Semi-Detailed Vegas trip report
July 15th, 2013 at 11:17:37 AM
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I say Semi-Detailed because it's been a couple weeks so some details have disappeared into the ether.
Every year Mrs. Slyther gives me the opportunity to spend a few days in Vegas to play a couple of the semi-major poker tournaments with a couple buddies. Usually there are about 6 of us or so (which would have made reading last year's trip more interesting probably, but alas I didn't write it up), but this year it was just me and 1 other guy.
Monday 6/24:
I drop off Slyther Jr. at summer camp for the day, meet my buddy, and head off to the airport. We have a drink or two at the airport and then board. Our seats are aisle-aisle in the back of a Alaska Airlines 737-800. Several minutes in to the flight a lady a row or two behind us gets my attention and hollers at me that I'm being too loud. She had an elderly gentleman with her and it appears that he had tried to catch my attention before that. She didn't ask me very tactfully to quiet down, but I wasn't interested in making a scene so we toned it down. I felt that we weren't too loud, just talking over the engines and such, but I had a couple drinks too so that might have had something to do with it. Oh well whatever. As we are coming in to Vegas, it's a bumpy ride as is usual on the hot days, but this time it's rougher than usual. My buddy, who is a flight test engineer at a 'major aerospace company' notes that we are taking a rather aggressive descent. We are landing to the West and it's getting bumpier the closer we get. It turns out it was pretty windy that day. Eventually we touch down but it was definitely not a smooth landing. I hate crosswind landings, not sure why they didn't hsve us land on the north-south runway. The plane applauds. As we are getting off the plane that same lady that was telling me to shut up is doing everything she can to cram her way off the plane. My buddy intentionally takes extra time getting his gear out of the overhead to slow her down as she is practically shoving into him. The new terminal is nice! No tram to take, just grab your gear and walk outside to the cab stand.
We grab our gear and cab it to Mirage. The cab drive takes the proper route without us having to say anything. We ask him how EDC was and he said it was the usual nonsense. We are a little early for checkin, I think it was about 1pm or so. The Mirage front desk runs a Wendy's style line and we didn't have to wait long. I had booked a standard 2-queen room via MLife for $40/nt + resort fee. I go for the $20 trick and am successful as the agent puts us in a 'Tower Deluxe' which is on one of the suite levels with full pool and partial strip view to the south.
We head down to the pool but it's pretty packed so we grab a couple rounds at the pool bar and hang out there for a bit. Eventually it's time to go back up stairs to change as we have 7:30pm reservations at Tender steakhouse at Luxor (courtesy of MyVegas). We decide to be lazy and cab it down there. It was a SLOW ride, traffic. We get there and pick up the MyVegas voucher. Had a really nice dinner at Tender. I had wine, Tomato Basil soup, 8oz Omaha Filet Mignon (medium) , Gratin Potatoes. All of it was excellent. The waiter asked if I wanted a sauce accompaniment for the steak. I asked if it needed it, he said no it stands alone just fine and he was right. The waitstaff were very attentive. We declined a professional photo. We were going to skip dessert but the Cherries Jubilee Shortcake caught my eye so I ordered that. It was amazing. The manager stopped by to see how we were doing and we had a discussion about how they aren't allowed to flame the cherries table-side anymore.
After dinner we walk over to MGM to give the Lion's Share a try. I couldn't find it and had to ask where it was. Perhaps that got us a quicker cash-out since the high-limit attendant knew we were playing it. We head back north on the monorail and dink around for awhile and eventually crash.
Every year Mrs. Slyther gives me the opportunity to spend a few days in Vegas to play a couple of the semi-major poker tournaments with a couple buddies. Usually there are about 6 of us or so (which would have made reading last year's trip more interesting probably, but alas I didn't write it up), but this year it was just me and 1 other guy.
Monday 6/24:
I drop off Slyther Jr. at summer camp for the day, meet my buddy, and head off to the airport. We have a drink or two at the airport and then board. Our seats are aisle-aisle in the back of a Alaska Airlines 737-800. Several minutes in to the flight a lady a row or two behind us gets my attention and hollers at me that I'm being too loud. She had an elderly gentleman with her and it appears that he had tried to catch my attention before that. She didn't ask me very tactfully to quiet down, but I wasn't interested in making a scene so we toned it down. I felt that we weren't too loud, just talking over the engines and such, but I had a couple drinks too so that might have had something to do with it. Oh well whatever. As we are coming in to Vegas, it's a bumpy ride as is usual on the hot days, but this time it's rougher than usual. My buddy, who is a flight test engineer at a 'major aerospace company' notes that we are taking a rather aggressive descent. We are landing to the West and it's getting bumpier the closer we get. It turns out it was pretty windy that day. Eventually we touch down but it was definitely not a smooth landing. I hate crosswind landings, not sure why they didn't hsve us land on the north-south runway. The plane applauds. As we are getting off the plane that same lady that was telling me to shut up is doing everything she can to cram her way off the plane. My buddy intentionally takes extra time getting his gear out of the overhead to slow her down as she is practically shoving into him. The new terminal is nice! No tram to take, just grab your gear and walk outside to the cab stand.
We grab our gear and cab it to Mirage. The cab drive takes the proper route without us having to say anything. We ask him how EDC was and he said it was the usual nonsense. We are a little early for checkin, I think it was about 1pm or so. The Mirage front desk runs a Wendy's style line and we didn't have to wait long. I had booked a standard 2-queen room via MLife for $40/nt + resort fee. I go for the $20 trick and am successful as the agent puts us in a 'Tower Deluxe' which is on one of the suite levels with full pool and partial strip view to the south.
We head down to the pool but it's pretty packed so we grab a couple rounds at the pool bar and hang out there for a bit. Eventually it's time to go back up stairs to change as we have 7:30pm reservations at Tender steakhouse at Luxor (courtesy of MyVegas). We decide to be lazy and cab it down there. It was a SLOW ride, traffic. We get there and pick up the MyVegas voucher. Had a really nice dinner at Tender. I had wine, Tomato Basil soup, 8oz Omaha Filet Mignon (medium) , Gratin Potatoes. All of it was excellent. The waiter asked if I wanted a sauce accompaniment for the steak. I asked if it needed it, he said no it stands alone just fine and he was right. The waitstaff were very attentive. We declined a professional photo. We were going to skip dessert but the Cherries Jubilee Shortcake caught my eye so I ordered that. It was amazing. The manager stopped by to see how we were doing and we had a discussion about how they aren't allowed to flame the cherries table-side anymore.
After dinner we walk over to MGM to give the Lion's Share a try. I couldn't find it and had to ask where it was. Perhaps that got us a quicker cash-out since the high-limit attendant knew we were playing it. We head back north on the monorail and dink around for awhile and eventually crash.
July 16th, 2013 at 9:59:39 AM
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(sorry no pix in this)
Tue 6/25
Today we start our 'business' (poker) part of the trip. Our event for the day will be the $235 WSOP Daily deepstack which starts at 3pm. We hop over to the McD across the street from Mirage to grab a couple breakfast burritos (because we are cheap like that) and then head out to the Mirage pool for a bit. If I remember right it was about 105 degrees which is too hot for me but in the morning it was fine.
At 12:30 a friend of mine that lives in town picked us up and we head over to In N Out (Tropicana) for lunch. It was massively crowded there as usual so instead she took us to a different store further north. I had my usual Double Double, Mustard Fried, Fries well done. D-lish.
Then it's off to Rio. We get signed up for the new WSOP.COM online poker site because even though we are not Nevada residents, they were giving away a buyin to each day's WSOP event to a random draw of people that signed up. Alas we didn't get picked for any of those. We take our seats in the 3pm event and are under way. We both get full double ups in the first level and are off to a great start. Unfortunately that didn't last long and we are both out by the second break.
We plan to take the shuttle back to Harrah's and just hang out until the 10pm nightly $55 TI tournament. Then we recall that I had a MyVegas award for a $50 food/beverage credit at Monte Carlo. So instead we hop the shuttle to Bally's, cross over to Bellagio, and take the City Center monorail to Monte Carlo. We decide to redeem the $50 at Diablo's Cantina. This turns out to be a great choice. My buddy is able to get us a couple spots at the bar while I get the voucher. They even had the Mariners/Pirates game on so we were able to watch the M's lose again. My buddy had steak fajitas and I had some variation of street tacos with chicken in them. The food and margaritas were great. It's kind of annoying that they charge for Chips and Salsa however.
We decide that there's just enough time to get back to TI in time for the 10pm tournament if we hustle. We are too cheap to cab in strip traffic of course so we bolt over to MGM to take the monorail back. We get to TI's new poker room and register. Unfortunately the tourney is under way with 2 full tables and a few alternates. They said we would get in. Of course in these nightly turbo style tourneys you don't really want to start late but we didn't have much of an option.
It looked like they were ready to start a 3rd table, however the earlier tournament's final table was still going. There were 2 players left and a total of under 10 Big Blinds on the table and they weren't chopping. Eventually it ended and they seated us. By now it was the 3rd level and it's pretty much shove or fold. Needless to say that didn't go well. We head back to Mirage and play some VPoker at the Sports Bar (10 credit .25 7/5 JoB but only 5 credits required to get drinks) and throw a few back while observing the hookers do their thing and eventually call it a night.
Tue 6/25
Today we start our 'business' (poker) part of the trip. Our event for the day will be the $235 WSOP Daily deepstack which starts at 3pm. We hop over to the McD across the street from Mirage to grab a couple breakfast burritos (because we are cheap like that) and then head out to the Mirage pool for a bit. If I remember right it was about 105 degrees which is too hot for me but in the morning it was fine.
At 12:30 a friend of mine that lives in town picked us up and we head over to In N Out (Tropicana) for lunch. It was massively crowded there as usual so instead she took us to a different store further north. I had my usual Double Double, Mustard Fried, Fries well done. D-lish.
Then it's off to Rio. We get signed up for the new WSOP.COM online poker site because even though we are not Nevada residents, they were giving away a buyin to each day's WSOP event to a random draw of people that signed up. Alas we didn't get picked for any of those. We take our seats in the 3pm event and are under way. We both get full double ups in the first level and are off to a great start. Unfortunately that didn't last long and we are both out by the second break.
We plan to take the shuttle back to Harrah's and just hang out until the 10pm nightly $55 TI tournament. Then we recall that I had a MyVegas award for a $50 food/beverage credit at Monte Carlo. So instead we hop the shuttle to Bally's, cross over to Bellagio, and take the City Center monorail to Monte Carlo. We decide to redeem the $50 at Diablo's Cantina. This turns out to be a great choice. My buddy is able to get us a couple spots at the bar while I get the voucher. They even had the Mariners/Pirates game on so we were able to watch the M's lose again. My buddy had steak fajitas and I had some variation of street tacos with chicken in them. The food and margaritas were great. It's kind of annoying that they charge for Chips and Salsa however.
We decide that there's just enough time to get back to TI in time for the 10pm tournament if we hustle. We are too cheap to cab in strip traffic of course so we bolt over to MGM to take the monorail back. We get to TI's new poker room and register. Unfortunately the tourney is under way with 2 full tables and a few alternates. They said we would get in. Of course in these nightly turbo style tourneys you don't really want to start late but we didn't have much of an option.
It looked like they were ready to start a 3rd table, however the earlier tournament's final table was still going. There were 2 players left and a total of under 10 Big Blinds on the table and they weren't chopping. Eventually it ended and they seated us. By now it was the 3rd level and it's pretty much shove or fold. Needless to say that didn't go well. We head back to Mirage and play some VPoker at the Sports Bar (10 credit .25 7/5 JoB but only 5 credits required to get drinks) and throw a few back while observing the hookers do their thing and eventually call it a night.
July 16th, 2013 at 5:58:54 PM
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Tender is great! I have been twice and both times the service and food have been outstanding. I'm on a mission to try all the steakhouses on the strip. I started about a year and half ago (visiting vegas about 4 times a year) and have been to 5 different ones. So far, Tender is my #1. Unfortunately I didn't get to one on my last trip in late June and I'm itching to get back.
July 16th, 2013 at 7:39:46 PM
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Since we're talking about steak houses on the strip...
If you go to the steak house at the Bellagio, the most expensive bottle of wine there is $58,370 (or at least it was last year). Assuming it comes in a standard 750mL bottle, that works out to about $383.60 per teaspoon. For that price, I would hope it is 199 proof and tastes like Kool-Aid.
The tax alone (6.85%) is $3,998. I can't help but wonder if you would be expected to tip 20% of its price if you ordered it. Realistically, the waiter will be doing the same amount of work as if it were a $50 bottle of wine. On the other hand, if you can afford to spend over $62,000 on a bottle of wine, you can probably also afford an $11,000 to $12,000 tip.
If you go to the steak house at the Bellagio, the most expensive bottle of wine there is $58,370 (or at least it was last year). Assuming it comes in a standard 750mL bottle, that works out to about $383.60 per teaspoon. For that price, I would hope it is 199 proof and tastes like Kool-Aid.
The tax alone (6.85%) is $3,998. I can't help but wonder if you would be expected to tip 20% of its price if you ordered it. Realistically, the waiter will be doing the same amount of work as if it were a $50 bottle of wine. On the other hand, if you can afford to spend over $62,000 on a bottle of wine, you can probably also afford an $11,000 to $12,000 tip.
July 16th, 2013 at 8:28:06 PM
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I don't think I'll be hitting up the Bellagio steakhouse anytime soon! I can't imagine a reasonable waiter would expect the tip amount to include that particular bottle wine....but you're right, if you can afford the wine you can most certainly afford the tip. I wouldn't mind being the waiter for that table!
July 17th, 2013 at 8:01:21 AM
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The Wizard has a story (which I'm sure he's told before here) about going to a comped dinner with a host and being stuck with the tip on an $X,XXX bottle of wine.
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
July 17th, 2013 at 9:48:44 AM
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Quote: JBSince we're talking about steak houses on the strip...
If you go to the steak house at the Bellagio, the most expensive bottle of wine there is $58,370 (or at least it was last year). Assuming it comes in a standard 750mL bottle, that works out to about $383.60 per teaspoon. For that price, I would hope it is 199 proof and tastes like Kool-Aid.
750ml bottle of Everclear 190-proof, about $20.
Box of Grape Kool-Aid packets, about $5.
Therefore, for roughly $0.16 per teaspoon, you can have a Screaming Purple Jesus.
Note that 190 proof, 95% alcohol, is about as high as ethanol can get when exposed to air. 100% ethanol is hygroscopic and actually sucks water out of the air to dilute itself, so it has to be distilled and stored in a sealed environment. You can buy it from scientific supply companies but, without a permit, you have to pay federal alcohol taxes well in excess of 100%:
https://us.vwr.com/store/catalog/product.jsp?product_id=7756057
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice."
-- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
July 17th, 2013 at 10:13:27 AM
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I noticed that the Harrah's steakhouse where you take the elevator up a couple floors is now a Ruth's Chris.
On last year's trip we (8 guys) went to a Brazilian style steakhouse a little east of the strip called Fogo De Chao and I dont think any of us were able to move afterwords.
On to day 3:
Wednesday June 26.
This was the day I was waiting for, as we would be playing the $500 NL Hold 'Em Deepstack Extravaganza event at Palazzo. I love playing there and I had cashed in the previous 2 DSE events I played there.
We get up early and my buddy heads to the pool just for a bit and I drop by the $10 dice table that is open at Mirage. I buyin for $200 and 15 minutes later that has disappeared without a point being made. Eventually we grab lunch at McD on the way to Palazzo and sit for the tournament. I chip up in the early levels but then go card dead. Luckily the DSE structure is very friendly and I can sit back and wait, which is my game anyway. After the 2nd break I'm nursing a short stack with targeted shoves, etc. I caught a pair with 10-9 to run down a big Ace to stay alive at one point.
My table eventually broke just before the 3rd break. At the new table I was down to under 10 big blinds and I woke up with some cards. I double up and chip up a bit and am getting back into the mix. (WARNING: Bad Beat story follows - skip the next 2 paragraphs if you don't want to hear about it)
With the blinds at 600/1200/100 it is folded to the hijack (with about 60,000 chips or so), who raises to something like 2600, which was pretty standard at this table. It's folded to me on the button (with about 35,000 chips or so) and I have A-Q. I call and the blinds fold (I probably should 3-bet here, something I don't do nearly enough of). The flop is 6-6-3. The raiser leads out for probably something like 4500 and I decide that the flop didn't change anything so I will float it and see what happens on the turn. I call. The turn is another 3 and he checks. I bet something like 6000. He thinks for a moment and then shoves. I went into the tank on this one, usually i can make my decisions pretty quickly but I struggled with this.
A cardinal rule that I learned online is to not call when you think you are chopping because half the time you will be wrong and the other guy had you beat the whole way. That could easily be the case here as he could have been sitting on an overpair the whole time. But for some reason i just didn't buy it. If he's on the overpair he's gonna walk the dog, especially now that I've all but announced I have an Ace. I decide he's on an Ace and trying to push me out so he doesn't have to chop it. I drop my head and reluctantly call and flip over my cards. He sheepishly turns over K-10 for a bluff. I was starting to perk up until the dealer peeled off a King on the river to knock me out. So it turns out my call was right, but kind of for the wrong reason. Nonetheless a couple players at the table gave me props for making the call. I bust out about 120th out of 570 just before the dinner break. I'm pretty proud of my hero call there however.
My buddy had busted earlier and was already back at Mirage playing their nightly $60 tourney, so I used my $10 food comp from the DSE event over at the Venetian food court then caught up with him. He busted the Mirage tourney and we decide it's time to slum it and get our drink on so over to Casino Royale we go. My buddy saddles up to the Roulette table and for me it's Blackjack Switch and cocktails. As usual the cocktail service is great. We picked up the player's club coupon sheet which included a double pay on your first blackjack which was a nice little bonus. 4 hours later my buddy is down a couple hundo at the Roulette table and I am down $40 at Switch (varying my bet from $5-$15 per hand) and we are both fairly blasted. Eventually we stumble home to Mirage.
On last year's trip we (8 guys) went to a Brazilian style steakhouse a little east of the strip called Fogo De Chao and I dont think any of us were able to move afterwords.
On to day 3:
Wednesday June 26.
This was the day I was waiting for, as we would be playing the $500 NL Hold 'Em Deepstack Extravaganza event at Palazzo. I love playing there and I had cashed in the previous 2 DSE events I played there.
We get up early and my buddy heads to the pool just for a bit and I drop by the $10 dice table that is open at Mirage. I buyin for $200 and 15 minutes later that has disappeared without a point being made. Eventually we grab lunch at McD on the way to Palazzo and sit for the tournament. I chip up in the early levels but then go card dead. Luckily the DSE structure is very friendly and I can sit back and wait, which is my game anyway. After the 2nd break I'm nursing a short stack with targeted shoves, etc. I caught a pair with 10-9 to run down a big Ace to stay alive at one point.
My table eventually broke just before the 3rd break. At the new table I was down to under 10 big blinds and I woke up with some cards. I double up and chip up a bit and am getting back into the mix. (WARNING: Bad Beat story follows - skip the next 2 paragraphs if you don't want to hear about it)
With the blinds at 600/1200/100 it is folded to the hijack (with about 60,000 chips or so), who raises to something like 2600, which was pretty standard at this table. It's folded to me on the button (with about 35,000 chips or so) and I have A-Q. I call and the blinds fold (I probably should 3-bet here, something I don't do nearly enough of). The flop is 6-6-3. The raiser leads out for probably something like 4500 and I decide that the flop didn't change anything so I will float it and see what happens on the turn. I call. The turn is another 3 and he checks. I bet something like 6000. He thinks for a moment and then shoves. I went into the tank on this one, usually i can make my decisions pretty quickly but I struggled with this.
A cardinal rule that I learned online is to not call when you think you are chopping because half the time you will be wrong and the other guy had you beat the whole way. That could easily be the case here as he could have been sitting on an overpair the whole time. But for some reason i just didn't buy it. If he's on the overpair he's gonna walk the dog, especially now that I've all but announced I have an Ace. I decide he's on an Ace and trying to push me out so he doesn't have to chop it. I drop my head and reluctantly call and flip over my cards. He sheepishly turns over K-10 for a bluff. I was starting to perk up until the dealer peeled off a King on the river to knock me out. So it turns out my call was right, but kind of for the wrong reason. Nonetheless a couple players at the table gave me props for making the call. I bust out about 120th out of 570 just before the dinner break. I'm pretty proud of my hero call there however.
My buddy had busted earlier and was already back at Mirage playing their nightly $60 tourney, so I used my $10 food comp from the DSE event over at the Venetian food court then caught up with him. He busted the Mirage tourney and we decide it's time to slum it and get our drink on so over to Casino Royale we go. My buddy saddles up to the Roulette table and for me it's Blackjack Switch and cocktails. As usual the cocktail service is great. We picked up the player's club coupon sheet which included a double pay on your first blackjack which was a nice little bonus. 4 hours later my buddy is down a couple hundo at the Roulette table and I am down $40 at Switch (varying my bet from $5-$15 per hand) and we are both fairly blasted. Eventually we stumble home to Mirage.
July 17th, 2013 at 10:40:03 AM
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Quote: miplet
thx for the link.
and the wiz wasnt 'stuck' w/the tip. he volunteered to pay the tip (b4 he saw the bill) since the other person was paying for the meal.
and what did th wiz do? the linked thread didnt have a conclusion
Craps is paradise (Pair of dice).
Lets hear it for the SpeedCount Mathletes :)
July 17th, 2013 at 1:46:21 PM
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Quote: MathExtremistTherefore, for roughly $0.16 per teaspoon, you can have a Screaming Purple Jesus.
the nerds of the internet world have again delighted in using the word "forbidden" [which always makes me think they are not quite grown up] when I try to access the site.
alternate site:
http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink1818.html
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: “Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell!” She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
July 17th, 2013 at 6:06:49 PM
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Quote: slytherOn last year's trip we (8 guys) went to a Brazilian style steakhouse a little east of the strip called Fogo De Chao and I dont think any of us were able to move afterwords.
FDC is on the northwest corner of Flamingo and Paradise.
Actually, there are a number of "Brazilian steakhouses" (Churrascarias) that serve rodizio (that's the "all you can meat" where the servers come by with a particular item and slice off some for you) in Vegas; I know about Samba at the Mirage, Pampas at the Miracle Mile shops (although I have not heard good things about it), FDC (best I've had), and Via Brasil (I wanted to go there on my most recent trip but couldn't quite make it for various reasons). I think there's another one somewhere near the Silverton or South Point.
July 17th, 2013 at 7:13:12 PM
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I've been to FDC and samba. Both are fantastic. Samba is $40 plus tax and tip. I'd highly recommend it. All you can eat quality meats. The only problem is i over eat and feel stuffed for about an hour afterwards.
July 17th, 2013 at 8:07:42 PM
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Quote: BeardgoatI've been to FDC and samba. Both are fantastic. Samba is $40 plus tax and tip. I'd highly recommend it. All you can eat quality meats. The only problem is i over eat and feel stuffed for about an hour afterwards.
Those places are dangerous. They were much in vogue in Mexico some years ago, and over-eating was a distinct possibility every time. The fixed price all but encourages it, and unlike buffets there's little chance for simple variety or complex combinations (besides all they serve is meat). The last time I went to one, they had an unlimited salad bar, too. I directed my attentions there (someone else footed the bill anyway).
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
July 18th, 2013 at 9:19:03 AM
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Day 4
Thursday June 27
I forgot to mention that Wednesday's $500 tournament had at least a couple famous faces in it. It was the day of the $111,111 One Drop event at WSOP so a few of the regulars played Venetian instead. I saw Dennis Phillips and former champ Jerry Yang.
Man the poker just hasn't been working out. But today's a new day. Of course first we have to kick our Casino Royale hangovers (mine was almost non-existent), so we hop over to Walgreen's to pick up some meds. Then it's over to Fashion Show Mall for food court lunch (we both go with Phillys, which we liked) then off to Rio.
Today's event for us is once again the 3pm WSOP Daily $235 deepstack. One again there isn't much to tell as I bust after the first break. My buddy still has chips (though not for long) so I decide to cab it solo back over to Mirage to take my shot at the nightly 7pm $60 tournament they run. This is my last shot for the trip.
The Mirage tournament is pretty fun. Definitely low key and turbo (20 minute levels with blinds basically doubling each level), but a fun group of people to play with. I'm playing for fun at this point so I start ordering 7&7's. Eventually the field of 54 is down to the final table and I'm still in it, albeit with a short stack. I had to crack A-A with my A-J making a runner runner flush to get there, it's nice to be on the right side of one of those from time to time.
With 10 left there is a big confrontation between the 2 big stacks while a shorter stack is all in. For some unknown reason the shorter of the big stacks decides to shove into a dry side pot with A-K on a 9-hi flop. Turns out the chipleader has 9-9. oops. That's a double elimination and we are on the bubble.
The tournament is paying 7 players, but everyone agrees to pony up $15 to pay 8th place. Eventually I get it in with a middle pair against the chip leader's over cards and he busts me in 6th for a $168 payout. At least I didn't go 0-fer on the trip.
It's now about 11pm and I haven't eaten since lunch at 1 (and I've been drinking those 7&7's) so we hop into California Pizza Kitchen. I had the Chicken Tequila Fettuccine and loved it. Needless to say I wolfed it down. AS we are walking out we notice that they have the entrance roped off. CPK in Vegas closes at night? Who knew?
The rest of the night is spent playing video poker. Still no Royals ever for me. WE debate trudging back down to MGM to give the Lion's Share another go but decide it's too far away.
Thursday June 27
I forgot to mention that Wednesday's $500 tournament had at least a couple famous faces in it. It was the day of the $111,111 One Drop event at WSOP so a few of the regulars played Venetian instead. I saw Dennis Phillips and former champ Jerry Yang.
Man the poker just hasn't been working out. But today's a new day. Of course first we have to kick our Casino Royale hangovers (mine was almost non-existent), so we hop over to Walgreen's to pick up some meds. Then it's over to Fashion Show Mall for food court lunch (we both go with Phillys, which we liked) then off to Rio.
Today's event for us is once again the 3pm WSOP Daily $235 deepstack. One again there isn't much to tell as I bust after the first break. My buddy still has chips (though not for long) so I decide to cab it solo back over to Mirage to take my shot at the nightly 7pm $60 tournament they run. This is my last shot for the trip.
The Mirage tournament is pretty fun. Definitely low key and turbo (20 minute levels with blinds basically doubling each level), but a fun group of people to play with. I'm playing for fun at this point so I start ordering 7&7's. Eventually the field of 54 is down to the final table and I'm still in it, albeit with a short stack. I had to crack A-A with my A-J making a runner runner flush to get there, it's nice to be on the right side of one of those from time to time.
With 10 left there is a big confrontation between the 2 big stacks while a shorter stack is all in. For some unknown reason the shorter of the big stacks decides to shove into a dry side pot with A-K on a 9-hi flop. Turns out the chipleader has 9-9. oops. That's a double elimination and we are on the bubble.
The tournament is paying 7 players, but everyone agrees to pony up $15 to pay 8th place. Eventually I get it in with a middle pair against the chip leader's over cards and he busts me in 6th for a $168 payout. At least I didn't go 0-fer on the trip.
It's now about 11pm and I haven't eaten since lunch at 1 (and I've been drinking those 7&7's) so we hop into California Pizza Kitchen. I had the Chicken Tequila Fettuccine and loved it. Needless to say I wolfed it down. AS we are walking out we notice that they have the entrance roped off. CPK in Vegas closes at night? Who knew?
The rest of the night is spent playing video poker. Still no Royals ever for me. WE debate trudging back down to MGM to give the Lion's Share another go but decide it's too far away.
July 18th, 2013 at 9:39:10 AM
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Quote: slytherDay 4
Thursday June 27
... so I decide to cab it solo back over to Mirage to take my shot at the nightly 7pm $60 tournament they run.
.
.
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It's now about 11pm....
It looks like our Vegas trips sort of "crossed paths" on this night (the 27th).
Although neither one of us could have known it, while you were playing in the poker room at the Mirage, my son and I were standing there a few feet away at the Mirage box office a little before 10pm picking up our Cirque tickets for later on in the trip.
Small world!
You serious, Clark?
July 18th, 2013 at 9:52:53 AM
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Quote: blount2000It looks like our Vegas trips sort of "crossed paths" on this night (the 27th).
Although neither one of us could have known it, while you were playing in the poker room at the Mirage, my son and I were standing there a few feet away at the Mirage box office a little before 10pm picking up our Cirque tickets for later on in the trip.
Small world!
At that same time you could have spotted me at the mirage playing a 6 deck S17 blackjack table. I would have played the double deck game but there was a cigar smoker over there.
"Truth is ever to be found in the simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things."
-- Isaac Newton
July 18th, 2013 at 12:08:41 PM
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Quote: NareedThose places are dangerous. They were much in vogue in Mexico some years ago, and over-eating was a distinct possibility every time. The fixed price all but encourages it, and unlike buffets there's little chance for simple variety or complex combinations (besides all they serve is meat). The last time I went to one, they had an unlimited salad bar, too. I directed my attentions there (someone else footed the bill anyway).
Well of course overeating is an option. Isn't that the point?... :) Seriously though the only one of these places I've been to is Fogo de Chao...it was delicious. If I recall correctly they had a huge salad bar as well...with lots of cheeses and olives as well. I believe you can just order the salad bar if you don't want an onslaught of meat. But who in their right mind would want that.
July 19th, 2013 at 9:51:40 AM
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Funny that a bunch of us were all within a stone's throw of each other.
OK wrapping it up:
I forgot to mention that late Thursday night we went to the front desk to inquire about late check out. 1-OAK was up and running and goodness gracious they get some NICE clientele. The ladies were looking great. We got a laugh from one of the bouncers who was definitely full of himself. A group of 4 ladies decided they didn't want to walk thru all the ropes (the line was nearly empty) so they unhooked one of the ropes so that they wouldn't have to climb over. He walked over to adjust the rope an gave them a dirty look. Then he noticed that 1 of tem was wearing sandals and he was not going to let them in. They batted their eyes and everything but he wasn't having it. 4 gorgeous ladies not admitted because he was on an ego trip. I should have offered to help them lol.
Friday June 28th
We wake up, lamenting that the trip is about over and that between us we only have 1 min-cash in a combined 10 events played. We drop off our bags at the bell desk ad check out. We haven't been to Margaritaville yet so we head that way for lunch. Volcano Nachos at the bar and margaritas. I also sit at the $10 PaiGow table in the Margaritaville casino for a little bit. The other folks convince me to play $5 on the side bet (I know, I know...but I hadn't won a lick all trip so why not). I actually pull quite a few straights and flushes and full houses. I played for just about an hour and cashed out even.
Then we head back to Mirage to get ready to leave. Mirage has a wide open $10 Blackjack Switch table and I can't resist. I get about an hour of play in before we have to leave. The dealer was very friendly, quick witted, and offered me suggestions a couple times. The highlight of this mini session was when I had $15 bets and was dealt 3,8 and 3,3 and the dealer had a bust card up, a 5 I think. I ended up splitting the 3's twice, and doubling three times. Unfortunately the dealer made a hand and when it was all said and done I lost 2 bets on the hand. There were a couple other players at the table to watch this hand and we had a lot of fun with it.
After that it was time to head home. We grab a cab and head to the airport. Alaska flies out of the new terminal and man it's nice and spacious. It kind of reminds me of John Wayne airport where it's just a long aisle of gates and then you walk right to bag claim and the taxi stand right outside the door. Our cab driver was grumbling about how much they spent on it. (BTW it was 115 degrees this day...cookin' !)
We played some vpoker at the airport and won a little bit. We board the plane and head home. And that's about it.
OK wrapping it up:
I forgot to mention that late Thursday night we went to the front desk to inquire about late check out. 1-OAK was up and running and goodness gracious they get some NICE clientele. The ladies were looking great. We got a laugh from one of the bouncers who was definitely full of himself. A group of 4 ladies decided they didn't want to walk thru all the ropes (the line was nearly empty) so they unhooked one of the ropes so that they wouldn't have to climb over. He walked over to adjust the rope an gave them a dirty look. Then he noticed that 1 of tem was wearing sandals and he was not going to let them in. They batted their eyes and everything but he wasn't having it. 4 gorgeous ladies not admitted because he was on an ego trip. I should have offered to help them lol.
Friday June 28th
We wake up, lamenting that the trip is about over and that between us we only have 1 min-cash in a combined 10 events played. We drop off our bags at the bell desk ad check out. We haven't been to Margaritaville yet so we head that way for lunch. Volcano Nachos at the bar and margaritas. I also sit at the $10 PaiGow table in the Margaritaville casino for a little bit. The other folks convince me to play $5 on the side bet (I know, I know...but I hadn't won a lick all trip so why not). I actually pull quite a few straights and flushes and full houses. I played for just about an hour and cashed out even.
Then we head back to Mirage to get ready to leave. Mirage has a wide open $10 Blackjack Switch table and I can't resist. I get about an hour of play in before we have to leave. The dealer was very friendly, quick witted, and offered me suggestions a couple times. The highlight of this mini session was when I had $15 bets and was dealt 3,8 and 3,3 and the dealer had a bust card up, a 5 I think. I ended up splitting the 3's twice, and doubling three times. Unfortunately the dealer made a hand and when it was all said and done I lost 2 bets on the hand. There were a couple other players at the table to watch this hand and we had a lot of fun with it.
After that it was time to head home. We grab a cab and head to the airport. Alaska flies out of the new terminal and man it's nice and spacious. It kind of reminds me of John Wayne airport where it's just a long aisle of gates and then you walk right to bag claim and the taxi stand right outside the door. Our cab driver was grumbling about how much they spent on it. (BTW it was 115 degrees this day...cookin' !)
We played some vpoker at the airport and won a little bit. We board the plane and head home. And that's about it.
July 19th, 2013 at 5:09:39 PM
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Thanks for sharing! I know these things take effort...I keep putting off trying to write mine...lol
July 19th, 2013 at 9:32:43 PM
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No problem. It may not have been the most interesting writeup, but it's something. My Disneyland trip reports on a different site are more detailed, probably because drinking isn't involved. :)
On next year's trip we should have more of the 'regulars' again so there will be more hijinks.
On next year's trip we should have more of the 'regulars' again so there will be more hijinks.
November 25th, 2013 at 6:24:59 PM
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[It's folded to me on the button (with about 35,000 chips or so) and I have A-Q. I call and the blinds fold (I probably should 3-bet here, something I don't do nearly enough of).
A lot of guys will always sit on a hand in position simply because of the perceived "bluff value" here. You are in control of the pot because of your position but since you didn't represent your hand you got burned by, admittedly, a bad beat.
A lot of guys will also just limp in under the gun with a big pocket pair, trying to illicit a raise from rags or perhaps suited connectors...problem is those hands are tailor made to take down Aces.
Sometimes a hand can play out a certain way and other times you need to adjust.
As it turned out, there wasn't much you could have done anyway.
Nice trip report.
A lot of guys will always sit on a hand in position simply because of the perceived "bluff value" here. You are in control of the pot because of your position but since you didn't represent your hand you got burned by, admittedly, a bad beat.
A lot of guys will also just limp in under the gun with a big pocket pair, trying to illicit a raise from rags or perhaps suited connectors...problem is those hands are tailor made to take down Aces.
Sometimes a hand can play out a certain way and other times you need to adjust.
As it turned out, there wasn't much you could have done anyway.
Nice trip report.
“There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.” - Winston Churchill
