Went to Vegas to play softball, so my poker playing time was kind of limited. Played the Caesar's noon tourney on Friday. Every thing I've read on here says it's the best medium-entry fee tourney in Vegas. I did enjoy playing the tourney, and I like the 40 minute blind levels. However, after the fourth level, you don't get to play poker anymore. It becomes an all-in fest. Wish I could say I made some money, but after being one of the chip leaders after the fourth break, I went card DEAD. I never had another playable hand until I had 1/3 of my chips in the big blind with A2 suited. Busted out in 19th place out of 106, but had a great time. There were some semi-pros in this tourney, but there were a lot of fish. My first table played together for the first four levels, and we had five people at the table who had never played a live tourney before. Lots of money to be made from those players.

Later I played the 1/2 No Limit game at Harrah's, since I was staying there. I was absolutely card dead again. In 3 hours, I saw 2 pocket pairs, 3 aces, and about 5 suited connectors. I never drug a pot, and lost about $70. I like the Harrah's room because it's closed off and quiet. The TVs are great, and they have high hand jackpots, if you are playing for that kind of thing. The dealers were very efficient as were the cocktail waitresses. Played in this room one other time on the trip, and never had to wait for a table. On my second visit to the room, I had several fish at the table inlcuding one big one who made it $20 preflop (in a 1/2 game) about 70% of the hands. The sad thing was, he kept hitting. I had to leave before I had a chance to see him go broke, but they way he was playing, it was bound to happen.

On Saturday, I went to the Venetian to check out the poker room. Played 1/2 No Limit there, and finally the cards starting hitting me. One great hand - I have 33 middle position. 9 limpers in the pot. Flop comes out 10 6 3 rainbow. The blinds check. Next guy bets $25. Next guy goes all in for about $90. I have about $190, and decide to push it all in, so I don't give anyone pot odds to call. The guy who bet the $25 calls for less, about $120. They both have pocket QQ, and my set holds up. The Venetian poker room is phenomenal. It's spacious, has comfortable chairs, Fiji water, and quick service. I only had to wait 5 minutes for a seat. We also had a nice mix of players and fish at the table - about 50/50. I cashed out up about $180, but it would have been about $500 more if my pocket AA hadn't been cracked three times. Can't complain too much about the fishies doing that, though. In the long run, they pay you off.

All in all, I'd give the Venetian very high marks both for looks/comfort/service and quality of game. Harrah's gets a little lower marks, but still rates above average.