Just got back from 8 days of poker tournaments. After my deep run in a 1k WSOP this summer, I have enough cash to give a few smaller buy-in series a shot. Goal was to play the end of the Caesars Classic, Wynn Fall Classic and the beginning of the Venetian Deep Stack. It was fantastic to have all of those options available for one stay. I go on the cheap, flew from my small hometown in Colo with air miles, checked into the IP so I can walk to all events. By the way, the construction at the IP forced me to move to an inside room after the first day just to get some sleep. Played events 26, 27, 30, 31, 32 and a satellite to the main event. Started well chopping top 5 in event 26 and min cashing in 27. Huge disappointment in the $140 satellite to the main. Got down to 7 players with 5 getting in, 6 gets some cash. 3 of us are similar short stack, so only one of us is getting in. One of the big stacks was being very aggressive and I had made my mind up to go for it if I thought I was ahead. He raised early position I look at A 10, put him on weaker A and I push. He had Q8 and hit the 8 on the turn I’m done. I also went for it at the final table of event 32, a $240 buy in. With 6 left I shoved against a big stack with AQ he called with 77, I get no help. I was going for the win on that one and took $1600 for 6. Overall I cashed in 4 of the 5 events. One funny tourney was a 9:00 am regular casino tourney. I tried to trap an aggressive guy with KK in early position he raised from the button we get it all in he has AQ. A on the river I get up to leave but have 300 chips left. I’m in the BB next hand for 400. All in dark next 2 hands and win, fold the button next, all in with AK next hand and win. Go to the final table (only 40 or so players) with the biggest stack. Knock out the same guy when I call with middle pair on his shove. Cash in 4th (lost three hands in a row trying to knock out smaller stacks) but my most amazing comeback ever.
Caesars may now be my favorite room, I’m running good and playing ok too. I played only one at the Wynn, nice room. I cut my tournament teeth at the Venetian. I just didn’t like it this time. Yes, they have built a beautiful room, but the regulars buddy up so much with the dealers and management, I felt a bit overwhelmed. The small time recreation players put a lot of money into these prize pools, so when you run us off the prize pool will suffer. I see a lot of 20 somethings berating bad play or trying to humiliate someone and I just never understood why anyone would want to run off easy money.
Spent one morning and walked to the pinball hall of fame at the Riviera and played those old pinball machines. That was fun and a nice distraction. Played one tournament at the Aria 1:00 pm. Nice tournament went out at 21 with 15 getting in. Worst cards ever with 55 being the only pair I saw the entire tourney. While waiting for the tourney to start I see a crowd, go to investigate, they’re filming a scene from an upcoming movie. I get to watch Robert De Niro, Morgan Freeman and Michael Douglas shoot the scene, that was cool. Only got propositioned 3 times this trip, I must look too poor. Ate lobster at the Outback in between the IP and the Venetian, played cash at the Flamingo, one other tourney at the Golden Nugget, and just over all had a great time and made some money. For tournament series I just can’t find a better set up anywhere. Plan on playing the WSOPC at Caesars in Feb. the buy-ins are about the same level.