Started off this trip with a visit to Del Mar Race Track in San Diego/Del Mar, CA. Beautiful, beautiful track, with beautiful people, but little money to show for the wagering effort. A more constuction visit was made to Barona, an Indian Casino about 30 miles east of San Diego. Apparently there are a number of Indian casinos on a north/south line about 30 miles inland in the mountains. Great casino with a wonderful poker room spreading 3/6 kill and up. Go there early and participated in their "rack attack." A table wins a rack of chips to be added to the next pot. I was fortunate to win one with only a pair of kings. On the Las Vegas and some poker venues new to me.
Arrived Sunday afteroon September 4th at the Rio and, of course, that was my first poker room experience this trip. By the way, the Rio rooms are very nice and large, but the casino is noisy and crowded. The poker room has been partioned off from the sports book and is basically open to the casino. Sunday evening was busy and very easy play for a tight agressive player. The dealers were not very professional and some seemed bummed out.
Labor Day morning was spent at the MGM's new poker room. Very large and spreads anything a player would want. Attentive staff and comfortable accomodations. The marble counter around the table was unwelcome, but I've played in several poker rooms with a similar type surface. Professional staff of dealers were friendly and helpful. Played several times at MGM over several days and was moderately successful. The high traffic and turnover at the MGM should make for a short wait for a table at most any level.
Next stop was the Mirage. Arrived about 1pm and the place was full - - but a short wait produced a seat at a 4/8 table. Very loose and lots of action. The poker room sits right among the casino and is rather noisey. Played a couple of hours and left with a little profit.
Next was a visit to Monte Carlo. Had never been here and was quite surprised. Very nice casino floor and the poker room looked like something out of speakeasy parlor. Comfortable and friendly games from 2/4 on up. Seemed to be lots of regulars and old timers (like me) playing here.
Back to Rio for a nightcap at the poker room. Some action, but no very much fun here.
Tuesday moring and it's on to the Wynn. My first visit here - - came in from the self-parking garage and it dumps you right out in front of the Ferrari dealership and the poker room. Very classy looking casino - - reminds me of the Bellagio with a cleaner look. However, a short wait produced a seat at the lowest level they spread 4/8. Got lucky right off the bat and got up over 200. Played on that for several hours befor checking out. Lots of service and comfort in a very nice layout. My table was near the rail so there was always some audience in attendance.
Next stop was an old favorite casino of mine - the Bellagio. I had never played poker there so I had to get a taste. Not as friendly as the rest of the Bellagio, but was seated quickly at a 4/8 table and was able to hold my own against a mixed group of players. However, the atomosphere was just not there. Maybe if you're a higher level player you might enjoy.
The last poker stop on my tour was at the Green Valley Ranch. My wife had wanted to check it out and I had heard that they were supposed to open a poker room, so it was off the Henderson. It's about a twenty minute trip by interstates to Green Valley and the casino sits among the usual up-scale shops you find in the suburbs. Although the atmosphere in the casino is a little on the dark side, the layout and slot machines seemed visitor friendly. The poker room is next to the sports book and looks brand new. I'd guess there about 12 tables. Very comfortable setting. It was rather early Wednesday moring, but found a 4/8 game starting up after a short wait. They opened a 2/4 game a little later. Again I was moderately successul although suffering two bad beats. Flopped two straights within twenty minutes and was beaten by two full houses on the river by the same person. How much fun was that? But the Eggs Benedict in the casino coffee shop was killer.
Busy trip - but it beats working.