I've been to Las Vegas 25+ times. I apologize in advance, but I have to include a few notes:
Holiday Motel, across from what is now the Stratosphere. April '77- family trip, I was only 15. No gambling, other than the carny games at Circus-Circus! It's still there. I smile every time I'm on The Deuce when it goes by.
La Mirage (Later Anthony's and Key Largo). Jan '87. It took me 10 years to get back to 'Vegas. It was the cheapest Funjet air/hotel package (on or near the Strip) deal from Milwaukee then. I think I stayed there 4-5 times in the next 2 years.
Las Vegas Hilton, Summer '89. Comped "mini-suite". I have friends who worked at a Hilton here in Milwaukee, and Hilton comped it up-front. Nice!
The 90's are a blur..... not necessarily in chronological order, but here goes.
California
Lady Luck, '96-'97-'98. Lost a LOT of $$ playing full-pay JOB, Deuces, and DB at the bar in the way back.
Golden Nugget. I never could win ANYTHING there. Still can't.
Binion's Horseshoe. Gosh, I miss those $2-$3 minimum single deck 21 tables in the back where Benny's Bullpen is now.
Texas Station, January '99- first ever quarter Royal, before I even checked in I sat at the bar about 10 am. About 10 minutes later, $1,300+ progressive. Also first W-2G.
Fremont
Riviera, Sept '96. The strike at the Frontier was still going on. Spent many quarters playing Sigma Derby. Went with a Teamster who had no problem crossing the picket line.
The 2000's are not so blurry. I started taking more pictures.
Westward Ho. Again, lost a lot of $$ on the .25 9/6 JOB progressives.
Stardust. '03 to '06. Stayed there 4-5 times. In '05 I hit a .25 Bonus Triple Play $1,400+ progressive Royal at the Baccarat Bar. I got followed to the West tower elevators by a couple of unsavories who saw me get paid. I whispered to security at the podium, the 2 punks did a u-turn. Another guard walked me to the room. Whew!
Plaza
Las Vegas Club, May '03. I had a fantastic run at the 21 tables at the Plaza early in that trip, and I put a $100 bill in the $1 4700 Jokers and a 1/2 hour later I hit the Royal! Susie the cocktail waitress was all over me after that. $5-$10 tip for 2 Heinekens each time she came around! I'm sure I paid for her junior year at UNLV...
More recently, since 2010, I've been staying at The Fitz (The D),
Golden Gate, The El Cortez, and their Cabana Suites, and Four Queens.
