Labor Day Weekend- 8/28 to 9/2

Thursday, 8/28 Drove in from Riverside and got to Vegas at 7pm.  Son had already checked into our timeshare at the Hilton Grand Vacations on Paradise,  where we will be staying for 5 nights. Here for Westgate slot tournament,  my wife's birthday and our 25th anniversary. 

After dropping off our luggage we went to the Olive Garden on Flamingo for dinner, which is one of the things we always do in Vegas. We all had the never ending pasta bowls.  Me- Fettuccine,  wife- spaghetti with marinara and son had spaghetti with meatballs.  Also had the meatball appetizer and mozzarella sticks.

Dropped off leftovers in the room and headed over to the Westgate to use our freeplay.  Up and down session.  Won some playing Mo, Mo, Mo Mummy, but gave it back playing one of those firecracker games.  Wife faired better up a hundred on Mo Mummy and Prosperity Link.  I spent about an hour at the International Bar playing VP and having some beers until my wife was ready to head to the room.  Son's buddy showed up while we were at the Westgate and they went to the timeshare to chill.

On Friday we will check into the Westgate for 3 night. This is part of the slot tourney registration.  Our son and his buddy will stay in those rooms as both my wife and I each got a room.  

Friday, 8/29.  Slept in this morning until around 8:30.  I went to the Westgate to put down a bet on Oklahoma to win the College Football Playoff.  50/1.  

After everyone was ready we went to Lindo Michoucan at the Palace Station for an early lunch.  First time at this restaurant and first time at Palace Station in at least 10 years.  Food and service were great.  Lunch specials all came with chips and salsa, of course,  but they also gave you a refried bean dip. The lunches came with rice and beans,  but also soup- a noodle soup with a tomato base.  Was really good.  The lunch price ($15.95-17.95) also included a beverage.  Not Margaritas,  though.  

After eating my son and buddy played some blackjack and craps,  while wife and I hit the slots.  Wife played the Spooky Link Yeti game and the Firecracker game and was up $50.  I played the Firecracker game and netted a $200 profit.

Son stayed to play at Palace Station while wife and I hit the South Outlet mall for some new shoes at New Balance.  Dropped of shoes in the room and then went to Westgate to check in. Got adjoining rooms. 

After an hour back at the timeshare we went back to the Westgate (literally a 4 minute walk), and did the bonus round for the slot tournament.  I was in 22nd place,  wife around 60th after we played.  2 more rounds on Saturday. We played some VP at the International Bar and had a few drinks.  Ended up about $50 down between the 2 of us. 

Went back to the timeshare and had our leftover Olive Garden meals for dinner.  We then picked up my son and his buddy and the Westgate and headed to the Neon Museum.   This was our first time there and we had a good time.  There are about 25 "exhibits", and there are information signs as well as audio information you can access with a QR code. They also had guided tours as well as employees at various spots that would answer questions.  They have a little gift shop, and some outside seating.  The parking situation is kinda interesting, as there aren't many spots.   Tickets were $25-$35 dollars depending on if you went during the day or in the evening.   We went at 9pm.  Had a really nice time. Back to the timeshare to sleep after dropping off son and his buddy at the Westgate. 

Saturday is the last two rounds of the slot tournament and Tuscany gift day.  Also going to Ellis Island to check out the renovations and use some LVA coupons. 

Nice reporting, love the food speak!  I like Olive Garden, better than anything in Vegas, but then I don't do well off-region/custom. 

Better luck on the next 2 tourney rounds for both of you.

My TR, LOL..tonight I'll throw away $15.00 at the local Exxon on tonight's Lottery draw.   No actual trip for me until Sept. 30.

Fingers crossed for you, Edso.

Candy

I've been wondering about Lindo Michocuan ever since I kept reading all these great reviews saying they were the best Mexican restaurant in Vegas (three locations), and I finally went there, and my evaluation was...meh. Of course, as a native Californian, I have high standards for Mexican food.

Palace Station's entry into the Mexican restaurant competition was formerly Guadalajara, and I liked them just because of their extensive salsa bar. The food was just basic gringo-Mexican; nothing memorable. I remember them being somewhat overpriced for what you were getting, with those $16-18 (!!) lunch specials now at LM apparently continuing the tradition.

For a long, long time, my go-to place for Mexican was Garduno's, inside Fiesta Rancho and later, another casino as well. The difference for me was that it was New Mexican, which is the best regional Mexican cuisine IMHO. Don't know if it's still there, since I stopped patronizing Stations casinos.

Here's your hot lottery numbers tip. This advice is, believe it or not, from a PhD dissertation on the subject.

1. Should you win, you want to be the only winner. Likewise, if you're splitting a lesser prize (like 5 out of 6 or something), you want as few co-winners as possible.

2. All of the numbers have an equal probability of being drawn.

3. However, some numbers are much more popular for players.

4. Thus, you should select unpopular numbers, to decrease the chance of sharing your prize.

5. Do not pick any numbers that could be part of someone's birthday. So: all your numbers should be 32 or higher.

6. Pick odd numbers, because people prefer even numbers.

7. Pick prime numbers, because those numbers have fewer factorial associations and are thus less popular.

So my chosen six numbers would be 31, 37, 41, 43, 47, and 53, if allowed. (I know that 31 could be part of a birthdate--but I don't think 59 would be a choice allowed. If it is, use 59, not 31.)

If you use these numbers and win, I want ten percent.

Thanks Candy.

You got it, Kevin.  That's 10% after taxes, right?  LOL

Absolutely! Uncle Sam only peels off about half. Then your state grabs a third. One-sixth of a billion gazillion bucks is still a lot! 

Well, Kevin, back to the salt mines. :( 

Candy

Damn, and I had my Ferrari all picked out! Switch to Plan B.