My first post of any kind on here, and I just want to say that you regular contributors on this site help us infrequent Vegas fliers just immensely…it really is appreciated.

My wife and I came to town from October 14 through 17 (Wed-Sat) with another couple on comps to both Flamingo for us and Monte Carlo for them. We played a lot of Blackjack Switch and Pai Gow Poker, but not a lot of poker on my budget. I had to pick the one big tourney to play in and, based on all the recommendations here, I chose the Venetian’s noon Deep Stack tourney on Friday. It was a much bigger field than I had anticipated (217 runners), but was as-advertised for the professionalism of the staff and how well-run the tournament was as a whole.

First hand of note came in the second level, where I had about 6,800 of my starting 7,500 stack. I look down at Q-Q on the small blind, raise to 400 (blinds 50-100) in an unopened pot, get re-raised by the big blind to 800 can make the call. Flop comes 9-10-J, I know the BB will c-bet, so I want to make a strong play with a check-raise. I check, he bets 1500, I shove. He folded A-A face up, so I showed him my queens. End up going to break above average.

Not much as the blinds raise after the break, but I end up with A-A against v’s 9-9. He raised, I re-raised, he ends up pushing. I call and he turns the 9. We had similar stacks, leaving me with only 375 and blinds at 200-400. Luckily, I double up a couple hands later with 7-7, then again with 9-9, and triple up with K-Q against A-7 and A-10 when I flop a king. This brings me back to life (still barely) w/ 5,000 chips. Look down at 8-8 right before the 2nd break, get raised all in by the aggressive chip leader and make the call. My luck continues as I flop another 8 and get to close to an average stack heading into the 2nd break.

Went card dead again and the table turned even more aggressive. After a couple rotations, and the blinds at 600-1200 w/ 100 ante, I got re-raised all-in by the small blind, while holding A-K in the big blind. With an “M” of less than 3, I make the call of course. He knew I was short stacked and was going to push with anything, had 10-5 and flopped a 5. Adios, but 4 hours well-spent.

The only other poker I played was 1-2 NL @ Bill’s on Wed. night. It was a no action, boring game and I get out after an hour up a whopping $3.50. Ate a decent dinner (over-cooked my steak) @ Paris Steakhouse and saw X Burlesque at Flamingo. A bit cheesy, but the wife (I swear it was her idea) wanted to see a Vegas topless show. Thanks again to all for the input. I can’t wait to go back.