First, let me say thank you to all others who post trip reports!

This report goes out to those of you who (like me) are “jonesing” for just a few more minutes, days, or weeks in Vegas. Hope you enjoy. Not sure how long this report will be, but it will definitely be at least two parts.

Part 1.

Trip occurred from 14-18 OCT 2011. The majority of my time was spent playing poker (go figure) at my favorite locale – the infamous MGM Grand. This was a solo trip. My last trip (not so successful) was in November of 2010. I got my a$$ kicked on that trip due to NUMEROUS bad beats/suck-outs. Crap happens! This trip was MUCH different thankfully. I’m pretty tough, but I’m not sure if I’m tough enough to take back-to-back beatings and thankfully it didn’t happen this trip. The content of this report does not include a ton of hand histories (who can remember all those details??). I did write down some of the more interesting hands during the first few days, slacked off (notations only) for the last few – sorry.

Here we go for you detail lovers. Up at 0200 to catch my 0630 flight from Norfolk , VA. Arrive at the airport around 0445. Around 0600 I check my Iphone and see (on the Delta APP) that I’m facing a delay in Cincinnati and for no cost I can reroute through Minneapolis – which happens to be boarding as I’m checking (at the same gate). Hmm…hell yeah, since I’m carry on only – quick decision and 3 minutes later I’m on a flight to Minneapolis (screw the 3+ hour delay in Cincy). Arrive in Vegas around 1030 – same time as my original flight would have. No issues at the airport, pick up car from Hertz, and off to The Orleans where I have two nights (of the four I’m staying) comped. I really enjoy staying at The Orleans on solo trips, always use the $20 trick, and have yet to not have a high up room (floors 20 or 21). Did I need to tip $20 – probably not. Do I personally enjoy tipping the hard working people in Vegas – you know it.

Check in slightly delayed as I’m in pretty early. No problem – I’m on vacation! Head to Big Al’s in The Orleans for a Cobb Salad and some clam chowder. All is good. After lunch (can’t lie – I like to play dice), I head to the crap table. Not the smartest decision, but I’m not going to dump the mortgage and this is simply “entertainment”. Lose $100 entertaining myself. Yay. Head back to registration and get room locked up. As expected room is fine, zero issues. Clean myself up and then head to MGM for some 1-2 NL. I’ve vowed to take it easy and play more tournaments than usual and try to not go crazy with no sleep and all gambling during this trip. So far so good. Been in Vegas for about 4 hours and am right on track – not tired yet.

Arrive at MGM right around 3PM. Head straight for the bathroom to the left of the entrance for a shoe shine. Overtip as planned (paid $20 total). Those guys shining shoes in that bathroom are always super friendly and I don’t mind hooking them up. Off to the poker room. I immediately ask about my favorite Floor – Gary Boyd. He is working swing on this day and will arrive shortly. If you don’t know Gary, have a 3 minute conversation with him and you will find out what awesome customer service he provides. Overall a very professional shift manager/floor. I get seated on the rail near the lion cage. Those two tables on that rail are perfect for people watching during LONG sessions. Go ahead and berate me for not “constantly” studying the players (but you would be wrong). I can multi-task the eye candy with the gathering of “poker information”. This particular table is extremely passive. I hit some hands including river flushes (getting there cheap) and runner/runner quads and ultimately turn my $200 buy in into $850. Loving this for the first session but know Mr. Variance/suck-outs can sneak in at anytime – plus I’m starting to get tired.

Toward what will turn out to be the end of this session, I flop and OESD with QsJs and make a reasonable bet. Called by one V. Then I make an ill timed (turn) semi-bluff of $50 on the flopped open-ender (QsJs) as I’ve added a flush draw to my hand - Villain floats me (again). I then continued the charade on the river after a blank hits (I may have hit a pair - can't remember) and bet $100 with Q high. V insta calls. Turns out he was drawing to the nut flush on the turn and caught a gut shot straight on the end. This explains all the floating. It happens. Cash out (happily) for nearly a $500 win during a 5 hour session and head back to The Orleans. Play a little black-jack (more non-entertainment, errr entertainment), and end up even after $200 buy in and $200 cash out. Grab a few tacos at the Mexican to-go restaurant in Orleans (not too bad actually) and head to my room for a little rest.

More to follow in part 2 including one of the wackiest things I’ve seen at a poker table.