I split six days of poker between the cash games at the Venetian during the day, cash games at my old stomping grounds TI at night, with a few tourneys at both mixed in...Oh, and I had to dodge a whole bunch of cowboys while getting through the casinos during the rodeo finals...

First the V:

Every time I go to the Venetian poker room I am blown away at how well the designers put it together. There is room to move, the best chairs I've sat in for poker, and just a great overall atmosphere. The 2/5 game is capped at $1K, and plays very well. I saw many of the same faces each day, and they had at least four tables going by noon each day I was there at that level. Although some of the players are quite talented (as in many making money for a living), others are very beatable. Creative play can be (and was) rewarded. Another aspect I like is they-- like a few other rooms-- allow cash to play on the table.

The dealers are outstanding mechanically, but not friendly. Not a criticism, just an observation. Sabrina being a big exception. She is a great dealer, and makes all at the table feel very welcome.

The cocktail waitresses. Just go see them. If you are a dude, and have a heartbeat--just go see them. Your welcome. Even you ladies may feel like switching sides. Yes, they are that good. Hee hee.

$1.50 an hour in comps here to, so you not only get the best big room in Vegas, but also a great comp rate to boot! Speaking of big rooms, to compare this room to the Bellagio in any category other than 'player competition' is ridiculous! The floor at the V go out of their way to get you want you need, and make you feel like a valued customer. Bellagio--not so much. I will say the Bellagio has an easier 2/5 game though...

I played in one tourney here at noon during the week. It was a $150 buy-in with 143 entries. 30 minute levels, and tons of chips in play. Really great structure overall. Like most places, they use some of the overhead TV's to keep you constantly updated on the clock/levels/blinds. I HIGHLY recommend this tourney to anyone. I final tabled and finished 8th overall. A nitpick complaint would be to just pay the top 10% of the field. In this case the top 18 cashed. Some very good players overall in the field, and from those I spoke to, they play it often.

TI:

My poker home away from home! If you have never played here, you will love it!!!! But first, I want to say probably the only negative thing I have ever said about the room in general: Lowering the max buy-in to $300 instead of $500 was an absolutely horrible idea in my opinion on the 1/3 game. I understand the logic behind it, but the place was pretty busy the week I was there, and I truly don't think a single person who I saw playing would have been frightened off by bigger stacks. Personally, it cost me money. I won there, but not near as much as I normally would with deeper stacks.

The players overall are 85% tourists, and the biggest game in the room is the already mentioned $300 max no limit. They also have two full tables of 2/4 limit spread all day/night.

Now the good news. For those of you who are relatively new to Vegas poker rooms, check out the AVP rating system of rooms. Then, ask yourself how in the world a small 8 table room at TI can match the very highest ratings of rooms 5 times bigger with 30 times more money poured into opening those rooms??? The answer is simply management and dealers. They are the best of the best at TI. You will get treated better here than any room anywhere else. You will make $2 an hour in comps. You will have fun, and if you have any game at all, you will make money.

I would love to get the opinion of some regular Vegas guys/gals on this, but here is what I propose to MGM/Mirage: Take the entire staff at TI from bosses Coffin/Morway/Horning, down to the newest dealer, and move them all into the Mirage poker room (where a lot used to be). Then, within one year, watch Mirage magically become what they used to be---one of the top 3 rooms anywhere. I know TI just got sold, and it would never happen--but think about it...

On this trip, an old friend of the TI room named Sam (ex-Mirage guy also), and an old friend of his named Gavin Smith (guy is hilarious-just like on TV), hung around the room for a bit which caused some buzz to say the least...Also, TI is known for spreading great mixed games, and Paul Wasicka played for about 5 hours one night at that table...

Since my last visit to TI, they have re-done the food system in the room. It is a huge improvement as the food is great. You order from the poker room, and a waiter delivers it to your seat. Also--you can now get a massage at the tables at TI around the clock. If you play a lot of hours, paying a massage model, uhh, person, $2 a minute at the table is a great investment.

The headhunter tourney here is also one of my favorite tourneys on the strip. 30 minute levels, $125 buy-in, with $50 for each person you knock out. It runs Fri/Sat/Sun nights and I believe Wed afternoon. The daily and weeknight $65 buy-in tourneys remain hugely popular in this room. The smallest field I ever saw in that was 33 all week. I was happy to three way chop in one of the three I played in!! The field is quite bad in these. That is not always good...

On a personal note, it was great to see old timer regulars Yappy Dave and Other Dave in the room. Congrats to Yappy for winning a tourney the one time I saw him, and regrets to the OD as his Kings got snapped in a huge cash game pot (for that room) by pocket fours...and jacks!!!

To AVP'er/dealer Talon, you have been great since I met you! I and many others on this site wish you nothing but the best. I hope to sit next to you as a player instead of a dealer in the future.

Aaron--hope to make it to Isla next trip my friend.

That's it for now. Thanks to the site bosses at AVP for providing this service!!! I read all the posts/trip reports on a weekly basis and really value others opinions!

AceTenGuy