Hello hello.
Yeah, I did it again. However, I now have some news to tell. I'm going to be taking my first trip to Sin City.
When my 40th birthday rolled around, I had the idea of going to Vegas to celebrate it. My wife (God bless her) said "you should go". I was a little surprised by that as she isn't exactly pro-gambling....but she supported allowing me to celebrate this milestone in my matter of choosing. Unfortunately, it is going to be a solo trip. My wife doesn't have much interest in Vegas and my guy friends (for various reasons) are unable to go either. However, it isn't stopping me from taking the trek. The last couple of months has been mostly dealing in research for the trip (plus getting the money together). I had saved enough money for the airfare and accommodations and my performance bonus from work is giving me the spending money that I need (about $2000). After doing some snooping around, I used a code (courtesy of lasvegasadvisor.com) to get a decent rate at Ballys for the end of April.
So what have I been doing to prepare for this trip? A lot of research to be honest. Since I've never set foot in the city before, I like to do as much preparation as possible for such a trip. Got a few books....watched a few youtube videos...and been learning some games. Just making it a poker trip would be nice...but I figured it wouldn't hurt to learn some new games as well. Yeah, I know that some of these games are not exactly +EV...but I'm there to have fun and, if a profit happens, then great. So what games have I been learning?
1. Blackjack
I thought that this game would be pretty complicated so I was going to give it a pass. However, I came across the Wizard of Odds website and he presented a simplified basic strategy that only decreases payback by a minor amount from normal basic strategy....that works for me. I used some of his videos to get an idea of how it works...and have been playing it on my iphone during my commutes to/from work. Seems alright...just need to avoid the 6/5 tables if possible.
2. Craps
I've always viewed this game as a money trap...and it is for the most part as most of the bets on the table are "sucker bets" for various reasons. However, the Wizard site did show how certain types of bets in the game give the house only a minor edge...so I might play some of this as well. I generally prefer strategy games though....so this would be more for entertainment.
3. Video Poker
This one is right up my alley. Again, I viewed this initially as just a variant of slots...but now realize this is something completely different. A game where there is a definite strategy. After reviewing vpfree2.com and the Wizard strategy for certain games (plus reading a book by Jean Scott who seems to be one of the experts on the subject), I decided to learn the following versions of the games. - Jacks or Better - Bonus Poker - Double Bonus Poker - Deuces Wild Been playing these games all the time with some iphone apps. Feel pretty comfortable now with JoB and BP. Still trying to get the hang of the other two. I have researched which games are in which casinos and have it in my iphone for reference on the trip. I think I really like these games because of their strategic nature...plus they are fun to play.
4. 'Junk' Games
Games like 3 card poker and 'Let it Ride' are on the list as well...but it's no secret that the house has the edge here....mostly just for entertainment if I feel like it...nothing more.
5. Pai Gow
Been doing some playing with this....one problem with it. It is kind of boring.
6. Poker (of course)
This is the main focus of the trip. I think I'll write up later my thoughts on this one in another post as this one is getting long.
4 weeks and counting...I have no delusions here. I suspect I will be going home with less money than I started with. However, I want to play games where I have some edge...or the house has minimal edge so my money will last longer.
When my 40th birthday rolled around, I had the idea of going to Vegas to celebrate it. My wife (God bless her) said "you should go". I was a little surprised by that as she isn't exactly pro-gambling....but she supported allowing me to celebrate this milestone in my matter of choosing. Unfortunately, it is going to be a solo trip. My wife doesn't have much interest in Vegas and my guy friends (for various reasons) are unable to go either. However, it isn't stopping me from taking the trek. The last couple of months has been mostly dealing in research for the trip (plus getting the money together). I had saved enough money for the airfare and accommodations and my performance bonus from work is giving me the spending money that I need (about $2000). After doing some snooping around, I used a code (courtesy of lasvegasadvisor.com) to get a decent rate at Ballys for the end of April.
So what have I been doing to prepare for this trip? A lot of research to be honest. Since I've never set foot in the city before, I like to do as much preparation as possible for such a trip. Got a few books....watched a few youtube videos...and been learning some games. Just making it a poker trip would be nice...but I figured it wouldn't hurt to learn some new games as well. Yeah, I know that some of these games are not exactly +EV...but I'm there to have fun and, if a profit happens, then great. So what games have I been learning?
1. Blackjack
I thought that this game would be pretty complicated so I was going to give it a pass. However, I came across the Wizard of Odds website and he presented a simplified basic strategy that only decreases payback by a minor amount from normal basic strategy....that works for me. I used some of his videos to get an idea of how it works...and have been playing it on my iphone during my commutes to/from work. Seems alright...just need to avoid the 6/5 tables if possible.
2. Craps
I've always viewed this game as a money trap...and it is for the most part as most of the bets on the table are "sucker bets" for various reasons. However, the Wizard site did show how certain types of bets in the game give the house only a minor edge...so I might play some of this as well. I generally prefer strategy games though....so this would be more for entertainment.
3. Video Poker
This one is right up my alley. Again, I viewed this initially as just a variant of slots...but now realize this is something completely different. A game where there is a definite strategy. After reviewing vpfree2.com and the Wizard strategy for certain games (plus reading a book by Jean Scott who seems to be one of the experts on the subject), I decided to learn the following versions of the games. - Jacks or Better - Bonus Poker - Double Bonus Poker - Deuces Wild Been playing these games all the time with some iphone apps. Feel pretty comfortable now with JoB and BP. Still trying to get the hang of the other two. I have researched which games are in which casinos and have it in my iphone for reference on the trip. I think I really like these games because of their strategic nature...plus they are fun to play.
4. 'Junk' Games
Games like 3 card poker and 'Let it Ride' are on the list as well...but it's no secret that the house has the edge here....mostly just for entertainment if I feel like it...nothing more.
5. Pai Gow
Been doing some playing with this....one problem with it. It is kind of boring.
6. Poker (of course)
This is the main focus of the trip. I think I'll write up later my thoughts on this one in another post as this one is getting long.
4 weeks and counting...I have no delusions here. I suspect I will be going home with less money than I started with. However, I want to play games where I have some edge...or the house has minimal edge so my money will last longer.
posted by The Micro Felt at
7:31 AM
0 Comments
