Hit ‘em All Nevada – Day 28
I made up for yesterday’s short sleep with a good long ten hours last night with the exception of one wake up when the room next to me was abuzz with a small party of girls, obviously a little toasted, chatting on and on. I couldn’t make out what they were going on about but I will say that the language they were using would embarrass a hard-core gangster. I soon fell back to sleep.
It was packing up time and I got all my things together and took them to the car, but then turned back around to check out prepared to give them a hard time about charging the resort fee for a comped room. However, that became moot when the girl told me there was no charge. I took one more shot at the Spin Poker deuces wild for nickels, I hit the deuces on one line but the rest of the session was up and down and I cashed out breaking even. It was 11:30 AM and I hadn’t eaten yet and the buffet lunch here is only $5.00 for club members. So, I enjoyed their buffet on the cheap (their BBQ beans were spicy-terrific).
Before heading out, I just couldn’t stop myself from putting in a twenty to play the 5-play Mulit-Strike for pennies one last time. That worked out well as I doubled my money and cashed out. I was then headed to the parking garage when it occurred to me that I have never made my $10 bet here. So, I made a U-turn and headed back into the casino—too bad as I lost the blackjack bet.
It was now past 12:30 and I still hadn’t turned in yesterday’s report (I didn’t use the Internet in the hotel—lousy reception and too much dough). I was going to the Starbucks on Las Vegas Boulevard across from the Silverton when I noticed a new library on the corner called the Enterprise Library (this area is known as Enterprise). I took my laptop inside to use their wireless. This is a brand new branch and it shows. I’ll have to remember this place.
I drove to my next two day stop, which is across the I-15 from the Silverton and that’s the South Point Hotel and Casino. There’s a small history here, which at the time I followed closely. When it was originally built a few years ago, it was called the South Coast, which was at that time part of the Coast family of hotels. They merged with the Boyd hotel chain. However, after a couple years, Michael Gaughan, the original founder of the Coast properties and who orchestrated the merger, simply didn’t like the corporate life and having to answer to other people. So, he made a bargain, the South Coast was underachieving and losing money, so he told the Boyd group he’d give up all his shares in the corporation in return for the one hotel. They agreed and Michael changed the name from South Coast to South Point and is once again a sole owner. He immediately changed the policies on the casino floor and the employee package plan, and put in an entire new business model. What has happened since is that the hotel is now thriving.
It’s a beautiful property and the rooms are spacious, clean, and reasonable. It has all of the typical locals’ casino amenities (bowling alley, theaters) but what sets it apart is the huge equestrian center which adjoins to the convention center. There is really only one sour note to my review to this place and that is the original layout of the casino is just one big room, though that’s a minor quibble. When I drove into the parking garage, I had to drive all the way to the fourth level to find an open space and still had to park in a far corner. Inside the place is packed. I was lucky that the line at registration was small and got my room on the 11th floor. Though I’m not facing the Strip, I do have a good view of the pool. My room is a comp here, and I must say that I could very easily decide to make this my “home” casino since the M no longer gives me offers. It has everything I look for in a casino including the 75-cent hot dog stand by the sportsbook.
A bronze statue of the famous Benny Binion as you enter the equestrian area
Not only did this offer come with the free nights, but it also came with a coupon book with two free buffets, drinks, and other discounts. To make things even better is that the quarter video poker is almost all full pay including my favorite 9/6 bonus deluxe. After getting settled into the room, I walked over to the blackjack table for my official trip bet—I won. Though the LOTR machines were very tight and I lost there, I did manage a couple of quads (it’s nice to see them return) at the bonus deluxe machine, which evened me up for the day.
Room at South Point
No Strip view this time around, but a nice view of the pool area
I bought a couple of dogs, got a beer with my coupon and hung out by the sports bar to relax and watch a ballgame. I honestly did not feel like going out in the heat anymore and chose to stay here for the rest of the day, so I thought I might go over and play some 2/4 limit hold ‘em. I bought in for a rack ($100). Two-four limit poker is such a small game that you could play for hours and not win or lose $50 as long as you win an occasional hand. My problem was that I didn’t. After an hour of getting rags and the occasional play being lost to suck-outs, I found myself in the position of having never won even one hand—it was frustrating. However, finally with pocket queens and even with a King and Ace on the board, I went all in and won the hand. I end up only winning three hands in the space of two and a half hours—it was brutal. “Momma said there’d be days like this…”
While playing poker, a gentleman joined our table and after a few minutes asked me if I was JMan. This surprised me. LVA member Monk from Wisconsin, whom I’ve never met, has followed my trip reports the past few years and thought he recognized me from my picture. I was flattered by this coincidence. Monk had been here for a few days and been playing marathon poker sessions, but was leaving early tomorrow. So Monk, when you read this, thanks for the notice and kind words.
I left the game with $23 (amazing with winning only three pots) because it was almost time for SYTYCD. This is without question the very best season ever and another great episode last night with guest judge Lady Gaga (she’s so homely, but a super TALENT—I’m a fan). For those of you who watch this—Melanie all the way!
Trip totals: Casinos visited 180; bets balance +$98
More tomorrow
I made up for yesterday’s short sleep with a good long ten hours last night with the exception of one wake up when the room next to me was abuzz with a small party of girls, obviously a little toasted, chatting on and on. I couldn’t make out what they were going on about but I will say that the language they were using would embarrass a hard-core gangster. I soon fell back to sleep.
It was packing up time and I got all my things together and took them to the car, but then turned back around to check out prepared to give them a hard time about charging the resort fee for a comped room. However, that became moot when the girl told me there was no charge. I took one more shot at the Spin Poker deuces wild for nickels, I hit the deuces on one line but the rest of the session was up and down and I cashed out breaking even. It was 11:30 AM and I hadn’t eaten yet and the buffet lunch here is only $5.00 for club members. So, I enjoyed their buffet on the cheap (their BBQ beans were spicy-terrific).
Before heading out, I just couldn’t stop myself from putting in a twenty to play the 5-play Mulit-Strike for pennies one last time. That worked out well as I doubled my money and cashed out. I was then headed to the parking garage when it occurred to me that I have never made my $10 bet here. So, I made a U-turn and headed back into the casino—too bad as I lost the blackjack bet.
It was now past 12:30 and I still hadn’t turned in yesterday’s report (I didn’t use the Internet in the hotel—lousy reception and too much dough). I was going to the Starbucks on Las Vegas Boulevard across from the Silverton when I noticed a new library on the corner called the Enterprise Library (this area is known as Enterprise). I took my laptop inside to use their wireless. This is a brand new branch and it shows. I’ll have to remember this place.
I drove to my next two day stop, which is across the I-15 from the Silverton and that’s the South Point Hotel and Casino. There’s a small history here, which at the time I followed closely. When it was originally built a few years ago, it was called the South Coast, which was at that time part of the Coast family of hotels. They merged with the Boyd hotel chain. However, after a couple years, Michael Gaughan, the original founder of the Coast properties and who orchestrated the merger, simply didn’t like the corporate life and having to answer to other people. So, he made a bargain, the South Coast was underachieving and losing money, so he told the Boyd group he’d give up all his shares in the corporation in return for the one hotel. They agreed and Michael changed the name from South Coast to South Point and is once again a sole owner. He immediately changed the policies on the casino floor and the employee package plan, and put in an entire new business model. What has happened since is that the hotel is now thriving.
It’s a beautiful property and the rooms are spacious, clean, and reasonable. It has all of the typical locals’ casino amenities (bowling alley, theaters) but what sets it apart is the huge equestrian center which adjoins to the convention center. There is really only one sour note to my review to this place and that is the original layout of the casino is just one big room, though that’s a minor quibble. When I drove into the parking garage, I had to drive all the way to the fourth level to find an open space and still had to park in a far corner. Inside the place is packed. I was lucky that the line at registration was small and got my room on the 11th floor. Though I’m not facing the Strip, I do have a good view of the pool. My room is a comp here, and I must say that I could very easily decide to make this my “home” casino since the M no longer gives me offers. It has everything I look for in a casino including the 75-cent hot dog stand by the sportsbook.
A bronze statue of the famous Benny Binion as you enter the equestrian area
Not only did this offer come with the free nights, but it also came with a coupon book with two free buffets, drinks, and other discounts. To make things even better is that the quarter video poker is almost all full pay including my favorite 9/6 bonus deluxe. After getting settled into the room, I walked over to the blackjack table for my official trip bet—I won. Though the LOTR machines were very tight and I lost there, I did manage a couple of quads (it’s nice to see them return) at the bonus deluxe machine, which evened me up for the day.
Room at South Point
No Strip view this time around, but a nice view of the pool area
I bought a couple of dogs, got a beer with my coupon and hung out by the sports bar to relax and watch a ballgame. I honestly did not feel like going out in the heat anymore and chose to stay here for the rest of the day, so I thought I might go over and play some 2/4 limit hold ‘em. I bought in for a rack ($100). Two-four limit poker is such a small game that you could play for hours and not win or lose $50 as long as you win an occasional hand. My problem was that I didn’t. After an hour of getting rags and the occasional play being lost to suck-outs, I found myself in the position of having never won even one hand—it was frustrating. However, finally with pocket queens and even with a King and Ace on the board, I went all in and won the hand. I end up only winning three hands in the space of two and a half hours—it was brutal. “Momma said there’d be days like this…”
While playing poker, a gentleman joined our table and after a few minutes asked me if I was JMan. This surprised me. LVA member Monk from Wisconsin, whom I’ve never met, has followed my trip reports the past few years and thought he recognized me from my picture. I was flattered by this coincidence. Monk had been here for a few days and been playing marathon poker sessions, but was leaving early tomorrow. So Monk, when you read this, thanks for the notice and kind words.
I left the game with $23 (amazing with winning only three pots) because it was almost time for SYTYCD. This is without question the very best season ever and another great episode last night with guest judge Lady Gaga (she’s so homely, but a super TALENT—I’m a fan). For those of you who watch this—Melanie all the way!
Trip totals: Casinos visited 180; bets balance +$98
More tomorrow
