The plane from Madison, WI arrived in Vegas without a hitch. It was an uneventful flight. I headed straight my hotel for an early check in. After refreshing, I’m ready to start my poker sessions.

I stayed at the Trump Las Vegas via a priceline.com $80/night booking. They charge an extra $15/night “Resort Fee”:( That said, after 6 trips to Vegas and having stayed at everywhere from IP & the Rivera to the Treasure Island & Trump. I’m glad I popped for the better place. The staff was great and the room was top notch. The rooms were extremely large (for Vegas rooms), bed was soft, and the bathroom was incredible, including a walk-in shower and TV in the bathroom mirror. I think it makes a difference waking up that much more refreshed……maybe I’m just getting too old!

Attending this trip were my friends Corey (of Yappy Dave fame: Corey busted Yappy with the 3h5h and christening the hand name “The Yappy”), CaliBen, Matty, & Mikey. They stayed at the Rio in comped rooms from their blackjack play (or “The Devil’s Game” as I like to call it)

I had a daughter 16 months ago and haven’t been to Vegas since 04/2008. Additionally, a busy family and work life has left little time for poker over the last 18 months. I’m definitely rusty. That said, I need to avenge my only losing Vegas trip from 04/2008.

I phoned Corey and the gang (they arrived on Wednesday and played the MGM Grand with profitable results the previous evening) We agreed to meet at TI for our first session.

Session One: Treasure Island
Game: $1/$3 NL
I arrive at TI and sign up for the 1/3 game and the host mentions they have a game just starting. They offer to end the mix game that is happening with a number of locals and TI dealers. I sit down and behold, sitting two seats to my right, is LVMichael! I immediately say hello and state that I’ve been reading his AVP blog. He recognizes me (though as Corey…Yappy’s nemesis). I state that Corey will soon be here. 10 minutes later he and Mikey arrive and join the table. I believe SoCalVegasMike was also at the table although I was not formally introduced. Dmuz75 later joined the table and we had a great poker discussion. He's a great guy. It’s great to meet so many of the excellent people behind this site. Unfortunately, I played embarrassingly poor. Call it rust or being out of practice……..

After nearly three hours of uneventful poker & the table generally having at rather nitty feel, I get involved with the table Rock. We are short handed. The Rock raises to $12 (a standard raise at the table) and I call with A8os. We are heads up. Flop comes A,K,5. I bet $20 & the Rock calls. Turn is a T. I bet $50 and the Rock calls. (Bells should be going off that I am clearly beaten by this time.) The River is a 2. I check. The Rock moves all-in for his last $41. I sheepishly call and he shows me K,K.
We are short handed in a nitty game and I’m not playing well. I ask CaliBen if he’d like to grab something to eat and change scenery. He agrees.
Comments about TI:
Management and dealers are excellent. The warm personality of many of the dealers give a welcoming feel especially important to newbie players. TI seems to suffer from a simple lack of players. There was only one NL going on Thursday afternoon and it was short handed. The room seemed dead. We liked the old TI 1/3 game and were disappointed to see the max buy-in move from $500 to $300. We love deep stack poker and feel that most Vegas players cannot effectively play with deep stacks.
Result: down $195

Session Two: Wynn
Game: $1/$3 NL
We grab a meal in the Wynn deli after getting on the $1/$3 NL list. CaliBen picked up the tab which was greatly appreciated! After a good burger @ the deli, we sit down for what turned out to be a marathon session at the Wynn. I vow to play better. It started off ugly. Within the first hour, I raise with AJos in late position and get 2 callers. Flop is 9 high with two hearts. It checks to me. I bet. Old gentleman wearing a Hard Rock hats the only caller. Turn is Jc. He checks. I bet and he calls. (This time I know I’m beat) River is a 2s. He checks and I check. He states, “I thought you were going to bet.” He flips over 9,9 and I muck my hand. A short time later I lose a flopped set of 4s to a turned set of Aces. I’m three hours in and down over $300.

I chip back up to even over the next 1.5 hours with series of good hands and bluffs. My friend Corey joins our table from his blackjack session. (I had told CaliBen that there is no way Corey will be back tonight. He could hardly speak just three hours earlier due to a “jagarbomb fest” at the BJ tables.) Shortly after, this hand goes off. I raise in mid position with 7,7. I get a caller and Corey from the SB. Flop is 4c,4s,3d. It checks to me. I bet $40. Other player folds and Corey calls. Turn is a 6c. He checks. I check. River is 7s. Corey thinks and bets $75. I stop and I’m stunned by this turn of events. I think and re-raise to $250 total. He tanks and starts talking to me. Eventually, he calls the $175. I show my hand and he mucks.

I then got all-in against a young man with is A,Q versus my A,K. Neither of us improve and I drag a nice Pot. The young man re-buys for $200 with $100 in chips and a $100 bill behind (cash plays at the Wynn). A few hands later, he raises pre-flop and is called by one player. The flop is T high and all spades. He declares “all in” and is insta-called by the other player. (Who clearly made the flush) The young player puts his chips in the Pot. The other player asked that the $100 bill be placed in too. The young player insists that this is his next buy-in and should not be included. The Floor is called over and the young man is forced to put the money in the Pot. (Clearly the correct decision) The young man is visibly upset. The other player tables his flush. The young man tables the top set of TTs and is clearly upset and getting ready to leave. As the dealer burns and places the River card, I state, “Oh my God, he won.” The board paired on the River giving him a full house. The whole table breaks out in laughter.

Shortly thereafter, an Asian gentleman sits down. It soon becomes apparent that he is the world’s wealthiest calling station. The following pattern ensued:
Step 1: Raise with a good hand (receive a few callers)
Step 2: Value Bet TP good kicker. (Everyone folds except Asian gentleman who calls)
Step 3: Value Bet Turn & River.
Step 4: Show your hand (he will muck).
Step 5: Stack chips and toke the dealer
Repeat Steps 1 through 5. Note: if Asian player bets at all, fold immediately.

I’d love to stay up and continue to take money from the wealthy Asian, but it’s 4AM and I’m on Central Time. I call it a night, cash out and walk back to the Trump.

Comments about the Wynn:
As my user name indicates, I’m a huge fan of the Wynn and subsequently their poker room. I find drink service to be very fast. Interestingly, most players at the table were at least average quality. However, this allows for more sophisticated and profitable plays. Because these players thought about the game logically, they could be bluffed and other deceptive plays were more effective. I only played $1/$3 NL which is suppose to have a $500 max buy. However, this rule seemed to be routinely ignored by dealers and management. (Much to my happiness…the more money I can win, the better) The Wynn is the most luxurious casino in Vegas and the poker room lives up to the hype. The other thing I’ll mention is that the chairs can be moved usually high. Every AVP player should move their seat to maximum height. Sitting higher than your opponent has a NEGATIVE psychological impact on your opponent. It is a subconscious sign of superiority. This has been proven in study after study………ever wonder why the boss’s chair is higher than the other chairs in his office?
Result: up $1,280

Stay tuned for Day 2!