I love the TR’s here, going to take a shot at documenting the weekend. Threw out the idea of a vegas trip to the Mrs 2 months ago to see our favorite NFL team (chicago bears….unfortunately as someone who has made a home in Green Bay Packer country) play in the new LV Raider stadium. I’ve gone out this time of year often with friend or two, but the lure of going to a road Bears game was enough to snag Mrs. I’ve been to the city almost too many to count, probably pushing 50 times since being a 20 something.

I appreciate how Vegas can be a very different experience for many of us, yet still enjoyable to each (which is why TR are good reads, to see the town thru others eyes).

Things you will find here in this log:
Some pics-loaded tapatalk and will test soon.

A couple meals of note: lunch at Honey Salt in Summerlin (Read about it as a decent place, we are going to hit on way back from hike) and a dinner at Prime at Bellagio, hopefully outside.

Hike at Red Rock, Turtlehead Trail is the one.

Bears v Raiders Sunday (haven’t bought tix yet, have been watching on StubHub and costs have been tending down)

Cash games - preferred buy in $500 to $1,500 NL. Will check out Rio, I’m not a tournament player (played a 1500NL in 2006). May try a satellite and sell lamers if all goes OK but don’t have it in the schedule (or just in me period) to grind a 14 hour MTT day. Hope to get 5-6 sessions over the weekend.

Things you aren’t likely to find here:
Pit game action - over the years I’ve grown to love poker and left the rest behind.

Hookers & blow. I’ll drink socially, but wife doesn’t (No gamble, drinks or late nights for her….so why vegas? Cuz the game, and we can).


We have a condo across from Rio / behind Bellagio, rented a car. Will be different experience than typical vegas (I’m a March Madness regular, plus poker and fall trips - so sports bets and poker for the gamble). I’ll get to be a tourist with the wife, want to see Resorts World, walk the strip and downtown Vegas. We will also get a few morning workouts, which is a part of our travel experience.

I arrive solo Wednesday evening and plan on lotsa poker (will checkout Bravo but WSOP, Bellagio, aria, Wynn, Venetian and resorts world all possible) until Friday AM when Mrs arrives early and we head straight to red rock. Plan on a poker session daily after her arrival, likely at night when she rolls up carpet for evening.

Shoes and roll. Not shown: hiking boots (likely not necessary , but we have room ) and workout shoes.


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Looking forward to hearing about how the rest of Vegas is during the WSOP this year.

Euphemism for ?

Bring your proof of jab.

Good luck man and looking forward to reading about your trip!

Good luck! Sounds like a fun plan.

Goes to sleep, shuts it down, etc.

Did the clear app, all set. Not sure how much I’ll play at Rio , but will check it out for sure.

At airport now, figure 8 hours from the felt. My local poker room shut down due to COVID still, but fortunately I’ve found a local game this spring to scratch the itch.

Pic of dog, why not? 9 month old Newfie and she’s a handful but great so far


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That's not why I mentioned it. You need it to get into the stadium.

Friend of mine had one, it was about 150 pounds and sometimes killed cows.

We saw, have PDFs on our phones. I’m guessing that’s not a quick process entering stadium….

Pretty sure that they're using the Clear app for the Raiders games as well.

Desparate times for those hitting slots at Smiths (grocery store)

Rio cash game entry

Can’t get over how huge these sea of poker tables are

Chips

Sat in 2-5NL for about 5 hours. Waited only 10 minutes, lines for tourney reg were nothing…either most have fought thru and validated and registered or maybe 8PM on Wednesday not bad.

Some newer cash dealers for sure but any mistakes minor and all were pleasant. Game was decent, finished +359 (also did 15 min tableside massage and paid with chips).

Going out in a couple hours (after nap….4-5 hours not enough sleep) for session 1 today, one of the main strip options depending on what Bravo shows). Then maybe some sushi (?).

I will be back at Rio this weekend, especially due to proximity of my condo. Was expecting the worst but ended up better than that.

And ticket prices for Bear-Raider continues to drop, may pull trigger today.


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Nice, run good, let us know what you end up paying for the Raiders tickets. I was thinking of going this weekend too.

Considering paying $250 (before fees) for lower level, was thinking at one point we’d have to pay that for upper deck.

good luck and subbed. planning on doing the exact same thing for my next trip to vegas - raiders game and a bit of poker and sports bets - so will be interested to hear how your experience is.

$315 per ticket after all the fees, section 126. Still think cost may go down but want to lock it in, plus I had an hour sun run at Wynn 2-5NL made it easier.

Thanks for sharing. Glad to know lines ain’t bad now.

Great session at Wynn, up over $1,800 in 5ish hours. Splurged on a massage at the Wynn right after (they had opening). Ran well of course, a few good bluffs and out kicked opponents in 3-4 pots.

Did the tableside sushi from the place next to poker room, ok. Eating at the condo now, followed by a nap and back to Rio for evening session.

Masks get a little old (and they do enforce) but overall good activity in Vegas. Driving on the strip at noon plenty of people out and about. Almost every cash table at Wynn is up and running when I left.


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Played 5 hour session of 2-5 at Rio, again ran well (up $595). Quiet crowd in cash, the Millionaire is today so that’s probably slowed the crowd. Some guys at our table tried to recruit us for a run at the flip tourney, no go for me since I’d need to extend the trip to play if I got lucky and cashed.

Red rock hike later this AM at Turtlehead Peak, followed by lunch at Honeysalt.

Looking forward to hearing how the game goes. Did the same fixture two years ago, albeit in London, a month before seeing the Raiders in Oakland before they moved. Enjoy the game and the trip.

298$ in similar section different corner a day later after fees fwiw

Gl and enjoy the game

Talked to a season ticket holder last night (300 level, towards middle of field) who sold his 2 tix months ago for 9-10 times face value . He said section 126 price that I paid is close to face value, on the right side of supply and demand.

Red Rock was pretty good, although it was 58 and rainy for over half the hike…in Vegas.







Went to Honeysalt, I’d say 8 of 10 for the meal, smaller portion but good.



Going to sight see a bit, show wifey WSOP.


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Game was a great experience, objectively and subjectively (Bears won). Entry process was simple with the clear app, walked over Hacienda bridge from Mandalay Bay. Energy was good in stadium. It’s definitely a show: Criss Angel straight jacket escape hanging upside down pregame, intros with Bruce buffer, spots in timeouts with DJs, Ludacris halftime show.





Dinner at Prime Saturday night was excellent, 9.5 of 10. I had F1 New York strip and wife had Sea Bass. Sides of Mac and cheese and truffle potatoes. Had a table window side which added to experience.



Walked from Bellagio to Resorts World after dinner, helped process all the food and was good to be a tourist…walked by some places I haven’t been in 15 years. At just a quick walk thru was underwhelmed by resorts world, location a knock and poker room looked just OK. Hard to describe but the vibe and decor seemed flat in the place but maybe I was just tired after meal and walk to appreciate it.

Creepy Mickey Mouse


Heading back today (hopefully- on Southwest and there’s that whole pilot walkout thing going on). Flight delayed 2 hours which will be totally fine.

I may have a few other decompression thoughts later but obviously great trip: red rock was good to do and a part of Vegas hadn’t seen, Bears won, was a tourist with wife, good dinner and poker went amazing….won every session but last night. Only played at Rio and what is now my favorite room, Wynn (2-5 game). How the room is run (bellagio and aria Saturday only updates wait list on Bravo with those in room, not call ins which obviously time their arrival so you are behind them. 7 or 8 was actually 30). Games were mostly good and the buy in is in my comfort ( I like 1,000 buy in and know you can buy up to 1,500 buy not all did) and seemed like fewer back pack wearing grinder pro types compared to bellagio/aria.