Bellagio Visit and Poker Update

It's a beautiful sunny morning here in LV with a high temp expected near 60 - a good time to sit down and detail a few recent happenings.

Monday was a Return-to-Poker day for me. I played at the Imperial Palace and won some nice cash, all in a three-in-a-row hand hot streak. First, I was dealt Q-Q and they held up for a $40 pot. Very next hand I looked down and saw A-A. I bet $7 and got a couple of callers. The flop came A-K-3. We all checked and when the turn came a Q, I checked to see who might bet and was thrilled when one guy bet $30. The other called with his last $20

I went into full-blown acting mode. I pretended to try to decide whether to call or not, but eventually I raised him another $60. He hesitated a bit, then shoved in the rest of his stack - another $40 or so. The river was a 4 and didn't help at all. The guy showed his K-Q for two pair, while the other guy mucked his hand. I showed my Trip Aces and the dealer shoved the hefty pot my way!

The very next hand, I had A-K and took down another pot worth $40 or so... Three great hands, three sweet wins. I played 4-5 more hands, then left. A $170 winner.

On Tuesday, Helen and I drove down to the Bellagio to check out the new Conservatory display, which honors the Chinese New Year. 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit and the displays feature many amazing topiary bunnies. There's also a unique chariot pulled by four horses, lots of bamboo, burning incense and more great floral displays. As usual, all of the features are made of floral items, crushed nuts, seeds and other natural items. It's always cool to see how creative the designers are.

While at Bellagio, we visited the sports book and I put $20 on MSU+4.5 vs. Illinois. That was a loser as the Spartans couldn't shoot to save their lives. Despite holding the Illini to one field goal in the last 10 minutes, the Spartans lost by 9.

Helen hadn't been to Caesars Palace yet, so we wandered over there to have lunch at the Cheesecake Factory. We were seated out in the patio area so we could do some people watching and see the huge fish-filled aquarium only a few feet away. Our meal was great - tasty and huge!
Helen opted for a blue cheese burger and sweet potato fries, while I went for a hefty slab of meatloaf topped with grilled onions & mushrooms, mashed potatoes and gravy and a veggie succotash. This great meal was $31, but lucky us, we received a survey request on our receipt and should be getting a $10 Cheesecake gift card for answering the survey.

We played some video poker and Wheel of Fortune at CP, but didn't do too well. Including our hoops bet, we lost $32.

After running a few errands, Wednesday was another poker day for me. I drove down to Bill's Gambling Hall and walked over to the IP where I learned that a guy committed suicide on Monday afternoon. Seems he jumped from one of the higher floors and landed between Harrah's and the IP. Sad that someone had to feel life was too difficult to deal with.

It was quiet at the poker room, but I waited there a while talking with the poker mgr. Jake and a couple of dealers. Then one other player showed and Jake gave each of us a special "2008 World Series of Poker" card protector for staying around and helping to start a game. In about 15 minutes three more guys showed and we got the cards in the air.

I won a few pots early and was up about $70 when my three 5s lost to a straight - back to even. Then I had a little hot streak, highlighted by one BIG hand. I was dealt a pair of 9s and bet $7. Two guys called. The flop came 10-8-6 - giving me a possible inside straight. One guy bet $15 and I called, hoping to hit either a 7 for the straight or a third 9.

My hopes were answered when a 9 fell on the turn. The other guy checked (telling me he didn't hit the straight either) and I bet $25. The guy called and I felt he had an over pair, maybe Q-Q or J-J.
The river was a 3 - no apparent help for either of us. My opponent shoved in $60 and I thought about it and called. He showed a pair of eights, giving him 3 8s to my 3 9s!!

That was my big pot of the day and I walked away a short time later, a $215 winner.

Helen and I celebrated with a takeout dinner from Famous Dave's BBQ - a "Cue for Two" special with BBQ ribs, chicken, brisket, slaw, grilled potatoes and cornbread muffins. Lots of food for $19.95. Probably be finishing that off tonight for dinner. MMMMM...

And today our adventure continues...