I went out to Vegas last weekend for my brother’s wedding, and went out on Friday before he arrived from Florida on Sat and my wife came out on Sunday. I was able to meet up with brothelman for a short chat, so it started out on a positive note in being able to meet him and get his ideas and tips. I probably should have taken him up on a brief chance to shoot and have him watch, but I did want to talk for the few minutes he was able to take out of his day and come over to meet. I really appreciated that.

Anyway, my Friday did NOT go well. I had plenty of time to try out the various venues that although I shot at several back in 2009, it was my first try as a GTC’er. I shot at a number of places and quickly moved to a very conservative betting approach, took a 3 hour nap, and ended up the day down 1.5 buy ins over a half dozen sessions. I went back to my room to get some sleep and lick my wounds, and knowing Saturday would be a better day.

I got myself cleaned up Saturday morning, setup my equipment and threw some more practice shots to figure it out. I believe that I was being FAR too hesitant in my swing and was not allowing the dice to fly freely. I went downstairs at home base and found an empty table, and did decently. I then caught a bus downtown to visit the four corners to investigate. I spent most of my time there at one place and did well, enjoyed the 2 tables open watching others at both tables between my hands. I left there up a little and went to the next venue, found a table empty except for my positions, but decided to take up R1 and bet minimally until my one of my spots opened. I did well, but after a few hands without my L spots opening, colored out up a little, and found my spots open at 2 other venues and rolled a hand or two at each and ended up still up a little for the day.

I needed to get back to the strip to recharge my phone and connect with my brother. He had had an ordeal with his rental company in trying to get a convertible, but I eventually headed down to his place further South and played a hand there at a $15 table and did nicely, up some again. From there, we headed downtown again and we ended up in the place I’d shot SR1 for a cigar and a scotch. We mosied up to the games, him to Blackjack, his bride to be to slots, and me to Craps. 2 gents were straight out left and I got SL1.5. I bought in with the puck off and the dice were quickly to me. After just 3 shots, Point, Win, Point set, I was told my hand couldn’t go past the line entering the center action, so I moved over a bit. After hitting several numbers, I was told to hit the wall. I said no problem, but asked which die hadn’t hit, was told he didn’t have to tell me, and I simply said I understood but it looked like they did and was just wondering which hadn’t. He started going off on me and since I’d just hit a point, I just said color me out and left up a little. The other two gents also colored out and caught up with me, thanked me for getting them back near even, and noted they’d been hastled but not like I was. We walked around and enjoyed the Fremont Street Experience and called it a night.

On Sunday, it was breakfast with my other brother who’d arrived from Phoenix, play a little, then picked up my bride from the airport, and got ready for the wedding at Viva Las Vegas! It was a great ceremony, broadcast for friends and family to see, then the limo back to their hotel. We had lunch before my Phoenix brother and family headed to the airport, then went to check out the tables next door, but were too crowded so played a little 3-card, walked away up a little, and headed to dinner at the Stratosphere, just the 4 of us. It was a great time, saw the view of Vegas and the sunset, enjoyed the company of my brother and our two brides, and called it a night.

We met for a wonderful breakfast at Mon Ami, played a little, then headed to the airport and back to reality.

All in all, an enjoyable weekend and after an unsuccessful Friday, was almost even for the remainder and learned a few lessons on concentration, correction, and ignoring all else around you, which I seem to need a countless number of lessons on. I’m back at practice at home and taking the lessons and applying, and doing better. Time to hit the casinos again, but a weekend of picking up trees from our village’s tree sale and getting some planting done, then…. crap, a client trip next week, but since it’s gathering, a client friend from FL will be in town as well and we’ll hit PA a couple of times. Hopefully the lessons will stick.

Until next time, keep ’em rolling!

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