SAM'S TOWN

SAM'S TOWN

Sam's Town sent me three free nights and let me book them the last two nights in November and the first night in December. So, I started my Vegas adventure there. I was surprised to get an offer because most of my play was on the full pay Deuces VP, which is really a dime VP because the max bet is 10 coins.

Free rooms at Boyd casinos means the resort fee is also covered, so the room is completely free.

I was somewhat anxious about starting my trip there because it is a long bus ride with luggage after a plane ride, but this year the plane ride was just from San Francisco.

I took the 109 and then the 202 and managed quite well. I try for the seat facing the exit door and I got to that on the 109 right away. The 202 was crowded when I boarded, but again it was not long before I got to those seats. Next year, however, I will have my new 4.5 London Fog suitcase with the bottom wheels for an easier roll on these buses.

On the morning of the third day I took the bus into McCarran, met Keith and we went  to rent the Budget car.

Keith was to stay at Bally's.

This gave us some flexibility and I could easily change hotels the following morning when I went to Eastside Cannery for three days and I could take my him back to the airport.

I was at Sam's on a Young at Heart senior special day. I failed to swipe for a multiplier, and perhaps the full pay nickels are not multiplied anyway, but I did get the free buffet and later that night got a voucher for breakfast the next day.

Another day I used my American Casino Guide coupon and earned the buffet after 200 points.

So, it never cost me anything to eat there.

I used the $4 movie coupon to see Ouija, a story about a girl who manages to contact evil on the other side.

It was pretty poorly done.

Sam's is often not my favorite buffet, but after I waited for a table (I don't do well in booths and I don't like a chair facing a wall) they put me out right next to the courtyard which was all decorated in Christmas lights and very pleasant.

And I was well fed.

I found the beef tasty but pretty tough.

There was a meatball soup that I liked.

I ate refried beans and a no sugar added blueberry pie.

One morning I walked down to Eastside Cannery for the Webpass earned free ham steak breakfast. That was very good but a bit off my diet.

I was in the Young at Heart senior at Sam's drawing for $500 for one person and then $100 for 20 people, but had no luck.

POKER

I played the 2-6 spread limit.  I like this game, but I don't often do well in it.  I bought in for $180 and was simply drained down after a few hours.

I did have one great hand. I held 4-5 spades and 7-8 came on the flop. The 6 hit on the river for a $192 pot.

Most of the crowd were regulars. One was Casey who was always changing his seat for better luck. 

He bet into me with trips.  When I hit on my junk cards, he left in a huff. 

Kevin said later that he should have been fine with that because he plays all sorts of things.

There was also a grumbling old fellow who left and one other fellow who was frustrated when my a 3 in my hand went to trips on the turn and beat him.

I was not playing well. I was playing too many hands. But playing well with regulars who all play better than I do generally means I lose while holding things they can't imagine I am holding can sometimes get callers. 

The bonus this day was the highest full house by a certain time. The fellow who won was the fellow I beat with trip 3's.

I only played the 2-6 once.

I played once in the $23 morning tournament and when we got to the final table there was a movement to chop when 4 of us were left. I went along, so I only earned about $50. I would have much better played it out, especially since one of us was very low chipped.
My issue with tournaments is just when I've earned a seat at the final table, everyone wants to split the pot.  In my mind, that is where the real poker starts. 
Yet I hate insisting on not splitting when everyone else is ready to go home, tired of the long game.

VIDEO POKER

I did hit four deuces on the video poker and played both quarters and nickels for hours. I ended down money, but with plenty of points. I imagine that I'll get another offer next year.  I seem to be getting them regularly. 
California does not have me on the radar yet, but I still have hopes for some offers there.

I played well because I had been practicing on the Dancer video poker tutor created years ago by ZamZow. Still, I think that I only play at about 98%.

DECORATION

The Courtyard well lit for Christmas. Snow was on the trees, and decorative holiday dress on the animals.