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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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 Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 5:55 pm Post subject: MACAU and POKER and what else to do? |
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Anyone been to Macau?
I see they have just finally began to get in on Holdem Poker Tourneys. But they seem very overpriced and the tourneys are few and far between (i.e. only on weekends, not daily) and expensive entry. At least from looking on the internet. Anyone been to Macau recently?
In addition, outside of the gambling industry, what are some other things people liked about Macau?
Last edited by Tiger Beer on Wed Jun 18, 2008 8:14 am; edited 1 time in total |
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articulate_ink
Joined: 23 Mar 2004
Location: Left Korea in 2008. Hong Kong now.
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Macau's great. I've been there twice. I am not a fan of gambling so I spent time doing other things. Spend the afternoon exploring the old part of town on foot, unless it's raining. The fusion of Portuguese and Chinese architecture is fascinating. There's excellent Portuguese and Macanese food to be had. Check out the remains of Sao Paulo Cathedral -- now it's just a facade and a museum. The Macau Tower's also worth a look. (I like those towers, though, and I always visit them when I'm in a city that has one.) Macau's basically a day trip from Hong Kong, and the buses are pretty easy to use although you need pataca coins. Oh, and if you're taking the ferry and you're susceptible to motion sickness, take a couple of pills an hour or so before you board. |
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samd
Joined: 03 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 7:20 pm Post subject: |
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Macau was fun for me, but I was there for the gambling. The food was OK, but I'm sure if I'd been with a local, we would have gone to better places.
There are some interesting old neighbourhoods to stroll around, and some new casinos to gawk at, but that only takes up so many hours/days.
I found the street life interesting, with a lot going on. At the night place is infested with Chinese gambling/sex tourists smoking and spitting everywhere, and the whole island is full of hookers.
All in all I enjoyed it and I plan to go back ASAP, before it turns into a boring "family entertainment" destination like Vegas. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:08 am Post subject: |
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Any centrally located hotels/hostels/accomodations you'd recommend in Macau?
How was the gambling, did you see many Poker Tournaments? - or were you more looking for the other stuff - blackjack, craps, etc.? |
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Harpeau
Joined: 01 Feb 2003
Location: Coquitlam, BC
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| Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 7:12 am Post subject: |
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| articulate_ink wrote: |
| Macau's great. I've been there twice. I am not a fan of gambling so I spent time doing other things. Spend the afternoon exploring the old part of town on foot, unless it's raining. The fusion of Portuguese and Chinese architecture is fascinating. There's excellent Portuguese and Macanese food to be had. Check out the remains of Sao Paulo Cathedral -- now it's just a facade and a museum. |
Agreed. There is a really awesome fusion Portuguese/Chinese roasted ham that was just amazing! I heard about this one restaurant that served it. Sorry, but I forgot the name of it. Walking around and noting the old buildings was really cool.
BTW, I was there when the Chinese were at war with the triads. People were getting shot most nights. I left at 5pm. I'm not a gambler.
FWIW, Just over the border from Hong Kong is Shenzen China. Get a VISA~ lots of great shopping there. |
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samd
Joined: 03 Jan 2007
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| Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 6:24 am Post subject: |
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| Tiger Beer wrote: |
Any centrally located hotels/hostels/accomodations you'd recommend in Macau?
How was the gambling, did you see many Poker Tournaments? - or were you more looking for the other stuff - blackjack, craps, etc.? |
It depends what your priorities are, and on your budget of course. I'm also speaking of Macau island only, I know nothing about Taipa and Coloane, and the Cotai strip, where many of the massive new casinos are opening/have opened.
I stayed at the Holiday Inn, which is centrally located, close to the Lisboa Hotel, and to the west/south-west of the ferry terminal. There must be at least 10 other hotels within a short walk of the Lisboa, from 3 to 5 stars. The location was good, and the rooms decent. Lots of places to eat nearby, and a good place to start exploring from, alothough the island is a maze and I got lost a few times.
There is also an area called the Inner Harbor, on the other side of the ferry terminal from the aforementioned casino/hotel area, full of 'pensions', low budget hotels which I am curious about. If I go again I might try one of those, and just check out and move down the road if it's too uncomfortable
As for gambling, when I was there last none of the older casinos had blackjack or craps - they are all baccarat oriented. For those games you'd have to check out the Sands etc. Or head to Cotai.
I heard that PokerStars opened a poker room in one of the Cotai hotels, maybe the Grand Waldo, but I have no first hand info on that. Given poker's popularity these days, there may well be games on Macau island, but I didn't see a single one when I was there a couple of years ago. |
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weatherman
Joined: 14 Jan 2003
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 6:11 am Post subject: |
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| I often bug my office mates how I would like to be in Macau at beer o'clock. Not into cards, but if you like exploring back streets on foot, then Macau is great. Lots of interesting buildings, textures, colors, sounds, smells, shops, foods, and people to keep you interested. I have only been once, but would love to go again. |
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enns
Joined: 02 May 2006
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| Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 9:07 pm Post subject: |
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| What would a flight cost over there? How long is it? Would it be a good long-weekend trip? |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 12:14 am Post subject: |
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| enns wrote: |
| What would a flight cost over there? How long is it? Would it be a good long-weekend trip? |
Same as a trip to Hong Kong. They are only 60 miles (100km) apart.
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 5:29 am Post subject: |
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| samd wrote: |
| I heard that PokerStars opened a poker room in one of the Cotai hotels, maybe the Grand Waldo, but I have no first hand info on that. Given poker's popularity these days, there may well be games on Macau island, but I didn't see a single one when I was there a couple of years ago. |
I did read that they are having a major Tournament in Macau the first week of September.
Seems like Poker is still relatively new to Macau, and the Grand Waldo is the place, but from what little I have gathered on the internet, they only have tournaments on the weekends, and they are sorta pricey buy-ins. |
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gajackson1
Joined: 27 Jan 2003
Location: Casa Chil, Sungai Besar, Sultanate of Brunei
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| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 5:57 am Post subject: |
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TB -
Unsure of whether I will be working or not at that point, but it is an easy hop from Brunei - if you are thinking about Macaus for the tourney, I may just go for kicks.
keep me posted!
Glen |
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Fishead soup
Joined: 24 Jun 2007
Location: Korea
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| Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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| They also have fishbowel style massage parlours. Not sure if they offer the full soapy. |
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Tiger Beer
Joined: 07 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Thu Jun 26, 2008 6:29 pm Post subject: |
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| gajackson1 wrote: |
TB -
Unsure of whether I will be working or not at that point, but it is an easy hop from Brunei - if you are thinking about Macaus for the tourney, I may just go for kicks.
keep me posted!
Glen |
Supposedly they have tourneys every weekend - just minor ones.
In addition, there is a HUGE tourney with professionals during the first week of September. I am on the fence with going at that time. The positives would be seeing Poker Pros everywhere, and being able to watch a major event. Negatives would be that any side table I sat in, would probably have a poker pro or two as they get knocked out of the major event! |
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gajackson1
Joined: 27 Jan 2003
Location: Casa Chil, Sungai Besar, Sultanate of Brunei
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| Posted: Sat Jul 05, 2008 9:55 pm Post subject: |
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Hey, Big Cat -
I've been here in Brunei almost 1 week now. Cooooool place, and cheap flights all around the region.
I'd be going just for the general atmosphere; if you get off the fence & decide to go, send me a PM.
G. |
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