Hey everyone, I played poker for this first time in Vegas during a mini-trip with my brother-in-law. He had a comped room at the Flamingo on Sunday, 1/28. He isn't a poker player, so we played mostly black jack. But, I did manage to squeeze one session in during our about 20 hours in Vegas.

We got there at 12 on Sunday and surveyed things. I took a look at the poker "rooms" at the Flamingo, Bally's and Paris. None are really rooms, just sectioned off parts of the casinos. Also checked out the Caesar's room to see if there were any sit-n-go's, but they didn't have any starting.

I didn't actually get to a poker table until 10 PM since I didn't want to abandon my brother right after we got there. I put my name in for a 1-2 NL table of which there were 2 going. I was called within about 5 minutes. Bought in for the max at $300.

The table seemed to have a good mix of tourists and locals. I didn't notice anyone too extreme either way. I tried to play pretty tight since this was my first time in Vegas. There were really only 2 hands of note for me. About 20 minutes in, I picked up aces in early position. I raised it to $10, which appeared to be the standard raise. We had 5 to the flop which came J-8-6 rainbow. The first guy checked. I bet $15. Next 3 guys folded and then the first guy called. The turn came Q, putting potential stratight draws and a flush draw out there. Guy checked again. I didn't want a bad beat on my first real hand in Vegas, so I bet out $30 and he folded. Told me he had paired the J on the flop and asked if I had it. He was just to my right and I told him I had aces.

The final hand was the best. I had been playing for about an hour and a half and was looking to check back in with my brother. So, I decided I would play until the blinds came back around and then take off. So, under the gun, I had QJos. I figured this would be my last hand, so I'll try to make a play. I raised to $10 and had 3 call. Flop came 8-5-5. We all checked and the turn came with a Q. I bet out $25 since I had top pair and raised before the flop. I would have been happy to just push everyone out. First 2 folded, then I got slow call. River came with a 3. I bet out $50. After awhile the guy called. I showed my QJ and he turned over Q10. So, I took down a pot of almost $200 on my last hand. I finished up about $150 for the session.

I'm sorry I don't have more to report, but hopefully I'll be getting back to Vegas soon for a longer trip.

BTW, if anyone is looking for fun low-limit black jack, try the tables at the SW entrance to the Flamingo. They're close to the poker area too.