My Farewell Year – Chapter 1
As I write this, I’m sitting in my room at Harrahs in Laughlin. It’s 5 PM, Dec 31. The day is special in many ways. In four hours I head over to the Fiesta room for a New Year’s Eve party that includes a large dinner, party favors, and the current touring band(s) Beatles versus the Rolling Stones as we bring in the New Year, 2015. It’s also special because for the first time in almost 30 years, it has snowed in Laughlin. And finally, it’s special because this will mark the final series of blogs from me in the theme of Las Vegas and my ventures in gambling.
This is not a last minute decision but one I’ve been debating for the past few months. I’ve been writing these day trips, blogs, chapters, and books now for the past 14 years. Las Vegas and gaming has been a part of my life for the past 40 years. It’s simply time to move on to something else. After I left the Air Force in 1974, I started a cover band in San Diego called Shine It On. We worked full time for about 25 years. I was the guitar player. I played that thing five to seven nights a week at night and put in even hours in the day time learning new material. When I finally dissolved Shine It On, it was on New Year’s Eve, 2000. I put down that guitar and I’ve rarely picked it up since. I don’t even own one now. Of course, this book is my called My Farewell Year, which means that I still l have all of 2015 to write this as long as I have material to write about. I have set a few guidelines, which no doubt I’ll tweak along the way, but I’ll add chapters to this as events come up warrant sharing.
Beginning tomorrow, January 1, I will no longer gamble with my own money for the sole purpose of making club points. This isn’t saying I won’t gamble any more, I simply will no longer try to make any tier status for any slot club. I’ll rarely be playing machines with my own money, sticking to the free play I’ll be receiving throughout the year. I intend to run the free play through the machine, and keep anything that I’ve run. This will be part of this adventure I’ll share with you. I’ll keep a running tab on how I do. I’ll also begin tabulating all the comps I receive on my “year of the free.” My 7 Stars status with Caesars is good through March 31, 2016. I plan on signing up for as many tournaments as I can throughout 2015. The tournament offers always include room nights, tournament entry, and sometimes free play or free food. I will keep account of all these and share the information along with these reports.
The money I will spend on gambling will be for live poker, which I still enjoy playing from time to time, and if I’m with friends and we play together, but I’ll be playing for wins, not points. Last year’s book, “Reaching for the Stars,” the chapters were about how I was being treated differently from when I was Diamond status. Considering it took 10 times the amount of play, I expected a lot. I found there was very little difference. Aside from head-of –the- line passes, and free Internet and in-room movies, there is very little more. Yes, there’s an over-priced free gift and a 7 Star trip, but that’s about it. Caesars has cut back so much on the extras and cut so many corners, it’s simply no longer worth the time and expense. So, this time it will be interesting to see how they begin treating me differently as the year ventures on and I have no play (other than the free play points). Will all my offers completely dry up? The only offers I care about are tournaments, so we’ll see how this plays out. I’ve still yet to win a tournament. Unless you take down the top prize, everything else is paid out in free play. I’ve already been signed up for four assorted tournaments in the next two months, and I’ll keep checking for more.
I have a little over $500 in comps from Caesars and a $120 with the Boyd properties. I’ll use this for food purchases until they’re exhausted. It will cost me money for fuel going between San Diego and Las Vegas and of course tips along the way (don’t underestimate the cost of tips on these trips—everyone has their hand out, but that’s all part of the experience).
Why is this the final year? Quite simply, I’m bored. I’ve been doing this for so many years that all these freebies that I got a kick out of so much in the beginning simply don’t do anything for me anymore. I get a suite and I shrug my shoulders. I’m gone for two weeks or more during back-to-back tournaments, and I can’t wait to get home. I’m tired of the casino noise. All the free food over the years has done nothing more than make me fat (another thing that has to seriously change). These past couple of years, it’s never been the thrill of making money, it was always about the quest for points. I’ve lost the thrill of winning. Catching a Royal Flush used to be thrilling; lately it’s been about having enough money to continue to the next level of play. When I played guitar for a living, I grew tired of it; I’ve gambled so much the past few years, it’s no longer fun—it’s become a job.
Let the adventure begin.
December 28
I had booked two rooms for a couple of nights. One was at Caesars Palace for a newlywed couple and the other at the Suncoast in Summerlin. Unfortunately, the day before leaving, the couple had to cancel, so I called around to many of my friends and former students to see if they’d like to have the Caesars room and because of the one day’s notice, no one could do it, so I drove out to the Suncoast and got the keys for my room (comped) and went to the room, put the keys on the dresser and left. I stayed for a little while to enjoy a hotdog (now $1.75 recently raised from $.75; however, they’re now foot long dogs. I enjoyed one as I watched my Chargers end their season with an embarrassing loss to the Chiefs—and so it goes.
I then drove to Caesars to check in. I pulled into the side entrance known as the Laurel Collection VIP valet, which today was jammed as people were now arriving for the New Year’s celebration. After about 15 minutes, I left the car and took my bags to the 7 Stars registration where I was given a room in the Augustus Tower with a great view of the south end of the Strip and the Bellagio fountains.
The room at Caesars in the Augustus Tower
Daytime view from my room
Night time view
I was anxious to see the movie INTO THE WOODS as I had directed the show twice at my high school before retiring, so I was very curious to see how it would film. It’s one of my favorite musicals of all time; however, I felt the movie fell just a bit flat. Much of the humor was lost and the magic of the seeing on the stage and the jaded view we all have of movie effects didn’t do this show justice. Having said that, I still enjoyed the movie. The cast was outstanding and Meryl Streep, who I questioned when I first heard she was cast as the witch, turned in an amazing performance. I drove back to Caesars and called it a night after wandering around the casino to see what, if anything was new. Aside from the place being absolutely packed with gamblers, the new “food court” at the Forum Shops entrance is now open. There’s a seafood place, Starbucks, Smash Burger, Earl of Sandwich, a pizza outlet, and an Asian restaurant.
The recently remodeled food court at Caesars Palace
December 29
I got up in time to drive down to Henderson and Sam’s Town for their 10 AM poker tournament. This is a favorite little tournament that they have daily. It only costs $23 and there are usually around 30 to 50 players. It’s a very cheap way to spend the morning. I’ve cashed in this tournament twice in the past, but today didn’t go very well as I chipped out before the first break. I enjoyed a hamburger special at their sportsbook deli and headed over to the movie theaters to see THE IMATATION GAME. This was a very good movie based on the true story of the man who broke the Nazi code machine.
The 9/6 Jacks or Better progressive for quarters was just over $1100, so I gave it a shot and lost a hundred (the last time I will be playing this game in the quest for points). I went downstairs to enjoy the Christmas atrium. They do a wonderful job here decorating. There were a few maintenance guys watering the trees (I never knew these were real, but the vast majority of plant life here is very real).
The atrium at Sam’s Town
From a higher view
As I was leaving Sam’s Town, I thought I’d take a fast drive downtown where I had read on the LVA that the Container Park had added a gourmet hot dog joint, and I love hot dogs, so I had to check it out. Even though it was really cold outside, the Container Park was really busy. Many families bring their children here to play in the two center parks—a brilliant idea to spark business. The hot dog store is called Cheffinis Gourmet Dogs. There certainly isn’t any cheap dogs here with the lowest bare dog is $4.99. I tried the Cheffinis Dog, which seemed to have everything in the pantry on it including crushed potato chips. It was so large, it was tough to eat, but it was a pretty good dog.
The Container Park on this cold day in December
The menu for Cheffinis Gourmet Dogs
My Cheffinis Dog
I drove back to Caesars and hung out at the Diamond Lounge for a while. Their snacks were the usual chicken wings and this time some good meatballs. After a couple of mai-tai’s (hadn’t had one in years, saw it on some TV show, and decided to try it again). A lady (I believe her name was Debi?—sorry) approached me and asked if I was the guy who wrote the LVA blogs. She recognized me from the picture (that was 80 pounds ago). We chatted for a bit and she mentioned that Carri (sp?), the long time bartender in the Harrahs Laughlin passed away from cancer. She was a great person who would throw used bear cans behind her back at a basket on the wall and was super nice. It all came on sudden and now she’s gone. RIP.
I wanted to get some pics for this report of the Bellagio atrium, so I bundled up and walked over the pedestrian bridge where there was a guy hawking “ice cold water and beer” from a cooler. Really? It’s 32 degrees and this is what you’re selling—and since when can a street vendor sell beer? You can’t believe how crowded Las Vegas is right now. Despite the cold weather, it’s hard to walk anywhere, there are so many people. The Christmas display at Bellagio is impressive. I took my pics and then walked over to the poker room where I was a rail bird for an hour or saw watching people play $2000 pots while listening to their Ipod or playing Words with Friends—surreal. When I play 2 & 4 poker, it’s customary that when you win a pot, you tip the dealer a buck. To my surprise, while watching these huge pots being won my players, they were tipping the dealer only a buck. Occasionally, if it was a really large pot, they’d toss a fiver to the dealer, but not that often—the big gamblers are cheap. Yes, I know pros don’t give away their living on tips, but come on.
The Bellagio Christmas display in their Atrium
Another angle
And a final image—beautifully done this year
Two of these are behind the Bellagio Registration desk
I walked over to the newly remodeled food court and bought a Hawaiian chicken club sub form Earl of Sandwich. It was very reasonably priced (for Caesars) at $6.99 and took it back to my room. The sandwich was excellent! I watched a Jason Bateman movie and called it night.
As I picked up my car from the VIP valet, there was a sign saying that this valet would be closed as of January 2. I spoke to one of the attendants about why they were closing it, and he said that ten of the valet attendants would be switched to part time, and three more were let go. So, though the sign says, “to better serve our guests,” once again, it should read, “to better serve our bottom line.” Yet another downgrade of service by Caesars.
How does it serve the guests better by removing an option?
December 30
It was off to Laughlin where I’d be spending the next 5 days. All the buzz here is that tonight or tomorrow, Las Vegas is expecting a couple inches of snow, so I’m really glad that I’m leaving today as the drive through Searchlight is over 4000 ft. and will likely close down if there’s too much snow. This morning, though, is perfectly blue skies though it’s 29 degrees. Once again, it was to Sam’s Town for the poker tournament. Today I did no better than yesterday not even making it to the first break. It was just one of those days that I would have won most the hands I folded and lost the hands I held. Oh well.
The drive to Laughlin was uneventful. For the first time in 20 years of being in my book club, I’m listening to this month’s selection. I bought the audio version knowing I was going to having these long drives. There was a huge line to get into the valet. Everyone and their brother are coming for same package I have: a New Year’s dinner and show, five nights comped and some free play the final three days. After leaving the car, I checked in at the 7 Stars window. That didn’t seem to matter as I was given a basic room in the South Tower. Of course, the place is jammed with 7 Star members for the event, and I’m very low in the pecking order. I still get my Internet and in-room movies for free, but I don’t get the welcome basket, the turn down service, or the morning newspaper at my door. I honestly don’t care about the suite, but I will miss the other little goodies.
I didn’t do much the rest of the day. I hung out in the Diamond Lounge where there was a nice memorial for Carri behind the bar. Today’s choices were a pasta dish and some breaded chicken balls—not very good. I enjoyed a couple drinks and walked around the place. Other than updating the machines occasionally, very little changes ever take place. However, the old Baja Mexican Restaurant has been remodeled and taken over by Guy Fieri’s El Burro Borracho. It’s recently opened and the line to get into it is massive. I’ll try it out during my stay here later.
Guy Fieri’s new place at Harrahs Laughlin
I went to the café to pick up a turkey wrap to take back to my room. I was told to come back in about 15 minutes so I walked around the casino. All the balloons are already secured on the ceiling for tomorrow night’s festivities and there’s hardly a machine to be found that isn’t being played. Gambling is flourishing in Nevada. I picked up my wrap and took it back to the room. I wasn’t that hungry so I put it aside and watched some TV for awhile. After an hour or so, I opened up the package and there was a large piece of cheesecake. Damn! Did I want to get dressed and walk down there over an hour later to show their mistake—nah. I wonder what the person that bought the dessert thought when they went back to room and opened up a turkey wrap?
December 31
I woke up this morning around 7AM and opened the curtains. It was snowing! I knew it would snow in Las Vegas, but I certainly didn’t expect it to be here in Laughlin. I got dressed and headed downstairs to pick up my car from valet. The attendant said it hadn’t snowed in Laughlin for 30 years, and everyone was taken by surprise. It was coming down pretty good, but it wasn’t sticking on the roads at all, so I have no worries about driving down to the Riverside where I was going to see the new movie BIG EYES (yes I go to movies almost every day on these trips).
The Shell Station parking lot across the street from Harrahs Laughlin
The Colorado River as the snow comes lightly down
The theater was pretty busy this morning. I bought my requisite popcorn and Coke Zero. The movie, though predictable, was excellent. I’ve yet to see Amy Adams do a bad movie. I walked around the Riverside for a while but didn’t play anything as my favorite Quick Quad machines were all taken (as was pretty much all the machines). The entrance to the buffet, which is being remodeled, is taking shape and quite a change it is going to be. I haven’t seen a new look like this at the Riverside—ever. Perhaps it’s the beginning of a modern facelift as this very old casino could really use.
I needed a few things, so I drove to Bullhead City where I like to shop at the Target there. I made a quick stop for some gas at Fast Track Gas. I haven’t seen gas under the two dollar limit in a long time. Gas at the Costco in Henderson was $2.10 per gallon. It is SO nice that gas is becoming more reasonable. It sure makes the dollars go further.
How low will it go?
I went back to the hotel and spent a little time in the Diamond Lounge watching football and drinking a lemon drop martini. Then it was up to the room to dress and go to the New Year’s Eve party. There were two rooms, one for diamond members which included a dinner and celebrity impersonators. The other was in the Fiesta room for 7 Star members. I sat down at a table with three couples. The dinner included a fantastic appetizer of large shrimp and cold seafood. I had two of them because a couple didn’t show at our table . The main dish was steak and lobster. The lobster was great but the steak was tough and I only had a couple of bites. The dessert was a chocolate pudding and delicious. The entertainment was called The Beatles versus the Rolling Stones. Each group played a 40 minute set while we ate and then came together for a mash up of “We Can Work it Out” and “Satisfaction.” I wasn’t expecting much, but I end up really enjoying the show.
The Beatles perform for the crowd of silver hairs, but everyone really enjoyed it.
The Stones were next as they played many of their earlier hits
After the bands played, I headed out and back to the room. It was a half hour until New Year’s so I put on the TV and watched the Las Vegas local channel coverage of all the festivities on the Strip with all the fireworks. After 2015 came in, my lights went out and I was off to sleep.
January 1
New Year’s Day and I stayed in my room late as I continued writing this report and caught some football games. Now that I’m not gambling and there’s no free play until tomorrow, there’s no need to get down to the casino. I did finally head out to Outlet Mall to the movie theaters to see ST. VINCENT. The movie was very good, one of the best of the winter so far. The mall, which seems to always be on the brink of going out of business, seems to be picking up. There are some new stores opening and a couple more food court businesses are under construction.
After the movie, I thought I might go ahead and try out Guy Fieri’s new place. They do have a separate line for 7 Stars and Diamond members, but I didn’t need it as I chose to sit at the bar. Again, there was a huge line to get in. There’s no question, being a celebrity chef has its bennies. I sat down and was skeptical. Will the food be as good as the hype? It turns out the food was amazing. The bartender was really pushing the corn as an appetizer saying I’d be surprised. Okay, I ordered that along with a trio of cheese enchiladas for my main meal. The first thing they brought was some chips and dip. With the tortilla chips were some fried pig skin rinds. The chips were seasoned and the salsa was great. The corn (served off or on the husk) was all she said—perhaps the best corn I’ve ever tasted. The enchiladas had a great red sauce and seasoned along with guacamole and salsa sprinkled with sunflower seeds. It was a terrific meal! The man next to me ordered the trash can nachos served in a can and then released on the plate. This isn’t a cheap Mexican restaurant, but one of the best I’ve experienced.
The chips are served like this to all guests when they sit down
The corn is simply amazing
The simple cheese enchiladas were excellent
This is how the nachos are brought to the table and then the can is removed
After dinner, I walked around the casino for a little while. The place is still really busy. I finally headed up to the room and called it a day. I’m going to have to find new things to do when I come to these casinos now that I’m not going to be spending much time gambling. A new challenge.
January 2
My cold is not too ugly. I bought some NyQuil and some throat lozenges and it seemed to work as I have a relatively good night sleep. Today is the first day to be issued free play. Mine isn’t very much: $35 today; $50 tomorrow; and $70 on Sunday; however, I’m not planning on staying for the Sunday free play because the promotion booth doesn’t open until 2 PM and I don’t feel like waiting for that and then joining the multitudes driving home. My plan is to leave tomorrow night.
I decided to spend most the day at the Colorado Belle to play live poker. I had to wait about 15 minutes for a spot to open up at a 2 & 4 table. I bought in for $60. I never was dealt Aces or any other pairs during the session and pretty much was card dead all day. I did manage to win a few pots that kept my playing but things simply were not going my way today and I lost. Of course, movie time again and I went over to the Riverside to see THE GAMBLER with Mark Wahlberg. Here’s my review: confusing.
After the movie, I drove back to Harrahs and picked up my free play. I ran the $35 through the machine once and cashed out $23. So, it begins. I ordered a turkey wrap from the café and this time checked the bag before I left. It was all good. It was back to the room and when I checked the in-room movies, they had added a lot of new titles including St. Vincent (rats, missed it by a day) and INTERVIEW, the much hyped movie pulled by Sony. I had to check it out. Even when the previews came out last summer, I knew this would be another typical Seth Rogan over-the-top comedy and this was just that. The first 2/3 of the movie was really quite good, but the last chapter, as expected, went for the raunchy and laid flat. I can’t recommend it.
January 3
My cold has gotten significantly worse…just a lot of congestion and energy draining, so I’ve decided that I’ll head back home as soon as I pick up my free play and run it through the machine. I’m going to go ahead and upload this report being that I’m in the room and can do so now instead of waiting until I get home, so when I write the next chapter, I’ll put the results in there. Besides, this is long enough.
More later…
As I write this, I’m sitting in my room at Harrahs in Laughlin. It’s 5 PM, Dec 31. The day is special in many ways. In four hours I head over to the Fiesta room for a New Year’s Eve party that includes a large dinner, party favors, and the current touring band(s) Beatles versus the Rolling Stones as we bring in the New Year, 2015. It’s also special because for the first time in almost 30 years, it has snowed in Laughlin. And finally, it’s special because this will mark the final series of blogs from me in the theme of Las Vegas and my ventures in gambling.
This is not a last minute decision but one I’ve been debating for the past few months. I’ve been writing these day trips, blogs, chapters, and books now for the past 14 years. Las Vegas and gaming has been a part of my life for the past 40 years. It’s simply time to move on to something else. After I left the Air Force in 1974, I started a cover band in San Diego called Shine It On. We worked full time for about 25 years. I was the guitar player. I played that thing five to seven nights a week at night and put in even hours in the day time learning new material. When I finally dissolved Shine It On, it was on New Year’s Eve, 2000. I put down that guitar and I’ve rarely picked it up since. I don’t even own one now. Of course, this book is my called My Farewell Year, which means that I still l have all of 2015 to write this as long as I have material to write about. I have set a few guidelines, which no doubt I’ll tweak along the way, but I’ll add chapters to this as events come up warrant sharing.
Beginning tomorrow, January 1, I will no longer gamble with my own money for the sole purpose of making club points. This isn’t saying I won’t gamble any more, I simply will no longer try to make any tier status for any slot club. I’ll rarely be playing machines with my own money, sticking to the free play I’ll be receiving throughout the year. I intend to run the free play through the machine, and keep anything that I’ve run. This will be part of this adventure I’ll share with you. I’ll keep a running tab on how I do. I’ll also begin tabulating all the comps I receive on my “year of the free.” My 7 Stars status with Caesars is good through March 31, 2016. I plan on signing up for as many tournaments as I can throughout 2015. The tournament offers always include room nights, tournament entry, and sometimes free play or free food. I will keep account of all these and share the information along with these reports.
The money I will spend on gambling will be for live poker, which I still enjoy playing from time to time, and if I’m with friends and we play together, but I’ll be playing for wins, not points. Last year’s book, “Reaching for the Stars,” the chapters were about how I was being treated differently from when I was Diamond status. Considering it took 10 times the amount of play, I expected a lot. I found there was very little difference. Aside from head-of –the- line passes, and free Internet and in-room movies, there is very little more. Yes, there’s an over-priced free gift and a 7 Star trip, but that’s about it. Caesars has cut back so much on the extras and cut so many corners, it’s simply no longer worth the time and expense. So, this time it will be interesting to see how they begin treating me differently as the year ventures on and I have no play (other than the free play points). Will all my offers completely dry up? The only offers I care about are tournaments, so we’ll see how this plays out. I’ve still yet to win a tournament. Unless you take down the top prize, everything else is paid out in free play. I’ve already been signed up for four assorted tournaments in the next two months, and I’ll keep checking for more.
I have a little over $500 in comps from Caesars and a $120 with the Boyd properties. I’ll use this for food purchases until they’re exhausted. It will cost me money for fuel going between San Diego and Las Vegas and of course tips along the way (don’t underestimate the cost of tips on these trips—everyone has their hand out, but that’s all part of the experience).
Why is this the final year? Quite simply, I’m bored. I’ve been doing this for so many years that all these freebies that I got a kick out of so much in the beginning simply don’t do anything for me anymore. I get a suite and I shrug my shoulders. I’m gone for two weeks or more during back-to-back tournaments, and I can’t wait to get home. I’m tired of the casino noise. All the free food over the years has done nothing more than make me fat (another thing that has to seriously change). These past couple of years, it’s never been the thrill of making money, it was always about the quest for points. I’ve lost the thrill of winning. Catching a Royal Flush used to be thrilling; lately it’s been about having enough money to continue to the next level of play. When I played guitar for a living, I grew tired of it; I’ve gambled so much the past few years, it’s no longer fun—it’s become a job.
Let the adventure begin.
December 28
I had booked two rooms for a couple of nights. One was at Caesars Palace for a newlywed couple and the other at the Suncoast in Summerlin. Unfortunately, the day before leaving, the couple had to cancel, so I called around to many of my friends and former students to see if they’d like to have the Caesars room and because of the one day’s notice, no one could do it, so I drove out to the Suncoast and got the keys for my room (comped) and went to the room, put the keys on the dresser and left. I stayed for a little while to enjoy a hotdog (now $1.75 recently raised from $.75; however, they’re now foot long dogs. I enjoyed one as I watched my Chargers end their season with an embarrassing loss to the Chiefs—and so it goes.
I then drove to Caesars to check in. I pulled into the side entrance known as the Laurel Collection VIP valet, which today was jammed as people were now arriving for the New Year’s celebration. After about 15 minutes, I left the car and took my bags to the 7 Stars registration where I was given a room in the Augustus Tower with a great view of the south end of the Strip and the Bellagio fountains.
The room at Caesars in the Augustus Tower
Daytime view from my room
Night time view
I was anxious to see the movie INTO THE WOODS as I had directed the show twice at my high school before retiring, so I was very curious to see how it would film. It’s one of my favorite musicals of all time; however, I felt the movie fell just a bit flat. Much of the humor was lost and the magic of the seeing on the stage and the jaded view we all have of movie effects didn’t do this show justice. Having said that, I still enjoyed the movie. The cast was outstanding and Meryl Streep, who I questioned when I first heard she was cast as the witch, turned in an amazing performance. I drove back to Caesars and called it a night after wandering around the casino to see what, if anything was new. Aside from the place being absolutely packed with gamblers, the new “food court” at the Forum Shops entrance is now open. There’s a seafood place, Starbucks, Smash Burger, Earl of Sandwich, a pizza outlet, and an Asian restaurant.
The recently remodeled food court at Caesars Palace
December 29
I got up in time to drive down to Henderson and Sam’s Town for their 10 AM poker tournament. This is a favorite little tournament that they have daily. It only costs $23 and there are usually around 30 to 50 players. It’s a very cheap way to spend the morning. I’ve cashed in this tournament twice in the past, but today didn’t go very well as I chipped out before the first break. I enjoyed a hamburger special at their sportsbook deli and headed over to the movie theaters to see THE IMATATION GAME. This was a very good movie based on the true story of the man who broke the Nazi code machine.
The 9/6 Jacks or Better progressive for quarters was just over $1100, so I gave it a shot and lost a hundred (the last time I will be playing this game in the quest for points). I went downstairs to enjoy the Christmas atrium. They do a wonderful job here decorating. There were a few maintenance guys watering the trees (I never knew these were real, but the vast majority of plant life here is very real).
The atrium at Sam’s Town
From a higher view
As I was leaving Sam’s Town, I thought I’d take a fast drive downtown where I had read on the LVA that the Container Park had added a gourmet hot dog joint, and I love hot dogs, so I had to check it out. Even though it was really cold outside, the Container Park was really busy. Many families bring their children here to play in the two center parks—a brilliant idea to spark business. The hot dog store is called Cheffinis Gourmet Dogs. There certainly isn’t any cheap dogs here with the lowest bare dog is $4.99. I tried the Cheffinis Dog, which seemed to have everything in the pantry on it including crushed potato chips. It was so large, it was tough to eat, but it was a pretty good dog.
The Container Park on this cold day in December
The menu for Cheffinis Gourmet Dogs
My Cheffinis Dog
I drove back to Caesars and hung out at the Diamond Lounge for a while. Their snacks were the usual chicken wings and this time some good meatballs. After a couple of mai-tai’s (hadn’t had one in years, saw it on some TV show, and decided to try it again). A lady (I believe her name was Debi?—sorry) approached me and asked if I was the guy who wrote the LVA blogs. She recognized me from the picture (that was 80 pounds ago). We chatted for a bit and she mentioned that Carri (sp?), the long time bartender in the Harrahs Laughlin passed away from cancer. She was a great person who would throw used bear cans behind her back at a basket on the wall and was super nice. It all came on sudden and now she’s gone. RIP.
I wanted to get some pics for this report of the Bellagio atrium, so I bundled up and walked over the pedestrian bridge where there was a guy hawking “ice cold water and beer” from a cooler. Really? It’s 32 degrees and this is what you’re selling—and since when can a street vendor sell beer? You can’t believe how crowded Las Vegas is right now. Despite the cold weather, it’s hard to walk anywhere, there are so many people. The Christmas display at Bellagio is impressive. I took my pics and then walked over to the poker room where I was a rail bird for an hour or saw watching people play $2000 pots while listening to their Ipod or playing Words with Friends—surreal. When I play 2 & 4 poker, it’s customary that when you win a pot, you tip the dealer a buck. To my surprise, while watching these huge pots being won my players, they were tipping the dealer only a buck. Occasionally, if it was a really large pot, they’d toss a fiver to the dealer, but not that often—the big gamblers are cheap. Yes, I know pros don’t give away their living on tips, but come on.
The Bellagio Christmas display in their Atrium
Another angle
And a final image—beautifully done this year
Two of these are behind the Bellagio Registration desk
I walked over to the newly remodeled food court and bought a Hawaiian chicken club sub form Earl of Sandwich. It was very reasonably priced (for Caesars) at $6.99 and took it back to my room. The sandwich was excellent! I watched a Jason Bateman movie and called it night.
As I picked up my car from the VIP valet, there was a sign saying that this valet would be closed as of January 2. I spoke to one of the attendants about why they were closing it, and he said that ten of the valet attendants would be switched to part time, and three more were let go. So, though the sign says, “to better serve our guests,” once again, it should read, “to better serve our bottom line.” Yet another downgrade of service by Caesars.
How does it serve the guests better by removing an option?
December 30
It was off to Laughlin where I’d be spending the next 5 days. All the buzz here is that tonight or tomorrow, Las Vegas is expecting a couple inches of snow, so I’m really glad that I’m leaving today as the drive through Searchlight is over 4000 ft. and will likely close down if there’s too much snow. This morning, though, is perfectly blue skies though it’s 29 degrees. Once again, it was to Sam’s Town for the poker tournament. Today I did no better than yesterday not even making it to the first break. It was just one of those days that I would have won most the hands I folded and lost the hands I held. Oh well.
The drive to Laughlin was uneventful. For the first time in 20 years of being in my book club, I’m listening to this month’s selection. I bought the audio version knowing I was going to having these long drives. There was a huge line to get into the valet. Everyone and their brother are coming for same package I have: a New Year’s dinner and show, five nights comped and some free play the final three days. After leaving the car, I checked in at the 7 Stars window. That didn’t seem to matter as I was given a basic room in the South Tower. Of course, the place is jammed with 7 Star members for the event, and I’m very low in the pecking order. I still get my Internet and in-room movies for free, but I don’t get the welcome basket, the turn down service, or the morning newspaper at my door. I honestly don’t care about the suite, but I will miss the other little goodies.
I didn’t do much the rest of the day. I hung out in the Diamond Lounge where there was a nice memorial for Carri behind the bar. Today’s choices were a pasta dish and some breaded chicken balls—not very good. I enjoyed a couple drinks and walked around the place. Other than updating the machines occasionally, very little changes ever take place. However, the old Baja Mexican Restaurant has been remodeled and taken over by Guy Fieri’s El Burro Borracho. It’s recently opened and the line to get into it is massive. I’ll try it out during my stay here later.
Guy Fieri’s new place at Harrahs Laughlin
I went to the café to pick up a turkey wrap to take back to my room. I was told to come back in about 15 minutes so I walked around the casino. All the balloons are already secured on the ceiling for tomorrow night’s festivities and there’s hardly a machine to be found that isn’t being played. Gambling is flourishing in Nevada. I picked up my wrap and took it back to the room. I wasn’t that hungry so I put it aside and watched some TV for awhile. After an hour or so, I opened up the package and there was a large piece of cheesecake. Damn! Did I want to get dressed and walk down there over an hour later to show their mistake—nah. I wonder what the person that bought the dessert thought when they went back to room and opened up a turkey wrap?
December 31
I woke up this morning around 7AM and opened the curtains. It was snowing! I knew it would snow in Las Vegas, but I certainly didn’t expect it to be here in Laughlin. I got dressed and headed downstairs to pick up my car from valet. The attendant said it hadn’t snowed in Laughlin for 30 years, and everyone was taken by surprise. It was coming down pretty good, but it wasn’t sticking on the roads at all, so I have no worries about driving down to the Riverside where I was going to see the new movie BIG EYES (yes I go to movies almost every day on these trips).
The Shell Station parking lot across the street from Harrahs Laughlin
The Colorado River as the snow comes lightly down
The theater was pretty busy this morning. I bought my requisite popcorn and Coke Zero. The movie, though predictable, was excellent. I’ve yet to see Amy Adams do a bad movie. I walked around the Riverside for a while but didn’t play anything as my favorite Quick Quad machines were all taken (as was pretty much all the machines). The entrance to the buffet, which is being remodeled, is taking shape and quite a change it is going to be. I haven’t seen a new look like this at the Riverside—ever. Perhaps it’s the beginning of a modern facelift as this very old casino could really use.
I needed a few things, so I drove to Bullhead City where I like to shop at the Target there. I made a quick stop for some gas at Fast Track Gas. I haven’t seen gas under the two dollar limit in a long time. Gas at the Costco in Henderson was $2.10 per gallon. It is SO nice that gas is becoming more reasonable. It sure makes the dollars go further.
How low will it go?
I went back to the hotel and spent a little time in the Diamond Lounge watching football and drinking a lemon drop martini. Then it was up to the room to dress and go to the New Year’s Eve party. There were two rooms, one for diamond members which included a dinner and celebrity impersonators. The other was in the Fiesta room for 7 Star members. I sat down at a table with three couples. The dinner included a fantastic appetizer of large shrimp and cold seafood. I had two of them because a couple didn’t show at our table . The main dish was steak and lobster. The lobster was great but the steak was tough and I only had a couple of bites. The dessert was a chocolate pudding and delicious. The entertainment was called The Beatles versus the Rolling Stones. Each group played a 40 minute set while we ate and then came together for a mash up of “We Can Work it Out” and “Satisfaction.” I wasn’t expecting much, but I end up really enjoying the show.
The Beatles perform for the crowd of silver hairs, but everyone really enjoyed it.
The Stones were next as they played many of their earlier hits
After the bands played, I headed out and back to the room. It was a half hour until New Year’s so I put on the TV and watched the Las Vegas local channel coverage of all the festivities on the Strip with all the fireworks. After 2015 came in, my lights went out and I was off to sleep.
January 1
New Year’s Day and I stayed in my room late as I continued writing this report and caught some football games. Now that I’m not gambling and there’s no free play until tomorrow, there’s no need to get down to the casino. I did finally head out to Outlet Mall to the movie theaters to see ST. VINCENT. The movie was very good, one of the best of the winter so far. The mall, which seems to always be on the brink of going out of business, seems to be picking up. There are some new stores opening and a couple more food court businesses are under construction.
After the movie, I thought I might go ahead and try out Guy Fieri’s new place. They do have a separate line for 7 Stars and Diamond members, but I didn’t need it as I chose to sit at the bar. Again, there was a huge line to get in. There’s no question, being a celebrity chef has its bennies. I sat down and was skeptical. Will the food be as good as the hype? It turns out the food was amazing. The bartender was really pushing the corn as an appetizer saying I’d be surprised. Okay, I ordered that along with a trio of cheese enchiladas for my main meal. The first thing they brought was some chips and dip. With the tortilla chips were some fried pig skin rinds. The chips were seasoned and the salsa was great. The corn (served off or on the husk) was all she said—perhaps the best corn I’ve ever tasted. The enchiladas had a great red sauce and seasoned along with guacamole and salsa sprinkled with sunflower seeds. It was a terrific meal! The man next to me ordered the trash can nachos served in a can and then released on the plate. This isn’t a cheap Mexican restaurant, but one of the best I’ve experienced.
The chips are served like this to all guests when they sit down
The corn is simply amazing
The simple cheese enchiladas were excellent
This is how the nachos are brought to the table and then the can is removed
After dinner, I walked around the casino for a little while. The place is still really busy. I finally headed up to the room and called it a day. I’m going to have to find new things to do when I come to these casinos now that I’m not going to be spending much time gambling. A new challenge.
January 2
My cold is not too ugly. I bought some NyQuil and some throat lozenges and it seemed to work as I have a relatively good night sleep. Today is the first day to be issued free play. Mine isn’t very much: $35 today; $50 tomorrow; and $70 on Sunday; however, I’m not planning on staying for the Sunday free play because the promotion booth doesn’t open until 2 PM and I don’t feel like waiting for that and then joining the multitudes driving home. My plan is to leave tomorrow night.
I decided to spend most the day at the Colorado Belle to play live poker. I had to wait about 15 minutes for a spot to open up at a 2 & 4 table. I bought in for $60. I never was dealt Aces or any other pairs during the session and pretty much was card dead all day. I did manage to win a few pots that kept my playing but things simply were not going my way today and I lost. Of course, movie time again and I went over to the Riverside to see THE GAMBLER with Mark Wahlberg. Here’s my review: confusing.
After the movie, I drove back to Harrahs and picked up my free play. I ran the $35 through the machine once and cashed out $23. So, it begins. I ordered a turkey wrap from the café and this time checked the bag before I left. It was all good. It was back to the room and when I checked the in-room movies, they had added a lot of new titles including St. Vincent (rats, missed it by a day) and INTERVIEW, the much hyped movie pulled by Sony. I had to check it out. Even when the previews came out last summer, I knew this would be another typical Seth Rogan over-the-top comedy and this was just that. The first 2/3 of the movie was really quite good, but the last chapter, as expected, went for the raunchy and laid flat. I can’t recommend it.
January 3
My cold has gotten significantly worse…just a lot of congestion and energy draining, so I’ve decided that I’ll head back home as soon as I pick up my free play and run it through the machine. I’m going to go ahead and upload this report being that I’m in the room and can do so now instead of waiting until I get home, so when I write the next chapter, I’ll put the results in there. Besides, this is long enough.
More later…
