In retrospect, I probably should've been better prepared for this trip. But it seemed as though in the blink of an eye, it was here. Arrived on Sunday, June 2nd. Actual flying time was only 3 hrs. 16 mins. Checked in at the Excalibur and then onto Dick's Last Resort for a burger. It was expensive and not that great. Yet how was I to know what culinary disasters awaited?
Headed to NYNY to try the slots and managed to turn $60 into 92 cents. Checked out the MGM sports book and then back to Excal. Seeing 6:5 tables across from 3:2 had that whole issue running through my mind the next few days.
Monday was for heading downtown. Bus ride was long and not having ridden for a year is always that worry if I was on the correct one. Headed to El Cortez, onto 4 Queens, shocked to see any 6:5 tables there. Played the slots at Main St. Station and the California. Starting to notice people were right. 6:5 IS everywhere. You just have to try to avoid it.
Went to the Plaza to wait for LVA member David, aka RecVPPlayer. We spent the next 3 hours at VP and some video blackjack. I'm so grateful to David for all his help, advice and especially patience. Up til then, I had no idea how little I actually knew about VP.
I'm also sure that he was instrumental in my luck changing for the better. Left the LV Club $36 ahead, as well as all the extra points on the slot card. Went back to VP and won $16.25 there.
Leaving downtown, I stopped at the Mirage for the buffet and a chance to use a MRB coupon. That didn't go quite as I intended but the buffet itself was also a disappointment. I could have understood if it was half the price but not for $23.
From there, onto Treasure Island. Yes I know it's a lot of walking in that desert heat so I tried to find a shady area whenever possible. Walked back across to the WYNN and hit some decent jackpot on the slots there. Played the slots again back at T.I. But the best luck was when I caught the express bus back to Excalibur. Got back to the room in time to get a call from my sister. Tried to assure Maureen I hadn't lost my life savings yet! After hanging up, had to hit the slots at Mandalay Bay and then Luxor. Back to my room and called it a night. It was barely 9 PM but I was still on Chicago time so past 11 for me.
Ah Tuesday, the day of infamy.
Was hoping I'd find that free shuttle to the Palms/Gold Coast. But it no longer runs or I just didn't see it. Getting an early start is important to try and not be out at the hottest part of the day. Still it was a long walk from Excal. past Paris, Flamingo, Harrah's. Can't believe I can still do it! Stopped in at Caesars Palace but they had nothing worth playing.
With nothing planned, I figured might as well head back downtown. Left the Plaza $29 ahead after playing blackjack. Onto Main St. Station...blackjack there reminded me of what it must've been like back about 1979. That's the last time I can remember seeing so many ash trays everywhere!
Lunch was my favorite place, 777 Brew Pub in MSS - always a great burger there. I recommend it to anyone.
From there, I used another MRB coupon at the LV Club, then another for $5 in free slot play. Binion's and 4 Queens also had coupons. But that free slot play is anything BUT free. The list of instructions to activate reads more like the Illinois Compiled Statutes. Thankfully, if a person can get it right the first time, all others are virtually the same process.
I see I used a coupon at the Golden Gate, for blackjack, I think. Then another at The D - must stand for disaster. I stayed as it said Pays 2-1 on your 1st Blackjack. But I lost every way possible. Had a 20 almost every hand and the dealer would either have BJ or, draw about 5 cards to 21. When I finally got a blackjack, I cashed out and left. Shocked that I'd only lost $25 because it felt more like $2,500!
Some of the nicest people are downtown at the $5 tables. Ran into a great guy from Calgary. I didn't have to tell him about the evils of 6:5. He told me.
Headed to the El Cortez and on the way, put a few quarters in the cup of one of those homeless people. Maybe...I was rewarded because after a few minutes inside at the slots, Quick Hits paid out a jackpot. Only $90 but better than nothing.
Long bus ride back to the Strip. What a relief all the busses are air conditioned. They were not on my 1st visit back in 1991. That was beyond horrific! Won $35 on the slots at Excal. and headed to the Monte Carlo buffet. I wasn't that hungry but thought I'd try it anyway.
Once again, so expensive and not that great. After dinner, had to visit the World of Coca Cola for some souvenir glasses which you can't buy here.
Got to watch the Blackhawks lose to L.A. in the MGM sports book. Great experience. I'm sure it must be wild out there on any NFL Sunday. Maybe I'll try it sometime. Even won $15 on the slots there.
The notes end there.
That's because I awoke at 1:30 AM in agony. Upset stomach, heartburn...okay it wasn't the worst pain of my life but wasn't a $1,000 jackpot at the slot machine either. Spent the whole last day of the trip in the room, coming out only long enough for housekeeping to make up the room.
Flight back was barely 3 hours flying time though it seemed to take another hour just to get to the gate and finally be out of there.
Maureen had given me $100 to gamble with. Brought her back $136. I took out $300 for food/bus fare/tips/souvenirs/etc. And another $1,200 for gambling. Kept my winnings separate and returned with a little over $1,400.
Headed to NYNY to try the slots and managed to turn $60 into 92 cents. Checked out the MGM sports book and then back to Excal. Seeing 6:5 tables across from 3:2 had that whole issue running through my mind the next few days.
Monday was for heading downtown. Bus ride was long and not having ridden for a year is always that worry if I was on the correct one. Headed to El Cortez, onto 4 Queens, shocked to see any 6:5 tables there. Played the slots at Main St. Station and the California. Starting to notice people were right. 6:5 IS everywhere. You just have to try to avoid it.
Went to the Plaza to wait for LVA member David, aka RecVPPlayer. We spent the next 3 hours at VP and some video blackjack. I'm so grateful to David for all his help, advice and especially patience. Up til then, I had no idea how little I actually knew about VP.
I'm also sure that he was instrumental in my luck changing for the better. Left the LV Club $36 ahead, as well as all the extra points on the slot card. Went back to VP and won $16.25 there.
Leaving downtown, I stopped at the Mirage for the buffet and a chance to use a MRB coupon. That didn't go quite as I intended but the buffet itself was also a disappointment. I could have understood if it was half the price but not for $23.
From there, onto Treasure Island. Yes I know it's a lot of walking in that desert heat so I tried to find a shady area whenever possible. Walked back across to the WYNN and hit some decent jackpot on the slots there. Played the slots again back at T.I. But the best luck was when I caught the express bus back to Excalibur. Got back to the room in time to get a call from my sister. Tried to assure Maureen I hadn't lost my life savings yet! After hanging up, had to hit the slots at Mandalay Bay and then Luxor. Back to my room and called it a night. It was barely 9 PM but I was still on Chicago time so past 11 for me.
Ah Tuesday, the day of infamy.
Was hoping I'd find that free shuttle to the Palms/Gold Coast. But it no longer runs or I just didn't see it. Getting an early start is important to try and not be out at the hottest part of the day. Still it was a long walk from Excal. past Paris, Flamingo, Harrah's. Can't believe I can still do it! Stopped in at Caesars Palace but they had nothing worth playing.
With nothing planned, I figured might as well head back downtown. Left the Plaza $29 ahead after playing blackjack. Onto Main St. Station...blackjack there reminded me of what it must've been like back about 1979. That's the last time I can remember seeing so many ash trays everywhere!
Lunch was my favorite place, 777 Brew Pub in MSS - always a great burger there. I recommend it to anyone.
From there, I used another MRB coupon at the LV Club, then another for $5 in free slot play. Binion's and 4 Queens also had coupons. But that free slot play is anything BUT free. The list of instructions to activate reads more like the Illinois Compiled Statutes. Thankfully, if a person can get it right the first time, all others are virtually the same process.
I see I used a coupon at the Golden Gate, for blackjack, I think. Then another at The D - must stand for disaster. I stayed as it said Pays 2-1 on your 1st Blackjack. But I lost every way possible. Had a 20 almost every hand and the dealer would either have BJ or, draw about 5 cards to 21. When I finally got a blackjack, I cashed out and left. Shocked that I'd only lost $25 because it felt more like $2,500!
Some of the nicest people are downtown at the $5 tables. Ran into a great guy from Calgary. I didn't have to tell him about the evils of 6:5. He told me.
Headed to the El Cortez and on the way, put a few quarters in the cup of one of those homeless people. Maybe...I was rewarded because after a few minutes inside at the slots, Quick Hits paid out a jackpot. Only $90 but better than nothing.
Long bus ride back to the Strip. What a relief all the busses are air conditioned. They were not on my 1st visit back in 1991. That was beyond horrific! Won $35 on the slots at Excal. and headed to the Monte Carlo buffet. I wasn't that hungry but thought I'd try it anyway.
Once again, so expensive and not that great. After dinner, had to visit the World of Coca Cola for some souvenir glasses which you can't buy here.
Got to watch the Blackhawks lose to L.A. in the MGM sports book. Great experience. I'm sure it must be wild out there on any NFL Sunday. Maybe I'll try it sometime. Even won $15 on the slots there.
The notes end there.
That's because I awoke at 1:30 AM in agony. Upset stomach, heartburn...okay it wasn't the worst pain of my life but wasn't a $1,000 jackpot at the slot machine either. Spent the whole last day of the trip in the room, coming out only long enough for housekeeping to make up the room.
Flight back was barely 3 hours flying time though it seemed to take another hour just to get to the gate and finally be out of there.
Maureen had given me $100 to gamble with. Brought her back $136. I took out $300 for food/bus fare/tips/souvenirs/etc. And another $1,200 for gambling. Kept my winnings separate and returned with a little over $1,400.
