Hi everyone! I've enjoyed other people's trip reports for years, and now it's time to contribute.

First, a little about myself: I'm the standard late 40s married guy, good job in tech, 2 kids both about to be in high school. Started playing poker during the Moneymaker boom with a group of friends serious about card games. (A lot of Magic: the Gathering before poker; qualifying for one pro tour event, and a top 16 at local grand prix at the end of my MtG playing.)

Played online before black Friday, and haven't really touched online after, except occasionally on a small private server in more recent years.

I love tracking all my sessions, and have my history since 2013 in an app. I am a very small winner, with some big losses on a few attempts to play higher which makes my stats look worse than I am I hope. Embarrassingly low really:



But from the hours played since 2013, you can also see I don't play very much. 110 hours a year roughly? And that also tracks my online play.

I've been to Las Vegas a number of times over the years to mostly play poker. Probably averaging twice a year since 2009ish; both with friends, and solo. But in the last 5 years I've mainly been going with a friend who doesn't play much poker, and so I didn't play as much. This is a trip specifically to play a lot of low-limit NL Texas hold-em.

I'll be staying at the Aria, which is a casino I've stayed at a lot in the past. This stay is interesting to me because of the MGM/Marriot Bonvoy partnership, and I'm curious if my Bonvoy status can translate into anything good. Just received an email from Aria this morning, which said:

Better than nothing!

I will be playing mostly the 1/3 in the Aria, but I might venture somewhere else like the Wynn or maybe Mandalay Bay (which I've never played at), if I'm not having a good time.

Alright, so that's about everything. My flight is very short on Friday. 1.5 hours on Southwest, taking off at 10:45am. I'll do the traditional bankroll and shoe pic on Thursday night. I'll try my best to update during the trip from the Tapatalk app, or whatever is easiest. Expect some hand histories where I play horribly.

Thanks!

Good luck!

Could you post plenty of pics of the room at Aria, really want to see if it's worth the price. Played lots at Aria during my last visit and might chance my hotel to Aria.

Thanks

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Sure thing! While I've stayed there before, this time I was able to book with Marriott Bonvoy points, which is nice. Bonvoy points are horrible, so getting a chance to use them somewhere nice is great.

Good luck!!

Here for HHs and Vegas-pictures

I'm in. Good luck and travel safely!

subbed - have a fun trip

GL! If you are at Aria drop me a message, I practically live in the poker room by now

Good luck.

Rather than Mandalay Bay, where the games tend to be very nitty, perhaps try the poker room at MGM? A slightly bigger arena, games 24/7, and on the few occasions that I have played there the atmosphere and (atrocious) standard of play has been more attractive than the fare on offer at Mandalay Bay. And much closer to the Aria too.

See if they'll let you set up a cot in the corner.

Just be aware if they are running any promos based on how long your butt is in the seat. That probably draws a different kind of crowd.

I'll keep that recommendation in mind. Last time I played/stayed at the MGM was during National Rodeo Finals, and it was horrible. I didn't think the games were any good, and the country music drove me crazy.

Subbing. Good luck and have fun. Not sure I'd play exclusively at Aria for 1/3, but it's not terrible -- definitely a few touristy fish. You might want to try a few other rooms if only for the exercise and experience.

Open to suggestions! Where should I hit?

I'd just try different places -- checkout Bravo and see where the games are. Of course, it's always nice to walk to Venetian/Wynn with stops on the way for games, but not sure about V's rake. I play mainly PLO, but I'm sure others will give you the best advice on where the fish play 1/3 and where the rake isn't horrible. Good news at Aria is the $500 buy in.

I'd also go downtown to the Golden Nugget if you have the roll for it. Those can be some fantastic, deep games.

I agree. Golden Nugget games are always interesting, to say the least.

I'm sick to death of the Venetian. I've played there a bunch recently, and not a fan anymore. I've never played at the Golden Nugget however.

We will see how it goes! If the Aria games feel bad, I'll move. Only 2 nights, so I don't want to waste time traveling around too much

Listen, here's the thing. If you can't spot the sucker in your first half hour at the table, then you ARE the sucker.

I love Mandalay Bay, it's one of my favorite rooms and much more comfortable than MGM Grand

Two nights isn't much, but you'd be amazed how much poker you can get in, and a good walk will do you good. Wynn used to be a great room for NLHE, but no idea if it still is. I had fun playing PLO and the 20/40 Big O there. Make sure you have Bravo and call ahead for any room.

Ceremonial shoes and roll pic, and also testing posting pictures from my phone...



Hmm. So if I don't pay, I can't post full resolution? Meh. Does anyone think that matters for this? I suppose Vegas pictures won't be as nice. What do people think? Worth paying for a month?

It a like 79p a month and allows high Res and adding lots of photos. I'm sure you can afford it

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Subscriptions bug the hell out of me! Hah. But ok, subscribed.

blysik posting roll & shoes pic in entirecircus's TR? blysik = entirecircus? identity theft? traveling companion? The world needs to know!