This is my first Vegas trip since Covid, fifth solo trip in five years, and third 2+2 TR.

This trip will be similar to previous trips. My last trip was in early March 2020, fortunate planning since it beat the pandemic.

Disclaimers, honesty and reality checks:
- This is a post-holidays vacation for a getaway and to relax. I am changing careers/companies in January and this is to use up some earned leave before I have to start over (and to get out of Bismarck in January).
- A theme that has not changed, my wife doesn't like me gambling. I played a bunch locally the last couple years but hit a nasty slump and had to "retire" from the North Dakota poker scene. We have three young kids so "wasting these precious years off on my own losing my money" caused a bit of stress and I relented. But I've built up some cachet and saved my action for Vegas and she's fine with this trip. So no worries!
- This poker-centric trip is from Sunday to Thursday, which probably sounds backwards or boring but that's the best for airfare and hotel costs and that's been the pattern for all my trips.
- I am a low-roller tourist rec. That either sounds terrible to you or a fish you want to take advantage of. But at least I recognize that and there are no illusions and I always play responsibly. In my handful of trips I have had a handful of successful runs and never destroyed my budget. And you know what, I have fun.
- All this sets up very low expectations for you, I'm sure. Underpromise and overperform is my motto.

Plans:
- Last year I got hooked up with a free stay at Texas Station for the week, but the golden goose has died so that's not available anymore. I am staying a night at Bellagio and the other nights at Park MGM. From what I've read it sounds like their pools are operational in January? we'll see.
- Last year was planned around attending a Golden Knights game, which was worth the ticket. I went to the last home game before covid shut down the league. I plan to attend another game this trip although that prospect suddenly got murkier with the latest covid developments. Hopefully things get back to normal in the next couple weeks.
- Maybe hit up a comedy, cirque or variety show
- I've had terrible runs in cash games the last couple years (ND and LV) so rather than beat a dead horse I'll likely focus on tournaments, playing 1 or 2 each day.
- I dipped my toe in blackjack last year and loved it so I'll probably sit down there instead of 1/2.
- Wanted to dip my toe in Vegas sports betting but it looks like the last NFL regular season games are Sunday afternoon right when I arrive so that might be tricky. Hockey?
- If I run bad I can go see a movie or go hiking.
- See some casinos I haven't really seen before (Circa, Resorts World, Strat?, Sahara? Red Rock?)
- My bankroll/budget, while low by your standards, will likely be better than any other of my trips. Hopefully I can ship some tourneys so that is irrelevant.

Questions and Questionables:
- I enjoy buffets for breakfast but from what I can tell chances of those are slim now. What are some buffets that are still open for weekday breakfast?
- I still have my Pearl MGM so parking is free but damn, rentals are expensive now. How is the rideshare situation these days? Is it readily available and reasonable? I know there were issues in 2020.
- Suggestions on rooms that are not dead in the morning or dailys that might be enjoyable?

Once again it will be solo, which is lonely. I'd love to hang out, eat with or meet a 2+2er.

Starting this TR early in case I have some questions (posted) or need some advice. and because I’m excited. Post a friendly comment if you care.

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Still haven't decided if I am going or not (see the Scandi-TR), but if I do we will be there at the same time.

Stayed at Park MGM in January 2020 fwiw, and the pool was not open then. And to be fair, although the weather was surprisingly nice back then, didn't really qualify as 'pool temperature'.

I will be there same dates, same place, unless either Malta or US closes borders somehow. Lets grab a few beers.

I'm in, good luck with your trip and the new gig!

I was in Vegas two weeks ago. I went to Wicked Spoon on a Thursday at 8am and got seated immediately. I went to Bacchanal Buffet on a Tuesday at 4pm and had to download an app and wait 1.5 hours (playing poker as they texted me when ready).

Food was great at both.

I'm in.

Always up for a low-roll TR. Those are the only ones I can relate to.


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Plan on a session or two at Resorts World, especially after 8PM (or even after 10PM). The play is very soft and fun .. you may see some things you wont see in other casinos. Coffee machine right in the room, good Dealers and attentive Floors. IMO it's kind of the new Planet Hollywood but without the noise? Via the Poker Atlas App you can put your name on the list, 'see' the list and also check-in when you arrive on site .. they WILL NOT however notify you that your seat is ready, must be in the room from what I remember.

You can find a list of 'scheduled' daily tournaments online somewhere for sure. That may help you plan your schedule/days. Probably anything below $100 BI will be a turbo, so be ready for that. There are typically better structures at Aria, Venetian and Orleans .. even the Wynn too.

Tue/Wed is typically the slowest day for poker on the strip, but use Poker Atlas and Bravo Apps to help you find a game. Lots of the Vloggers are not even starting sessions until Midnight or later since that's when they get the best 'content' (action).

I hope you have some fun .. I'm not a pit guy, but if you want to budget some $$ for 21 go for it. You may also want to look at Ultimate Texas Holdem .. IMO it's a hybrid between NL, craps and other table game types of bets. All you have to do is beat the Dealer, but unfortunately the Dealer never folds! it's way better than 3-card or MS stud or crazy 4-card if you ever looked at those. There are some YouTube videos out on that game if you want to check it out too.

If you want to play Aria then plan on a day session as the wait list is long by PM. You get 2 hours to call ahead and check in, but even that is sometimes not 'long' enough to get you up to the top of the list.

I've typically found Vegas to have 'more comfortable' poker than my local games, so hopefully you can get your sea legs back in the game.

If you want to commit to some shows/sites then go to 'city pass Vegas' or similar website and you can buy packages of 3-10 'events' at a big discount. This includes shows, high roller, wax museum and the slot grave yard. GL

I appreciate your comments and recommendations!

GL GL GL

As someone who dabbles in the same stakes sometimes, I would recommend Aria and Wynn for dailies. Decently competitive level of play, modest stakes, and solid structure. It's about the best value you are going to find in LV without jumping into higher price points.

Venetian almost always has some type of series running, so be sure to check their Hendon and see if anything fits your trip. If you are feeling ultra nitty, bounty events are generally a good way to lower variance since the prize money is spread out more evenly.

North Dakota update: we got 12 inches of snow over the weekend, followed by 30+ mph winds that filled up everywhere you shoveled, followed by -10 temp currently. it's a blast.

Mid 80's in Texas. Had to turn the ac back on for a few days!

Are you rubbing it in Mark?

I am pretty sure he can't wait to get to VEGASSS!

Maybe just a little.

had a little poker tourney tune-up yesterday. Bismarck has a big New Years tourney every year and Thursday was a freeroll satellite. 5K chips, 15 min levels, 10 spots win a $150 seat. I hung around starting stack basically for 5-6 levels, definitely got lucky a few times (AT > AJ, JT > 77, 88 > QQ). Level 8 I had chipped up to a competitive stack around 13K, couple guys went all in on 2d4dJs flop, with A5dd it was my one shot to make a move but it bricked out and I finished around 48/169. I played well and had fun and I didn't really want to play two more days anyway.

I also used my 8 year old son for blackjack prep. good math practice for him. he's getting sharp at adding two and three numbers.

my rental car price dropped in half so that's sweet. I'll be mobile. I'm a fan of Autoslash.
any recommendations on spots for breakfast? staying at Bellagio one night and Park MGM three. I typically choose a buffet but I'm not ready to pay $30+ for breakfast at Bellagio, Cosmo or Caesars (I don't really want to pay $20+).
I can raid South Point before a morning tournament. let me know if you have other breakfast suggestions (doesn't have to be buffet).

I'm a fan of Omelet House on Charleston or any of the Blueberry Hill's on Flamingo (West Flamingo just down from the Rio is the nicest location, I think). Don't forget to get a slice of pie also.

Solid breakfast items at great prices.

You really can't go wrong at Mon Ami Gabi, if you can get a patio table on a nice morning.

Have both Uber and Lyft. Between the two, I always found one to be a reasonable price when I was there in mid September.

I’m in, I hope you run well enough to get the wife on board for more action in the future!

As far as some of your questions in OP:

Uber is never a problem or super delayed like it was a couple years ago, although of course the rare driver will still suck. If you have the Uber Pass it will probably be cheaper than a rental car for the trip

Highly recommend checking out Resorts World - it’s really pretty, usually empty, and the poker room always has some 1/3 going. Chairs are comfortable.

I liked Circa as well but if you don’t care for the jumbo sportsbook it’s not worth the trip downtown.

I agree with this, I’m a fan of both. I honestly would do whatever Blueberry is most convenient for your plans that day. I actually like the more outdated Eastside ones. Makes me think I’m Sydney from Hard 8.

wow, this has been a terrible week of work. but hey, just 4 more days after my trip before I start at a new place.
flight finally leaves tomorrow morning and then the fun begins! shoes have been packed for a few days so shoes/bankroll photos will have to be taken from the hotel.
planning on breaking my rule right away by doing a cash session. figure Sunday pm is the best opportunity to find fish (like me). thinking Resorts World or Bellagio (where I'm sleeping first).

good morning, so sad to be leaving North Dakota today.

testing to see if my photo posting skills work

Might be the first time in history this sentence has been written.

Safe travels, looking forward to your TR.

written in jest quite often actually

flight delayed 3 hours wtf