I have titled this trip report in honor of my gambling exploits, which I will go into later. I stayed downtown the entire trip, at the California and the Four Queens. This trip report is my first of this year, and though it will be mainly about this trip, I will add my thoughts on other events that transpired this year on other trips.
On this trip, I also took my mother, who is confined to a wheelchair, and her caregiver, along with my brother to provide some assistance. Had four nights comped at the California due to a slot tournament, and one additional night due to an offer the caregiver recieved. Three nights at the Four Queens. Had offer for three nights, $100.00 in slot play and the daily food including dinner at Hugo's Cellar.
This trip as well as all others took Southwest from San Jose. Trip was uneventful, tried to give away my remaining Southwest drink tickets that expired in August. I left earlier than everyone else so that I could pick up the rental car, drive downtown drop my bags off, and return to pick up everyone else at the airport. I was able to do this, and have lunch, but had a problem with the car as noted below.
On this trip I used Dollar Rent a Car, had to rent a full size car to fit everyone's luggage and my mom's wheelchair. Noticed when driving that there was a small crack on the pasenger side windshield. This was impossible to see when I picked the car up as the rental car garage is very dark. Went back to rental car location to tell them to note this on the rental. They said I had to return the vehicle. No time for this becuase I had to pick up everyone at the airport about 1:30. Had to drive them downtown, and returned car later in the afternoon. Did manage then to go to Pak and Save and Wholefoods to pick up needed groceries. Bottom line after all this was my original flight arrived at 10:00 in the morning, had everything taken care of, and back downtown by about 5:30 p.m. My advice is next time to look at your car in the sunlight at a short distance away from the car rental area after you rent your car. Ended up with a Red Impala, only other full size cars were Crown Victoria's, these are huge cars suitable for carrying your golf clubs or a dead body, not many takers for these.
Hotel notes, we all had rooms at the California on the same floor in the tower in the center of the casino. I have one comment to make on the pool at the California. On a trip in June I and a friend used the pool at the California. It is a small pool, and on this particular day, and bunch of families had pizza party, and proceeded to treat the pool as if it were there own. Kids diving into the pool right next to us, the pool is very shallow( Which on of the adults thought was funny, Standing on each others shoulders trying to knock each other down, ( since it was a small pool it would have been easy for someone's head to land on the concrete). If I was in charge of the pool area I would have a remote camera to monitor the area, and if people behaved this waytell them to tone it done otr they would be forced to leave. This seems like a lawsuit waiting to happen. Needless to say I do not intend to use the pool again.
Four Queens room was in the inner tower near the hotel check in, so was wll insulated from the noise of the Fremont Street Experience.
During the time my mother was staying (4 nights), I would help her eat, play the slots, as well as taking her and the caregiver to see some sights. The three of us went to see Ka at the MGM. Tried the deli there, not too impressed. The caregiver went to buy somethings at the M&M store. Another night, we went to go see the Mob experience at the Tropicana. Had quite a walk since it is at the end of the hotel. Was nice that it had handicapped access. Quite different than most other attractions, it consisted of displays and interactive segements that involve live actors. At the end, you pick a door, we bacame part of the family or I suppose you are rubbed out. You each get a nickname, I was machine gun. Ended up buying some photos of us in a bank vault. ( this is normal picture that has been edited.
On a previous trip I saw Bobby Darin at the Southpoint, he was O.K., he had a problem with his throat, and I suppose he does not sing as well as he once does as he is no spring chicken. ( Neither am I for that matter).
Construction on roads and freeways. Here in the Bay Area, we would welcome all the construction that they have in Las Vegas. My only issue is why is everything being worked on at once. The I 15 had construction near the airport to as far out as near the M. When I came last October, the area near the California was being woked on. This was completed by about August, About nine months. The exit for the 215 has been worked on for some time, as well as several other near that area. Usually the fastest way to the car rental return from downtown is take the 215 eat and take the first exit. When I was doing this in June during the day both exits were blocked, had to go west and went down teo exits to double back. No telling what is going on with this now.
Food. Due to my getting free food at the Four Queens, tried room service for the first time. Noticed the prices are a little higher than in the Coffee Shop, and someyimes are very busy. Have tried Hugo's Cellar twice, food was O.K., a little pricey but it was free. Best part was the salad. I am not a big salad eater but both times ate the entire plate of a rather large salad. It is tossed tableside, and you get your choice of a large variety of toppings. Ate at the Redwood Grill at the California usually pretty good, used some food coupons and the discount for paying with your points. When I saw the show at Southpoint, I tried Steak'n Shake. The milkshake was good, the hamburger I did not care for. They are always cooked well done which is not to my liking.
As far as the trip goes, by Thursday the 11th I was able to take my brother, my mom and the caregiver back to the airport for their flight back to San Jose. I rested on this day, and would be moving to the Four Queens on Friday the 12th.
Gambling. On my previous trips to the casinos, I had the following results:
January: Las Vegas $1,200.00 win
March: Las Vegas $600.00 loss
June : Las Vegas $1,400.00 win
July: Las Vegas $900.00 loss
July: Reno $700.00 loss
This trip started out losing and I continued to lose day after day, everday was like groundhog day. By Saturday afternoon the 14th, I was $1,420.00 behind. Lost at Mainstreet, Redrock, the Fiesta and Green Valley Ranch. I was even at the Vegas Club, but this was only because I had one some match plays. On top of all of this I left $60.00 in a machine at Main Street and walked away. I would make an even bigger mistake later.
By Saturday night my luck began to change. So far I had lost a little at the Four Queens, maybe about $200.00. After gorging myself at Hugos. playing the progressive doulble bonus machines I started getting four of a kinds like crazy and was about $300.00 ahead for the session, when at about 10:30 that evening was dealt three spades to the royal flush. Could it be? Yes filled in a royal flush progressive $1,132.00 and change. Quit shortly after. Was now even, actually slightly ahead with my free play.
The next day decided to go to the M to use freeplay and use the coupon for the Seafood buffet, the place was packed on a Sunday afternoon as they were having a pool party. Buffet line long passed. Players Club line long passed on free gift. Made a few futures bets and decided to use freeplay. Played Jacks or better got $3.75 on $10.00 free play. Played some more. Lost $20.00 on favorite machine. Moved to next machine. Very lucky, won almost $100.00 only getting one four of a kind. Full houses were many, at one point had about 10 hands in a row were I won something. Left about $80.00 ahead. Starting to feel good about gambling prospects.
Sunday night the 14th. Had to play till 12;00 at night to get needed points on card At the Four Queens. Ate a quick prime rib dinner and settled down to play again at the 25 cent double bonus machines. Good start 4 threes $100.00. No wait, forgot to change game (defualt game is not double bonus), only $32.50.
Never mind, good luck comtinues, four of a kinds like crazy, 4 aces, about $330.00 ahead. At about 10:45 at night delt three clubs to the royal. Could it be? Yes, draw the two needed clubs. Progressive royal again, this time it is only abourt $1,032.00 since I hit it the night before, but I will take it. Go a little wild after this, play 50 cent JOB and some dollar video poker, lose about $200.00 and quit right about midnight.
Last day not much gambling, win about another $70.00, and cash in earned cash at the Four Queens. FInal count ahead $1,300.00. What a ride!
Final comments, turned out to be a good trip, would have been happy to break even. The two royals on the 25 cent progressive bank at the Four Queens were my first ones there. Had played quite a bit on these before without much luck. Was glad to get home. Next trip at the end of October. Thanks for reading.
