Summer of Tournaments – Day 42
Today is checkout once again and this time I am going back to the Silverton for only one night. I originally had booked this for four nights (as seen on my Day 1 schedule); however, when I took that short break back home for the July Fourth trip to Tahoe, in my mail was an offer for three comp nights at the Cromwell, so, I cancelled three of the nights here and will be able to give a good report and pictures of the Cromwell tomorrow.
I made a quick run out to the Costco in Henderson to fill up the tank and then on to the Silverton to check in. It was only noon but they were able to book me a room. I always ask for the top floor because this is an old hotel and I don’t like heavy-footed walkers above me. The desk clerk was able to find me a room, 4048, and surprise, surprise, it was the exact same room I was in last month when I stayed here. It’s the very last room at the end of the hotel. I used to be bothered when I got these rooms, but I’ve since changed my mind. First of all, I could use the walk, and secondly, being at the end, there are no drunks vociferously talking and laughing as they pass your room in the middle of the night. How crazy is it that the older I get, the more value I put on a good night’s sleep?
I dropped off my things, and headed to the Mirage for the 1:30 registration of the MPT tournament. For those of you who are new to these summer reports, the MPT stands for the Mattress Poker Tournament run by our ECLVA (East Coast Las Vegas Advisor) group, which is run by Harv and Bob. Every year this group flies to Las Vegas to spend a week or so in early August. At its beginning, the poker tournament was always played on the mattress of some member’s room; however, as the participants have grown every year, it’s been moved to floors, coffee tables, end tables, whatever is available in the room at a time. This has been my seventh year participating in the tournament and is a highlight of my summer trips.
I dropped my car off at the Valet at the Mirage and was struck at how many people are here. The Mirage is the first of the Mega-hotels but my Vegas standards, is old. However, they’ve consistently updated and refreshed the place and looks like it was built just a couple of years ago. I made my way to the elevators and was met with Scott and soon my Jim, Dennis, and Judy. We needed to wait for Bob to come down and let us in as you need a key to get up to the suites.
The atrium at the Mirage continues to be a great photo op
This year, Harv managed to snag a corner suite, which has an amazing view. I tried to take pictures but the camera just picks up the mesh. Surrounding the entire top floors of the Mirage is a picture of the Beatles and a promotion for the Love show. Suffice to the say, the view of the both side of the Strip across the Venetian was breathtaking.
Bedroom area of the suite at the Mirage
Living room area of the suite
There, I met with Brad, who has recently opened a new Las Vegas marketing site called Vegas Rover at www.vegasrover.com. Soon, the rest of the players arrived and we began the tournament with two tables of 6. The tournament went on for three and a half hours. I managed to hang in there, but with the blinds at 1 and 2 thousand, I finally had to go all in and lost coming in fourth place, which allowed me to get my money back. I also knocked Bob, which gave me a $5 bounty. So, I ended my tournament with a $5 profit. The winner turned out to by Scott, in his second appearance in the MPT. Of course, this tournament is not about the money (a $300 prize pool). This is about fun with friends and we all did have a really great time. Most went down to gamble and have a dinner buffet, but I headed back to the Silverton to catch up on some much needed sleep. Next up for ECLVA is the golf tournament.
Alternate table of the MPT
Harv in the hat kept the table loose and fun
The stress at the final table can be daunting for some
Scott was this year's MPT champion
This year's remembrance, thank you Paul, is a t-shirt with everyone's moniker on the back
More tomorrow
Totals:
Tournaments: 24 Cost: $366 Won: $2285 Balance: $1919
Today is checkout once again and this time I am going back to the Silverton for only one night. I originally had booked this for four nights (as seen on my Day 1 schedule); however, when I took that short break back home for the July Fourth trip to Tahoe, in my mail was an offer for three comp nights at the Cromwell, so, I cancelled three of the nights here and will be able to give a good report and pictures of the Cromwell tomorrow.
I made a quick run out to the Costco in Henderson to fill up the tank and then on to the Silverton to check in. It was only noon but they were able to book me a room. I always ask for the top floor because this is an old hotel and I don’t like heavy-footed walkers above me. The desk clerk was able to find me a room, 4048, and surprise, surprise, it was the exact same room I was in last month when I stayed here. It’s the very last room at the end of the hotel. I used to be bothered when I got these rooms, but I’ve since changed my mind. First of all, I could use the walk, and secondly, being at the end, there are no drunks vociferously talking and laughing as they pass your room in the middle of the night. How crazy is it that the older I get, the more value I put on a good night’s sleep?
I dropped off my things, and headed to the Mirage for the 1:30 registration of the MPT tournament. For those of you who are new to these summer reports, the MPT stands for the Mattress Poker Tournament run by our ECLVA (East Coast Las Vegas Advisor) group, which is run by Harv and Bob. Every year this group flies to Las Vegas to spend a week or so in early August. At its beginning, the poker tournament was always played on the mattress of some member’s room; however, as the participants have grown every year, it’s been moved to floors, coffee tables, end tables, whatever is available in the room at a time. This has been my seventh year participating in the tournament and is a highlight of my summer trips.
I dropped my car off at the Valet at the Mirage and was struck at how many people are here. The Mirage is the first of the Mega-hotels but my Vegas standards, is old. However, they’ve consistently updated and refreshed the place and looks like it was built just a couple of years ago. I made my way to the elevators and was met with Scott and soon my Jim, Dennis, and Judy. We needed to wait for Bob to come down and let us in as you need a key to get up to the suites.
The atrium at the Mirage continues to be a great photo op
This year, Harv managed to snag a corner suite, which has an amazing view. I tried to take pictures but the camera just picks up the mesh. Surrounding the entire top floors of the Mirage is a picture of the Beatles and a promotion for the Love show. Suffice to the say, the view of the both side of the Strip across the Venetian was breathtaking.
Bedroom area of the suite at the Mirage
Living room area of the suite
There, I met with Brad, who has recently opened a new Las Vegas marketing site called Vegas Rover at www.vegasrover.com. Soon, the rest of the players arrived and we began the tournament with two tables of 6. The tournament went on for three and a half hours. I managed to hang in there, but with the blinds at 1 and 2 thousand, I finally had to go all in and lost coming in fourth place, which allowed me to get my money back. I also knocked Bob, which gave me a $5 bounty. So, I ended my tournament with a $5 profit. The winner turned out to by Scott, in his second appearance in the MPT. Of course, this tournament is not about the money (a $300 prize pool). This is about fun with friends and we all did have a really great time. Most went down to gamble and have a dinner buffet, but I headed back to the Silverton to catch up on some much needed sleep. Next up for ECLVA is the golf tournament.
Alternate table of the MPT
Harv in the hat kept the table loose and fun
The stress at the final table can be daunting for some
Scott was this year's MPT champion
This year's remembrance, thank you Paul, is a t-shirt with everyone's moniker on the back
More tomorrow
Totals:
Tournaments: 24 Cost: $366 Won: $2285 Balance: $1919
