LV lodging on short notice?

Hi, I'm looking to go out to LV this weekend (possibly tonight or tomorrow morning) for the World Series of Poker at Binion's downtown. I was just checking for a hotel room room somewhere and was surprised to find most everything booked, except for a couple spots north strip (stratosphere, sahara) for $140/night and up. I was surprised at this, though I've never tried to book a weekend room in LV this late, on a weekend.

Any suggestions, secrets from locals or Vegas veterans? I just want somewhere reasonably clean and safe to crash for a few hours a night in between playing sessions.

Also, what's the best way to get between the strip and downtown? I know there's the city buses, and a cab is $15 or so... does anyone run shuttles or anything?

Thanks!

You picked a bad weekend to go to Vegas. The National Association of Broadcasters is finishing up a convention. This group supposedly brought in over 120,000 people. My guess is that many of them are staying for the weekend.

In any event, try the hotels off the strip. I often stay at Palace Station. They usually have rooms available. Also, consider some of the outlying Station Casino properties (Sunset Station, Texas Station, Santa Fe Station), as well as Sam's Town. They should have a room for you at reasonable rates.

if you dont mind staying a little bit out of town, Primm is a good choice. However, judging from your question about getting from DT to the strip, I am assuming you are not renting a car which leaves Primm completely out of the question (about 35 miles south of vegas).
For anybody that does rent a car though, they usually have great rates and availability. (Getting a room this sat for $45)..