first time Vegas

Don't know all the optimal places in vegas. The nicest place I've played at was the Aria but it was a little tougher than normal. For me, I play the most at planet hollywood where they have 1/2 but you can buy in for $300. Worst people I've ever seen in my life only time I've made 2.2k in a 1/2 session playing for 5 hours. Plus at night you get blasting club music and hot women dancing so I can't complain about that. Belliagio was fine but seemed regish to me. Never played at venetian but I hear they got great tournaments.

As far as tipping, there is no set standard. Personally, I give a small blind for any reasonable sized pot ($40-50 ish maybe) I win and a big blind for usually an all in pot. Sometimes I give more if I'm running good. I think it's bad to tip for every single pot you win if you are picking up blinds preflop from raising and it cuts into your winrate hard long term.

Hopefully, PoorUser or DooMeR or both see this. I will put in my 2c anyways. My favorite place to play was The Wynn. Really great card room, most of the games played really deep and big. That was a while ago but the card room is still nice and I can set up with a pineapple juice and money behind and I am happy. Last time I was there (Dec '16) The Venetian was juicy. Aria looked like a great card room but I did not sit.

As for attractions, Las Vegas is an attraction in itself but I pretty much always recommend Cirque du Soleil. "O" or Ka or Love if you like the Beatles or even Mystere if you want to go old school.

Don't sleep on the food either. So, many great options. It is a shame to just have a meh meal while in Vegas. If you are any level of foodie, foodie it the fuck up. Absolutely great city for food.

Aria/Wynn gets my vote. Very posh and luxurious, definitely exudes the vegas experience. If you were ever beating NL200 I dont think you will even bat an eye at live low stakes, even after all this time. Literally nothing has changed in that arena.