Just got back, props to those who posted previously. I wonder though if the sharks read this website routinely, see why below. Briefly, I do well at the home game (no limit Texas) and play a modest profit online at no limit and sit and gos and have read the standard texts on hold em.

My plan was to cash at the places with the worst players and play the profit at the better rooms like the venetian. Like many plans, it didn't work.

Started at Bally's. First, low limit guarantees river suckouts that tilt you. (insert generic aces get cracked story here). At bally's there were those who were good players and obviously regulars and those who were there to drink and have fun. Kind of noisy and not a great room, comps were 50cent or $1/hr depending on the limit. The no limit 1/2 game is 100-200 buy in and has several experienced players there to make money from tourists. Did well to stay in the black on no limit but donked off a couple hundred at limit...

The luxor has a crazy max $50 buy in no limit game that is basically an all in fest. not fun really and a couple of really obnoxious players. Dark room and players leaving the cash game for sngs too often.

Mandalay is classy but small and was fun. played 4/8 limit for 2 hours - some regulars but there was decent conversation and good times.

The Venetian is where i would go back for certain. (i am biased as i played 3 times and won each occasion). Best room, minimal waits, great service, great drinks (Fiji is the house brand of water, and yes, san pellegrino available on request - comes with a slice of lime from very attractive waitresses- that's service!) Comps are not as good as listed as it is 1$/hr and royal flushes get you a jacket as does 40 hours of play in a calendar month. Nice jacket but my wife won >300 dollars on high hand jackpots at ballys.

Now maybe I brought my A game, or the relaxing atmosphere or quiet room let me focus, and have a good time really playing poker. There are many, many regulars with poker jackets, WSOP card protectors, etc. but also people there with some skill from out of town. Shout out to the asian lady whose son taught her hold em! I sat at 5 different no limit tables and it was a great learning experience just watching the semipros go at it and pick off the weak, and fence with the other cagey players. I highly recommend the experience if you don't mind rebuying -scared money usually loses.

Played tight aggressive and it worked out, tripled my $200 buy in the last session by imitating the pros. A lot of players were super tight but passive and slowly lost their chips and hardly got called on raises. Don't be afraid to switch seats, or even tables if you aren't comfortable at the table.

Although initially stressful knowing that most players were more experienced than I, it was profitable (a side benefit), educational (discussing hands after play was very enlightening) and wicked fun. and fun is what vegas is about. I realized I'd rather swim with the sharks and learn from them (aka the Venetian) than try and take hands from drunk happy people just trying to have fun (aka Ballys).

Apologies on the length, and good luck.

junkadelic