This was my fourth trip to Las Vegas, but this is my first ever trip report.
Day One: Landed at McCarran just after noon on Saturday (1-21-12). The last half hour was the worst experience I have ever had flying. The turbulence was very rough. The pilot announced that we were experiencing 50 knot gust no matter if he climbed or descended. When we finally touched down on one wheel then over to the other and then just to make things interesting it felt like we rolled up sideways on to the single front wheel. I kept feeling like we were going to be one of those Hydroplane Boats that you see turning sideways then barrel rolling. Flying Delta (Don't Expect Luggage To Arrive) so we only had our carry-ons; since we refuse to pay for bags to be checked (kind of like the say no to resort fees campaign). Caught the tram to the main Airport and promptly took the first bus to the Rental Center. My buddy, who rented the car under his name using the ACG Coupon codes that I found for Alamo, brought his own set of Alamo Coupons and was able to use the "Double Upgrade", but only as a single upgrade. We booked an intermediate car for 6 days (he stayed for three extra nights with his wife who flew in as I was leaving) for $120. We ended up with a Chevy Impala for that same price.
I called ahead to Bill's Gamblin Hall & Saloon to see if we could do an early check-in. I used the toll free number on their website, but after a few rings my phone would go blank. I finally tried their local number and was transferred to the registration desk where Delda (I learned her name later when I actually checked-in) yelled at me for hanging up on her the first two times. I guess she was putting me on hold, but never said a word or made a sound before doing so. I guess I'm used to the Midwest where we politely greet callers before sticking them on hold. Oh well, I apologized to her for hanging up on her and she graciously accepted my apology (how do you type sarcasm again???) and said that an early check-in would be fine.
When we arrived at the easiest parking garage on the strip. We headed down to the Casino and went to the front desk. As it turns out, Bill's front desk is in the back; just around the corner from the elevators that we originally got off. We lugged our luggage to and fro through the casino and finally met Delda face to face. She was actually a nice middle-aged lady who checked us in without delay. The only peculiar thing about our check in was the soliciting of a upgrade. In the past, I have offered the $20 sandwich to upgrade to a nicer room. At Bill's I opted not to because it was my understanding that all of the rooms were the same, so why bother? Delda asked if we wanted the deluxe room? When I asked what made it deluxe, she replied the view of the strip / Bellagio Fountains. She said the cost was an extra $20 a night, but that she could hook us up if we took care of her. This was the first time I've ever heard of a Counter person request a bribe??? I asked her if Mr. Jackson would cover it and she without hesitation snatched it from my hand. We ended up in room 214, which was almost directly overlooking the pedestrian walkway from Bally's. It made it nice for people watching later.
By this time we needed to return to the airport to pick up more of our friends who were arriving on a later flight. After getting them without incident we headed for our first stop, the self proclaimed "Happiest Place on Earth". The Double Down Saloon is next door to Milano's Pizza. We ordered a couple pies and went next door to enjoy some 'Ass Juice'. I should preface this by saying that I don't drink Alcohol, but everyone else in my party likey. We walked into the darkest establishment I've ever been in. I first thought it was closed. My friends ordered a round of Ass Juice as I looked on from the sidelines. A rather large group poured in off a tour bus about that time. One of them ordered an Ass Juice and Twinky. It was a shot of their signature drink served in a miniature toilet with a hostess twinky on the side for dipping. Very creative marketing I must applaud. After another round of Ass Juice (it's just fun to say Ass Juice) and a beer to wash it down we needed to pick-up our pizzas and head for Bally's where this group was staying. They checked in and got upgraded from the South Tower to the North Tower. We enjoyed our Pizza that somebody on some website ranked the Third best Pizza in LV. I'd say that was about right. Very good value, I think it was $6.95 per large pie.
Before getting cleaned-up and heading out for the night, I placed a bet at Bally's Sports Book on My Buckeyes -10.5 at Nebraska (they covered). We played at Bally's for a short while, all $10 Black Jack for me (+$45). All of my gambling wins/losses reports will be approximates I rarely remember exact change. By this time our extended party had grown to nine members. We watched the first half of the Basketball game at Bally's. We had tickets for Carrot Top at the Luxor. Due to the earlier mentioned winds, Half of the group wanted to take a cab and the other half wanted to walk. I somehow ended up with the cab group even though I would have liked to walk, but we got separated; as most large parties in Vegas do. We had Five adult Guys in the taxi line. Everything was falling into place as a Mini Van taxi was next in line to pick up. For some reason unbeknownst to me (I tend to lag in the back of groups and miss out on the conversations up front), They took the group of four that was behind us in line and gave them the mini van??? I then heard some explanation about handicap seating or something. Those four were definitely not handicapped and probably near half my age. Next up was a car they squeezed all of us into the car. I was one of the lucky ones up front. We arrived at the Luxor with time to walk around. I should have mentioned that my first Buddy that I flew in with was a LV Virgin. He was not comfortable sitting at the tables playing yet so we sat at the bar and played video poker (worst place to play VP, I know, but that's where he was at ease so I complied). He ordered his drink as we each slipped a twenty into the machine. We played a few hands. I was up and down. I was eventually down to $13.75 when I got a hand with a single Jack. I held the Jack and drew three of his brothers. Quad Jacks brought my credit up to $45 so again I cashed out. My Buddy ordered another drink so I left him to go check-out the table games. I found another $10 BJ table that didn't pay 6:5 so I sat down for a couple hands. I don't remember exactly what I won, but I think I was up another thirty when it was time to get my friend and head for Carrot Top up stairs.
The opener was some local Radio DJ with limited XM satellite radio experience. He was OK, but I don't expect to see his name headlining anywhere soon, even if I could remember his name. Carrot Top came out and was very entertaining. Even though I prefer stand-ups versus prop comics, he was very good. The theater was of the medium size (I'd estimate 400 seats). That made for a very intimate feel. Not much else to say about that. After the show some of us were getting rather hungry; those 2 slices of pizza can only sustain so long.
My Buddy and one other guy decided to walk back and grab a graveyard special somewhere. We knew that Bill's had a great Steak and Eggs for $6.99, but wanted to try something else since we were so far south already. We went into the Tropicana, but couldn't find anything good. We went across to MGM and got turned around in there. I made those two walk the whole floor before realizing that the exit towards NYNY was right around the corner from the entrance from Tropicana. We went through NYNY without stopping except to glance at the Party Pit Dancers, but that happened everywhere. We walked up the strip and eventually settled back on the special at Bill's. It was tasty and enough, but I didn't leave there overly stuffed. After dinner I played some more BJ at Bill's only 3:2 table $15/hand. I gave back the night's earlier winnings and finished down about $30 for the night before heading to bed.
Day Two: Got up and placed some sports bets at Bill's (2 NCAA Basketball and 2 Football Conference Championships) before joining four others for Breakfast next door at The Flamingo. I was armed with my 25% Off Coupon. I tried to sweet talk the nice lady into extending it to our fifth member with no success. So the five of us paid for four. The Breakfast Buffet was excellent. We sat down low next to the Omelet Station. On my second plate I loaded up with what turned out to be the best peel and eat shrimp I've ever had from a buffet and a delicious slice of Bavarian cream pie.
After Breakfast, We regrouped our larger party and headed across the Strip to Caesar's and watched the start of NE vs. BAL (I took Baltimore on the Money Line, ). We then meandered through the shops behind Caesar's and wound up at a sport memorabilia place where Pete Rose was signing autographs (for a fee). I walked in and saw Charlie Hustle roped off with a handler. He looked disgusted and uninterested... until one of our group who was a lifelong Reds fan and grew up idolizing the Big Red Machine in the 70's paid for an autographed picture and got his picture with Pete. It's amazing how fast some people can turn on a smile. Now, we moved onto the Mirage for some more BJ. Found a lovely $10 table that offered surrender . This was right up my alley. I doubled up my $80 buy-in. and then went outside in their patio area to watch Baltimore take the lead 20-17. When the Red's Fan came out, he mentioned going back to Bill's for there afternoon Poker Tournament. I joined him, but alas when we arrived the tournament had already started and there was no room for two more. I sat in Bill's Sports book and watched Joe Flacco and Billy Cundiff give away my money. After the game, I played some Pai Gow Poker there at Bill's. I think I left down $40. I went across the pit to the lonely 3:2 BJ table where I got back my $40 and then some.
I went up to my room and prepared for the evening's schedule. We were going downtown, The Coupon Mecca! Four of us took our Rental Car to join the other five who cabbed it earlier from Treasure Island. We parked at Main Street Stations surface lot and before we met up with the other five we had dinner at Dupar's Diner in the Golden Gate. I ordered the half Sandwich and Soup and a Large Shrimp Cocktail. The soup was good (Lima Bean) The Shrimp Cocktail was Tasty (That's twice today I've had shrimp, I know). My sandwich was meh. It was corned beef on wheat. The meat was cold and the worst part was the slathering of mustard on both slices of toast, yuck. I tried to wipe it off, but I was so full from the soup and shrimp that I didn't feel the need to fuss with a sandwich that was less than desirable.
After Dinner we commenced play at the greatest party pit in Vegas, The Golden Gate. All of the nicety of other Party Pits plus good BJ rules to boot. I had my LV Virgin Buddy sign up for a club 1906 card and use my MRB coupon to receive the $25 Match Play. He didn't want to play at the tables again so he handed back the MP chip to me. I started out slow, building my bankroll up $30 then I decided to use the MP. I plunked it down with 5 red nickels on top of it. $50 wager that's not the most I've ever wagered, but more than I would feel comfortable with without the help of the MP. I was dealt a 3 (great ) then an 8 (great ), but then the dealer turns up a bullet. "Insurance??", silence, "insurance closed". She checks...No Dealer Black Jack. I then pull 10 more reds over along side my original bet and signal with a single index finger. Dealer gives me a true Double Down with my extra card face down. She then proceeds to turn over her own 4 for a soft 15 she takes a card and gets a 5 for a total of 20. I'm sweat'n my face down card. She turns it over and, even now four days later; I couldn't tell you what it was, but I do know it wasn't an 9 or 10. $75 gone with the flip of one card, ouch. What happened next was worse. Now I didn't throw down $150 to try and win it all back in one hand, but I did sit there and bust 12s and watch the dealer pull 20s at $10 to $20 a hand until I eventually was down $300 total for the day. That was my total daily gaming budget / allowance, but it was only 9 O'Clock and I had a lot more coupons to use downtown.
I left the GG, dug into my wallet and pulled out my non-gaming spending cash. I stopped at 4 Queens. I picked up the sheet of coupons that pjstroh mentioned in post on these forums. I used the Free Ace and $10 MP coupons. I lost the Matchplay on the first hand. The free ace netted me an unnatural natural black jack. I finished the shoe, as I hate to coupon and run; then played through the $10 free slots play on a JoB VP machine and cashed out about $16. All said 4 Queens got me about $40 of my $300 GG losses back.
I moved on down the street to Fitzgeralds. I won't repeat the story here, but If you've enjoyed reading my trip report thus far (and if you haven't enjoyed it then why in the hell are you still reading it? go do something else.) I would definitely suggest going to the 'Minor MRB glitch' thread and read my latest posting there. (sorry I'm not sure how to insert all of those links like the fancy people do.)
I then took the walk to the El Cortez and played the $10 free slot play on their limited machine choices. I cashed out $6 and change. and headed back west on Fremont to rejoin my friends who should have had enough of the GG party pit dancers by now.
I met up with a couple of them in the Fremont and played a couple spins on a video roulette game where I broke even. These two wanted to see the pool at the Golden Nugget so I lead them that way. Another friend joined us and we played some BJ at the Nugget at a $15 table. I left $45 lighter. The rest of our gang was back toward El Cortez at a small bar called The Griffin (One of our people's last name is Griffin sooo...... ). Us four met up with them there and headed back over to the El Cortez for some single deck $5 BJ (every low roller’s dream).
I sat down next to one of my cohorts who was occupying first base at a table with two Asian gentlemen at third base and just before third base. we were grinding away $5 wins until my friend had more than double up his $60 buy-in. I was grinding a little slower and was up $35. He left and an African American lady sat down between me and the first Asian man. She pulled out a Styrofoam container full of chicken wings and proceeded to share them with the Asian gentleman to her left while playing BJ!#? This is not the type of BJ where you're not allowed to handle the cards. This was single deck. Here these two were licking their fingers handling the cards and chips like this was their every night routine (it probably was). Had I not been winning consistently I would have gotten up and left much sooner, but Alex was a good dealer (Eastern European based on his accent) and he kept giving me naturals about every 6 hands so I played about a half hour and left up about $90.
My LV Virgin Buddy wanted to play some more VP at the Las Vegas Club and I had some coupons for there so the two of us headed back west. I used 2 ACG coupons $10 FSP and $10 MP. The FSP was again on a limited selection of specially tagged machines and it netted me $6 and change. I placed the $10 down on Black along with the MP and took a spin for a $20 win. This was it for Downtown. The GG kicked me in the seat of my pants, harrrd... Thanks to the LVA MRB and ACG coupons I was able to recoup about half of that back.
I showed my B Connected Card at the cage at Main Street Station and got our parking ticket validated. They gave me back my prepaid $3 parking fee. We then drove back to Bill's where I played some more at that single 3:2 BJ table. I did well, about $100 winning. Time for bed today's total Down $50. By the way none of my sports bets paid. In addition to Baltimore losing, I had SF giving 2, Penn State getting 13.5 from Indiana, and Illinois over Minnesota on the money line.
Day Three: Another big coupon day. Time for Breakfast. Seven of us headed to the Palms for the buffet. Using the "All Purpose Comp" Coupon, we all enjoyed our breakfast for $30.22 (plus tip $15). I then used my ACG $10 MP coupon and walked up to an empty Baccarat table that the board said had been Player Win the last four hands. I placed my money and MP on Banker and walked away with a $20 win. To my surprise it was a no-commission Baccarat table.
Across the street to Gold Coast for some more coupons. I checked in at the B Connected station before going into the high limit slots room to play a single hand of max credit $2 VP. I lost. I went back to the counter collected my $10 FSP, and went back to the same machine. Same results. I then joined two friends at a $10 double deck BJ pitch table. I bought in for $80. I placed a single red nickel with my MP out and won. Since it was just the three of us I stayed and played here. This was my best BJ session of the trip. Never betting more than $15 a hand I cashed out $275 in about 90 minutes; that's a $195 win. The dealer actually tried to give me an extra $25 with three black chips, but fearing the BJ Gods' Karma, I wouldn't have it. One of my friends and I decided to play some craps here. I took $60 of my winnings and got some red chips. only placing a nickel on the pass line until it was my friends turn to roll then I put some odds behind it. We lost. Then it was my turn to shoot. Setting the "flying 'V'" I rolled a an eight (nice). I put full odds behind my pass line bet. Just then some twenty something yahoo comes literally running right up next to me at this relatively empty table and throws down a $20 MP Coupon and wants to play $10 with it. The crew argues with him that he has to play a full $20 to use it he eventually complies. my next toss... Big Red "Seven-Out", "Thanks Buddy "
The three of us boarded the free shuttle and moved on to The Orleans (probably one of my favorite places to play). We found the rest of our six friends at another $5 Double Deck BJ Pitch table. I played there with a surly dealer named Servtap or Survtap, I can't remember. I first used my ACG $10 MP and won. I was up and down, mostly down with Servtap when she gives me 9 9 and turns up her own 9. I do what everyone who knows basic strategy does, I split my nines. She then tells me that is the wrong play. I respectfully thank her for her concern, but then reassure her that it is the correct play. Assuming that there is a ten card under her nine, then there is no way my 18 will win. Needless to say I split, get a 7 on my first nine, she rolls her eyes, I hit it and bust. I get a ten on my second nine for a nineteen. She turns over a 3, draws an 8 for a twenty and then has the audacity to get in my grill and say "See that's why you don't split nines against a nine." now I roll my eyes and says " Oh really?? you just knew that you were going to draw to a twenty?" Oh well, a couple of hands later her reliever, Cary, stepped in and we all started having a good time again. Not necessarily winning, but having a good time. After a few hands with Cary, I excuse myself to go exchange my LVA MRB $10 MP at the B Connected counter. I returned with it to win my $20. I played some more and cashed out down $20. I then played some JoB VP in order to activate the LVA MRB $10 FSP. I think that cost me $5. I then walk to a Pai Gow Poker Table with two other existing players and have a seat at number 2. I play about 20 minutes until they decide to change out the cards. I ask to be colored up before they do that and walk over to a completely empty craps table. I give them my $75 that I had left from Pai Gow and they give me fifteen red chips. I begin rolling with a craps. Once I got that out of the way I start rolling numbers, inside numbers, sixes and eights with the occasional 5 or 9. I was hitting them enough to be up $100 within about 15 minutes. I take those new chips back over to the same Pai Gow table. I continue to play there at $10 a hand for about an hour and a half. I only played the bonus bet once in that 90 minutes winning on a 3 of a kind. I was ready to get up and leave so I played the bonus bet on what was going to be my final hand. I picked up my hand and the top three cards were all aces. The fourth card was the joker. 4 of a kind paid 25:1 a nice $125 pay out. Oh, and I won the hand too.
I caught the shuttle back over to Bill's and went and rested in my room until the gang wanted to do dinner. We all met at Bally's and walked over to Ellis Island for the Steak Special. While I was there I played $20 to get my two $10 FSP. I needed to go back the next day to recoup the LVA MRB one, but I didn't make it. After the delicious dinner that I could not finish, I counted my bankroll and I was up about $300 for the day ($250 for the trip).
Now here's where everything goes south... Being in the Black and being the last night in Sin City is a bad combination. It gives you a false sense of invulnerability, it relaxes those self inhibitors. Our group split again and I ended up heading south (literally) with four other friends. We headed into Planet Hollywood and again enjoyed the dancing beauties, but there didn't appear to be any appealing tables open for the five of us. We then worked our way on down to the Monte Carlo where three of them squeezed into a $10 BJ table, one at a $15 table, and me, I wandered over to an empty $10 three card poker table. I bought in for $100 and immediately two guys who were obviously friends sat down at first and third bases respectfully. This was a new three card table. it included a new bonus bet that was administered electronically. I did not partake in this side bet, but the other two did. They each paid the dealer and he punched some numbers on a keypad and credited them their payments. They then proceeded to wager on both their own and the dealers hands and two extra community cards. I was also new to the format of this game in which all of the cards were dealt face up and not handled by the players. I missed being able to handle the cards, but getting to see what the other players had (and more importantly, what the dealer did not have) could be advantageous. I played the basics as taught by the Wizard of Odds. Wager the ante, and if I have Q-6-4 or better then play. If I have Q-6-3 or worse, then fold. I think I won one single hand before being down $80. I took my remaining four nickels over to my friends’ $10 BJ table where a spot had opened up. I put another Benny down with those four red chips and played for about a 45 minutes. I cashed out with $160, recouping $40 of what I gave away at three card.
At this point I informed my friends that I was splitting off, because I wanted to check out Aria & Cosmo. I had never been in either even though Aria was open the last time I was in town. I walked through the shops between MC and Aria. I entered Aria and immediately I felt like I was two blocks from Wall Street at 5:30 on a Friday Night. The place was filled with young men in suits minus the ties. I had no intention of playing here and that was a good thing because the lowest table limit I witnessed was $25 for BJ. I will add that the craps tables were plenty and plenty full. I couldn't even get close enough to see what the table minimums were.
Next I headed on to The Brand New Cosmopolitan where it felt more like 11:00pm on a Saturday Night in Manhattan (Neither of these feeling were actually based on real life experiences, I was just imagining). The night club line was snaking out and the music was thumping. This was a slightly younger less professional more partying crowd than Aria. I wandered through the casino observing $50 BJ tables full, one right after the other. At these limits it wouldn't take long to pay for all of those chandeliers.
I left Cosmo and headed for Paris. I had been wanting to play Pai Gow (tiles) ever since I got to Vegas. When I found the table at Paris, it was a $25 minimum table. This is a little rich for me with my inexperience, but it was doable. I observed a single player for a couple of hands before giving in and sitting down with another Benny. I got lots of help from the dealer (Thank you!) and pushed several hands, but only won once when the other player decided to Bank. I would have lost that one if it was not for the other player Banking and replacing the dealers very strong hand. I left there when all that was left of my original buy in was less than what could be wagered ($23.75). I stayed at Paris and went to the other game that I had been dying to play, Ultimate Texas Hold'em. I place another $100 down along with my $23. I don't remember very clearly what happened here, but it wasn't good, I was pulling cash out of my pocket to cover good hands constantly, but the community cards were just not on my side. I had several Ace & Face lose to a dealer 8 or 6 or sometimes 3 that paired the board. After an hour of this, I realized that I had given back my $300 winnings from earlier along with another $100 from the days gambling allowance.
I went through the passage to Bally's where I found the $10 BJ table that had treated me well earlier. I bought in for $80 and played a enough to eventually hear one of my favorite sounds, "Two Black Out". I went back to Bill's just about even for the day, but I didn't come to Vegas to be "even for the day" and besides this was my last night here. So I returned to that lonely 3:2 BJ table and turned over $87.50 to the casino in a matter of minutes. Time for bed; down about another $50 for the day.
Day Four: It's departure day and I'm down about $125 for the trip. That's not bad, but I'd like another chance to get that back. I head down stairs to Bill's. "Let's see where can I go with $300 to win $150 pretty quick before flying out.. hmmm... CRAPS!!!" I got my own end of the table with two inebriated friends at the other. The younger of the two was shooting, and talking; more talking than shooting actually. I was ok with his lack of urgency at this point. I still had a couple hours before I needed to leave for the airport. It took only two rolls to watch him seven-out, but that was a long ten minutes. His buddy did a little better hitting several 5's and 9's before making his point of 4. When it got to me, I went on a nice run and getting up $75 when big red hit. It then went back through the other two guys in only a few rolls, but those few rolls took 20 minutes. When it came back to me I got on a moderate run when this young kid comes up next to me and buys in for $40. I know he was young because he announced to the table when they asked to see his ID that he had turned 21 about SEVEN hours ago. Guess what I rolled next... The youngster then took his shot with a classic Vegas Breakfast (Two Rolls no Honey) I couldn't take this kid who had obviously been drinking since before he was officially old enough to do so. I headed back to that lonely 3:2 BJ table where I lost a quick $175.
I checked-out and licked my wounds at the airport before heading home down about $350. All-in-all not bad considering I took with me a gambling budget of $1200 and I was willing to lose it all if necessary in the name of entertainment.
In closing I still have a chance of having this trip end in the Black Big Time. I placed a $10 bet on the Miami Dolphins to win next year’s Superbowl at 100:1. I know it's not going to happen, but I'm a fan and I can dream.
Day One: Landed at McCarran just after noon on Saturday (1-21-12). The last half hour was the worst experience I have ever had flying. The turbulence was very rough. The pilot announced that we were experiencing 50 knot gust no matter if he climbed or descended. When we finally touched down on one wheel then over to the other and then just to make things interesting it felt like we rolled up sideways on to the single front wheel. I kept feeling like we were going to be one of those Hydroplane Boats that you see turning sideways then barrel rolling. Flying Delta (Don't Expect Luggage To Arrive) so we only had our carry-ons; since we refuse to pay for bags to be checked (kind of like the say no to resort fees campaign). Caught the tram to the main Airport and promptly took the first bus to the Rental Center. My buddy, who rented the car under his name using the ACG Coupon codes that I found for Alamo, brought his own set of Alamo Coupons and was able to use the "Double Upgrade", but only as a single upgrade. We booked an intermediate car for 6 days (he stayed for three extra nights with his wife who flew in as I was leaving) for $120. We ended up with a Chevy Impala for that same price.
I called ahead to Bill's Gamblin Hall & Saloon to see if we could do an early check-in. I used the toll free number on their website, but after a few rings my phone would go blank. I finally tried their local number and was transferred to the registration desk where Delda (I learned her name later when I actually checked-in) yelled at me for hanging up on her the first two times. I guess she was putting me on hold, but never said a word or made a sound before doing so. I guess I'm used to the Midwest where we politely greet callers before sticking them on hold. Oh well, I apologized to her for hanging up on her and she graciously accepted my apology (how do you type sarcasm again???) and said that an early check-in would be fine.
When we arrived at the easiest parking garage on the strip. We headed down to the Casino and went to the front desk. As it turns out, Bill's front desk is in the back; just around the corner from the elevators that we originally got off. We lugged our luggage to and fro through the casino and finally met Delda face to face. She was actually a nice middle-aged lady who checked us in without delay. The only peculiar thing about our check in was the soliciting of a upgrade. In the past, I have offered the $20 sandwich to upgrade to a nicer room. At Bill's I opted not to because it was my understanding that all of the rooms were the same, so why bother? Delda asked if we wanted the deluxe room? When I asked what made it deluxe, she replied the view of the strip / Bellagio Fountains. She said the cost was an extra $20 a night, but that she could hook us up if we took care of her. This was the first time I've ever heard of a Counter person request a bribe??? I asked her if Mr. Jackson would cover it and she without hesitation snatched it from my hand. We ended up in room 214, which was almost directly overlooking the pedestrian walkway from Bally's. It made it nice for people watching later.
By this time we needed to return to the airport to pick up more of our friends who were arriving on a later flight. After getting them without incident we headed for our first stop, the self proclaimed "Happiest Place on Earth". The Double Down Saloon is next door to Milano's Pizza. We ordered a couple pies and went next door to enjoy some 'Ass Juice'. I should preface this by saying that I don't drink Alcohol, but everyone else in my party likey. We walked into the darkest establishment I've ever been in. I first thought it was closed. My friends ordered a round of Ass Juice as I looked on from the sidelines. A rather large group poured in off a tour bus about that time. One of them ordered an Ass Juice and Twinky. It was a shot of their signature drink served in a miniature toilet with a hostess twinky on the side for dipping. Very creative marketing I must applaud. After another round of Ass Juice (it's just fun to say Ass Juice) and a beer to wash it down we needed to pick-up our pizzas and head for Bally's where this group was staying. They checked in and got upgraded from the South Tower to the North Tower. We enjoyed our Pizza that somebody on some website ranked the Third best Pizza in LV. I'd say that was about right. Very good value, I think it was $6.95 per large pie.
Before getting cleaned-up and heading out for the night, I placed a bet at Bally's Sports Book on My Buckeyes -10.5 at Nebraska (they covered). We played at Bally's for a short while, all $10 Black Jack for me (+$45). All of my gambling wins/losses reports will be approximates I rarely remember exact change. By this time our extended party had grown to nine members. We watched the first half of the Basketball game at Bally's. We had tickets for Carrot Top at the Luxor. Due to the earlier mentioned winds, Half of the group wanted to take a cab and the other half wanted to walk. I somehow ended up with the cab group even though I would have liked to walk, but we got separated; as most large parties in Vegas do. We had Five adult Guys in the taxi line. Everything was falling into place as a Mini Van taxi was next in line to pick up. For some reason unbeknownst to me (I tend to lag in the back of groups and miss out on the conversations up front), They took the group of four that was behind us in line and gave them the mini van??? I then heard some explanation about handicap seating or something. Those four were definitely not handicapped and probably near half my age. Next up was a car they squeezed all of us into the car. I was one of the lucky ones up front. We arrived at the Luxor with time to walk around. I should have mentioned that my first Buddy that I flew in with was a LV Virgin. He was not comfortable sitting at the tables playing yet so we sat at the bar and played video poker (worst place to play VP, I know, but that's where he was at ease so I complied). He ordered his drink as we each slipped a twenty into the machine. We played a few hands. I was up and down. I was eventually down to $13.75 when I got a hand with a single Jack. I held the Jack and drew three of his brothers. Quad Jacks brought my credit up to $45 so again I cashed out. My Buddy ordered another drink so I left him to go check-out the table games. I found another $10 BJ table that didn't pay 6:5 so I sat down for a couple hands. I don't remember exactly what I won, but I think I was up another thirty when it was time to get my friend and head for Carrot Top up stairs.
The opener was some local Radio DJ with limited XM satellite radio experience. He was OK, but I don't expect to see his name headlining anywhere soon, even if I could remember his name. Carrot Top came out and was very entertaining. Even though I prefer stand-ups versus prop comics, he was very good. The theater was of the medium size (I'd estimate 400 seats). That made for a very intimate feel. Not much else to say about that. After the show some of us were getting rather hungry; those 2 slices of pizza can only sustain so long.
My Buddy and one other guy decided to walk back and grab a graveyard special somewhere. We knew that Bill's had a great Steak and Eggs for $6.99, but wanted to try something else since we were so far south already. We went into the Tropicana, but couldn't find anything good. We went across to MGM and got turned around in there. I made those two walk the whole floor before realizing that the exit towards NYNY was right around the corner from the entrance from Tropicana. We went through NYNY without stopping except to glance at the Party Pit Dancers, but that happened everywhere. We walked up the strip and eventually settled back on the special at Bill's. It was tasty and enough, but I didn't leave there overly stuffed. After dinner I played some more BJ at Bill's only 3:2 table $15/hand. I gave back the night's earlier winnings and finished down about $30 for the night before heading to bed.
Day Two: Got up and placed some sports bets at Bill's (2 NCAA Basketball and 2 Football Conference Championships) before joining four others for Breakfast next door at The Flamingo. I was armed with my 25% Off Coupon. I tried to sweet talk the nice lady into extending it to our fifth member with no success. So the five of us paid for four. The Breakfast Buffet was excellent. We sat down low next to the Omelet Station. On my second plate I loaded up with what turned out to be the best peel and eat shrimp I've ever had from a buffet and a delicious slice of Bavarian cream pie.
After Breakfast, We regrouped our larger party and headed across the Strip to Caesar's and watched the start of NE vs. BAL (I took Baltimore on the Money Line, ). We then meandered through the shops behind Caesar's and wound up at a sport memorabilia place where Pete Rose was signing autographs (for a fee). I walked in and saw Charlie Hustle roped off with a handler. He looked disgusted and uninterested... until one of our group who was a lifelong Reds fan and grew up idolizing the Big Red Machine in the 70's paid for an autographed picture and got his picture with Pete. It's amazing how fast some people can turn on a smile. Now, we moved onto the Mirage for some more BJ. Found a lovely $10 table that offered surrender . This was right up my alley. I doubled up my $80 buy-in. and then went outside in their patio area to watch Baltimore take the lead 20-17. When the Red's Fan came out, he mentioned going back to Bill's for there afternoon Poker Tournament. I joined him, but alas when we arrived the tournament had already started and there was no room for two more. I sat in Bill's Sports book and watched Joe Flacco and Billy Cundiff give away my money. After the game, I played some Pai Gow Poker there at Bill's. I think I left down $40. I went across the pit to the lonely 3:2 BJ table where I got back my $40 and then some.
I went up to my room and prepared for the evening's schedule. We were going downtown, The Coupon Mecca! Four of us took our Rental Car to join the other five who cabbed it earlier from Treasure Island. We parked at Main Street Stations surface lot and before we met up with the other five we had dinner at Dupar's Diner in the Golden Gate. I ordered the half Sandwich and Soup and a Large Shrimp Cocktail. The soup was good (Lima Bean) The Shrimp Cocktail was Tasty (That's twice today I've had shrimp, I know). My sandwich was meh. It was corned beef on wheat. The meat was cold and the worst part was the slathering of mustard on both slices of toast, yuck. I tried to wipe it off, but I was so full from the soup and shrimp that I didn't feel the need to fuss with a sandwich that was less than desirable.
After Dinner we commenced play at the greatest party pit in Vegas, The Golden Gate. All of the nicety of other Party Pits plus good BJ rules to boot. I had my LV Virgin Buddy sign up for a club 1906 card and use my MRB coupon to receive the $25 Match Play. He didn't want to play at the tables again so he handed back the MP chip to me. I started out slow, building my bankroll up $30 then I decided to use the MP. I plunked it down with 5 red nickels on top of it. $50 wager that's not the most I've ever wagered, but more than I would feel comfortable with without the help of the MP. I was dealt a 3 (great ) then an 8 (great ), but then the dealer turns up a bullet. "Insurance??", silence, "insurance closed". She checks...No Dealer Black Jack. I then pull 10 more reds over along side my original bet and signal with a single index finger. Dealer gives me a true Double Down with my extra card face down. She then proceeds to turn over her own 4 for a soft 15 she takes a card and gets a 5 for a total of 20. I'm sweat'n my face down card. She turns it over and, even now four days later; I couldn't tell you what it was, but I do know it wasn't an 9 or 10. $75 gone with the flip of one card, ouch. What happened next was worse. Now I didn't throw down $150 to try and win it all back in one hand, but I did sit there and bust 12s and watch the dealer pull 20s at $10 to $20 a hand until I eventually was down $300 total for the day. That was my total daily gaming budget / allowance, but it was only 9 O'Clock and I had a lot more coupons to use downtown.
I left the GG, dug into my wallet and pulled out my non-gaming spending cash. I stopped at 4 Queens. I picked up the sheet of coupons that pjstroh mentioned in post on these forums. I used the Free Ace and $10 MP coupons. I lost the Matchplay on the first hand. The free ace netted me an unnatural natural black jack. I finished the shoe, as I hate to coupon and run; then played through the $10 free slots play on a JoB VP machine and cashed out about $16. All said 4 Queens got me about $40 of my $300 GG losses back.
I moved on down the street to Fitzgeralds. I won't repeat the story here, but If you've enjoyed reading my trip report thus far (and if you haven't enjoyed it then why in the hell are you still reading it? go do something else.) I would definitely suggest going to the 'Minor MRB glitch' thread and read my latest posting there. (sorry I'm not sure how to insert all of those links like the fancy people do.)
I then took the walk to the El Cortez and played the $10 free slot play on their limited machine choices. I cashed out $6 and change. and headed back west on Fremont to rejoin my friends who should have had enough of the GG party pit dancers by now.
I met up with a couple of them in the Fremont and played a couple spins on a video roulette game where I broke even. These two wanted to see the pool at the Golden Nugget so I lead them that way. Another friend joined us and we played some BJ at the Nugget at a $15 table. I left $45 lighter. The rest of our gang was back toward El Cortez at a small bar called The Griffin (One of our people's last name is Griffin sooo...... ). Us four met up with them there and headed back over to the El Cortez for some single deck $5 BJ (every low roller’s dream).
I sat down next to one of my cohorts who was occupying first base at a table with two Asian gentlemen at third base and just before third base. we were grinding away $5 wins until my friend had more than double up his $60 buy-in. I was grinding a little slower and was up $35. He left and an African American lady sat down between me and the first Asian man. She pulled out a Styrofoam container full of chicken wings and proceeded to share them with the Asian gentleman to her left while playing BJ!#? This is not the type of BJ where you're not allowed to handle the cards. This was single deck. Here these two were licking their fingers handling the cards and chips like this was their every night routine (it probably was). Had I not been winning consistently I would have gotten up and left much sooner, but Alex was a good dealer (Eastern European based on his accent) and he kept giving me naturals about every 6 hands so I played about a half hour and left up about $90.
My LV Virgin Buddy wanted to play some more VP at the Las Vegas Club and I had some coupons for there so the two of us headed back west. I used 2 ACG coupons $10 FSP and $10 MP. The FSP was again on a limited selection of specially tagged machines and it netted me $6 and change. I placed the $10 down on Black along with the MP and took a spin for a $20 win. This was it for Downtown. The GG kicked me in the seat of my pants, harrrd... Thanks to the LVA MRB and ACG coupons I was able to recoup about half of that back.
I showed my B Connected Card at the cage at Main Street Station and got our parking ticket validated. They gave me back my prepaid $3 parking fee. We then drove back to Bill's where I played some more at that single 3:2 BJ table. I did well, about $100 winning. Time for bed today's total Down $50. By the way none of my sports bets paid. In addition to Baltimore losing, I had SF giving 2, Penn State getting 13.5 from Indiana, and Illinois over Minnesota on the money line.
Day Three: Another big coupon day. Time for Breakfast. Seven of us headed to the Palms for the buffet. Using the "All Purpose Comp" Coupon, we all enjoyed our breakfast for $30.22 (plus tip $15). I then used my ACG $10 MP coupon and walked up to an empty Baccarat table that the board said had been Player Win the last four hands. I placed my money and MP on Banker and walked away with a $20 win. To my surprise it was a no-commission Baccarat table.
Across the street to Gold Coast for some more coupons. I checked in at the B Connected station before going into the high limit slots room to play a single hand of max credit $2 VP. I lost. I went back to the counter collected my $10 FSP, and went back to the same machine. Same results. I then joined two friends at a $10 double deck BJ pitch table. I bought in for $80. I placed a single red nickel with my MP out and won. Since it was just the three of us I stayed and played here. This was my best BJ session of the trip. Never betting more than $15 a hand I cashed out $275 in about 90 minutes; that's a $195 win. The dealer actually tried to give me an extra $25 with three black chips, but fearing the BJ Gods' Karma, I wouldn't have it. One of my friends and I decided to play some craps here. I took $60 of my winnings and got some red chips. only placing a nickel on the pass line until it was my friends turn to roll then I put some odds behind it. We lost. Then it was my turn to shoot. Setting the "flying 'V'" I rolled a an eight (nice). I put full odds behind my pass line bet. Just then some twenty something yahoo comes literally running right up next to me at this relatively empty table and throws down a $20 MP Coupon and wants to play $10 with it. The crew argues with him that he has to play a full $20 to use it he eventually complies. my next toss... Big Red "Seven-Out", "Thanks Buddy "
The three of us boarded the free shuttle and moved on to The Orleans (probably one of my favorite places to play). We found the rest of our six friends at another $5 Double Deck BJ Pitch table. I played there with a surly dealer named Servtap or Survtap, I can't remember. I first used my ACG $10 MP and won. I was up and down, mostly down with Servtap when she gives me 9 9 and turns up her own 9. I do what everyone who knows basic strategy does, I split my nines. She then tells me that is the wrong play. I respectfully thank her for her concern, but then reassure her that it is the correct play. Assuming that there is a ten card under her nine, then there is no way my 18 will win. Needless to say I split, get a 7 on my first nine, she rolls her eyes, I hit it and bust. I get a ten on my second nine for a nineteen. She turns over a 3, draws an 8 for a twenty and then has the audacity to get in my grill and say "See that's why you don't split nines against a nine." now I roll my eyes and says " Oh really?? you just knew that you were going to draw to a twenty?" Oh well, a couple of hands later her reliever, Cary, stepped in and we all started having a good time again. Not necessarily winning, but having a good time. After a few hands with Cary, I excuse myself to go exchange my LVA MRB $10 MP at the B Connected counter. I returned with it to win my $20. I played some more and cashed out down $20. I then played some JoB VP in order to activate the LVA MRB $10 FSP. I think that cost me $5. I then walk to a Pai Gow Poker Table with two other existing players and have a seat at number 2. I play about 20 minutes until they decide to change out the cards. I ask to be colored up before they do that and walk over to a completely empty craps table. I give them my $75 that I had left from Pai Gow and they give me fifteen red chips. I begin rolling with a craps. Once I got that out of the way I start rolling numbers, inside numbers, sixes and eights with the occasional 5 or 9. I was hitting them enough to be up $100 within about 15 minutes. I take those new chips back over to the same Pai Gow table. I continue to play there at $10 a hand for about an hour and a half. I only played the bonus bet once in that 90 minutes winning on a 3 of a kind. I was ready to get up and leave so I played the bonus bet on what was going to be my final hand. I picked up my hand and the top three cards were all aces. The fourth card was the joker. 4 of a kind paid 25:1 a nice $125 pay out. Oh, and I won the hand too.
I caught the shuttle back over to Bill's and went and rested in my room until the gang wanted to do dinner. We all met at Bally's and walked over to Ellis Island for the Steak Special. While I was there I played $20 to get my two $10 FSP. I needed to go back the next day to recoup the LVA MRB one, but I didn't make it. After the delicious dinner that I could not finish, I counted my bankroll and I was up about $300 for the day ($250 for the trip).
Now here's where everything goes south... Being in the Black and being the last night in Sin City is a bad combination. It gives you a false sense of invulnerability, it relaxes those self inhibitors. Our group split again and I ended up heading south (literally) with four other friends. We headed into Planet Hollywood and again enjoyed the dancing beauties, but there didn't appear to be any appealing tables open for the five of us. We then worked our way on down to the Monte Carlo where three of them squeezed into a $10 BJ table, one at a $15 table, and me, I wandered over to an empty $10 three card poker table. I bought in for $100 and immediately two guys who were obviously friends sat down at first and third bases respectfully. This was a new three card table. it included a new bonus bet that was administered electronically. I did not partake in this side bet, but the other two did. They each paid the dealer and he punched some numbers on a keypad and credited them their payments. They then proceeded to wager on both their own and the dealers hands and two extra community cards. I was also new to the format of this game in which all of the cards were dealt face up and not handled by the players. I missed being able to handle the cards, but getting to see what the other players had (and more importantly, what the dealer did not have) could be advantageous. I played the basics as taught by the Wizard of Odds. Wager the ante, and if I have Q-6-4 or better then play. If I have Q-6-3 or worse, then fold. I think I won one single hand before being down $80. I took my remaining four nickels over to my friends’ $10 BJ table where a spot had opened up. I put another Benny down with those four red chips and played for about a 45 minutes. I cashed out with $160, recouping $40 of what I gave away at three card.
At this point I informed my friends that I was splitting off, because I wanted to check out Aria & Cosmo. I had never been in either even though Aria was open the last time I was in town. I walked through the shops between MC and Aria. I entered Aria and immediately I felt like I was two blocks from Wall Street at 5:30 on a Friday Night. The place was filled with young men in suits minus the ties. I had no intention of playing here and that was a good thing because the lowest table limit I witnessed was $25 for BJ. I will add that the craps tables were plenty and plenty full. I couldn't even get close enough to see what the table minimums were.
Next I headed on to The Brand New Cosmopolitan where it felt more like 11:00pm on a Saturday Night in Manhattan (Neither of these feeling were actually based on real life experiences, I was just imagining). The night club line was snaking out and the music was thumping. This was a slightly younger less professional more partying crowd than Aria. I wandered through the casino observing $50 BJ tables full, one right after the other. At these limits it wouldn't take long to pay for all of those chandeliers.
I left Cosmo and headed for Paris. I had been wanting to play Pai Gow (tiles) ever since I got to Vegas. When I found the table at Paris, it was a $25 minimum table. This is a little rich for me with my inexperience, but it was doable. I observed a single player for a couple of hands before giving in and sitting down with another Benny. I got lots of help from the dealer (Thank you!) and pushed several hands, but only won once when the other player decided to Bank. I would have lost that one if it was not for the other player Banking and replacing the dealers very strong hand. I left there when all that was left of my original buy in was less than what could be wagered ($23.75). I stayed at Paris and went to the other game that I had been dying to play, Ultimate Texas Hold'em. I place another $100 down along with my $23. I don't remember very clearly what happened here, but it wasn't good, I was pulling cash out of my pocket to cover good hands constantly, but the community cards were just not on my side. I had several Ace & Face lose to a dealer 8 or 6 or sometimes 3 that paired the board. After an hour of this, I realized that I had given back my $300 winnings from earlier along with another $100 from the days gambling allowance.
I went through the passage to Bally's where I found the $10 BJ table that had treated me well earlier. I bought in for $80 and played a enough to eventually hear one of my favorite sounds, "Two Black Out". I went back to Bill's just about even for the day, but I didn't come to Vegas to be "even for the day" and besides this was my last night here. So I returned to that lonely 3:2 BJ table and turned over $87.50 to the casino in a matter of minutes. Time for bed; down about another $50 for the day.
Day Four: It's departure day and I'm down about $125 for the trip. That's not bad, but I'd like another chance to get that back. I head down stairs to Bill's. "Let's see where can I go with $300 to win $150 pretty quick before flying out.. hmmm... CRAPS!!!" I got my own end of the table with two inebriated friends at the other. The younger of the two was shooting, and talking; more talking than shooting actually. I was ok with his lack of urgency at this point. I still had a couple hours before I needed to leave for the airport. It took only two rolls to watch him seven-out, but that was a long ten minutes. His buddy did a little better hitting several 5's and 9's before making his point of 4. When it got to me, I went on a nice run and getting up $75 when big red hit. It then went back through the other two guys in only a few rolls, but those few rolls took 20 minutes. When it came back to me I got on a moderate run when this young kid comes up next to me and buys in for $40. I know he was young because he announced to the table when they asked to see his ID that he had turned 21 about SEVEN hours ago. Guess what I rolled next... The youngster then took his shot with a classic Vegas Breakfast (Two Rolls no Honey) I couldn't take this kid who had obviously been drinking since before he was officially old enough to do so. I headed back to that lonely 3:2 BJ table where I lost a quick $175.
I checked-out and licked my wounds at the airport before heading home down about $350. All-in-all not bad considering I took with me a gambling budget of $1200 and I was willing to lose it all if necessary in the name of entertainment.
In closing I still have a chance of having this trip end in the Black Big Time. I placed a $10 bet on the Miami Dolphins to win next year’s Superbowl at 100:1. I know it's not going to happen, but I'm a fan and I can dream.
