Just a few observations and new stops on my September trip:
1) I did the tiki bar tour. First time. Frankie's Tiki Room on Charleston...and the Golden Tiki in Chinatown. These are definitely going to be regular stops on future trips. They both feature umbrella drinks with lots of rum. Frankie's comped mine at the video poker bar. The atmosphere in both places is like being in a cannibal village or something. Pretty neat day trip or place to wind down after an evening at the tables.
2) Looks like inflation is starting to hit Vegas gambling. $3 dollar tables are gone just about everywhere. Fiesta Henderson was the only place I saw them. Even El Cortez upped their limits to $5 accross the board. Also - almost all the new penny slot machines have $5 max coin - or higher. I saw one with $8. (I wasn't in the high limit area) Damn! A dollar just wont get you too far anymore =)
3) Naked City pizza at El Cortez is an awesome place to spend your comps but I think its struggling. I'm worried it wont survive. Its getting about as much business as anything else they ever put in that room - which is to say not much. I got my Beef on Weck multiple times though.
4) I was in town for Palace Station's grand refresh. I got tickets to KC and the Sunshine band and The Village People out in their back parking lot. That was a fun show for $40. Their new buffet is a massive improvement over the garbage they used to have. THis one is comparable to Red Rock or GVR. The carving station is huge. Brisket, turkey, roast beef, sausages, rotissiere chicken....and its going at a discounted price this season while they celebrate their new look. Use your MRB coupon for an even better deal.
5) Worst matchplay experienc ever ! I was 2 for 16 on my matchplays. I bet on black at the Roulette Wheel every time. it came up twice accross all my bets =) Yet somehow this ended up being one of my better gambling outtings in years. I came home with a little more than I went out with.
6) Stayed two comped nights at Boulder station. 2 comped nights at Stratosphere. and 7 comped nights at the Hilton Grand Vactions Club on the boulevard. I'd recommend all three (especially when they're comped). Boulder Station is a gambling paradise. Stratsosphere has got high octane energy...and HGVC pampers you in quiet luxury.
7) McCarren Airport hits. I never touch anything at the airport because I've always been told its the tightest place in town. But my mother hit $400 their two years ago while waiting for a flight...and as I approached my gate this trip I witnessed someone hit an $1100 progressive. So I decided to give it a whirl...and I quickly hit $250 on the wheel of fortune quarter machine. That was a nice kiss goodbye from Vegas. So maybe the airport aint so bad after all ? =)
8) My normal video poker game is straight Bonus Poker....but I wanted to try more volitile games this trip in the hopes of getting a nice 4OAK. I played Double Double Bonus Poker for 5 days and did not get squat....I switched back to Bonus Poker and got 4 aces within 10 minutes of playing. Ugh.
9) great comps! I walked over to Circus Circus one night and dropped $200 on the craps table. I only played about two hours. I walked back over the next day and saw they gave me $30 in comps ? Holy crap!
Thats a nice down payment on a steak dinner next year at their steakhouse. I think they might have got my play mixed up with someone elses but I'm not interested in straightening it out =)
