Arrived at the Venetian on May 14 at 11:00pm. My, now wife, and I had preplanned a trip with our 40 closest friends and relatives for our wedding at the Venetian.

May 15 - 1/2 No-Limit

Sat down at a 1/2 no limit table with $100 and found I was severely short stacked. Won a couple of pots early and was up to just over $150 when the following hand took place. I limped into the pot with pkt 3's and have several callers. The dealer turns over the following flop: 3-9-9. Thinking that second 9 was an 8, I weakly bet $7 and end up with two callers (player A and player B). Before the dealers shows the turn, I realize that I've flopped a boat. The turn is an 'A' and I bet $10. Player A raises to $30 and Player B calls. I re-raise to $100 and Player A goes into the tank. He eventually calls and so does Player B. The river is an '8' and I go all in for my remaining $30. Player A raises the $30 to all-in and is insta-called by Player B. Resigned to the fact that I'm likely losing I turn over my pkt 3's. Player A shows A-9 for a higher boat and Player B shows K-9 for trips.

After this, I resigned myself to limit hold'em (3/6 at MGM and 6/12 at Venetian) The 6/12 game is very beatable at the Venetian with a good mix of young hotshots that raise every Ace-rag they can and older people that will respect a well-timed raise.

I like the MGM for it's atmosphere and don't mind the music. I've heard a lot of complaints about the management of the room, but I think they're the best in Vegas.

Cheers,
Scott