Vegas Trip Report

I got back from a 5 day trip to Vegas last night. I stayed at Park MGM and thought the hotel was excellent and in a great location. Even though cigarette smoke doesn't bother me I did appreciate that the place didn't stink like people had been smoking in it for 30 years like the Excalibur.

I played cash poker 5x and won 4x. Twice at Bellagio, once at MGM and once at Resorts World. My one loss was at the Venetian when I got stacked after flopping top set. I had been told that the poker players in Vegas were very tight and that the games weren't great but I found the opposite was true. There were a bunch of terrible players at every table I played. At Resorts world $1/3 table you couldn't see a flop for less than $15.

The buffet at the Wynn is still excellent

The quality and price of the weed is not good

I met Brad Owen at the Bellagio and found him to be gracious and kind.

Downtown was pretty fun. I had good success at the Circa blackjack tables and really enjoyed the fact that the dealers (all women) would dance on tables in the pit when not dealing. Same with the D and a few others there. The Circa sports book seems world class to me. Overall I made about $1,150 playing poker and around $300 at blackjack yet, somehow only managed to come home with about $100 more than what I went with and that doesn't include money spent on my credit card (north of $400).

Aside from all the losing slots I played everything was incredibly expensive. My room at Park MGM cost $42 a night resort fee and my flight with Breeze from Bradley in Connecticut was $175. MGM gave me $100 resort credit and $50 free play while I was there.

I wanted to play a big tournament while I was there but there really was nothing beyond the daily events. I played one at MGM and did not cash. I almost played the $160 daily at Aria but decided against it then was happy with this choice when I went back 5 hours later and the thing was still going with 15 people left and 5 cash positions.

The trip from the east coast is a long one, especially with the 3 hour time change but all in all it was a good trip I was happy to have taken.

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Originally Posted by country978

I got back from a 5 day trip to Vegas last night. I stayed at Park MGM and thought the hotel was excellent and in a great location. Even though cigarette smoke doesn't bother me I did appreciate that the place didn't stink like people had been smoking in it for 30 years like the Excalibur.

I played cash poker 5x and won 4x. Twice at Bellagio, once at MGM and once at Resorts World. My one loss was at the Venetian when I got stacked after flopping top set. I had been told that the poker players in Vegas were very tight and that the games weren't great but I found the opposite was true. There were a bunch of terrible players at every table I played. At Resorts world $1/3 table you couldn't see a flop for less than $15.

The buffet at the Wynn is still excellent

The quality and price of the weed is not good

I met Brad Owen at the Bellagio and found him to be gracious and kind.

Downtown was pretty fun. I had good success at the Circa blackjack tables and really enjoyed the fact that the dealers (all women) would dance on tables in the pit when not dealing. Same with the D and a few others there. The Circa sports book seems world class to me. Overall I made about $1,150 playing poker and around $300 at blackjack yet, somehow only managed to come home with about $100 more than what I went with and that doesn't include money spent on my credit card (north of $400).

Aside from all the losing slots I played everything was incredibly expensive. My room at Park MGM cost $42 a night resort fee and my flight with Breeze from Bradley in Connecticut was $175. MGM gave me $100 resort credit and $50 free play while I was there.

I wanted to play a big tournament while I was there but there really was nothing beyond the daily events. I played one at MGM and did not cash. I almost played the $160 daily at Aria but decided against it then was happy with this choice when I went back 5 hours later and the thing was still going with 15 people left and 5 cash positions.

The trip from the east coast is a long one, especially with the 3 hour time change but all in all it was a good trip I was happy to have taken.

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Gotta say not a good trip report. Sorry bud, but this will go into the scrap heap. Uninteresting. Mickey's wheel chair adventures are much better.

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Originally Posted by tgull

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Originally Posted by country978

I got back from a 5 day trip to Vegas last night. I stayed at Park MGM and thought the hotel was excellent and in a great location. Even though cigarette smoke doesn't bother me I did appreciate that the place didn't stink like people had been smoking in it for 30 years like the Excalibur.

I played cash poker 5x and won 4x. Twice at Bellagio, once at MGM and once at Resorts World. My one loss was at the Venetian when I got stacked after flopping top set. I had been told that the poker players in Vegas were very tight and that the games weren't great but I found the opposite was true. There were a bunch of terrible players at every table I played. At Resorts world $1/3 table you couldn't see a flop for less than $15.

The buffet at the Wynn is still excellent

The quality and price of the weed is not good

I met Brad Owen at the Bellagio and found him to be gracious and kind.

Downtown was pretty fun. I had good success at the Circa blackjack tables and really enjoyed the fact that the dealers (all women) would dance on tables in the pit when not dealing. Same with the D and a few others there. The Circa sports book seems world class to me. Overall I made about $1,150 playing poker and around $300 at blackjack yet, somehow only managed to come home with about $100 more than what I went with and that doesn't include money spent on my credit card (north of $400).

Aside from all the losing slots I played everything was incredibly expensive. My room at Park MGM cost $42 a night resort fee and my flight with Breeze from Bradley in Connecticut was $175. MGM gave me $100 resort credit and $50 free play while I was there.

I wanted to play a big tournament while I was there but there really was nothing beyond the daily events. I played one at MGM and did not cash. I almost played the $160 daily at Aria but decided against it then was happy with this choice when I went back 5 hours later and the thing was still going with 15 people left and 5 cash positions.

The trip from the east coast is a long one, especially with the 3 hour time change but all in all it was a good trip I was happy to have taken.

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Gotta say not a good trip report. Sorry bud, but this will go into the scrap heap. Uninteresting. Mickey's wheel chair adventures are much better.

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Brother I am glad you enjoyed yourself but bottomset is right, none of this was worth typing out.

We need more entertainment than what things cost and and flopping top set. Did anything interesting happen?

A trip report from Vegas is far more interesting than a story about a growth you were panicking about rofl.

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Originally Posted by Sloppy Joe

Brother I am glad you enjoyed yourself but bottomset is right, none of this was worth typing out.

We need more entertainment than what things cost and and flopping top set. Did anything interesting happen?

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For example, did you burn you car up smoking weed out of a coke can, or get drunk and cry to a bunch of strangers about your uncle buttfucking you, or steal someone’s cocaine, or try to get a hooker only to be turned down, or beg people to stake you?

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Originally Posted by Jayjami

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Originally Posted by Sloppy Joe

Brother I am glad you enjoyed yourself but bottomset is right, none of this was worth typing out.

We need more entertainment than what things cost and and flopping top set. Did anything interesting happen?

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For example, did you burn you car up smoking weed out of a coke can, or get drunk and cry to a bunch of strangers about your uncle buttfucking you, or steal someone’s cocaine, or try to get a hooker only to be turned down, or beg people to stake you?

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Not trying to one up anyone, but I did get a gun put to my head in a Louisiana casino parking lot 12 years ago. I also had a great Hooters poker casino story about a high school teacher who lost it all trying to make it big as a poker player in Vegas and ruined his life. Posted it here.

This story not so much. I was at a casino last month, nothing happened other than I walked out after two days with $90. Spilled a drink on the felt but not newsworthy.

I enjoyed your report

Not sure why people would be so negative about it

I recently went to Vegas, didn’t gamble, agree everything’s overpriced

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Originally Posted by country978

I got back from a 5 day trip to Vegas last night. I stayed at Park MGM and thought the hotel was excellent and in a great location. Even though cigarette smoke doesn't bother me I did appreciate that the place didn't stink like people had been smoking in it for 30 years like the Excalibur.

I played cash poker 5x and won 4x. Twice at Bellagio, once at MGM and once at Resorts World. My one loss was at the Venetian when I got stacked after flopping top set. I had been told that the poker players in Vegas were very tight and that the games weren't great but I found the opposite was true. There were a bunch of terrible players at every table I played. At Resorts world $1/3 table you couldn't see a flop for less than $15.

The buffet at the Wynn is still excellent

The quality and price of the weed is not good

I met Brad Owen at the Bellagio and found him to be gracious and kind.

Downtown was pretty fun. I had good success at the Circa blackjack tables and really enjoyed the fact that the dealers (all women) would dance on tables in the pit when not dealing. Same with the D and a few others there. The Circa sports book seems world class to me. Overall I made about $1,150 playing poker and around $300 at blackjack yet, somehow only managed to come home with about $100 more than what I went with and that doesn't include money spent on my credit card (north of $400).

Aside from all the losing slots I played everything was incredibly expensive. My room at Park MGM cost $42 a night resort fee and my flight with Breeze from Bradley in Connecticut was $175. MGM gave me $100 resort credit and $50 free play while I was there.

I wanted to play a big tournament while I was there but there really was nothing beyond the daily events. I played one at MGM and did not cash. I almost played the $160 daily at Aria but decided against it then was happy with this choice when I went back 5 hours later and the thing was still going with 15 people left and 5 cash positions.

The trip from the east coast is a long one, especially with the 3 hour time change but all in all it was a good trip I was happy to have taken.

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:popcorn

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Originally Posted by country978

I got back from a 5 day trip to Vegas last night. I stayed at Park MGM and thought the hotel was excellent and in a great location. Even though cigarette smoke doesn't bother me I did appreciate that the place didn't stink like people had been smoking in it for 30 years like the Excalibur.

I played cash poker 5x and won 4x. Twice at Bellagio, once at MGM and once at Resorts World. My one loss was at the Venetian when I got stacked after flopping top set. I had been told that the poker players in Vegas were very tight and that the games weren't great but I found the opposite was true. There were a bunch of terrible players at every table I played. At Resorts world $1/3 table you couldn't see a flop for less than $15.

The buffet at the Wynn is still excellent

The quality and price of the weed is not good

I met Brad Owen at the Bellagio and found him to be gracious and kind.

Downtown was pretty fun. I had good success at the Circa blackjack tables and really enjoyed the fact that the dealers (all women) would dance on tables in the pit when not dealing. Same with the D and a few others there. The Circa sports book seems world class to me. Overall I made about $1,150 playing poker and around $300 at blackjack yet, somehow only managed to come home with about $100 more than what I went with and that doesn't include money spent on my credit card (north of $400).

Aside from all the losing slots I played everything was incredibly expensive. My room at Park MGM cost $42 a night resort fee and my flight with Breeze from Bradley in Connecticut was $175. MGM gave me $100 resort credit and $50 free play while I was there.

I wanted to play a big tournament while I was there but there really was nothing beyond the daily events. I played one at MGM and did not cash. I almost played the $160 daily at Aria but decided against it then was happy with this choice when I went back 5 hours later and the thing was still going with 15 people left and 5 cash positions.

The trip from the east coast is a long one, especially with the 3 hour time change but all in all it was a good trip I was happy to have taken.

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It's absolutely out of control.

Some Flamingo food court prices as of last night:

Whole (18") Pepperoni Pizza at Bonnano's: $52
Nathan's Hot Dog and Fries: $13
Basic cheeseburger and fries at Johnny Rockets: $26

This isn't even a sit-down restaurant... it's the fucking FOOD COURT at one of the lowest-end Strip properties.

There will be a reckoning on the Strip at some point. There has to be...

I liked this trip report but it needed more hookers and blow.

Some Flamingo food court prices as of last night:

Whole (18") Pepperoni Pizza at Bonnano's: $52
Nathan's Hot Dog and Fries: $13
Basic cheeseburger and fries at Johnny Rockets: $26

This isn't even a sit-down restaurant... it's the fucking FOOD COURT at one of the lowest-end Strip properties.

There will be a reckoning on the Strip at some point. There has to be...[/QUOTE]

Seriously, why would you eat this much food? It is ridiculous. Druff on Poker Night in America material.

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Originally Posted by tigerpiper

I liked this trip report but it needed more hookers and blow.

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Sorry fellas, no hookers or blow or setting anything on fire or smoking weed in an uncivilized way. Didn't even get drunk once. Next time I go I'll add in some coke and a few loose women just for PFA entertainment purposes.

My pal and I went to MGM Springfield tonight and have tentatively agreed to go for a WSOP event this year. It'll be my 1st time playing in one.

I need future TRs to have trannys.

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Originally Posted by country978

I got back from a 5 day trip to Vegas last night. I stayed at Park MGM and thought the hotel was excellent and in a great location. Even though cigarette smoke doesn't bother me I did appreciate that the place didn't stink like people had been smoking in it for 30 years like the Excalibur.

I played cash poker 5x and won 4x. Twice at Bellagio, once at MGM and once at Resorts World. My one loss was at the Venetian when I got stacked after flopping top set. I had been told that the poker players in Vegas were very tight and that the games weren't great but I found the opposite was true. There were a bunch of terrible players at every table I played. At Resorts world $1/3 table you couldn't see a flop for less than $15.

The buffet at the Wynn is still excellent

The quality and price of the weed is not good

I met Brad Owen at the Bellagio and found him to be gracious and kind.

Downtown was pretty fun. I had good success at the Circa blackjack tables and really enjoyed the fact that the dealers (all women) would dance on tables in the pit when not dealing. Same with the D and a few others there. The Circa sports book seems world class to me. Overall I made about $1,150 playing poker and around $300 at blackjack yet, somehow only managed to come home with about $100 more than what I went with and that doesn't include money spent on my credit card (north of $400).

Aside from all the losing slots I played everything was incredibly expensive. My room at Park MGM cost $42 a night resort fee and my flight with Breeze from Bradley in Connecticut was $175. MGM gave me $100 resort credit and $50 free play while I was there.

I wanted to play a big tournament while I was there but there really was nothing beyond the daily events. I played one at MGM and did not cash. I almost played the $160 daily at Aria but decided against it then was happy with this choice when I went back 5 hours later and the thing was still going with 15 people left and 5 cash positions.

The trip from the east coast is a long one, especially with the 3 hour time change but all in all it was a good trip I was happy to have taken.

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Wish I were there to have finally met you. I never seem to be in Vegas when you visit.

I assume the blackjack you played was 6:5? Unfortunately it is very hard to find 3:2 blackjack in Vegas these days, except at high limits. Really ruins the game, and most people don't realize it.

Circa Sportsbook is run extremely well, managed by the very social media savvy (and fairly young) Jeffrey Benson. He also helped get scammer Christopher Mitchell banned from the property when the matter was brought to his attention, even though it had nothing to do with his department. Class guy from what I can see.

Circa in general is very well run, and very nice for a downtown property. The "ID everyone" policy when you walk inside is annoying. They claim it's to make sure everyone on property is over 21 (no kids allowed in the whole place), but I don't believe that. There's no reason to ID people my age. In fact, they'd even ID my dad if he tried to go in. It's all about tracking who comes in.

Park MGM (aka Monte Carlo) is a good value. As you said, great location, and it's not a bad place. It's probably the best value of all MGM properties, much like Harrah's and Horseshoe are the best value Caesars properties.

Did you have a car there? I'm assuming not. I always need a car in Vegas and feel weird without one, but that's because I'm not a tourist. I'm kind of a pseudo-local. But I find that most people who visit Vegas frequently eventually get to feel antsy without a car.

I agree it's a pain in the ass to come to Vegas from the east coast -- something I take for granted as a guy who can jump in the car, be there in 4 hours, and be in the same time zone. Much like how it's a huge deal from west coast people to go to London, whereas for people in the east, it's like flying to the other side of the US. That's why I haven't been to Europe in decades.

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

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Originally Posted by country978

I got back from a 5 day trip to Vegas last night. I stayed at Park MGM and thought the hotel was excellent and in a great location. Even though cigarette smoke doesn't bother me I did appreciate that the place didn't stink like people had been smoking in it for 30 years like the Excalibur.

I played cash poker 5x and won 4x. Twice at Bellagio, once at MGM and once at Resorts World. My one loss was at the Venetian when I got stacked after flopping top set. I had been told that the poker players in Vegas were very tight and that the games weren't great but I found the opposite was true. There were a bunch of terrible players at every table I played. At Resorts world $1/3 table you couldn't see a flop for less than $15.

The buffet at the Wynn is still excellent

The quality and price of the weed is not good

I met Brad Owen at the Bellagio and found him to be gracious and kind.

Downtown was pretty fun. I had good success at the Circa blackjack tables and really enjoyed the fact that the dealers (all women) would dance on tables in the pit when not dealing. Same with the D and a few others there. The Circa sports book seems world class to me. Overall I made about $1,150 playing poker and around $300 at blackjack yet, somehow only managed to come home with about $100 more than what I went with and that doesn't include money spent on my credit card (north of $400).

Aside from all the losing slots I played everything was incredibly expensive. My room at Park MGM cost $42 a night resort fee and my flight with Breeze from Bradley in Connecticut was $175. MGM gave me $100 resort credit and $50 free play while I was there.

I wanted to play a big tournament while I was there but there really was nothing beyond the daily events. I played one at MGM and did not cash. I almost played the $160 daily at Aria but decided against it then was happy with this choice when I went back 5 hours later and the thing was still going with 15 people left and 5 cash positions.

The trip from the east coast is a long one, especially with the 3 hour time change but all in all it was a good trip I was happy to have taken.

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Wish I were there to have finally met you. I never seem to be in Vegas when you visit.

I assume the blackjack you played was 6:5? Unfortunately it is very hard to find 3:2 blackjack in Vegas these days, except at high limits. Really ruins the game, and most people don't realize it.

Circa Sportsbook is run extremely well, managed by the very social media savvy (and fairly young) Jeffrey Benson. He also helped get scammer Christopher Mitchell banned from the property when the matter was brought to his attention, even though it had nothing to do with his department. Class guy from what I can see.

Circa in general is very well run, and very nice for a downtown property. The "ID everyone" policy when you walk inside is annoying. They claim it's to make sure everyone on property is over 21 (no kids allowed in the whole place), but I don't believe that. There's no reason to ID people my age. In fact, they'd even ID my dad if he tried to go in. It's all about tracking who comes in.

Park MGM (aka Monte Carlo) is a good value. As you said, great location, and it's not a bad place. It's probably the best value of all MGM properties, much like Harrah's and Horseshoe are the best value Caesars properties.

Did you have a car there? I'm assuming not. I always need a car in Vegas and feel weird without one, but that's because I'm not a tourist. I'm kind of a pseudo-local. But I find that most people who visit Vegas frequently eventually get to feel antsy without a car.

I agree it's a pain in the ass to come to Vegas from the east coast -- something I take for granted as a guy who can jump in the car, be there in 4 hours, and be in the same time zone. Much like how it's a huge deal from west coast people to go to London, whereas for people in the east, it's like flying to the other side of the US. That's why I haven't been to Europe in decades.

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The blackjack was 3:2. I'm not playing 6:5. Downtown I found a $10 3:2 game and at Park MGM there was a $25 3:2. Did you know that at some of these 6:5 tables a dealer 22 is a push?

I did not have a car there and usually don't. Lots of walking and a few Lyfts which becomes very expensive. The buffet at the Wynn was $80+ and the slots don't pay so altogether I wind up winning like $105 after expenses which actually felt like a minor miracle.

It's 70/30 I'll be there again in June for a WSOP event. Maybe I'll meet you then? My pal wants to do the gladiator event for $300 which I think is around June 8th or 9th. We're trying to plan a trip for June 6-13.

If I didn't have to drive 50+ miles one way to play poker I'm sure I'd play every day. Yesterday, I played in Salem, NH. Its 55 miles from my house. I played for 5 1/2 hours and lost $34 then had to drive home. I'd like to play again today but the driving is lousy. 4 lane I93 to the nasty 495 at the wrong time is just no fun. The Connecticut casinos are closer and an easier drive but New Hampshire folk are much more enjoyable to play poker with than the Connecticut folk. I'm considering Encore Boston today but hit traffic at the wrong time coming home and you're screwed. Haven't played poker there since pre-pandemic but its definitely the New England room with the most action.

Obviously we play different limits but do you (or anyone else) find that the games in Vegas are very soft? I was pleasantly surprised by how bad some of the players at the low limit games were.