I have read the trip reports over the last couple of years, some very entertaining ones and I finally decided to add my trip report here as well. I typically go to Vegas at least once a year and my last trip took place between March 1-4, 2015.
My flight got in a little late due to de-icing the plane, but at least I had the option of express check-in at Bally's so I was in and out of the room within 10 minutes.
My first poker session was played at Bally's poker room, which would be my home base for the next 3 days. This was my first time playing at this poker room and I would definetely come back and play here in the near future for sure. I sat at a very friendly table and was able to flop trips a couple of times and over a 3 hour span was able to double up my initial $300 buy in. Funniest thing that happened near our table was a guy who hit some type of jackpot at a nearby slot machine and was making some noises that should never come out of a man. The joke around the table was that someone should have used some lube next time as the piercing noise was unbearable after the first 2 minutes.
The next day I decided to check out the poker room at Ceasar's Palace as I've always had some nice wins over the years at that poker room. I was surprised to see the new smaller poker room but I had no issues getting in a quick cash game. One thing I noticed at my table was that when I looked around for the first hour trying to spot the sucker at the table, I felt like the sucker since every single player was a grinder and they all knew each other. I got a table change and after playing for about 2 hours i booked a $125 win for my session there.
I decided to play the 8 pm tournament at Bally's, they got around 28 players and they guaranteed at least $1000 for first and $500 for 2nd. Decent play structure for
The first 2 hours but the blinds went up quickly and I picked a spot on the button to push with KQ suited and got called by big blind with JJ and could not win that coin flip. Out in 7th place but overall happy with my play and my first tournament in over 1 year.
My last full day in town I tried the Bellagio buffet in the morning and then did some shopping for the family back home. I also squeezed in a hot leather shave at the Mirage barber shop (Peter did a great job and I enjoyed watching some golf on TV). I had a rental car so I decided to play 18 holes of golf at the Eagle Crest Golf Course in Summerlin. Great executive course and I was able to finish the 18 holes in just about 3 hours, shot 48 in the front and 46 in the back nine, which I was happy with since I had not touched a golf club in about 6 months and played with rental clubs.
I felt relaxed and ready to tackle the Aria poker room for my last night in town. I got there around 6 pm and decided to play some cash games 1-3 until the 7 pm tourney started. Had a nice run of cards and booked a $150 profit which essentially free rolled my $125 tournament buy in. I have played the Aria tournament 5 other times and had never been able to make a final table so I had low expectations. Well, I had Lady Luck on my side and I got hit by the deck all night (had AA three times and got the money all in with the rockets as well as had KK twice in later stages and people would not give me credit for monster hands so was able to maximize the value of my premium hands. When we got 5 handed we decided to do a chip chop and since I had the largest stack at the time I also got the Aria Tournament Champion chip with my win.
This was my most profitable poker trip in the last 12 years and I went back home with a nice little poker profit of $2,500.
I had a great time playing with some easy going people and the dealers and the poker room managers were great all around.
Can't wait until my next trip!