Arrived in early Sunday July 3rd got some In-n-out Burger with the wife. Had to sit outside (Too Hot) went to the Palms and they announced over the loud speaker that they had two seats left in a $110 sit-n-go. I got in 2nd to last and actually won when I hit a flush on the turn and my opponent had AK and a K came on the river. I hope the Palms keep doing tournaments they were very professional and fun. The top 3 spots paid out $500, $300, and $200 respectfully.

I got checked in at Sunset Station and the Wife and I were meeting friends for dinner. After we stopped by Binion’s for some poker but our friends had never played in a live game, so we went to Vegas Club to play some blackjack.

The next day my wife wanted to play at Luxor so we played some 2-4 I started out okay then couldn't seem to win a hand my QQ, and AA both got cracked. Was almost down $200 but played back up to a -$120. I got most of it back on two hand I had AQ spades and made the nut flush on the turn, and I had wired 7's and hit a set on the turn and I was heads up against a guy who was re-raising when a Ace hit the river, fortunately for me he has flopped a set of 2's on the flop and just slow played until the river. After that went with our friends to the shark reef at Mandalay Bay.

Tried to get into the 6:00pm tourney at Mandalay Bay, but sign up started at 3:00pm and was sold out by 3:03pm. Advice If you want to play in a poker room tourney get there about 3-4 hours early and play in cash game as they usually take people from live games first.

Day 3 went over to MGM for their 11:00 am tourney it was the 5th of July so the room wasn't packed. I got there about 8:15am and got into a 2-4 game, at 9:00 am they came to the table asking who wanted to play in the tourney I signed up from the table. Like at Luxor I started out okay but then kept donating after the first 30 minutes I couldn't hit any thing and when I did hit a flop I was up against either KK or JJ. I gave away about $100 then it was time from the tourney.

Unfortunately I was still kind of on tilt from my two bad sessions. On the third had I picked up A6 suited. I made a pretty big raise and was called. Flop came 8-9-10 rainbow. The guy checked and I bet he called and a 7 came on the turn my opponent checked and I went all-in he called and showed me a Jack for the higher straight. Oh well the MGM room is every thing they say and I will definitely play there again.

After my disappointment I went back to the Palms for lunch (Garundo's table side guacamole is awesome). I tried to play in another sit-n-go but no one was signing up. I got into a 4-8 game and actually had a good session. I like the Palms because you get a good mix of locals and tourists. I had a guy who was a total calling station and he went through about $300 in about an hour. I and this other guy 3 seats to my left were just dominating the table. I was up over $200 but gave about $60 back, I received a phone call with some bad news and it really took away my focus.

Best hand I am in middle position with Q8 diamonds one guy limps and the guy one seat to my left raises the limper calls and I call. Flop comes Q-Q-Q, the original raiser bet it all the way and I raised on the river (I had last position in acting). And actually both guys call I didn't see the original raisers hand but the guy on my right had AA, he was cool about it.

After that went to check out Bellagio's new room, it looks good, but was really crowded and this is a Tuesday. Decided to go downtown to play a tourney at the Plaza, I always seen to do well in these ones. The Plaza did change its schedule and have a tourney a 7:00 pm instead of 8:00pm I arrived about 20 minutes late but still got in and I gust missed one round of blinds. Only 19 players but only the top 3 got paid which sucked since I came in 4th.

Key hand I had lost about 1/2 my chips o a check raise when I picked up 22 the chip leader called me immediately with AQ off suit. I flopped a set and made a full house on the turn. When we got down to four players I was starting to get short stacked and it was the hand before my big blind, which would have been about 1/2 of what I had left. I picked up 9-10 off suit and when all-in just trying to pick up the blinds. The same guy who I had beat with my 22 called with A4 spades. I did out flop him when a 9 came on the flop there was no flush or straight possibility but the A came on the river for another bad beat. The players were very gracious.

That's it next trip is in December. But I am going on a poker cruise, which can be good or bad depending on how I do the first day. Keep 'em in the air-OUT.