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Vegas June 2025 (WSOP Part 1)

Day 1 - Tough decisions...
Last Updated: 2025-06-18 21:54:18
I have a few hours before my first tournament so I thought I'd try and get into my writing groove...
Pilot said right away we were going to have a bumpy takeoff and a bumpy landing and he was not wrong! But the cool thing about the flight was that we landed on a north/south runway instead of an east/west runway and our approach was right along the east side of the strip! I could almost reach out and touch the sphere, flew by the Formula 1 paddock and of course all the buildings all lit up. I wish I could get that landing pattern every time! I don't recall ever coming in that way before.
But we were also delayed an hour and a half because our plane was delayed out of SFO, and I think I saw a change in where the SFO flight was coming from in the United app so my speculation is that our plane had some kind of mechanical issue and we got a different plane. It was a brand new Airbus (320?)! Everything all fancy and I heard the flight crew talking about they don't know how anything works or where anything is, etc.
I was already checked into the room thanks to the app, I was already upgraded thanks to our platinum status so straight from the taxi to the room after picking up my suitcases.
Yup, that's right, plural! Joann is coming out two days later so I have her stuff, and since we bought a "bottle suitcase" when we went to the bourbon trail in Kentucky I can bring a couple bottles of wine and a couple bottles of whisky with me for the room at "home prices" instead of "Vegas Strip prices" in half of that and pack clothes and stuff in the other half. Our new favorite piece of luggage! But not big enough for "everything" for over a week out here, there's a lot of padding for the bottles you're packing.
First order of business was to head over to the WSOP to verify my identity and load money into the app. All buyins and seat assignments handled through an app now, no waiting in long-ass lines just to buy into something. When you get moved the app even tells you what table and seat to move to, and so far even tho I haven't actually played in anything yet it really is a slick app with great features.
Having done that I ran over to walgreens to get some water bottles and snacks so I can load up my backpack for (hopefully!) long days at the poker table.
Now I face my first massive decision of the trip. What am I going to eat???
I'm really craving a beer, and I could really go for some Sirocco's pizza ... but it's 11:30 local, which means 12:30 for me relative to when I woke up that day ... do I really want to walk all the way down to NYNY from Vdara or do I just grab a sandwich at the 24 hr place in Vdara and have a panini and crack open one of my aforementioned whisky bottles ...
I seriously agonized over this the entire walk back from Walgreens, walking past the sandwich shop on the way to the room because I really wanted beer and pizza but I really didn't want to walk that far ...
Ultimately I decided I was tired enough and I should get to bed, so panini and Jameson Black won out.
I get out my tablet to verify my Tuesday plan while I eat ... and my schedule for the week is already in shreds before I even take my first bite!
The Triple-Draw mix tournament at MGM Grand I was going to play in was removed from the schedule. Like everyone their events are numbered ... and event 83 no longer exists. Right from 82 to 84 in the current schedule. It's midnight and I have no plan for the next day ... argh!
My immediate thought was to play in the WSOP seniors. I really am trying to avoid those massive field tournaments, but it's such a soft field maybe I'll give it a whirl. Double check that schedule and I see there is also a HORSE tournament at 3pm. So I at least have two options, that's enough for me to sleep on.
Tuesday morning I start poking around at other various summer series poker schedules. The PLO8 tournament I was planning to play in Friday also at MGM Grand is now the Triple Draw Mix, and PLO8 no longer on schedule. And I totally forgot there is a HORSE at Aria that I was going to play in before I saw the TD mix at MGM Grand ... so perfect! We have a new plan!
HORSE instead of TD mix Tuesday
NLH at MGM Grand Wednesday (that is still in the schedule)
Day off with Joann Thursday
TD Mix Friday instead of PLO8
Still WSOP 9-Game Saturday when Joann heads home, rest of schedule intact.
OK so maybe "my schedule is in shreds" was a bit over the top :-)
I should shower and get my ass over to Aria. Wish me luck!
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Other Entries This Blog:
Day 8 - WSOP Daily Deepstack
Day 7 - Battle of the Ages
Day 6 - WSOP 9-Game Mix
Days 4-5 - A quiet day off, MGM TD Mix
Day 3 - NLH at MGM Grand
Day 2 - Aria HORSE, WSOP daily DS
Day 1 - Tough decisions...
Planning
BLOGS
Vegas July 2025 (WSOP Part Deux)
Vegas June 2025 (WSOP Part 1)
Vegas June 2024 (WSOP)
Vegas June 2023 (WSOP)
Vegas November 2022
Vegas June/July 2022 (WSOP)
Vegas October 2021 (WSOP)
Vegas June 2021
Vegas November 2019
Vegas June 2019 (WSOP)
Vegas November 2018
Vegas June 2018 (WSOP)
Vegas November 2017
Vegas June 2017 (WSOP)
Vegas December 2016
Vegas July 2016 (WSOP Tag Team)
Vegas June 2016 (WSOP Seniors, Solstice)
Vegas December 2015
Vegas June 2015 (WSOP)
Vegas November 2014
Vegas July 2014 - Main Event satellite
Vegas June 2014 (WSOP)
Vegas March 2014
Vegas October 2013
Vegas June 2013 (WSOP)
Vegas November 2012
Vegas June 2012 (WSOP)
Vegas April 2012
Vegas November 2011
Vegas June 2011 (WSOP)
Vegas April 2011 (WSOPC)
Vegas November 2010 (Deep Stack)
Vegas June 2010 (WSOP)
Vegas April 2010 (WSOPC)
Council Bluffs 02/2010 (WSOP Circuit)
Vegas November 2009 (Deep Stack)
Vegas June 2009 (WSOP)
Vegas April 2009 (WSOP Circuit)
Council Bluffs 02/2009 (WSOP Circuit)
Vegas November 2008
Vegas June 2008 (WSOP)
Vegas November 2007
Vegas June 2007 (WSOP)
Vegas November 2006
Vegas June 2006