I went back and forth attempting this trip report, mainly due to the fact that I would feel really bad if I did not update it and it just faded away. I attempted one 5 years ago during the WSOP, and we all know how that ends up going after multiple 20+ hour session. I read this forum every day, and I hopefully will not disappoint.

I am heading out in a few hours to catch the fight to vegas with the GF. Staying on a comped visit at the Cosmo for 5 nights in a fountain view 1 bed. I am hoping to update in real time with some mixed game action, double deck BJ and craps, plus a few nice meals we have on the books.

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(first entry from June 2016 attempted trip report, little info about me)

All,

Long time reader of two plus two, and decided to have my first post be a TR. I wanted to provide people with some insight into a lesser known side of the WSOP, non holdem games.

I have been pilgrimaging to the WSOP on and off for the past decade. The plan is too play 4-5 tournaments, and some 1-3/5-5 big O, 20-40 mix and maybe even some 75-150 omaha 8/b.

My goal is to include interesting hands I play, and give you an insight into my world for the next 8 days.

30 years old from midwest, have a good job, and a circuit ring to go along with that. Play mostly mid stakes limit mixed, and played as high as 50-100 mix last year. Looking to play a heavy tournament schedule to try and go deep in a few events.

Boarding soon, see you in Vegas!

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A lot has changed in the last 5 years, most notably new job and a GF.

In 2016 i was in vegas for 1 week over the summer, and have gone for 1-2 weeks since, one year i was three for 3 weeks.

I have gotten way more comfortable with poker, and the mid to high stakes gambling in general, including the vegas mixed games. I would probably recognize about half of the people at a medium stakes mixed game in vegas, so have logged some hours and feel comfortable.

Stakes - Pre covid i have played 3 summers as high as 100-200 during the WSOP. I can still remember my first attempt at jumping from the 50-100 mix at the RIO into a 100-200 mixed game during the 2017 WSOP.

I had about $7k on me and saw a late night game running short handed @ Aria while walking through for some reason and it was not on Bravo, but in the main room (4 or 5 people with me i think, not in high limit). I was definitely scared money a this point after being knocked out of day 2 in the $3k 8/better and falling into the trap of playing the 50/100 RIO stud 8/b and loosing a decent amount with all the vegas/euro locals who just camp out there and watch videos on phones/ipads.

Up until this point I was doing well in the Bellagio 40 mix and the RIO 20 mix, but was down maybe $5k+ in cash and another $5k in tournaments. As I approached I saw a familiar face in the game who I have played with many times back home and while knowing the game seemed strong, there may be a reason why it is going short handed late night.

Looking back again, I was 100% scared money, as this would be the biggest shot taken, but sometimes you just get those vegas tingles and say **** it, why not me. So with $7k I sat and got tested pretty early on.

In Badaci, i ended up making a rough 7-7 (w/ an A, so not the worst and I could redraw to an OK 6) on the first draw after a late position open and me calling in blinds. I check raised, he three bet and I capped, he called and drew 1 for the second draw. I lead and I get check raised, and I stopped pretty much cold and was like WTF did i get my self into seeing how much money had already gone in and thinking that maybe I am in over my head and out classed and i could be drawing dead and it will cost me minimum $400 to see it. OR am i just getting gonna be outplayed in everyhand and this is a huge mistake as the money did mean something to me.

At this point i know some may be reading this and thinking $400 isnt the end of the world to call down given the pot and it could even be standard, but in the moment taking that shot after about 1.5 weeks at the WSOP, it seemed like my whole world paused and I had my mikey vs. chan moment. I also am not saying I was the worst player in the world as I had a decent understanding, but when playing double what you are comfortable playing with definitely does something to your head.

So we end up calling the raise and patting, and he pats and fires the river and get shown an 8/8, with him smiling and saying nice pat but saying he almost got me to break.

I will remember that moment till the day i die. Long story short, over the last 3 years i have won over 200+ bets in the mid stake mixed games (80 and 100 mix) during the WSOP, including the last two playing in crazy mikes mixed game and loving every moment of it. I have one really great story that I may try and share latter in the report.

I also know some of the people who play in those games read this forum, so I also want to be respectful of everyone in the community.

Thanks for reading and hopefully I will be able to update from my phone a few times tonight and every 3-4 hours while I am in vegas.

- C

Shoe pic. All you need is three types, for pool, for dinner and for walking


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Bankroll about tree fitty ($20k) + old sports ticket from 2019 that i found last year and other random low denim chips

Plan on maybe playing the 80 mix when I land tonight, we shall see how the flight is. It will probably only run on Wed and Friday so those would be the sure bets most likely.


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Thank god for mix game thread. Cant wait to see chip stacks and OP talk about mix game poker!! Have fun.

Guess which piece of luggage is hers? Starting to load the car!


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subbed, looking forward to this

in, good luck!

Waiting to board. I’m to hate to see the lines for airport security once this all passes. Thankful to get TSA/global entry as hour+ will become norm for a period of time.

Chicago picture while driving.

The plan is to land early, drop bags off @ cosmo and have the GF settle in why I try and make it over to the Wynn by 10pm or so. Hope to get 4-5 hours in tonight but also get some good sleep.




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Whole row to ourselves for the first win of the trip! It’s the little things in life that you have to celebrate when flying domestic.

Landing hopefully by 8pm vegas time.


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Good Luck Deuces. Thanks for doing this TR. We all need to have a good one to remember.

Landed few minutes ahead of time. Smooth flight for the most part. One women had a medical condition onboard and for a second it looked like we may make an emergency stop, but she seems ok now. She had an allergic reaction to something.


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Just checked in @ Cosmo.

Free Veuve at VIP check-in for the second win of the day! Deciding on heading to Wynn now or relaxing


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Looking forward to some mixed games hand histories!!

GL

Good luck!

The $20 chips at the Wynn are the most beautiful chips in poker


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Is that the 80/160? What games are in that rotation or is it each person picks a game with a small set of standard ones.

Leads with shoe & BR pics, I'm in. GL!

Subbing! Thanks for posting. Can't wait to read more.

Heading to Vegas tonight.

So I'm pretty certain someone died on our trip back from Vegas earlier this month. Mid-flight the attendances asked over the intercom if there was a doctor on board (I didn't think that was something that actually happens, but I guess it made sense). We were in the back of the plane and didn't see anything else, but there was a small-ish delay when we got to our gate. Then, a few days, later, I get an email from Alaska "apologizing for your recent flight experience," and including a $50 credit. Literally nothing else was wrong with the flight.

Wanted to give a quick update now and I will dump some pics in a little.

Last night was uneventful in the mix, not with the game lasting around 2ish hours after I was able to sit. Ended up have a few people I knew from here and back home, so it seemed like overall a good vibe. in the two hours I was not able to scoop any pot that had been raised or 3bet, so ended up loosing around $5k. The plan is to play in the afternoon and start the game today.

The "biggest" pot that I found myself in was a Super 8/b hand with 3 to an 8 on 3rd, with 4 bets in vs. a J and K. I make my low in 5, and do not hit my "freeroll" or so I though and loose to two pair and a backdoor low from the K as he chased a 4th street 3 flush and ended up someone with a god 7 low from a 4 bet K on third. I did not improve on my first 5 low obv or I would not be telling this story.

That was a decent pot and other than that it was death by a thousand needles. We did end up playing about 30 minutes of $20/point chinease which cost me about $500 or so.

I will update the pit stuff from last night in a little with hopefully a few pictures. Today should be a frequent update form the mix games, hoping to make them live, so hope we can have a little fun and also run good. Maybe have a few hands where everyone can play along.

View from room. It’s definitely an amazing view, but at this point it’s kind of old and in both our opinions not worth the extra per price per night, but highly recommend the cosmo if you have never stayed as it is worth it.



So ended up with this in my back from last night playing bac. Most would argue that it’s def not a good sign. First time I ever played it and def got hooked pretty good. Need up being down about $2k @ $200 min, but fought back and left up $100, so there is that win for the night.

Also rolled dice, but never hit more than 3 points in a row and lost $600 ish or something.

Going to get lunch @ the pool even though it’s only in the high 50s hoping it a little warmer in the sun.


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Relaxing at the cosmo pool. It’s a warm 60 out but feels amazing


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If you're still here over the weekend, the weather should be even better.

Starting the 80/160 mix.

Gonna try and do updates every 15-30 minutes to show the ups and downs of the game.

I’ll also try and do a few play alongs with random hands that I feel like. Some may be simple others may be more complicated. I’ll give my thinking at the time and not sayin I am the best but transparent look into a hands.



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