I'm back from Vegas and now hear ye, hear ye the "Tales of Tilt".
Las Vegas has changed; even in the past year. It's amazing how many people are playing poker. Sadly, a lot of Stud games have vanished and Omaha is on the endangered Poker species.
The poker rooms were everywhere and so was the action. NO LIMIT Hold'em rules many of the poker rooms as people remain intoxicated over the effect that TV has on the No Limit game. The chief opted to play 2-4 and 3-6 holdem as well as enter one tournament at The Orleans.
My wife (Tozey)joined me for three days and that was followed by Brother Steve (Notphilivey) joining me for the remaining action.
The Luxor Casino was our "home base" and turned out to be a good option if you like lower limit poker. The hotel is at the high-end of the middle-of-the-road casinos and the poker room was well run. The dealers were friendly and the waitresses were very nice and punctual. Here are some other impressions of the poker rooms we visited.
The Flamingo - The Flamingo has a poker room tucked away on the floor. It had new tables, felt and automatic card shufflers. The staff was friendly and wait staff was great. Chief and NotPhilIvey liked the Flamingo.
The Riveria - Notphilivey played there and it was the only time I saw him on tilt. He said the dealers were awful and the waitresses were even worse. Save the trip and skip the Riviera. Again, a poker room carved out of a casino floor.
Circus Circus always holds a fond place in my heart. You can always find a wild 3/6 game there and I walked away from that casino feeling good and up about 70 bucks. However, the tables continue to have the felt installed improperly and the waitresses were off their game here. Since, I love CC, I will withhold judgment until my next visit. Also, no automatic card shufflers. Steve had to chase after a waitress only to come back and find his hand mucked. His two pair would have held up in a $40 pot. Talk about an expensive beer.
MGM - GameMisconduct stayed here during his trip and the room offers both 2/4 and 3/6 Holdem. I opted for 3/6 and broke even at this place. Poker room is very slick and the dealers and waitresses were attentive. They also have automatic card shufflers.
Mirage - We closed out the trip here. The 3/6 table was alright, but the cocktail service was truly pathetic. This may have something to do with the gambling explosion in Las Vegas. Las Vegas needs cocktail waitresses.
Las Vegas Hilton - Small uneventful poker room offering 3/6 Hold'em. Blah overall.
Orleans - Game-O, NotPhil and Myself all flamed out of the poker tournament.
Poker room remains a solid experience and the staff is friendly and professional.
We walked through Wynn casino and the space really resembled the Bellagio.
At the Bellagio, I told Steven "Not Phil" that we would probably see a couple of poker celebrities and we were not dissappointed. On a sad note, we saw Amarillo Slim playing at the low limit tables. It made me wonder about Slim.
I pointed out Johnny Chan to Stevie as he passed us. Without losing a beat, Steve spoke to Johnny Chan and called him "Mr Chan". Chan smiled and shook Stevie's hand. It was a cool moment, since Stevie likes to meet celebs.
"The Duece" double decker bus was a pretty good way to get up and down the strip for 2 bucks. The monorail is a rip-off at $5 a ride and cabs remain very expensive.
Sadly, Vegas is becoming less and less a bargain in terms of value. Stuff is no longer cheap in Vegas. You can still get a 13.99 prime rib at the Barbary Coast.
After 6 nights, the Chief had his fill of Mecca.
Brother Steve summed it up by saying....This place is fantasy land.
It was nice to see gruffy New Yorkers on the flight home.
Chief.
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