For most of the evening Friday night, I was with the bachelor party group, attending to bachelor party type events (nuff said). We got back to the Venetian at about 5:00 AM, and while most were heading up to bed, I realized that this was my time to get some gambling in.

I strolled over to the poker room, man is it huge! Asked to sit in on a $1/$2 NL game (first time playing a NL cash game), and got right in with $300 behind me. The staff and waitresses at the Venetian were great. The great thing about sitting down at a table at 5:00 AM is that at that point, everyone sitting there has not gone to sleep yet. A couple of guys at the table were running purely on booze, red bull and adrenalin, which I hoped would parlay to my favor. I had quite a bit of booze, red bull and adrenalin in me as well, but felt as long as I played my usual tight game, I would be ok.

Best hand I had, I was sitting with K9 Clubs in the BB. Villain raises from EP to $15 preflop, 2 other callers with me($60). Flop comes Ace, rag, rag...all clubs. Villain bets out $40, the other 2 guys fold, and I contemplate....and call ($140). At this point I am not sure if he has Aces, or is riding the flush draw, maybe both. All I know is there is no straight draw on the table, and I have the top flush. Turn card is J clubs, putting 4 clubs on the board. Villain bets out $60 more. Not really sure if he hit his flush and wants me to call or what, but at this point I really don't care. I re-raise to put him all in. He calls and flips over his AQ, with the Q a club. He knew only one card could beat him. Too bad I had it. He just shook his head and walked away. I think I added about $250 to my stack on that hand.

Worst hand, I had AK in the BB, and raised preflop to $15. The drunkest (and I am guessing richest) guy at the table calls, and he hasn't looked at his under cards. Flop comes A 6 3 rainbow, giving me high pair with high kicker. No flush and a mild straight draw on the board. I bet out $50, and he calls me - still hasn't looked at his undercards. Turn comes another useless middle card. I bet out another $75, and he calls again. River comes with nothing of significance (no flush or straight draws now possible). At this point, I check because drunk man hasn't looked at his cards yet. He checks, and turns over 6 3, and cracks my aces. That was my worst loss. It's hard to play strategy poker against a guy that's betting in the dark. Regardless, I still won more money from this guy than he from me, and he was truly an entertaining individual.

At one point I think I was up to about $650, but after some bad outs, and 5 1/2 hours of playing, I cashed out about $200 to the positive. Overall it was a great trip, and I really enjoyed playing NL hold 'em for the first time. Looking forward to getting back to Vegas in late October, when I will have more time to gamble.