I spent 5 days with my family at the Wynn, a remarkable resort. What happened to me playing poker there was also remarkable.

I played 4-8 limit at 5:30 in the morning. I was dealt a pair of 10s and raised. Only one player called. The flop came 10, 9, x. The other player opened and I raised. The female dealer dealt the last 10 on the turn before the other player had a chance to act. The floorman, Da Pierre, correctly ruled that the 10 had to be taken off the board and held out to be reshuffled in before the river. I really wish I could see my face on the video. It was already over a 100 degrees outside but that had nothing to do with the heat coming off my face.

When a 9 came on the reconstructed turn, I felt better since I now had a full house. I bet again and was called. The last 10 was reshuffled back in and made a magical return as the river card. A commotion ensued after I bet, was called, and showed my quads. Another dealer, Manny, remarked that no one could now complain except that the other player might not have called if the 10 remained the first time. Beside the pot, I now have a great story to tell.

The Wynn poker room is the best. It has a lot of space between the tables, comfortable chairs and dealers who only occasionally make mistakes. My only criticism is that there is no line on the table for bets. If you play with your chips, you better do so well behind your cards.

I also played at the new Treasure Island poker room which is located near the showroom while my family went to see the Mystere Show. There are only 8 tables but there are also 8 large plasma TV screens. My table was almost all tourists like me, so the atmosphere was relaxed and fun. The table graphics featured a half dressed siren who looked as if she were losing at strip poker. I intended to quit right after the show was over but was persuaded to play "one last hand" since it was free and I might draw poket aces.
I did draw the aces but they were cracked on the river by a set of 6s. Once again, everyone laughed but this time the pot went elsewhere.

The Wynn is offering a 100 K freeroll starting July 26th 2006 to players who play 50 hours over the next few weeks. If I were retired, I'd be tempted to try but I'd still lose money even if I finished in the money, if I continued to stay in their suites.