Vegas Baby Vegas

[serge 904]

Sounds like a great time..

 

I am going to write a very nice trip report with pictures..It will be filled with grinding poker, light gambling in the evenings, and vegas stuff with the wife and friends.

 

My goals on this trip:

 

- Try the $20 trick at MGM, full with background story how me and wife are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary and how we spent our honeymoon in Vegas.

( real story is we have been married almost 13 years, no honeymoon in Vegas, BUT anniversary is very close)

-Come back with more money than I went with..Including cost of trip

- Play golf with Phil Ivey

- Go on a 20 minute roll at a craps table(for micro stakes)

- DO NOT and I REPEAT DO NOT spend more than $10 a day in slots , especially Lucky Larry

- Visit as many sportsbooks as possible and place a $5 bet on the Leafs to win the CUP(2014)..Preferrably I will have 20 different ones.

- Run into at least one NHL player and ask take a picture

- Walk the Strip with my Leafs Jersey and high five fellow Leaf fans( this ALWAYS HAPPENS)

- 4 bet bluff a $1-2 grinder and show him i had nothing

- go to In and Out burger and have it Animal Style

- make the drive to Red Rock( we are renting a car) and enjoy the non strip Vegas atmosphere.

- have at least two meals that are far away from strip with the locals

- Ask one of the mexicans handing out the hooker cards, how much they get paid

-Play a few satellites and hope to play in a world series event( Wife has given go ahead for me to stay an extra few days if I get into a tourney and make the next day)

 

Overall have a good relaxing time..

[FCP Bob 1,323]

have fun Serge

[mrdannyg 274]

Look up "Babycakes Cafe" - it is off the strip, great place to grab breakfast/brunch. Locals love it, so be prepared to wait a bit if you're going on a weekend. Worth it.

[serge 904]

Here are odds:

 

PENGUINS 5-1

BLACKHAWKS 6

BLUES 8

BRUINS 9

RED WINGS 10

CANUCKS 12

KINGS 16

SHARKS 16

RANGERS 20

CANADIENS 20

DUCKS 20

CAPITALS 30

SENATORS 30

OILERS 30

MAPLE LEAFS 30

ISLANDERS 30

BLUE JACKETS 40

FLYERS 40

DEVILS 40

HURRICANES 40

WILD 40

LIGHTNING 40

JETS 40

PREDATORS 50

STARS 50

AVALANCHE 50

COYOTES 60

SABRES 100

PANTHERS 100

FLAMES 100

[ajs510 122]

For next year? I'd jump all over the Rangers at 20-1.

[mrdannyg 274]

For next year? I'd jump all over the Rangers at 20-1.

 

Why? I think they'll be better, but Cup Champions? Other than Lundqvist, not sure I see much there. At those prices, I like the Kings, Sharks, Flyers, Jets. If I had more guts, I'd say Preds and Coyotes too.

[MapleLeafpoker 1,462]

Serge, regarding your goals:

 

$20 Trick

- When you get to the counter at MGM, try looking at the far right side for a 30ish African-American girl named Ruta. Her tag says she is from Eritrea, and try to figure out a way to see her instead of someone random. She was very good with upgrading us, and arranging some other things, with minimal tip. Tell her I say hi, hopefully she remembers the greasy Armenians from Toronto. She arranged to get us the big suite+5 rooms all practically next door to each other, good views, and got us early check in+late check out. Sweet girl, was very grateful for the modest tip. Your story should be golden though, good thinking.

 

In n Out

- I finally tried it. Honestly.....so-so. I didnt think it was anything earth shattering, and most of the guys I was with were downright dissapointed. Some said barely better then McD's. I think 5 guys is much much better. Try for yourself, esp since it sounds like you will have a car. We just cabbed it.

 

Craps, micro stakes

- I highly recommend downtown. Im not a craps guy, but I played it downtown with the FCP guys, and it was awesome. I did some this trip too, and again, left it to downtown. Smaller stakes, more friendly dealers+other players, more yelling and hollering as a group over small wins.

Me not knowing the rules really wasnt an issue there.

 

Slots

- Top Dollar. Only slot I ever play, and even that hardly a slots guy. Beautiful machine, its my start of Vegas tradition, first thing I always do.

 

Hockey Bet

- Where did you get those odds from? I tried on Sunday to find odds for next year at MGM, and couldnt find anything, I was dying to bet too. GL!

[ajs510 122]

Why? I think they'll be better, but Cup Champions? Other than Lundqvist, not sure I see much there. At those prices, I like the Kings, Sharks, Flyers, Jets. If I had more guts, I'd say Preds and Coyotes too.

 

Because I think they're going to hire Lindy who is a bigtime players coach, and he's going to get all the talent out of a very talented lineup that decided it didn't want to play for a tyrant anymore. Same deal as what happened in LA when Sutter took over...the talent woke up and started playing hockey.

[serge 904]

Awesome tip Arp..I will try it.

 

Here is where the odds are from, Looks like the Las Vegas Hilton..Not sure other books have it up yet:

 

http://www.covers.com/articles/articles.aspx?theArt=324090

 

Every trip I throw down a few bucks at a longshot, hoping my winner will pay for my next Vegas trip..Hasnt happened yet.

[ajs510 122]

 

 

In n Out

- I finally tried it. Honestly.....so-so. I didnt think it was anything earth shattering, and most of the guys I was with were downright dissapointed. Some said barely better then McD's. I think 5 guys is much much better. Try for yourself, esp since it sounds like you will have a car. We just cabbed it.

 

I agree with this...didn't even make it there my last trip even though I was planning to. Wasn't a priority to take a cab over there and then back again...if they put one right on the Strip it would be a goldmine...no idea why they don't do this. Their burgers are good but certainly not the best thing in the world, Five Guys is better, I've warmed up to them lately.

[MapleLeafpoker 1,462]

Serge's goals reminded me.....

 

Me and a buddy go to Hakkasan. New club in MGM, where we were already staying. Frankly, it was just to see it, and being the new "it" place in Vegas, I wasnt dying to lineup or pay stupid fees for it. But knew a guy who got us in for free, and no lineup. I think the best part of the night was walking by 400 people in one line, another 100 people in another line, and then walking right in.....without paying the $50/guy cover. At this point in my life, I can barely stand waiting behind someone while they order at the bar.

Cool place, nice, but frankly I like the places that have indoor+outdoor. (ie Marquee, XS, Surrender)

 

Once inside, grab a drink, and watch the festivities. As Im at the bar, group of guys walk into the reserved table right in front of us, and I immediately recognize the guy in charge of the group(taking the menu, givin his credit card) as an NHL'er. You know when you know the guy, but cant quite place it? Anyway, after some while, I gave up.

Next day its still bugging me, so I scroll through the IPad, and guess at some teams. I thought he was Troy Brouwer, but it ended up being Ryan Clowe.(I thought it was an ex-Blackhawk or maybe a SanJose Shark, funny how the mind works) I didnt get a good look at the others.

 

edit: For the record, Ryan had the crappiest table in the place, all the way at the back. Not trying to be an ass, more just suprised he wasnt in "prime real estate". Maybe sold out?

[MapleLeafpoker 1,462]

Every trip I throw down a few bucks at a longshot, hoping my winner will pay for my next Vegas trip..Hasnt happened yet.

 

Ya, I know exactly what you mean, good call! I might ask you to do the same thing for me if thats ok.

 

I keep hoping that my next trip the following June has a winning $1000 ticket in my pocket before I get there, or at least a huge rooting interest in the finals going on.

[MapleLeafpoker 1,462]

Because I think they're going to hire Lindy who is a bigtime players coach, and he's going to get all the talent out of a very talented lineup that decided it didn't want to play for a tyrant anymore. Same deal as what happened in LA when Sutter took over...the talent woke up and started playing hockey.

 

I agreed with your NYR shot, and now you got me even more convinced with this possibility.

 

I cant help it, but I think Carolina might be worth a shot too.

[serge 904]

Ya, I know exactly what you mean, good call! I might ask you to do the same thing for me if thats ok.

 

I keep hoping that my next trip the following June has a winning $1000 ticket in my pocket before I get there, or at least a huge rooting interest in the finals going on.

will do for sure..

 

I read online that recently all the MGM properties have wifi everywhere in the Casino?? Is this true?? If so that so EPIC( Adrian's favourite word)

 

Its been almost 2 years since I was in Vegas now, and the only place I remember having free wifi was the Venetian...The one thing that kills me when I am away is my addiction to being online constantly....And I am not paying for ridicolous roaming fees..

[ajs510 122]

edit: For the record, Ryan had the crappiest table in the place, all the way at the back. Not trying to be an ass, more just suprised he wasnt in "prime real estate". Maybe sold out?

 

I'd imagine he just wanted some privacy for himself and his crew.

[MapleLeafpoker 1,462]

I read online that recently all the MGM properties have wifi everywhere in the Casino?? Is this true?? If so that so EPIC( Adrian's favourite word)

 

Yup.

Just make sure your always logging into the part that says charge it to my room. Your already paying for it as part of your resort fees anyway, so you just type in name+room number and its constant. Definetly a big improvement over past years.

 

Big dissapointment for me, and why I didnt play poker.....MGM poker room moved again. They put it back to the temporary side part where they had it last year when Hakkasan was being built. Evidently when they went back to the original spot for the room, things got messy, as all the Hakkasan club goers were cutting through the poker room. Frankly, I hate this current spot, and the space has no atmosphere. I dont want to feel like Im playing poker in some strangers basement, thats not why I go all the way to Vegas.

Also, the whole thing is 1-2NL. Limit games at best are 2-4 if they even exist, while one night we almost had enough interest for 4-8. All that combined for me to play no poker at all this trip.

edit: There was also some 2-5NL, and there was always interest in a mixed game, but that never materialized.

 

I swear, I was tempted to leave you a care package at the front desk. Nothing you would actually use, but I just thought it would be hilarious to leave you 4 beers, a package of almonds, half eaten bags of chips+m&m's, and a half a bottle of Gin. lol

And some Aloe Vera, cause the 45 degree temperature evidently can burn your skin.

[MapleLeafpoker 1,462]

I'd imagine he just wanted some privacy for himself and his crew.

 

I never looked at it that way. Excellent point.

 

I keep forgetting they are hockey players, and not like any other professional atheletes who need all the attention. Dumb me, I should have known better.

[mrdannyg 274]

Because I think they're going to hire Lindy who is a bigtime players coach, and he's going to get all the talent out of a very talented lineup that decided it didn't want to play for a tyrant anymore. Same deal as what happened in LA when Sutter took over...the talent woke up and started playing hockey.

 

You sold me.

 

Serge's goals reminded me.....

 

Me and a buddy go to Hakkasan. New club in MGM, where we were already staying. Frankly, it was just to see it, and being the new "it" place in Vegas, I wasnt dying to lineup or pay stupid fees for it. But knew a guy who got us in for free, and no lineup. I think the best part of the night was walking by 400 people in one line, another 100 people in another line, and then walking right in.....without paying the $50/guy cover. At this point in my life, I can barely stand waiting behind someone while they order at the bar.

Cool place, nice, but frankly I like the places that have indoor+outdoor. (ie Marquee, XS, Surrender)

 

Once inside, grab a drink, and watch the festivities. As Im at the bar, group of guys walk into the reserved table right in front of us, and I immediately recognize the guy in charge of the group(taking the menu, givin his credit card) as an NHL'er. You know when you know the guy, but cant quite place it? Anyway, after some while, I gave up.

Next day its still bugging me, so I scroll through the IPad, and guess at some teams. I thought he was Troy Brouwer, but it ended up being Ryan Clowe.(I thought it was an ex-Blackhawk or maybe a SanJose Shark, funny how the mind works) I didnt get a good look at the others.

 

edit: For the record, Ryan had the crappiest table in the place, all the way at the back. Not trying to be an ass, more just suprised he wasnt in "prime real estate". Maybe sold out?

 

Ryane. Not Ryan, like some plebe. Don't forget it.

[MapleLeafpoker 1,462]

Ryane. Not Ryan, like some plebe. Don't forget it.

 

I swear I typed Ryane, then edited to Ryan.

 

I knew it was Ryane before FCP times, then for some reason after you guys were done, the RyanE became a fictitious joke initiated by FCP'ers, that of course could not be true.

[serge 904]

Yup.

Just make sure your always logging into the part that says charge it to my room. Your already paying for it as part of your resort fees anyway, so you just type in name+room number and its constant. Definetly a big improvement over past years.

 

Big dissapointment for me, and why I didnt play poker.....MGM poker room moved again. They put it back to the temporary side part where they had it last year when Hakkasan was being built. Evidently when they went back to the original spot for the room, things got messy, as all the Hakkasan club goers were cutting through the poker room. Frankly, I hate this current spot, and the space has no atmosphere. I dont want to feel like Im playing poker in some strangers basement, thats not why I go all the way to Vegas.

Also, the whole thing is 1-2NL. Limit games at best are 2-4 if they even exist, while one night we almost had enough interest for 4-8. All that combined for me to play no poker at all this trip.

edit: There was also some 2-5NL, and there was always interest in a mixed game, but that never materialized.

 

I swear, I was tempted to leave you a care package at the front desk. Nothing you would actually use, but I just thought it would be hilarious to leave you 4 beers, a package of almonds, half eaten bags of chips+m&m's, and a half a bottle of Gin. lol

And some Aloe Vera, cause the 45 degree temperature evidently can burn your skin.

 

Care package would of been hilarious.

 

FWIW I got this app for my phone, its AMAZING..Its called Bravo poker, all the poker rooms report what tables they have running with the waiting lists..

 

As we speak there are only 9 games running at the Bellagio(1230 on a wednesday) 2 1-3 NL , up to 1 50-100 PLO

 

At the MGM there currently only 1 game going..I think because of the daily tourney..Ill probably be doing most of poker playing at the RIO at the WSOP

[mrdannyg 274]

I swear I typed Ryane, then edited to Ryan.

 

I knew it was Ryane before FCP times, then for some reason after you guys were done, the RyanE became a fictitious joke initiated by FCP'ers, that of course could not be true.

 

Easy to remember - two unnecessary E's, for the two unnecessary times DannyG will take him in draft...

[ajs510 122]

Care package would of been hilarious.

 

FWIW I got this app for my phone, its AMAZING..Its called Bravo poker, all the poker rooms report what tables they have running with the waiting lists..

 

As we speak there are only 9 games running at the Bellagio(1230 on a wednesday) 2 1-3 NL , up to 1 50-100 PLO

 

At the MGM there currently only 1 game going..I think because of the daily tourney..Ill probably be doing most of poker playing at the RIO at the WSOP

 

I was surprised by how quiet Aria's room was when I was there...only three 1/2NL games going on a Sunday afternoon, and nothing higher than that. No PLO...

[serge 904]

I was surprised by how quiet Aria's room was when I was there...only three 1/2NL games going on a Sunday afternoon, and nothing higher than that. No PLO...

 

I am constantly on the APP checking at different times of the day..During the days not much action, especially during the WSOP...

 

Currently at the ARIA:

 

10 games going including 800-1600 MIXED IVEY game.

 

4 1-3 holdem

3 2-5 holdem

1 5-10 holdem

1 2-5 PLO

 

My beef is to play limit holdem I dont have much options..But the WSOP is good action.

[gruven 530]

Best breakfast in vegas is Blueberry Hill, on Flamingo. Local place. For what strip hotels charge you for breakfast, it's worth the cab ride. I guarantee you can't eat $10 worth of breakfast there. I go almost every day, and have done so for 10 years.

[Babying 613]

Best breakfast in vegas is Blueberry Hill, on Flamingo. Local place. For what strip hotels charge you for breakfast, it's worth the cab ride. I guarantee you can't eat $10 worth of breakfast there. I go almost every day, and have done so for 10 years.

I have been there. To be honest I did not like it too much. Mind you all I do is drink coffee for breakfast and don't eat.