Posts: 90
Joined: Mar 2004
7/3/07 7:40 PM (NEW!)

I had a great time, this was my annual trip with my mother, as much as I would have liked to have checked out the HORSE event in the WSOP my mom was such a good sport about a lot of things I did not push that.

I stayed at Paris, tried the $20 bribe to get a better room but they don't have any big rooms with two beds really. Nice newly renovated room but a bit on the small side (I am a bit of a snob staying at Wynn, Bellagio, GVR, etc a lot of times). Mom does not think the spa is as good as Wynn, Bellagio, Ceasers and I even bought her a treatment at the Palms she said was far better.

We ate at Rosemary's restaurant using the coupon mom got off their website for her birthday lunch. This was WONDERFUL food and service and even though cab fare was about $25 one way we felt it was worth the trip. I left a $20 tip on a $56 bill (because of the coupon) because the service was just amazing and I think the bill would have been about $90 with no coupon. They do not make you feel cheap for using their coupon. We ate dinner buffet at Paris (a bit steep but worth it, mom loved her crepe and the variety/food was very good), breakfast at the Paris cafe (a bit overpriced), breakfast at Bellagio buffet (very good and worth the expense), lunch at Outback (Casino Royale Comp, underrated place the Royale is by many, I love it there), Garduno's at the Palms for lunch (very good for the price) and a late meal at California Pizza after love (good).

I took mom over to Bally's on Tuesday for the promised 10 AM poker lesson (I called a week ahead of time) only to be told that they did not offer lessons during the WSOP. Thanks for ruining my morning Bally's, after we waited around to take that lesson I was not happy. We went to Venetian and they were setting up for the deep stack (stopped at my favorite dive Casino Royale for some VP on the way) and they were REALLY nice and might have helped us out but I said not to worry about it. Because I am Diamond Card they gave me a gold card at the V, really nice lounge there. I liked it better than Paris Diamond lounge but I was happy with both. I dropped enough there at VP that they probably don't mind those free orange juices I took from the V. Mom had her poker lesson at TI. Really friendly poker room there. Mom would have played some 2/4 but all they had were tourament tables at the time so I left a small tip and we headed out of TI.

As far as the poker tourneys go we played the 9 AM $35 all in fest at Excalibur on Wednesday and Friday. You had better catch some cards early or you are in trouble. On Wednesday I had pocket 8's in late position and when the board came A,8,7 I was happy. When another 7 came on the turn I was even happier to keep calling this guys bets. When a 6 on the river made him a straight I was happy to raise him all in (he was in deep anyway) and hear that quick call.

I felt very good about how I played, I won about half my races as you will have to raise with this blind structure. I finally got heads up with this guy who would not defend his blinds (400/800 with only 9000 total chips) but he won four heads up showdowns with me having marginally better hands three times and being behind once. Finally he doubled up to get ahead 4800 to 4200 and I went ahead and chopped it for $255 a piece (315/195 I think were the payouts for first and second). I guess I should have played it out but I think he was figuring out that I was going to raise all his big blinds. 30 players entered this tourney.

I played well on Friday but I did not catch cards and I went all in for 200 (blinds were 25/50) with A/8 seven handed from middle position. Both blinds called and when the flop was 228 I felt good. When a 6 hit on the turn I felt good but this kept getting checked down. The small blind made a "value bet" on the river with 55 when a 9 hit and was quickly called by K 9. If this idiot (in my opinion) bets the flop or the turn I probably triple up. Oh well. Mom got 13th out of 38 on Friday and outlasted zourah! She was happy about that.

My best gambling moment was making a 4OAK at Let it Ride at Bellagio and I had a big bet out there at that point. This put me ahead for the trip but the video poker took most of my profits.

We went to LOVE on Thursday, first of all I am very happy with the shape the Mirage is in and I would strongly reccomend this show to anyone who likes Cirque De Solei.

Great trip overall and the Excalibur has very friendly dealers and a great set up for beginners. I tipped the dealers fairly well because they were so kind to my (rather nervous about playing) mother. There was an Asian lady who dealt who was especially nice to my mom as when she first sat down at this tournament she was very nervous. As time went on she started to relax and enjoy herself.