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
Thanks a lot for all the time spent including us. Very much appreciated. Sorry you didn't leave rich, or at least richer.
The Summer Wind
In Review
One last post to wrap everything up now that I’m back home in Medellin.
Staking
I sold 35% of my action for the summer and would like to thank all the investors who took a piece and believed in me. Everyone was great and very supportive. I didn’t receive any what the f**k are you doing? [emoji23] messages. Only positive ones.
Investors in the Wynn Warm-Up package showed a nice profit.
Investors in both the Wynn Warm-Up and WSOP packages came out very slightly ahead.
Investors in just the WSOP package lost about half their money.
Obviously the WSOP results weren’t what we were all hoping for but that’s tournament poker unfortunately.
Tournament Results
Wynn Warm-Up Package
Tournaments Played: 6
Bullets Fired: 9
Total Buy-Ins: $8,900
Cashes: 2 (including a win)
Total Prize Money: $35,821
Net: +$26,921
Each 1% returned $359
Final numbers for the WSOP main package:
Tournaments Played: 23 (including 2 sats)
Bullets Fired: 35
Total Buy-ins: $44,200
Cashes: 5
Total Prize Money: $19,134
Net: -$25,066
Each 1% returns $200 including $9 of unused buy-ins.
For those that didn’t have the WSOP TORSE included each 1% returns $211 including $20 in unused buy-ins.
Overall Summer Numbers
Tournaments Played: 29
Bullets Fired: 38
Total Buy-Ins: $53,100
Cashes: 7
Total Prize Money: $55,955
Net: $1,855
It seems a long time ago but the victory at Wynn early in the summer ensured we came out a little ahead despite the poor WSOP results.
The extra bullets fired in the expensive tournaments really killed our profit.
Cash Games
Sessions: 16
Hours Played: 107
Net: $10,000
Hourly: $93
The cash game action at the WSOP really dropped off a cliff in the 2nd half of the series although this worked in my favor as it pushed me to take a shot in the $80 -$160 Mix at Bellagio which I felt comfortable in and was able to show a profit although I don’t think I ran particularly well in it.
If I look just at my stats for that game they are:
Sessions: 7
Hours Played: 72
Net: $7,200
Hourly: $100
So well below the 1 big bet per hour goal for fixed limit players but it’s still a very small sample size.
Expenses
Hotels
I stayed 43 nights in Las Vegas this summer at a total cost of $3,627 for an average of $84 per night all-in including resort fees and taxes.
I don’t have high status on the rewards programs (Platinum with Caesars and Pearl with MGM) but was able to work the system and get plenty of comp nights by constantly changing hotels.
I didn’t really find it too much of an inconvenience. The only downside was early check-in fees at Caesars properties.
Flights
Should only have been 2 flights but I made the unscheduled trip back home for the football final. So in the end I spent $1,780 on flights.
Final Result
Tournaments: $1,855
Cash Games: $10,000
Hotels: -$3,627
Flights: -$1,780
Net Profit: $6,448
Sports Betting was choppy with as many losers as winners so no boost to the profit there.
I didn’t keep track of all the food and taxi/Uber expenses but probably another -$2,000 there.
So a very modest profit for the summer. I was certainly hoping for better, but at least I didn’t lose overall.
Hotels
In the end I only stayed at 5 hotels over the summer, hitting the same ones multiple times. Here is how I rank them:
1. Vdara
2. MGM Grand
3. Paris
4. Harrahs
5. Excalibur
I originally had NYNY in there as well but changed for Paris when I got more comp nights there.
I really like Vdara. It’s quiet, there’s no casino, it’s smoke free, good location, nice rooms, comfy beds, fine linens, cozy pool area at Vdara or use the bigger spaces at Aria. I could go on. The only downside is lack of food options but it’s within easy walking distance to Bellagio, Aria and Cosmo and their abundance of options.
Restaurants
I’m a creature of habit and have my go-to’s like Prime at Bellagio or Allegro at Wynn. I did try some new options which I liked though in Mayfair Supper Club, Craftstreak and Herbs and Rye.
Hard for me to pick one stand-out from the above as they were all good.
Slightly disappointing were Jean George’s and Grand Lux Cafe.
Poker Tournaments
You just can’t beat the Wynn for well run tournaments. They do everything right and it’s a pleasure to play there.
Poker Cash Games
Bellagio is the epicenter for cash games in Vegas. I like how they don’t have any tournaments and dedicate all their tables to cash action. The floors are also very good and quick to help you get chips or with a food order. (Although that might have something to do with the fact I was playing in the high limit section)
The End
And I think that just about does it. Thanks to everyone for joining me on the journey.
Not sure what comes next for me. It’s possible I might be employed again by the time football season starts as I’m talking to a couple of companies but nothing certain yet.
That would mean no more poker trips during the year but I will for sure return next summer.
Great trip, MANY thanks for keeping us updated all along the way!!
Was this your first time doing an extended WSOP trip?
Seems like OP is in Florida now, playing SHRPO (Seminole Hard Rock - Poker Open).
Yea I didn’t really feel like doing my normal live day by day trip report for various reasons, but I have some notes. I’ll write it up post trip when i’m back home if anyone’s interested?
Definitely interested.
Yes, please!
Hard Rock Poker Open 2025
Tuesday July 29th - Monday August 11th
Part One
Introduction
I won’t start a new thread as this will probably be my only trip this year. I’m still expecting to return to honest employment, because as someone better than me once said about poker; it’s a hard way to make an easy living.
That being said I did make a return trip to a favorite venue - the Hard Rock in Fort Lauderdale. As usual they had a wide variety of tournaments on the schedule offering something for everyone and all bankrolls. And for the mixed game players there was the leaderboard and guitar trophy again.
Tuesday July 29th
Travel Day. The most convenient and economical flight option was direct with Spirit so that’s what we went with.
Accommodations at Staybridge Suites again. It’s still affordable this time of year at just over $100 per night. In winter the price more than doubles.
Wednesday July 30th
The usual 22 minute walk in from the hotel. Hello old friend.
After conditions at the WSOP it’s so nice to be back playing in a comfortable climate with good dealers. It makes such a difference.
I bust the $600 Big O not long after late reg finished and decide to fire a bullet into flight B of the $400 NLH $1 Milly GTD Opener.
I’d increased the 20k starting stack to about 90k when I played the following hand:
I call a pre-flop raise from the BB with 2-2 and we’re 4-ways to the flop.
Flop: T-8-2
Checked to the original raiser who continues. I call along with another player. 3-ways to the turn.
Turn: T
That’s my money card as Mike McD would say. Both other players have me covered. Might be able to get a full double if one of them has the Ten.
Checked to the original raiser who continues again. I raise all-in. The 3rd player tanks for an age and finally makes the call. The original bettor folds.
We’re up against Q-T so have to fade an 8, Q or the case Ten to have about 220k in chips and be able to coast to a bag.
River: Q
Seems like I can never hold in these spots. GG
Excited to read more posts!
Hard Rock Poker Open 2025
Part Two
Thursday July 31st
Bellagio and Wynn must be closed or something this week. Seeing a lot of Vegas players here that don’t usually come. Nicolas Milgrom won the Big O yesterday for example, Jon Turner, David Prociak and Paul Zapulla are also here, along with all the regular Florida pros making these events quite tough.
Same story as yesterday I’m afraid. Never really got going and bust the $600 Omaha 8 shortly after late reg ended.
Food court dinner. Roast chicken and mashed potatoes.
I managed to recoup a couple of bullets playing a $5-$5-$10 5-card PLO cash game. It wasn’t a great game but I won a couple of pots, nothing memorable. In for $1,000 out for $2,200 after 5 hours.
Also had a winner with the Chargers 1H in the NFL Hall of Fame game so turned out to be a profitable day.
Friday August 1st
Today was the $600 Ten Game, different tournament but same story. Never got going. Vegas run-bad following me to South Florida?
Didn’t feel like playing any more poker so bought a last minute ticket for Shania Twain who is playing here tonight and tomorrow.
I managed to get a good seat but it soon became apparent that I wouldn’t be in it much as I was surrounded by middle aged women in cowboy boots and hats who were up dancing and singing to every song. They found it funny that I’d come to see the show on my own but I had some drinks and laughs with them and enjoyed the show.
Saturday August 2nd
It’s amazing what a night off and a reset can do. Things were clicking again and I was accumulating a stack in the $600 Mixed PLO.
Down to the last 10 players and I played the following hand in PLO.
I open with AKJT and get 1 caller
Flop: A-Q-9 rainbow
I continue for about half pot and villain raises for full pot.
Either he’s got a similar hand to mine or more likely he flopped a set. Either way I’m committed and we get it in.
He has AAxx haven chosen not to 3-bet pre. I like his line pre disguising the Aces. I might have just called the flop with his hand hoping for a safe turn but he took the high variance route so here we are playing a huge pot for the chip lead.
Turn: 8
Now we have the nuts. Can we hold for the massive pot?
River: 8
No. He makes Aces full and we’re left with crumbs. Same story. Can’t hold in these huge spots.
I manage to survive to make the final table and start it with 3 big blinds.
We find a double early. (Live updates by Mickey Doft)
Don’t chip me up boys, you’ll regret it.
Then on the very next hand:
Not sure how he calls my pot bet on the flop with only a pair of Jacks but there you go. At least we’re on the scoreboard.
apart from the ones getting dragged there with their wives, I can't imagine there were too many other straight guys going to Shania? I bet it was fun though
looking forward to the rest of the tournies
Hard Rock Poker Open 2025
Part Three
Sunday August 3rd
Not much to report. Bricked two bullets in the $600 Mixed Triple Draw.
Monday August 4th
$600 Big Bet Mix Dealers Choice today. I was short stacked the whole way but somehow still in it with 10 players remaining and 8 spots paid.
Then playing 5 card draw it was folded around to me in the small blind and seeing the juicy big blind and big blind ante of 1.5x I shoved my last 15 bigs with 55xxx. After some deliberation the BB called with QQxxx. No improvement on the draw and we bust after a long day 2 short of the money.
I kicked myself a bit after. Didn’t need to put my tournament life at risk like that. Clear mistake.
Tuesday August 5th
The day started with what I thought would be a job offer call, but it actually turned out to be
another interview. The recruiter told me it would just be going over the specifics of an offer but
they surprised both of us with a 4th interview. I get that it’s a key role and they want to be sure, but 4 interviews, all with different people is I think a bit much, especially as this process has been ongoing since June.
Anyway, I thought it went well but it’s out of my hands, will just have to wait and see. Onto what I
can control, well actually no not really, but we’ll try. Today’s tournament is $600 HORSE.
Very surprised to see a familiar foe in Gary Bolden at my starting table in level 1. Normally he’s a late reg guy, not max-late but 1 or 2 levels before reg closes. He claims he hasn’t slept and seems very amused with the quality of play early on.
There is some questionable play taking place which he can’t help but comment on and he’s cracking jokes and making it a fun table.
Unfortunately for him he’s on the wrong end of some of the bad play, but we manage to get on the right side of it.
We increase the 25k starting stack to 50k at the first break and 80k by the next break and end of
late reg.
During the 3rd act the bad play catches up to us in limit hold’em. A-K no good against K-9, K on
flop, river 9. Then the very next hand A-J is inferior to J-6 of all hands, villain calls down with
J-high and makes runner-runner flush with the 6 of hearts. WTF ? Back down to only 40k at dinner break.
I’d had a slice of pizza during the first break so wasn't really hungry but went off in search of my favorite mint choc chip ice cream with rainbow sprinkles.
We see-saw up and down after dinner and eventually settle with 90k on the next break at the end of level 16. There’s 15 players left (pays 11 spots) with avg. chips being 142k going back to 10k - 20k limits.
We pick up some pots when it's short handed on 2 tables just before the final table. I like short
handed play and it suits my game. AJ Kelsall busts in 9th and the final table of 8 is set. We’ll start it with 320k (avg. is 265k) playing 20k - 40k limits for the 10 minutes remaining in the level before we go on break again.
That’s just enough time to scoop a big 3-way Stud 8 pot when we’re dealt rolled up QQQ.
We play it quietly and let an obvious pair of Aces be the aggressor. The 3rd player who is shorter makes open 88 and goes all-in.
At showdown our unimproved QQQ is good against 888 and AAJJ with no low to be seen. Big pot. Huge! We now have 720k on break at the end of level 20. Avg. is 305k with 7 players left.
After the break the 2nd chip leader who is Kristan Lord, proceeds to knock out the 7th, 6th, 5th and 4th place finishers in short order and assumes the chip lead.
It's the first time I’ve played with him but it’s clear he’s a very good player and I learn he made two final tables at the WSOP this year in the $1,500 Stud and $1,500 2-7 triple draw.
The other guy is a fellow Brit called Steve who now lives here in Florida. Kristan chops away at
him and I finish him off to get heads up with Kristan. We both want the trophy so there’s no deal. Play.
There’s 2.1 million total chips on the table and its pretty even when we start the heads up
battle.
I forge ahead to have about a 1.4 million to 700k advantage but then it swings right back the
other way, now Kristan has me outchipped 1.4 million to 700k.
I battle back to level and push on to be 1.4m to 700k ahead again when we play a big Razz pot.
Going into 7th I have a made 9 and can improve to an 8. Kristan has a made 10 and can also improve to an 8. He improves, we don’t. The chip lead swings to him again.
He’s pushing his advantage and has me down to 500k before I make a wheel in Omaha 8 to claw back to level.
Break time at the end of level 24. We’ve been playing heads up for over an hour and there’s still nothing to separate us.
We go back to 60k - 120k limits. Still no-one is giving an inch.
Level 26, 80k - 160k limits. Another 30
minutes go by and we’re still deadlocked.
Onto Level 27, 100k - 200k limits. I can’t see it going past this level. Something has to give now.
I’m pulling slightly ahead when we play a big pot in Stud.
On 6th street I make a flush showing 3 spades in my 4 upcards against Kristan’s open nines
and get in a raise on 6th which he calls after some thought. I also get a call on 7th from what turned out to be trip nines and I have him down to less than 300k now.
It all goes in on the next hand. I have the bring in with a Ten against his Queen. He raises and I
3-bet him all-in. He has buried 3-3 and I have split T-T.
The runout is stress free as I make 999TT in 5 cards to emerge victorious after an almost 3 hours back and forth brutal heads-up battle.
That’s about as good as I can look at 3am in the morning after 16 hours play. Exhausted but very happy.
Well done
Guess I was black catting you.
Congratulations! Nice write-up of the heads-up, with the swings and tension.
Awesome. Congratulations. You look good with a trophy in front of you!
Great run, congrats!!
Congratulations!!!
Nice one Tony, congrats!
boom - congratulations! better keep eating that ice cream
cha ching!
Grats!
congrats on the hit!
also appreciate the effort it takes to type up such detailed trip reports
your blend of words with images describing mix game strategy and play makes me wonder if when heads up at certain high levels betting resembles why the sopwith camel quit trying to think about timing the sequence of shooting machine gun bullets forward through wood propellers
as an aside, please add me to future wait lists for any rail of a TS9 final table or pics taken betwixt a hen party and Shania Twain.
Congrats. Awesome running Trip Report
