The Summer Wind - A WSOP Trip Report …… and beyond!
Don’t ask me why I chose the title of an old Sinatra song to be the title for this year’s trip report, i have no idea, i
Surely you could text somebody who might tolerate it.
Is it me or is this month going by extremely slowly? Itching to get to Vegas but still 1 week to go until my first trip.
Re-visited my tournament schedule and made 1 change. Swapped out the $600 MGM TORSE on 6/9 for WSOP #31 $800 NLH Deepstack (8 handed)
I’ve been working a bit on my NLH game and did want to play a couple of events. (Will probably squeeze in another first week of July)
I like this $800 one because it’s only 2 days and it’s 8 handed.
Meanwhile here in Medellin been grinding the cash game.
Up small so far this month. The game is 5 card PLO with blinds 5,000 - 10,000 and optional straddle from any position up to 50,000. And believe me when people start losing , those big straddles start getting put on most hands so it’s very swingy. You can easily win (or lose) 10 million pesos ($2,500 US)
But all the while I’m thinking of Vegas and the f**king Mirage. Okay wrong era, but you get the idea.
With that in mind and seeing that I am a bookie I came up with some lines of what me might see in this thread this summer.
(Don’t PM me for action though, it’s just for fun and can look back at the end of the thread to see how accurate they were)
Tournament Wins
Over 0.5 +1,200
Under 0.5 -2,000
Final Tables
Over 1.5 -120
Under 1.5 -110
Cashes
Over 5.5 -150
Under 5.5 +120
Steak Dinners
Over 6.5 -120
Under 6.5 -110
Ice-cream / Tiramisu / Any type of desserts
Over 10.5 -120
Under 10.5 -110
Pool Pics
Over 20.5 -115
Under 20.5 -115
Strip Club Visits
Over 0.5 +400
Under 0.5 -500
Number of times propositioned (inspired by Langdon)
Over 5.5 -115
Under 5.5 -115
Update on action sold.
The Wynn package is sold out but I still have some availability for the WSOP main package. (To date have sold 18%)
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If you're looking for more NLH and qualify and are there when it goes off, look into the Seniors events. Very good value.
Tournament Wins
Over 0.5 +1,200
Under 0.5 -2,000
Final Tables
Over 1.5 -120
Under 1.5 -110
Cashes
Over 5.5 -150
Under 5.5 +120
Steak Dinners
Over 6.5 -120
Under 6.5 -110
Ice-cream / Tiramisu / Any type of desserts
Over 10.5 -120
Under 10.5 -110
Pool Pics
Over 20.5 -115
Under 20.5 -115
Strip Club Visits
Over 0.5 +400
Under 0.5 -500
Number of times propositioned (inspired by Langdon)
Over 5.5 -115
Under 5.5 -115
—————
😀
I am strongly rooting for the first three categories, the rest will be icing on the cake!
If you're looking for more NLH and qualify and are there when it goes off, look into the Seniors events. Very good value.
Happily I’m still 3 years away from being eligible, but yes agree it should be very good value.
I know they have a super seniors now. I always thought they could maybe have a semi-seniors or something for 40+
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WSOP Heard You!
Battle of the Ages - Half the field is above and the other half below!
I'm smashing the over on final tables.
Battle of the Ages looks interesting, but as a sub-senior myself, I don't necessarily see the advantage of playing all the vigorous youths with all their willy-nilly three-betting.
Back in my day we only three-bet with AA.
I’ll take 2% of the WSOP Main package, please!
I sent $990 USD, which converts to 713.36 GBP, via PayPal.
I’m gonna be playing a few of the same events as you when I get out there. I just want to warn you now, when I see you at the final table, I will NOT be softplaying you just because I have a piece!
The competition IS the fun for me… I’d check raise my grandmother 
I’ll take 2% of the WSOP Main package, please!
I sent $990 USD, which converts to 713.36 GBP, via PayPal.
I’m gonna be playing a few of the same events as you when I get out there. I just want to warn you now, when I see you at the final table, I will NOT be softplaying you just because I have a piece!
The competition IS the fun for me… I’d check raise my grandmother
Received thanks. And no softplay, absolutely as it should be, but don’t feel bad if I win a big pot off you and then show the bluff [emoji23]
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Saw this, thought of you. But I see your schedule is pretty full with WSOP events already...
I participated in that in 2023 when Resorts World hosted. It was mixed cash tables with some giveaways. I won a book on SOHE (simultaneous omaha/hold 'em), which provided some flight reading. I want to say the event is a little more geared toward low stakes players and the mixed-curious than someone who is already playing mixed at a good level. Enjoyed my time there in 2023 though. A nice change of pace after several consecutive days of NLHE.
Yea I did see that, but as dogface says I think it’s more for smaller players. $4-$8 or $8-16, but will check it out if I have chance.
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Wynn Summer Classic
Day One - Tuesday May 20th
Gather round lads and lasses, gather round.
Travel day, but not the usual route via Panama. This time we’re flying with United: Medellin - Houston - Vegas. It was cheaper and the times were better. Let’s see how it measures up to Copa.
My charms don’t work on the United check-in girl so just the standard economy seats.
It’s a wet morning in Medellin. I’m happy to be going to the desert. Seems like it’s been raining here non-stop since February. In my 10 years living here I honestly cannot remember a period where it has rained so much.
Uneventful 5 hour flight to Houston. The plane was pretty full. We breeze through immigration but there’s some customs officers as you exit baggage claim to go to connections and they pull me over for a further inspection. Why always me?
At the inspection desk he asks me how much I’m carrying. I ask if poker chips count?
He thinks I’m being a wise ass and says if I lie they’ll cancel my visa and send me packing! Not quite the warm Texas hospitality I had imagined.
I include the poker chips and say 14 or 15k. He asks which is it? I say I honestly cannot remember which really rubs him the wrong way.
He can’t understand how I don’t know exactly. I guess it’s hard for non-gamblers to comprehend, but I really don’t remember if I pulled 7k or 8k out of the safe this morning to go along with the 7k in chips.
I declare 15k which turned out to be correct after they counted it. He consults with his supervisor and apparently poker chips do not count as a declarable monetary instrument and they eventually let me go on my way.
I just make the connection for the 3 hour flight to Vegas which is less than half full and I have a row to myself.
Our home away from home this week is the dirty castle, a.k.a. The Excalibur. Happily the app check-in worked and my digital room key is ready when I arrive.
First time staying here. Through MGM rewards I had 4 comped nights, 2 nights at $9 and the most expensive, the Saturday at $36. I still have to pay resort fees and taxes on top but can’t complain at 7 nights for $400 all-in, and with $100 resort credit on top.
Royal Tower King room. Seems fine, and I don’t see any bed bugs but I guess I’ll know for sure in the morning.
So it’s only 6:30pm. What a difference it makes getting in at this time rather than the Copa flight which gets in at 11pm.
Not wanting to cut into my pool time in the morning I decide to take a walk to the Paris now and get verified for the WSOP+ app and set up a tournament account. It was a painless process and took less than 10 minutes.
As the tournaments this week are 12pm starts with no dinner break I thought I’d take the opportunity to have a decent meal as it might be the only chance I get.
I was going to give Jack Binnions Steak at the Horsehoe a try so wandered over there but it was closed.
On the way over I passed the sportsbook and it was halftime in the OKC game and they were trailing by 4 so couldn’t resist a little flutter.
Not a big bet but hopefully will pay for dinner. I also have some futures on them to win the whole thing.
So plan B for dinner I headed over to Prime at Bellagio which never disappoints.
Ate at the bar while watching the 2nd half of the game. No sweat winners certainly help the digestive system.
It was a Wagyu skirt steak which was really good.
Took in the fountain show on the way back to Excalibur.
Great to be back in Vegas. Work starts tomorrow.
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Soooo glad I don’t have to deal with imperious customs agents to fly to Vegas.
Especially these days.
I’m already nervous enough even carrying that much cash in a domestic flight.
Glad you made it safe!
He is back!
Try Einstein Brothers Bagels at Excal.
Use resort credit @Bucca the Italian place.
I had the same experience a couple of years ago flying into Vegas. I had $9000 on me, $6000 cash and $3000 in Aria yellows. After clearing immigration and collecting my bag I got something written on my card and before I could leave the terminal they shuffled me into a tiny room. They opened my suitcase, checked everything, asked me if I had any drugs on me and counted the cash. I asked about the poker chips but they said they don’t care, it doesn’t count. Luckily they were not rude or anything, they even laughed after they asked if I had any weed on me and I said not yet.
Nice score on the OKC bet. Lovely to start the trip off with a bit of run good. Go get ‘em!
At the inspection desk he asks me how much I’m carrying. I ask if poker chips count?
He thinks I’m being a wise ass and says if I lie they’ll cancel my visa and send me packing! Not quite the warm Texas hospitality I had imagined.
First time in Texas? 😉
Welcome to the WSOP. Best of luck, run well, play better!
Great start to the trip with the OKC bet!
I’ve stayed in the Dirty Castle a few times and had no issues.
Wynn Summer Classic
Day Two - Wednesday May 21st
A good night’s sleep is always hit or miss for me in Vegas. Last night it was a miss. I woke at 4am and tossed and turned trying to get back to sleep but couldn’t manage it.
As others have mentioned the in-room AC is really loud. The plan going forward is to leave it on high during the day to get the room nice and cold and then turn it off at night.
I mess about on the computer killing time waiting for the pool to open at 9am.
This was the only pool open today. The big mushroom shaped pool was closed, but it’s in the shade in the morning anyway.
No DJ but still the same crappy club / rap music blasting loud. Why do they play this **** at all the pools? I want to relax. [emoji30]
I may have bitten off more than I can chew with the walk this time. Takes me 40 minutes to walk to the Wynn in the 90 degree heat. I walk inside wherever possible but it’s still quite taxing.
I see some Uber’s or Taxis in my future [emoji23]
Looks like they’re going at a good pace on the guitar construction.
Mixed triple draw is today’s tournament, but it’s hard to make any headway when you don’t make any hands. Not even a watermelon juice can conjure up any run good.
I make zero badugi’s, never make anything better than 7’s in ace to five which were always losers and don’t make anything better then 8-7’s in 2-7 which again were all losers.
I fire two bullets and never get above starting stack on either. I guess if I’m going to run bad it’s better to do it today in the $600 as the rest are all $1,100’s.
I bust just in time to sprint over to the sportsbook to put some action down on the NBA game before it tips.
I find it hard to split these two teams and think it’s going to be a really close series so I’m happy to take the points in game 1, especially getting a good number at -110. The sharp offshore books have it shaded -115.
I watch the start of the game while eating in Allegro.
The pasta is tasty but the tiramisu is not as good as the one at Sinatra.
I watch a little more of the game in the sportsbook.
Before checking out the cash action in the poker room.
Disappointed to not find the 40-80 OE running as it is Wednesday so I sit at a 5-5-10 PLO must move.
Neither the must move or the main table are much good and I continue to not make any hands and whiff flops.
The only flop I do hit i lose.
I open with AQJTds and call a 3-bet pre.
Flop: Q-T-7 with two diamonds
Villain c-bets
I have top two and nut flush draw so pot it.
Villain is short and calls for his last $600
Turn: an off suit J
River: blank
Villain has AAKx and made broadway
Nice hand. [emoji45]
In for $3,000, out for $2,400. -$600 after 4 hours. That’s actually a good result given how I ran.
Stone cold at cards today but at least got some run good on the crazy finish to the NBA game.
With the Pacers down 14 with just over 3 minutes left to play I’d pretty much written it off, but they make a comeback and hit a crazy basket at the buzzer to send it to OT and end up winning outright.
I make myself walk back to the Excalibur. Have to book a win if i want the luxury of a taxi!
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Royal Tower King room. Seems fine, and I don’t see any bed bugs but I guess I’ll know for sure in the morning.
Not wanting to cut into my pool time in the morning I decide to take a walk to the Paris now and get verified for the WSOP+ app and set up a tournament account. It was a painless process and took less than 10 minutes.
Historically the Royal Tower have been the best one to book at Excalibur, but the Resort Tower actually seems to be the play now. They have gotten the old furniture from MGM Grand, which makes the rooms look way more inviting. Probably still stuck with the loud AC though 😀
Regarding WSOP+ app, is it easy to find the correct cage for verification and what kind of documentation did they need to see?
