First time posting a trip report...

(A bit about myself: I'm a small time player, having played only one Vegas cash game session previous to this trip (1.5hrs., +$130). I came to Vegas knowing that I wanted to play more and doing what I could to prepare. I read 'Harrington on Cash Games Vol. 1' and Lee Jones' 'Winning Low Limit Hold 'Em'. I played probably 30 hours of FullTilt.net in advance as well. Had a decent bankroll of about $700)

Day 1 - Wednesday
Woke up at 4:30am EDT to head to Dulles to catch a United flight direct to Vegas. After the normal airport hassles, I was at the Mirage by 11:30. Had to wait for my room (a first at the Mirage), then change rooms after they put me in a smoking room (another first). Took a quick nap, changed, and headed downstairs.

Checked out the Mirage's room. It seemed slow, with only about four tables going, and what looked like a lot of locals. Walked next door to Caesar's, picked up my Total Rewards card and checked out their room. Again, little action and what looked like a bunch of locals.

I headed over to the Venetian without any real intention of playing (I only had $160 in my wallet) and was afraid the room would be stacked with locals looking to cut me up.

After circling the casino floor, I figured it was time to do something...

I sat down at a 1/2 NL game and bought in for the $100 minimum. Played super-tight at first, trying to get a sense of the table. Raked a few small pots and bought the blinds a few times. Had lousy cards most of the time. Made a few stupid small pre-flop calls (Q-nothing) out of boredom (was afraid that the hours and jet lag were starting to affect my judgment). We broke up our table. I thought about punching out, but decided to play a few more hands. The new table was fairly tight. Finally got some hands (AA, AKo, AQs, etc.). Most of them didn't play to the showdown, a decent bet after the flop usually made the tight table go away. Closed out the two-hour session +$150.

Day 2 - Thursday
Decided to head back to the Venetian and sat down at a 1/2 NL game just after noon, buying in for $200. The table was pretty tight with the exception of a little middle-eastern kid that had a decent stack, but was calling and raising with junk.

About 90 minutes into the session, I was dealt JJ in a late position. Nearly everyone folded but there were a few calls. I raised to $20 to tax anyone wanting to see the flop. Everyone else folded but the kid. Flop comes J-X-X rainbow. The kid bets in for about $25, I raise to $50. He calls. Turn comes 3d. The kid raises to $25. I come back in for $50. He mucks. As the dealer pushes the pot towards me, I flip my cards, showing the JJ. I shoot the kid a glance as if to say, 'Go ahead, try it again.' That hand wound up being the beginning of the end for him. He lost another $120 four hands later chasing a straight. He went on tilt and blew his remaining $250 within 45 minutes.

Watched as two $200 stacks went all in pre-flop, one with AA and one with KK (Aces managed to hold up).

Stayed at the table for another hour. After the scrawny kid busted out, the table played pretty tight again. Raked some small pots...nothing memorable. Closed out the session +$105.

Day 4 - Saturday
Knew I was going to have to be on my game today. A busy Easter weekend in Vegas would have to bring out the sharks...

I sat down again at the Venetian, even though I had scoped out both the Mirage and TI. I had every intention of playing TI during my trip, but after checking it out, I realized that the Venetian really is the Cadillac of Vegas poker.

Table was playing more loose than those before. A lot of pre-flop action and raising (Not my kind of table as a player that likes to see the flop cheaply). A few large stacks, but mostly short stacks of tourists coming-in and busting-out.

The large stacks would get into a dust-up occasionally and God help the tourist that got in the middle...

I played ultra-tight early on. Loosened up a bit when I had the cards, position, and the flop was coming cheaply. Lost a ~$175 pot to a player that drew to a flush on the river. Got it all back, and then some, to a player that went all in with AQ post-flop (the flop has come 6-K-3 rainbow). I was sitting pretty with KK for a set.

The trip's comedy presented itself when some drunk guy sat down in someone else's seat. The drunk refused to get out of the rightful player's seat claiming that he had 'doubled him up'. The management was able to get him seated at his correct table (why he'd want to play that bombed, I don't know). Apparently he made trouble at the other table shortly thereafter and security dragged him out of the room. As this is all going on our dealer was cracking a few jokes and trying to keep a straight face.

I closed out the session after three hours up only $45. I really considered this a victory though. I felt like the pre-flop action at the table was insane and the talent of some of the players was definitely present at the table.

I'm already planning my next trip (probably in early August). Will probably stay right at the Venetian, playing there almost exclusively (maybe Caesar's or MGM as well).

I have to thank all the staff at the Venetian's Poker Room. They certainly run the best room on the Strip.