After three years living in Texas, my very good friend, Aussie Boy (AB) was finally going back to Australia. So what better way to send him off than a trip to Vegas. We occasionally play together in cash games at home so we were excited for the poker challenge of Vegas.

Thurday March 4
Three of us, me, AB, and Neighbor Friend (NF), leave Houston Bush on Continental. Nonstop, decent rate, no complaints. Three hours later we touch down at 9 pm and are met by my Colorado brother (CoBro) He has a two-seater truck so two of us get driven down the strip in the truck bed while sipping Evan Williams. Not a bad start; beats the heck out of the 109 bus. Check into Fitzgeralds, it is OK, good rate.

NF is a little leary of jumping into a poker game right away so we head to Binions for some blackjack. WOW. Don't remember them having so many attractive dealers. Very nice. Five hours and 587 beers later, we decide to head to the Nugget poker room to take advantage of the drunk players.

CoBro wants to play limit so we play 2/4 a while. Nothing really remarkable. CoBro tells me the next day he won a pot with quads. He mucked them. Yes, Bro, they have a high hand jackpot. Aussie Boy (AB) plays like crap and leaves. Really Drunk Obnoxious Guy (RDOG) at the 3/6 table is irritating the whole room. Their table breaks around 5 am and everyone cringes as RDOG staggers over to our table with his chips. He proceeds to bet everything to river. I figure I'll take his money, after all, I've only been awake for 25 hours and am still reasonably sober after 721 beers. I get A4s and call. Nut flush comes on turn, I'm ready. RDOG starts raising on the river. I raise back. Did I mention that I failed to notice the board was paired? RDOG's boat sends me to bed at 6:30am.

Friday March 5
Played 1/2 NL at Flamingo during the afternoon aces cracked. I liked the room, nothing much of interest happened in the game. There were aces at our table 3 times but never got cracked. My friend cracked someones aces at his table at 4:04 pm. Dealer looks around like they want to find some way to give it to him but he can't. Wanted to play more on the Strip but my buddy was dying to see Ellis Island Casino for a 6.95 steak. Some ACG coupons and blackjack wins had us leaving full of food, microbrews, and a nice profit. Good deal.

Played 1/2 NL a while at Fitzgerald's poker room Friday night. It was about what I expected: one table, quiet, tight game, not really exciting. We had four in our group and I think all the others were in another group so it was a little awkward. Think I spent the rest of the night playing BJ at Binions and admiring the dealers. I know I found my way back to the room, I just dont remember how.

Saturday March 6
Began the day with goal of doing some serious drinking - our last day! NF decides to try every drink in the bartenders guide. We nickname him "Iron Stomach". Wandered Fremont playing this and that. I got ribbed for using so many ACG coupons, but hey, they pay for themselves. More BJ, we eventually head back to the Nugget for 1/2 NL. AB and NF suck again and get felted. Not much exciting for me. I get KK and fold to large bet and an A on the flop. Get KK later and one caller. I hit set on flop but flush draw is out there too. Caller bets 25 into me and I reraise all in. He mucks and I show. He seemed relieved that he didn't call which made me wonder if I should have just smooth-called instead. Oh well.

Finished the night somewhere on the BJ table in Binions. Think the dealer was playing for me after I passed out on the table. She must have won for me, cause made it to bed with money.

Sunday March 7
Early flight Sunday and back to reality. Wanted to play more poker in this trip but just didn't get to it. Didn't really track wins/losse but was only down $125 for whole trip, which includes food and 1567 tips for beers. All-in-all was awesome, fun trip.

Stevus