Strip, and without a car.
What is the best casino for a first-timer to play it at? (In regards to comps, atmosphere, cocktail service)
I've read all the strategies for it, and I know to stay away from the "trips" bet.
Thanks in advance!

I'm not really sure how to answer your specific question, so I'll just pass along what I know.

I've played UTH at Planet Hollywood, Aria and Venetian, so I'm at least certain that the game is available at those locations. I think the game rules and paytables are the same at each location. I don't remember the minimums, I'd guess they were $10 at each location. If there was a difference, Planet Hollywood would almost certainly be the lowest minimum.

My recollection is that the table at Venetian was more crowded than the other two. I think I tried to play a few times at Venetian but the table was full. I don't recall having this problem at the other locations.

I enjoyed the "atmosphere" at Planet Hollywood, but that's mostly because of the scantily-clad young lady dancing on a pedestal a few feet away. And all the other scantily-clad young ladies wandering around the place. If you're visiting with your wife, this might not be what you're looking for.

Venetian sounds good...except they don't comp (from what I've heard)

If the machine is still there then try the Trop with $3 min. I am told it will removed in the coming weeks or months. They have a $200 loss rebate that can be used on the machine. Their table has a $5 min.

Quote: ClarkWGriswold

Venetian sounds good...except they don't comp (from what I've heard)

I mostly play Pai Gow with black chips, and I've been quite pleased with the offers I've gotten from Venetian. Free rooms, match play and dining credits.

Harrah's and Bally's are great for first timers and CET properties are good for earning comps relatively easily. Limits at these properties is usually $5 during the day, with Bally's always running at least one $5 min table 24/7. Harrah's has one table, at least that is what I saw on my last trip. Bally's has 3 tables...again, as far as I know from my last trip. As a newbie, I would avoid PH at all costs. Those dealers are the worst of any casino I have played in. By worst, I mean if you do not speak up that you have a winning hand, they are very likely to scoop up your chips, thinking you have a losing hand. This happens so much at PH, you really need to stay sharp and focused while playing...don't drink too much. The only reason I play there is because for a CET property, it has better eye candy, and I know to watch the dealers.

As far as strategy, yes the trips bet has a higher house edge, but for a carnival game, it is not that bad. If you are on a heater and are hitting a bunch of Trips hands, I would not hesitate to play a few rounds of Trips bets. This game is very streaky, so take advantage of the winning streaks and lock it down on the losing streaks.

Quote: PapaChubby

I mostly play Pai Gow with black chips, and I've been quite pleased with the offers I've gotten from Venetian. Free rooms, match play and dining credits.

The rumors are that Venetian and Wynn are scaling back on comps for UTH players. The supposed reason is that they have calculated that the Play bet is positive EV for those who play perfect strategy.

I have also heard CET has cut back on UTH comps recently too.

Also Venetian's reasoning I keep hearing is idiotic, the play bet itself is +EV for most ploppies too. Did Venetian mean, optimal play + comps was +EV? Now that makes sense. But that still means they're greedy because most people still play the game like garbage.

Quote: tringlomane

I have also heard CET has cut back on UTH comps recently too.

Also Venetian's reasoning I keep hearing is idiotic, the play bet itself is +EV for most ploppies too. Did Venetian mean, optimal play + comps was +EV? Now that makes sense. But that still means they're greedy because most people still play the game like garbage.

My assumption is yes, optimal play + earned comps/freeplay/etc. makes it +EV for the player. UTH is one of the higher, if not highest, dropping game for the casinos, so I agree, they are very greedy with this when most players over play the Trips bet and underplay the Play bet. Although, even the casinos themselves can be stupid, as evidenced by Ceasar's Palace...they put a cap on the amount you can bet on the Trips bet, no matter how much you bet on the ante. They cap it at $50. This is the highest house edge spot for this game and they cap it.

Haven't played UTH in Vegas for over a year now, but as I remember the games I played or watched, the level of play was really, really low. If the casinos can't make money on those players, I'll take over the games! Has the quality of play improved in the last year?

Going to Vegas next weekend and would also like to play uth but staying downtown. Any place down there that still has uth?

The D has it. The Plaza has it on the weekends.

Quote: ck1313

Going to Vegas next weekend and would also like to play uth but staying downtown. Any place down there that still has uth?

Golden Gate has it as well.

Not for nuthin' but if you get 500:1 on the Royal for the Blind bet... why even bother with the Trips' measly 50:1?
IMHO the payoff ramp for the Blind Bet needs downward adjustment to something like 1-2-3-12-35-100. I think that would actually raise the HA a small amount... maybe 0.05 to 0.1%
I agree capping the trips bet is not smart. Capping that 500:1 is a better choice... even at $20G's the limit is $40. /OT

Quote: ClarkWGriswold

The next time the wife and I are in Vegas, I'd like to try my luck at UTH.
We'll most likely be on the Strip, and without a car.
What is the best casino for a first-timer to play it at? (In regards to comps, atmosphere, cocktail service)
I've read all the strategies for it, and I know to stay away from the "trips" bet.
Thanks in advance!

As your attorney, I advise you to rent a really fast car with no top!

Whoops, wrong movie! Be sure to take Russ with you, so that you and your family all have a ride home! Best of luck, and watch out for Tom Jones - he's after your wife! lol

Quote: camapl

As your attorney, I advise you to rent a really fast car with no top!

Whoops, wrong movie! Be sure to take Russ with you, so that you and your family all have a ride home! Best of luck, and watch out for Tom Jones - he's after your wife! lol

It was actually Wayne Newton.

Quote: ClarkWGriswold

It was actually Wayne Newton.

"It's not unusual...
... for me to misquote anyone!"

You're absolutely right, Clark!

I played UTH at the Mirage and it was $5. I saw it other places but didn't really pay attention; I was mainly trying to play as many different games as I could, and I couldn't win worth a damn even when I bet for the dealer.

I did see another Hold 'Em variation at the Excalibur - TX Hold 'Em Bonus, which actually had a turn and a river and required me to bet 2x on the flop. The house edge came down to the Ante bet being a push unless I got a straight.