First I'd like to thank everyone who contributed reviews/reports to this site as it was instrumental in helping me determine where to play and which tournaments to join. I had a bunch of print outs from this site on the rooms' limits etc. plus the tourney schedule.

Ok down to business. I arrive in Vegas in the evening of the 20th and still had 5 hours or so till I'd be legal in Vegas. While my buddy played some 4-8 Limit at the Bellagio, I walked around hoping to spot some pros but didn't see any (not in Bobby's room either, but apparently they start late). I killed time by watching the Bellagio fountain and the final four of a tourney that must've started much earlier. The structure of that tournament seemed perfect with 40 mnute levels and their chip stacks very huge to allow for much play; the winner also received a very nice glass trophy.

By midnight I was at the table at the Flamingo (my home hotel) playing some $1-2 No Limit. Play was decent but couldn't get anything going. Decided to move tables to a short handed $1-2 game (4 people) and made some money back finishing down $40 after a 4 hour session. I am, by the way, no newbie, as the legal age here in Canada is 19 and I have been playing cash games and tourneys since I was legal at the casinos here. Despite much casino experience, I still feel I have lots to learn.

The next day we hit up the Sahara for the 11am tournament as it sounded like the best value according to the reviews on this site. They were right. $2000 to begin in chips, 20 minute levels, blinds at 25-25 for $42. Rebuys are $20 which you can take up front to start with $3500. Didn't rebuy and made the final table with a buddy. Fell short finishing 8th while by buddy ended up chopping the prize pool four ways which was pretty juicy with 31/38 players rebuying. Then we headed over to Paris to play some cash games. $1-2 NL action was great, and as long as you don't do anything stupid, the game will be good to you. Lots of action from tourists making bad plays. Finished up $150 after 3 hours or so. Even though the Paris room wasn't really a 'room' it was very cozy and was nicely set up in my opinion. Headed over to the MGM to continue with cash games. THe room was very nice and the waitresses were very pretty. The game here was very loose but there were also lots of decent players. Bought into a $1-2 NL game that I probably shouldn't have as everyone's stacks were already quite deep when I sat down. People in this game were also much more uptight and got mad very easily at other players who agitated them. Left before I lost my entire buy-in down $80.

Next day woke up too late to enter any afternoon tournaments and headed to Ballys for some more cash game action. As Ballys & Paris are owned by the same company the Poker Room was quite similar (though was actually a real room). Found the coktail service to be best at this room. Lost my entire buy in here when I had trip 7s on the flop and called someone's all in when he had an open ended straight draw - which instead of hitting that, he ends up getting runner runner flush. Great. Otherwise, action here is similar to Paris. Aside from the occasional inevitable bad beat, you should do well if you're patient. THen decided to play the 2am Graveyard tourney at Aladdin. Didn't find the structure too good starting at 25-50 with $1500 in chips for $60. 20 minute levels though, if I recall correctly. There were 40 players with new players coming in if someone got busted out in the first couple levels. PLayed patiently and made my way to the final table short stacked. Got the cards when I needed them and started to mount a come back becoming 2nd in chips. Didn't involve myself in big pots with the chip leader if I could help it and took home $385 for 3rd.

Next day was strictly a tournament day. Headed to Paris early afternoon and decided to play in their $110 7pm tourney. While waiting played some more cash games and was able to cover half my buy in. This was the best and most fun tournament (yet worst structured with 15 minute levels and 1500 in chips starting at 25-50) I played in simply because it came down to me and my buddy heads-up. We agreed to chop it but played it out (and he took first). It was a two table 18 player tourney and I took $580 or so for 2nd and he took over $900. However, they had to tax his $900 win and took 30% tax. We were pissed but said those were the rules. Ended up losing $270 from that 1st place finish because of that. Anyone know how we can get this back? So far, as my buddy and I were running well in tournaments, we headed to the Sahara tournament once again this time at 11pm. I busted out early getting beat badly, rebuying, then getting beat badly again. My friend made the final 15 but fell short of the final table. And that was it for our tournament run.

Also inbetween all this, though I don't remember when, playing some $1-2 NL at our hotel (Flamingo) I was fortunate enough to hit the high hand jackpot of the day. I was playing at around 3am and had A-3 in the big blinded. With several I checked my trips in first position all the way to the river which brought the final ace. I bet out a smallish amount and get raised by my buddy! Apparently he had pocket jacks for a boat. He got called by someone else who I presume had best two pair on the turn and rivered his boat. I proceeded to raise to the chagrin of my buddy who could see in my eyes that I wasn't messing around folding his boat, as did the other caller. I showed my hand and qualified for the high hand of the day. If no one baet my 4 aces by 7am, I'd take it down. Went back t around 9am to check, and sure enough quad aces held up and I collected a cool $500.

And that's the trip. All in all, I doubled my 'bankroll' I had set for the trip and felt pretty good about at least my tournament play over the couple days. Wasted some money screwing around in 2-4 after having one too many drinks and teaching another buddy how to play. I then remembered why I hate 2-4 haha.

Sorry for the long read, but hope this can help other players travelling to Vegas in the near future. Cheers!