Having read a number of excellent trip reports I thought I should give something back and file one of my own from this month’s 8 day trip to Las Vegas. I fly out Tuesday morning from London Gatwick on my own having previously visited LV back in April last year with a group of friends. But a second trip in 18 months is a tough ask for friends with wives, girlfriends, kids etc. So in November 2011, I’m flying solo.

I thought it was important to lay out my mindset before adding any details of my trip, just so you get an idea of what I am looking to get out of the next 8 days and nights. First and foremost, I’m there to have fun and that includes while I’m at the poker table. I like to have a drink while I play, put the straddle on, talk and banter along with other people at the table. I know the more hardcore of you will roll your eyes and mutter under your breath things about ‘negative EV’ but I’m as enthusiastic about the social enjoyment poker gives me as much as the game itself.

That’s not to say I don’t take my poker seriously. I’ve spent a decade or so (I’m 32 by the way) improving as a player and I’ve had my fair share of successes around the table as well as a few failures. I’ve always thought of myself as an above average player who’s always looking to hone and improve his skills. My friends will disagree of course and I look forward to a few of their comments about chasing flush draws!!

I’m taking a bankroll of around $5500 with me which will cover everything from poker to food, which again may not seem like a lot to some, but I’ve worked my nuts off to earn it and I intend to enjoy every single penny. The reason I chose my dates was to coincide with the DSE at the Venetian and I plan on playing two of the $340 events and one $550 as well as the odd $175 nightly tournaments with the rest being invested in the $1/$2 cash games. While most of my tournament play will be at the Venetian, I’m going to make sure I spread my cash games around. The last time I was in Vegas I loved playing at the Bellagio, Aria, Wynn and MGM Grand to name just four and love the different feel each room gives you.

I’ve set myself a few poker goals and have tried to keep them as achievable as possible while making sure they’re ambitious enough to keep me motivated.

1. Win a tournament. Easier said than done I know, and winning a DSE Event is a tough ask, but I think I’m more than capable of going deep and making a final table. Failing that, then one of the $150 Bounty events or $175 nightly tournaments.

2. Be in profit in cash games. Not exactly climbing Everest but if I come away in the black I will be more than happy.

3. Be much more aggressive. I feel as if I make a lot of good calls in tough spots, but I don’t put people to the test enough. I really need to increase my 3 and 4 bet percentages so that’s something I really want to work on while I’m out there.

But this trip isn’t all about poker. I’ve already booked up a Skydive, nabbed myself a ticket to see ‘O’ at the Bellagio and plan on some self indulgence at The Gun Store, a massage or three and certainly a few nice meals washed down with something cold and alcoholic. For me, this trip is about fun, fun, fun and I can’t wait. I’ve had a countdown clock on my phone running since I booked my flight on the 22nd December 2010. It started ticking with more than 300 days on it...now it shows less than four!

I’m going to try and keep this updated while I’m in Vegas, but bear with me, I may be having too much of a good time to keep everyone posted on how things are going. But I’m going to take a few notes and try and give you a feel of how my trip has been and I may even throw a few hand histories in for good measure. Comments, questions and suggestions before or during are more than welcome.

Here’s to eight days three barrel bluffing, check raising with the nuts and hitting two-outers.

Alan

as your leaving, im going to do pretty much the same thing, also travelling from london gatwick, so il be watching this.

and i make you right on enjoying the game, having banter, and having a laugh is a big part of it, if you dont enjoy it, i dont see the point in playing.

where are you staying? im no expert, but that $5000+ should see you right assuming you dont do your bollox early on a cash game.

GL

in for the report...

good luck at the tables.

Staying at the IP...because it's cheap. Heard a few horror stories, mainly from people on here but have heard a lot of people say it's fine for what you pay for. Was a good way of reducing my overheads.

Have fun. IP is fine for what it is.

Take pics to improve your TR.

in in in. this should be fun

Sounds like you have a good gameplan. If you're gonna go through all the effort/expense to go to Vegas, might as well enjoy all it has to offer instead of just sitting in a cardroom the whole time.

Best of luck...

In for the ride.

Go, go, go! I think your bankroll is perfect for what you've got planned. Also, enjoy the IP while its still there. It is what is, but I always speak fondly of it here. Sure, ur bathroom might have a little bit of a sewer smell and the elevators are unreliable, but you can't beat the price and location. You've got a great, cheap restaurant there (Hash House) and when you don't feel like walking too far there's usually a good, fun game in their poker room in the evenings. Its a one-cigarette walk to Venetian, so its a great place to stay when grinding DSE's. If you want to sleep, ask for a room that doesn't overlook Harrah's Carnival Court. Also, use the Tower 3 elevator around the corner, instead of the main elevator at the start of the shopping promenade, its less crowded.

Lots of 'em. Especially when you're drunk.

Oh, and if you're playing the DSE, try the SNG satties the night before and the morning of.

subbed
jealous

Was thinking about trying to sat my way in, especially on my first night out there. Do they fill up pretty quickly or am I likely to sit around a while waiting?

subscribed

It's impossible to predict. One night they get running at 6 pm and go strong till 1 am, and the next night you might wait an hour or more to get one going. The morning before seem to be a sure sthing starting at 9 am, but I'd rather start a tournament fresh instead of having to play sng's for a couple hours first.

Have a great time! Looking forward to the report.

Nice prologue Fatman. I did a similar sort of thing in August myself (flew out from Heathrow) but only played the $1/$2 cash games and went for a slightly over-long 11 days. My trip was also about having a few beers and having fun at the tables but was more about visiting and playing in all 20 poker rooms along the strip. Using the internet over there is expensive ($5 for ~14 minutes with a terrible connection) so I had to take notes and do my trip report retrospectively.

Your budget/bankroll seems about right for the length of time you'll be there for. I took $2000 for poker and $1000 for expenses but I'm an out and out nit - no clubbing or hookers for me. My regret, though, was that I changed all £2000 from ££s to $$s before flying out there so was hit for a large commission charge when I changed the $$s back into ££s when I returned. You might want to just change ~£1000 first and then take the ££s with you and exchange those for $$s when you're out there as and when you need them. Just a suggestion.

I like your choice of poker rooms. When I go back to Vegas I'll definitely avoid the smaller rooms and spend more time at the larger poker rooms that you mentioned. Your location is great with most rooms being within easy walking distance but the trek back from the MGM can be a tad long on occasions (but grab a can from Walgreens on the way back and it'll be fine). Oh and yes, I was well impressed with my visit to Hash House A Go Go.

Good luck and have fun!

I'm flying out on Tuesday as well - which flight are you going on? If you want to hook up message me on here.

I'm staying at NYNY and intend to play at least one Deep Stack and lots of $1-2, mostly at MGM i would think. However, I'm keen to enjoy myself away fromm the poker tables too.

Dr Futtock, interesting suggestion re currency. In the past I've changed my whole bankroll prior to flying over and so invariably get stung by the commission returning.

If I take sterling into Vegas, how much commission am I likely to have to pay in order to convert it to dollars?

On the 11:20am out of Gatwick. If you wanted to PM me your mobile I'm happy to hook up for a beer before we take off.

Alan

Subbed heres to not be disappointed

I was along for the ride last time Fatman was in Vegas and we had a grand old time. I have no doubt he'll have a few interesting stories to tell by the end of the trip. I'm just gutted that I'm not heading over with him this time. Next year, hopefully.

Good luck with the trip, Al. I don't see why you can't make a serious dent in one of the big MTTs you have planned if the luck's with you.

GL! Win lots of the monies.

FYP

Looking forward to reading your TR.
Fwiw, tournaments will be a good place to increase your aggression level.

One of the upstairs bars at NYNY (Pour24) is close to lots of the big rooms and has a really good selection of craft beers. If you drink to victory, make it a Dogfish 60 or Rogue Shakespeare.

See you on the other side!

Alan