Another fun trip to Vegas, our semi-annual seven nights, and another far-too-longwinded trip report. Linda (wife) and I went with our friends, Glen and Jennifer, also met Linda B (friend) and Lolly (other friend) out there, caught up with Ray and Rhonda, old friends who had recently moved away from Florida, to Honolulu (lucky!). Hotels were the same as back in August, three nights at MSS, then two at Four Queens and two at Palace Station; this mix works well for us. Lots of gambling, got the shit kicked out of us the first two days and came back only a little the next five; total action was $59,700 with a total loss of $1095 (1.8%; not terrible considering no royals). Coupon yield was $320, though, that was nice.
WEDNESDAY
We stayed overnight at the La Quinta near the airport in Tampa, took an early Southwest flight with Glen and Jennifer, took the WAX downtown and met Linda B at American Coney for a quick chili dog (good dogs, good chili; the employees only smile when you tell them that you know that the chili is made from beef heart and has that ventricular goodness). Checked in to MSS, settled in; our shower was nicely upgraded with better plumbing and shower doors. Did lousy all afternoon, had dinner at Aloha Specialties (poke; pork and tofu), lost more, early bedtime.
THURSDAY
Another slow start. I did run over to the Union Plaza, used a coupon for a free slot tourney entry, came in third and turned my $100 FP prize into $130 (the 9/6 JoB bartops at the Omaha Bar take FP). We were going to eat at Dupar's, but it had just unexpectedly closed a few days before, so we ate at Market ST at the Cal, I had some really good bean and Portuguese sausage soup and okay Island short ribs. Did a coupon run today and over the next few days, it didn't go well (aside from that slot tourney), I lost a record 5 out of 5 $25 MPs, pissed me off. Got beaten up some more at MSS, markers were flying. Ate at the buffet (passable, not as good as it used to be), played some more. The bright spot was Linda (wife) throwing a few bucks into a Coyote Moon machine and hitting a bonus for $566, that saved her ass for the trip.
FRIDAY
Had a better start, made $142 over the morning coffee. Up and down this morning, then Glen and I wandered over to Fremont East while Linda, Linda B and Jennifer got together with Beth, one of our Vegas friends. I had $10 FP at the El Cortez, got a dealt SF and cashed out $80, then we went to Bocho, the sushi bar in the ratty old John E Carson Hotel at 6th and Carson.
We had heard good things, and it didn't disappoint; kind of expensive, but really top-notch sushi, prepared well, very knowledgeable and proud sushi chefs. I had some excellent bluefin o-toro, hamachi belly, uni, and chirashizushi. Very happy with this place, we'll be back.
Did better this afternoon, also did a quick run over to Downtown Grand with Linda B, played some coupons and gave them about $300 in play on the JoB machines, we'll see if I get any mailers. Back to MSS, got a lot of quads, but they were all on the NSUD machine (always pisses me off), Dinner at Market ST again (tasty cheapo prime rib).
SATURDAY
Moving Day for everybody. Glen and Jen moved to Wynn (for two days, then Monte Carlo for their last two), Linda B to Golden Gate for one night (then Cosmo for three), Linda the Wife and I moved to Four Queens. We got a nice remodeled room, very good work, nice bathroom with an innovative sink (the kind movie stars have) and a shower with side jets (my left side has never been so clean).
Had a good start with a few quads, then we met Linda B at the coffee shop at The D. Pretty disappointing, I had a lackluster hamburger with those dreadful chemically treated fries. Played some more at Four Queens, up and down. Dinner was at the California Noodle House, which was very good. I had some sort of deconstructed sushi thing that was tasty but not that well thought-out, also some very good Cantonese chow mein.
Had a monster session after dinner back at the Four Queens, with three quads within about 5 minutes (including the first of two quad queens, so we came home with two coffee mugs), cashed out $500. Yay! We were playing on Linda's card today and she got the annual Four Queens Chinese New Year prize, a statue of a cock (not what you're thinking).
SUNDAY
Played on my card today, I turned my $200 FP into $210 on the dollar 10/7 DB machines (always exciting). Got a good start on the JoB machines, also quad 4s on the quarter 10/7 DB progressives. Watched a guy get cuffed and backroomed, too. Our friend Lolly from California arrived today, staying at Four Queens on a Binions offer, we enjoyed catching up with her. Today was Sterling Brunch Day for Linda B, Lolly, Linda and myself; took Uber up to Cosmo to drop off Linda B's bags, then backtracked to Bally's. Great meal as always, a bit smaller than before but quality was top-notch; high points included the lobster in Cognac jus, king crab legs, rack of lamb, caviar, Perrier Jouet champagne.
Back to Four Queens, good afternoon of play; I filled an inside SF in diamonds on the DB progressives for $62.60, moved over to the dollar JoB machines and within 5 hands filled in another inside SF in diamonds for $250. That doesn't happen every day.
I did okay all evening; Linda was playing the Illinois deuces progressives at the bar and watching a hockey game, talked to some local guy who had a system for spotting patterns in video keno. We got a quick snack at Wana Taco, the new taco stand at Four Queens, at the east entrance; I had some very mediocre tacos, Linda had a decent bratwurst and some forgettable nachos. They tried to sell us a bottle of water for $5 and I just laughed. Back to the machines, I won my cock statue (still not what you're thinking).
MONDAY
Moving Day again, to Palace Station. I had a quick breakfast (biscuits and gravy) at Magnolia's, with Lolly and her friend Albert, who was in town from Canada, really nice time and I learned a lot (thanks!). Moved over to PS, got a nice room with a Strip view. I had lunch at their surprisingly good but poorly-named Cantonese restaurant, Food Express, had jellyfish and chow fun, both excellent (Linda ate at the coffee shop, had some good chicken parmigiana).
Good day for the most part, up and down, I mostly played dollar JoB and the quarter BP triple play progressives (couldn't do shit on them, though). Dinner was at Little Tony's, we had some good fried calamari and a couple of pizzas (St. Anthony's for me and pepperoni and mushroom for Linda).
TUESDAY
Not a bad start, got quad deuces on the BP progressive at the bar with my coffee. Up and down on VP all day; also had a couple of pai gow sessions, lost on the first one (but the break-in dealer did make a couple of mistakes in my favor) and won on the second. Always an interesting and somewhat exotic game, I like it; the house edge is a bit much but it moves slowly and there are a lot of pushes. Early lunch at the Oyster Bar, the place is always packed and it's been on our short list of places to try. Really good experience overall, outstanding Louisiana oysters, very good combo pan roast (shrimp, lobster, crabmeat), only fair New England clam chowder.
Up and down for the rest of the day, then the second splurge of the week, Craftsteak at MGM, with Glen and Jennifer, Ray and Rhonda, and Ray's daughter. I've become a real Tom Collicchio fan. I started with some outstanding roasted foie gras, Linda started with a Caesar salad. We both had the domestic Wagyu skirt, which was as good as I remembered it from last time. Sides included heirloom cauliflower with garlic confit, hen of the woods mushrooms, fries. Glen got the 24-hour braised short rib, which was the best piece of braised beef I've ever had. Hard to not get a steak when you're there only every few years, but if I lived in Vegas I'd be getting that short rib a lot.
Back to PS, played some more and then bedtime.
WEDNESDAY
Mediocre morning, lost a couple of sessions but ended on a $100 win. Had a quick lunch at Food Express, got some pot stickers and 1/2 fried chicken. Uber back to the airport and an uneventful flight home.
As the marketing people say, it was a non-winning trip, but lots of fun, lots of good times with friends, good food and a few fistfuls of Franklins. Next trip in the summer; thanks for reading!
WEDNESDAY
We stayed overnight at the La Quinta near the airport in Tampa, took an early Southwest flight with Glen and Jennifer, took the WAX downtown and met Linda B at American Coney for a quick chili dog (good dogs, good chili; the employees only smile when you tell them that you know that the chili is made from beef heart and has that ventricular goodness). Checked in to MSS, settled in; our shower was nicely upgraded with better plumbing and shower doors. Did lousy all afternoon, had dinner at Aloha Specialties (poke; pork and tofu), lost more, early bedtime.
THURSDAY
Another slow start. I did run over to the Union Plaza, used a coupon for a free slot tourney entry, came in third and turned my $100 FP prize into $130 (the 9/6 JoB bartops at the Omaha Bar take FP). We were going to eat at Dupar's, but it had just unexpectedly closed a few days before, so we ate at Market ST at the Cal, I had some really good bean and Portuguese sausage soup and okay Island short ribs. Did a coupon run today and over the next few days, it didn't go well (aside from that slot tourney), I lost a record 5 out of 5 $25 MPs, pissed me off. Got beaten up some more at MSS, markers were flying. Ate at the buffet (passable, not as good as it used to be), played some more. The bright spot was Linda (wife) throwing a few bucks into a Coyote Moon machine and hitting a bonus for $566, that saved her ass for the trip.
FRIDAY
Had a better start, made $142 over the morning coffee. Up and down this morning, then Glen and I wandered over to Fremont East while Linda, Linda B and Jennifer got together with Beth, one of our Vegas friends. I had $10 FP at the El Cortez, got a dealt SF and cashed out $80, then we went to Bocho, the sushi bar in the ratty old John E Carson Hotel at 6th and Carson.
We had heard good things, and it didn't disappoint; kind of expensive, but really top-notch sushi, prepared well, very knowledgeable and proud sushi chefs. I had some excellent bluefin o-toro, hamachi belly, uni, and chirashizushi. Very happy with this place, we'll be back.
Did better this afternoon, also did a quick run over to Downtown Grand with Linda B, played some coupons and gave them about $300 in play on the JoB machines, we'll see if I get any mailers. Back to MSS, got a lot of quads, but they were all on the NSUD machine (always pisses me off), Dinner at Market ST again (tasty cheapo prime rib).
SATURDAY
Moving Day for everybody. Glen and Jen moved to Wynn (for two days, then Monte Carlo for their last two), Linda B to Golden Gate for one night (then Cosmo for three), Linda the Wife and I moved to Four Queens. We got a nice remodeled room, very good work, nice bathroom with an innovative sink (the kind movie stars have) and a shower with side jets (my left side has never been so clean).
Had a good start with a few quads, then we met Linda B at the coffee shop at The D. Pretty disappointing, I had a lackluster hamburger with those dreadful chemically treated fries. Played some more at Four Queens, up and down. Dinner was at the California Noodle House, which was very good. I had some sort of deconstructed sushi thing that was tasty but not that well thought-out, also some very good Cantonese chow mein.
Had a monster session after dinner back at the Four Queens, with three quads within about 5 minutes (including the first of two quad queens, so we came home with two coffee mugs), cashed out $500. Yay! We were playing on Linda's card today and she got the annual Four Queens Chinese New Year prize, a statue of a cock (not what you're thinking).
SUNDAY
Played on my card today, I turned my $200 FP into $210 on the dollar 10/7 DB machines (always exciting). Got a good start on the JoB machines, also quad 4s on the quarter 10/7 DB progressives. Watched a guy get cuffed and backroomed, too. Our friend Lolly from California arrived today, staying at Four Queens on a Binions offer, we enjoyed catching up with her. Today was Sterling Brunch Day for Linda B, Lolly, Linda and myself; took Uber up to Cosmo to drop off Linda B's bags, then backtracked to Bally's. Great meal as always, a bit smaller than before but quality was top-notch; high points included the lobster in Cognac jus, king crab legs, rack of lamb, caviar, Perrier Jouet champagne.
Back to Four Queens, good afternoon of play; I filled an inside SF in diamonds on the DB progressives for $62.60, moved over to the dollar JoB machines and within 5 hands filled in another inside SF in diamonds for $250. That doesn't happen every day.
I did okay all evening; Linda was playing the Illinois deuces progressives at the bar and watching a hockey game, talked to some local guy who had a system for spotting patterns in video keno. We got a quick snack at Wana Taco, the new taco stand at Four Queens, at the east entrance; I had some very mediocre tacos, Linda had a decent bratwurst and some forgettable nachos. They tried to sell us a bottle of water for $5 and I just laughed. Back to the machines, I won my cock statue (still not what you're thinking).
MONDAY
Moving Day again, to Palace Station. I had a quick breakfast (biscuits and gravy) at Magnolia's, with Lolly and her friend Albert, who was in town from Canada, really nice time and I learned a lot (thanks!). Moved over to PS, got a nice room with a Strip view. I had lunch at their surprisingly good but poorly-named Cantonese restaurant, Food Express, had jellyfish and chow fun, both excellent (Linda ate at the coffee shop, had some good chicken parmigiana).
Good day for the most part, up and down, I mostly played dollar JoB and the quarter BP triple play progressives (couldn't do shit on them, though). Dinner was at Little Tony's, we had some good fried calamari and a couple of pizzas (St. Anthony's for me and pepperoni and mushroom for Linda).
TUESDAY
Not a bad start, got quad deuces on the BP progressive at the bar with my coffee. Up and down on VP all day; also had a couple of pai gow sessions, lost on the first one (but the break-in dealer did make a couple of mistakes in my favor) and won on the second. Always an interesting and somewhat exotic game, I like it; the house edge is a bit much but it moves slowly and there are a lot of pushes. Early lunch at the Oyster Bar, the place is always packed and it's been on our short list of places to try. Really good experience overall, outstanding Louisiana oysters, very good combo pan roast (shrimp, lobster, crabmeat), only fair New England clam chowder.
Up and down for the rest of the day, then the second splurge of the week, Craftsteak at MGM, with Glen and Jennifer, Ray and Rhonda, and Ray's daughter. I've become a real Tom Collicchio fan. I started with some outstanding roasted foie gras, Linda started with a Caesar salad. We both had the domestic Wagyu skirt, which was as good as I remembered it from last time. Sides included heirloom cauliflower with garlic confit, hen of the woods mushrooms, fries. Glen got the 24-hour braised short rib, which was the best piece of braised beef I've ever had. Hard to not get a steak when you're there only every few years, but if I lived in Vegas I'd be getting that short rib a lot.
Back to PS, played some more and then bedtime.
WEDNESDAY
Mediocre morning, lost a couple of sessions but ended on a $100 win. Had a quick lunch at Food Express, got some pot stickers and 1/2 fried chicken. Uber back to the airport and an uneventful flight home.
As the marketing people say, it was a non-winning trip, but lots of fun, lots of good times with friends, good food and a few fistfuls of Franklins. Next trip in the summer; thanks for reading!
