Kevin's Vegas Trip August 2026

I headed to the Venetian (yes, I'm a creature of habit - but it was hot and I didn't want to walk too far outside!) at about 8, and had decided to use my 'comps' to get a nice meal, for my last 'proper' meal in Vegas. Despite what google assured it, it turned out I wasn't able to simply present my card in the restaurant, and after first visiting the Casino Rewards desk, I was sent to Poker Room to get my voucher there - they really don't want to make it easy for you! Fortunately, in anticipation that I might have some issues, I had chosen the Grand Lux Cafe, which is immediately downstairs from the Poker room. That meant I didn't have far to go, and by the time I got back to the Cafe, my carbonera was waiting for me. Carbonera at the Grand Lux It was delicious, costing me $5 for taxes and tips, with $25 taken care of by the comps. Then it was upstairs to the poker room. Despite being registered, it took a while to get involved - but they set up a new...

After the bad-beat at the Bellagio, I left the table and after sitting for a few minutes to compose my thoughts and plans, decided I'd go for a walk, and visit an ATM - I'd perhaps been overly confident in spending winnings in cash for food, shopping etc, so after two losing sessions was a bit low. Most ATMs in the casino's charge ludicrous fees ($10 or more), so I decided I'd take a 20 minute walk to the Bank of America ATM in the M&M store - both to decompress and to give two fingers to the casino gouging! MGM Mission being accomplished I decided to go to the adjacent MGM poker room and play what would be one last session of the day if I didn't win. I wasn't making a third withdrawal this trip, so I was now on a ration. Bankroll swings are a part of poker, and overall I wasn't unhappy with the way I was playing - but that didn't mean I was just going to keep throwning money at it either! The MGM game the day before had been pretty soft, and yesterd...

One of my favourite Rory Gallagher songs mixing the Piedmont style with some boogie-woogie piano style syncopation Tonights dinner was at the "Flour and Barley" pizzeria in the Linq promenade. I can heartily recommend it. Good wine and beer selection, excellent food at reasonable prices, and as a bonus had a nice little bit of music with a guitarist playing away in the corner. Not quite in Rory's class, but very listenable. I had the Calabrese. Deee-licious. Perfect Neopolitan crust, with fresh mozarrella, Italian sausage, chilis, salsa verde and rocket. Tonights dinner It is just after 8 pm as I write. I think I'll have a short rest, maybe read something, and then head to the Venetian for some poker and a beer or two!

D'Unbelievables used have a sketch about the GAA fans having their dinner at 9am to get a 'good run at the day' on excursions to Croke Park. Well in my case, last food was about 4:30pm Vegas time, before hitting bed around midnight. I slept well - the beds in the Linq are comfortable, albeit a Super-king size feels a bit unnervingly spacious! After a shower I went to one of the food spots on my list- the Hash House A Go Go, in the Linq. Their portion sizes are insane, the food is good and it is fairly cheap. A good way to break a 16 hour fast, and it'll keep me going till 7pm or so tonight. Here is my breakfast - A California Scramble with 3 eggs, bacon, avacode, chicken, bell peppers and cheese. Grilled potatoes, sour dough toast and some fruit round it off. $25 including tip. California Scramble I'm back in the room now, posting a few updates and digesting that breakfast. The plan for today is a bit fluid. I think I'll pick up a 3 day pass for the Deuce - the ...