2Tone Vegas trip report #5 -- Final Four weekend

[2Tone]

Time for another one of these.

Arrived early Friday morning, and made it just in time to buy in to a $65 tourney at Paris at 11:30 a.m. Only two tables, top four pay. Players were pretty weak. Lots of early position limping, and passive play post flop. I win a couple reasonable size pots without showdowns, staying even with the blinds, which go up every 20 minutes.

After an hour, we are down to five-handed, and my stack is dwindling, so it’s time to make something happen. I’m BB, I get J-4 club suited, and Ms. Limpy McLimperson limps. We see a flop, KJx, with the king a club. I bet half my stack, she calls. Turn is another low club, and I push. She calls with the King, medium kicker. But the river is a … 4, and I go to ‘final’ table with a good size chip stack. Hey, better lucky than good.

Blinds are high, and table goes fast, and we get down to five before long. Play is tight, a big stack is taking advantage of our collective palatable desire not to finish on the button. Finally somebody plays back at him, but loses a race, and I’ve cashed. From there, I catch a few high pocket pairs, and cruise to heads up against the former big stack. We are about even, and blinds continue to rise. He has a slight chip lead, and I offer an even chop. He takes it, and I’m $300 richer after tip. Sweet start to the trip.

The rest of my crew arrives, and I make my way down to NYNY for a round of cocktails. I’m there with the usual suspects of friends from work, plus some new blood. One round turns into two, which turns into an outdoor table at Margaritaville, where we order this ridiculous tower of Margaritas, complete with its own little tap.

From there things get fuzzy … thoroughly hammered, we go over to the Palms, are denied entrance to Moon, but welcomed at Rain, which has become my go-to club. By 3 a.m. I’ve had enough, and sobered enough to make another $20 bucks or so at 4/8 game limit game before crashing.

We stayed at the Venetian, which is an all-around great hotel. $330 a night gets you a sweet suite, huge for two guys, fine for three, with two separate flat-screen TVs and a shower I never wanted to leave. Highly recommended.

Up early the next morning. After a bottle of Gatorade and four extra strength Tylenol, I’m good to go. Very good veggie omlet at the Grand Lux, the Venetian’s coffee shop. A few of us stroll over the Wynn – added bonus – it’s 75 and sunny, a pleasant change from the Seattle rain.

The Wynn poker room is so swank. It took a while get seated, but when I did, I was very happy. Luxurious chairs, nice chips/felt, efficient dealers -- everything top-of-the-line. Playing 4/8, I make my straight draws, and cash a few hours later up another $75. I’m running good!

Meanwhile, my buddy is taking a shot at the Venetian $550 tourney. He battles valiantly against what he said was some very tough competition, but three+ hours later he’s out, in the top third but well out of the money.

We have some beers and watch the games. Florida looked better than many an NBA team. I regret not betting on ‘em, but figure it would have been a push at best, because I was also thinking the Hoyas were going to win.

Early evening was spent at Ceasars. Their room is enormous – maybe 30 tables, plus whole separate section for the tournament play. I make a small amount at 4/8, mostly from a drunken lady spewing chips every hand. I leave right after she hits a straight flush jackpot for $150 or so, and is smart enough to take the money and run. Having avoided NL cash games, I’m up $500 or so for the trip

Right outside the poker room is the Pussycat Doll casino, which features female dealers wearing the latest and greatest in slutwear, plus enough makeup to clear out all the Avon ladies in the city. The cage dancers looked bored, and I wasn’t overly impressed with the whole thing. The Playboy club does the whole thing better.

Immediately after booking this trip months ago, I had called Tao, and made a dinner reservation for five for 9:30 on a Saturday night. Even with the reservation, it took over an hour to get seated, but the whole experience made up for it. The whole place is a sophisticated kind of sexy, from the modern Asian décor to the smoking hot staff. Dinner was one of the best meals I’ve had in the city – lobster dumplings and rare yellowfin tuna. Some coin, but worth it.

We debate about going upstairs to the club. The crowd outside is at least 800 people. I’m pretty confident we could get in since we are already in the restaurant, but the consensus is it just going to be too packed to have a good time without table/bottle service, which would have run another $1k at least. No thanks.

Ah, if only it had ended there …

Instead we head downstairs to the Venetian poker room. No room at 4/8. Wait, wait, wait. No room at 4/8. You want 1/2 NL? Cue alarm bells, flash backs to prior losses at NL cash games. But I’ve way up for the trip, so I buy in for $200. The second fucking hand, I’m dealt J9 suited, and call a raise to $12. The flop is awesome – QJ9, and have a runner/runner flush draw. So I lead out for $40, and another player goes all in for $120 or so. I call of course, and she turns over the nut straight. Bad cards and poor play cost me about $400 in total before I head upstairs vowing to get ‘em tomorrow.

Sunday a.m. the crew disperses, but I’ve got a few hours before my flight. Back over the Ceasars, but this time there is no limit game to be found. But, hey, how about that 1/3 NL seat? The one right in front of the two guys, each with $800 or so behind? Yeah, well, sitting there that wasn’t such good idea. At least I’m smart enough to stand up with enough cash in my pocket to get a decent brunch before heading to the airport.

Sorry, no strippers this time.

I’ll be back in July for WSOP, and hope to see some of y’all there.

[juiCe[3x]]

Very nice report, Glad you had fun.

[thrash1294]

great report I always like a good vegas story.

[Talking Poker]

Finally read this - another great report, despite the lack of strippers.

Any chance you'll be heading to Vegas for the beginning of the WSOP in June? What if I were to twist your arm (once I figure out when I am going)?

[2Tone]

Thanks. More strippers next time for sure.

I won't be there in June, but I like this plan better. You go for the beginning of WSOP, where you are rewarded for enduring the horrific streak you've been on with an epic run, and end up with a bracelet for one of the smaller events, and a satellite win for the ME. Then half the forum comes down to rail/cheer you on in early July.

[Spuddy]

Damn that sounds like a lot of fun!

I totally want to go to vegas when I'm of age, and when I can afford it!

[Talking Poker]

It's a date. And don't forget, if that happens.... The beer is all on me - Let the taps flow!!!