[2Tone]

Precursor: So I’m aware that I’m one of the few forum regulars on the West Coast, and that some of you regularly hit Atlantic City. But there’s simply not enough focus on Vegas around here. For starters, it’s the center of the poker universe, the way D.C. is to politics, or Amsterdam is to weed. Add to that the city is filled with thousands of hot chicks, all there to party. Lots of cities – L.A, Miami, Boston – have tons of hot chicks. But they live there, and so they are busy buying hair care products, or whatever it is hot chicks do in their everyday lives. In Vegas, they are all on vacation, and looking for guys to do body shots off of. And for those who enjoy alcohol, a Red Bull and Absolut will run you a $1 tip for as long as you can sit at the tables and/or see straight.

Arrived Thursday afternoon, drop bags off, head directly to the Excalibur 2/6 game. Pretty typical, with plenty of players calling hands they shouldn’t in early position. Was up nicely, but gave most of it back when my trips lost to a full house towards the end of my session.

Thursday night was spent at Club OPM at Ceasars, for lesbian night. As promised, plenty of girl/girl make out sessions on the dance floor, though not always with the girls you wanted to see making out.

On Friday during the day, I hit the Imperial Palace, having heard how soft the games were. I hadn’t been before, and disliked the room. It spacious, but is hard to get to (2nd floor, escalator broken) and seems generally run down and neglected, with terrible cocktail service. The only game with immediate seating was 2/4, where I get sucked out on repeatedly. About an hour into the session, I’m down nearly a rack, having lost with a fine assortment of premium starting hands. Then I’m dealt Jc10c in early position. I limp, three to the flop. The flop comes Ac/Kc/blank. Bet, call, call. The turn is Qc, and I have my first ever royal in a live game. Despite the predicable ‘oohs’ when the Q hit, both players call my turn bet, and one calls my river bet. I flip it and get a round of applause (the table was friendly, if nothing else) and I’m awarded a $75 certificate to dining room. Given that nearly every other room gives cash (my local card room in Seattle gives a cool grand), I’m less than thrilled, but make every effort to be gracious. And I still wound up leaving the table down some.

By Friday night, our crew of six guys was at full strength, including one guy who has a connection at the Ghost Bar at the Palms. We invite five chicks from the back of the line to join us, and our party of 11 whisks up there. Place was fantastic, with magnificent scenery of every kind. Hours later, thoroughly buzzed, I pick up a small win at the 4/8 half-kill game which had crushed me on my last trip.

Saturday during the day we played the Aladdin tourney, which I’ll post about separately.

Saturday night, we went to Hard Rock. Motley Crue were playing the Joint, and the scene was insane. We eat dinner at the Pink Taco, and on our way out, not three feet away, strolls by Paris Hilton, accompanied by Kimberly Stewart (Rod’s daughter), another unidentified blonde, and a bodyguard who had to be 350lbs. She goes into the jewelry store, which they immediately close, and a large crowd gathers outside, watching her shop and play with her Sidekick. She is super-tiny, wears a ton of makeup, and not any hotter than a lot of the girls hanging around the better clubs in Vegas on any given Saturday night.

Post Hard Rock, went to Club Paradise, right across the street. It bills itself as a ‘high-end’ strip club, and charges $30 to get in. No complaints, but I definitely prefer Cheetahs.

Left Sunday morning. I’ll be back for the series in July, if not sooner.