Met a couple friends in Las Vegas last Saturday for some poker and elite eight basketball action. We had a great time. Played in mostly tourneys's and each of us was able to cash at least once.

Day 1 - We played in a Paris tourney. Not a bad tourney, but not as good as Sahara. I was able to hang around for a while, but never really got on track. I made it to the final two tables and was shorted stacked. I was dealt AQo and pushed. Big blind had QQ and it held up. My friend had much better luck and was able to chop first and second. He has played a lot of online and home game poker, but this was his first brick and mortar experience and he chopped 1st and 2nd. Good way to start off the trip.

Day 2 - We played in the Sahara tourney at 11:00 A.M. I think this is the best under $100 tourney. The $5000 in starting chips gives you more play for your money (if you rebuy). We got there a little late and came in about half way thru the first hour. I played probably two hands before the first break. I was able to make it to the final two tables again, but I was also short stacked again. I was the bb with AQo and utg moves all in, guy one before the button calls. I did not have enough for another round so I called hoping to triple up. I thought I would be in worse shape, but I was up against A9o and 55. The 55's hold up and I bust out. My other friend was at the other table short stacked as well. However, he was able to accumulate chips and make it to a 6-way chop. He wanted to keep playing, but they finally talked him into it.

We left Sahara to go play the Paris tourney again. I started off in bad shape. I was down to 1200 and made a donkey move. I should have busted out, but got lucky. After that hand I played better. I was actually able to get some chips. I made the final table and had an avg chip stack. I was able to look down at KK, one limper already in the pot, I raise 3x, he was the only caller. Flop is all low cards and he moves all in. I have him covered and call. He flips over QQ. My KK's hold up and I'm feeling good. This did not last long. I run cold for a while and that is not good with the blinds high. Top 5 cashed and I got 6th.

Day 3 - I decided to play 2-4 at MGM while my friends played in the tourney. I was a little bitter over the way I played at the final table at Paris the night before. They liked the tourney, but they both busted out midway. In 2-4 my AA were cracked by 95c. At least I was able to get it back from him later. In total finished up $1.

Monday night we decided to play Sahara one last time. I made the final two tables again and it looked bleak, but I doubled and doubled again. I made the final table and my chip stack was about 8th of 10. We were able to get one person out, but it went slow from there. The extreme short stack only played when she was in the blind and she would double up. Finally we got her and another guy out and we are 6 handed. Chopping is brought up, and I one guy wanted to think about it. A local guy sitting next to me starts giving him all kinds of grief. The guy says he wants $100 more. I said okay I will give him the extra $100. My thinking was simple. Sixth gets $260, and we were chopping for $900. I could live with $800. Not to mention that I had not slept much and had an early flight in the morning. The guy decided not to. He did not like the local guy and wanted him out before he would chop. I understood this, the guy was really being a jerk. Well, a few hands latter I look down at QQ while on the button. The chip leader min raises 20000, to 40000. I have 78000 and move all in. He calls with KQh. Flop is all low cards one heart. He got runner runner heart to win the hand. I bust out 6th for $260. It was fun and I was happy to finally cash, but I was not real happy at the time.

Very good trip overall. Poker - broke even. Basketball - slight winner thanks to GT and the money line. Craps - (100). Roulette - +65