Flight in from Cincinnati delayed 1 hour so we didn't land until 11:15, poor start. Line at Dollar car counter moving slow; why can't folks know what they are doing when renting cars:(( Drive to Orleans was quick, no line at check in, but they are the host hotel for a body builder convention, but was able to get 2 rooms on same floor (17th) across the hall from each other, gave tip for clerk's effort and high floor (not offered until she came through).

After checking in, check out the casino, get players cards and something to eat (fun books given at the players club)at Mike's - good burgers to hit the spot. Have to hit a few sights on the strip for friend of 18yr daughter who's with us (1st trip). The drop off wife for Barry's show at the Hilton. Micheal M. not playing at PH, so head back to Orleans for a 7 P.M. tourney.

They are changing things up with thier tournies, and it was $105 buy in for 5K in chips, 1st 3 rounds where 20 minutes, then 30 minute rounds from there. Covered my buy in with winnings at 4/8 with half kill. Over 220 runners, top 20 paid, with 1st getting over 4K. Well, no great hands but good playing kept me alive until 80 left, then this hand hit; card dead for last 3 orbits so have been playing very TAG with only premo hands. Blinds are 1500/3000 with 300 ante, only 9 players at the table due to a bust out. Mid position(around 43K) comes in for 6K, look down and see AKs in cutoff; have 38K stack; bump it up to 10K, blinds fold, MP calls. Flop is Ah,Kd,2h; MP checks, I throw out 10K, hopping he is on a flush draw or weak ace and will lay it down, but calls. Turn is the Kh; great for me I boat if he was drawing to the flush, again he checks, so I push for my last 18K, he calls and says I got the nut flush showing Qh,10h; then falls back down when he sees my boat. But, the gods where not with me because the river was the JACK of HEARTS. I could understand he's call post flop, butwith the image I had worked up prior to this hand, find it hard to beleive the call pre-flop. Otherwise a good time, and since I was in a cash game before the tourney, and then after busting out, my total time was rated, and again turned a small profit with an hour session at the 1/2 before hitting the bed.

Next morning had the Breakfast buffet, $5.95 each with the players cards (even the 18year olds). Thier computer system was down the hole time, so points could not be used at the buffet (seems a bit strange with an almost sold out house HUmmmm).
Food was better than we have had at other buffets under $12 for breakfast; with large choices; ate there every morning.

Then off to the Sahara for thier 11 A.M. tourney; after dropping the kids at CC for the rides. Played in the olny game they had going 3/6 while the wife hit the slots. I hit two Straight Flushs, so hoping luck is turned today. 38 runners, with the buy back ins (read on). Get moved to wifes table to balance out in 3rd round, and get KQo in late position, and call the wife's raise to 700, when there was 1 caller between us. Flop comes AKQ rainbow, wife throws out 2K (she's been on a good run and has about 6K back, mid position calls. I tank and think about it having only 3.8K back and 2 minutes till the break (and end of time to buy back in if busted out). I go ahead and push it in. I'm hoping to take the pot with 6.1K in it, or maybe pump the wife up top of the stack if, she has me beat (knowing I can buy back in). She then moves all in, and mid position folds. The wife flips over AK and it holds up, so I become the 38th runner with my re-buy, and take the add on right away to still have 5K. Nothing great as to hands, the wife donks off her chip lead and busts out around 16th (4 get the money). I misplayed one hand that would have a bad eefect later. Short stack moves all in from the LB position, I had limped mid position with A10h; hoping some would raise; forgot the player in seat 1 was still in the hand, and said I'm all in trying to force a fold behind me. Well the dealer stopped me, nd waited for seat 1 to act. This woman had shown only strong hands, but was know has a limit only local player to these dealers ( must play there alot). I have her covered, but would become very short if I'd lose to her, she only calls. The dealer now gives me the choice to fold or come into the pot. I whip out and fold. LB shows 3s, BB shows A8s; A,10,2 flop and I just cry to myself, knowing that I would have taken out both players after rags come on the turn and river. Later, we are down to 11 players, have been cold decked for being short handed and finely see AQc on the button looking a bump raise & a caller. I push all in, and the bump raiser - same woman I could have taken out, calls with pocket 7s, saying that she was born on 7/7 so she had to play them. You guess it, they hold up, I bust out 11th.

Later that night I play in the Big K at TI, 28 runners, only rake a few small pots; 1 guy busted ut in the first hand at our table, so I have a big stack on my left to watch out for. Become short stacked in the last round before the break when my mid pairs never improve, or miss ever flop with my draws. Start playing SS poker and push when I get pocket 6s, then 8s, then 6s three hand in a row; and get chipped up to 2850. Limp in late position with AK off with 4 to the flop, hit both the flop with bet/fold/call of 600, I push all in, and everyone folds. I go into the break with around 5300, and bust out in the next round when my jacks loose to pocket sevens (twice in one day :((). 3 cash tables full, so I head back to the Orleans to put in more cash time.

Able to get on 1/2 NL table, 3-5 locals at the table, standard raise 8-12 pre flop, never had cards with position to repop, so had to play TAG, ended up $100 for 4-5 hours, not to happy, but when you only get Ks & As 3 times, not that bad; just could never get a set, and saw 8/3 at least 20 times, with 10/2 being the next hand of my night.

Also played 1/2 NL at the Luxor Sunday while wife and Kids saw Ron Lucus. Thier game is now $300 max buy in. Lots of passive play from locals putting in time for free roll. Again, card dead. Tried to trap with a flush, only to loose to quad 8s on the river. Best hand was to a limped pot from the SB, with 8 to the flop. Had 5/2 off suit; checked dark. Flopped 552, BINGO. checked around to the button, he bets out $10, I call after a short tank, hoping others will stay in, no go, they all fold :( Turn is 6s, with 2 spades out, again check, another $10, and call. River is 10s for possible flush, but there could be a better boat. Again, I check, and he throws another $10, so I bump it to $25, after tanking for 1 minute he calls. I show that I flopped the boat, and he mucks A5 of suit, asking how I could have played those rags. I said with 16-1, I had odds to call with any 2 cards pre flop. I left the table 10 minutes later after the show was over just up $25.

Rest of the time was spent at the Orleans room. Between the wife's & mine (they allowed us to combine our time) we got the poker room rate on both rooms (one in each name)which was 20% off booked rate, we also used comped time for $28 off
dinner one night. Wife also played sots, and had free buffet - at players club since the computer was down at the buffet.

Orlean's rooms where nice & clean, staff helpful (security had to re-set safe, left lcked-opened by prior guest). All the food we had was good and the prices where better for what you got. Drinks where fast for the most part, but when shift change happens it could be a little wait; outfits where nice, and some wore them nicely. Never had to wait longer than minutes for valet to get the car from the garage; best value, better then just parking and walking the lot and dealing with a ot car.

Pleanty of action in the poker room over the weekend, at least 8 and up to 22 tables in play. We will stay again, if we don't get better offers from others.