Have been enjoying all the TRs recently and I wanted to try a semi-live TR again. I tried TRs in each of my last 3 annual trips, but don’t know how to link them here. Unfortunately, I didn’t finish any of them, so they’re all anticlimactic! But I’m going to try my best to complete this one.

I recently quit my job (last day was on 4/26) and start a new job on 5/6. My wonderful wife had pity on me and suggested that I go to Vegas for a few days before I start my new job as I won’t be able to go during the WSOP as I had previously planned. So I leveraged miles and just landed in Vegas!

I’ll be here from late Saturday 4/26 to Wednesday 5/1. I was able to utilize an Excalibur offer for a cheaper rate on Sat and comped nights the other nights. Trying to keep the bankroll loaded for poker snd gambling!

I like to goal set, more to organize my thoughts/expectations vs must do items. For this trip, I’m hoping to play poker and gamble at least half my time (~45 hours) and make $2K after expenses. I’ll mostly be playing 1-3, but do want to put in a couple sessions of 2-5. Planning to mostly play at MGM Grand, Aria, Bellagio, Wynn, Resorts World, and Venetian.

For table games, I want to limit my losses to $1K. I love craps but am a big lifetime loser as I chase that unicorn roll that will lead to getting the casino deed signed over to me! Am also a blackjack fish as I pursue a max risk/reward strategy that sees me splitting made hands vs 2-6. So will do my best to limit my time in the pits if I’m running bad.

Beyond poker and gambling, I’m hoping to enjoy a lot of other activities that make Vegas so great. While for some, that may mean entertainment of the illicit variety, outdoor activities, or the tunnels, I’m hoping to try 5 new restaurants, eat at 3 of my favorite places, check out 4 uniquely Vegas experiences. and collect chips from at least 5 casinos that I haven’t played at yet.

Most importantly, I want make sure I have fun and don’t get tilted by bad beats, run bad or playing bad. It’s not too often that I get to get enjoy Vegas without having to worry about work.

Before I get my 1st session started, here are some pics from my last few trips to get me hyped for a great trip. Let’s Go!

Just checked into Excalibur-it’s decent and should be fine for a few hours of sleep.




I forgot to include shoes and roll




Heading over to Aria for some 1-3

Relatively short 15 minute walk over to Aria through Park MGM.

Grabbed a slice from one of my favorite places, Money Line.



Just sat down at 1-3. Let’s Go!!!!

Looks great so far, I’m here for it!

Gl and gogogogogo!!

Lots of mini pots and picked off a couple bluffs. Nothing too crazy, just chipping up slowly

Played a hand very badly and ended up losing a $700 pot.

3 limps to Villain OMC ($300 effective) in cutoff who raises to $15. I’m on the button with AQ suited, which while very strong is one of my least favorite hands as I always seem to lose with it. Mistake #1, despite 1st pre-flop raise from OMC, I just called. 3 limpers called and we saw a flop of Q-4-8 I think. Checked to villain who bets $30. Mistake #2, I just called because of an irrational fear of an overpair. 1 of the limpers calls and we see a turn of Ad, which puts 2 diamonds on the board. Checks to Villain who bets $55. Now I’m pretty certain I have the best hand and don’t want to scare away AK or KK. Mistake #3, I only raised to $125, which would have left the Villain with ~$130. Other player folded and Villain called. River came another diamond (9 I think) and Villain went all in for $134.

I probably should have folded, but couldn’t really put him on a hand. Maybe baby set, but then why isn’t he pushing all in on the turn? Maybe KQ diamonds? I called and lost-any guesses on his hand?

Macy Gray is also at my table. In the small world that is Vegas, I remember playing with her in a game at Mandalay Bay years ago.

Ended up taking a break and got another slice from Money Line. It re-ignited the run good and I won a nice $400 pot with QQ vs JJ.



Macy Gray-her mannerisms weren’t as spazzy as I remember them years ago. But she was pretty quiet and no one bothered her.



1st session and night are in the books with a $770 win. I walked back to Excalibur and am about to pass out at 6am.

I love Vegas!!

Thanks bro-appreciate the support!

Here for the run good.

LFG!!

Good start to the trip, thanks for sharing! Keep the rungood switch in the on position.

Sat down at Bellagio 1-3 a few minutes and already had to chip up for another $100 after losing $90 with AJ vs AK on an A high flop.

More interesting poker player sightings. I’m almost positive that Mason Malmuth is at my table. And I saw John Hennigan playing on another table when I came in.

Thanks-appreciate it!

Since it's an OMC, I will assume AA. What kind of flush can he really have here, except KQdd like you said.

GL!

Thanks bro-run good switch hasn’t been on yet.

Mason just did the ole limp UTG 3-bet to $60 of my button raise to $20 with AQ off-suit. Haha-I remember that move years ago!

I think if you don’t 3bet the AQs pre, it would make me more likely to raise on the flop.

As played, yeah I’d go more on the turn to make it committing.

I’m guessing he had two small diamonds

He ended up showing KJ diamonds. It was at that moment that I realized that my categorization of him as OMC was wrong. Results oriented, I should been able to take this down pre-flop or on the flop with appropriate raises. Maybe jamming on the turn would have done, but seeing how sticky he was in later hands, he likely calls with the flush and gutter draws.

Good lesson for me to validate my reads with bets and recognize that people are in Vegas to play and for me to not be scared of ghosts.

I just got stone bluffed by the waitress-haha. I asked her if they had fresh juice and she said yes, they have carrot, orange, pineapple, and watermelon. I ordered the orange juice.

Fresh juice it was not-unless oranges in Vegas are truly unique. Well played to her-Hope she enjoys my $1 tip in good health.

I like the carrot juice! I think they sweeten it, it tastes better than the watermelon juice.

If you’re ever at the Wynn, get the strawberry Julius, best free drink in Vegas!

…With or without vodka

Struggling to get any traction. Had pared the loss down to $80 (from $190), but then lost a $400 pot where I flopped a straight but lost to a turned nut flush. I think that I played it badly too.

Will give it another couple orbits, else I’ll leave to get one of my favorites Hattie B’s for a late lunch.

Try the carrot and watermelon mixed together. It’s very good.


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Duly noted sir! I was just taken aback because I was expected freshly squeezed and it was not that-haha.

I’ve had the strawberry julius there and it is a great drink! Will definitely get it again this trip.

Sometimes fish can tap the glass too! I was down $300 and literally 2 hands from getting up when the BB came to me.

Good player to my right raised UTG to $18. I just called with JJ-I probably should be 3-betting, but just couldn’t hit water from a boat this session. Folds to SB, who is this young Asian kid that raised to $65. In watching him play since he sat down, he seemed like a tricky player.

Original raiser folded and I thought for a bit before jamming for ~$200 as I thought he was squeezing with an A. He called after a few seconds and I was now regretting my jam. But was looking forward to getting up with my $500 loss to go have some awesome fried chicken!

Flop came 9 high I think, but turn was a sweet sweet J. River was an A, so I had a moment of concern he had AA. But fortunately for me he had QQ, so needless to say, I was very very lucky.

But I’ll take it! Have been able to leverage that stroke of luck and run it up a bit.

Drink service is slow, but I’ll give it a try next time the waitress comes around.