So I booked a trip from Philadelphia to las vegas aug 25 to aug 27 only because it cost 300 for everything. Not too shabby.

This would be my 2nd visit to vegas for mostly serving the purpose of playing poker. Keep in mind I frequent Atlantic City living only about an hour/20 min away. My gf decided to make the trip, but I have to say I was trying to get her to not come and just be myself so i could focus mostly on poker. I allowed her to come making the trip a tad cheaper and some late night action is always a plus after those dollar beers at the table.

We arrived shortly after noon and stayed at the Monte Carlo which was the cheapest and the location was what intrigued me the most. So I strolled over to a very small poker room with two tables going. 1/2 nl and a 2/4 table. At the time they were looking for one more player for the 50 buck sit and go. I bust out finishing 5th or so. My 1st impressions from the monte carlo were mixed..one downfall was the wood race track around the table that I couldnt get the hang of to view my cards. Note Atlantic City has no tables like this..On the positive I did like the high hand jackpots because we dont have that in Atlantic city either. Just one bad beat progessive jackpot.

Looking for some more action I go over to the MGM because from this board I heard many good things about this room. Well I wasnt impressed with this room either. First they also had the race track around the table. Is this a norm for vegas? The next negative was the wait time. the 1/2 nl had a wait of at least 5 players with no mention of a new table. Pissed off I leave after waiting 30 min.

I walk all the way down to PH in some brutal heat. As for brutal I mean, It was like africa out there. Swamp ass and all I make it to the PH where I also heard some good things from the board. With two 1/2 no limit tables going I again had to wait for a seat. I check the action at the tables while waiting and it mostly seemed like tight play with large stacks. I have to say I was pretty intimidated with the play just by observing the two tables it was hard to limp in to any pot and to see the flop each time it was going to cost me 15 at least. Not my fav style at all. I again leave with no action..

At this point im thinking I need to play some poker ASAP and stop walking around. I decide to take a cab down to the Ventian where I should be able to find a game to my liking.

As for the games 2/4 4/8 limit and 1/2 2/5 5/10 Wow I thought this my room. Many tables with action and at the time a very little waiting list. I put my name on the 1/2 list "maybe 4 names deep" and also the 2/5 feeling lucky and that my name was only one on the list. As I waited.....and waited some more.......and a little more... nobody busted out of the 2/5 table in about an hours worth of time. I even watched the 1/2 limit list become well over 8 people and not even a new table called. What the hell im thinking vegas blows during midweek.

Finally I had a seat at this apparently rather exclusive 2/5 table. Noting out of the ordinary, a jewish man, a new yorker draped in fresh farve jersey, grumpy old man, the drunk with an el cortez jacket, two ritzy guy, one younger kid like myself, and two pro looking guys with heavy stacks in front. Bought in for 500 and was ready to gamble. My strategy was the usual..wait for that 1st power hand and play it. I feel this strategy works best for my age "26" and the fact that dealer carded me I could earn some respect at this table. I waited for this power hand to come my way and even folding some decent hands ace/9 suited and stuff. about 30 min in I catch a pair of ladies in good position. Flop a set queens and begin to salivate at the sound of those green chips being throw in the pot. I win...not bad for playing one hand for 35 min my stack is around 750 estimated as one never should never count so obvious at a table.

So hmm a little respect is won with one hand. My strategy working to a fine cursive Z I decide to play 1 more hour and try to bluff one good size pot putting me at a 1 G.. " my goal for the night" That time comes when my fav hand comes king/9 suited..with some action. I assume some decent pocket pairs among the crew and a flop of a mixed A/j/9..the drunk bets the usual 100 one black trying to buy the pot in his typical style with a mere 60 or so in the pot 30 of it his..the next guy calls, this guy played so tight it made wrangler jeans look like cargo plants. I thought probably poket aces or jacks.. I raise another black on top just to see where im at and the drunks out shame. Tighty whitey with a nervous look takes a while to call and wouldnt even look at me..instead of watching the card I pretty much stare him down and with a lil shake of his head in disgust as a queen hits the board. Right then it was pretty obvious he didnt have anyting special and with a check this was my spotlight..I go over the top with 2 blacks and he folds.I almost showed it, but that guy might of jumped in the boot leg rome gondola ride...

mission accomplished..my king 9 hold tight..woo-hoo blur song two style..leave the table with angry looks with my G in chips for playing hardly any hands i cash out at a lil over a G ..lucky yes...

not shabby for 1 day of poker my trip was payed for and some so I decided not to play any more for the next two days except some 5 dollar bj and craps. All in all good trip but I really thought vegas would have more action midweek.
PS dont bring the gf ever!