Low limit grinder hits Vegas May 23-27

[bakergolf]

I tried to post my TR before, hopefully this link will workLas Vegas Advisor Free for All

As you can tell the computer is not my friend.

Mark in Kansas City

[MicroBob]

What is that link?

I think your previous attempt may have been deleted on purpose because it looks like you are spamming your own blog or message-board here.

your intentions may be decent, but such spammish type stuff isn't allowed.

[bakergolf]

I am a member at Las Vegas Advisor and we post TR for the board members. The link is just a easy way to find the report.

If the mods think it is spam, just have them delete it.

Mark in KC

[Photoc]

Best bet is to copy/paste your report here for others to read. Honestly, I'm lazy and dont' want to click the link to go outside of 2+2 to read and I'm sure others are lazier than me [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[bakergolf]

Sorry never posted a TR at 2 + 2 before, hope this is a better format. Copy/pasted as the Godfather has suggested.
The format is really set up for the other forum that I am member of.


I hate writing TR but since this is my 4th trip this year, one is due. The reason for making this trip was the see Avenue Q before it closed and of course golf and poker.

This year I have decided to figure how much it costs me to make my regular visits to Mecca. My goal is to have my poker winning cover all my expenses. I will have detailed report at the end of the report updating my costs.

TRANSPORTATION:
The dates of the trip trip were May 23-27. In order to keep costs down on my many trips I use the city bus from downtown here in Kansas City to the airport. The cost is $1.25 each way. So I avoid paying the long-term parking and driving the super gas gobbler.

However with taking the bus it not much fun lugging golf clubs and a suitcase. But it saves me nearly $40 on a 4 day trip. Cost of the RT to vegas $108 off a ding fare from Southwest, my best fare ever. As always, I looked for a bump, the flight was overbooked by 3, so I had a chance, but everybody did not show up. The flight was full. The return trip was empty I had my own row.

While in Vegas I use the CAT and choose my hotels that I can access from the bus. I stayed at MSS and Hilton this trip. You can catch the 108 from ground zero and be at the DT transportation center in less than 45 minutes. I much prefer the bus than the shuttles. It is much more comfortable, and takes about the same amount of time. And cheaper.

But with golf clubs and a suitecase it is a nightmare getting on the bus. You should see the looks I get when I load the big white limo with the clubs.

This trip I wanted to see if was possible to use the bus to get to golf courses. I found out that you could get to Angel Park and the Badlands, and Desert Pines using the bus. So I thought I would give it a try. To get to Angel Park and Badlands you had to use the Rancho 107 from the DTC, catch the Charleston 206, then transfer to the 118 Rampart.

The total time for the trip was 1:15 minutes. I doubt that I will be doing this ever again. But it was pretty easy to do, and the transfer time waiting for the bus were small. I dont know how long it takes to get from DT to Angel Park if I rented a car. I guess it was take around 30 minutes.

The best tip I could offer if staying at a strip hotel and you do not have a car, is use the Coast shuttle at the Barbary Coast and catch a ride to Suncoast and both courses are less than a 5 minute walk from the Suncoast. While the Coast sign tells you have to be a hotel guest to use the shuttle, I am sure a $5 tip when entering the shuttle would keep the question from being asked.

If you are staying downtown and want to use a good route to avoid that awful crowded Duece bus, use the CAT 105 route. It will drop you off mid strip at the Fashion Show Mall or at the Trop on the south strip. I love this route.

Total Cost for Transportation: 108 RT Ticket, $12 bus tickets in KC and Vegas, $4 in monorail tickets( I puchased a 10 ride for $20 in Dec) = $134 Total. I am very pleased. This cost will never be repeated.


HOTELS

Using marketing offers to stay at the Hilton and MSS. I really enjoy the MSS since the makeover. The Hilton is just ok. But I can use the bus for both so they are my home hotels. I plan on putting Harrahs in the rotation soon, but I need to make Diamond in a Day for that.

That way I have DT (MSS), off strip(Hilton), local (Silverton) and a Strip property (Harrahs) that I can choose from.

I play VP $1 JOB to receive my offers and I churn and burn until they quit sending my offers. Then I repeat the process. I never use a host just check and use the hotel to sleep and hope that the marketing department keeps sending them.

Total Cost for the trip: $0. Just as I like it.


GAMBLING:

One of my reason the head to Vegas. To play poka! Always ready to gambooool!!! With the SoCAL crowd at the Wynn and B. I am low-limit grinder here in KC. One might even acuse me of being a tight-nit, grinding out a meager hourly wage.

Its true but it pays for my Vegas trips, and I use the money as a side income from my winnings here in Kansas City so I save the max (14,000) in my 401-K and fund my Roth.

4/8 limit is my game. Plenty of place to choose from. When in downtown Golden Nugget and Binions both offer it. This trip I played at Binions for two nights. The game was pretty weak. Couple of locals nits. That were just OK players. But I love playing against them. Because they almost understand the value of a hand. But are more than willing to call my raise with A10 offsuit, K9 sooooted, with nobody in the pot, right after my raise.

If you can set a table with a couple of these local nits, couple of clueless players that are passive then it is easy to clean up. Just set left of loose-passive ones, and raise, raise, raise, and watch the local nits fold, and complain(I love this part).

I did run into one decent low limit grinder at Binions. He sat next to me on the first night. And boy did he stink. The b o was awful. It was so bad I had request a seat change. Couple of time he outplayed me, I flopped 2 pair when there was a flush draw. I raised, he reraised. I called hoping for a check raise on the turn, but he checked behind for his draw.

Both times he hit his flush, but I did not pay him off. Rule No. 2 in low limit poka! Never slow play.

Favorite hand at Binions. Two limpers. Pick up AA raise, local nit calls (I called him coach all night). Flop comes rainbow, check, check, bet call, fold, fold. HU on the turn. 4 falls not much out there. I bet, coach raises, I call. Turn comes 4. I check he bets, I raise. He calls he had flopped two pair.

Then the lecture comes from coach, about how lucky I got. I told him that I need to get lucky against a skilled player like him. And just mumbles something about being lucky, BLAH, BLAH. The guy next time is spitting his beer up after my comment.

10 hours at Binions $235. Very good result.

The next night I headed down to the strip from the Hilton, to grind out so money from the tourists intown over the holiday. Went over the 'V' to check out the new room. They are offering a freeroll and $2 hour in comps.

Reading over at 2+2 the $3 chips had arrived, so go over looking for a 6-12 game and check out the room. 3-6 was the only limit game being offered. I decided to pass, but I did look around the room. It was very nice. The brush was very friendly, but they just did not offer the game I wanted.

With the freeroll and good comps being offered I sure the local low limit fleas (I would be 2, if I lived in Vegas) are all over the 'V'.

Heading over to CP to check out the action. They have switched to 4/8. So I decided to sit down. The game was offering a 1/2 kill. So not to bad. Except I look at the rake structure, $1 taken at 12,24,36,48. Good to see that Ha$$ah$ will take every opportunity take every penny they can from ya.

Compare this stucture to Wynn, I believe it is 20,40,60,80. I am not sure what it is at the 'B', but I am guessing it is close to Wynn. Binions was 5% up to $4.

The game at CP was about the same as every other low limit game. But this game become short handed for a while, and I ran over the table. While I am not a great SH player, I used my table image and just raised every playable hand when first in.

Table filled up in about a hour later, so I switched back to my tight-nitty style. Won a few pots and finished up the night around 1AM.

5 hours $135. Great result.

This is second time I have played at CP and both times there was been a near brawl at the table. WTF is wrong with people. The dealers were pretty good, and had couple of great dealers. Pumping out about 40hph.

I thought I noticed a 2+ 2 playing at the table, while waiting for his NL game. I was at the other end of the table, so I could not give him a whats up bro'. I loved his 3 bet with KJ offsuit, and pulling down a huge pot when his TPTK won. And him screaming I am a 4/8 superstar.

Overall for the trip. 15 hours $370. Great results. I continue to run better in Vegas than KC. With my hourly rate above $20 per/hr. compared to 15/hr in KC, but I have only played around 150 hrs in Vegas. I can only hope to sustain this rate. But I know better.

With the $25 in BB cash from the Hilton and plus I found $20 in the casino at the Hilton I finished up $415 gambling winnings.


ENTERTAINMENT

One of the reason I came on this weekend was to see Avenue Q before it left the Wynn. With the tickets being offered at the 1/2 ticket outlet it was a no brainer. I picked up a balcony ticket with the added fees for $31.

When telling the clerk what I wanted she was impressed that I had all the info ready for her. I want a 7PM show, balcony seat, for Friday night. She said the most people do know what they want when they get to the counter. I guess that explains why I waited in line for 30 minutes.

Since I am not a show person, I do not have much to compare Avenue Q with. But if I am entertained for 90 minutes. Then for me, It was a good show. And It was. I enjoy sophomoric humor, so this show was perfect for me.

However, It did sometimes become a little preachy, but was off set with great humor. With me being in my 30's living in the city and still trying to find my 'purpose' in life, I could relate with the show.

To bad this show did not make it, Steve Wynn took a chance with a great show it not catch on. I guess the tourists can spend the money on great entertainers like Danny Ganns.

I plan on seeing more shows on my upcoming trips. But the cost is about the same for a round of golf or a show. I need more culture than golf.

With the show closing down I did by some trinkets for a half price($10).

Since I was staying at the Hilton, and my manager is gay. How could I pass up on a Barry Manilow t-shirt for a co-worker ($25)? While I did not know that he liked Barry for sure, I took a chance. And he course he loves Barry.

It was good for a laugh, especially since I got him a Rod, I am not a closeted homowhatever key chain.

Total Cost for Entertainment $65.



DINING

Not much on fancy meals either. Usually just the buffet and cafe are my standard fare. Buffets at MSS, and Wynn. Meals at the 777 brew pub and Chicago Brewing Company, and Harrahs Cafe. Mexican place at Suncoast.

Nothing much to report, but I do really like to buffet at Wynn. A line pass is must when eating here. The service is average at best everywhere.

However, the Cafe at Harrahs was plain awful. A server took my order and just finished her shift. Left me waiting for 20 minutes. Had to see the manager to get my order filled. The funny thing was that the waiter that took her place asked me If I wanted to order. But I told him that I had already ordered just was waiting.

Unlike the previous server, he was excellent as I watched him hustle around to take care of his customers.

Total Cost for Food. $106 minus comps ($52)= $54 including tips.


GENERAL

I golfed a lot this trip. Playing 72 holes in two days. First day at Angel Park. Started off at Mountain Course. They charged me as a local ($65 + $25 for the replay at the Palms course). Played just average the first 9, turning in 39. 3 bogeys no birdies.

Back nine not much better. Playing decent until the 14. Par 5 517 yards. Dogleg to the left. Hit my come over the top pull hook over the trees. And was only 205 to the center. Perfect. The strength of my game is long irons. Hit a big push out to the right. Bad mistake. Lost ball. From birdie to double in a second.

Limped home in 40 to finish at 79.

Little break and head out the Palms for my second 18. Nobody on the course playing the front nine it 30 minutes. 1 birdie on the par 5 525 6th hole. Killed a driver and 5 iron from 200 and two putted. Had a triple on the par 3 eight for a 38 for first nine.

Back nine met up with a good player that was a local. Played OK nothing special shot 38 again for 76.

Overall I liked the courses, pretty much straight forward. The condition of the course was excellent (Mountain) and poor at the Palms. With the POV coupon (which i forgot) makes it a good value.

The Palms on the other hand is not worth playing for full price. The $25 for a replay is not bad, the course is not worth full price.

Day 2 my plan was the play over at Badlands, but the course had tourny going until 10AM. I headed down the play the Mountain ($65) again. Grouped with locals and it was a good group to play with. One player was a very good player. He was having a off day. I believe he was a scratch player. But could not putt. Of course I could relate.

I had my 'A' today after playing the first hole awful, I settled down and shot 1 over on the front and 1 under on the back for a even par round. I drove it straight and hit most of the greens all day long.

However were playing from the middle tees. Making the course very short. Some of the Par 4 I was using a 4 iron for a tee shot because my 2 iron was to much club. And boy did I hit my 2 iron good all day long. With course playing fast, it was not unsual for me drive it 250-260 range.

After a break I walked over to the Badlands. I got the twilight rate ($55) and headed out. Played the Outlaw nine first. Playing by myself i took around 45 minutes. Played just OK. Had a birdie on short cute par 4 290 5th hole. Hit a 5 iron to about 75 yards and hit a low skipper to 3 feet and made the putt. The only highlight of the front nine.

Meet up with a twosome on the Desperado nine. And he was from the OP here in Kansas City (a rich suburb). And was a founding member at the best golf club in KC (Wolf Creek). Men only, and a golf club period. For players only.

Not to many highlights. I did birdie the Par 5 4th hole. Driver, 6 iron. The last three holes are the best of the nine here. Going thru a valley. You must be accurate off the tee to avoid trouble. During the afternoon the wind had kicked up making the course play difficult.

Overall I played just OK shooting a 79. But the couse was in above average condition. I would have like to play the Diablo nine, they said it is best of nines. But I was flat tired after 36 holes for two days in a row. I would recommend playing here. But this course is not for the casual golfer.

Total Cost for Golf. $210.


I had very good trip this time. However it was the first time in a long while that my poker winnings did not cover my expenses. But with everything I did I was more than happy.

Total Cost for the Trip
Transportation $134
Entertainment $65
Food $54
Golf $210
Total $463

Total Winnings
Poker $370
BB cash $25
Found money $20
Total $415

Total for Trip ($-48)


Mark in Kansas City

[Arbitrage]

And I thought I was cheap...

[Dozer64]

[ QUOTE ]

I play VP $1 JOB to receive my offers


[/ QUOTE ]


Let's pretent I don't know what the above statement means.
Please elaborate.

BTW, nice report.

[Eder]

I love that you're cheap like me. I usually golf Palm Springs on my Vegas excursions, and am the guy with blood stained white golf slacks (from bush whacking the cactus retrieving 900000000 Titleists.)

fold preflop




good luck

[bakergolf]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

I play VP $1 JOB to receive my offers


[/ QUOTE ]

let's pretent I don't know what the above statement means.
Please elaborate.



JOB means Jacks or Better, the name of the Video Poker game I play to receive the marketing offers.


If you travel to Vegas or AC, to play poker often, learning VP is a must for a advantage player.

Mark in Kansas City