Day Five - Fun and Frustration!

Hey everyone. Time for my longer update.

First the none poker stuff for a change! Checked out Planet Hollywood in detail today, as well as Paris. Both are lovely casinos though the eiffel tower was closed due to a big incoming storm tomorrow! Will definitely have to have a meal up there before home!

While in Paris, decided to book to see this naughty hypnotist. Meant to be one of the best shows in Vegas, so will see that Tuesday night. Also found a good Grand Canyon tour price. About $359 including all extra fees, with a full tour of several things around the Canyon like the lakes and hoover dam, champagne lunch etc... It's with the most recommended and reliable company, Maverick, who even pick you up from your hotel! Will prob book that tomorrow!

Planet was fantastic. The main restaraunt there was ok priced and recommended, so decided to get some food. Not only were the waitresses the nicest people I've met in Vegas so far, but the food was absolutely fantastic! It was easily the best meal I've had!

Now for the poker... As you know from my last blog I had a quick session this morning, and though made a bad play, came away with $380. Planet was one of the best games I've had, with a lot of skill, bluffs, good hands, and cracked hands. The mixture left me with $90 profit which I was happy with.

Unfortunately had a bad evening over at Harrahs. The play was tight. Too tight. And to add to that there were a lot of regulars. I was down to $40 at one point but managed to leave the tbale with about $120. The frustation in the title of this blog section refers to a specific hand at this game. I raise in early position with AJ to 10 bucks. I managed to get 3 callers behind me so a $40 pot. The flop is AJ8. I bet out $20 first to act. The first 2 players behind call, and the final one who's fairly tight, raises to $100. I have about $120 and am making a decision for all my chips. Think a minute at what you'd do here... I mean what hands are calling my raise pre flop, and the bet on the flop, as well as what hand could that guy be going all in with...

I worked out we could be seeing AA, JJ, 88, A8, AJ, AK, AQ... That's about it! Now there's 2 hands that I'm beating, one hand drawing, and 4 hands beating me. Based on that, I made a big big fold. Another guy behind me folded, and the final person to act goes all in for an extra $10.

The turn comes a Q, River a K so the board is AJ8QK... The guy who bet the $100 shows AQ, and the guy who called it shows 9T to take the pot with a straight. So I was ahead on the flop, but if I pushed, the 9T would call and so would the AQ. I don't think my fold was a bad fold even though I was ahead. In this situation a good 75% of times I'm losing, and for a $120 stack I'm not interested. Dave called this a bad fold which kind of upset me, but opinions are meant to differ in poker I guess!

So in summary, I'm $260 in the plus after 5 days in Vegas. Still ok. The swings and roundabouts come hard and fast, but part of this is about coping with them and still having a good time. This type of thing can only be achieved via experience, and it's proving to be invaluable! One thing I definitely need to consider more is table section, as it would appear most of the frustrating sessions are early morning. Rather than drunk aggressors, it's the complete opposite... Need to think about that a bit more next time I sit down!

Will get some shopping done early next week and get the Blue Man group show booked as well. Lots to do and lots more poker to be played! It's nice to know people back home are catching up with the trip too! Hope I don't have lots more bad news to post!

Night all!