This was my second “Poker” trip to Vegas, a buddy and I went in October with our wives, and had a ball, so the wives got us another trip as a Christmas present. (Best gift ever). It was a quick trip flew in Friday morning and left Saturday night.

First stop (after checking in) was Mirage for a quick $50 win at 6-12 limit. Nice room friendly staff no complaints, unfortunately we didn’t make it back, maybe next trip.

Next up was MGM, had a blast, first shot at NL cash game. I was at a pretty tight table, no real big pots, but enough action to keep your attention. Walked away up $250 after about 4 hours. Then the rookie blunders. Head over to Margarittaville and of course partake in several margaritas and a cheeseburger. After a couple hours I figure I need to get back to the table and get some more of that $ that’s calling my name. WRONG!

I head over to Caesars and found out real quick I don’t play so well after a few drinks. Ok, I took a $200 hit. I’m still up. I’ll just sit here in the sports book and check out all the beautiful scenery lining up to get into the night club. I suck down several waters and a few diet cokes and start feeling pretty good again.

Ok I’m ready, my buddy and I head down to Fremont street to catch the 2AM tourney at Binion’s, we get in on a NL cash game while we’re waiting. About 30 min into the game (which was slooooow) I find myself struggling to keep my eyes open. (I’d been up for almost 22 hours at this point with some big adrenalin and alcohol swings) I’m setting there telling myself. Just go to bed, get up and leave, this is stupid. LEAVE!!. But know, another $200 down, now I go to bed.

Next day, get up feeling great, got the good night sleep I needed and head out to get more of that $ that’s calling my name. Hit the Plaza for a $35 sit and go, get to 3 players let and one of the guys suggest a 3 way split, we were all about even in chips, and I’m guaranteed a $65 win, sure I’ll take it. In retrospect I kind a wished I would have played it out, oh well, next time. We hop on a bus and head to Mandalay Bay, neither one of us had played here before and both wanted to check it out.

Get sat at a 2-4 NL game pick up pocket Q’s about an hour into play, re raise a guy from early position get one caller and he re raises $50 more, I move all in with my last $150. Both called, three of us to the flop two of us all in, (I figure I’m up against AA and KK) callers turn over 99, and AA, no one improves on flop or turn, I’m getting out of my chair to leave when the Q hits. I just about fall over, so now I’m up pretty big (for my bank roll). I get called to move to the main NL table. I stay give back about $150 in the next hour or two. I pick up pocket 4’s in mid position. Call the $4 hoping to see a cheap flop, (not likely at this table) late position raises to $24 total, I call, flop comes 4, 3, Q rainbow (Bingo) I ‘ first to act and bet $40 into about a $100 pot, LP comes over the top for $100, I move all in. I figure he has 2 pair or AQ. He quickly calls, now I’m thinking F##$@# I’m going to get beet by a set of Q’s. I flip over my set of 4’s, he just smiles, I’m thinking I’m dead, he show pocket 3’s neither of us improve I win my second big pot. I have about an hour before my flight and don’t want to play rushed, so I rack up my chips and head to the bar to enjoy an ice cold beer and the beautiful scenery that was blessing the casino that day.

Man I love this town.