Sunday 3rd July
Having a ciggy on the balcony Nick comments on the cloudy sky. Not something you often see in Vegas. I then realised Kila was on the flight over. She’s obviously bringing it over with her.
A thunderstorm hit that afternoon. It seems to rain so different than anywhere else in the world here. Almost directly above you there are beautiful bright blue skies visible between a break in the clouds yet absolutely lashing it down over your head.
After picking her up from the airport we join John Magill at the MGM for a meal in our favourite Chinese restaurant, Pearl. And our favourite dish is the crispy duck. Ok, I do feel a little guilty when they bring the thing out to shred next to your table. Mainly because the poor feller still has his head attached and he kinda stares are you with a face that says “whhhyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!”
But one little pancake later and you know exactly why. He was delicious!
A few drinks at the bar and John was having an early night. We decided to try the Tuscany for a little craps before having a relatively early one too.
Monday 4th July
Went to the flicks to watch Transformers 3. Ok, yes I know it’s a kids film. And no, the plot is not the greatest. However the effects were good, especially in 3D. And sometimes it’s good to watch a film which doesn’t require much thinking. The biggest let down with the film is the fact Megan fox has been replaced. I wouldn’t describe the new girl as ropey in the least, but she just aint Meg.
Today was American Independence day. The day when they celebrate freedom from the tyranny of the British Empire. BASTARDS! J What did we ever do to them, no need to rub it year on year. So they got lucky in one fight. Try to be gracious please. Besides we’d have kicked their ass if the French, Mel Gibson and everybody else had just minded there own business.
Mind you good excuse for some fireworks. Kila and I have been in Vegas during Independence day celebrations for the last 5 years. We have yet to see a display. This year we were determined to see some and we did. At the Hilton. Well, the fireworks were at the Hilton, we were two miles away thinking, oooo they look nice.
We headed over to the Bellagio to meet up with Marty Smyth, his good wife Karen. He was having diner with some friends who were over in Vegas getting married. It’s amazing how many people do that. Now a few months ago, during grand national weekend there were a few joke tips going around via text messages.
“Creosote, its good over fences.” And “V-Neck, it’s a nice jumper”.
Marty’s friend actually had 5 quid each way on them both. Hey! He is from Ireland.
After the race he called Marty to ask if they were none runners because he didn’t hear either of them mentioned. To save his embarrassment Marty agreed to go to the bookies and collect a refund. Now for me this was even more stupid. Where could you get a better wedding present for 20 quid. Just frame the slips and hand it them after the ceremony to hang on the living room wall.
Tuesday 5th of July
For a change we thought we would have a drink at the Rio, mainly to reminisce over many a night spent at hookers Shutters bar. Now the Rio is not known for its amazing service but we did actually find a great bar man who drinks were considerably stronger than them at the Bellagio, not to mention more frequent. We were joined by Jeff Burke, John Conroy and his son Alex who had been playing the $1500 but to no avail. Despite the extra people the barman was happy to continue comping the extra drinks, again not something you would ever get at the Bellagio. We then all chipped in for a craps syndicate. This is where the famous Rio customer service came back to its own. With one table locked us a private the other two were $100 min bet. Meaning we didn’t have enough to play. Instead we elected for blackjack but John was off form and polished the money off reasonably quickly.
After the others left Kila, John M and myself played some 3 card poker and after waiting an hour and still unable to get a drink I politely told them to stick this shithole of a casino up their arse and we returned to the MGM. Normal service was now fully restored.
After our success a few days ago I made the sweeping statement “I am the Best Craps player in the world.” John replied with “And I am the best Black Jack player in the world”. Neither of us really meant it but prove us totally wrong neither of us have had a winning session since. And tonight “Trevor” the God of Casino games (Zeus’s little known younger brother), gave us an extra thrashing just put us back in our place.
Whenever a sweeping statement is made it will immediately be proved wrong. I always remember a friend of mine once said “No such thing as an ugly goth chick”. Just at that moment one walked into the kebab shop and boy she was fugly. I have lived in Chorley for 20 years, this was the first time I’d even seen a goth chick in town.
So can I just say for the record………….
I am the worst Craps, Pai Gow, Blackjack, dominos and poker player in the world!
Weds 6th July
Due to the spanking I took at the tables and the heavy drinking we had a day off. Besides we were moving out of the condo tomorrow and didn’t have any intention of doing that with a hangover. Instead we went for a meal at the Texas de Brazil, a Brazilian restaurant a few miles past Mandalay bay. Truly a meat lovers dream. If you want to go It consists of a salad bar (but don’t go daft) and about 10 waiters running round with big steal skewers with all manor of meat on them ready to slice a healthy chunk onto your plate. From Fillet steak to chicken or pork.
Making my mouth water thinking about it.
Thursday 7th July
Today we had to pack everything up and move to the MGM. Well I say “we” I mean “Kila”.
John Magill was leaving tomorrow so a very bad influence was leaving the picture. Fortunately Kev landed today to fill the void. We met him and Leona for a quick hello in their room and while Kila joined them for dinner I decided to play the $2080 satellite at the Rio for the main event. I have already paid in but after the damage of the last few days I needed to recoup some money and I could sell the seat to someone else should I win it.
With over 150 players there were 29 seats up for grabs and $4900 for 30th place. Things were plodding along nicely and first hand after the break I won a very juicy hand with QQ when the small blind pushed all in against me.
Up to about 22,000 chips and me sat in the BB a clown on the button raises to 1500. He had grabbed a much bigger pile of chips to put pressure on the short stack in the small blind. He must have changed his mind when he realised I was not going to be as easy to push around. SB folds and I look down at 83 of clubs. Sensing weakness I raise it to 4000. He thinks for a while then calls, doh! The flop came 883 yipppeeeeee. I wipe the drool from my chin and say “check”. He doesn’t take the bait and checks too. The turn is a 6 and I now bet 4000 hoping he will make a move thinking I have AK or AQ. He considers it but just calls. The river is a ten. This time I bet out about 6500 and finally he pushes, I call and he turns over 97 for a straight. UNLUCKY!!!!!!
From there I was never in danger. And when it came to the bubble I had folded some pretty big hands like TT and AK. There was no point taking a chance with a seat locked up.
Friday 8th July
I had intended to play another satellite this afternoon but instead decided to give it a miss. Went for diner about 6.30 and Kila and Myself were joined by Kev, Leona and their friends. Also turning up out of the blue was Nigel Blower. Formally of Ladbrokes he was currently working in San Francisco for a US gaming site. He had just flown in for the weekend. Boy does that guy land on his feet. If he played poker seriously he’d have won about 18 bracelets by now.
The restaurant was a Tapas Bar called Fire Fly. Away from the strip it’s quite a small place but always busy. And after sampling the food it’s no wonder why.
After another great meal we jumped in a cab and headed to New York New York and the Irish bar. Joined by Scoaff and his wife, Scott Grey, Padraig, Mad Marty and Katherine. After the women left to find a “Quieter bar” it made the drinks order considerable easier.
“Ten pints of Guinness my man, and when they run low get us ten more” Padraig really knows what he’s doing in these places.
Saturday 9th July
Today I nipped to the Rio to see how all the guys were getting on. Before returning back to my room for a movie. “Dylan Dogg”. Two hours of my life I won’t ever get back.
A meal with Kev, Leona, Nigel, Kirsty (also formally of Ladbrokes), Kila and myself. Afterward I left them all drinking and I had an early night, all in preparation for the main event tomorrow.
Gl in the main event Jon
Yet another great read m8 hope the main event goes well for ya good luck