Vegas – Gambler’s Paradise!

Hello all. This trip report is submitted with the intention of giving a “fix” to those who are missing the adult playground we all know and love.

First off, as most of you are aware poker is addictive, fun, interesting, challenging, tough, and probably the best game known to man (IMHO). I enjoy playing 3-5 times a week in my hometown. I would characterize myself as a decent player. The majority of the time I play 1/2 NL. I can’t get enough of discussing the game when I’m not playing. I recognize that I am normally dead money in tournaments – but still play them on occasion to break up the routine. Fortunately I can afford to play and maintain a bankroll dedicated to gambling.

On to the trip: Informed my wife in late summer that I would be taking a solo trip to Vegas in November (we were both there together in May). She was totally cool with it. Scheduled a five night trip and bumped it to six nights to arrive in town Friday vice Saturday (in order to play the AVP join-up). Plane left at around noon and I arrived in Vegas around 1700 (5 PM). I guess I’m just a big old wimp because before I left (wife was at work), I went out in my yard (I’m an avid gardener) and gathered three separate bunches of flowers for my wife. I placed them in 3 different vases and left them around the house with a note – then I jumped in the truck and made a bee-line for the airport.

On the flight in I pretty much kept to myself but could not help noticing three gentlemen across the aisle who were pouring over notebooks, magazines, and newspapers. They were getting lit up drinking beers and were obvious sports bettors. Just prior to landing, I asked them for ONE lock bet for the weekend. They provided me with Ohio State and Dallas Cowboys as a parlay. Cha-ching. Should have bet more. Turned a $50 bet into $215. My other sports betting went well also (pure luck). Gladly tipped out a winning $50 ticket to hard working dealer at MGM. These Dealers are some hard-working people!!

After getting settled in at The Orleans (Friday/Saturday comped, Sunday-Thursday $28 per night), I headed to the MGM – my favorite room to play in Vegas. Played until about 0100 and cashed out up $300. As a funny side note – as soon as I sat down the guy to my immediate right recognized me from the games in Virginia where I play. He had moved to Vegas a few months prior. I ended up cracking his AA with my KK (all the money went in on the flop) when I caught runner/runner for a flush (sorry – nah, not really). We had a good time chatting most of the night. He made a strong come-back after the cracking.

Saturday morning (reluctantly) played at The Orleans after sleeping from 0200-0400. I say reluctantly because there is something about the room that just doesn’t tweak me. Not sure why. Maybe it is the overall cleanliness (a lot of trash lying around), the solid locals, or the smoke from the rail – not sure. Wanted to give it another try though – lost $100. What was kind of “different” was that they had a 5/10 game going 3 handed. Each player had about $400 (another player had just taken a nice amount of money off the table). I decided to play – just for the hell of it – while waiting for a seat at 1/2. Nothing crazy happened and I moved over to 1/2 shortly after. Tried to get a little sleep early morning in order to prepare for AVP tourney – no joy on getting to sleep. Around 1300 head to Harrah’s to register for the long awaited tourney (I know full well my $125 is dead money – but still want to play). After registering I head over to Venetian. After lunch at the Grand Luxe (shrimp scampi) – play 1/2 NL for 4 hours in the jam-packed Venetian poker room. DSE was going strong and most of the other tables were full – the place was packed! Earn $400 and make the walk back to Harrah’s.

Saturday evening AVP tourney (the good and bad):

The good: Enjoyed putting some names to faces. Excellent structure for the tournament. Good venue for the game (thanks Harrah’s team). Seeing the AVP star (LVM) – really nice guy. Good Dealers, quick waitresses.

The bad: Card dead. Lack of patience on my part (very little sleep and just came off a four hour grind at V). Due to the nature of the join-up, not much socialization. Would have liked to chat more with other AVP’rs (but didn’t last long enough). Literally did not win one hand! Out at 2100.

I’ll probably send LVM a PM but what might have been interesting was a table or two dedicated (prior to the tournament starting) for 2-3 hours of NL cash game. That would have been fun and a great way to really enjoy each others personalities.

After busting from AVP tourney, headed back to my room to get some much needed sleep (after a stop at In-and-Out). Slept until 0130 – I think my body stayed on East Coast time the entire trip (six nights). Arrive at MGM around 0230. Lose 1 buy in, re-buy – card dead. Leave chips on the table and go play some blackjack – earn back $100. Now I’m stuck $300 vice $400. Back to the table continue what turns out to be a mini-marathon session (12.5 hours). Cash out with a $430 profit. Return back to The Orleans and sleep for a few hours. Wake up and play some BJ and Craps – win $200. Head back to MGM and play badly for a few hours before giving it up at around 2100 – lost some small amount (didn’t record the number).

The rest of the week pretty much went the same (good thing I stopped taking notes as this report is LONG as it is!).

The gambling (non-poker) – went good. Had always wanted to bet the wrong-way in Craps (don’t pass/don’t come). Finally did it one early morning. Made a $700 profit and ran. Tried it again the next day and gave back $300. Flip-flopped the strategy through the week and made a little money. My black-jack game is strong (I play purely by the book and don’t get crazy with large bets). Probably broke even overall on BJ. Didn’t really track it as I play strictly for entertainment (less than $400 per session) – rarely for more than 30 minutes at shot.

Other side notes: Went to the M hotel one morning (around 0700) looking for a game – room was dark (although shift Manager Jen was on duty). Chatted her up a bit (really nice girl). Had breakfast and a little blackjack, and then headed back to MGM. After playing a few hours at MGM (treading water) - caught AK and flopped two pair. Got all the money in against someone with about $150 (I had him covered) and his AJ cracks my two pair when he goes runner-runner straight. I'm ok with it as I have lasted almost 4 days without taking any suck-outs. I knew I was overdue. Cooled off a little and cashed out. Had always wanted to play Monte Carlo (so I headed over there), and discovered at my 1100 arrival that only tourny’s were running – didn’t want to wait for a cash table, so I headed over to V (where I promptly lost $300 in a 2/5 game while waiting for a 1/2 to open) – yay.

I posted a review of the MGM room. I can’t say enough about shift manager Gary (graveyard) the guy is true pro. Stop by and say hi to him and you will know what I’m talking about immediately. Expert customer service skills.

The trip home: Last morning I wake up early and head to MGM for my last session. Plane leaves at 1220. Just after finishing playing poker (around 0900), I’m on the craps table (one last hurrah) and I receive a call from my wife to let me know the weather is really going to crap in VA. Huge storm. I have to decide weather to stay in Vegas one more night (this would be night #7) – or just head out and get stuck in Chicago. At this point I am up (overall) for the trip and have a sinking feeling that if I stay I will probably leave a loser. I pick up $550 from the Crap table, cash out, and head to the airport. As expected, I arrive in Chicago around 1800, plane to VA is delayed. I head straight to a hotel (after booking a noon flight the next day). Arrive at hotel, throw bags in room, and promptly hit the bar for some much needed Jack Daniels and Coke. Had not drank in a week and I was thirsty as hell!

Arrive home the next day. Takes 3-4 days to get back to normal! Great trip overall.

For those “jonesing” for a Vegas trip – hopefully this helped take the edge off.

See you at the tables!