Days 7 – 9

Began my final three days by checking out of the Excalibur and heading over to TI. Signed up for the deep Stack over at Caesars’ on the way. Checking into TI was a breeze. Had a nice room over looking the pool.

Headed over to Caesars for the 12:00 start. Wish I had some positive news about the tourney, but I was knocked out after about 4 hours. Our table was so tight, we didn’t lose a player until the third level. During the fourth level a couple of big stacks moved to the table and started pushing everyone around. I was not able to pick up any cards to push back and was knocked out when my KQ ran up against AA.

Decided to take a break and watch the NBA finals. Headed down to the TI poker room for my first session there. I have played at TI before and enjoy the room. Bought in for $240. First hand of interest was when I’m dealt 44 in early position. I limp in along with a few other players. Flop brings X42. Sweet. After a couple of bets and folds I end up heads up with the SB for his entire stack. He flips 22 and I’m able to drag the pot. Continued on a good run and cashed out up ~450 for the session.

Friday morning I decide to head over to the Wynn for an afternoon session. Talk about a rock garden. Have the players there were over 70. Most were just trying to get their hours in for the monthly free roll. They would get up and disappear for 45 minutes.

A couple of hands of interest. I’m in middle position with QQ. Make a minimal raise to ~12. (Note: Wynn runs a 1-3 with the stupid $3 chips. Not a fan of the $3 chip. Instead of calling out bet amounts, the dealer referred to every bet as amount of chips. i.e. instead of a $24 bet he would say 8 chips. I’m guessing the old folks have an issue with higher math) Player in early position calls my raise. Flop comes Qxx. I lead out with a normal size bet, ~1/2 pot, and villain goes all-in. I insta call and old guy mucks in a huff and walks away.

Next hand is against a villain who has been donking of his chips for the last hour. He would chase any draw. I get 10J in middle position and get a little crazy with a raise. Villain calls. Flops brings Axx. He check and I bet. Villian calls. Turn A. He checks, I bet, he calls. Oops, I know I’m beat and get out of the hand after donating $50 to his stack.

Luckily, a few hands later I’m able to get them back. I’m dealt AQ and raise same villain calls. Flop brings QJx. I bet, villain calls. Turn brings A. I bet, villain goes allin. I have him covered and make an insta call. He turns over J5 for bottom pair. Huh. His allin was only $50 into a $200 pot. I’m not sure if he thought I would fold or what.

Ended up cashing out ~$200 up for a 5 hour session. I don’t think I will be rushing back to the Wynn anytime soon.

Friday Night

After a quick bite at the TI buffet, I decide to give the Headhunters Tourny a try. My tournament play didn’t change and I was out in less then a hour. Immediately jump into the 1-3 game. First hand JJ, J hits the flop and a I drag a $50 pot. Ask for a seat change and I’m able to move from 10 to 6. Next hand dealt JQ in middle position. Flop an open ender which completes on the turn. Drag ~100 pot when earlier position player mucks to my raise. He read me well and called my hand.

A few hands later I’m dealt QQ in middle position. Make a standard ~12-15 dollar raise. Same villain calls from early position. Flop brings all small cards with two diamonds. I lead out and villain puts me allin. I call and drag the pot when his flush draw does not improve. He was later crippled when his AA’s were cracked by pocket 99 that hit the set on the flop for a ~800 pot.

I was able to get my stack up to ~800 and called it a night when I could no longer keep my head up.

Saturday – Last day.

Woke up and did a 5 hour session at TI. No hands of interest and dropped ~200. Just didn’t feel it today. Didn’t catch any cards and all my moves didn’t work. After 8 days and over 100 hours of poker, I think I’m done. Use my $30 in comps from TI, and have a nice steak at “The Steak House”.

Head for the airport and catch the red-eye back to Atlanta.

Trip Summary

Three different casinos. All very nice rooms. All comped.

Five Tournaments - Didn’t play as well as I would have liked. ~$4000 in costs.

Cash games. MGM, PH, TI, Venetian, Wynn, Binons. + $2000.

8 days in Vegas, playing in the WSOP for the first time. Worth every penny.

Already looking forward to my next trip in September.

Rider