It is important that you change your play habits especially if you are playing with the same group every week. If you are a very tight player you need to be in a few hands on occassion without good cards as if you don’t, anytime you bet , everyone will fold  and you will make no money on your big hands.

If you are tired of the tables and want a break from most of civilization, travel over to the Ventana Inn in Big Sur California. The drive from the south is prettier than from San Francisco but once you get there you will be happy. The place does not look like much from the outside but once you get into the property it is really beautiful. It has a rustic feel but with very high end amenities. Go for a room with a fireplace and an outdoor hammock on your balcony that looks out into the sunset. They bring fresh wood to your room every day so a fire is just a moment away at any time. All high end furnishings , bathroom finishes , linens and robes. They have an outstanding “buffet” breakfast  (although 1/100th the size of the WYNN buffet) everyday with homemade juices and granola and a very delicious but caloric egg souffle pan quiche. The only complaints: no door by the shower and no lockers in the spa. Overall you have to love it. Light a fire, have a massage and relax until your next tournment. Rating 4.5

The Borgata is the closest thing Atlantic City comes to having a Vegas feel. It is well appointed and the rooms are nice. They added a Wofgangs restaurant with a great menu. Most importantly they have a massive 85 table poker room with very comfortable chairs and a lovely painted senic mural on the back wall so you can at least pretend to see the light of day.

The service in the casino was very disappointing. A friend and I went on Sunday to play in a 4pm tournment. We confirmed via, phone, internet and phone voice system at the Borgata the time of the event. When we got there we were told it was canceled due to a bigger $1500 buy-in event that was going on. Needless to say we were pissed. When we complained to the shift manager he was not very appologetic . We rented a car, paid for a room and basically came for nothing although we did wind up doing well in  cash game. For all our troubles and after much pestering he compensated out inconvience witha $5.00 parking pass and a $20 food comp. That makes up for the $300 room, 3 hour drive and inconvience.  We were not happy .

The good news is that it is now easier to get a table to play and the tables are far enough apart to give you some nice breathing room. I was disappointed that they took away the mini snack bar they had with the best shrimp cocktail and no longer allow food in the poker room.

We give the poker room a glowing rating but an F to the staff. We will write the CEO tomorrow . The rooms are nice but somehow I feel stupid paying that much in Atlantic city

I love the Wynn Hotel. The rooms are clean, big, modern and have a fabulous view. I never stay in the first room I am shown at a hotel, EXCEPT at the WYNN. Even the worst room is good. The lobby smells delicious. The Mosaic floor is breathtaking. The elevators are fast. I love the way the mini bar cookies and nuts are displayed so much I forget the price. Room service is divine and usually on time although you are going to have to except the fact that to experience the luxury you are going to have to shell out $30 for eggs.  But I digress. The poker room is great and very female friendly. You will feel very comfortable. The shops are great, they even have a Manolo. Unfortunately my FAVORITE event at the WYNN is no longer- breakfast outside by the golfcourse over looking the waterfall, but you can still experience lunch and dinner. This is a great place to go when you feel like taking a break from all that is Las Vegas as it is quite serene.

I highly recommend you give the Wynn a try next time you are in town

Rating - 5

I had a crazy experience when I was there last month. Somehow my door jammed and I was locked out of my room at 2 in the morning. They finally had to cut off the door so I could get my stuff. In spite of the inconvience , I am going back in 2 weeks.