PROLOGUE:
I was pretty pumped up from my financially successful January trip so I booked a follow-up trip as soon as I returned home. Another solo trip; April should be a fine time to visit Sin City, before the temps start to hit triple digits. Booked a flight on Sun Country and bagged a super low price on Enterprise for a full size car for only $92 (all taxes included). The Orleans offered me 2 free nights and a $25 food comp and I booked the Rio for the other 2 nights at $27/night. I used LVA discounts to pick up tickets for "Vegas" the Show and for Carrot Top. I also had coupons for the Atomic Testing and the new Mob Museum. It was a struggle to keep my mind on work that last week before the trip.
MONDAY:
I arrived home at 0800 after my 10 hour night shift, finished packing and then took a 3 hour power nap. I arrived at the MSP airport two and one-half hours early (not too eager) and scored a 1st class upgrade. Security was quick and easy and I found myself sitting at the bar with a Blue Moon in hand and watching the Twins home opener. Time passed quickly and soon I was settling into my comfortable 1st class seat with my usual Jack Daniels on the rocks with a beer back before take-off. Dinner was very good and I nodded off afterwards until our arrival in Vegas. I grabbed my bag and boarded the shuttle to the rental car center and after a brief exchange with the counter person I was driving out with a new Hyundai Sonata. I took a left off of LV Blvd onto Hacienda(road between Mandalay Bay and Luxor), turned onto Valley View and then west on Tropicana to the Orleans.
Checkin was quick and my 14th floor room overlooked the pool area. The room was nice sized, had a flat screen TV, a small couch, safe and a comfortable bed. I quickly unpacked and headed to the casino. I sat at one of the bars to play some VP and slake my thirst with a few Heinekens. I burned thru my 2nd Jackson before the barkeep came over for my drink order.....service was way tooooo sloooow; grabbed my beer and headed to the tables. I played some $10 BJ for a couple of hours with pleasant dealers and tablemates....up and down session. I finished the night playing a slot machine that provided me with some extended play on $20 and ending my 1st night ahead about $100. Bedtime for this Bonzo.
TUESDAY:
Woke up at 0730 and enjoyed the offerings at the Orleans buffet: Eggs, bacon, sausages, hashbrowns, grits, fresh fruit and several cups of coffee. The table game area was a ghost town so I sat down at the same slot machine that I had played the previous night, but the machine was less generous today (-$40).
I retrieved my car from the Valet and drove over to the Gold Coast to give them some play. I sat at the bar and played 9/6 JOB at the 50 cent level for a couple of hours on a hundy and had an up and down session...almost lost my buy-in but hit a straight flush to bail me out and quit with my original hundred...all the while sipping on several Bombay Sapphires and tonic. I had a coupon for $10 in free play so I wandered around the casino and decided to play a penny slot called Turkey Shoot. Turned my free play into $60! Next, I sat down at a $10 BJ table and walked away after an hour or so with a $100 profit.
Parked the car over at the Rio and hopped on the shuttle to Bally's. Played some VP at Sully's bar (even) then walked over to Harrah's and played some more VP (-$40). I had to sit at the bar at O'Sheas to say a final farewell with a couple of Irish Car Bombs and a couple of beers. Played LIR at the Margaritaville casino (-$100) and then had an order of fish tacos at the restaurant bar, washed down with a couple of those lovely Landshark drafts. I struck up a brief conversation with a couple of really hot young chicks while they were waiting for their drink order...a couple of margaritas which came in pitcher sized containers....they are going to be so hammered. Lost 60 bucks at the Flamingo before heading over to the PHO to pick up my ticket for "Vegas" the Show.
It took me a while to find the right theater for the show and fend off the desk clerk's entreaty to upgrade to a VIP seat..what a crock. It was a little after 6 pm but a line had already started to form for the 7:30 show, so I patiently waited in line, chatting with some people and explaining the evils of 6:5 BJ that is so prevalent on the Strip...these people had no clue. I did notice that my left leg was getting pretty sore standing in line, but a shrugged it off to all the walking I had done today. My seat was about 12 rows from the stage, aisle seat in the center section. If you can get a discounted ticket and don't mind waiting in line for a while, this show if a real entertainment bargain....great vocalists and dancers. A very entertaining and well put together show. The show band was first rate.
Took the shuttle back to the Rio and headed for the Wine Cellar. It was about 15 minutes before closing, but Jose was there to greet me and pour me a generous glass of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc. That was my only visit on this trip, so I am looking forward to spending more time there in September with my girlfriend Gail. Drove back to the Orleans: slots (-$60), BJ (-$100) and craps (-$50). They had a nice crew working the craps table and although I lost money, I had a good time. Lights out at 0100.
WEDNESDAY:
I'm up at 0700 and have breakfast at their cafe. Eggs Benedict was satisfying, and my waitress was pleasant and attentive. Went up to the room and packed up and then decided to play some more BJ before checking out....should have checked out. I sat at a $10 table with two other guys. The player on 1st base was losing and swearing a blue streak with each lost. He busted out and left in a huff cursing about his bad luck and how much he had lost. Unfortunately he returned to the table after hitting the ATM and brought his foul mood back with him. Time to find a new table. The dealer at my new table was a great and likeable guy and I was quickly making money...new dealer and the wheels came off....lose, lose, lose. Lost all of my double downs and never had a blackjack for the next 90 minutes. Lost both of my match plays and slunk away from the table solidly beat down to the tune of $300.
Checked out and drove over to the Rio to check in. I used my $20 sandwich and politely asked the desk clerk for an upgrade...something with a view and a coffee maker. She smiled, tucked the Jackson in her pocket and gave me a room in the Ipanema Tower on the Diamond floor...sweet. Unpacked and then it was time for a comeback....not. I sat down at the Roulette table and tried my betting strategy and adding a $1 bet on my son's favorite roulette number, #22. So now I am betting $12/spin on various inside number combinations. I played for about an hour, had some cocktails and lost only $10.
Drove over to the Atomic Testing Museum on Flamingo and spent the next couple of hours reliving a time in my life when we worried about the "Bomb". The displays are very informative and educational. I learned a lot about how they did the underground testing. I also did the optional Area 51 tour. I enjoyed the information about all the experimental spy aircraft that were developed there, but I found the alien stuff a little hard to believe. Sorry I don't believe in UFO's or the Easter Bunny( I'm undecided about Santa).
[URL=https://s413.photobucket.com/albums/pp211/WHITEJACKET73/?action=view¤t=VEGASAPRIL2012051.jpg]
[/URL]
Afterwards, I drove down and parked at the Luxor and picked up my ticket for Carrot Top. Walked over to the MGM and lost $150 on the Lion's Share
[URL=https://s413.photobucket.com/albums/pp211/WHITEJACKET73/?action=view¤t=VEGASAPRIL2012053.jpg]
/WHITEJACKET73/th_VEGASAPRIL2012053.jpg[/IMG][/URL]
and then played the Sigma Derby with a couple of crazy Canadians who were enjoyed their 1st visit to Vegas. Playing the Derby for a few quarters a race and drinking copious quantities of beer was the best thing that had ever happened to them. We had a blast and I walked away with a pocket full of quarters.
I had dinner at the Nine Fine Irishmen, the fish and chips were solid, as was the Bushmills and Guiness. I played BJ and the Luxor for a couple of hours and my losing streak continued. One blackjack in two hours of play...depressing.....lost $160. Carrot Top was a very funny show, with lots of audience interaction; glad I got to see it. He really rips on Cris Angel...too funny. Played some slots after the show..lost $60, more BJ and another $100 lost. Threw in the towel and headed back to the Rio and bed at midnight. Damn my leg really hurts, must be the two blisters on my foot....not going to slow me down.
Finish this report tomorrow...more adventures downtown and the Mob Museum. Thanks for reading.
I was pretty pumped up from my financially successful January trip so I booked a follow-up trip as soon as I returned home. Another solo trip; April should be a fine time to visit Sin City, before the temps start to hit triple digits. Booked a flight on Sun Country and bagged a super low price on Enterprise for a full size car for only $92 (all taxes included). The Orleans offered me 2 free nights and a $25 food comp and I booked the Rio for the other 2 nights at $27/night. I used LVA discounts to pick up tickets for "Vegas" the Show and for Carrot Top. I also had coupons for the Atomic Testing and the new Mob Museum. It was a struggle to keep my mind on work that last week before the trip.
MONDAY:
I arrived home at 0800 after my 10 hour night shift, finished packing and then took a 3 hour power nap. I arrived at the MSP airport two and one-half hours early (not too eager) and scored a 1st class upgrade. Security was quick and easy and I found myself sitting at the bar with a Blue Moon in hand and watching the Twins home opener. Time passed quickly and soon I was settling into my comfortable 1st class seat with my usual Jack Daniels on the rocks with a beer back before take-off. Dinner was very good and I nodded off afterwards until our arrival in Vegas. I grabbed my bag and boarded the shuttle to the rental car center and after a brief exchange with the counter person I was driving out with a new Hyundai Sonata. I took a left off of LV Blvd onto Hacienda(road between Mandalay Bay and Luxor), turned onto Valley View and then west on Tropicana to the Orleans.
Checkin was quick and my 14th floor room overlooked the pool area. The room was nice sized, had a flat screen TV, a small couch, safe and a comfortable bed. I quickly unpacked and headed to the casino. I sat at one of the bars to play some VP and slake my thirst with a few Heinekens. I burned thru my 2nd Jackson before the barkeep came over for my drink order.....service was way tooooo sloooow; grabbed my beer and headed to the tables. I played some $10 BJ for a couple of hours with pleasant dealers and tablemates....up and down session. I finished the night playing a slot machine that provided me with some extended play on $20 and ending my 1st night ahead about $100. Bedtime for this Bonzo.
TUESDAY:
Woke up at 0730 and enjoyed the offerings at the Orleans buffet: Eggs, bacon, sausages, hashbrowns, grits, fresh fruit and several cups of coffee. The table game area was a ghost town so I sat down at the same slot machine that I had played the previous night, but the machine was less generous today (-$40).
I retrieved my car from the Valet and drove over to the Gold Coast to give them some play. I sat at the bar and played 9/6 JOB at the 50 cent level for a couple of hours on a hundy and had an up and down session...almost lost my buy-in but hit a straight flush to bail me out and quit with my original hundred...all the while sipping on several Bombay Sapphires and tonic. I had a coupon for $10 in free play so I wandered around the casino and decided to play a penny slot called Turkey Shoot. Turned my free play into $60! Next, I sat down at a $10 BJ table and walked away after an hour or so with a $100 profit.
Parked the car over at the Rio and hopped on the shuttle to Bally's. Played some VP at Sully's bar (even) then walked over to Harrah's and played some more VP (-$40). I had to sit at the bar at O'Sheas to say a final farewell with a couple of Irish Car Bombs and a couple of beers. Played LIR at the Margaritaville casino (-$100) and then had an order of fish tacos at the restaurant bar, washed down with a couple of those lovely Landshark drafts. I struck up a brief conversation with a couple of really hot young chicks while they were waiting for their drink order...a couple of margaritas which came in pitcher sized containers....they are going to be so hammered. Lost 60 bucks at the Flamingo before heading over to the PHO to pick up my ticket for "Vegas" the Show.
It took me a while to find the right theater for the show and fend off the desk clerk's entreaty to upgrade to a VIP seat..what a crock. It was a little after 6 pm but a line had already started to form for the 7:30 show, so I patiently waited in line, chatting with some people and explaining the evils of 6:5 BJ that is so prevalent on the Strip...these people had no clue. I did notice that my left leg was getting pretty sore standing in line, but a shrugged it off to all the walking I had done today. My seat was about 12 rows from the stage, aisle seat in the center section. If you can get a discounted ticket and don't mind waiting in line for a while, this show if a real entertainment bargain....great vocalists and dancers. A very entertaining and well put together show. The show band was first rate.
Took the shuttle back to the Rio and headed for the Wine Cellar. It was about 15 minutes before closing, but Jose was there to greet me and pour me a generous glass of Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc. That was my only visit on this trip, so I am looking forward to spending more time there in September with my girlfriend Gail. Drove back to the Orleans: slots (-$60), BJ (-$100) and craps (-$50). They had a nice crew working the craps table and although I lost money, I had a good time. Lights out at 0100.
WEDNESDAY:
I'm up at 0700 and have breakfast at their cafe. Eggs Benedict was satisfying, and my waitress was pleasant and attentive. Went up to the room and packed up and then decided to play some more BJ before checking out....should have checked out. I sat at a $10 table with two other guys. The player on 1st base was losing and swearing a blue streak with each lost. He busted out and left in a huff cursing about his bad luck and how much he had lost. Unfortunately he returned to the table after hitting the ATM and brought his foul mood back with him. Time to find a new table. The dealer at my new table was a great and likeable guy and I was quickly making money...new dealer and the wheels came off....lose, lose, lose. Lost all of my double downs and never had a blackjack for the next 90 minutes. Lost both of my match plays and slunk away from the table solidly beat down to the tune of $300.
Checked out and drove over to the Rio to check in. I used my $20 sandwich and politely asked the desk clerk for an upgrade...something with a view and a coffee maker. She smiled, tucked the Jackson in her pocket and gave me a room in the Ipanema Tower on the Diamond floor...sweet. Unpacked and then it was time for a comeback....not. I sat down at the Roulette table and tried my betting strategy and adding a $1 bet on my son's favorite roulette number, #22. So now I am betting $12/spin on various inside number combinations. I played for about an hour, had some cocktails and lost only $10.
Drove over to the Atomic Testing Museum on Flamingo and spent the next couple of hours reliving a time in my life when we worried about the "Bomb". The displays are very informative and educational. I learned a lot about how they did the underground testing. I also did the optional Area 51 tour. I enjoyed the information about all the experimental spy aircraft that were developed there, but I found the alien stuff a little hard to believe. Sorry I don't believe in UFO's or the Easter Bunny( I'm undecided about Santa).
[URL=https://s413.photobucket.com/albums/pp211/WHITEJACKET73/?action=view¤t=VEGASAPRIL2012051.jpg]
[/URL]Afterwards, I drove down and parked at the Luxor and picked up my ticket for Carrot Top. Walked over to the MGM and lost $150 on the Lion's Share
[URL=https://s413.photobucket.com/albums/pp211/WHITEJACKET73/?action=view¤t=VEGASAPRIL2012053.jpg]
/WHITEJACKET73/th_VEGASAPRIL2012053.jpg[/IMG][/URL]and then played the Sigma Derby with a couple of crazy Canadians who were enjoyed their 1st visit to Vegas. Playing the Derby for a few quarters a race and drinking copious quantities of beer was the best thing that had ever happened to them. We had a blast and I walked away with a pocket full of quarters.
I had dinner at the Nine Fine Irishmen, the fish and chips were solid, as was the Bushmills and Guiness. I played BJ and the Luxor for a couple of hours and my losing streak continued. One blackjack in two hours of play...depressing.....lost $160. Carrot Top was a very funny show, with lots of audience interaction; glad I got to see it. He really rips on Cris Angel...too funny. Played some slots after the show..lost $60, more BJ and another $100 lost. Threw in the towel and headed back to the Rio and bed at midnight. Damn my leg really hurts, must be the two blisters on my foot....not going to slow me down.
Finish this report tomorrow...more adventures downtown and the Mob Museum. Thanks for reading.
