Last month, we logged a total of 96 hours and experienced mixed results: we finished down $1,599 in tournaments but ended up $6,184 ahead in cash games. For June, my goal was to play a minimum of 160 hours. However, I caught the Vegas flu while in Las Vegas, which impacted my schedule.

During the first half of the month, I played at the Tampa Hard Rock. I entered one tournament, but it only lasted five minutes when I lost a top set to a straight. Before leaving for Vegas on the 14th, I was up $4,800 for the month. After several sessions in Vegas, I’ve developed a greater appreciation for Florida poker; the games there are simply better. While you can find good games in Vegas during the series, it requires careful game selection and the discipline to switch tables.

My goal for the series and my time in Vegas was to play 80% tournaments and 20% cash games. I had to adjust my schedule and take a few more days off than planned due to illness. This is the third consecutive trip to Vegas where I’ve gotten sick. In June, I cashed in one out of six tournaments, bubbled one tournament, and made one final table. A major epiphany I had was the importance of being in better shape and preparing mentally for the long, grueling days of tournaments. Preparation is key—packing medications and immune boosters and staying hydrated are essential. I don’t see myself becoming a full-time tournament grinder, so I’ll maintain a balance of 80% cash games and 20% tournaments.

Some tools that help me prepare for tournaments include GTO Wizard, SnapShove, and Jonathan Little’s tournament audiobooks.

I spent a total of 18 days in Vegas in June, taking about a week off for rest, recovery, and some fun. One highlight was attending the Crush Live Poker meetup, where I met Jaman (named Poker Vlogger of the Year), Marc Goon (who runs Hungry Horse Poker), Bart Hanson (creator of Crush Live Poker), and a few others.

I will definitely be attending next year. They hold this event annually around the same time in Vegas, usually at the Gold Coast on Fridays. Future events will be moved to different locations. I also met Josh (PLO Professor) and Wayne (Donk Fish Poker), who invited me to the pool at the Venetian and dinner at Mucho Loco. They mentioned that the Venetian will be opening a brand new poker room in early August, hosting a few mixed games. This new room will be located near the “Love” sign at the Venetian on one of the upper levels, making parking much easier.

I joined the Madhouse Poker Club on PPPoker, which is mainly for PLO games. Additionally, I finally got to check out Lemongrass Thai food—it did not disappoint! During this trip, I stayed at six locations. I used my vacation club for a week-long stay at Club de Soleil. I also stayed one night at the Rio, four nights at Harrah’s, and two nights at Mandalay Bay, where the pool was absolutely amazing, and the room was very nice with a tub. I got free access to the adult pools, which are usually $30-$40.

Towards the end of the month, I spent one night at Crockford’s at Resorts World. It was one of the nicest hotels I’ve ever stayed in. At check-in, they served tea, and the room featured a doorbell, massage gun, and a real plant. One of the coolest features was the automatic drapes that opened to reveal an amazing view of the Strip. This stay was completely free (resort fee waived), plus I received a $50 food credit due to my Hilton Gold Status, courtesy of my Hilton credit card. Check out my Free Roll page to learn more about this card and other credit card offers.

Crockford’s also offered evening cleaning service. It is one of the only hotels that offer room service. Some other perks include streaming on TV, a nice bathrobe, and slippers. You also get free access to two clubs: Ayu (a day club) and Zouk (a night club).

On the last night of June, I stayed at Caesars Palace and opted for an upgrade to get a tub and a view. I plan on staying in Vegas for at least another week in July. Check out the next blog for updates and travel tips!