I am basically a NL tourney player who has been going to Vegas regularly for about 10 years. I don't play ring games anymore as it takes up to much of my time for usally not much profit, at the levels my bankroll can afford. I have a bankroll which I guard very carefully.

I have stayed in many of the hotels in the past (MGM, Monte Carlo, Excalibur, Stratosphere, Circus Circus, Orleans, and Texas Station) and look for value, location (not a strip fan anymore -- to congested). My last few stays have been at the Orleans, who gives me lots of free nights, buffets etc. The Orleans will also match any price you find on the internet that is lower than their website (with-in 24 hrs of booking). Usually can find lower rates on i4vegas.com.. For example on this trip we booked on the Orleans for $110 on Friday and Saturday and found it for $89 on i4vegas. Called the Orleans back and they reduced our reservation rate. Weekdays at the Orleans are usually about $54 to $60. I played a few tourneys at Ceasars (discussed below) and the Orleans has free shuttles to the Barbary Coast right across the street. So ride to the strip and no hassle with driving. The shuttle also stops at the Gold Coast, which is right next door to the Rio (where I played WSOP satellites and Event # 2). Have been real happy with the Orlenas overall, howver, this trip our beds were terrible (beware). The rooms are very clean, large and a great vegas value for the money. Many good restaurants on site (try the Oyster bar)and a nice pool. good fun book with free beer etc.

TOURNAMENTS - I prefer to play in tourneys with lots of starting chips and long rounds (as most of us). However in Vegas most the Casinos offer "gimic" tourneys at lower buy-ins. Aveveage Tourney less than $100 had 10 to 15 minute rounds and 300 to 500 starting chips (a crap shoot). If you are looking for the best low buy in tourneys try the Binions $60 or some of Orleans tourneys. However, be aware that many very good local players hit these tourneys and play very solid and tight in the beginning.

I like to play to in mid level tourneys ($150 to $540) and have played many in the past in Vegas. In this range the best ones, I believe, are located Ceasars and the Wynn. Ceasars has two a day (noon and 7pm).

The Ceasars noon is a $65 buyin (1500 cips) with a rebuy for $50 (3000 chips). The blinds start at 25-50 and you get 40 minute rounds. About 100 to 150 seem to play in this one. The 7pm tourney $120 with $100 rebuy. Same chips less players; 50 to 100. The Wynn has $340 tourneyson Wed and Thursday and a $540 on friday. U can satelitte into both and you get 4000 chips (i think) and 45 minute rounds.

Heres what I played on my visit, which I took to give the WSOP my first shot.

Thursday; Ceasars 7pm ($225 total). 50 players; only pays 5 places; 51 and above pay 10 places. Many good players, about 25 still very much learning (as we all are). 1995 WSOP final table lady player Barbara Enright at my first table-- she went out about 20th (never rebought either-- interesting). Made final table and we all cut deal to get $200 for 1 -10th. Played down to 6th (the bubble)and thats where I went out. After I left, the final 5 players cut a deal for around 2K each. Oh well thats poker! (down $25 so far).

The next morning (fri) hit a $130 sat at the Wynn for the noon $540 and met up with some very good players KK lost to 1010 on river (2 outer) and I was crippled after that. On well, thats poker! (Down 155 for trip). That evening played in the Orleans $65 (+ 40 rebuy) with 223 players, went out about 28 (down 260 for trip).

Saturday: Ceasars noon $115; about 150 players. Went out about 30th. Jen Harmen and the Shiek playing high stakes limit in the room with tourists (look out). ceasars is a very comfortable room with great service and friendly dealers and staff. chairs are great, as opposed to WSOP wher they SUCK! (down $375 for trip.

Sunday (6/25): WSOP of poker sats begin at Rio: Hit it early about 9:30 am and play in $65 sat (winner gets one chip worth $500 and $50 9 I think). Get down to 2 players (i'm big chip leader) and cut deal. I get Chip and money; I pay other guy $200 (net profit $285) Down $90 for trip. Go to cage and Buy-in to Event # 2 for $1500, which I was doing anyway- regardless. (Down $1590 for trip). Take shuttle over to Ceasars for noon Tourney and bust out on 3rd hand to nut ST8 (I had st8). Bad play on my part and betting into the flopped ST8 all the time. Oh well.... live and learn. (down $1705 for trip -- but have WSOP still). Took shuttle back to Rio and played in Played in 3 $125 Sats (winner gets two $500 chips and $120 cash). Won the third one and got two chips and $120. I had 90% of chips and other two players had 5% each. Smart enough to know that dosen't mean anything in these SNG sats so offered them there buy-in back and they took it (net profit $745). Down $960 for trip.

Mon: No poker before WSOP. Orelans gave us free coupons for the Seafood buffet-- good. Also, saw the "Bodies" exhibit ($26) at Bally's; eally educational; highly recommended. Also went to Mandalay Bay "shark reef" ($16)-- really cool if you like the Ocean.

Tues: Ran two miles and went to my first WSOP event. No pros at my table, but Gavin Smith and Fischman one table away. Felt sorry for the guy in between those two. David Williams, the Grinder, Juanda, and Hellemuth all real close. Bottom line I folded a pair of sixes to raise and would have flopped full house and busted the guy next to me, but I was in the tight mode and at 7.5 to 1, didn't make the $100 call.... damn. Played well for 1 hr and 45 minutes and picked up about 3 small pots. Then it came-- LB with AQ spades, everybody folded around to me, I raise the BB and he thinks I'm stealing. He calls, the flop comes 7s, 4 s, 10h. I have think he has nothing still, and i have 9 outs (flush, plus, A and Q). Adds up to 15 outs or about 62% chance of making my hand - i like it. I bet 300 into him he calls (now have about 900 left and this is where I should've shut down and put him on a hand). Flop comes a 2 (board now 10,7, 4, 2 with two spades). I acted too quickly and bet 400 into pot and he calls. Big trouble now, I'm pot committed. River comes 10 and and now I'm liking it, thinking he has spade draw possibly. With two tens on the board, I think unless he has a ten he folds. I go allin and he calls with 10, 3 (trips). I really played the hand bad after the turn and know better. Oh well.... I had fun.

After licking my wounds, I played in the Orleans $45 + 20 multi -rebuy (123 players -- 380 or so rebuys) paid 10 places. Spent $85 dollars. Played down to 4 players and chopped- chip leader got $2800, myself and 3 others got $1730 (plus I had $30 in bounties). Total for the trip, net poker profit of $715 (but wife spent that much on shopping and spa). Saved by the bell. Will be back next year to give WSOP a shot again. Won't be making the same mistake either. Cheers!