Trip Report (Low Roll) - [March 19th - March 25th 2023] Let's GO ! (1 Viewer)

[BEANO52]

Well, My friend announced the 2023 "Mix Game Festival" & I couldn't resist myself after having such a good time the OG Mix Game Festival. Booked my flights and hotel a couple months ago and today is the day I travel. Three nights on the strip and 3 nights downtown (rooms comped so that helps). Sunday March 19th > Saturday March 25th 2023.

You can check out My previous trip report posted HERE

Or alternatively, you can check out some updates and SEVERAL previous reports on 2+2 HERE

Going to start with a bankroll of around $3000. As usual, I include: Poker, Pits, Slots, Food & Fun! Let's GO !

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https://twitter.com/x/status/1634204010478546947

 

[jja412]

Run Hot, Mark!

 

[BEANO52]

Run Hot, Mark!

My plan Joe, let's see how it goes . . .

 

[Chawks45]

Safe travels and take it down!

 

[FordPickup92]

Hope you have lots of fun and good luck! Run well!

 

[BEANO52]

Day 1 in the books.

Started off bad when I forgot my water bottle at the out going gate but it got worse. Apparently they "over fueled" the plane by 5000 lbs. And had to bring a truck to suck it out. That took nearly 2 hours. Then we taxied out the tarmac and stopped while they had to transfer fuel from one wing to the other to balance. Another hour sitting. It's normally under 3 hour flight but already 3+ hours and we haven't even left. . .

Finally arrived, the ride share waiting line was HUGE. I had already ordered mine which was so nice not having to wait terribly long. So glad to have arrived, whew.

OK, depending has to wait, I've got to eat. Had a monster Buffalo chicken sandwich I destroyed along with a local hazy IPA "Revision - Vegas AF". So good, hit the spot. Some bartop VP while I wait and dine. -$100

Just a few mins of slots (Neko kitty always gets me) and an hourish in the craps table then off to late entry (level 3) the nightly. I was lucky enough to win all my entry, add on, rebuy so I am freerolling !

Building up . . .

Short stacked but final table . . .

And out in 7th. Was alot of fun although ridiculously mis-managed. For instance, the small blind accidentally mucked before posting and the dealer picked up his cards and put them with the muck then told the gentlemen he had to post and he'd get his cards back. Then coloring up at the final table, floor was coloring up everyone with 4 chips, walked back to pedestal, came back and randomly coloring up, never stopped clock or play, we literally got about 6-7 hands with players in various stages of coloring up. It really effected me as super short but alas. Next time.

3 more hours of break even craps & al shit-ton of Goose Island IPAs then off to bed. Until tomorrow.

 

[BEANO52]

Day 2

Started with breakfast at one of my favorites, Zeffers Cafe. I get this breakfast sandwich w/ fingerling potatoes everytime, so good. Took a to-go coffee to the pits and played bubble craps. Good times!

Slots and big boy craps before I uber to Resorts World for some Mix Game!

Got to Resorts in perfect time to settle in as the 7th player in an 8 game mix. Let's see if I can get this right (or close . . .)

• Super stud hi/lo
• Badugi
• Badacey
• Baduecy
• 2-7 triple draw
• Drawmaha 49
• Archie 6s qualifier
• Razz Dacey A-5

I believe that's about right. Either way in for $140, out for $370. Alot of the players were so slow to make decisions, was a bit frustrating but still loads of fun.

Oh, also won a hoodie & Eli Elizras autobiography. Pretty cool!

Dinner break @ Dawg House Salloon was a Monte Cristo w/ fries and another Las Vegas IPA (can't remember which brewery). And some bartop Keno action. Broke even but kept me in 2 pints so freerolling I suppose.

Pretty picture of the rideshare pickup. That's the Luxor BEAM in the clouds, powerful.

Just a bit more late night craps before bed. I had a few beers and when I colored up, left a black chip in the rack. No worries, it was held in the pit the next morning, whew!

Until tomorrow, having a blast of a trip so far!

-Mark

 

[BEANO52]

Day 3

Started with some coffee and bubble craps, my routine. No machine here so waiting on the cocktail waitress (which are obviously sparce in the morning), you have to watch like an eagle.

Decided on breakfast @ Peppermill. I guess it's been 4 years since we've been here according to Google maps but I am always scared it'll be closed or dozed in the future. No drinks this early in Fireside but a very hearty, unfinishable breakfast. Gosh, I love greasy hashbrowns! If none of you have been here, the breakfasts are great, the atmosphere greater, and in the evening for drinks is the BEST! Construction directly south leaves EXTREMELY limited parking for now.

Off to Resorts World, 3 games of mix going and seat in on for about 3 hours when our table breaks . . .

Off to the Horseshoe. Got in the 4/8 game while waiting for the 5 p.m. tourney. The room was PACKED, like to the top packed! Had a great time with some locals and tourists when the floor comes across the speaker saying 5 p.m. is full and they are taking alternates, bah. Played awhile longer and cashed out nearly double.

Headed into the pots where I discovered a mini tub stadium craps, uh yes! After an hour of fun and a couple time "shooting" headed into the big boy table.

Diner time. Haven't eaten @ Palace Station steak house in a few years so headed over. Delicious ribeye along with a perfect old fashioned. I couldn't tell of they had skewered black cherries or small olives for fluff but luckily it was candied cherries. So good!

slots and craps with good conversation with the dealers. No win though . .

It's late, im full so back to the hotel where the craps table is full so ill make it an early night.

- Mark

 

[BEANO52]

Day 4

Craps at Sahara for a small loss, off to the cage

Slots, didn't do alot of slot play but killing time before checkout and changing hotels.

New hotel, all checked in my home away from home downtown. They always treat me well and I love it here. El Cortez.

After all checked in headed back to Resorts World for more if the mix festival. Alot of the same games and it was a blast. I believe I lost $30 this short session but wanted to get to the Horseshoe for the 5:00 nightly

Bought in to the PACKED Horseshoe $75 5:00 pm nightly and they failed to inform me I was an alternate. During my time @ the Horseshoe, I've come to discover, these tournaments fill quickly and everyone has alternates. 1+ hour later and I finally get a table. It's short lived but I triple up just before break to go broke maybe 5 hands after break AT < 66. Fun time.

Spotted one of my favorite slots, Cash Machine Slot, and proceeded to lose $60 here. Very tight.

Time for dinner. M.Y. Asia has just opened their door a week ago, so good chance I could be the first Diner using this plate. Delicious food and service above and beyond. Not crowded and fair prices. Yum yum.

Some slots after dinner before heading back. I love eagles and slots with eagles.

Back downtown, took uber straight to Golden Nuggett for some 3/6 action. Had a BLAST, drinking, gambling, story telling. $100+.

Time to work my way west. Stopped in the Four Queens for an attempt at another favorite collectable, Silver Strike. These machines are few and far between anymore and it just so happens they just filled the $40 for Saint Patrick's day so going after a $40 strike.

Let's go! Up $20 and scored a St. PATTIES $40

I'm done, it's 4 am and I wanna sleep, back to the hotel and until tomorrow

 

[shadowler]

I hear Ellis Island got some great food with awesome prices as well... then you can hit the $15 six deck BJ tables and do some counting!

 

[BEANO52]

Day 5

New hotel, New craps table. Started off bright and early (noonish) with a little craps. $10 table and some inexpensive fun. Lost a little.

This is a poker chip forum right? Another casino falling prey to abandon the GPIs for cheap & ugly Icon ceramics . . . Ugh. $1s were all that have changed $5s and up still GPIs.

Finally got to cash this in. Parlayed part of into next year's Super Bowl. I always bet "America's Team" but hedge with another team. Thank goodness the Chiefs came thru.

Lunch time at one of my favorites, Evel Pie. So delicious. My favorite pizza in downtown, believe me, I've tried them all and this is my goto. Hey, everyone's taste buds are different. Frosty draft Pacifico to go along with it. #cheers

Just a little more craps before I head to my tourney.

Here we go, the highlight tourney of my trip. What a table draw! Karina Jett, Ari Engel, & David Singer directly to the right of me. Room is full of mix specialists Norman Chad, Eli Elizera, Jeff Plat, Chip Jett, John Cernuto +++ several others. I lasted until just under 30th. I was happy with my play but as good as the structure was, you still have to catch some cards when 3/5ths the games are stud variants. $5.5k up top.

One really interesting RAZZ hand maybe level 9 or 10:

I'm dealt A,2 in hole w/ 4 up. 3 bets get in 3 way. Myself and Singer (6 up card) doing the raising.

Paints on fourth street for everyone but 2 bets get in and 3rd player folds. Fifth street is where the fun begins.

I catch a 6 and Singer catches a 7. We're going with it. 4 bets get in.
Sixth Street, I catch a 9, Singer catches another paint and checks,
I bet, he raises, I call. Pot is huge now.

Seventh Street blesses me with a 3 for 7 perfect. Singer is board locked 7,6. Singer Check, I bet, raise, raise, call.

Massive pot pushed my way, a near double up. Singer went on to outlast me naturally, but had a blast!

Off to slots and a walk around.

Time for some VP, beer and wings. Very good garlic parmesan!

Stadium craps before I head out.

Back to the hotel and the craps table is filled. Like to the max, 7 people per side. A bunch of "young" people and there girlfriends (total beginners) are shooting. My neighbor and I decide it's time to go for the jugular and are pumping up our bets. Perfect timing. 2 super long rolls and 1/2 the table cashes out, us included way over a double up! Let's go!

Back to the Golden Nugget for my last session of 3/6. Having a blast but only able to get up about $60 before I run down some fish $ chips (disappointing and bland).

It's the a.m. and bedtime. Until tomorrow!

 

[bergs]

@BEANO52 I was at Resorts World for that mixed game the night before the tourney - 4/8, couple different tables. I was at the end of the table with the host and Jonathan Little and hammering back captains and cokes.

Great time - couple guys had books to try to figure out how to play things like Badugi. I introduced double board and Dramaha, they seemed to enjoy it.

 

[BEANO52]

@BEANO52 I was at Resorts World for that mixed game the night before the tourney - 4/8, couple different tables. I was at the end of the table with the host and Jonathan Little and hammering back captains and cokes.

Great time - couple guys had books to try to figure out how to play things like Badugi. I introduced double board and Dramaha, they seemed to enjoy it.

I'm glad you had fun, Robbie runs these and I've had the pleasure of going to a few. The inaugural one @ Westgate was a real blast. I didn't play late into the day Wexnesday and missed Jonathan (although I scored one of his hats).
Alot of No Limit players tried and 95% LOVE the mix games. Most thunk regular NL is almost robotic and these games actually took a bit of mind work. I preach (and pray)to my regular group all the time to get a mix night going. Maybe someday.

 

[Poker Zombie]

Great report so far! I love low roller reports. It's so rare to see a report that isn't Wynn/Aria centric.

Sahara card room is just a fun place to play, but it is so poorly managed there is no doubt they eventually go belly up. You can only shoot yourself in the foot so many times before to fall over. Still, lots of splashy fish that are more about having fun playing cards than squeezing out an edge.

 

[BEANO52]

Great report so far! I love low roller reports. It's so rare to see a report that isn't Wynn/Aria centric.

Sahara card room is just a fun place to play, but it is so poorly managed there is no doubt they eventually go belly up. You can only shoot yourself in the foot so many times before to fall over. Still, lots of splashy fish that are more about having fun playing cards than squeezing out an edge.

Oh, I agree MJ, there is no doubt about the crappy management. The way the tourney was run was insanely bad. I've played/stayed there from when they opened this room. In fact the 4/8 mix game used to run here. I miss Pique. He knew how to run the room and it has gone nothing but downhill since he left.

The biggest advantage to playing this room is being within eyeshot of when they let Magic Mike out . . .

 

[Poker Zombie]

When we were there last (for a tournament) they ran 1 table, but late reg opened up a 2nd table. They moved players from table 1 to table 2.

Not 1 single person had a denom low enough to pay the blinds. Took almost up the rest of that blind level, and all but 1 minute (a single hand) of the next level to find chips so we could play.

If I lived in Vegas I would apply to take over the room. I don't need to be the manager, just the TD. Pay me dealer wages. I just want the room to succeed.

...and watch the girls leaving the show...

 

[BEANO52]

Last full day,

Boy, its been a fun trip and this is my last full day. Coffee & games for a bit then a muffin to start the day. My plan is to roam downtown and hit a couple of my regular stops. Keeping it relaxing and chill.

This is always one of my favorite slots. Probably because we hit a handpay for over $4,000 a couple years ago. Nothing this time, naturally.

Time for lunch. Headed west to another good, but not as good as Evel Pie, pizza. Pizza Rock, this place is super popular and I'm just sitting at the bar so no reservation required. Catching up on some of the basketball from the night before and enjoying my slice with another local IPA.

Heading a block towards Fremont and stop on the Grand to check pit game limits. They're cheap so time for some inexpensive entertainment.

$5 dollar craps! 12' table! Let's go. . . Down $200 but I get in over 2 hours of play and the crew is a blast! Just a couple beers since it's just barely mid afternoon.

Move over to $1 blackjack. Fun to martingale at these stakes. Good group of some 5 English youngsters here. They are on a "bachelor trip" and having a great time. Two of them are sun running, two are breaking even and the last guy wins maybe 1 in every 20 hands, re-buying for $40 over and over. I lose $20 in a couple hours but make up for it in Coronas.

Probably going to be the last poker session. More good times at the Golden Nugget. Run it up to nearly a double and hours of entertainment.

They have an "antique" last of its kind horse racing game called Sigma Derby at the D we love to play so head over there. This machine is often broken and there is even a FB page that dedicated to it and you can monitor whether it is running or being repaired. Kudos to Derek Steven's for keeping it alive. Runs on quarters still.

Stupid slots . . .

Hidden gem her makes for a great late night meal. Bacon Nation upstairs in the D. Affordable Diner like food and if you order includes bacon, you get ALOT of bacon. It's delicious!

Its late (early) so head back to home base. Get a little slots in.

Sit and min bet this machine in the corner. Hit a bonus that pays nearly $200 on a 60 cent bet. Nice indeed!

Couple hour trip to the craps table with some cocktails before bed and then we call it a night!

Until tomorrow . . .

 

[BEANO52]

* Incredibly late update (1 year LOL) but need to add another and prep for June 2024!

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The next day didn't bring anything exciting, I slept as late as I could to check out

A hearty filling breakfast.

One last session of craps.

One last visit to the one armed bandits.

Then a shuttle to the airport and dropped of. Thru security and my gate was literally the closest possible one! Jackpot. Sitting relaxing for a trip home.

It was another fun trip and I was ready to get home (then about a week later, I am ready to head back ).

June 2023 next.

 

[Moxie Mike]

What days are you going to be out there?

 

[BEANO52]

What days are you going to be out there?

@Moxie Mike 1st week of June '24, 3rd - 9th. Any PCF peeps wanna meet up, I'll be all over town lol.

 

[Poker Zombie]

The last few years there has been a meetup in Vegas during he WSOP. I've hosted 2, but someone with more street cred (i.e connections with casino hosts) took over. I'd keep an eye open.