Long overdue trip report from my February trip to Las Vegas for my annual veterinary convention. Stayed at TI the first night and Mandalay Bay the next 4 nights. The poker room rates at Mandalay Bay are a great deal - over $100 off per night for 6 hours of play per day. The standard rate was $225 per night and my rate was adjusted down to $90 per night. I had no trouble meeting and even exceeding the required play time. The only problem with poker rates is they really tie you down to playing in a single room. I usually like to play more tournaments, but felt I needed to meet my quota before I played elsewhere. I did save over $500 on the room though.

Played 1/3 NL at TI the first night. Got in late, but still wanted to play some poker. Worked my $200 buy in up to somewhere around $300 and decided to call it a night after one more orbit. Dealt 3,4 diamonds in the big blind and got to see a free flop with 3 other limpers. Flop comes 2d5dKs I check, middle position player bets $20, other 2 players fold and I make the call with the open ended straight flush draw. Turn is the 2c - check, check. River is the beautiful Ace of diamonds giving me the straight flush. I lead out for $50 and my opponent instantly raises all in for $250 more. After taking a short moment to savor the feeling, I call. Before I can even roll my hand, my opponent reveals K2 for a turned, but now sunken boat. He still thinks he trapped my flush for the huge pot and seems confused that the dealer is pushing the pot to me. Reality hits hard. On top of the nearly $600 pot, I also won the high hand bonus for an additional $599. Not a bad first night.

Next morning I decide to make a run downtown. No poker action going so I play some blackjack at Binion's and lose $100. I really should avoid table games. They are a huge leak in my bankroll. Headed back to Mandalay Bay to check in and register for the conference. Yes, I actually attended the meetings. Later that day, I settled in for a long session of 1/2 NL. Unfortunately, I gave back most of the winnings from the previous day. Worst hand for me was my 55 vs. villain's AJ. Flop comes AA5 for my flopped full house. I bet out, my opponent raises, I reraise all in and my opponent calls and views the bad news. I was mentally stacking the chips until a J on the river torpedos my boat and chunks me down $500. Oh well. I did manage to win some hockey bets and finished the day still up $300 for the trip. Had dinner at the buffet at Mandalay Bay - excellent mix of meats and seafood. I definitely overindulged on king crab legs, oysters, and shrimp. I don't know about you, but I seem to eat more when I lose.

Woke up early the next morning and headed to the poker room. Worked my $300 buy in up to $850 and cashed out to attend the conference. Played again in the evening and repeated my success from the morning. Cashed out another $800 on a $300 buy in. Trip total up $1300 so far. Made the annual pilgrimage to In-n-Out for a double double. Nice way to finish the night.

The next day was bad again. Lost my $200 buy in for three sessions plus lost all but one of my sports bets for the day. My only win was the Montreal Canadiens comeback win from a 5 goal deficit to beat the NY Rangers. Very fun to watch. I also had a 6 team parlay alive after 5 games and lost the 6th game in overtime. It would have paid over $400 on a $20 bet. I went to bed hoping to ride this roller coaster back uphill the next day. Trip total still up $600.

I got up early again to attend the conference meetings. Afterwards, I played several short sessions of 1/2 NL and booked a few small wins. Decided to play the $180 buy in tournament at the Venetian. I was hoping to play in some of the Deep Stack tournaments, but with so many entrants, they were all two day events. Unfortunately, I didn't have that kind of uninterrupted time. At least I finished 6th out of 62 in the night tourney for a cash of $557. Even that lasted over 6 hours. Finished the day up $400 for a trip total of $1000 and counting. Had dinner at the steakhouse at Circus Circus. Pretty good steak but nothing special.

Last morning in Vegas. Got packed, loaded the car, checked out of the hotel, and headed back to the poker room for one last session. Quickly lost my $200 buy in and headed to breakfast. Still had time left after breakfast and decided to play another last session. This time I only bought in for $100. I should have remembered which direction the roller coaster was headed today. I only had 30 minutes left and announced I was looking for an airport worthy hand to push all in with. I was dealt AA on the button. Cutoff raises to $10, I reraise to $20 not wanting to kill the action, and the villain calls. Flop comes K57 - looks safe to me. I bet $25 and the villain raises all in. I instacall and view the carnage when the villain tables 57. I am momentarily saved when the turn is a K, but the roller coaster resumes its downward plunge with a 5 on the river. Not even an aces cracked bonus. At least I only lost $100 on the hand. Not learning my lesson, I played a single hand of blackjack on the way out for $100. I lose with 20 to the dealers 21. I headed quickly to the airport this time while still up $600 for the the trip. Overall, a fun trip - high hand jackpots, bad beats, and good action.