Great pics and action on the BJ crawl. Keep the run good a runnin.

The blackjack crawl is an awesome idea. Might implement that as a form of entertainment this weekend in Vegas.

Good times!

Your poker hands can be pretty funny, you sure do play a pretty loose aggressive style

Your burger rankings are pretty solid, I would put Shake Shack as #1 though ...you gotta try the double smoke shack.

You gotta know when to hold'em, know when to fold'em, know when to walk away, know when to run

Kenny Rogers

Day 7 - All Aboard The Rollercoaster

Day 7 begins with me really struggling to find the motivation to get out of the room for some reason, after one week in Las Vegas i dont care who you are it will start to wear you down, but i didn't fly 10 hours from London to sit in my hotel room so i get the day underway. I decide to head to the Venetian and specifically the Grand Lux, go for the chop house burger with fries.


this blurry photo set the tone for the day..

After finishing up i get on the list at the V and after a ten minute wait im seated. For those of you who read my previous TR there was a table i played in here which was awful, very little action and nobody talking much - this was the same, well nearly. There was one player directly across from me who just would not shut up, talking constantly even when he was not in a hand. You all know the type, talks about his hands in a weak way and acts like he is giving you action when he is just being a nit. I really dont know why i did this but i really started to try and force the action, something i seem to struggle with in games like this. I know i should of just left, but after 3 hours all i know is that i left that game down $500 with the only hand history being the final hand i butchered. Two limps to me on the btn and i raise to $15 with 69. BB is the talkative guy and he makes it $65, folded to me and i call. Flop is AK9, he bets $20 - immediately i know whats going on here, it was just obvious i was dead already but i called regardless. Turn 6 he bets smallish again around $50, i have around $130 left and jam and of course he snaps with top set and im dead and i leave.

I just slowly walk out of the room, heading back down the strip stopping at the room to get some more money, check in family on whatsapp back home and check bravo. With my next destination in mind i set out, trying to immediately put behind me the nonsense i just put myself through in the Venetian.


on route..

I arrive back at the Aria and go on tilt before even getting into a game, i have to sit around waiting for 20 minutes or so for a seat. Eventually though im seated and in for 300, and after less than one hour im heading out of the poker room. I played only one hand of note, i missed one or two set mining opportunities but only the following hand is note worthy and still annoys me thinking about it. The CO raises to $12 and the BTN, SB and myself in the BB call with 88's. Flop KJ8 so i flop a set. Checked to the CO and he bets $30 and im the only caller. Turn is the 2 and i check to him again, this time he bets $100 and i only have around $230 left so i just jam it in and after ten seconds or so he calls. River is the Q. I table my hand and he flips the A whilst nodding his head, then reaches out and flips his other card whilst looking at me, his other card being a 10. I just immediately get up and leave, walk out of that room wondering what the hell has happened to me today. I need to get some comfort food, so i decide to head to a Vegas icon, third floor of the Cosmo.


probably the best two slices i have ever had

Pizza was awesome. After eating my pizza and counting the damage of the day i realise im down $800 or so, so whats a guy to do about it - gamble of course. I decide that im going to head across the street and into the Flamingo and to their BJ tables. I put my plan into action and place a $200 bet, thinking that if i win im going to let it ride and bet $400 and if i lose then im down a $1000 for the day. I place the first bet and i win, dealer pays me off and i just stack the mountain of red chips on top of each other - other people at the table looking at me a little weird. Next hand, MOTHA F'IN BLACKJACK. I spend the next three or four hours playing blackjack, drinking drinks i have never heard of thanks to three salesmen on business from some town in Texas, having fun and placing large bets whenever the dealer changes out. People join the table, people leave the table but every person who sits down is fun talkative and a pleasure to be around. An interesting memory from that little session is that there was a floor guy, who seemed to be wearing something close to a Hawaiian shirt, who kept walking past keeping an eye on me, asking if i was staying there etc - who knows what he wanted from me.

The loudness and tiredness eventually became too much and i just decide to cash out, after playing for over three hours i cash out exactly $800 - not totally removing the poker losses for the day but making it easier to deal with.



After walking back through the Flamingo to the Linq and to my room i decide to do a money count for the first time this trip. In total i bought $3500 with me, im counting with no idea how low or high the figure will be but im very very happy to see the total number come out to $4411 - up nearly a thousand. This totally erases any memory of the god awful sessions of poker today, and with tomorrow being my last day i really wanted to have a strong last showing. Did i manage to do that? Oh very much so.

1st off, this is a fantastic trip report. I'm heading to Vegas in 36 hours for a few nights, and can't wait. This is exactly the sweat that I need to tide me over.

More importantly, you've been in Vegas for 8 days and you're reporting a +1,000 profit? Dude, thats huge. Vegas can drain a bankroll quickly, especially if you have drinking/pit game leaks. Its awesome to hear that you're netting a nice little profit while having a good time.

All that said, you mentioned at the beginning of day 8 that you were tired but felt like you needed to leave the hotel room. You then proceeded to book a -800 session. Listen to your gut man. If you don't feel like you have the energy to play, don't play. Go blow off some steam in the spa, which by the way, Linq has a decent little place for a good price. Sit in the room and order some room service. Don't forget that YOU'RE ON VACATION. Have fun!

They ask if you stay there because if they think you bet high/gamble enough, you can be a potential customer for future.


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Linq... able to compare it other Total Reward properties like Harrahs or Ballys? About the same, worse, better? Thanks!




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Much better than those 3 you mention!

Yep


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Linq is far and away the best of those 3 in terms of cleanliness, location, and service.

So I guess the remodel of all towers is complete? 10 years ago (and 2-3 names) this was definitely not the case.

Used to be the biggest shiite-hole center strip. Didn't keep me from staying there multiple times, of course. Just haven't been back in a decade or so.

Yes this is what I'm hoping to confirm and why I asked my original question.

I typically stay at Ballys or Harrahs but this time I'm considering the Linq but was hoping someone could confirm all the rooms have been remodeled, etc. My preference is not to get stuck in a sheet-hole room. Thanks



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Linq is completely remodeled with a "modern" theme. Beds are among the more comfortable on the strip. The only ****e you may get stuck with is a bad view. I once had a view of a concrete stairwell. Room was pleasant tho.

Like someone stated, only thing that "may be wrong" with Linq is their elevators can be slow and rooms can be far, but not as far as some other place. Oh and the room views. It's mostly stairwells or building, or you'll have a pool/strip View with crazy noise from music at the pool at 9am

What about the noise from the music blasting in the casino 24x7? Does it penetrate into the rooms?

Crazy Mike has money again?

Still catching up on the report. Crazy that we got a TR about the dealer stealing that was a first hand account!

I was at Bellagio the following weekend and people at my 40/80 game were talking about it.

Also Gobbo tweeted about it shortly after it happened:

I was just thinking about this again and how totally crazy of a situation it was. I so wished i had thought about getting a photo or video or something when stuff really kicked off. The dealer in question was an older asian lady, and when i (in seat 9) asked her once or twice that she needs to call the floor she just looking at me, smiling and just shrugging it off and saying it was ok. I still dont understand the floors thinking behind removing the shuffle machine and checking in there as there is no chance the chip could of ever got in there during a hand. Once in a lifetime situation i guess.

The crazy **** i saw at the poker tables does not end here though, the 8th and final day saw something both weird, unique and something that made me genuinly feel upset, angry and then laugh all within the space of 30 seconds - that last day i will post before the weekend is over hopefully.

No, mostly from outside

How lucky i am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard

A.A Milne

Day 8 - One Last Time Around

I wake up, sleep schedule back on track and the feeling of it being the last time i will wake up in Vegas hits me, its time to make this last day count and get of to a good start. I decide to just head out the room no real plan of thought on where to eat yet, just walking wherever i feel like walking. I eventually decide on visiting EoS at PH, after walking in i spend literally 20 minutes trying to remember where it was, i somehow managed to walk past the same shops a few times before finally managing to locate it. I place my order, the Caprese i think, or something similar sounding.


the cheese was sooooo strong

I enjoyed my sandwich and also stopped off at the Nestle Toll House bakery in the miracle mile also to get some nice cookies, all good so far. I then decide to head on over to the Bellagio to get back in the action there, this session can't possibly be as eventful as my previous session here can it? Nope. I arrive at the front desk and ask to be placed on the 1/3 list and the lady asks me for ID so i show her my old provisional driving license i have in my wallet, then she notices its out dated - calls some other guy over. Guy explains i need to provide ID even though i told him i played here recently etc, asked him how old i look to him and he says "I would say around 30" which i very nearly am - SO WHY WONT THIS MOTHA'F LET ME SIT AND PLAY. I dont like carrying my passport with me, so after him just telling me i cant play i just rage and get out of there, not being taking a copy of bluff magazine from outside their room for some reading material on the plane ride back home.

Tilted, i decide im going to head back down to the Wynn/Encore and see if they will let me play some poker.


viva las vegas

Its very shortly, and still very clear in my memory, the seconds after taking the above photo the most over whelming feeling of happiness of where i was and where i have been spending my time for the past week. Just glancing around up and down the strip as i crossed the street really made me feel good, and eventually i arrived at my destination - the outstanding Wynn.


This place grew on me

Good news, they allowed me to sit and play some poker. Table 18 Seat 8. There is often a question asked on these forums about which casino in vegas has the softest or best NL poker and the prevailing opinion is that it depends. This table i sat and and the table i played at my first time at the Encore poker room are perfect examples of the fact its not the room that makes the game, its the players at your table. There are certain things which you just know signals the game will be good. Things like a young foregin lady constantly asking if its her turn to act, a older lady who just refuses to fold and will insist on calling all bets and the guy in seat 1 who brings his dog with him.


he failed to guard his owners chips

Before i have even played a hand though there is a dealer change. As the dealer is moving his chair back to get up it must of caught the dogs foot because it screeched so loudly it made me jump. I felt so bad for the dog, and wondered why its owner thought it right to make him sit around watching him bleed money. First hand of note for me is KK and i raise the one limper to $12, he is the only caller and he check jams on me after i have cbet a flop of A77r - well played sir. Then something odd happens, the old POW lady decides she wants to move seats and also wants to top up her stack, so she moves and chip runner announces she is $200 behind. After the hand is over and she loses again, the chip runner returns with her money and then the table starts to realise she has been playing the stack of a player who was not even at the table - bit of confusion but eventually its sorted out.


why cant i play in a game with no drama?

Also, soon after this hand the floor staff picks up the players chips who was awol from seat 9 which allows me to move into my favourite spot and settle down and start the all out attack of the table. The old lady from above raises to $12 from UTG and i call on the BTN with A10, blinds fold. Flop A35 and i check call a pot size bet. 9 on the turn and she checks and i check back (bad check i know) river brings an off suit K and now she bets around $70, i eventually call and mhig - as she was mucking her cards i saw two paint. Next hand of note sees the 4 limpers to me on the BB and i have 25h and decide to make it $20, only the SB calls after thinking about it for a while seeing the others fold. Flop comes 10 10 10, he checks and i bet $30 and he quickly calls. Turn is a 3, he checks once more and i try to convince him again with $100 bet - this time he takes longer but eventually calls. River is the K and he checks, i immediately go all in and to my surprise he immediately folds 99 face up. He could well of had quads there but this is my last poker session and im not here to dog anything.

The very next hand brings me 10's in the SB. There is a mp limp and the btn raises to $20 which i call and the limper calls also. flop 1096 and we both check to the raiser and he bets $50 to which i call, other player folds. Turn pairs the board with the 9, i check once again and he just jams and i immediately toss in a chip and call. River is meaningless and i scoop after showing my hand.


progress..

An older guy from South America joins the table to my right, buys in quite short i remember. I pickup QQ's and raise two limpers, eventually im HU with him to a flop of undercards, he bets more than the pot around $50 so i just go with it and move all in and somehow he folds. Nice little side note with this guy is that he and i decided to see a flop and check it down all the way blind vs blind. Board ran out AKQ79 and i say to him he must win and he says that no i must win, we both flip pocket 3's. He was a really nice guy, but still im here to win them moniez. At this point in the game i have been very active, playing most hands and raising a lot, bluffing a lot and every player knows this at the table. History which proves crucial in the next hand. There are two limpers, then a solid deepish stack player in mp raises to $18, folded to me on the BTN and i call with A5 and one of the limpers calls also. Three handed to a flop of K:heart 23. The limper checks, the raiser bets $60 and its on me. The pre flop raiser is the tightest of the players at the table, seems quite solid and does not get out of line. I still have a ton of equity against his range though, so i decide to raise and i make it $190 total. Limper folds and its back on him and he calls after trying to stare into my soul. Turn is the 4 - JACKPOT. I take some time and check it over to him, my reasoning is that i wanted him to think i was on a naked flush draw and trying to see the river for free, i prefaced it with some shuffling of chips and so on and really thought he would go for it but alas he checked right back. River is Q and he immediately checks whilst looking at me. There is around $400 or so in the middle and he still has around $390-$440 left from eye balling his stack and i cover. "Im All in". He sighs loudly, takes a very long time and for the first time on this trip someone calls on the clock on him. Eventually i here those lovely words and he calls, i table my hand and its good of course - he didnt show.


the aftermath

There were other hands played in that session, one towards the end where i 3 bet bluff pre flop with 95 against some young quiet player who jammed on me, that cost me a $100 or so but who cares. Immediately after that hand i thanked the table for a good game and racked up to cash out. In for $300 and out for $1185 - a very very fun end to a great poker trip.


leaving my new favourite Vegas poker room

I decide to make a quick pit stop at Secret Pizza again for a few more great slices and then just like last trip i decide to end this trip with one more visit to the fountains of Bellagio. Always a special moment to watch the fountains, i got so close i actually felt the drops of water on my hands as i enjoyed this one last time.



I eventually arrive back at my hotel room, climb into bed knowing that my time in Las Vegas had come to an end......for now. Tomorrow i go home.

Day 9 - AKA Tomorrow

Im up and awake before my alarm which is a good start. Packed and leaving the Linq was not a good feeling, no matter how much fun you have in Vegas its never a good feeling walking past the people just starting their holiday. I get a cab to the airport and after getting through security i need some food so i go to Carls Jr, which was ****ing terrible tbh this time. Spend some time just browsing through all the photos i took on my phone during the trip and letting them bring a smile to my face and soon after its boarding time. As the plane starts to fill up i once again become the luckiest man on earth to see that the seat next to me in empty again so i can stretch out and get comfortable, and before watching some films i get one last photo of my home from home.


thanks once again for having me...

And with that i settle in to watch some movies, thinking to myself how lucky i was once again to be able to live.my.dream.

Trip summary

Well that was a lot of fun to relive and type out, looking at the photos suddenly puts me right back in that situation whatever it is. Before the trip i got super lucky with the royal on the video poker, i got super lucky with the empty seats on flights there and back also. I said before leaving i would be very happy to break even money wise overall, i did one better and counted $5006 in cash when i landed back in the UK which is just superb. All through the trip it seems lady luck was shining down on me and i definetely ran good in all areas overall something which i will always be greatful for. What im most happy about though is simply the fact that i have now been to Las Vegas...twice. It truly is a unique place that just pulsates with energy at all hours and i love it. Will i be back? Yes. When will that be? Who knows. But places like Las Vegas are not built on winners, so i will make sure Sin City gets another chance at emptying my pockets one day.

Thanks for following.

And thanks for visiting us!
We await you again!
And good job, awesome TR!

Really enjoyed reading this TR.

Makes me want to go back ASAP ... but only if I can run as good as you did! Congrats on running so well and having a great trip! Perfect combination!

Another example of running well: a very cute brunette at your table. Overall a good TR with lots of details, I liked it.

Thanks for the report. It sounds not too different than a trip I would do, maybe a few different food choices. But glad to have read it and lived vicariously thru your trip. Makes an occasional visitor like me jealous and looking forward to nest March when I am planning on being there. Was good to hear the Linq is not a bad place to stay, at least for now. Really thought the blackjack crawl was a great idea. Might try that only switch out Roulette instead.

The cute brunette was the player i talked about who didn't know when it was her turn to act constantly, very novice player but better looking at her than some OMC.

Linq was perfect for me. The mall foot print of the casino also makes getting to your room quick which i liked, have to scan your room key in the elevators also so no randoms just wandering up there trying to break into your room. As for the blackjack crawl, i actually did the same thing but with roulette instead of blackjack during my first visit and subsequent TR which is on here somewhere - its always a good break from poker and you get to see different casinos and gamble a little.