Hi everyone - I was a big lurker on AVP, but now that I live in LA, I'm hoping to get involved in the forums. Thought I'd post a trip report while the site goes through its growing pains.

Been about a year since my last trip to Vegas. Met two friends from NY who used to be frequent Vegas companions, though we hadn't all been there together in a long time. Flew in Friday night, met the guys at the new Gordon Ramsay Pub at Caesars. Pretty nice place for a drink and some greasy pub grub. Food was decent, service was great, and the waitresses are super sexy to boot. Thumbs up.

Hit the 12:30a tournament at the Flamingo. I think it was $50 buyin, 5K in chips and 20 min levels from 25/50. 3 tables I think. Friendly game with a few big talkers who had wandered over from WSOP events earlier on the day. We were quickly down to one table with 6 places paid -- made it into the top 4 and we agreed to a 4 way chop since we were all pretty much dead even. Headed back to the Aria where we were staying a crashed. (Didn't play at the Aria room at all but it looks nice...however every time I passed by there was a huge waiting list for the 1-3NL and 2-5NL games.)

Next day played an afternoon tourney at Luxor. Had some good luck - more than once I had overcards against a small or med pair and the board hit me. Played this one down to the end and came in #2. Not a bad start to the trip. Went right over to Mandalay Bay for their 3p tourney, but by then the drinking had begun in earnest and I was playing sloppy. Busted in the middle of the field. Gregarious drunk guy on my left taught me a new game though -- you each bet on red or black, and if there are more cards of your color on the next flop, the other guy tips the waitress. I was up 3-0 by the time I moved tables.

Last big tournament of the trip was the Harrah's afternoon game the next day. About 80 runners in this one and some decent play all around. I was playing well but at one point was left with about 6K, blinds at 400/800. Short stack was all-in with about 1500 and I pushed with KQ hoping to isolate him but got called by KK. Short stack showed Ax and hit an ace on the flop but the kings had me covered. Not a great move - probably should have waited until I could be first in, but oh well. All in all happy with my play for the trip.

Hoping to be back in the fall...