I was fortunate enough to wangle my way into a suite at JW Marriott Resort/Spa. It’s about 10-15 minutes from the strip but I like the idea of being away from all of the hussle/bussle of Las Vegas Blvd. While waiting to check into my room, I wandered over to the crap table to kill some time. I noticed a high roller at one of the tables with a lot of green, black, purple chips in the chip tray in front of him. He was betting around 1k-2k at a time, mainly on the pass line w/odds, and all the place bet numbers. He was rolling up quite a score when the croupier next to him paid off one of his wins with $5 chips. “Mr. Congeniality” immediately shot back by saying, “What do I want with those things?” and in no uncertain terms continued to vehemently dress down the croupier for his unintentional faux pas. After watching his streak for about 20 minutes, he finally cashed out to the tune of approximately 30k!!!

I then tried the Bonus Texas Hold-Em table game. Kind of different. Basically, you’re playing heads up against the dealer. That bet pays 1 to 1. The big money comes in making the bonus bet. This is separate from the actual play. You are gambling on getting dealt AA, AKs, KK, KQs, QQ…down to 22. The higher the starting hand you receive, the higher the payout, with AA paying 30-1. Was slowly getting whittled away until a dealer change occurred. I had a feeling something was going to turn in my favor. Very first hand from the new dealer, I look down to see AA! Unfortunately, I didn’t act on my inner vibes to increase my bonus bet. Only had $5, for $150 payout. Not to shabby though.

The suites at the JW Marriott are fantastic. Very well kept up. Marbled bathroom counters, commodes are separated, rainforest shower, oversized jacuzzi bath, his/her sinks. There is also a separate guest bathroom near the entrance. TV’s in both the living room and the bedroom areas. Wet bar in the living room. Couldn’t thank my in-laws enough for setting me up. So it just goes to show you that some in-law relationships can be healthy.

After getting settled in, I wandered over to Circus Circus to take advantage of their “Aces Cracked” promotion. Get pocket aces beaten and you win $100. Thirty minutes into the session, I was lucky enough to have my AA lose to two pair! Took the $100 and ran like a bandit

Proceeded to cast my fate over at Wynn. Played some 4-8 limit hold-em. Was lucky enough to get seated immediately. Everyone at the table had pretty good card sense. One Asian woman at the table seemed to be on tilt. She was betting aggressively preflop only to be outflopped. Her coup de grace was when she was dealt 2-3 of diamonds. She mucked it only to get up in a huff and leave the table when she flopped her straight flush!? I was pretty much card dead for the entire session. Did take one pot much to the chagrin of player raising my big blind with AQ unsuited. I must have experienced a “zen” moment or just fell to the ”what the hell, it’s my big blind” rationale, and called the raise. Lo and behold, I flopped two pair. The turn and river were rags. The raiser gave me a wry smile and reluctantly told me “good hand”.

I enjoy the Wynn and have been placed at tables where the players were relatively easy to read, always betting top pair, with an occasional open-ended straight draw/flush draw raise on the flop. My only complaint is the noise level is a bit much for my likening and the spacing of the tables are a little tight.

My last night I checked out the Venetian’s new poker room. I like it, I like it. Noise level is considerably lower than at the Wynn, and the spacing of the tables is perfect. Lots of room to move about free and easy. I was particularly impressed by their waiting area complete with couch, easy chairs, coffee table, and magazines. Played 3-6 limit and decided that my “poker zen” was about to give out. I returned to a normal tight aggressive mode. Was dealt AA twice on the button. I raised preflop each time and was fortunate to have them hold up both hands. Maybe the spirit of zen was still following me…