Arrived in Vegas on a Friday ready for my first live poker experience. Went to Aladdin Saturday night and sat down at a 2-4 table. Picked up AJ off a couple times early and won a couple decent pots with them. Went a couple times around the table with nothing playable before picking up a couple of aces. Get it capped 3 ways before the flop, one guy who had just sat down, and another a guy who was an exact Gus replica, both in appearance and play. Flop comes J 8 7 rainbow. Get it capped again. Turn is a 9, I bet and get raised and reraised. Enough for me to get out of the way. River is a blank. Hansen clone shows a 10 4 of diamonds for the straight, other guy shows QJ. Cashed out what I had left and decided I was finished with 2-4.

Went back Tuesday morning to play in the AM tourney. Started out well, getting up to about 2500 (from 1500) in the first couple orbits. Promptly went card dead and eventually found myself down to 1000 with blinds at 300/600. Pushed in with K 6 of clubs in middle position and managed to not get called by anyone, including the big blind. Dealer said it may have been the first time he saw anybody almost double up without being called. Started getting some decent cards again and got down to the final 2 with the slight chip lead. We go back and forth for awhile, taking turns getting in the lead. I had him covered by a couple thousand when I pick up A Q off in the big blind. He calls, I put him all in and he calls. He turns over a pair of 4's, they hold up. I'm crippled and go out a couple hands later. Took home $500 for my first live tournament. Went back and played again Thursday, but busted our pretty early when my 7's ran into 8's.

All in all, very enjoyable experience. I was there with my wife and another couple, none of whom were poker players, so I didn't get to play as much as I would have liked, or try any rooms besides the Aladdin. Found the Aladdin staff to be very friendly and helpful. Highly recommended to anyone looking to get their feet wet playing live poker. Can't wait to go back!