Last weekend I was in Las Vegas. Since I was alone and did not have to entertain or plan with anyone else and did not have a car, I decided to take a bus from the Strip to downtown to use some offers and coupons I had.
I was staying in Ceasars Palace and so walked to Paris to take the SDX bus to downtown. I never took that bus before. In fact it has been years since I took a public bus in Vegas. The last experience I had was taking a bus from the old Vacation Village Casino and Hotel (which closed in 2002) to the Sahara and took around hour with all the traffic and bus stops seemly every 20 yards. But the SDX was apparently a much faster express and looked like a train so I decided to give it a try. So early on Saturday afternoon, I took the SDX from Paris (buying the 24 hour pass for $8 from the kiosk). The SDX was not crowded and while it still took about 15 minutes it was a fine ride to downtown. I got off across the street from the Golden Nugget. When I got off the bus pre-recorded announcement told us that to go back to the Strip, we should board in front of Binion’s.
Armed with my somewhat bulky “American Casino Guide” and the LVA Member’s Coupon Book, I decided to head over to Golden Gate where I was issued my promised in the mail $15 meal chit and $10 free play. I played video poker on the free play and turned it into $5.00 cash. I then ate at the counter at Du Par’s restaurant. The shrimp cocktail is still mighty tasty even if it is no longer a bargain at $2.99 and I also ate the chicken pot pie which was darn good.
Fortified with nutrients, I hit the blackjack table armed with my double pay on 21 (up to $25 on the original bet) coupon from LVA. I flat bet and played for about 45 minutes. I went up to winning about $175 then slowly started losing. If I did not have that blasted LVA coupon, I would have walked away but hey, with that coupon I was not stuck with the measly 6:5 blackjack pay off, right? I was at a slight advantage, right? Well in this case, the theoretical advantage I had was apparently too slim to make me a profit. Eventually by the time I was able to use the 21 coupon, I wound up losing $50 dollars. Well, time to move on.
I then went to Binion’s to sign up for a card and play the $10 free slot play coupon from LVA. I promptly turned it into $5.00. Then while I should have walked away, I saw a Lord of the Rings game beckoning me. I found myself powerless to prevent insertion of the $5.00 ticket and play. But I did not get any significant hits so I put in $20 then another, then another. I was also frustrated when playing as I got TWO “three rings” bonuses with minimal wins. Finally, I got another three ring bonus and hit the “orge” character which led to a $210 payout. I was more than solvent and surprised to get that kind of payout . I cashed out and then looked at a Binion’s promotional kiosk where players lined up to get bonuses for playing that day. I was able to run my card successfully twice and got both a $5 as well as a $25 free slot play coupon. The kiosk also said I had to get 47 more points for another bonus spin at the reward kiosk. I went to the Binions slot club to put the free play on my card.
I made minimal play on the $30 total free play but I decided to play just a little bit more to accumulate the 47 more points I needed to get a third bonus from the Binion’s kiosk. Unfortunately, I put in a hundred, followed by another hundred and so lost any profit I had by the time I obtained the necessary 47 more points. Somewhat disgusted with myself I then approached the Binion’s bonus kiosk then when I tried to pull the bonus, the kiosk told me “Earn Just 97 more points for another bonus spin.” WTF, I must have earlier misread the points need and saw the 147 points as 47 points. I got the heck out of there to my next downtown coupon location.
I then walked into “The D.” This was the first time I walked in since it was Fitzgeralds. So I guess being Irish is not lucky if you are a casino. The place looked new and clean (for downtown) with an impressive “long bar” complete with bad video poker schedules. I went over to the D’s slot club and used the new member American Casino Guide sign up for a $25 match play as well a push on 22 coupon (max of $25) which were given to me. I then went to a BJ table and had at it. I actually won on my matchplay and again started winning but was unable to use my 22 coupon. I was up a little over $200 but was a mesmerized player with a coupon that I just “needed” to use. By the time I could use it by getting “busted” on a 22, I had lost my profit and an additional $60. Well, lack of discipline sunk me again and I was really disappointed in myself. Three times, I was ahead on my coupon run, and three times I lost money. I was telling myself that the purpose of coupons is to hit and run so I have a profit and instead I fell into the casino traps.
I went to the bathroom on the second floor of The D (nice classic slots area). As I was heading out and licking my wounds, I saw a Top Dollar slot machine on the main floor standing somewhat by itself. My wife likes playing slots including Top Dollar but I rarely play slots. But I was somewhat drawn to it. It had a choice of denominations from $1 to $5 to $25 to $100 depending on the button you wished to push. It was currently set at $1. My recollection is that if one is lucky enough to get the Top Dollar – Offer Bonus one should collect if you get at least 40 credits. But 40 credits at $1 a credit is not enough to get me out of my hole. So I decided to set it at $5 a credit and put a $100 bill in the machine. To get the bonus one needs two credits so that means $10 a pull. It is a little rich but I was ready to take a chance. I few pulls and I got three mixed bars which gave me 5 credits. A little later I hit another mixed bar set for another 5 credits. I then had 18 credits then hit the Top Dollar bonus in that next spin.
The Top Dollar Bonus machine has a male voice announce loudly something like “Entering the Bonus Round, you have a total of four offers – First Offer!” I then looked at the machine for the typical 15 -50 credits offered which I would reject (up to three times) unless it was at least 40 credits offered. To my shock “bill” after “bill” lit up with accompanying pings then I found (and heard) you have”210 Credits – Times 2!” WHAAAAAT? That is 420 credits! I then had to do the math in my head and confirm with the machine, yes – that is right I won $2,100! Three different images of this Jackpot are posted at the end of the report – assuming I inserted them properly. I will wait for you to check them out. (Pause) (Pause) Are you finished and ready to keep reading ? Well let me continue my tale . . .
I then pressed the “Take Offer” square button on the left side of the machine – no way am I going to chance taking another offer. But nothing happened. Was there some mistake? I then pressed the button again, but this time the machine started a loud alarm bell sound. I knew it meant I had a handpay and needed to see an attendant – no mistake -- I am a WINNER!. A slot attendant showed up in about three minutes – was it that long or was I just jumpy? She took down my SS number and ID then disappeared. The machine kept screeching the alarm. I was getting nervous as somewhat shady characters (in my mind) started circling around and looking at me. Mind you The D is not a place where people routinely play $5 slots. A second slot attendant stopped by to chat and I asked if she could turn off the sound and she said she could not until I got paid. Eventually, a slot supervisor and the original slot attendant showed up and I was somewhat nervous as she publically counted out the 20 Benjamins (and five Jacksons) into my hand. The effort to get tipped was obvious but I tipped her anyway and cashed the $80 dollars in the machine then headed to the ticket payout kiosk near the cashiers cage.
I then had my head on a swivel as I was really nervous walking out of that casino with a newly thick wallet. As I headed out to Fremont Street I was looking behind me and saw that no one was following (that I could tell) other than an apparent drunk who stopped a few steps out of The D. I then thought: do I take a cab for safety? I decided well I have a 24 hour bus pass so why waste it?
I then got on the bus stop next to Binion’s where there was a mass of humanity waiting for the southbound SDX. A couple of minutes later the SDX arrived and I crammed on from the back entrance and actually got an inside seat next to a lady in her Sunday best floral dress with floppy hat – despite it being Saturday afternoon. I was relieved I was able to sit as it gave me more confidence I would not be pick pocketed. I pulled my American Casino Guide out of my cargo pants outer pocket to avoid jabbing her.
Two stop later, two transit security cops get on board (one on each end). All of a sudden, the floral dressed lady and six of her companions are asking a cop if they can get out now since they want to walk to the next stop, and rather than asking for their tickets, he says “yes” and the seven run out of the bus. Then a 20ish guy with a girl says to him “Hey Bro, I just got on – is it cool with you if I stay on board?” and to my surprise the cop says OK. I and others then are asked for our tickets and I took me a while to dig it out of my now swollen wallet. But I kept thinking: what good is a transit cop who does not in fact try to punish fare cheaters? I guess what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas including disregard of the law – even by the lawmen.
Eventually, the transit cops get off near the Stratosphere. At that stop a 30ish lady sits next to me, opens up a large make up box and starts putting on her makeup and combing her hair – I am starting to think I am in a third world country. What’s next, a guy carrying live chickens? But at the Fashion Show Mall stop, another transit cop gets on board and starts asking for tickets. This time a rider says he is just getting off, but the cop insists on seeing his ticket which he does produce.
At this time, I had enough of my exposure to this brand of public transportation and gladly disembarked near the Bellagio and headed home. I also felt that I dodged a bullet. While I still did some more gambling I made sure to come home with a profit.
I was staying in Ceasars Palace and so walked to Paris to take the SDX bus to downtown. I never took that bus before. In fact it has been years since I took a public bus in Vegas. The last experience I had was taking a bus from the old Vacation Village Casino and Hotel (which closed in 2002) to the Sahara and took around hour with all the traffic and bus stops seemly every 20 yards. But the SDX was apparently a much faster express and looked like a train so I decided to give it a try. So early on Saturday afternoon, I took the SDX from Paris (buying the 24 hour pass for $8 from the kiosk). The SDX was not crowded and while it still took about 15 minutes it was a fine ride to downtown. I got off across the street from the Golden Nugget. When I got off the bus pre-recorded announcement told us that to go back to the Strip, we should board in front of Binion’s.
Armed with my somewhat bulky “American Casino Guide” and the LVA Member’s Coupon Book, I decided to head over to Golden Gate where I was issued my promised in the mail $15 meal chit and $10 free play. I played video poker on the free play and turned it into $5.00 cash. I then ate at the counter at Du Par’s restaurant. The shrimp cocktail is still mighty tasty even if it is no longer a bargain at $2.99 and I also ate the chicken pot pie which was darn good.
Fortified with nutrients, I hit the blackjack table armed with my double pay on 21 (up to $25 on the original bet) coupon from LVA. I flat bet and played for about 45 minutes. I went up to winning about $175 then slowly started losing. If I did not have that blasted LVA coupon, I would have walked away but hey, with that coupon I was not stuck with the measly 6:5 blackjack pay off, right? I was at a slight advantage, right? Well in this case, the theoretical advantage I had was apparently too slim to make me a profit. Eventually by the time I was able to use the 21 coupon, I wound up losing $50 dollars. Well, time to move on.
I then went to Binion’s to sign up for a card and play the $10 free slot play coupon from LVA. I promptly turned it into $5.00. Then while I should have walked away, I saw a Lord of the Rings game beckoning me. I found myself powerless to prevent insertion of the $5.00 ticket and play. But I did not get any significant hits so I put in $20 then another, then another. I was also frustrated when playing as I got TWO “three rings” bonuses with minimal wins. Finally, I got another three ring bonus and hit the “orge” character which led to a $210 payout. I was more than solvent and surprised to get that kind of payout . I cashed out and then looked at a Binion’s promotional kiosk where players lined up to get bonuses for playing that day. I was able to run my card successfully twice and got both a $5 as well as a $25 free slot play coupon. The kiosk also said I had to get 47 more points for another bonus spin at the reward kiosk. I went to the Binions slot club to put the free play on my card.
I made minimal play on the $30 total free play but I decided to play just a little bit more to accumulate the 47 more points I needed to get a third bonus from the Binion’s kiosk. Unfortunately, I put in a hundred, followed by another hundred and so lost any profit I had by the time I obtained the necessary 47 more points. Somewhat disgusted with myself I then approached the Binion’s bonus kiosk then when I tried to pull the bonus, the kiosk told me “Earn Just 97 more points for another bonus spin.” WTF, I must have earlier misread the points need and saw the 147 points as 47 points. I got the heck out of there to my next downtown coupon location.
I then walked into “The D.” This was the first time I walked in since it was Fitzgeralds. So I guess being Irish is not lucky if you are a casino. The place looked new and clean (for downtown) with an impressive “long bar” complete with bad video poker schedules. I went over to the D’s slot club and used the new member American Casino Guide sign up for a $25 match play as well a push on 22 coupon (max of $25) which were given to me. I then went to a BJ table and had at it. I actually won on my matchplay and again started winning but was unable to use my 22 coupon. I was up a little over $200 but was a mesmerized player with a coupon that I just “needed” to use. By the time I could use it by getting “busted” on a 22, I had lost my profit and an additional $60. Well, lack of discipline sunk me again and I was really disappointed in myself. Three times, I was ahead on my coupon run, and three times I lost money. I was telling myself that the purpose of coupons is to hit and run so I have a profit and instead I fell into the casino traps.
I went to the bathroom on the second floor of The D (nice classic slots area). As I was heading out and licking my wounds, I saw a Top Dollar slot machine on the main floor standing somewhat by itself. My wife likes playing slots including Top Dollar but I rarely play slots. But I was somewhat drawn to it. It had a choice of denominations from $1 to $5 to $25 to $100 depending on the button you wished to push. It was currently set at $1. My recollection is that if one is lucky enough to get the Top Dollar – Offer Bonus one should collect if you get at least 40 credits. But 40 credits at $1 a credit is not enough to get me out of my hole. So I decided to set it at $5 a credit and put a $100 bill in the machine. To get the bonus one needs two credits so that means $10 a pull. It is a little rich but I was ready to take a chance. I few pulls and I got three mixed bars which gave me 5 credits. A little later I hit another mixed bar set for another 5 credits. I then had 18 credits then hit the Top Dollar bonus in that next spin.
The Top Dollar Bonus machine has a male voice announce loudly something like “Entering the Bonus Round, you have a total of four offers – First Offer!” I then looked at the machine for the typical 15 -50 credits offered which I would reject (up to three times) unless it was at least 40 credits offered. To my shock “bill” after “bill” lit up with accompanying pings then I found (and heard) you have”210 Credits – Times 2!” WHAAAAAT? That is 420 credits! I then had to do the math in my head and confirm with the machine, yes – that is right I won $2,100! Three different images of this Jackpot are posted at the end of the report – assuming I inserted them properly. I will wait for you to check them out. (Pause) (Pause) Are you finished and ready to keep reading ? Well let me continue my tale . . .
I then pressed the “Take Offer” square button on the left side of the machine – no way am I going to chance taking another offer. But nothing happened. Was there some mistake? I then pressed the button again, but this time the machine started a loud alarm bell sound. I knew it meant I had a handpay and needed to see an attendant – no mistake -- I am a WINNER!. A slot attendant showed up in about three minutes – was it that long or was I just jumpy? She took down my SS number and ID then disappeared. The machine kept screeching the alarm. I was getting nervous as somewhat shady characters (in my mind) started circling around and looking at me. Mind you The D is not a place where people routinely play $5 slots. A second slot attendant stopped by to chat and I asked if she could turn off the sound and she said she could not until I got paid. Eventually, a slot supervisor and the original slot attendant showed up and I was somewhat nervous as she publically counted out the 20 Benjamins (and five Jacksons) into my hand. The effort to get tipped was obvious but I tipped her anyway and cashed the $80 dollars in the machine then headed to the ticket payout kiosk near the cashiers cage.
I then had my head on a swivel as I was really nervous walking out of that casino with a newly thick wallet. As I headed out to Fremont Street I was looking behind me and saw that no one was following (that I could tell) other than an apparent drunk who stopped a few steps out of The D. I then thought: do I take a cab for safety? I decided well I have a 24 hour bus pass so why waste it?
I then got on the bus stop next to Binion’s where there was a mass of humanity waiting for the southbound SDX. A couple of minutes later the SDX arrived and I crammed on from the back entrance and actually got an inside seat next to a lady in her Sunday best floral dress with floppy hat – despite it being Saturday afternoon. I was relieved I was able to sit as it gave me more confidence I would not be pick pocketed. I pulled my American Casino Guide out of my cargo pants outer pocket to avoid jabbing her.
Two stop later, two transit security cops get on board (one on each end). All of a sudden, the floral dressed lady and six of her companions are asking a cop if they can get out now since they want to walk to the next stop, and rather than asking for their tickets, he says “yes” and the seven run out of the bus. Then a 20ish guy with a girl says to him “Hey Bro, I just got on – is it cool with you if I stay on board?” and to my surprise the cop says OK. I and others then are asked for our tickets and I took me a while to dig it out of my now swollen wallet. But I kept thinking: what good is a transit cop who does not in fact try to punish fare cheaters? I guess what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas including disregard of the law – even by the lawmen.
Eventually, the transit cops get off near the Stratosphere. At that stop a 30ish lady sits next to me, opens up a large make up box and starts putting on her makeup and combing her hair – I am starting to think I am in a third world country. What’s next, a guy carrying live chickens? But at the Fashion Show Mall stop, another transit cop gets on board and starts asking for tickets. This time a rider says he is just getting off, but the cop insists on seeing his ticket which he does produce.
At this time, I had enough of my exposure to this brand of public transportation and gladly disembarked near the Bellagio and headed home. I also felt that I dodged a bullet. While I still did some more gambling I made sure to come home with a profit.
