My Vegas TR - 2nd Time Evah... (2 Viewers)

[Trihonda]

This is a TR of my Vegas trip. Read & comment if you want. Fair warning, you might find it boring, you might find it interesting, you might not care less. You've been warned...

Background

My wife and I decided to take a big group trip to Vegas for my B-Day (Jan 11), and several other couples are interested in coming along. We put it out to all our friends, but in the end, the only folks that committed were some of my buddies... The wife and I quickly pulled an audible, and scheduled a Vegas "couples" trip in Feb, thus leaving this as a "bro" trip.

The Bros

Jeremy- He hosts his own monthly game. He's a budding chipper, and has a really nice table/tourney setup. Jeremy flew out a day ahead, and left a day earlier than the rest of us (just worked out this way).

@Brian A. Meyer is also a budding chipper, has acquired some nice chips in recent months, and also built his own table this summer (in the extreme heat). He and I are sharing a room, and traveling down together.

John- He and I have known each other for many years (used to work together). He's a casual (rec) poker player. But enjoys the game, and has played at my house on a few occasions. He lives a modest life, but we give him grief because he's the heir to his parents fast food chain empire... In other words, we feel for his losses... but not THAT badly.

@NiceShot was a last minute add-on to the group. In actuality, he's on a wife-focused trip, but since we were traveling the exact same dates, we included him (or he included us?)... more on that later.

Hotel

Once again I stayed at the Flamingo Hotel.. It's not the nicest hotel on the strip, for sure. But what it lacks in class, it makes up in atmosphere and nostalgia. It is also super cheap (and not roach infested). Perfect for the guy trip IMHO.

The Travel to Vegas

After some advice here, we opted to pack it light (and are glad we did). It saved us some coin, and we didn't really need all that much. I fit all my essentials into a medium sized backpack that we carried on the plane (at no cost). We flew Spirit Airlines, and my feelings after the flight down was that I'd fly Spirit Airlines again. Seats were... ok, we weren't packed in like sardines, and though the flight attendants joked that the "Only thing free on Spirit Airlines are the smiles", I can live with paying $5 for a couple drinks.

Since we traveled light, getting to the strip was a breeze. We snagged a cab, and proceeded to the hotel, arriving around 10:30a local time on Saturday (Jan 9th). Since checking into the hotel was not avail yet, we hit the 1/2 NL tables at the Flamingo. More on the poker later.


Networking and My Game Plan

Since most of us were staying at the Flamingo, it was convenient to meet up at the Flamingo poker room. However, to help communications, we created a Facebook group to allow us to post/share pics, and let each other know where we were at, or to connect for dinners, excursions, etc... In hindsight, this worked really well for pic sharing and documenting the trip's events. However, it was hit or miss on how well it worked for meeting up. We often reverted to texts or FB Messenger. It all worked out just fine.

My BR game plan. It was my plan to have a set budget for each day, and once the day (or budget) was over, any profits or losses were banked. Next day, new budget, etc... This allowed me to ensure I didn't blow through my entire BR in one night, and ensure that if I banked a winning day, I'd leave with some money in my pocket.


I'll detail each day in a Separate Post

 

[Trihonda]

Saturday

As stated, we arrived at the Flamingo around 10:30a, so we got into a 1/2 game. I will say Saturday was NOT a good poker day for me (very similar to my last trip to Vegas, where my first day was my biggest loss). I ran into 2nd best syndrome all day long, against some maniac players who played ATC. Set-over-set/boat-over-boat type hands, etc... I didn't think I was playing badly, so I didn't stress out too much.

Brian and I played at Flamingo for a spell, then took a break to meet up with Jeremy and John, then check into our rooms. I tried the $20 trick and got upgraded to a slightly bigger room on the 28th (highest) floor. The views were spectacular (pics don't do it justice). Our room had a decent couch, and extra floor space. It wasn't spectacular, but met our needs. And for an extra $10/piece, I wasn't complaining.

Views from the room (day/night comparison).

Back to the poker. Like I said, my initial cash table at Flamingo had me down quite a bit (about half my daily budget). When I was down to $60 in redbirds, I got up and used them to buy into a SnG tourney. It only had 14 entrants, but I binked a 1st place chop to ease my cash losses. I was dominating the table early on.

Here's a picture of my stack after the first level (on a 10k starting stack) 2nd pic is at the first break.

After the tourney, Brian wasn't feeling well, and hit the room to sleep. Jeremy went to the Billago (and from all accounts, was having an awesome session).

John and I walked around a bit to explore, and found ourselves at the LINQ. I had a passing interest in checking out their poker room, since one of their dealers also produces one of the most viewed online video blogs on 2+2 (about how he's trying to make a go at ginding out 1/2 for a living in Vegas). I knew the blogger wasn't going to be there, but wanted to check the room out anyway. The staff was amazingly fun, and we actually got there near the end of the tourney (with no cash games going).

This DB customer also at the poker desk (seemed nice at first) convinced John and I to try to get a game started. The staff seat us at a table, and indicate there's a number of people on the list. Announcements are made, and no-one is coming. The DB says, it's 1/1, lets sit and play anyway. Well, there's a game on TV, and the LINQ staff seems nice, so we agree to play 3 handed (the DB seemed like easy money to be honest). Well, as the dealer is seated, checks his tray, we're getting ready to play, the DB goes off on the dealer and floor arguing that he doesn't want to pay the promo dollar or rake (they agree to zero rake), but require the promo dollar if the hand gets over $10. The odds of it getting to $10 are rare 3 handed with 1/1, unless we have a legit hand anyway. We're getting great drink service, friendly staff, and DB is yelling at the floor. He storms out, and the dealer (Steve) says, since the tray was opened, he's required to sit at the table (hinting, he makes more at the table than in the break room). We shoot the shit with Steve for 60 minutes, watching FB on TV, drinking free beer and earning TR Comps (because we have chips in front of us), even though we're not technically playing. The tourney breaks, and we now have a cash game. I'm catching good cards, and playing good spots, but am playing an ultra loose gambolholic to my left who is speculating on everything, and has a horsehoe stuck up his arse... So, end result is I climb out of a big hole at the LINQ, but still cash out down almost $200 for the session.. Just crazy run bad kinda day.

While jaw-jacking with dealer Steve, he clues us into the best food deal in Vegas (thanks again Steve). Ellis Island! That should be the story of my Vegas trip, right there. Ellis Island. Simply put, they have this steak meal deal for $7.99. Now, it's not that simple... I love my steak, and am skeptical of what kinda crap meat you'll get for $7.99, but Steve insists we check it out. John and I connect with Jeremy, and we all head for the short walk to Ellis Island (it's off strip one block behind Bally's). Brian is still not feeling well, and opted to stay in the room.

Ellis Island is kinda a dive casino/hotel to be honest. However, they have a cool vibe and a great "café" style restaurant. To get the steak deal, you have to get a players card, which includes a bunch of free play. We all do our obligatory free play, and win between $20-60 each (free-rolling our $7.99 dinner, ha). They also have a micro-brewery on-site, with all sorts of craft brews (including an especially tasty heffe-weisse beer)... unbelievably cheap 20oz glasses for $2.50.

We get to the café (busy Saturday night), and are told there's a 40 minute wait (boy, wish we'd have checked in right away). Anyway, off to the BJ tables. $5 mins, and extremely friendly dealers. When I say extremely, I mean, extremely... For instance, BJ isn't my game, but the dealers were giving hints to everyone at the table, solid hints... They'd point at you on the table, and with subtle scratch or wiggle of their fingers, they were giving people advice on what you're "supposed" to do in a given spot. I walked away with $25 profit (without a clue what I was doing). Oh, ya, that's after tipping like crazy, of course.


We get the message that our table is ready, and onto the food. We all ordered the steak special, but be advised, that HOW you order it determines WHAT kinda steak you'll get. Jeremy and John ordered "med-well" and received sirloin style steaks, and I ordered "medium" and I received a filet... This steak dinner was amazing, choice of soup/salad, type of potato, and the steak wasn't from Ruth's Christs Steak House, but you'd be hard pressed to tell them apart. The filet was awesome, and my choice of steak fries was the best steak fries I’ve had in years. WOW! And the service was fast and friendly.

After Ellis Island, we split up. Jeremy and I headed to the Bellagio, and John called it a night. The Bellagio was nice, the player caliber was mixed, but more ultra-aggressive than passive. It’s around 1am, and I came in for $200. Jeremy was on a serious heater and cashed out up around $700.

To sum up my night, I was at around $150 as the table was breaking, and it’s literally the last hand (only three of us left, as 4 players had left the hand before). I was on the button with A3o in a limped pot, I raised pre and got one caller in the BB. I’ve got a monster considering we’re three handed. The flop comes A38 (booya). I C-bet, and the old man-maniac in the BB (who has been playing stupid with garbage all night) calls. Long story short, all the money gets in by the river.. Old maniac guy tables A8o. I puke. Was certain I had him, the way it played out. Just the way my entire day went. I busted out of my entire daily poker budget. I didn’t have a single + cash session, but the tourney win helped ease the pain some. Time to head back to the room for some sleep. It’s now 4am.

 

[Trihonda]

Sunday


Around 10am, stroll out of bed and hit the Flamingo Poker Room for some 1/2 NL. I book a nice win, and around noon, the entire crew gathers at Hash House a Go Go (inside the LINQ) for some monster sized plates of food.

After brunch, we all hit the Flamingo to watch the Packers game while grinding out some 1/2 NL. The table is very passive, with a couple of exceptions. To be honest, the table isn’t as profitable as it coule be, but given we’re chilling out watching the game, and enjoying free beverages (the hot chocolates are killer), we’re content to hang out. Both John and Brian do relatively well, but Jeremy has a run of bad luck and bleeds away his buying. You can tell the Bellagio win from the last couple nights is weighing on his mind. He busts and hit the B, while we stick it out.


(From left to right) Jeremy, Marilyn (met my last time in Vegas, and she’s awesome), John, Brian, and a villain I’ll later reference as Morpheus (due to his glasses and sage yet aggressive demeanor at the table).

Morpheus is the table captain. He’s prone to re-raising any aggression, and seems to always have “IT”. Several of the older locals indicate he’s a solid local player, who rarely has a losing hand when he gets very aggressive. Morpheus has taken more of my money than I’m comfortable with, and I keep thinking of a moment to “look him up”. The following is an interesting hand that changed the tides with Morpheus’s table luck.

I’m on the button and make a decision to pull off a bluff. I decide that whatever I have, I’m going to treat it like pocket aces. Action is limped to me, and I look down at 72o (even better hand to bluff with, right?). I fire $15 into the pot, and everyone but Morpheus folds. Hmmm (pretty standard for him). I get my dream flop 7A2. Morpheus checks, and I fire a C-bet, which gets called. OK, Morpheus has an A, even better. Turn is a Q. OK, AQ isn’t out of the realm of Morpheus’s range, but I fire again, and Morpheus calls. River is Jackpot, a 7. I fire again, and get called. Morpheus swiftly tables what he thinks is the winning hand AQ, and I show the 72, bluff-turned-into-a-boat hand. The table erupts in laughter at the lunacy of me trying to bluff with 72 and hitting the boat FTW (I fully acknowledge that I hit the crazy 2-outer on the river). I’m completely serious that I had not yet seen the 72 before deciding to play the bluff. Anyway, thus ends Morpheus’s reign. He and I clash many times in the next hour or so, and I get very lucky (Morpheus is now suffering from 2nd best syndrome). This slows him down some, ok, back to the packers!

Here's my stack at one point (and one of my endless hot-chocolates).

Another highlight is Brian hitting a Straight Flush (K high), which earned him $100 right away, then another $150 promo an hour later, when it held up as the “high hand” for the promo time-frame.

After the game, I cash out up around $400, and we decide it’s time to snag some pizza from the Flamingo Pizza Bar (tasty), and hit the Freemont Experience. After a short cab ride, we arrive just as they’re setting up for the nightly start of the light show (7pm). It’s perfect timing for a photo-op.

Afterwards, we hit up the Golden Nugget Poker Room. The Nugget is smaller than I imagined, and the tables are somewhat cramped. I’m not a huge fan of the chairs, nor the vibe of the room. However, there’s a ton of “conference” peeps that keep coming to the tables to donate their gambol money. I have a decent run, but in the end wind up about $75 down by the time we leave. By now, it’s after midnight, and officially my Birthday!

We meander around Freemont, checking out other casinos, but none really have any poker rooms (or gamboling that interests us).

We eventually head back to the strip, where John takes his leave and goes to bed. Brian and I hit the Flamingo for a groggy session. I meet up with some fun folks, play some cards until 6am (according to my poker tracker-I simply don’t remember). I know I finished with a nice profit – but I don’t recall my head hitting the pillow.

 

[Trihonda]

Monday (My Birthday)


I wake up around lunch-time, grab one of my fav snacks from the Pizza Bar (a yogurt/granola parfait), then hit the Flamingo Poker Room for a short session.

The game plan is to meet up with @NiceShot at Planet Hollywood around 2pm to play a session together. I book a decent win at the Flamingo, cash out my chips, and head to PH. We have enough players waiting to open a new table, which includes @NiceShot. Jeremy had to leave Vegas a day earlier than the rest of us, so he missed out on the PH game.

Here's my buyin to PH

Gene and I have chatted extensively online, but never met in person. He’s a super cool guy, and be wary if in a game with him, he’s got mad poker skills! Gene is hitting Vegas with his wife, and he has conveniently booked a spa session for her! Genius! The poker gods continue to smile down on me (must be my birthday), as I get really lucky in a number of spots (once against Gene-poker sorry).

Another interesting hand of note is against a Sweedish conference attendee (the name badge was a dead give-away). However this guy seems to know a bit about the game. He’s betting people off their hands, and playing super aggressive. His style doesn’t bother me, but apparently the table seems to hate this guy. His downfall involved trying to play against my birthday run-good… Ha! He’s on the button and announces a $7 raise (he’s got $150 behind). I’m in the BB and say, “oooh, seven is my lucky number” (it’s not really, I’m just being silly). To explain, the table is mostly fun and friendly. We’re bantering and joking around. It’s a very fun table. Anyway, Sweedish (fish) bets $7, and I make my quip about liking the number 7. After all that, I look down at pocket 7’s. I just call the extra $5 (oop). Flop comes AJ7 (boom!). To shorten the story, Sweedish Fish has AJ, we get it all in, 7’s hold, end of story.

After Mr. Fish leaves the table, the one guy comments about how they were glad he got felted because of his style of play was frustrating. I personally think if you let someone’s aggressive play get to you, then they’re a better player than you give them credit for (or you’re worse than you think you are). Besides, Mr. “I’m an OBGYN”, you’ve got money, just donate it and STFU. Ha!


Anyway, the game broke shortly after that, and I immediately regretted not playing the PH sooner. I cashed out for almost $700. Lots of foot traffic, a nearby food court, lots of tourists.

We head back to the Flamingo, regroup, and then head back to Ellis Island for their steak (and ribeye) meal deals. Brian missed the previous go-around, so he was also shocked at the great food and crazy prices.

After dinner, we roam around the strip checking out the sites (unfortunately, I didn't get to see the Bellagio fountains a single time). Just never worked out that I was outside when they went off. It was pretty cold, so we navigated the strip from the inside as much as possible. One stop was to see the inside of Paris.

After our walk, it was getting late, and we head back to the hotel (probably 12:30am). We all sit down at the Flamingo Poker Room, and unfortunately John’s inexperience (and lack of sleep) costs him BIG! He’s in a hand with the table captain (who has a 1k stack). John had sat down w/ $100, and has now run it up to around $250. The board runs down AKxxx and there’s betting/calling on every street. On the river, the table captain bets $150, which puts John all-in. John snap calls, and announces AK. The other guy says “good hand, I was bluffing” and tables K9o face up. John tables 4K (not AK). John had misread the 4 as an A, and gets the punch in the gut when the 9 kicker plays and all the $500+ in chips moves across the table to the other guy. That ends John’s night, his flight leaves at 6am, he’s off to bed.

Brian also winds up busting out and heading to bed early (though it was probably smart timing on his part). I stayed up until close to 3am, with a 5am wake-up call looming (to catch our 9am flight). I was up and down, but eventually cashed out with a nice profit of $2 for the session (better than a loss, right?).

Good night Vegas!

 

[Trihonda]

Tuesday

Can be summed up as travel from hell. Extremely cramped flight, and with a recent knee surgery, I needed room to flex my legs some. This plane had the worst seats I've ever seen. Hard plastic with a layer of vinyl for a cushion. They were so close together, and so shallow seats, it was misery. Even with so little sleep, I found it difficult to fall asleep. Luckily the gods allowed me some respite (maybe about 2 hours of sleep)?

A final note about my card protector... I think I had at least a dozen people ask about it, and ask to see it. I happily tossed it over to anyone who requested to see it. Did have one person next to me grab it without permission I think, and I could have cared less, lol.

About the above pic. you'll notice the extremely deep tray-back, which is almost wide enough to hold a bottle...

Spirit Air... Never again.

 

[k9dr]

Sounds like fun - good luck

 

[Mr. Cheese]

Awesome TR so far! Looks like a great time! I remember playing with Marilyn when I was there in August too.

 

[NiceShot]

Monday (My Birthday)


I wake up around lunch-time, grab one of my fav snacks from the Pizza Bar (a yogurt/granola parfait), then hit the Flamingo Poker Room for a short session.

View attachment 27882

View attachment 27883

The game plan is to meet up with @NiceShot at Planet Hollywood around 2pm to play a session together. I book a decent win at the Flamingo, cash out my chips, and head to PH. We have enough players waiting to open a new table, which includes @NiceShot. Jeremy had to leave Vegas a day earlier than the rest of us, so he missed out on the PH game.

Here's my buyin to PH
View attachment 27888


Gene and I have chatted extensively online, but never met in person. He’s a super cool guy, and be wary if in a game with him, he’s got mad poker skills! Gene is hitting Vegas with his wife, and he has conveniently booked a spa session for her! Genius! The poker gods continue to smile down on me (must be my birthday), as I get really lucky in a number of spots (once against Gene-poker sorry).

View attachment 27884

Another interesting hand of note is against a Sweedish conference attendee (the name badge was a dead give-away). However this guy seems to know a bit about the game. He’s betting people off their hands, and playing super aggressive. His style doesn’t bother me, but apparently the table seems to hate this guy. His downfall involved trying to play against my birthday run-good… Ha! He’s on the button and announces a $7 raise (he’s got $150 behind). I’m in the BB and say, “oooh, seven is my lucky number” (it’s not really, I’m just being silly). To explain, the table is mostly fun and friendly. We’re bantering and joking around. It’s a very fun table. Anyway, Sweedish (fish) bets $7, and I make my quip about liking the number 7. After all that, I look down at pocket 7’s. I just call the extra $5 (oop). Flop comes AJ7 (boom!). To shorten the story, Sweedish Fish has AJ, we get it all in, 7’s hold, end of story.

After Mr. Fish leaves the table, the one guy comments about how they were glad he got felted because of his style of play was frustrating. I personally think if you let someone’s aggressive play get to you, then they’re a better player than you give them credit for (or you’re worse than you think you are). Besides, Mr. “I’m an OBGYN”, you’ve got money, just donate it and STFU. Ha!


Anyway, the game broke shortly after that, and I immediately regretted not playing the PH sooner. I cashed out for almost $700. Lots of foot traffic, a nearby food court, lots of tourists.

View attachment 27885


We head back to the Flamingo, regroup, and then head back to Ellis Island for their steak (and ribeye) meal deals. Brian missed the previous go-around, so he was also shocked at the great food and crazy prices.

View attachment 27886


After dinner, we roam around the strip checking out the sites (unfortunately, I didn't get to see the Bellagio fountains a single time). Just never worked out that I was outside when they went off. It was pretty cold, so we navigated the strip from the inside as much as possible. One stop was to see the inside of Paris.

View attachment 27887


After our walk, it was getting late, and we head back to the hotel (probably 12:30am). We all sit down at the Flamingo Poker Room, and unfortunately John’s inexperience (and lack of sleep) costs him BIG! He’s in a hand with the table captain (who has a 1k stack). John had sat down w/ $100, and has now run it up to around $250. The board runs down AKxxx and there’s betting/calling on every street. On the river, the table captain bets $150, which puts John all-in. John snap calls, and announces AK. The other guy says “good hand, I was bluffing” and tables K9o face up. John tables 4K (not AK). John had misread the 4 as an A, and gets the punch in the gut when the 9 kicker plays and all the $500+ in chips moves across the table to the other guy. That ends John’s night, his flight leaves at 6am, he’s off to bed.

Brian also winds up busting out and heading to bed early (though it was probably smart timing on his part). I stayed up until close to 3am, with a 5am wake-up call looming (to catch our 9am flight). I was up and down, but eventually cashed out with a nice profit of $2 for the session (better than a loss, right?).

Good night Vegas!

I didn't get to see that hand. 7's beating out AJ. So strange, I had a similar hand the next morning where I had pocket 7's hit the flop against an AJ and Ax.

It was good playing with you guys. Perfect excuse to get in a 4 hour session. Glad you had a good run in vegas. Hope your next one in Feb is even better.

 

[jemfernandez]

Great thread! Thanks for sharing. Wish I could get to Vegas one day

 

[mike32]

Thanks for the excellent TR. Love reading these!

 

[Poker Zombie]

We get to the café (busy Saturday night), and are told there's a 40 minute wait (boy, wish we'd have checked in right away). Anyway, off to the BJ tables. $5 mins, and extremely friendly dealers. When I say extremely, I mean, extremely... For instance, BJ isn't my game, but the dealers were giving hints to everyone at the table, solid hints... They'd point at you on the table, and with subtle scratch or wiggle of their fingers, they were giving people advice on what you're "supposed" to do in a given spot. I walked away with $25 profit (without a clue what I was doing). Oh, ya, that's after tipping like crazy, of course.


We get the message that our table is ready, and onto the food. We all ordered the steak special, but be advised, that HOW you order it determines WHAT kinda steak you'll get. Jeremy and John ordered "med-well" and received sirloin style steaks, and I ordered "medium" and I received a filet... This steak dinner was amazing, choice of soup/salad, type of potato, and the steak wasn't from Ruth's Christs Steak House, but you'd be hard pressed to tell them apart. The filet was awesome, and my choice of steak fries was the best steak fries I’ve had in years. WOW! And the service was fast and friendly.

Ellis is so often overlooked by the masses - I guess this is a good thing. The restaurant always has a 40 minute wait, busy or not. We ran some calculations the last time we were there and figured that the house edge on (well... anything) after 30 minutes is enough to boost the $7.99 meal cost to about $13.99. Of course we did this calculation while watching TV in the sportsbook ($0), so their method has some flaws, but whatevs.

People tend to denounce the Linq. What used to be a shithole is now a tiny jewel, center strip. The tournament rakes are terrible, but the dealer was so cool, friendly, and talkative that I tipped him a sizable amount (to the point that he gave me a "is this a mistake" look). He was simply as enjoyable as any street talent and deserved to get paid, because I suspect the Linq room is near the doors so they can carry the stuff less distance when it shuts down.

Hope to hear more when you make the couples trip!

Also envious of the back to back Vegas trips.

 

[detroitdad]

Solid TR. I agree. I love reading these. Well done sir.

The only complaint was that you ordered the steak Medium (won't even discuss your pals ordering it medium well). Somewhere between rare and medium rare.

Those Bellagio fives are fricken sweet.

 

[k9dr]

Great TR - Ellis Island steak is always solid, but I agree with DD - medium rare max. Breakfast at Hash House will last you most of the day.

 

[Anthony Martino]

holy crap IN b4 someone mentions touching your card protector! Ok, now that I've got that out of the way I'll actually go and read the TR!

 

[detroitdad]

holy crap IN b4 someone mentions touching your card protector! Ok, now that I've got that out of the way I'll actually go and read the TR!

Your to late. He mentions it in his TR

 

[Anthony Martino]

Your to late. He mentions it in his TR

Curses, foiled again! *shakes fist in the air*

Awesome TR Trihonda! How many MP does your camera have? Some pretty quality pics there

 

[Trihonda]

Solid TR. I agree. I love reading these. Well done sir.

The only complaint was that you ordered the steak Medium (won't even discuss your pals ordering it medium well). Somewhere between rare and medium rare.

Those Bellagio fives are fricken sweet.

I'm usually a med-rare kinda guy too.

 

[Poker Zombie]

On the plus side, Ellis Island cooks steaks like your friend cooking them on the grill. You order medium-rare, but you might get medium, might get rare. Sometimes both on the same piece of meat. At that price, I would never complain. Plus the salad is solid, and the beans are full steak-house worthy (never had the fries, I'm a baked 'tater guy).

 

[ruskba]

Great read!

 

[ssanel54]

Love the Dirty Bird!

 

[guinness]

Nice TR, its good to see pics from the non-major strip areas and of course the villains. I want steak and vegas right now.

 

[BukNaked36]

Great trip report! I was wondering how it was going. If you're willing to share, how did everybody end up in the profit/loss column? Also did you pick up any chips?

 

[BiGGyT]

Sounds like you all had a good time and good wins to offset those few losses. As far as Spirit, said it before, you get what you pay for. Want to get there cheap, Spirit and Frontier. They charge what they can and pack in as many as possible to make a profit, and good for them, the market is willing to pay the rate and deal with the discomfort. If you want leg room and sushi, charter a plane. I opt for the in-between. Was a good read and makes me more convinced that I would do nothing but donate in Vegas poker rooms, which is why I tend to stick to tourneys, limit, video poker, or pai gow.

/agree with Ellis being a good cheap meal. Check out lasvegasadvisor.com for the top 10 values, Ellis has been on there for years.

 

[12thMan]

Awesome trip report tri!

I couldn't imagine sitting in that airline seat, gross. lol But then again, I don't like to fly in the first place so my next trip to Vegas in June will be a combination Vegas trip report/road trip trip report.

 

[palindrome]

Awesome write up! Makes me want to book another trip soon. I usually stay at the Flamingo and I agree it's great for what it is. Their poker room is well run and super convenient while staying there.

You hit up a lot of my favorite places, including Hash House and Ellis Island. We hit up karaoke night at Ellis on weekend and it was totally crazy. One of the funnest nights I ever had in Vegas.

 

[Trihonda]

Awesome write up! Makes me want to book another trip soon. I usually stay at the Flamingo and I agree it's great for what it is. Their poker room is well run and super convenient while staying there.

You hit up a lot of my favorite places, including Hash House and Ellis Island. We hit up karaoke night at Ellis on weekend and it was totally crazy. One of the funnest nights I ever had in Vegas.

Yup, forgot to mention the karaoke going on. The dealers in the BJ pit were all dressed up (or down), and took turns getting on stage and singing/performing. It was a rocking party atmosphere, for sure!

 

[moose]

However, to help communications, we created a Facebook group to allow us to post/share pics, and let each other know where we were at, or to connect for dinners, excursions, etc...

Congrats on inventing twitter.

 

[Trihonda]

Congrats on inventing twitter.

I don't really use the twitter. Apparently Al Gore also invented the internet....

 

[abby99]

Medium and medium well? And you guys claim to be from Wisconsin? [shudder]

 

[moose]

The BBQ at Ellis Island (separate restaurant) is even better.

Really great pics.