Virgin no more!

[Iron Tigran]

I spent last week in Vegas, playing real brick and mortar poker with live players. I was in town for a chess tournament, and spent almost all the time not at the chessboard at the poker tables. I did finish positively, playing 2/4 (Monte Carlo) and 3/6 (Stardust and Circus Circus). Next year I plan to check out the Mirage and Bellagio rooms.

I was able to hit a jackpot at Monte Carlo (quad Qs got me $64), and as a bonus I took the pot from my buddy, who was holding AA. [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

I know that one week of play means little to nothing, but it did help me get over my fear of moving beyond the .50/1 UB games. In fact, the 3/6 tables in Vegas sometimes played just like .25/.50 tables on UB. I guess I imagined that as the stakes went up, the players got better. But plenty of calling stations and folks who fall hook, line and sinker into check raises on the river abounded.

Anyone who plays online and has never made it to Vegas to play should consider it. I had a blast, and even had I ended up in the red, I would have enjoyed myself.

My opinion on the rooms: Circus Circus is a dump. I'll never play there again. It happened to be close to the tournament hotel (Riviera), so a friend got me to go. Monte Carlo was very clean and had a nice atmosphere. Stardust is a bit smoky, and the dealers can be crusty (but not mean); I enjoyed it, and the regulars I met were cool.

Anyone know poker rooms in Vegas I should check out?

Josh