Prologue
In October of 2014, I met up in Vegas with a friend and a colleague, ostensibly for a three-person shareholders’ meeting for a tech start-up that ended up going nowhere. The trip itself was really just an excuse to get to the Strip, play SSLHE, and generally enjoy myself during some uncertain economic times. I cashed in MyVegas points for 3 nights in 3 different MGM hotels, watched Game 1 of the World Series from the Monte Carlo poker room, ate frosted pumpkin pie Pop Tarts for breakfast (yes, they suck), and generally lived the low-roller life. There was a poorly-subscribed trip report about the whole thing that settled in the dustbin of the 2+2 servers. Here’s the link if you’re interested:
https://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/1...61/?highlight=
I’ve been to Vegas countless times in the 7-year interim, but the 2014 trip was the only TR I put together. Now in 2021, I’m fully vaccinated and my interest in braving the Strip’s plexiglass jungle far outstrips my wife’s. She’ll be heading to San Diego with her mom for a vacation, which means I’ll be exploring the post-apocalyptic wasteland on my own. It’s nice to know my hours playing Fallout: New Vegas weren’t for nothing (they had been up to this point).
Venue
I’ll be driving in from L.A. on the 24th of May for 3 nights (Monday-Thursday). I’m breaking my codependent relationship with MGM for the first trip in perhaps the last 9 years. While MyVegas has tipped the scales for a while, a few things have changed. The Mirage room is dead. The MGM Grand room is dark Tuesdays and Wednesdays---my main gambling days. And Bally’s, my former home at the center of the Strip, has base rates starting at $9 a night and a poker room that runs (at least in theory) 24/7. And since I’m no longer weathering an economic maelstrom and don’t need to rely on comped accommodations, Bally's was too much of an edge to pass up. I also like the idea of just taking an elevator ride upstairs after a long session.
Another thing that’s changed: limit hold ‘em is functionally dead on the Strip. Sahara doesn’t seem able to spread their game regularly, if at all, and Flamingo’s 3/6 also doesn’t run on the days I’m likely to be playing (and uggh, Flamingo). I’ve seen the Bally’s 3/6 spread here and there, and of course there’s always a drive to the Orleans. But dwindling Strip LHE options means that I’ll be dipping my toe into NL for the first time---
and I mean it. I have perhaps 5 live no-limit cash sessions under my belt lifetime.
There’s a sense of inevitability in my transition to NL. The writing has been on the wall for some time now---limit poker is passe and no-limit is the only game in town. I’ve been reading Professional No-Limit Hold ‘Em and making good use of these forums (particularly the Not Quite Threadworthy conversation) to learn what I should be thinking about. Position is more important. Stack sizes are more important. Player reads are more important. Domination is more devastating. I think I understand everything I need know to hold my own at 1/2 and 1/3. Whether I can incorporate these things real-time is the question.
For kicks, I recently took part in a poker lesson as part of a professional networking event. The instructor’s claim to fame was that he hit a royal flush in Vegas once---which is like being good at baseball because you caught a foul ball from the stands at the World Series. His presentation was strictly rudimentary, and I didn’t learn anything new. But I tuned out for good once he said there’s no real difference between LHE and NL. I know nonsense when I hear it.
Life Background
I’m not trying to splash around on my trip, but my economic situation has materially improved since 2014. The law firm I own with my wife supports our lifestyle and pays the bills, and my hourly rate exceeds my entire gambling budget from my trip 7 years ago. If I’m eating at McDonald’s this time, it’ll be just another gamble (HU for rolls…of fat), not a budgetary necessity.
I also recently learned that my younger cousin is probably joining me on the trip. He flies airplanes for the military, and the timing just happens to work out perfectly for him. But he’s no poker player, so the Orleans 2/4 or Bally’s 3/6 are likely pitstops when we’re playing together.
Trip Goals – Poker
I don’t have a poker bankroll
per se---I’m truly recreational and I’ve never been anything else. So this being said, blowing through 4 or 5 BI’s at 1/2 or 1/3 NL would wipe out my fund for the trip. I don’t want to be scared money at the NL tables, but I expect to play pretty tight, positionally-aware poker.
I’m also open to playing a few donkaments, but I generally find them pretty boring. Still, it’s a nice way to wade into the pool or mix things up.
I can always fall back (far back) on Orleans for limit action, particularly if my cousin is playing. I don’t generally fear any players at limit stakes I’m likely to play, so if I feel like making the trek off-Strip, that’s as likely a place as any. I’m also curious about the Sahara. Really, I want to check out their room before it closes.
I don’t see anything particularly disadvantageous about 7 or 8 players to a table; especially at limit, I think it’ll allow me to play more aggressively without worry about the side-fat spillover from the kinds of people who typically populate poker tables.
Thoughts on the Poker Economy
I’m interested to see how the pandemic has affected the average tourist’s willingness to sit down at a table and play poorly. My concern is that only the regs, nits, and rocks are left in the garden of players---the people truly desperate to play, Covid be damned. That can only harm the profitability and enjoyability of poker on the Strip, without a clear catalyst to revive casual interest in the game. I would love to get people’s impression on this. It’s to nobody’s benefit if the games become---or appear to be---impenetrable by players looking to have fun and get lucky with dubious prospects.
More deep and shallow thoughts to come.
Trip Goals – Non-Poker
With most buffets, spas, shows, and fitness centers possibly still out of commission, I’ll have to find non-poker enjoyment where I can. I might have to venture off-strip more than usual to take advantage of what the casinos ordinarily provide. Recommendations for legit off-Strip massages and sushi requested.
Of course, most of the fun of Vegas is found in the people you meet at the tables and the easy, conditional, single-session friendships that develop. Beyond that, I hear they have $10 3:2 blackjack tables at OYO (formerly Hooters, still located conveniently near the Hooters). You’ll find me there if poker doesn’t work out as planned.
Stay tuned.
Q (not that one)
