Back ground: This was my 2nd trip to Las Vegas and Natalie’s 1st, We share a house together back in London and had money left over from the year’s bills so decided to go party! Plus I wanted to play some more poker. I guess that this could well be the most overdue trip report ever as this was back in January! But then I am a lazy what ever. Thought I needed to write it as have lurked here for so long and love reading other’s adventures. So Enjoy
Photo’s from the trip and the previous west coast journey are up at my flickr page
www.flickr.com/photos/westendted

Sat 12th Had the direct flight from Gatwick with Virgin, always liked them and have used them for several years now for transatlantic trip to SF and NY. Had a cab booked to take us to the airport rather than the hassel of public transport. Gatwick is so nasty compared to Heathrow, but once on the plane settled in. Landed pretty much on time at LV and as usual immigration took forever, do they not realise when international flights land and have more people there to process us, Any cab line was pretty small so didn’t take to long, driver was fine, told him MGM and not via the tunnel to which he laughed! Check in was no problem, room was only on 6th floor so didn’t have a too great a view.
Showered and freshened up then wandered down to the casino floor, showed Nat around to give general idea of how huge the place is. Played a bit of VP but no wins. Had a few drinks in Centrifuge. Then walked over to NYNY. Had food at Gonzalez Y Gonzalez along with a few margaritas was very stuffed. Headed up to Coyote ugly then. Had to head back to MGM to get id as they were carding everyone and I had nothing with me. Eventually got in had a few beers but a bit slow even for a sat night. Back to MGM for a last few at Centrifuge.
Sun13th, Woke up and headed out leaving Nat to go to the spa etc. Took my time walking up to Ti as wanted to play in their 11am tournament. Room is really nice even though it seems small. Played really tight, did get a bit of stick for not playing many hands, one other player remarked it was 7 hands in 2 hrs! But was able to say had won 5 of them. Made it to the final table so was happy then, they only payed the top 4 and I was a bit short stacked so was wasn’t sure would make the money. A few others went out and then I had a pair of jacks dealt in middle position so put in a min raise next player was all in and the next as was well. Though long and hard and I went as well was up against KK and A10 so was not looking good until a jack on the river tripled me up and put the other 2 out and me in the money was nice that one of the players was the guy who had given me grief for not playing many hands early on. Suffice to say battle on to win the tournament took 1st for $785 so was very pleased
Left to meet Nat at Wynn to have their buffet was as good as I had remembered. Spent a bit more time wandering around there playing the odd slots and had a few drinks. Think we had a few late drinks back a MGM before bed.
Mon 14th had booked a hire car for the day, had decided to use Dollar this time as they had the desk in the hotel. Car was booked for 10.30am, Had to wait a bit as some old duffer wanted to go through all prices and s*%t even though he wasn’t hiring that day but the clerk did notice me and got me sorted while he huffed and puffed. Car was a std Sebring Convertible, I know everyone slags them off but I found it easy to drive and fun. First headed out to Hoover Dam, had seen it before on the last trip but think it is such an impressive structure. Even though Nat doesn’t like heights still got here to walk across it. Then we drove around the edge of Lake Mead to take in the view, we drove off the main road and up dirt road just to see what was there and ended up taking some interesting photos and you know what they say, “what happens in the desert stays in the desert!” Anyway back on the road headed back into LV via the north and decided to go out to Red Rock Casino. Had the dinner buffet there as was getting to about 4pm, was well worth the $16and left absolutely stuffed. Played some VP before left, managed to hit quads and a few other decent hands to leave up about $150 for about only 15mins of play. Left red Rock and drove round the I-15 to stop at the outlet mall just south of the junction with the 215. Picked up a few cheap pairs of vans and a few t-shirts and jeans. Finally got back to the MGM absolutely knackered after the long day, so showered and then got drunk at Zuri and Rouge before bars. Had a look and found the Lions Progressive machine so played that for a bit. Nat and I both stuck a few $20’s in and agreed to split what we won. After a being up and down cashed out for about $95, was expecting a payslip but it spewed out the $1mgm tokens so kept a few as souvenirs and cashed the rest.

Tue 15th Decided to play in the 11am tournament at the MGM. Always try to play this a few times when here as it was where I played my first live tourney last year and chopped for 1st and 2nd,Managed to last until after the 2nd break but with the blinds going up rapidly busted out in 11th, was a bit annoyed as the only payed the top 9, ah well. Went around the corner to the bar at the sports book parked myself on a seat and downed a good few Stella’s, Had a good yarn with another bloke who was waiting for his mate, played some VP and left a few hours later a bit drunk! After a sandwich from the stage deli caught a cab to Bill’s to meet Nat and see Big Elvis, and have some cheap beer, He was as good as always and even then you could tell that he had lost a good chunk of weight. Was a good afternoon, caught a cab back to MGM to shower and freshen up. Had some food at Wolf Gang Pucks, always love the Truffled Potato Chips with Blue Cheese, such an awesome starter, the mojitos that they make are also sooo good. After dinner got a cab to the Mandalay Bay and settled down at the Eyecandy Bar, we then proceed to get a bit drunk, had a good night. Decided to walk back to help Nat sober up, Big mistake as ended up pretty much carrying her back. Eventually got her back to the room and dropped her into bed. I had sobered up by then so decided to head down stairs to play the $1/$2 NL cash game. Managed to play for a good couple of hours and stopped playing when I couldn’t see my cards! Cashed out up $130 which made me feel better about my bad play in the morning.

Wed 16th Last Full day in town, still hungry for poker so decided to play the 11am Headhunter at Ti. First had walked over to the Monte carlo to check if the Prince Tribute band purple reign were still playing there that night, was going to walk to TI but was getting a bit late so though I’d get a cab. The driver took the back way but once he got close to Ti he seemed completely lost and had no idea where to go, even I could read the signs but he didn’t want to listen so didn’t feel like tipping him. Just made it with about 5 mins to spare so able to grab a coffee from starbucks. Again didn’t play that well and was card dead and ended up busting out just before the break. Meet up with Nat and walked back to the MGM with stops at PH and Paris for lots of drinks. After a quick kip walked over to the Brew Pub at the Monte had some bar food that was pretty good but the service absolutely sucked, so left the table and moved to sit at the bar, the waitress didn’t seem to like it but told her that she had been a bit lacking in the service hence the lack of tip, what did she expect. When the Purple Reign came on they were absolutely fantastic, if you like Prince you will love this group. Eventually left sometime after 2am
Thurs 17th I hate last days in town as it always feels like the holiday is over when you pack the suitcase. Anyway had a decent sleep so didn’t get up too early, tidy up and left room and check out and leave our bags at the bell desk. Had the lunch buffet, stuck last bit of cash in the slots as well made a point of playing the Lions Progressive one last time, didn’t hit , aw well there is the next trip. Caught a cab to the airport and a fairly standard flight home.
Well that’s all, Thanks for reading, Hope it wasn’t too boring. I might now get around to the report from the next trip that was in March!!