Macau

After "Black Friday" eliminated the ability of American players to play online poker I was left with a few options. In the end I decided to fly to Macau, the poker capital of Asia and the gambling capital of the world. When I arrived I got off to a decent start. At one point I was up about $2,500 US after all expenses paid. Then I began playing a little less as my social life grew. I also went on a little downswing taking a couple 3 outers in 2+ buy in pots, having sets cracked and had a couple sessions with nobody but myself to blame where I played absolutely awful. I ended up leaving Macau about even but with a brand new camera. That was far short of my goal, however, far from the worst case scenario which would have placed me on a flight back to Los Angeles. Now I have decided to fly to Bankok and travel back to Macau overland, expecting to take about 12-14 weeks playing some poker in Cambodia. With funds still locked up on Tilt I am still playing on the edge and must do well, but I have the confidence I will eventually make it all the way to Moscow overland stopping everywhere along the way. Those entries will be for another day, time to cover Macau.

Obviously the biggest news is that I upgraded from a point and shoot camera that fits in my pocket to a digital SLR. The pictures in this entry will be mixed between the 2 but the majority of pictures from here on out should be with my new camera so hopefully the image quality will be much improved. I am still an amateur getting use to my new toy but over time my skills should improve

New Camera: Canon EOS 600D / Rebel T3i
New Lens: Canon EF-S 15-85mm IS USM

Macau was a Portuguese colony until it was handed back to China in 1999. As a result it is a mix of Chinese and Portuguese culture

One hour by boat fron Hong Kong, Macau also operates under the "One country, two systems" policy. They possess autonomy in everything aside from foreign affairs and defense. The laws are all written in Portuguese

The width of Macau viewed  from Taipa. Hills in the background are mainland china

Starting in 2002 many of the same hotel casinos such as the Wynn, Ventetian and MGM began to appear in Macau.  In 2006 Macau eclipsed Vegas bringing int he most gambling revenue in the world. Due to the high rollers dropping millions it is now not even close. in 2010 Macau brought in 23.5 billion dollars in gambling revenue, that is 4 times more than Vegas. I was expecting to find Vegas in Asia!

The Wynn Macau, MGM behind

Macau offers some entertainment including a Cirque du Soleil show. The Macau tower has the 2nd highest bungee jump in the world, beaten only by the Stratosphere in Las Vegas

Macau bring in more money but the truth is if you want a weekend of entertainment and gambling Las Vegas blows Macau away and it is not even close. There are only 2 top level shows, no major comedy acts, magic, mega arcades etc. Plus the best club in Macau wouldn't crack top 10 in Vegas, probably not top 20. Macau is quite tame in comparison. 

City of Dreams on the Cotai Strip, including the Hard Rock

What Macau does offer is pure gambling, including the Venetian, the largest casino in the world (5th largest building in the world). The amazing part of this is that where the Venetian and City of Dreams sits use to be water between two islands, Taipa and Coalane. They filled it in with sand, built mega casino hotels, and continue to build them, and called it the Cotai Strip, modeled after the strip in Las Vegas. Or it could be more amazing that the 2.5 billion dollar Venetian brought in enough revenue in 10 months to pay for construction costs. 

Venetian Macau, on the Cotai Strip

The newest hotel in Macau is the Galaxy, also in Cotai. The major downside is they do not offer a poker room. Only 4 hotels have poker: Wynn, Starworld, Venetian and the Grand Lisboa. Nope, not even MGM. While I was in Macau the Hard Rock closed their poker room. 

Galaxy with Old Taipa in foreground

Galaxy viewed from my CS hosts house in Taipa

So Macau does not have the world class entertainment or drunken belligerence that Las Vegas offers us degenerates. However, it does have a great fusion of two distinct cultures, history, and a whole lot of charm. It is a very pedestrian friendly place with mazes of small alleyways, churches, temples, and excellent public transportation. 

Much of Macau has been labeled a World Heritage Site. Arguably the top landmark is the Ruins of St Paul, built in the 16th century

I stayed in Macau a total of 53 nights. For most of them I rented an apartment in Taipa, a 10 minute walk from the Venetian. Yes, Macau is one of the most densely populated places in the world. However, the traffic isn't bad and they have the 2nd highest life expectancy of anywhere on the planet. 

After my rental ran out I found a CS host with a good view. Jockey Club on the top right

During most of my stay I was my lazy self, drinking beer with Couchsurfing expats who were a terrible influence on my putting volume in at poker. I did manage to go out a couple days and take some pictures to present the image that I was productive, but those who know me wouldn't believe that anyway. But I did go see 2 pandas Kai Kai and Xin Xin. 

The other one is higher up sleeping

They also had a couple ostriches

Headed to Hac Sa or Black Sand Beach on Coloane and had some Portuguese food

When I make it back to Macau I intend to start rock climbing a couple times a week, best part is it is free!

For 4th of July I organized beer pong

Last night in Macau we went up on a hill with a 360 degree view of Macau and Taipa and drank some beers. The Grand Lisboa dominates the Macau skyline. Most people seem to hate it but I like it