I got the OK from my wife to visit the WSOP, so quickly booked a trip from June 2-6. By coincidence, Phil Laak announced he would be attempting to break the world record for staying awake playing poker starting June 2nd. Perfect! I planned to check in occasionally and see how we was doing.

Flight arrived Wed. around noon, and caught the shuttle to downtown. I've never stayed there, and wanted to be able to watch the lightshow at night without worrying about getting back to a hotel on the strip. I had a good rate at the Golden Nugget for 1 night ($39). After checking in, spent some time at the pool area. It was very crowded, and couldn't find an area to sit without a smoker nearby. But did get some sun. Ate the Main Street Buffet (good)and walked Freemont a few times.

Decided to try the GN poker room even though I was pretty tired from the flight from Newark. There was a pretty long wait for a table, but the staff was nice. Played 1-2 NL for a few hours and bounced around my buyin. Decided to stop if my profit ever matched the buyin for one of the local tourneys. Stopped at +$65, and saw TBC as I cashed in.

Walked across the street to Binions and entered the evening $60 tourney. Downtown is SO MUCH easier to navigate than the strip- I probably want to stay here again sometime in the future. There was around 20-30 people that entered (it was tough to keep track of because they were allowing late entries for 3 levels, and new people were always appearing. Nothing remarkable in the beginning, just played my nitty game and ended up at the final table with a little below average stack (payed 3 places). As the blinds were increasing, switched to a push/fold strategy and gradually grew my chipstack. I got unlucky a few times and lucky a few times, but that is the nature of all-or-nothing moves. It got down to me and 2 locals, and they were pressuring me to chop it equally. I've had the feeling of being cheated during chops in the past, and offered what I thought was a fair deal (but I would end up with more money and they would end up with an entry to the champion tourney that I couldn't attend). They both starting complaining very loudly, so I said we should just play it out. As it turns out, it was over in 2 hands, as my AJ> A5 and A9>KJ. I took the first place money ~475, tipped the dealers, and gave the entry to the champion tourney to the local player that came in second. I was pretty happy that I wasn't bugged by the pressure to chop - usually that kind of thing will get to me. Light show was fantastic, and the cover bands were great (loved the Doors cover).

Thursday took the Deuce to Bills (luggage was OK). Walked over to B to see the Unabomber grinding. He started playing about the time my plane landed. Walked to the mirage and played a little 1-2NL. Nothing remarkable, but lost a few bucks (~-50). Walked over to the buffet, and had a great lunch. Usually I can get by on one meal a day in vegas. Played a little at the IP - always interesting people there. One guy was just finishing a world tour (he saved up some money, quit his job, and was going around the world with friends), another was talking about the problems with dialysis, one was working toward diamond at harrahs (he is staying in their hotels for 2 months for a $350 total charge - and that's just because of July 4th weekend). The player to my left had ~1200 stack at 1-2! Unfortunately, instead of being the lucky maniac, he turned out to be the solid player that had already taken 2 maniacs monies before I arrived. Too bad! Had huge draws in big pots that didn't come in. Took a loss (-80). Also stopped by the cardrunners welcoming, met Ed Miller, and got some beers and some nice swag.

Friday get up and check out the WSOP setup at the RIO. They filled the room that held pokerpalooza with tables, and the cash games look more orderly than years past. Stopped by to see Phil at the B, he was looking pretty fresh. Played a session at the Venetian and was FREEZING. I should have left, but I really like that room. Ended up suffering quite a bit - should have at least gotten a hoodie. Slightly down for the sesion (-50). Ate at Ellis Island - great steak meal for seven bucks. Did some walking up and down the strip.

Sat. was mostly walking. Stopped in to see PL and the B, and he had broken the record! Good for him! Also saw Jennifer Tilly, and Antonio there. Bobby's room was packed with top pros (Sammy Farha didn't look too happy). Played a little drunken poker late night during the week at Bills, nothing remarkable and breakeven in money, although remarkably +EV in drink value (martinis are $6-7 at the bar depending on the bartender, but only $1 tip at the poker table). Bills has killed the Kings cracked promotion, and now only runs the Aces cracked. One of the floors said this was because of some promos that paid out too much, and dried up the reserves. I hope Harrah's doesn't kill the spirit of this place.

Sunday got up at 4am and started the grind home. Arrived about 12 hours later. Checked for the live feed of the Unabomber, and he is still going. I am totally tired, and he looks fresher than me!! Crazy. I go to sleep and go to work on Monday. Phil was still playing.

Note: Phil lasted 115 hours and ended up +6500 playing the 10/20 at the B. My new degenerate hero!!