Arrived mid-evening on Thursday and quickly checked into the Excalibur (Ex). Having read reviews here on the Luxor room and having already played at Ex, I decided to make a quick trip on the tram to the Luxor to play some 2/4. Second hand I hit a low-end straight flush. Won a $50 bonus and was happy about it, only to be crushed later when I discovered the Monte Carlo (MC) would have payed me $500!! Lesson learned here was to play at nicer rooms like the Monte Carlo so that if you do happen to hit a hand like that, it will really pay off.

Played in the 9am NL tourney at MC. Very well run. It was a full 60 player field. I got knocked out early, but my brother finished ninth. Lesson learned here was that, even though I got knocked out early, the skill level at the final 2 tables wasn't beyond my own.

Played some 2/4 at MC more that day and lost a little, mostly to a guy I nicknamed "the sewer"..as he caught more you know what than anybody I've ever seen.

Unfortunately, I started to get ill and had to retire early for the evening. I got up early on Saturday and played an hour of NL at Ex before leaving to come home.

Overall, I had a good but very short trip. I have decided that the skill level at 2/4 is the same, whether you're playing downtown, the Ex or MC. And I'll make it a point to play at a place like MC so that any high hand bonus will be worthwhile. Next trip I hope to play more NL. Good luck to all!