Right it’s Monday morning and it feels a good time to do a summary post of the trip.
Thank you to everyone for any words of encouragement along the ride. I actually think this diary helped me focus a lot and I enjoyed writing more than I did when the blog was active many many years ago. I guess that’s a age thing
My journey home wasn’t too bad at all. I lucked out with a seat next to me on the airplane again. Managed minimal sleep but completely avoided alcohol and the drive home, whilst tough, was one of my easier ones after a long haul overnight flight. Weather was perfect and the only hiccup was a 2-3mile tailback caused by a police traffic stop opposite Stonehenge. Jet lag since not so good but part of the package . Managed to pull a muscle in my back while gardening yesterday so lying flat for a day or two at the moment hoping it’s not as bad as a few months back when I had a similar injury.
A successful trip and I’m still buzzing from it to be honest . It’s gutting to not hit something huge but the $10k landmark was big, in fact my biggest live win in nearly 11 years.
After 2 completely dry summers without a single tournament cash at the WSOP or elsewhere around town it felt great to not just break that but push on with several cashes.
In total ( including re entries ) I entered 17 individual tournaments across town .
10 of these were WSOP, 3 at Venetian, 3 at Aria and 1 at MGM.
Total buy in of $19,400
Total cashes of $28,800
Tournament profit of $9,400 cashing in 7 out of the 17 entered .
Of note I also got a bounty in one I didn’t cash in and went deep in 3 others, 2 of those playing massive stacks at times too.
Cash games were more of a fun distraction. I still tried to take them seriously but know my priority is the tournaments .
I think I played on 18 separate days for a total profit of around $200 ! Imagine how much higher that would be if I wasn’t constantly tipping the drink server for coronas
I sold excess $ at spot to another Brit and left some $ in a WSOP tournament account for next year too . Took me 3 different people on 3 different occasions to ask to get the right answer on that , but I’m very confident I’m allowed to do that now .
Vegas hasn’t changed too much since last year .
The smell of weed is the strongest it’s ever been.
The escalators on the strip have a less than 50% working ratio and even the ones within Horseshoe had a similar % .
The elevators also a joke with 2-5 of the 8 working at any one time for my room section.
It’s busier than ever as is the WSOP although I got the feel more people were playing cash games elsewhere this trip .
I had more static shocks than ever this trip, literally 90% of metal handles on doors or elevator buttons , I resulted to using my elbow so I didn’t jump as often
Obviously the price of everything has risen again with inflation but knew what to expect in that respect .
Notes to self for next year
Ideally be fitter before go, the mental grind takes its toll.
Unless I am fitter , 2.5 weeks seems optimum stay for myself .
Was ready to go home 4/5days earlier which would have matched last years trip length too which felt right .
Completely forgot about Spa option at Paris , must try that next year to refresh.
Must eat more crepes from place in Paris near WSOP. Only tried at end of trip but so good and convenient, though not cheap .
Must eat falafel from kebab place more too, again only tried at the end of trip.
Look at plane from Newquay option - eastern airways , rather than driving Gatwick .
And finally , weight gain or loss - a loss of about 1/4 stone .
Not brilliant but diet could have been better and didn’t get the steps in as much the last week of the trip .
I’d be surprised if I don’t diary again next summer.
Chance I’ll do some posts from small festival in the Caribbean in November too before that .
But for now, cheers all
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