Las Vegas December 25th to the 31st, 2010
Pre Trip report – (written 12-13-10)
#1 Plane tickets $482.80 each-We watched ticket prices for a month before buying them because of their unusually high prices. We normally pay about $330 each for a ticket from Manchester NH to Vegas on Southwest airlines, but on November 5 we felt the prices would only go up from here so we booked them.
#2 Rental car- We always rent a car to go exploring (Red Rock, Hoover dam, etc). We got our best deal this trip from Hotwire.com. It was $191.02 from Sunday December 25th to Friday December 31st. We are using $100 in American express rewards, so the total for the car was $91.02 (not bad). The scary thing about Hotwire is they don’t tell you who the rental car is from until you have booked. I am always afraid I am going to end up in a car from 4 Brothers jalopy rentals or something, but we ended up with Hertz! (Go figure)
#3 Hotels- We almost screwed ourselves waiting for “offers” from casino’s as they seemed to come late this year and when they did come, none had a deal that included the Thursday night before New Years Eve. By the time we figured out we would have to pay “large” for the night before new years and pay gigantic for New years eve night, it was too late to do any creative thinking or book keeping so we lost New years eve in Las Vegas! We ended up with 2 nights comped and 1 night at the casino rate of $35 at Samstown, (and$25 free food), and 3 nights at the Las Vegas club for $157.
#4 Bank Roll - $1500
The last time we stayed at Samstown we had a problem with a lock and getting in the room (at 3AM) and had trouble getting help getting us in the room, I mentioned the whole story about the lock & lack of help in an e-mail survey that Samstown sent us after we left Vegas. Low and behold, about 15 minutes after booking this room a host calls us up and upgraded the room to a suite to make amends (sweet!). I am a low roller? I my bankroll is about $150 a night for 3 nights, once a year there (maybe twice), so I thought it was worth mentioning that Samstown (Boyde) is trying to make amends.
The next 2 nights were easy, you can find cheap rooms all over Vegas on a Tuesday and Wednesday, but it was that damned Thursday that everyone wanted more money than I wanted to pay. We also “had” to stay on Fremont Street. I love that place! We ended up with 3 nights at “The Vegas Club” for $158. This scares the hell out of me because “I” only need a room, a toilet, and a TV in Vegas, but the wife needs a little bit more at this point in her life, and I think the Vegas Club not going to meet her standards. I hope she is willing to be a trooper for these 3 days!
Quick Editorial…… On December 9th, 2010, (a month after we booked our trip) the President of my company called me and asked me to come in early (2nd shift). I went in and they herded all 300 of us employees into busses. They took us to a meeting facility and told us they were moving the company to another State and most of us would not be invited to move with it. I wasn’t asked to go with them, nor would I have if asked. I have a job until July 1st 2011, and then 22 weeks of severance pay (not bad), so I am all set for next year (within reason).
This does put a damper on plans for big gambling bank rolls and seeing expensive shows and fine dining, but the trip is paid for, the house bills are paid, and I still have a job for a little while longer, so screw it, I am still going! Maybe the gambling gods will look my way when I put that $3 in the mega bucks machine this year!!
I try to make a list of things I want to do and do some research on them before heading to Vegas. This has never failed us to have an enjoyable trip. The things I want to do this trip are….
#1 Must get a #1chip from every casino that I don’t have a chip from (make list) for my collection
#2 Go to all casinos that we haven’t been to yet, M-resort, Cosmopolitan, South Point Casino, etc, and take pictures (make list). I get a kick out of this because looking back at the pictures of the wife and I at the “Sands”, Boardwalk, New Frontier, Castaways, and other casinos that are now gone, is kind of neat.
#3 Go to rehab pool at the Hard Rock and take pictures- get calendar/ autographs? I never miss this show
#4 Take care of my “Casino” movie fetish (Robert De Niro & Sharon Stone) and find the spot where Sam “ace” Rothstein blew up in the movie at the Main Street Station Casino & where Frank “lefty’ Rosenthal actually blew up at Tony Roma’s on east Sahara. I am told there is a plaque marking the spot he blew up at.
#5 Go to the new bridge by passing the Hoover dam
#6 Get a picture of me at the “welcome to Las Vegas” sign
#7 See superstars of country music at the Golden Nugget & fitz of Laughter shows at the Fitzgerald’s Casino
#8 Go to the Hilton Casino and try to win my way into next year’s craps tournament
Friday (the day before the trip)
Printed out the boarding passes, Donna & I paid extra for the early bird check in and just had he mom buy a regular senior citizens ticket and we would save her a good seat.
Saturday -1st day (Christmas Day)
The flight from Manchester New Hampshire to Chicago on Southwest airlines left on time and was uneventful.
We had a one hour layover in Chicago. Donna and I boarded the 2nd plane and saved a seat for her mom like we did the 1st plane and waited. A little while later stewardess came on board and started calling out our name. We answered her and found out that Donna’s mother did not have a ticket for this flight!(I know she did, I printed one out for her) It seems that if you get a senior citizens discount on Southwest Airlines, when you print out your boarding pass, it actually says, “this is not a boarding pass” and the damned thing is no good until you show proof of your age and they give you a real ticket. Makes you wonder how we made it thru Manchester New Hampshire huh? The mother in laws non boarding pass and “my” boarding pass printed out at home look very similar, bar code and all. The only difference is it says “not a boarding pass” where mine says just plain boarding pass. This situation was fixed in minutes but raised our blood pressure needlessly.
We landed in Las Vegas on another uneventful flight. We took the shuttle bus to the car rental facility and then waited in a line at Hertz for 45 minutes. There were two counter people working until we got up to the booth when 3 more people came in (off lunch?) isn’t that the way it always works?
I always rent the lowest budgeted economy car on my trips and usually get a free upgrade. This trip we did get stuck with the econo box that I paid for and got a Chevy Aveo. The good news was it had 9 miles on it. The new car smell was odd; it smelled like the car was on fire or something. I figured the car had some oil spilled on it at the factory and was just burning off or something to that effect so I kept it.
Forgot the GPS and wasn’t about to rent one at $9.99 a day. I have been to Vegas 20 times and think I can make it everywhere by memory.
We got to Samstown with no issues and checked in. The much anticipated suite was a disappointment (room #944). It looked like a regular room, 2 beds, a college dorm sized refrigerator and safe. I am glad this was all mostly comped because I would have been pissed if I paid for a suite and got this!
After getting settled in, Donna and I went to the sports book and we both bought N.E. Patriots sports book tickets, we had to bet $20 to win $18 “and” the Patriots had to beat the Buffalo Bills by more than7 points
After doing a little gambling we decided to use the $25 coupon they gave us at check in for TGI Fridays in the Casino (service sucked) I had Cajun shrimp & chicken pasta (good & spicy) Donna & her mom shared a Jack Daniels Hamburger and Nacho supreme platter (Good) .The total came to $45 and change, $25 off with the coupon.
We gambled a little more, but we were all beat and decided to go back to the room and watch TV, I took a shower and decided to go back down to the casino and wander around and see what happens, I figured that I would only be down there a few minutes so I didn’t wear underwear or socks! (This turns out to be important info later on in this story!) Anyway, I went down into the casino and bellied up to a craps table and played for 2 ½ hours and won $101. I was now thoroughly exhausted and decided to go to the room.
On the way to the room I passed by a Roulette wheel. For some weird reason I got a feeling and I decided to put my original $200 bankroll “and” my $100 craps winnings on the middle 12 on the table. I normally will put $25 on red or black as the mood strikes but tonight I had the weird feeling and put it on the middle 12 which pays 3 to 1, and who would know I made a bet this big, I could just say I lost it on a craps table. Anyways, I made the bet and…..IT HIT!!! I won $600 at Roulette! I hate this game as it has always kicked my butt, but tonight I finally beat it!
Sunday- Bank roll is up $600 to $2100 (sweet)
Donna (wife) for some weird reason likes to eat at Dennies right down the road from Samstown instead of the buffets. We spent $24 on coffee, toast, beacon, and eggs, for 3 people. After making her pay for the meal, I am sure we will now eat breakfast at the $5.99 buffet at Samstown!
After leaving denies we did some shopping at wal-mart. We bought enough sodas and what not to fill the refrigerator in the hotel room.
After leaving wally world, we decided to check out the new Cosmopolitan Casino that just opened.
I know the casino is new, but everything is so impressive and clean that I was immediately is awe! Even the valet looks like you could eat off the floor! There is a person at every door ready to open it for you, and you can’t stop to read a sign without someone asking you if you need help. We did not explore the whole casino, hotel, and restaurants, but what we did see was very impressive. I still think the Bellagio is king of class in Vegas, but I would put this casino very close to it. I won $45 at craps, and I lost $40 at roulette. Left up $4, and with a $1 chip from them.
When we got our car from the valet he commented that it smells like the car was on fire. I kept going.
After leaving the Cosmopolitan we decided to head for another casino that I have never been to, The M resort. Almost immediately we were side tracked as I have always wanted to get my picture taken next to the Went “welcome to Las Vegas sign”. We got lucky and got some great pictures with it.
We got side tracked quickly after leaving the welcome sign, as we came across the ‘South point casino”. I have read about this casino but have never been in it. The cocktail servers at South Point are hot! Their uniforms are small (sexy), Las Vegas type uniforms. (The wife was unimpressed) We made some quick bets and won $80 on craps, then turned around and lost it at roulette (crap!). I deterred, I won another $40 at blackjack, and Donna and I lost it at roulette. Left down $1 (I had to have my $1 chip)
We then finally made it to the M resort (1 mile off the end of the strip) I thought it was ok; it really didn’t do too much for me. Again, the servers were very good looking, but the casino and grounds just didn’t do it for me. I think going to the cosmopolitan 1st might have had something to do with it. I won $40, 3 different times at the craps tables and lost it on roulette all three times. I left the M down $61 (but I got my chip!)
After leaving the M resort, we wanted to explore a little more so we headed for the gamblers general store on Main Street (very close to Fremont Street). It has some very interesting gamboling stuff in it, like books, videos, craps tables, etc. I always wanted to know how much some of the tables cost, found $4,000 for a roulette wheel and no table to go with it rather high! Donna bought some gifts for souvenirs.
While we were in the area we decided to go to the Gold & Silver “pawn shop” (TV show). The freaking line waiting to get in the pawn shop was 200 people deep! It was just too long for me to stand in, and it’s cold and windy, so we will try again at a different day and hour
When we got back to Samstown we went to the sports book and found out that the Patriots (football) kicked the shit out of the Buffalo Bills giving me a sweet little $38 win.
I tried to play craps but could barely manage to play for an hour, I was so tired I couldn’t see straight and its only 7 PM Las Vegas time (10PM my body time) I did manage to win $90, but just couldn’t do it anymore and decided to hit the rack.
When I got back to the room I took shower and laid down – Of coarse….I couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned and somehow caught a second wind. I decided to go back down and gamble some more, while getting dressed Donna reminded me of my winning streak last night to not wear underwear or socks. As a joke, I didn’t!
I took $400 and went to the craps table. I played for an hour and was up & down, and I almost gave up but decided to stay in and grind it out.
It was my turn to throw the dice for the fifth or sixth time tonight. I put my normal $12 on the 6 & 8, $10-on the 5, $10 on the Pass line and $5 dollars on the field, and began to throw the dice. Long story short, I went on a 43 minute winning spree! I hit 5 point numbers, 2 yo’s on the come out with $5 on it ($75 win).
When all was said and done and I sevened out, I had $90 on the 6 & 8, $75 on the 5, $25 on the field, & $25 pass line with $25 odds by adding to my bets after wins, and had won $1153! I tipped the dealers the $53. The pit boss congratulated me and said it was the longest roll he had seen in a long time. I ran back to the room to tell Donna!
The girls were excited for me but still were beat and opted to stay in bed! I knew I couldn’t sleep now so I went back down and played .50 video poker for another hour and won $75.I Walked around and found a roulette table with 5 blacks hits in a row and everyone at the table was pushing all their chips on it! I wasn’t about to be left out and threw a hundred on the table and won! (I can’t believe this is happening!) I Went back to .50 video poker and won a quick $25 and decided to ramp it up and play $1.25 a hand for a while. I hit 4 kings shortly their after for a good hit (I forget how much). I took one last stroll around the casino and found myself back to the roulette table. I lost $25 on one spin and figured that was it (no more mojo) and went to bed
Monday-Bank Roll is up to $3500! (Really sweet!)
We bought Dunkin doughnuts coffee for breakfast, as none of us was hungry at this point. We decided to head for the Hoover Dam.
The drive to the Hoover dam was awful. We found out that since the new bridge has been put in the traffic has been awful! I have seen people on the Las Vegas news complaining about it. They say between 11 AM and 4 PM are the worst and weekends are even worse. We also found out that they have no signage up yet for the new bridge, so a bunch of people at Hoover Dam that missed the exit were complaining to each other (including us!)
On the way back from the dam Donna wanted to stop at a small casino near the dam called the “The Hacienda” just to check it out. At the far end of the parking lot of the Hacienda’s parking lot is a helicopter ride company. The sign said 2 minute (approximately) ride to see lake mead cost $29, a 5 minute ride to see the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead cost $59, and a 10 minute ride over the dam, over lake mead, and up the black canyon cost $140 ($99 if you have 4 people), Donna decided she wanted to go. I was reluctant, so we went in the Casino. I decided to try to win the helicopter ride money. I laid the 10 on a craps table for $40 (won $20), put $40 on red on a roulette table (won $40), I then threw $15 on a blackjack table and was dealt 2 five’s against the dealers 6. I split the 5’s. The first hand I got a 7, took another card for a total of 19 (sweet), the second hand, my next card was a 5, so with an 11, I doubled down and got a 6 (yuck). The dealer’s hole card was a queen and took another card which was a jack and busted. I won $45 at blackjack! All of these wins were in a row! so, with the winnings I agreed to go on the Helicopter ride. The helicopter ride cost us about $13! (I can’t lose!)
The helicopter ride was a blast and we got many pictures. I recommend this to anyone that has never been on a helicopter ride, even if you’re mildly afraid of heights. These 5 minutes goes by in a snap and the ride and view is worth it.
We checked out the LVA coupon book and a lot of things had expired while we were in Vegas, but decided to use the buffet coupon at the Cannery next to Samstown. We got in line and when we got to the cash register to get in they asked me for my players card, I told him I didn’t have it with me (I never had one). The boothling would not accept the coupon so with a buffet cost of $7 each ($21 total) I decided not to run down a player’s card and get back in line so we just paid cash. I won $25 at the craps table on the way out as revenge for not accepting my coupon.
It was still fairly early and this was our last night at Samstown so Donna decided to get the laundry out of the way, so we went to Samstown RV park, right next to the Casino, which we have done many times in the past (ask for the code to get in at the front desk).
While she was doing the laundry, I got an itch and drove to the Longhorn Casino (right across the street from Samstown) to get my $1chip from them.
If you have never been to the longhorn casino, it is smoky and reeks of cigarettes smoke!
It has 4 blackjack tables (3 closed), no craps or any other card games and did I mention lung cancer in 10 minutes smoky? I wanted to win my $1 chip and since they didn’t have a craps table, I bellied up to the only open blackjack table. I was dealt two 3’s; I split them and ended up with a 15 and 16 against the dealers 9 (not looking good). The dealer’s hole card was a 6 (for 15 total) and had to get another card which was an 8 and busted (I can’t lose!). I played a while longer and walked out with $4 in cash and 1 in a metal token.
At the Longhorn’s cashier’s cage, I was told they have no regular $1 tokens just metal $1 tokens. I thought the $1 metal token was cool so I took it. I then went to Arizona Charlie’s, just down the road from Samstown & the Longhorn and won $12 at craps. I lost the 1st 2 rolls but progressively made bigger bets until I won all my money back plus the $12 (I can’t lose!)
I got back to the laundry just as Donna and her mom was finishing up. When we got back to the casino from the laundry, I gave Donna $100 as she is on a slow losing streak and I took $350 to the casino in Samstown, I started making bigger than normal bets and managed to lose the $350 in record time. I was not happy with loosing $350 but I am still way up and have plenty of time to get it back. We all watched TV for a while and went to bed.
Tuesday, (moving day) Bank roll is down to $2900, which includes paying for copter rides etc
We ate at Samstown Buffet for breakfast ($5.99 each) the meal was good. I told Donna and her mom the story from last night and how I lost $350 when Donna figured it out…I wore underwear and socks!!!! We all had a good laugh.
After breakfast all 3 of us went our separate ways to give Samstown a little more play. I hit the craps table and lost $40 in 10 minutes! I could not win an even money bet to save my life let alone a harder to win bet. It didn’t take me too long to figure out that 100% of my mojo at Samstown was gone and it was definitely time to leave.
After breakfast we checked out of Samstown and jumped in the car and headed for a traditional stop while in Las Vegas, the world’s largest souvenir shop on the corner of Las Vegas blvd and Sahara Blvd. I didn’t get anything, but enjoy walking around in there. Donna bought a few things.
After leaving the souvenir shop we drove by “the Pawn Shop”. The line was still way too long and it’s very cold. The line went all the way along the building and around the corner. We have no idea if the TV show characters are even in there so we did not stop.
We made it to the Golden Gate by 12:30PM and were told they had no rooms ready. We dropped luggage off and walked up and down Fremont Street hitting each casino on the street. We were winning then losing, which turned into just losing. I bought a football sized daiquiri (bad combo with gambling) from Le bayou casino and continued to gamble and have fun.
The Bruins won over the Florida panthers 4 to 3 doubling my money, so my original $19 that I bet on the patriots is now $80. I put the whole $80 on the Celtics to beat the Detroit Pistons and I had to give 6 points
We walked down to the Golden Nugget and bought 3 tickets to see ‘country superstars” with a buffet, for $39 each. Tried half price tonight but I think I got a better deal thru the casino.
I got a sinus head ach from the rains in Las Vegas and it basically ruined the rest of the night.
We finally got to get into our room around 2:30 PM. The Golden Gate’s rooms next to Fremont Street are not recommended for older people. The room is clean and sleep able but that’s about it. The bathroom is right out of the 1960’s. The shower had an old porcelain tub (slippery), with lime green tile, complete with a discoloration in the grout. The shower had a rainfall shower head and was just ridiculously slow. The toilet was the smallest and closest to the floor that I have sat on for years! (like squatting over a golf hole)The bed was so small that my 5ft 1 in wife complained that her feet hung off the end of the bed! The biggest problem by far was the noise from the Fremont street experience and the stage shows going on. The speakers must be right outside the room-the room shook when the music was on. Then at 6 am construction works started replacing light bulbs etc
Wednesday –Bank roll going down - $2750 +$80 sports bet (still up $1250)
Ran down to Starbucks (me) at the golden nugget and then to the Fremont Casino for Dunkin Doughnuts for the girls
We all took showers, and headed for Magnolias Veranda for breakfast (4 Queens Casino) It was a decent breakfast, with decent service. The coffee was awful (strong). Everyone had eggs, beacon, Toast and coffee for $25 plus tax
We drove by the “Pawn Shop” and the line was still down the street! It had 100 people in it easy. We just kept driving!
With nothing else to do we decided to go on a chip hunting run. I took $300 and went to The Hard Rock Casino first. I immediately found a Roulette table with 5 blacks hits in a row, so I started betting on red and was up to $80 bets by the time I finally won my $5 (kept 4 and got a $1 chip)-whew!.
Saw the rehab pool while we were at the hard Rock. It was slightly smaller than I expected but I recognized everything from the T.V show. They have very, very, little rehab souvenirs to buy. It was literally freezing in Las Vegas this day, so we didn’t stay too long next to the pool.
We then went to the Tropicana Casino where we ran into the same situation. I found a roulette table that had 3 consecutive red hits, so I started betting black. Again after having to put over $100 on the table because the table was up to 8 straight black hits, I got my $4 and 1 chip after a $5 win (whew!)
Donna lost $40 and I was feeling invincible so, I tried to win her money back with some big bets. I walked out of the Tropicana with a $1 chip (basically worth $100!) I was so mad I could have screamed!!
We then went to the Hooters casino, Terribles Casino, and Ellis Island Casinos. I won $5 on craps or roulette in all 3 casinos in less than 5 minutes each.
We ate supper at a little restaurant in Golden Gate called Di-Par’s, it kind of looks like the inside a railroad car. Donna & I had a Hamburger and fries, Lorraine had a Turkey club, and we all had sodas for $45 plus tax. We got $25 off the bill with a coupon.
Found I had the internet (free?), caught up on e-mails, face book, and the stock market.
I started gambling on my own, while the girls went to the 4 Queens casino. I lost $30 here, $40 there, and truthfully was still pissed over the $100 beat down at the Tropicana, so I gave up at 6 PM and tried to play video poker with the girls at the 4 queens for a while (up $10).Got a good feeling and took Donna on a quick run thru every casino on Fremont street where we bet $10 here and $25 there and promptly turned $180 into $68! I thru the whole $68 on a field bet (craps) at the Main Street Station----Winner! (whew), that started a run that got me all the way back to my original $200!...........Now, If I can win that damned $100 back that I lost at the Tropicana (yup, I was still pissed!)
I bought in for $200 at the Golden Gate and lost the whole $200 in 1 ½ hours at the craps table. I just didn’t seem to have any luck no matter what I tried. I was making good bets, they were just getting beat!
The Boston Celtics not only did not cover the 6 points that I needed them to win by, but got a beat down of their own by the Detroit pistons (another $80 down the tubes!)-I can’t win anything now
Thursday, this is the last full day of gambling-bankroll down to $2475 (still up $775)
Breakfast again at magnolias, we had a coupon for $21 but managed to screw it up. It was a 2 for 1, and we thought it was $21 off
Went to the “Pawn Shop” and the line was long, but it was the lowest that we had seen it all week, so we decided to suck it up (windy and 34 degrees). Every time I go in the pawn shop it gets a little bigger. The 1st time I went in just after the show came on the air, it was just a couple of small rooms, the second time I was in they had cleaned it and expanded a little, This time in I think it looks more like one would expect from seeing the TV show. The Cannon they shot the cannon ball from was still in the shop and the coke machine that his buddy rebuilt was there ($7000!!). I bought an “old man’ bobble head doll for $14. None of the cast was there, or has been the last couple of times there for that matter. People would leave the line when we came out and they asked if the guys were in the shop and we said no.
Not having much else to do, I decided to see if I could win my way into the 2011 Hilton casino’s $50,000 Craps tournament. It cost something like $499 to buy into this tournament, or you can play craps and bet $5 on the #11(which is called a “yo’) on the 1st roll of every hand (come out roll). I did it last year and ended up coming in 5th place for $4,000 and got to go back to a bigger tournament in December where I won another $500.
When we got to the Hilton, they were basically rebuilding the craps pit and only had one table open. The table was elbow to elbow, so we decided to try and come back later when they said they would have 2 more tables open. (We never went back)
After leaving the Hilton, we drove to the MGM end of the strip and parked at Bills gambling hall to try to pick up a few more chips. I ran up to the 1st craps table I came to and won $5. I cashed the chip in for 4 -$1 bills and a clean $1 casino chip, we then ran over to the flamingo. I found a Roulette table with 3 black hits in a row, so thing RED has to come up soon, I put $5 down, of course “black” came out. I throw a $10 down so I can get my original $5 back and win my $5. What happens….’black”! Now I go into the “I am in trouble and I just want to get my get my money back mode” and bet $15 to recoup losses, guess what happens? Yup, “black comes out again! 6 blacks in a row! Undeterred, I threw $30 more down to just try to break even, “black” again! I am now getting nervous, but I threw $60 down to try to break even, yup you guessed it “black” again! I am beginning to think that God now hates me and I can’t win anything!). I threw my last $120 down on the table and was literally sweating when the little white ball “finally” plopped into the little ‘red’ square…..whew; I got away with one there!
Donna (the wife) was down $20, so I decide once again to be the hero and win her money back. I threw $54 on a craps table on various areas of the table lay out and in two throws the women throwing, 7’s out. (We lost). I threw another $54 down on the same spots as my last bet, and the new thrower 7’s out in one throw. Great, I am down $108 in two minutes!
After losing at the flamingo, it was the 1st time I got mad (really mad) at loosing! I cursed every swear word I knew for the next 15 minutes! How could I win none stop for two days, and then loose nonstop for two (going on three) straight days?
Went back to the Golden Gate and picked up my mother in law, and headed to the Boulder Station to eat at the Pasta Palace. When we got there we were told it would be a 15 minute wait to get in, so we gambled for the next 15 minutes (down another $20). We went back to the restaurant and finally heard our names called. We went in to find it half full? Odd?
We decided to have the $6.99 spaghetti special. The salad, bread, and drinks were served quickly and professionally by 3 different servers, then we had a 15 minute wait to get the spaghetti, I think we only got it because the manager noticed us tapping our fingers on the table. The spaghetti was ok at best and the meatballs were awful. The girls didn’t even eat theirs.
After supper we went back to The Golden Gate and Fremont Street for our last full night of gambling.
I decided that due to my 3 day losing streak to only give myself a small bankroll of $163. This would allow me to go home with a minimum of $700 profit no matter what.
I started by playing craps at the Golden Gate and won $150 on the second shooter! (Sweet!). Maybe my mojo is coming back, finally? I then made the fatal mistake of buying a $15 football sized daiquiri from the Le bayou Casino. The le bayou serve’s the 2 foot tall drinks, the football shaped glass drinks, etc in the very back of the casino. I go there every time I am on Fremont Street (only 1 drink needed!)
I took my drink and $300 and walked to Binion’s Casino and lost $150 over the next one hour (started cussing again!). The drink kicked in about this time so I decided to put a big bet of $100 on the #10 to “NOT” come out before a seven (the odds are in my favor). Well, the second throw was a 10 and I lost my $100! I threw the last of my bankroll down on the field, which is one roll that pays even odds and a 2,3,4,9,10,11,or a 12 will show up on the next roll. A 6 came up and that was it for gambling for this trip. I actually felt a little relieved that the losing was over!
Went back to the Golden Gate and went to sleep. On the way up to the room, I ran into 2 Golden Gate maintenance guys and joked with them about having job security for a maintenance guy at that casino! They laughed also
Friday,
I will not bet today as I have had my fill of getting my ass kicked, the final tally was – I’m going home with $700 more than I came with ($2200 total)
Woke up and showered (won’t miss that shower) Ran down to the Fremont Casino in 32 degrees weather and got a bagel and coffee from Dunkin Doughnuts. I thought we left this weather in New Hampshire?
We checked out of the Golden Gate and the Wi-Fi was not on the bill, so how we got it I have no idea!
We returned the car rental to Hertz with no issues, and the car actually started smelling better, so I didn’t say anything about the smell.
Got to the airport and checked in with no issues. Southwest airlines got us back to New Hampshire 20 minutes early (tail wind)
You wouldnt believe how much I left out of this report, but it was just getting too long!
Pre Trip report – (written 12-13-10)
#1 Plane tickets $482.80 each-We watched ticket prices for a month before buying them because of their unusually high prices. We normally pay about $330 each for a ticket from Manchester NH to Vegas on Southwest airlines, but on November 5 we felt the prices would only go up from here so we booked them.
#2 Rental car- We always rent a car to go exploring (Red Rock, Hoover dam, etc). We got our best deal this trip from Hotwire.com. It was $191.02 from Sunday December 25th to Friday December 31st. We are using $100 in American express rewards, so the total for the car was $91.02 (not bad). The scary thing about Hotwire is they don’t tell you who the rental car is from until you have booked. I am always afraid I am going to end up in a car from 4 Brothers jalopy rentals or something, but we ended up with Hertz! (Go figure)
#3 Hotels- We almost screwed ourselves waiting for “offers” from casino’s as they seemed to come late this year and when they did come, none had a deal that included the Thursday night before New Years Eve. By the time we figured out we would have to pay “large” for the night before new years and pay gigantic for New years eve night, it was too late to do any creative thinking or book keeping so we lost New years eve in Las Vegas! We ended up with 2 nights comped and 1 night at the casino rate of $35 at Samstown, (and$25 free food), and 3 nights at the Las Vegas club for $157.
#4 Bank Roll - $1500
The last time we stayed at Samstown we had a problem with a lock and getting in the room (at 3AM) and had trouble getting help getting us in the room, I mentioned the whole story about the lock & lack of help in an e-mail survey that Samstown sent us after we left Vegas. Low and behold, about 15 minutes after booking this room a host calls us up and upgraded the room to a suite to make amends (sweet!). I am a low roller? I my bankroll is about $150 a night for 3 nights, once a year there (maybe twice), so I thought it was worth mentioning that Samstown (Boyde) is trying to make amends.
The next 2 nights were easy, you can find cheap rooms all over Vegas on a Tuesday and Wednesday, but it was that damned Thursday that everyone wanted more money than I wanted to pay. We also “had” to stay on Fremont Street. I love that place! We ended up with 3 nights at “The Vegas Club” for $158. This scares the hell out of me because “I” only need a room, a toilet, and a TV in Vegas, but the wife needs a little bit more at this point in her life, and I think the Vegas Club not going to meet her standards. I hope she is willing to be a trooper for these 3 days!
Quick Editorial…… On December 9th, 2010, (a month after we booked our trip) the President of my company called me and asked me to come in early (2nd shift). I went in and they herded all 300 of us employees into busses. They took us to a meeting facility and told us they were moving the company to another State and most of us would not be invited to move with it. I wasn’t asked to go with them, nor would I have if asked. I have a job until July 1st 2011, and then 22 weeks of severance pay (not bad), so I am all set for next year (within reason).
This does put a damper on plans for big gambling bank rolls and seeing expensive shows and fine dining, but the trip is paid for, the house bills are paid, and I still have a job for a little while longer, so screw it, I am still going! Maybe the gambling gods will look my way when I put that $3 in the mega bucks machine this year!!
I try to make a list of things I want to do and do some research on them before heading to Vegas. This has never failed us to have an enjoyable trip. The things I want to do this trip are….
#1 Must get a #1chip from every casino that I don’t have a chip from (make list) for my collection
#2 Go to all casinos that we haven’t been to yet, M-resort, Cosmopolitan, South Point Casino, etc, and take pictures (make list). I get a kick out of this because looking back at the pictures of the wife and I at the “Sands”, Boardwalk, New Frontier, Castaways, and other casinos that are now gone, is kind of neat.
#3 Go to rehab pool at the Hard Rock and take pictures- get calendar/ autographs? I never miss this show
#4 Take care of my “Casino” movie fetish (Robert De Niro & Sharon Stone) and find the spot where Sam “ace” Rothstein blew up in the movie at the Main Street Station Casino & where Frank “lefty’ Rosenthal actually blew up at Tony Roma’s on east Sahara. I am told there is a plaque marking the spot he blew up at.
#5 Go to the new bridge by passing the Hoover dam
#6 Get a picture of me at the “welcome to Las Vegas” sign
#7 See superstars of country music at the Golden Nugget & fitz of Laughter shows at the Fitzgerald’s Casino
#8 Go to the Hilton Casino and try to win my way into next year’s craps tournament
Friday (the day before the trip)
Printed out the boarding passes, Donna & I paid extra for the early bird check in and just had he mom buy a regular senior citizens ticket and we would save her a good seat.
Saturday -1st day (Christmas Day)
The flight from Manchester New Hampshire to Chicago on Southwest airlines left on time and was uneventful.
We had a one hour layover in Chicago. Donna and I boarded the 2nd plane and saved a seat for her mom like we did the 1st plane and waited. A little while later stewardess came on board and started calling out our name. We answered her and found out that Donna’s mother did not have a ticket for this flight!(I know she did, I printed one out for her) It seems that if you get a senior citizens discount on Southwest Airlines, when you print out your boarding pass, it actually says, “this is not a boarding pass” and the damned thing is no good until you show proof of your age and they give you a real ticket. Makes you wonder how we made it thru Manchester New Hampshire huh? The mother in laws non boarding pass and “my” boarding pass printed out at home look very similar, bar code and all. The only difference is it says “not a boarding pass” where mine says just plain boarding pass. This situation was fixed in minutes but raised our blood pressure needlessly.
We landed in Las Vegas on another uneventful flight. We took the shuttle bus to the car rental facility and then waited in a line at Hertz for 45 minutes. There were two counter people working until we got up to the booth when 3 more people came in (off lunch?) isn’t that the way it always works?
I always rent the lowest budgeted economy car on my trips and usually get a free upgrade. This trip we did get stuck with the econo box that I paid for and got a Chevy Aveo. The good news was it had 9 miles on it. The new car smell was odd; it smelled like the car was on fire or something. I figured the car had some oil spilled on it at the factory and was just burning off or something to that effect so I kept it.
Forgot the GPS and wasn’t about to rent one at $9.99 a day. I have been to Vegas 20 times and think I can make it everywhere by memory.
We got to Samstown with no issues and checked in. The much anticipated suite was a disappointment (room #944). It looked like a regular room, 2 beds, a college dorm sized refrigerator and safe. I am glad this was all mostly comped because I would have been pissed if I paid for a suite and got this!
After getting settled in, Donna and I went to the sports book and we both bought N.E. Patriots sports book tickets, we had to bet $20 to win $18 “and” the Patriots had to beat the Buffalo Bills by more than7 points
After doing a little gambling we decided to use the $25 coupon they gave us at check in for TGI Fridays in the Casino (service sucked) I had Cajun shrimp & chicken pasta (good & spicy) Donna & her mom shared a Jack Daniels Hamburger and Nacho supreme platter (Good) .The total came to $45 and change, $25 off with the coupon.
We gambled a little more, but we were all beat and decided to go back to the room and watch TV, I took a shower and decided to go back down to the casino and wander around and see what happens, I figured that I would only be down there a few minutes so I didn’t wear underwear or socks! (This turns out to be important info later on in this story!) Anyway, I went down into the casino and bellied up to a craps table and played for 2 ½ hours and won $101. I was now thoroughly exhausted and decided to go to the room.
On the way to the room I passed by a Roulette wheel. For some weird reason I got a feeling and I decided to put my original $200 bankroll “and” my $100 craps winnings on the middle 12 on the table. I normally will put $25 on red or black as the mood strikes but tonight I had the weird feeling and put it on the middle 12 which pays 3 to 1, and who would know I made a bet this big, I could just say I lost it on a craps table. Anyways, I made the bet and…..IT HIT!!! I won $600 at Roulette! I hate this game as it has always kicked my butt, but tonight I finally beat it!
Sunday- Bank roll is up $600 to $2100 (sweet)
Donna (wife) for some weird reason likes to eat at Dennies right down the road from Samstown instead of the buffets. We spent $24 on coffee, toast, beacon, and eggs, for 3 people. After making her pay for the meal, I am sure we will now eat breakfast at the $5.99 buffet at Samstown!
After leaving denies we did some shopping at wal-mart. We bought enough sodas and what not to fill the refrigerator in the hotel room.
After leaving wally world, we decided to check out the new Cosmopolitan Casino that just opened.
I know the casino is new, but everything is so impressive and clean that I was immediately is awe! Even the valet looks like you could eat off the floor! There is a person at every door ready to open it for you, and you can’t stop to read a sign without someone asking you if you need help. We did not explore the whole casino, hotel, and restaurants, but what we did see was very impressive. I still think the Bellagio is king of class in Vegas, but I would put this casino very close to it. I won $45 at craps, and I lost $40 at roulette. Left up $4, and with a $1 chip from them.
When we got our car from the valet he commented that it smells like the car was on fire. I kept going.
After leaving the Cosmopolitan we decided to head for another casino that I have never been to, The M resort. Almost immediately we were side tracked as I have always wanted to get my picture taken next to the Went “welcome to Las Vegas sign”. We got lucky and got some great pictures with it.
We got side tracked quickly after leaving the welcome sign, as we came across the ‘South point casino”. I have read about this casino but have never been in it. The cocktail servers at South Point are hot! Their uniforms are small (sexy), Las Vegas type uniforms. (The wife was unimpressed) We made some quick bets and won $80 on craps, then turned around and lost it at roulette (crap!). I deterred, I won another $40 at blackjack, and Donna and I lost it at roulette. Left down $1 (I had to have my $1 chip)
We then finally made it to the M resort (1 mile off the end of the strip) I thought it was ok; it really didn’t do too much for me. Again, the servers were very good looking, but the casino and grounds just didn’t do it for me. I think going to the cosmopolitan 1st might have had something to do with it. I won $40, 3 different times at the craps tables and lost it on roulette all three times. I left the M down $61 (but I got my chip!)
After leaving the M resort, we wanted to explore a little more so we headed for the gamblers general store on Main Street (very close to Fremont Street). It has some very interesting gamboling stuff in it, like books, videos, craps tables, etc. I always wanted to know how much some of the tables cost, found $4,000 for a roulette wheel and no table to go with it rather high! Donna bought some gifts for souvenirs.
While we were in the area we decided to go to the Gold & Silver “pawn shop” (TV show). The freaking line waiting to get in the pawn shop was 200 people deep! It was just too long for me to stand in, and it’s cold and windy, so we will try again at a different day and hour
When we got back to Samstown we went to the sports book and found out that the Patriots (football) kicked the shit out of the Buffalo Bills giving me a sweet little $38 win.
I tried to play craps but could barely manage to play for an hour, I was so tired I couldn’t see straight and its only 7 PM Las Vegas time (10PM my body time) I did manage to win $90, but just couldn’t do it anymore and decided to hit the rack.
When I got back to the room I took shower and laid down – Of coarse….I couldn’t sleep. I tossed and turned and somehow caught a second wind. I decided to go back down and gamble some more, while getting dressed Donna reminded me of my winning streak last night to not wear underwear or socks. As a joke, I didn’t!
I took $400 and went to the craps table. I played for an hour and was up & down, and I almost gave up but decided to stay in and grind it out.
It was my turn to throw the dice for the fifth or sixth time tonight. I put my normal $12 on the 6 & 8, $10-on the 5, $10 on the Pass line and $5 dollars on the field, and began to throw the dice. Long story short, I went on a 43 minute winning spree! I hit 5 point numbers, 2 yo’s on the come out with $5 on it ($75 win).
When all was said and done and I sevened out, I had $90 on the 6 & 8, $75 on the 5, $25 on the field, & $25 pass line with $25 odds by adding to my bets after wins, and had won $1153! I tipped the dealers the $53. The pit boss congratulated me and said it was the longest roll he had seen in a long time. I ran back to the room to tell Donna!
The girls were excited for me but still were beat and opted to stay in bed! I knew I couldn’t sleep now so I went back down and played .50 video poker for another hour and won $75.I Walked around and found a roulette table with 5 blacks hits in a row and everyone at the table was pushing all their chips on it! I wasn’t about to be left out and threw a hundred on the table and won! (I can’t believe this is happening!) I Went back to .50 video poker and won a quick $25 and decided to ramp it up and play $1.25 a hand for a while. I hit 4 kings shortly their after for a good hit (I forget how much). I took one last stroll around the casino and found myself back to the roulette table. I lost $25 on one spin and figured that was it (no more mojo) and went to bed
Monday-Bank Roll is up to $3500! (Really sweet!)
We bought Dunkin doughnuts coffee for breakfast, as none of us was hungry at this point. We decided to head for the Hoover Dam.
The drive to the Hoover dam was awful. We found out that since the new bridge has been put in the traffic has been awful! I have seen people on the Las Vegas news complaining about it. They say between 11 AM and 4 PM are the worst and weekends are even worse. We also found out that they have no signage up yet for the new bridge, so a bunch of people at Hoover Dam that missed the exit were complaining to each other (including us!)
On the way back from the dam Donna wanted to stop at a small casino near the dam called the “The Hacienda” just to check it out. At the far end of the parking lot of the Hacienda’s parking lot is a helicopter ride company. The sign said 2 minute (approximately) ride to see lake mead cost $29, a 5 minute ride to see the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead cost $59, and a 10 minute ride over the dam, over lake mead, and up the black canyon cost $140 ($99 if you have 4 people), Donna decided she wanted to go. I was reluctant, so we went in the Casino. I decided to try to win the helicopter ride money. I laid the 10 on a craps table for $40 (won $20), put $40 on red on a roulette table (won $40), I then threw $15 on a blackjack table and was dealt 2 five’s against the dealers 6. I split the 5’s. The first hand I got a 7, took another card for a total of 19 (sweet), the second hand, my next card was a 5, so with an 11, I doubled down and got a 6 (yuck). The dealer’s hole card was a queen and took another card which was a jack and busted. I won $45 at blackjack! All of these wins were in a row! so, with the winnings I agreed to go on the Helicopter ride. The helicopter ride cost us about $13! (I can’t lose!)
The helicopter ride was a blast and we got many pictures. I recommend this to anyone that has never been on a helicopter ride, even if you’re mildly afraid of heights. These 5 minutes goes by in a snap and the ride and view is worth it.
We checked out the LVA coupon book and a lot of things had expired while we were in Vegas, but decided to use the buffet coupon at the Cannery next to Samstown. We got in line and when we got to the cash register to get in they asked me for my players card, I told him I didn’t have it with me (I never had one). The boothling would not accept the coupon so with a buffet cost of $7 each ($21 total) I decided not to run down a player’s card and get back in line so we just paid cash. I won $25 at the craps table on the way out as revenge for not accepting my coupon.
It was still fairly early and this was our last night at Samstown so Donna decided to get the laundry out of the way, so we went to Samstown RV park, right next to the Casino, which we have done many times in the past (ask for the code to get in at the front desk).
While she was doing the laundry, I got an itch and drove to the Longhorn Casino (right across the street from Samstown) to get my $1chip from them.
If you have never been to the longhorn casino, it is smoky and reeks of cigarettes smoke!
It has 4 blackjack tables (3 closed), no craps or any other card games and did I mention lung cancer in 10 minutes smoky? I wanted to win my $1 chip and since they didn’t have a craps table, I bellied up to the only open blackjack table. I was dealt two 3’s; I split them and ended up with a 15 and 16 against the dealers 9 (not looking good). The dealer’s hole card was a 6 (for 15 total) and had to get another card which was an 8 and busted (I can’t lose!). I played a while longer and walked out with $4 in cash and 1 in a metal token.
At the Longhorn’s cashier’s cage, I was told they have no regular $1 tokens just metal $1 tokens. I thought the $1 metal token was cool so I took it. I then went to Arizona Charlie’s, just down the road from Samstown & the Longhorn and won $12 at craps. I lost the 1st 2 rolls but progressively made bigger bets until I won all my money back plus the $12 (I can’t lose!)
I got back to the laundry just as Donna and her mom was finishing up. When we got back to the casino from the laundry, I gave Donna $100 as she is on a slow losing streak and I took $350 to the casino in Samstown, I started making bigger than normal bets and managed to lose the $350 in record time. I was not happy with loosing $350 but I am still way up and have plenty of time to get it back. We all watched TV for a while and went to bed.
Tuesday, (moving day) Bank roll is down to $2900, which includes paying for copter rides etc
We ate at Samstown Buffet for breakfast ($5.99 each) the meal was good. I told Donna and her mom the story from last night and how I lost $350 when Donna figured it out…I wore underwear and socks!!!! We all had a good laugh.
After breakfast all 3 of us went our separate ways to give Samstown a little more play. I hit the craps table and lost $40 in 10 minutes! I could not win an even money bet to save my life let alone a harder to win bet. It didn’t take me too long to figure out that 100% of my mojo at Samstown was gone and it was definitely time to leave.
After breakfast we checked out of Samstown and jumped in the car and headed for a traditional stop while in Las Vegas, the world’s largest souvenir shop on the corner of Las Vegas blvd and Sahara Blvd. I didn’t get anything, but enjoy walking around in there. Donna bought a few things.
After leaving the souvenir shop we drove by “the Pawn Shop”. The line was still way too long and it’s very cold. The line went all the way along the building and around the corner. We have no idea if the TV show characters are even in there so we did not stop.
We made it to the Golden Gate by 12:30PM and were told they had no rooms ready. We dropped luggage off and walked up and down Fremont Street hitting each casino on the street. We were winning then losing, which turned into just losing. I bought a football sized daiquiri (bad combo with gambling) from Le bayou casino and continued to gamble and have fun.
The Bruins won over the Florida panthers 4 to 3 doubling my money, so my original $19 that I bet on the patriots is now $80. I put the whole $80 on the Celtics to beat the Detroit Pistons and I had to give 6 points
We walked down to the Golden Nugget and bought 3 tickets to see ‘country superstars” with a buffet, for $39 each. Tried half price tonight but I think I got a better deal thru the casino.
I got a sinus head ach from the rains in Las Vegas and it basically ruined the rest of the night.
We finally got to get into our room around 2:30 PM. The Golden Gate’s rooms next to Fremont Street are not recommended for older people. The room is clean and sleep able but that’s about it. The bathroom is right out of the 1960’s. The shower had an old porcelain tub (slippery), with lime green tile, complete with a discoloration in the grout. The shower had a rainfall shower head and was just ridiculously slow. The toilet was the smallest and closest to the floor that I have sat on for years! (like squatting over a golf hole)The bed was so small that my 5ft 1 in wife complained that her feet hung off the end of the bed! The biggest problem by far was the noise from the Fremont street experience and the stage shows going on. The speakers must be right outside the room-the room shook when the music was on. Then at 6 am construction works started replacing light bulbs etc
Wednesday –Bank roll going down - $2750 +$80 sports bet (still up $1250)
Ran down to Starbucks (me) at the golden nugget and then to the Fremont Casino for Dunkin Doughnuts for the girls
We all took showers, and headed for Magnolias Veranda for breakfast (4 Queens Casino) It was a decent breakfast, with decent service. The coffee was awful (strong). Everyone had eggs, beacon, Toast and coffee for $25 plus tax
We drove by the “Pawn Shop” and the line was still down the street! It had 100 people in it easy. We just kept driving!
With nothing else to do we decided to go on a chip hunting run. I took $300 and went to The Hard Rock Casino first. I immediately found a Roulette table with 5 blacks hits in a row, so I started betting on red and was up to $80 bets by the time I finally won my $5 (kept 4 and got a $1 chip)-whew!.
Saw the rehab pool while we were at the hard Rock. It was slightly smaller than I expected but I recognized everything from the T.V show. They have very, very, little rehab souvenirs to buy. It was literally freezing in Las Vegas this day, so we didn’t stay too long next to the pool.
We then went to the Tropicana Casino where we ran into the same situation. I found a roulette table that had 3 consecutive red hits, so I started betting black. Again after having to put over $100 on the table because the table was up to 8 straight black hits, I got my $4 and 1 chip after a $5 win (whew!)
Donna lost $40 and I was feeling invincible so, I tried to win her money back with some big bets. I walked out of the Tropicana with a $1 chip (basically worth $100!) I was so mad I could have screamed!!
We then went to the Hooters casino, Terribles Casino, and Ellis Island Casinos. I won $5 on craps or roulette in all 3 casinos in less than 5 minutes each.
We ate supper at a little restaurant in Golden Gate called Di-Par’s, it kind of looks like the inside a railroad car. Donna & I had a Hamburger and fries, Lorraine had a Turkey club, and we all had sodas for $45 plus tax. We got $25 off the bill with a coupon.
Found I had the internet (free?), caught up on e-mails, face book, and the stock market.
I started gambling on my own, while the girls went to the 4 Queens casino. I lost $30 here, $40 there, and truthfully was still pissed over the $100 beat down at the Tropicana, so I gave up at 6 PM and tried to play video poker with the girls at the 4 queens for a while (up $10).Got a good feeling and took Donna on a quick run thru every casino on Fremont street where we bet $10 here and $25 there and promptly turned $180 into $68! I thru the whole $68 on a field bet (craps) at the Main Street Station----Winner! (whew), that started a run that got me all the way back to my original $200!...........Now, If I can win that damned $100 back that I lost at the Tropicana (yup, I was still pissed!)
I bought in for $200 at the Golden Gate and lost the whole $200 in 1 ½ hours at the craps table. I just didn’t seem to have any luck no matter what I tried. I was making good bets, they were just getting beat!
The Boston Celtics not only did not cover the 6 points that I needed them to win by, but got a beat down of their own by the Detroit pistons (another $80 down the tubes!)-I can’t win anything now
Thursday, this is the last full day of gambling-bankroll down to $2475 (still up $775)
Breakfast again at magnolias, we had a coupon for $21 but managed to screw it up. It was a 2 for 1, and we thought it was $21 off
Went to the “Pawn Shop” and the line was long, but it was the lowest that we had seen it all week, so we decided to suck it up (windy and 34 degrees). Every time I go in the pawn shop it gets a little bigger. The 1st time I went in just after the show came on the air, it was just a couple of small rooms, the second time I was in they had cleaned it and expanded a little, This time in I think it looks more like one would expect from seeing the TV show. The Cannon they shot the cannon ball from was still in the shop and the coke machine that his buddy rebuilt was there ($7000!!). I bought an “old man’ bobble head doll for $14. None of the cast was there, or has been the last couple of times there for that matter. People would leave the line when we came out and they asked if the guys were in the shop and we said no.
Not having much else to do, I decided to see if I could win my way into the 2011 Hilton casino’s $50,000 Craps tournament. It cost something like $499 to buy into this tournament, or you can play craps and bet $5 on the #11(which is called a “yo’) on the 1st roll of every hand (come out roll). I did it last year and ended up coming in 5th place for $4,000 and got to go back to a bigger tournament in December where I won another $500.
When we got to the Hilton, they were basically rebuilding the craps pit and only had one table open. The table was elbow to elbow, so we decided to try and come back later when they said they would have 2 more tables open. (We never went back)
After leaving the Hilton, we drove to the MGM end of the strip and parked at Bills gambling hall to try to pick up a few more chips. I ran up to the 1st craps table I came to and won $5. I cashed the chip in for 4 -$1 bills and a clean $1 casino chip, we then ran over to the flamingo. I found a Roulette table with 3 black hits in a row, so thing RED has to come up soon, I put $5 down, of course “black” came out. I throw a $10 down so I can get my original $5 back and win my $5. What happens….’black”! Now I go into the “I am in trouble and I just want to get my get my money back mode” and bet $15 to recoup losses, guess what happens? Yup, “black comes out again! 6 blacks in a row! Undeterred, I threw $30 more down to just try to break even, “black” again! I am now getting nervous, but I threw $60 down to try to break even, yup you guessed it “black” again! I am beginning to think that God now hates me and I can’t win anything!). I threw my last $120 down on the table and was literally sweating when the little white ball “finally” plopped into the little ‘red’ square…..whew; I got away with one there!
Donna (the wife) was down $20, so I decide once again to be the hero and win her money back. I threw $54 on a craps table on various areas of the table lay out and in two throws the women throwing, 7’s out. (We lost). I threw another $54 down on the same spots as my last bet, and the new thrower 7’s out in one throw. Great, I am down $108 in two minutes!
After losing at the flamingo, it was the 1st time I got mad (really mad) at loosing! I cursed every swear word I knew for the next 15 minutes! How could I win none stop for two days, and then loose nonstop for two (going on three) straight days?
Went back to the Golden Gate and picked up my mother in law, and headed to the Boulder Station to eat at the Pasta Palace. When we got there we were told it would be a 15 minute wait to get in, so we gambled for the next 15 minutes (down another $20). We went back to the restaurant and finally heard our names called. We went in to find it half full? Odd?
We decided to have the $6.99 spaghetti special. The salad, bread, and drinks were served quickly and professionally by 3 different servers, then we had a 15 minute wait to get the spaghetti, I think we only got it because the manager noticed us tapping our fingers on the table. The spaghetti was ok at best and the meatballs were awful. The girls didn’t even eat theirs.
After supper we went back to The Golden Gate and Fremont Street for our last full night of gambling.
I decided that due to my 3 day losing streak to only give myself a small bankroll of $163. This would allow me to go home with a minimum of $700 profit no matter what.
I started by playing craps at the Golden Gate and won $150 on the second shooter! (Sweet!). Maybe my mojo is coming back, finally? I then made the fatal mistake of buying a $15 football sized daiquiri from the Le bayou Casino. The le bayou serve’s the 2 foot tall drinks, the football shaped glass drinks, etc in the very back of the casino. I go there every time I am on Fremont Street (only 1 drink needed!)
I took my drink and $300 and walked to Binion’s Casino and lost $150 over the next one hour (started cussing again!). The drink kicked in about this time so I decided to put a big bet of $100 on the #10 to “NOT” come out before a seven (the odds are in my favor). Well, the second throw was a 10 and I lost my $100! I threw the last of my bankroll down on the field, which is one roll that pays even odds and a 2,3,4,9,10,11,or a 12 will show up on the next roll. A 6 came up and that was it for gambling for this trip. I actually felt a little relieved that the losing was over!
Went back to the Golden Gate and went to sleep. On the way up to the room, I ran into 2 Golden Gate maintenance guys and joked with them about having job security for a maintenance guy at that casino! They laughed also
Friday,
I will not bet today as I have had my fill of getting my ass kicked, the final tally was – I’m going home with $700 more than I came with ($2200 total)
Woke up and showered (won’t miss that shower) Ran down to the Fremont Casino in 32 degrees weather and got a bagel and coffee from Dunkin Doughnuts. I thought we left this weather in New Hampshire?
We checked out of the Golden Gate and the Wi-Fi was not on the bill, so how we got it I have no idea!
We returned the car rental to Hertz with no issues, and the car actually started smelling better, so I didn’t say anything about the smell.
Got to the airport and checked in with no issues. Southwest airlines got us back to New Hampshire 20 minutes early (tail wind)
You wouldnt believe how much I left out of this report, but it was just getting too long!
