Day two...
Saturday started with a visit to the GM of the Westin where we always stay in Vegas. He's a friend of Michelles, so we get very reasonable rooms and it's a great property. He's a wonderfully nice guy, but I don't think he understood that both Michelle and I were still drunk from Friday night. We sat in his office for the better part of an hour chatting about his kids, the hotel business and other intelligent conversations that neither Michelle nor I had any business trying to be involved in. By the time we left him, Michelle needed more sleep so we headed back to the room after only being up for about an hour and a half and she took a little nap.
Next was the trip to the mall to pick up my replacement AMEX. Of course we didn't get out of the mall without spending a bit of money. I got some kickass D&G sunglasses, and a nice band to replace my wallet (those of you that may have known me for a while - rememeber the broccoli rubber bands? This is similar but nicer.) =) Michelle got a nice swimsuit and also some very cool sunglasses. Had I had my way, I think she would have also gotten an engagement ring! As I said, I think I was still drunk.
Leaving the mall, I really wanted to head to the Bellagio and do a bit of poker star gazing and get in some games myself. Saturday was the $1000+60 event I talked about earlier, so I knew it would start bringing out the tournament pros. We contacted our friends and they were being lazy by the pool at their hotel, the Aladdin. This actually sounded better to me than poker, as at this stage I was getting a nasty hangover. We went and met up with the gang at the Aladdin and hung out by the pool for the late afternoon and evening.
As we were hanging round the pool and in the hot tub, everyone started asking me questions about poker. They really didn't grasp the concept of professional players and the tournaments at first. Then again, who would really think that someone could be so well off as the big pros from what most think is a simple game of pairs and straights. I mean, everyone's played 5 card draw for nickels and pennies, right? Poker, a living? Like a career? They were intrigued. So, after the hangover started fading and the sun started setting, I said "why don't we all walk over to the Bellagio. You can see what it's really like, and actually probably see some of the best in the game!"
We wandered over in our trunks and tshirts and strolled around the tournament being played. I pointed out a few players; Men "the Master", Carlos Mortensen... They liked watching it seemed, but I was itching to get into a game. The tournament director was talking every couple minutes about the satellites starting, and after explaining to the gang what a satellite was, they said "Why don't you get in one!" Exactly what I wanted to hear. So I bought in to a $180 satellite for the $1500+70 event on Sunday.
After sitting down and the table started filling up, I glanced up to see a fellow Phoenix player, Pete! For some reason I run into Pete every now and then. Casino AZ, home tournaments, and now, Vegas! Pete's a great player and it was nice to chat with him a bit as we played. I went out 4th I think after only picking up a few playable hands. It was winner take all for the seat and the balance of the cash, so I walked back to the hotel to get ready for dinner a defeated man.
We had reservations at Canaletto at the Venetian. Off to dinner! Good, good food. A little Happy Birthday serenade to Eddie from all of us, and it was off again to check out Tangerine in Treasure Island. Michelle and I had plans the last time we were in Vegas to go there, but never made it, so we were determined to check it out this time. Our "hook up" in Vegas put us on the list and told us which door guy to grease when we got there. Only stipulation was "Get there before 10:30!
So we roll up to TI about midnight, and after a $40 handshake with the bouncer, he informed us, yes, you'll be let right in (sans a line of probably 150-200 waiting clubbers), however, no, you'll not get in without paying the $20/ea cover. Doh! Shoulda listened to the "Get there before 10:30" part! =)
Tangerine is a cool place. I liked to decor, and, on any other night (and had we gone the bottle service route, you know my opinion on this one) we probably would have had a great time. Inside was top 40 club music. Outside was a DJ way up in the pirate ship spinning pretty good house. However, neither Michelle or I was really feeling like full on drinking and clubbing. After being there about an hour we excused ourselves and headed back to the Westin for bed. I wanted to be up early to hit the sports book on Sunday for some NFL wagers.
ZZZZzzzzzzzzz... We needed it!
Next was the trip to the mall to pick up my replacement AMEX. Of course we didn't get out of the mall without spending a bit of money. I got some kickass D&G sunglasses, and a nice band to replace my wallet (those of you that may have known me for a while - rememeber the broccoli rubber bands? This is similar but nicer.) =) Michelle got a nice swimsuit and also some very cool sunglasses. Had I had my way, I think she would have also gotten an engagement ring! As I said, I think I was still drunk.
Leaving the mall, I really wanted to head to the Bellagio and do a bit of poker star gazing and get in some games myself. Saturday was the $1000+60 event I talked about earlier, so I knew it would start bringing out the tournament pros. We contacted our friends and they were being lazy by the pool at their hotel, the Aladdin. This actually sounded better to me than poker, as at this stage I was getting a nasty hangover. We went and met up with the gang at the Aladdin and hung out by the pool for the late afternoon and evening.
As we were hanging round the pool and in the hot tub, everyone started asking me questions about poker. They really didn't grasp the concept of professional players and the tournaments at first. Then again, who would really think that someone could be so well off as the big pros from what most think is a simple game of pairs and straights. I mean, everyone's played 5 card draw for nickels and pennies, right? Poker, a living? Like a career? They were intrigued. So, after the hangover started fading and the sun started setting, I said "why don't we all walk over to the Bellagio. You can see what it's really like, and actually probably see some of the best in the game!"
We wandered over in our trunks and tshirts and strolled around the tournament being played. I pointed out a few players; Men "the Master", Carlos Mortensen... They liked watching it seemed, but I was itching to get into a game. The tournament director was talking every couple minutes about the satellites starting, and after explaining to the gang what a satellite was, they said "Why don't you get in one!" Exactly what I wanted to hear. So I bought in to a $180 satellite for the $1500+70 event on Sunday.
After sitting down and the table started filling up, I glanced up to see a fellow Phoenix player, Pete! For some reason I run into Pete every now and then. Casino AZ, home tournaments, and now, Vegas! Pete's a great player and it was nice to chat with him a bit as we played. I went out 4th I think after only picking up a few playable hands. It was winner take all for the seat and the balance of the cash, so I walked back to the hotel to get ready for dinner a defeated man.
We had reservations at Canaletto at the Venetian. Off to dinner! Good, good food. A little Happy Birthday serenade to Eddie from all of us, and it was off again to check out Tangerine in Treasure Island. Michelle and I had plans the last time we were in Vegas to go there, but never made it, so we were determined to check it out this time. Our "hook up" in Vegas put us on the list and told us which door guy to grease when we got there. Only stipulation was "Get there before 10:30!
So we roll up to TI about midnight, and after a $40 handshake with the bouncer, he informed us, yes, you'll be let right in (sans a line of probably 150-200 waiting clubbers), however, no, you'll not get in without paying the $20/ea cover. Doh! Shoulda listened to the "Get there before 10:30" part! =)
Tangerine is a cool place. I liked to decor, and, on any other night (and had we gone the bottle service route, you know my opinion on this one) we probably would have had a great time. Inside was top 40 club music. Outside was a DJ way up in the pirate ship spinning pretty good house. However, neither Michelle or I was really feeling like full on drinking and clubbing. After being there about an hour we excused ourselves and headed back to the Westin for bed. I wanted to be up early to hit the sports book on Sunday for some NFL wagers.
ZZZZzzzzzzzzz... We needed it!
posted by Daniel Hoerr at 2:01 PM
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