My first night I got in late on NBA All Star weekend and the Las Vegas strip was gridlocked. I could not drive north on the strip and ended up at South Point casino. Played 1-2 NL for about 2 hours and was very tired. Finally got all my money in wrong with KK against a flopped straight. Got rescued by runner runner spades and luckily scooped a $450 pot. Decided I should not play tired and left soon after. Resolved to play more cautiously on a coordinated flop. Cashed out up $260.

The next day, following advice I received on this forum, I decided to play the noon tournament at the Venetian. It is a $130 buy in for 2500 in chips with an optional $50 rebuy for 1500 in chips anytime during the first three levels. I decided I would only rebuy if my chip stack was below $5000 at the first break. Blinds start at 25-50 with 30 minute levels. Antes kick in after the 4th level and elevate gradually giving plenty of time for good poker play. This is the best structure for the money you will find in Las Vegas. The room is very comfortable and the eye candy is top notch.

I arrived an hour early for the tournament and decided to play some 1-2 NL while I waited. I bought in for $150 and cashed out $485. Hated to leave the game, but the tournament was ready to start. I was deinitely a card rack in the tournament having AA seven times over the first four hours. It seemed like every time someone went all in, I would look down and see AA. Too bad it wasn't a bounty tournament. The best thing is, I did not lose a single pot with AA - definitely a first for me. Sailed easily to the final table and into the money with the top 5 places being paid. Once it got 4 way with virtually even chip stacks and very high blinds, we all decided to chop for a nice payday of $1,100 with no rebuy.

Returned to the Venetian the next day for the 8:00 PM tournament. Same buy in and structure. Arrived an hour late and still was able to enter with full chip stack. No premium hands tonight. Had to work my way up the ladder and survive several marginal all-ins. Did not hit one straight or flush all night. Finished in 5th place when I pushed with J3 clubs on a 2 club flop and failed to improve. Was really hoping for a fold in that situation. Cashed out $488 with no rebuy.

Played 1-2 NL at the Aladdin after busting out of the tournament - bad idea. Lots of drunks catching cards. Lost $150 after 1 hour. Time for bed.

Returned to the Venetian the following day for the noon tournament again. Did I mention I really like these tournaments? Only one bad beat over 3 days. I got chunked when my KK all in raise got called by someone's favorite hand Q8. Recovered to finish in 4th place this time. Very disappointed. Felt very situationally aware that day. Great reads and plays. Knocked out when my A8 clubs pushed all-in and was called by KQ. Rivered a Q. Cashed out $706 with a rebuy to alleviate some of my disappointment. Really expected to win this one the way things were going.

Played 1-2 NL at Mandalay Bay later that evening. Nice room and nice sportsbook too. Cashed out $430 after 2 hours. Won a big pot when I flopped top 2 pair in the BB with A8 and SB raised all-in with AK and failed to improve.

Played 2-5 NL at Bellagio late the same night. This room is definitely not as nice as the Venetian. I prefer Mandalay Bay too. Very crowded and slow cocktail service. Lost $200 when my AK ran into KK.

Not enough time for long tournaments anymore - the Venetian tourneys take about 6 hours. Back to Mandalay Bay for more 1-2 NL. Cashed out $422 after 2 hours with a $200 buy in. Decided to play the $60 buy in tournament at Mandalay Bay. Only $500 in starting chips and 15 minute levels. I decided to try a more aggressive style. Knocked out on the first hand when my stone cold bluff ran into QQ. Oh well, back to the 1-2 NL tables for more poker, beer, and excellent eye candy. Played 2 more hours and cashed out up $44.

Played 1-2 NL at Monte Carlo late that night. Small room and not much action. Cashed out up $111 after 30 minutes.

Last morning in Vegas with flight out at noon. Breakfast or poker? I went to Luxor and they had free donuts at the poker table - bonus!! The structure at Luxor is 1-1-3 NL with a $50 max buy-in. There was a drunk at the table with over $1400 sitting in front of him. He had to have been there most of the night. He raised every pot preflop and he raised almost every flop. I doubled through him once when I pushed with A2 after he raised and called with 84. I doubled again when he called my AJ all-in with A4 and failed to improve. I wanted to keep playing but needed to leave for the airport. I figured 1 more hour and I would have had all of his stack. Cashed out up $210 after 45 minutes. Got to the airport and found out my flight was delayed for 3 hours. Definitely a missed opportunity.

Overall, a great trip - I collected lots of $$ and memories. I would unequivocally recommend the Venetian as the best all around poker room. Thanks to all the posters on this site for the info that made my trip successful.