I am a beginner at holdem. My 1st time in a poker room was a trip in early June, so when a chance to return to Vegas came up for the last weekend of June I jumped at it. We were going to meet up with my wife's 2 cousins and their husbands. I thought great I can see them and learn more poker.

We arrived to the Bill's and checked in by 1030pm, went straight to Flamingo to play some poker. For a Friday I was prepared for a wait when I sa every table full, luckily I was the only one waiting for a 2-4 limit and was seated with in 10 minutes. First I was disappointed this night on the drink service. Slow is not the word. Last trip I was impressed, barely had time to finish a beer, this time I just wanted a beer. Anyway, as I played the relatives came by, in between hands I was able to say hello. Finally at 145am down $80 I called it quits. Met up with one of the cousins and the wife and then hit the sack by 215p.

Saturday- I woke at 530am. Needed more sleep but the sun was up and I had poker on my mind. Told the wife I was going for coffee and if not right back I was going to the Flamingo poker room. I had a seat immediately again at the same table. I started getting shaky from not eating breakfast about 9am so a few pepsis chased that. Finally about 2p, evryone showed up and wanted lunch. Do I have to go? The look from the wife gave me the answer, so I checked out again down $90. Went to Toby Keith's had a very good club sandwich, walked to the Mirage to check out where one set of cousins was staying. One husband said he needed a nap, this was my out. I said I needed one to. The wife and I wnet back to Bill's, I took a shower and was back at the same table at the Flamingo by 430p. About 830 I lost $140 when I thought my luck was changing. I had been dealt a 10-8h. Flop came 6h-7h-9c. So close to a big hand jackpot, but I had a straight. Someone bet I raised, then had 3 callers. 4th street came a 9h. YES!!! I bet out and someone raises, I reraise and it goes back and forth til it is capped. Now it is heads up. River nothing. Again heads up we keep going back and forth til he finally calls. he quickly shows A-Qh out of excitement. I turn mine over and I get the hefty pot, plus $193 jackpot.
Then I made a mistake, I was getting hungry but did not want to leave, so I started on the beers. About 45 minutes later I got pocket Ks, flop gives me another K 1 bet I re-raise all but one folds and she seems very reluctant to call. $th is no help. I am thinking about the river, possibly a K and another high hand, so I check. River is a K, I bet, she folds. Small pot but the high hand for 4 K's is another $60. I could have walked away and broke even for the trip, but I was leaving at 830am and it was too early to leave. Mistake. The cards started to turn, and as everyone points out in low limit games you get chasers. I proceeded to lose some good pocket cards. Then I started staying around for possible high hands. One time I had pocket 8's and preflop there was a bet and re-saise to ^, I was in the big blind so I called it. Again 2 guys are betting before me like they have huge pocket pairs, so On the flop there was a 10 and Q so I folded. What won? Pocket 7's beat pocket 2's. Finally when I got my stack down to $210, It was 1am and I called it a night.

As a beginner I am learning, so I stayed within my budget and lost $160 for the trip. I also learned that patience in low limit games is a must. This day, I lost on Pocket A's, K's, J's, 2 AK suited, AK off suited, AQ suited, 4 k or q suited connectors. I saw one guy that I got to know a little, he was there Friday night when I sat down, was there the next morning and walked away at 6p Saturday. A beginner he said and a drinker. I saw him buy $700 worth of chips just while I was there and gave it all back to the table.

The dealers and other players were quite friendly at the Flamingo. Two trips and not a problem except the Friday night drink service. @ trips and I have hit 3 high hand jackpots. I have a ton more to learn before I move up to the bigger tables, but for now, it is just a fun time for me.