First Strip Trip

Tuesday marked my first trip to the Strip in search of a poker game. From our new apartment, it's about an easy 30 minute drive, part freeway part surface streets. I took Flamingo and parked at Bally's, arriving about 10 a.m. It's the first time I've seen the newly relocated poker room at Bally's and I was able to get into a game immediately.

Played for about 2 hours and frittered away my $100 buy-in. Just wasn't able to get anything going. Won a few hands with J-J and Q-Q. My best hand was a flush, but the pot was less than $15, so it was sort of a wasted opportunity. My final hand epitomizes the day.

I was dealt K-Q, both spades, and bet$10. Every one folded, except one guy at the other end of the table. The flop came K-Q-J, giving me top two pair. The other guy bet $10 and I went all-in, shoving in my last $30. I was leery of the straight possibilities and was hoping he would fold, but he called in a flash. I knew I was in trouble and that he may have had A-10 or 10-9 for the straight. My suspicions were justified when he flipped over 10-9 for the straight. But I still had a chance to win if either the turn or river cards were one of the four Ks or Qs, I would have the full house and take the pot.

No such luck. I was out and took a walk next door to the Paris where I checked out the sports book and eventually played a bit of blackjack, winning about $20 in an hour or so. Got bored and took a walk over to Planet Hollywood where I again visited the sports book and played a little more blackjack, winning another $20.

While I was inside the PH, it started raining outside turning the Strip into a slippery mess. I carefully made my way back to Paris, then scooted inside to walk back to Bally's where I had parked. I was getting a good amount of walking in on this strip trip, even though I only went to 3 casinos. When I got back to the car, I decided to drive north on the Strip, then head west on Sahara where I was going to stop at a Middle East market to pick up dinner.

It was raining steadily and driving was slow. You have to be cautious in Vegas traffic because there are so many distractions that drivers can find confusing. Anyway, I made it to the market where I bought fresh pita bread, lebni, stuffed grape leaves, tabouli, hummus, kalamata olives and a hunk of Geek feta cheese. I was the only guy in the market with about 8-10 women babbling in some language I couldn't place. The market carries not only Middle Eastern foods, but also Eastern European items, such as Armenian, Bulgarian, Polish, Czech and others. Anyway, I never felt so ENGLISH as I waited in the checkout line while all this chattering was going on around me.

I got home about 5;30 and Helen and I enjoyed our dinner. She spent the day unpacking items and putting things in order around the apartment. After dinner we watched some TV until sleep beckoned about 10 or so. A full day on Tuesday and Wednesday the adventure continues...