Began planning my 2-7 May trip back in December 2007. Between www.tripadvisor.com and AVP this trip was going to be well thought out, planned, and executed (and it was). Flipped between staying at TI/MGM and then ultimately settled out at the Venetian when I got a super good rate ($950 total/with tax for five nights).

Arrived Friday around 3PM, got hooked up with a $100 a week car rental (Payless) and off we were (accompanied by my wife/non-gambler). Straight to the Venetian where low and behold, the $20 trick pays off, and I'm upgraded to the 33rd floor strip view. Room was fantastic and had a view of the TI, Mirage, and Trump. All rooms at the V are suites. Nice seating area with a wrap around couch, desk, etc...

The plan was to spend time with the wife at night (saw five shows including Love, KA, Phantom, and O). As it was, while she enjoyed the shows, I enjoyed my $150 naps (except for KA and Love!). Of course we ate at least one meal together (per day), and enjoyed a little time in the room (wink). We also took a ride out to Red Rock - very peaceful change of pace from the strip. I also made a trip to Eastern Ave and located the Harley Dealership. Purchased my obligatory two shirts ($86 - ouch).

On to the poker. I've posted separate reports on Venetian, Bellagio, and TI Poker Rooms, so I won't go into most of those details here. I will say the Venetian is a prime place to play - in all respects.

My bankroll is just under $4000 for the week. I intend on playing strictly NL (2/5 and 1/2). I play a few times a week at the homefront so my game is generally not weak but I want enough "bullets" to survive swings (and it's a good thing I brought that much cash - because the swinging was about to begin).

The first 3 or 4 sessions kind of run together (all at Venetian) however what I do remember is the suckouts - to the tune of close to $1500! I'm playing fairly solid (I think) and run into all of these situations within 18 hours of my plane landing. KK (me) versus QQ - it all goes in after the flop (no Ace on board - board safe) and my opponent rivers the Q (say goodbye to about $400. Pocket 8s, spike a third 8 on a rainbow flop/not connected, it all goes in (about $500 - opponent shows AA and yep, turns an A. Lastly, flop bottom end of straight with small suited connectors, opponent has A6 and calls my all in (again - about $400) and then goes runner/runner boat. Huh?? WTF?? At this point I'm shaking my head and trying to recall a similar run of suckouts - and frankly - I can't. Normally I don't "cry" about these types of situations as it is "poker", but I was a little dazed (I didn't actually cry - nor did I want to). I was slightly concerned that my roll wasn't going to hold up for the entire trip if this kept happening. Luckily craps and blackjack were keeping me alive (go figure). Exactly opposite of what I thought was going to happen.

On Saturday morning, wife and I eat at the Paris breakfast buffet (very good) and then head over to Bellagio where I convince her I need to play a 90 minute session. I get in the game, play extremely tight (unusual for me as I'm not mixing it up at all) and manage to take down a few pots and end the session up around $100.

Sunday or Monday I play a session over at TI after a very long stretch at the Venetian (back to back sessions) and unfortunately either played badly (probably the case) or just don't get the cards (also the case). Anyway, end up dumping more than I wanted to - probably around $600. The Dealers and Management continue to live up their stellar reputations, I just don't particularly like the feel of the room. It felt and looked like a dungeon after playing at Venetian all weekend. It is WAY too dark. Brighten up the place - please. It may be your only hopes of staying alive. Due to lack of players, or perhaps some other reason, they have resorted to closing the TI room late at night and re-opening at around 1030 AM.

Tuesday was the day I headed to Red Rock. I've been wanting to play that room for a while and decide to buy into the 2/5 NL for $500 and plan on playing 60-90 minutes (a purposely short session). All locals at the table - perhaps one tourist other than me. I call them all out on it, and within a few minutes they realize it's not my first rodeo. I do a LOT of folding to set up my image. There are some pretty big stacks on this table and they can easily felt me if I make a mistake. It is not the time to play loose - in any way shape or form. I finally play one hand - a suited Ace. I'm the original raiser (to $15), some big stacks come in - three or four callers. Board comes rags - not in my suit, checks back to me late in position and I make the continuation bet, and it's fold city. My image has set this hand up from the start. Of course they put me on a big pair. I muck without showing - go figure. I manage to steal one more pot and cash out after a 45 minute session up around $100. Way better than a stick in the eye is how I figure. Bottom line - bring your "A" game to Red Rock.

On to the bad beat story of the month - one of those WOWs that will make you scream (or the other guy in this case - actually a gal). Final morning in town, plane is leaving at 4PM. I get some sleep after KA (great show BTW) and wake up at about 1AM for my final session. Around 6 AM I'm at a really friendly action filled table (Venetian) and this girl is pushing people around. She is on a $700 swing up/down. During this particular hand, she has about $200 in front of her and I've got her covered. I look down to see KK. First thought - I found my Ace magnet, make a raise and fully expect to see an Ace on the flop. First card out of the gate Ace. Go figure. Hold up - the board is AKJ. Could be trouble. She bets out $35, I go into a slight act and say "I can't just call you" and push all in. She insta calls and tables AA for a flopped set of aces to my flopped set of kings. Ok, fine. It's going to happen - and fortunately it's only about $200 (as opposed to $500 or more). The funny thing about this situation is not less than 5 minutes prior to this hand, a player attempted to raise her small blind to $5. Dealer didn't catch it and SB and BB complete looking to get in cheap. Dealer was about to put the flop out and the raiser stops him and says he raised. She goes crazy, wants the floor excetera... this goes on for at least 3 or 4 minutes. I get irritatated and throw two bucks at her and tell her to just fold her hand - so we can move on. She's kind of nutty and of course the floor and dealer rule against her and tell her to either fold or complete the $5 raise (actually forgot what she did). Point of this story was karma was about to catch up. I river the case K and crack her AAAKK with KKKKA. By far the sickest suckout/badbeat I've ever seen! I was ecstatic - went wild (bad ettiquette - I know). Really was plain UGLY!! Still gives me a little chill thinking how good that K looked on the river! Ended the session up about $50 and bought the wife breakfast.

We check out of V and head to MGM as I've got about $200 in chips to play/convert back to cash. Poker is out of the question due to having the wife accompanying me. I roll up to a crap table and rapidly/magically turn my $200 into $100 - presto. I glance down the table as the crap dealers deliver the dice to a scruffy looking middle aged battle hardened woman (love it as I'm kind of scruffy myself). Let me just say this - she goes on one of the biggest HEATERS I've ever seen. I turn my now $100 into $1150 within about 18 minutes. It is just some sick rolling - I mean SICK. We are hitting hard 8s, hard 10s, hard 6s. She's making points left and right. It is just unbelievable luck (and timing on my part) - pure and simple. Had I put more up, I probably could have won over $3000 in that small stretch of time. As soon as she craps out, I color up. No fooling around. I take $100 of the money and turn it into $300 playing Blackjack - cash out and head for the airport.

Overall the trip was fantastic. After daily expenses (not including hotel/airfare) the trip costs me about $500. Considering the bad beats and over 50 hours of logged NL poker, I really can't complain about the outcome.

I've got a $250 credit with Southwest, so I may be coming back to town before the end of the year. Hope to see you all at the tables. Good luck!!