My main purpose for this Vegas trip was to find a place to live, and hopefully secure a job. I'm moving to Vegas in August, and wanted to get all the details worked out. I also hoped to play in some tournaments, and the occaisional cash game. I love tourneys the most, but I also enjoy mixed cash games, and primarily limit cash games -- I don't have the stomach for the variance involved with a no-limit bankroll.

I arrived on Friday the 13th, got my rental car, and checked in at the Sahara. I walked down to the poker room to get info on their tourney, which I heard was pretty decent: $40 buy-in, 4000 starting chips, and an optional $20 rebuy for 2000 chips. I then walked over to the Stratosphere to get info on their tourney. On a whim, I played some deuces wild video poker, and hit four deuces, paying me $250! What a great start to my trip! I then got a call from my prospective employer, and they wanted to hire me! Double score!

That night, I played in the Sahara tournament. About 100 entries -- so many they couldn't even accomodate them all, alternates were constantly being called up to replace those who were quickly being busted. That should give you an idea of how loose this event was. 4000 chips to start (6000 if you count the rebuy, which most people did), 20 minute levels (starting with 25/50) and people were still busying left and right. VERY loose aggressive. I was being my Tight Aggressive self, and making bank by folding most of my hands, and picking up pots at the right times. Unfortunately, after the break, I didn't catch the cards I needed to. While I doubled up once, the next time I tried the pre-flop shove, I was dominated, and sent home. Still, a fun tournament for $60, and I recommend it if you want a cheap tourney experience with a lot of play. The Sahara poker room has a decent amount of tables, and very friendly staff--the chairs aren't that comfortable however, and it is a little bit crowded.

On Saturday, I only got to play for about two hours, at the Orleans, where I started off at the 4/8 LHE table, and moved onto the Omaha Hi/Lo table. I left up about $100, so I was feeling good. The rest of the day was spent looking at apartments and hanging out with friends (found an apartment, woo hoo!)

On Sunday, I went to Sam's Town to play in the HORSE tourney at 2pm, but discovered they are no longer hosting it (even though their advertising states differently). They said they haven't had it in about 2 months, due to lack of interest. I played a bit of 4/8 Limit Hold Em, although their structure was odd. 1/2 blinds, with the first raise being to $6 (a 4 dollar raise). I've never seen that before, but liked it, because it punishes limpers preflop -- thought they could get in with 2 bucks, and end up having to make a call for 4 bucks more -- some even folded after limping! I love dead money! I only played their for about an hour, and then decided to hit up another tourney, at Treasure Island.

TI's room was smallish, but I liked the ambience. The staff was friendly, but I ended up being an idiot, and donked my way out of the tournament after only one level. Yeah, I was feeling not so great. So I went back to the Orleans, and played in Omaha Hi/Lo again. I made a little bit of money, then went to dinner. All in all, a goo time at the Orleans (one of my favorite places in Vegas to play poker!)

Later that night I went to the Imperial Palace to play in the mixed game with the AVPers. I had to play in th 2/4 LHE game while I waited for a seat. 2/4 is probably my least favorite game, but overall I usually do pretty well, with my TAG style. The mixed game was a blast however! I sat down around 2am, and the game broke around 6:30 am. A great bunch of people, and I'll definitely be back. The IP poker room is small, but some of the friendliest staff I've met. Great folks!

On Monday, I did more apartment business, and filled out paperwork for my new job. That night I went out to Santa Fe Station to play in the Stud Hi/Lo tournament put together by Lupe of LIPS. It was a great time, and I ended up in a three way chop for first (only eight players, so it's not that great a story! :) After that, I decided to hit up the Stratosphere for the late nijght poker tourney. About 40 players, and I made it to the final table, and went out in 5th place -- on the bubble! Still, a good time, and I like the new location for the Strat's poker room. The staff are great there as well, and the competiiton is very weak, so check this one out ($60 for 4000 in chips, great structure!)

On Tuesday, I decided to take the plunge, and play in a real tournament. I went to the Golden Nugget, to check out their Grand Series. I checked in to the HORSE $240 tournament at about 11 am (start time 12 Noon), and they said they had about 60 players. They would still be playing 9 places, so I decided to go with it (my backup was going to be Binion's 2pm NLHE tourney). When I came back at noon, there was a long line for the sign up -- they ended up with 169 players! That was awesome! I playe for about eight hours, was up, was down, and finally busted out around 35th place or so -- 17 shy of the money! Still, a great time, and I recommend the series.

After driving back from downtown, I stopped in at Palace Station, and played a bit of 4/8 (again with the 1/2 blinds) and within an hour, had made about 60 bucks. I decided to go hit up the Sahara tournament one last time (my flight left at 6am, and I decided not to go bed that night), and got to the final two tables, but busted out when my AQ hit QQ and KK. Yeah, bad time to take a stand. Still, a fun tournament, and I would go back.

All in all, a great trip, didn't make any money, but didn't lose all of the money I brought with me either, so that's good. Soon I will be living in Vegas, and I'll be out to more and more tournaments, so I'll keep ya'll updated. Take care, and have a good time playing a great game!
Paddy