We decided to head to Vegas for another week in September. I had been down in June to play in one WSOP event where I managed to get through day 1 with over 3100 entrants but exited about 50 spots off the money in Day 2

I was looking forward to this trip to just have fun playing some cash games and the occasional tournament.

Our plane arrived on time and we whisked through customs in 5 minutes. Cab to to the Monte Carlo and we were in our room in a half an hour. We had booked a king bed and looked in our room and it was two double beds. Not a biggie but I phoned down and they managed to find a room with a king so we quickly changed and headed out to te strip. We decided to head over to Coyote Ugly's as they were having Happy Hour. A few drinks later we realized we had better eat. Grabbed some pizza at Sbarros (just okay) and the better half wanted to play slots. I joined her for awhile and then said I am going to play poker in the Monte Carlo. She said are you sure. You drank quite a bit. Anyways off I went. Got in a 1/2 game for 180.00 and started drinking water. The table seemed fairly tight. I just bided my time. Finally I got dealt pocket 10s. A guy in middle position raised and I just called. Flop comes 10,7.2. Original raiser checks and I put in a small bet to try and build a pot. He called. Turn was a Q. He bet and I threw in a small raise. He immediately went all in and I called. He had pocket 7's. The river was blank and I won a huge pot. You gotta love set over set. The night continued that way. End of night I was up 275.00

Day 2. We went and got tickets for Wednesdays Cirque show Viva Elvis. Half Price on the strip. You gotta love it. That evening we went to New York New York and listened to the duelin pianos. They were great but I think I like the twins at Harrahs better. Played again that night at Monte Carlo. Got aces twice. Won both times with them and I was hitting flops. Geez Poker is easy when you hit flops (I wish). Anyways up another 190.00. Off to a great start.

Day 3. I went and played the Caesars 9 AM 70.00 buyin tournament. They only had 20 entrants and I managed to hold on until 8th with basically no cards. I went out when my A 10 with a flop of AK7 came up against pocket kings. Top 3 were paid. I went and played again that night at the Monte Carlo. I couldn't get anything going and was down about 65.00. The table I was playing at had two regulars with one guy on his IPad watching a movie, texting on his Iphone and being abusive.I wasn't in any hands with him but was on his immediate left and had to listen to his rantings. I had a headache within a few minutes. This guy is there every night and supposedly a lot of people won't play there because of him. I can understand why.

Day 4.........
We went and saw the Cirque Viva Elvis show. I loved it. It was my first Cirque show and I am glad I picked this one as I love Elvis music. Before the show we had dinner at New York New York at an IL Fornaio which was incredible. My chicken was one of the best I have ever eaten. It wasn't that expensive either.After the show the wife wanted to play slots so I wandered over to the Monte Carlo poker room. They had two tables going. The one with abusive Ipad guy who had a huge stack and another one. With seats at both I chose the other. We got in a conversation with the dealer about the oter table as there was 4 players at my table who said they wouldn't play at the other table. I am not sure why management didn't do something about this guy. Anyways no remarkeable hands and I was down about 35.00.

Day 5.
I had planned to play the Aria 7 PM 125.00 buy in tournament so we spent some of the day at the pool and did some sight seeing and people watching on the strip. We even took in Big Elvis's show at Bills which I have seen a few times but always fun.

I headed down to the Aria just before 7. There was only 27 entrants I believe. First place was 1100.00 and they were paying top 4. Great structure for a small tournament with 8000 in chips and 30 minute blinds. I love the Aria poker room . Chairs are comfortable and great service I had jacks twice which somehow held up.
The play was just average and I felt pretty confident in my play. We got down to the final 8 when the guy to my right raised preflop. He was the most aggresive loose player left. I looked down and I had pocket 10s. I reraised him and everybody else folded. He decided to jam all in. He had done this a few times and people folded. I decided to call. He flipped over AK. It was a race not one I won as he spiked his King on the turn and I was out. I still think about that hand. If I had folded I would still have a lot of chips. Even though I was ahead and probably made the right call I just hate racing for my tournament life.

Day 6

I decided to have a poker free day and we did the usual pool stuff and went for dinner at America in New York New York. I have had dinner there before and the food is decent with good prices.. not great but certainly worth the money

Day 7. I played the 11 AM MGM tournament. 70.00 buyin and I think we had just under 80 entrants. I managed to chip up with a few decent hands but like most cheaper tournaments the structure moves too quickly with 20 minute blinds and anti's stating at level 3 or 4. We were down to about 25 when with my stack dwindling and the blinds increasing and I called a middle postion shove with KQc in the BB. He had Q J off suit but he hit his jack and I was gone. The small buyins you need to get lucky to cash.

We went over and had dinner at the House of Blues in Mandalay bay. It was pretty good food and they had cheap drinks (happy hour). I had planned on going back to MGM to play cash at night as it was my last night and the wife had come down with a cold. I got in a 50cent/1 dollar game at MGM. Yes you read it right . They had 3 tables running of it and I loved it. I had the most fun playing in that game as nobody was ultra serious as max buy in was 50 bucks. I ended up playing for 5 and a half hours and I think I was down like 25.00 bucks. The money wasnt even important as was the fun we had at the table. Great props to the MGM for spreading that game and encouraging people in to play who maybe are intimidated playing 1/2 with 300 max buyins. Also a side note was that I played with Alaska Gal for an hour or so before she did a table change. I think we were only in one pot together which was probably a good thing for me... Nice meeting you Alaska

Headed home the next morning. Great flight. I can't wait until the next trip. I went back with slightly more poker money that I came down with so thats always a good thing