Left Friday 3/20/15 out of Flint Michigan. If you're from the area, flying out of the small Flint airport is a dream compared to Detroit Metro. Southwest direct flight efficient. The more I fly Southwest, the more I appreciate that airline. Flight attendants funny and friendly. Drink service pretty good.
Arrived at Main Street Station Friday and checked in. Played some bar video poker, then did the seafood buffet. The crab legs are pretty good. Snow crab, medium sized. But they actually make a solid attempt at keeping them stocked. It is a large and heavily used buffet. Overall a very good experience outside of the line to get in (comped meals allows you and anyone in your party to go to the front of the line...even the ones that are paying....it's a great benefit). I find the pound of butter now in my stomach does not mix well with the many Jack and Cokes I had on the plane and at the bar. Add in the 3 hour time change and I'm pretty tired even though it's only 10 pm (1 am our time). But we met my hometown buddy and his wife (originally from Michigan, now live in Hawaii) for the trip, and with their 6 hour time change it's only 7 pm for them and they are ready to go. So back to the VP bar we go. After about 10 minutes I keep two to the Royal and it hits. Pretty early in the trip. It's my 4th one of 20 years of going to Vegas (hit last year also). My friend has always gone with me (now meets me there) and he is still seeking his first one. Per our agreement I give him $100 so everyone wins at least a little and we can all be happy in the win.
Saturday wake up at 3:30 am (6:30 our time) and the wife and I play some VP and go for a walk. Eventually eat at the coffee shop in California. $6.25 for a very small but very good breakfast buffet. More like something at Big Boy. But when you're still carrying around a sea full of crab in your belly not much is needed.
The sports book at the Cal is ok. It does it's job, but the hours aren't the best. We left Monday and they didn't open until 10:30 am and now I have to send in winning tickets from the night before. I don't like doing that, but have no choice. I found the people working there overall to be pretty friendly and helpful. I always tip a little for their help and patience. They seem to appreciate the couple of bucks each bet. Anyway, Saturday bets didn't go so well. A little down. The games are crazy good. Upsets, close games. Sundays games went very well and overall up some on the sports betting.
I'll skip the rest of the video poker talk, but we play a lot and the rest of the trip every session was a loser, and pretty quickly. I'm a J or Better player and play that very well. I experimented with Bonus Poker as I had two people on my left hit 4 of a kind with a 2 and 3. I haven't practiced much in Bonus Poker so I'm sure I made errors, and never hit a 4 and eventually just stuck with the J or Better. At least I was playing "mostly" correctly as the machine ate my money.
Saturday afternoon ate at the Four Queens coffee shop. Used the MRB coupon and the meals were pretty good. Waiter excellent. Dang cheap after coupon.
Saturday night checked out the Downtown Grand and used the MRB $25 matchplay. Lost it but ended up $91 overall. I'm torn on this place. The other couple and my wife thought it was just ok. It's new and clean, but it had a weird vibe to it. I can't explain it except I don't think I would stay here. I wanted to like it as my MSS offers have dried up some, but my friend wouldn't even sit down to gamble. Said the place had a creepy vibe. They also had a live band that was pretty good, but then some Karaoke like stuff going on that just seemed off on a Saturday at a casino.
We walked to The D for some blackjack, but that place was packed and we couldn't get on a table. We stopped in a couple of times and The D was always busy. They must be doing something right. The crazies were out on Fremont Street. Some of the outfits on some of the "street performers" bordered on obscene. I am always surprised by the amount of people pushing around strollers on this drunken street at 11 pm. This is not a place at night for children , but I saw it all over. They had multiple bands playing and one was called "Spandex Nation". Doing 80's cover songs. The lead singer had a heck of a voice. He did Dio, Journey, and Bon Jovi and was very impressive. They drew a large crowd. I may be getting old (48), but while there are a lot of people drinking and having a good time, there are enough people that look like trouble that I can see a lot of people would avoid this Fremont Street scene all together. I saw more than a couple of what looked like homeless people crazy drugged out. They were small and harmless, but were dancing all over the place and running into people. I checked for my money clip and we headed back to MSS.
Sunday my friend and I walked to the Golden Gate casino to bet the $25 matchplay while the ladies got ready for the day. I bet $25/hand and my friend bets $10/hand. First, I hate the continuous shuffle dealer machines, and that is all they have here now. I always look at it as a simple way for the casino to cheat, plus you can't get a feel for the cards. I don't like holding the cards either, as I find the 6 deck shoe when dealt face up seems to bring the table more together when one can root on another players play and feel their pain on bad hits. I always look for the 6 deck shoe and have a much better social experience. Well, we sat down anyway and I just kept getting cards and cards. After 2 hours I was up $700 and my friend was down $25. They also brought the drinks around very quickly which is a huge plus. Outside of the auto shufflers, the pit boss was nice, the casino was clean and well lit. It's small, but we had a great time. And winning always helps.
We then all took a taxi to Austins Steakhouse at Texas Station ($25 off in MRB). Had dinner reservations at 5 pm. They had two waiters and only a few tables being used, but when we left at 6:30 we heard them telling someone there was a 30 minute wait. Maybe they didn't have the staff as tables were open. As for the food. Awesome. Our waiter was efficient, although not very personable or friendly. We all ordered the Filet Mignon. My wife tried to order the petite filet, but I said for $4 more just get the filet so you're not hungy. Ok, these steaks were huge. It is a big chunk of meat for a Filet. And they were excellent. All prepared differently, all done right. The guys barely finished theirs, the girls ate about half. I also had the cream corn that someone on here has suggested, and it was also excellent. I tried the French Onion soup, and while it was good, it wasn't up to par with the rest of the meal, and well below the F.Onion soup I had at The Flame last year (which was the best I ever had). We aren't drinkers at dinner, and our final tab before tip came to around $70 (after MRB coupon). Two full size Filets and 3 sides. Everyone agreed this is a must stop next year. We got the leftovers and rolls to go.
On the cab ride back, we were stopped at a light where an older woman was begging. She had a sign that stated "Anything is welcome". I don't know what is insulting or not, and I normally don't give money to the people on Fremont Street as they always seem to have cigarette and beer money. But we had leftover food and no way to heat it up and it was probably going to waste. I don't know if you give homeless people leftovers or not. My wife told my friends wife to hand it out the window. She was hesitant for the same reasons. My wife said "sign says anything is welcome". So we handed the bag out the window to the woman. She took the bag and walked a few steps away and tore into it and pulled the steak out by hand and crammed it into her own mouth like she was starving. She came back to the car with tears in her eyes waving thank you to us before the light turned green and we drove off. Made my wife cry and made us all feel a little guilty for being able to afford a trip to Vegas when some people have so little.
We then went and did the High Roller. We did the bartender happy hour one and had 12 people in a pod so lots of room for all. The view at night is fantastic. We were still full and managed two drinks each. The bartender is quick and good. You could drink a lot on this if you wanted. He mostly stood there waiting to serve someone. It was a very good experience. Nothing I need to do every year, but would highly recommend at least once.
We then went to the D to use the MRB coupons there. I lost $100 in a couple of minutes and decided I didn't want to give my winnings back so we left. Plus I was so full from Austins that I couldn't get a drink down. Back to MSS for more losing VP and then to bed. Left for home Monday morning.
For the 4th straight year came back with more money than I went with. Came back with more body fat than I went with too. We drank well, ate well, and laughed often. Excellent trip. Hope I gave a few people some useful advice as I have learned much from the forum and trip reports in the past.
Good luck everyone!!
Don.
Arrived at Main Street Station Friday and checked in. Played some bar video poker, then did the seafood buffet. The crab legs are pretty good. Snow crab, medium sized. But they actually make a solid attempt at keeping them stocked. It is a large and heavily used buffet. Overall a very good experience outside of the line to get in (comped meals allows you and anyone in your party to go to the front of the line...even the ones that are paying....it's a great benefit). I find the pound of butter now in my stomach does not mix well with the many Jack and Cokes I had on the plane and at the bar. Add in the 3 hour time change and I'm pretty tired even though it's only 10 pm (1 am our time). But we met my hometown buddy and his wife (originally from Michigan, now live in Hawaii) for the trip, and with their 6 hour time change it's only 7 pm for them and they are ready to go. So back to the VP bar we go. After about 10 minutes I keep two to the Royal and it hits. Pretty early in the trip. It's my 4th one of 20 years of going to Vegas (hit last year also). My friend has always gone with me (now meets me there) and he is still seeking his first one. Per our agreement I give him $100 so everyone wins at least a little and we can all be happy in the win.
Saturday wake up at 3:30 am (6:30 our time) and the wife and I play some VP and go for a walk. Eventually eat at the coffee shop in California. $6.25 for a very small but very good breakfast buffet. More like something at Big Boy. But when you're still carrying around a sea full of crab in your belly not much is needed.
The sports book at the Cal is ok. It does it's job, but the hours aren't the best. We left Monday and they didn't open until 10:30 am and now I have to send in winning tickets from the night before. I don't like doing that, but have no choice. I found the people working there overall to be pretty friendly and helpful. I always tip a little for their help and patience. They seem to appreciate the couple of bucks each bet. Anyway, Saturday bets didn't go so well. A little down. The games are crazy good. Upsets, close games. Sundays games went very well and overall up some on the sports betting.
I'll skip the rest of the video poker talk, but we play a lot and the rest of the trip every session was a loser, and pretty quickly. I'm a J or Better player and play that very well. I experimented with Bonus Poker as I had two people on my left hit 4 of a kind with a 2 and 3. I haven't practiced much in Bonus Poker so I'm sure I made errors, and never hit a 4 and eventually just stuck with the J or Better. At least I was playing "mostly" correctly as the machine ate my money.
Saturday afternoon ate at the Four Queens coffee shop. Used the MRB coupon and the meals were pretty good. Waiter excellent. Dang cheap after coupon.
Saturday night checked out the Downtown Grand and used the MRB $25 matchplay. Lost it but ended up $91 overall. I'm torn on this place. The other couple and my wife thought it was just ok. It's new and clean, but it had a weird vibe to it. I can't explain it except I don't think I would stay here. I wanted to like it as my MSS offers have dried up some, but my friend wouldn't even sit down to gamble. Said the place had a creepy vibe. They also had a live band that was pretty good, but then some Karaoke like stuff going on that just seemed off on a Saturday at a casino.
We walked to The D for some blackjack, but that place was packed and we couldn't get on a table. We stopped in a couple of times and The D was always busy. They must be doing something right. The crazies were out on Fremont Street. Some of the outfits on some of the "street performers" bordered on obscene. I am always surprised by the amount of people pushing around strollers on this drunken street at 11 pm. This is not a place at night for children , but I saw it all over. They had multiple bands playing and one was called "Spandex Nation". Doing 80's cover songs. The lead singer had a heck of a voice. He did Dio, Journey, and Bon Jovi and was very impressive. They drew a large crowd. I may be getting old (48), but while there are a lot of people drinking and having a good time, there are enough people that look like trouble that I can see a lot of people would avoid this Fremont Street scene all together. I saw more than a couple of what looked like homeless people crazy drugged out. They were small and harmless, but were dancing all over the place and running into people. I checked for my money clip and we headed back to MSS.
Sunday my friend and I walked to the Golden Gate casino to bet the $25 matchplay while the ladies got ready for the day. I bet $25/hand and my friend bets $10/hand. First, I hate the continuous shuffle dealer machines, and that is all they have here now. I always look at it as a simple way for the casino to cheat, plus you can't get a feel for the cards. I don't like holding the cards either, as I find the 6 deck shoe when dealt face up seems to bring the table more together when one can root on another players play and feel their pain on bad hits. I always look for the 6 deck shoe and have a much better social experience. Well, we sat down anyway and I just kept getting cards and cards. After 2 hours I was up $700 and my friend was down $25. They also brought the drinks around very quickly which is a huge plus. Outside of the auto shufflers, the pit boss was nice, the casino was clean and well lit. It's small, but we had a great time. And winning always helps.
We then all took a taxi to Austins Steakhouse at Texas Station ($25 off in MRB). Had dinner reservations at 5 pm. They had two waiters and only a few tables being used, but when we left at 6:30 we heard them telling someone there was a 30 minute wait. Maybe they didn't have the staff as tables were open. As for the food. Awesome. Our waiter was efficient, although not very personable or friendly. We all ordered the Filet Mignon. My wife tried to order the petite filet, but I said for $4 more just get the filet so you're not hungy. Ok, these steaks were huge. It is a big chunk of meat for a Filet. And they were excellent. All prepared differently, all done right. The guys barely finished theirs, the girls ate about half. I also had the cream corn that someone on here has suggested, and it was also excellent. I tried the French Onion soup, and while it was good, it wasn't up to par with the rest of the meal, and well below the F.Onion soup I had at The Flame last year (which was the best I ever had). We aren't drinkers at dinner, and our final tab before tip came to around $70 (after MRB coupon). Two full size Filets and 3 sides. Everyone agreed this is a must stop next year. We got the leftovers and rolls to go.
On the cab ride back, we were stopped at a light where an older woman was begging. She had a sign that stated "Anything is welcome". I don't know what is insulting or not, and I normally don't give money to the people on Fremont Street as they always seem to have cigarette and beer money. But we had leftover food and no way to heat it up and it was probably going to waste. I don't know if you give homeless people leftovers or not. My wife told my friends wife to hand it out the window. She was hesitant for the same reasons. My wife said "sign says anything is welcome". So we handed the bag out the window to the woman. She took the bag and walked a few steps away and tore into it and pulled the steak out by hand and crammed it into her own mouth like she was starving. She came back to the car with tears in her eyes waving thank you to us before the light turned green and we drove off. Made my wife cry and made us all feel a little guilty for being able to afford a trip to Vegas when some people have so little.
We then went and did the High Roller. We did the bartender happy hour one and had 12 people in a pod so lots of room for all. The view at night is fantastic. We were still full and managed two drinks each. The bartender is quick and good. You could drink a lot on this if you wanted. He mostly stood there waiting to serve someone. It was a very good experience. Nothing I need to do every year, but would highly recommend at least once.
We then went to the D to use the MRB coupons there. I lost $100 in a couple of minutes and decided I didn't want to give my winnings back so we left. Plus I was so full from Austins that I couldn't get a drink down. Back to MSS for more losing VP and then to bed. Left for home Monday morning.
For the 4th straight year came back with more money than I went with. Came back with more body fat than I went with too. We drank well, ate well, and laughed often. Excellent trip. Hope I gave a few people some useful advice as I have learned much from the forum and trip reports in the past.
Good luck everyone!!
Don.
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