I started off in Monte Carlo casino on the strip where Ami and I focused on her interests which included slots, shopping, blackjack, spa and relaxation. Not a lot of poker played but I did sneak into the poker room a couple of times for short sessions and it is a nicely laid out room. There seem to be a few regulars who like to educate the tourists by taking their money but I held my own and even got a few compliments and asked if I was a local. (Maybe they were just buttering me up but it seemed sincere).
After Ami left I upped the poker ratio and tried to stay away from the Craps tables (my biggest leak - that game is such fun!). So far I have played cash games and/or tournaments at MGM, Wynn, Venetian, Luxor, Mandalay Bay and Monte Carlo.
My stats:
- came 16th out of 207 in a Venetian deep-stack tournament for a $307 cash ($150 entry)
- came 1st out of 18 in a Luxor tournament for a $160 cash (3 way chop) ($50 entry)
- bubbled in Mandalay Bay 35 person tournament (5 paid) after losing with AQ then AK in 2 hands on the bubble v all-in short stacks. Worse they were all in on the BB with no choice so I lost to random cards!!!!
- played 7 tournaments so far, cashed in 2. Bubbled in 1.
The cash games are harder to quantify. I have bounced all over the place posting some losses and some wins. Some terrible bad beats taking my stack (AJ v J8 on J65 rainbow board where his 8 catches the runner runner straight, AA v 10-10 were he catches a 10 etc.). As I said before I am taking this in stride.
Some of the younger Vegas locals I have met out here are mega aggressive and its interesting to watch and learn. They seem to have learnt online how to play poker and brought that game with them. They play 1-2 or 2-5 no limit. In 1-2 NL they seem to raise most pots preflop to $15 or $20 and then bet $30-$50 on the flop. The tourists often do not want to risk this much money preflop to the locals take it down. Its an interesting strategy.
I have tried to avoid these players by moving to a different table or mixing it up and playing 3-6 or 4-8 limit where a lot of older players like to play. There the older guys like to give advice on how I am playing which often is helpful and occasionally terrible. But it is worth exactly what I am paying for it and I am keen to hear from anyone I can about how they play and if they are profitable.
A big part of my game right now is trying to pick the right table. Often you go on a casino list so you don't get a choice but you can request a tale change if needed. Other times when it is quiet several tables have an empty seat and you can select where to sit. I look for drunk players first and foremost, then unbalanced stacks and if I can I try to observe the table for a bit. Even if I sit down I am waiting an orbit or o before I get too involved just to get a feel for the players. When I have decided who is weak and I play aggressive against them. I also tend to be very aggressive in the first couple of hands I play - the other players seem to give a lot of respect until they have seen you for a bit and often fold to flop aggression or a second barrel on the turn.
I will try to update the blog again while I am out here - its been 10 days so far so I only have a short time left before I have to go back to CA.
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