In town for barely more than 24 hours for a biz trip, arriving late morning on Wed, Dec 3, and departing early afternoon next day. Due to work schedule, a huge cold, and a couple too many vodkas Wed eve (medicinal purposes of course!), I only got to play for a one-hour session early on Thursday morning.

Was staying at MGM (ridiculously low rates there most of Dec via a promo rate), so hit the room around 6:15a to find two 1/2 NL games running and quickly seated w/the max $200 buy-in as one of 7 or 8 players at one of the tables. Most players were playing with a range of $200-$400 with a couple of bigger stacks. Really only had an hour to play, so played very tight amidst a pretty good range of players (at that time in the morning, it was mainly local grinders and a few sharp tourists; few fish, which must mean that, uh oh, what do they say about looking in the mirror to find the fish?). So another reason to play tight.

Not many memorable hands of course, given the short session. Two to mention though:

First, in EP, look down at QQ and raise to $10, called by button and the BB. Flop comes A high rainbow, no straight possibilities. I hate the flop, worried that one of the callers hit w/an ace in the hole, but put out a $20 bet to see where I was. Button folds but BB calls. Turn comes blank, and I'm still worried about the possible ace but as first to act wanted to show strength and see where I was, so bet out $50 into the $70+ pot. BB folds, so obviously my worries were unfounded. I tend to worry that my opponent hits the flop in situations like this, but hopefully am getting better about being aggressive post-flop/post-turn. Looking back, I guess I shouldn't have worried about a slow-played A-high hand or better since he probably would have raised my post-flop bet.

Second notable hand near the end of the session after other table was broken and we were playing a full table at around 7a; players from other table also mainly locals. I'm in the cutoff and limp in w/6-6 after a couple of earlier limpers; button and both blinds come in as well, so cheap flop w/6 players. Flop AQ6. SB bets $7, BB raises to $15, two fold to me, and I pop it up to $45 (figured I was ahead but worried about draws). Button and SB fold, and BB calls. Blank on the turn, and with about $150 behind, I go all-in into the $105ish pot. BB has me well-covered and tanks, and I'm hoping she thinks I'm trying to buy the pot. BB lays down, though, and I rake the pot. Looking back, I'm sure I was way ahead and may have been able to extract more value with a check-raise or smaller bet on the turn, but there were both flush and straight draws possible and I just didn't want a suck-out. Too conservative?

Anyway, shortly thereafter, I really have to stand up so I can make my morning meeting, and cash out about $50 ahead, which after only an hour, was a good session for me.

I've played this room a few times in the past, and while not as posh as the V or Wynn, it's got a good vibe. I actually enjoy the fact that it's next to a bar and night club as well as the book ... lots of energy, especially in the evening. Will definitely stay on my list of rooms to play whenever I get back to town.