The purpose of my trip to Vegas was to attend a training seminar for a couple of days. My wife took a couple of days off so she could go, so we flew out Saturday morning and stayed 4 nights at TI. I've been trying to work some poker into a Vegas trip for the last couple of times out, so this time I finally managed to do so. For anyone interested, we had some fabulous meals this trip at Emeril's, Olive's, Enoteca San Marco, and Mon Ami Gabi. That generally happens when it's just the two of us....we spend more on nice restaurants than on our gambling! LOL

Anyway, I got a chance to go to the casino 'solo' Monday evening and knew from lurking on this site that they had the $65 tourney. I registered and found my seat in the back corner. I didn't tell a soul it was my first live poker action, but I don't think it showed. If anyone else played Monday, I was the guy with short hair in the purple shirt. My only goal starting out was to not look like an idiot and be the first one to bust out. I had an early misfire (AKd) with a large raise and a caller the flop came 10,J,Q clubs. after another bet and call, the turn brought another club and I had to lay it down after losing about 1/3 of my chips....I'm fairly sure I misplayed this by either not betting large enough after the flop with my straight, or by raising too much to start with. I was at the "A-4" table for anyone there. I got some chips back by taking out a villain that went all-in with A4 when I was on the big blind holding JJ.

Anyway, to shorten the story I actually made the final table, but busted out 8th a couple of spots from the money. I was the short stack at the final table, and had to play agressively. I doubled up once, but still short I went all in with pocket 5s against what turned out to be A10o. The AAQ flop sent me up to my room for a few hours sleep before my class.

I had so much fun that night that I played again Tuesday night. Tuesday I was at table 6 and enjoyed playing next to a pair of very friendly British chaps. I couldn't draw hands this night, and struggled to stay in as long as I did. I finally busted out 16th of 45 or so entrants when my short-stack 77 went all in against an AQ held by a lady with LOTS of chips. The flop came with another pair (9s I believe) and a rag. My spirits rose a little more when the turn brought another rag, but was smashed with an A on the river. Oh well, I think I played the hand correctly as I was on the big blind $1k and pushed when she raised to $2K from early position. The $2K bet would have put 1/4 of my chips in play just to call, and blinds were going to double again in less than 2 minutes.

Now I can't wait to get back out there for some more action.

KTinTX