Low Rollers Trip Report.. Its a little long, but detailed..
This weekend was my annual solo trip to Downtown. I save and plan all year and I’m just amazed at how quick it goes by.
Got to Vegas from Atlanta around 245 and it was oven hot, but I’m used to it. My longtime friend Jenny is now a Vegas local, so whenever I come out she is my guide and I force her and her husband to be tourists for the weekend.
Quick check in at the Golden Gate and the place looks great. I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss the old deli and piano player, but the renovations are a definite improvement. My room had to be the worst one on the property, more on that later. I took advantage of a meal comp at DuPars and after dinner we hit the Plaza. To be honest, it looks about the same, just brighter and cleaner. Aside from the closed in stage/bar and fresh paint, it still looks like The Plaza. The smell of lavender was pretty thick and the whole place smelled like a dryer sheet.
We then headed to Silverton to see Joe Nichols (Country guy, sings “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Come Off”). I had to laugh at their “Concert Pavilion”. It’s a banquet room turned to a small concert hall. Jenny had to work early Saturday, so she took off, but I stayed and had a big run at the tables after the show. It was a good night at the Silverton, I was very impressed with that place.
From there, I took my first trip to Jerrys Nugget. Um, yeah. It reminded me of a bigger Ellis Island. I stayed for about 30 mins, had a drink and left. I shared a cab with what turned out to be a pimp and his lady. They offered me a great party, I declined, they suggested a party the next day, I lied and said I was flying home. I was never so happy to see the El Co and get out of that cab, but I hope they eventually found a good party.
El Co was slammed. I got my free slot play. Played a few hands and left. I stopped in at Bennys Bullpen to take advantage of the MRB coupon for a quick bite. Binions, like all of downtown was crowded (despite all the bartenders and dealers complaining that it was really slow this week). I was wrecked and called it a night around 1 am.
Saturday morning was a rude awakening. I was in room 344 (I asked for an upgrade, but they were full and the only available suite was an extra $150, no thanks). My view was the roof of a few buildings and the backside of the FSE canopy. Right below my window was an ally filled with dumpsters. Little fact, trash pickup is Saturday mornings at 545 am, and it lasts for about 30 mins. So my alarm was the sound of what had to be every bottle ever drank in Vegas being emptied into a dump truck. Well, I’m up, might as well go play.
I started my Saturday playing at the GG, VC (still looks the same) then cabbed it to Terribles for a coupon run and some breakfast. From Terribles I walked to Ellis Island, stopping in at Tuscany for a bit. I will never understand that place. Its never crowded, I have never done well and the dealers all seem bothered that someone is sitting at their table. I made a quick exit for Ellis Island where I took advantage of a few rounds and was bothered by a homeless guy telling me his life story blowing Pall Mall smoke in my face. Ahhh.. Good old’ Ellis Island!
I was heading to the Strip but not before stopping in at The Westin to cool off and play a few rounds. This was another impressive spot, its clean, cold and staffed by friendly people. I even managed to hit a small progressive on the Mega Bucks $1 slot. I took my winnings to one of my new favorite spots: The Stage Door Casino. Once again, I was not let down. $2 for a beer and shot and met a guitar player on his way to an audition at the Bellagio lounge. He was genuinely nervous and shaking from excitement. I hope he got the gig.
I try to stay off the strip on my solo trips, but was feeling good and having fun so I stopped at Bills, The new Margaritaville Casino, (good theme well done with lots of bikini girls and beach music) then had a bite at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill. It wasn’t anything special, a redneck Hard Rock best describes it. On my way out, I sat at the “Switch 21” table at Casino Royale. It’s a dumb game, but I played it for a good 2 hours (sitting at a fun table helps).
I cabbed it back downtown and played in the high limit room at the GG (mainly because I had a few great runs and was feeling cocky). That didn’t last long. I did hit a few GREAT spins at the $1 WOF Slot at the Plaza. Made some sports wagers (Braves to take NL Pennant and UGA to win SEC Championship). I took advantage of the 50% off MRB at Gold Spike Grill. It was crowded, hot and understaffed, but food was good and only $8.
I had been going since about 6 am and it was now close to 10 pm, so I called it a night. For the first time ever, I think I was in bed in Vegas, on a Saturday by 1130. FSE was loud and packed! Didn’t bother me though, I was out.
Woke up around 7 am Sunday (no garbage trucks this time!) and took advantage of the quietness of downtown. Aside from a few struggling bums and drunks still up, it was empty. I sat at the Keno Lounge at 4 Queens for a while then hit another small progressive at a random $1 Ancient Egypt slot machine.
With a smile and my winnings, I headed back to GG, cashed in my free pancakes at Dupars (which are awesome by the way). I tried playing some BJ at the GG, Binions and VC, but the tables were not kind to me Sunday morning (maybe I should have been in Church instead). I sulked up to the room packed up and was gone.
Before catching a cab to the airport, I put some money back into the same WOF Slot at the Plaza that had been kind to me the day before. I thought it would make a great story to end on a high note. I should have kept walking.
All in all, it was a great trip. I don’t know how, but I managed to cover my entire trip and spending money on slots alone.
Maybe it’s me, but downtown seems to have increased in the number of d-bags and gang bangers hanging out. At one point, I saw about 15 gangsters hooting and hollering making the old tourists nervous. This was followed by a shirtless tatted up meth head screaming at his girlfriend in front of everybody. I know this is Vegas and it’s a mix of everybody, but there were a lot of shady looking characters hanging out everywhere. (ok, Im off my soapbox)
Before every trip, I like to make a list of things I want/plan to do, then compare it when I get home: (post trip comments are in ALL CAPS)
- Try sweet talk/CC trick my way into a new suite at the GG – NOPE TOO $$
- Dinner at Magnolias then Joe Nichols concert at Silverton Friday Night – NEVER MADE IT TO MAGNOLIAS. OPTED FOR DISCOUNT AT DUPARS. SILVERTON IS A GREAT UNDERRATED CASINO.
- Saturday Coupon run to Terribles, Ellis Island and a drink at Stage Door Casino – YES ALL AROUND. STAGE DOOR HAS BECOME A “MUST” ON EVERY TRIP
- Check out Peppermill for the first time – SADLY, NO.
- Check out Jerrys Nugget for the first time – SAW IT, CHECKED OFF THE LIST. STILL SMELL LIKE IT
- Late night .25-cent Roulette at El Co. – SLAMMED THE ONLY NIGHT I WENT
- Check out all the hype around "D" and see if the music really is that loud – WALKED THRU, AND YES, ITS NOT JUST YOU, ITS VERY LOUD.
- Hit the traditional downtown joints (Plaza, VC, Gold Spike, 4 Queens) – DONE
- Time willing, I'd like to spend some time at The Orleans – NEVER MADE IT TO THAT SIDE OFF STRIP.
- Use as many coupons as possible – MORE THAN I THOUGHT. HOPEFULLY NEXT YEARS MRB WILL HAVE MORE MATCH PLAY COUPONS
- Not pay full price for a meal or drink – ASIDE FROM A FEW RANDOM DRINKS, YES.
- Take that town down!! I’m gonna own that place!! – I OWN A MEAN SLOT MACHINE, BUT THAT’S ABOUT IT.
- And, as tradition, stay away from Circus Circus – 6 YEARS RUNNING!!
Thanks Vegas, another great trip in the books!
Sorry so long, but thanks for reading!
Marko..
This weekend was my annual solo trip to Downtown. I save and plan all year and I’m just amazed at how quick it goes by.
Got to Vegas from Atlanta around 245 and it was oven hot, but I’m used to it. My longtime friend Jenny is now a Vegas local, so whenever I come out she is my guide and I force her and her husband to be tourists for the weekend.
Quick check in at the Golden Gate and the place looks great. I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss the old deli and piano player, but the renovations are a definite improvement. My room had to be the worst one on the property, more on that later. I took advantage of a meal comp at DuPars and after dinner we hit the Plaza. To be honest, it looks about the same, just brighter and cleaner. Aside from the closed in stage/bar and fresh paint, it still looks like The Plaza. The smell of lavender was pretty thick and the whole place smelled like a dryer sheet.
We then headed to Silverton to see Joe Nichols (Country guy, sings “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Come Off”). I had to laugh at their “Concert Pavilion”. It’s a banquet room turned to a small concert hall. Jenny had to work early Saturday, so she took off, but I stayed and had a big run at the tables after the show. It was a good night at the Silverton, I was very impressed with that place.
From there, I took my first trip to Jerrys Nugget. Um, yeah. It reminded me of a bigger Ellis Island. I stayed for about 30 mins, had a drink and left. I shared a cab with what turned out to be a pimp and his lady. They offered me a great party, I declined, they suggested a party the next day, I lied and said I was flying home. I was never so happy to see the El Co and get out of that cab, but I hope they eventually found a good party.
El Co was slammed. I got my free slot play. Played a few hands and left. I stopped in at Bennys Bullpen to take advantage of the MRB coupon for a quick bite. Binions, like all of downtown was crowded (despite all the bartenders and dealers complaining that it was really slow this week). I was wrecked and called it a night around 1 am.
Saturday morning was a rude awakening. I was in room 344 (I asked for an upgrade, but they were full and the only available suite was an extra $150, no thanks). My view was the roof of a few buildings and the backside of the FSE canopy. Right below my window was an ally filled with dumpsters. Little fact, trash pickup is Saturday mornings at 545 am, and it lasts for about 30 mins. So my alarm was the sound of what had to be every bottle ever drank in Vegas being emptied into a dump truck. Well, I’m up, might as well go play.
I started my Saturday playing at the GG, VC (still looks the same) then cabbed it to Terribles for a coupon run and some breakfast. From Terribles I walked to Ellis Island, stopping in at Tuscany for a bit. I will never understand that place. Its never crowded, I have never done well and the dealers all seem bothered that someone is sitting at their table. I made a quick exit for Ellis Island where I took advantage of a few rounds and was bothered by a homeless guy telling me his life story blowing Pall Mall smoke in my face. Ahhh.. Good old’ Ellis Island!
I was heading to the Strip but not before stopping in at The Westin to cool off and play a few rounds. This was another impressive spot, its clean, cold and staffed by friendly people. I even managed to hit a small progressive on the Mega Bucks $1 slot. I took my winnings to one of my new favorite spots: The Stage Door Casino. Once again, I was not let down. $2 for a beer and shot and met a guitar player on his way to an audition at the Bellagio lounge. He was genuinely nervous and shaking from excitement. I hope he got the gig.
I try to stay off the strip on my solo trips, but was feeling good and having fun so I stopped at Bills, The new Margaritaville Casino, (good theme well done with lots of bikini girls and beach music) then had a bite at Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill. It wasn’t anything special, a redneck Hard Rock best describes it. On my way out, I sat at the “Switch 21” table at Casino Royale. It’s a dumb game, but I played it for a good 2 hours (sitting at a fun table helps).
I cabbed it back downtown and played in the high limit room at the GG (mainly because I had a few great runs and was feeling cocky). That didn’t last long. I did hit a few GREAT spins at the $1 WOF Slot at the Plaza. Made some sports wagers (Braves to take NL Pennant and UGA to win SEC Championship). I took advantage of the 50% off MRB at Gold Spike Grill. It was crowded, hot and understaffed, but food was good and only $8.
I had been going since about 6 am and it was now close to 10 pm, so I called it a night. For the first time ever, I think I was in bed in Vegas, on a Saturday by 1130. FSE was loud and packed! Didn’t bother me though, I was out.
Woke up around 7 am Sunday (no garbage trucks this time!) and took advantage of the quietness of downtown. Aside from a few struggling bums and drunks still up, it was empty. I sat at the Keno Lounge at 4 Queens for a while then hit another small progressive at a random $1 Ancient Egypt slot machine.
With a smile and my winnings, I headed back to GG, cashed in my free pancakes at Dupars (which are awesome by the way). I tried playing some BJ at the GG, Binions and VC, but the tables were not kind to me Sunday morning (maybe I should have been in Church instead). I sulked up to the room packed up and was gone.
Before catching a cab to the airport, I put some money back into the same WOF Slot at the Plaza that had been kind to me the day before. I thought it would make a great story to end on a high note. I should have kept walking.
All in all, it was a great trip. I don’t know how, but I managed to cover my entire trip and spending money on slots alone.
Maybe it’s me, but downtown seems to have increased in the number of d-bags and gang bangers hanging out. At one point, I saw about 15 gangsters hooting and hollering making the old tourists nervous. This was followed by a shirtless tatted up meth head screaming at his girlfriend in front of everybody. I know this is Vegas and it’s a mix of everybody, but there were a lot of shady looking characters hanging out everywhere. (ok, Im off my soapbox)
Before every trip, I like to make a list of things I want/plan to do, then compare it when I get home: (post trip comments are in ALL CAPS)
- Try sweet talk/CC trick my way into a new suite at the GG – NOPE TOO $$
- Dinner at Magnolias then Joe Nichols concert at Silverton Friday Night – NEVER MADE IT TO MAGNOLIAS. OPTED FOR DISCOUNT AT DUPARS. SILVERTON IS A GREAT UNDERRATED CASINO.
- Saturday Coupon run to Terribles, Ellis Island and a drink at Stage Door Casino – YES ALL AROUND. STAGE DOOR HAS BECOME A “MUST” ON EVERY TRIP
- Check out Peppermill for the first time – SADLY, NO.
- Check out Jerrys Nugget for the first time – SAW IT, CHECKED OFF THE LIST. STILL SMELL LIKE IT
- Late night .25-cent Roulette at El Co. – SLAMMED THE ONLY NIGHT I WENT
- Check out all the hype around "D" and see if the music really is that loud – WALKED THRU, AND YES, ITS NOT JUST YOU, ITS VERY LOUD.
- Hit the traditional downtown joints (Plaza, VC, Gold Spike, 4 Queens) – DONE
- Time willing, I'd like to spend some time at The Orleans – NEVER MADE IT TO THAT SIDE OFF STRIP.
- Use as many coupons as possible – MORE THAN I THOUGHT. HOPEFULLY NEXT YEARS MRB WILL HAVE MORE MATCH PLAY COUPONS
- Not pay full price for a meal or drink – ASIDE FROM A FEW RANDOM DRINKS, YES.
- Take that town down!! I’m gonna own that place!! – I OWN A MEAN SLOT MACHINE, BUT THAT’S ABOUT IT.
- And, as tradition, stay away from Circus Circus – 6 YEARS RUNNING!!
Thanks Vegas, another great trip in the books!
Sorry so long, but thanks for reading!
Marko..
