Reaching for the Stars – Chapter 11
It’s been over a month since the last chapter simply because I didn’t spend any time in the casinos during the most of the month of December. Having already reached the level of 7 Stars I was going to achieve for the year, I saw no point in continuing to gamble my toolbox funds with no real benefit. There was one exception to that, which I did post a small article when I made a quick run in Rincon because I wanted to take advantage of $150 free play offer along with a $60 food comp.
I won’t go into detail about this trip as I did talk about it in that article, but I’ll just give a short gist of what happened. They had moved the two Dream Machines over to the main video poker area as the old spot was being used as a temporary poker room as the remodeling continues. Unfortunately, they placed the two machines directly under an air conditioning duct that blew directly onto the machines. I’m not too sensitive to temperatures but these were actually, seriously too cold to play. I alerted an attendant and I told my host. They both said they’d look into it. I sat next to a man who was playing 10-play for dollars and was playing the Dream Card bonus, which was $100 per hand. He soon hit a $2000 payout and the attendant didn’t give him cash; but rather after filling out the tax form, she gave him two $1000 tickets. I didn’t know you could do this. Playing at his level, I could certainly see how this would be easier. As we both continued to play, he’d reach into his wallet, which had a stack of these tickets and slip in another $1000 each time he needed to (did I mention that I’m a very nosey person). I had used my free play up and fortunately made a nice small profit. I simply can’t fathom playing at the level this guy does, but it just goes to show me that anything is possible. He was playing Bonus Poker, so he knew what he was doing taking advantage of the full pay schedule.
I did go to Rincon one more time and that was to use my $500 dining comp. This is a nice 7 Stars perk. My only complaint is that you have to use the entire amount at one sitting. I can only guess this rule is so that the paperwork is less burdensome or something. Anyway, I asked my kids to bring their spouses and the six of us would enjoy a wonderful meal at the steakhouse. I got a room for the night (Rincon offers me two free nights every two weeks) and they brought all six of my grand kids with their dinner to the room to hang out and watch movies (free in room movies for 7 Stars) while we had dinner. It was a Thursday night, so I was given one of their best suites, so the kids could watch two different movies, one in each room if they wanted to watch something different. It’s nice that they’re all now old enough to be left alone for a couple of hours (they have cell phones and know to call if they need anything). We had a few appetizers, meals of steak, salmon, scallops and desserts. The food and service was spectacular and the bill still came to only $426. Of course, the $100 tip certainly didn’t make the meal totally free, but it was a wonderful night.
The one thing I’m not absolutely clear on is whether I receive another $500 dinner when the new tier year kicks in (April 1). I believe I do and I’ll share that information when it becomes available. I did manage to book another of the 7-Star perks, a round trip ticket to New Orleans with limo service to and from the airport along with four nights. As many of you long-time readers know, my son and I go to Vegas every year to celebrate his birthday which we’ve done since he turned 21. He’s 40 this year and we’ve decided to use the New Orleans trip this time as he’s never been there. My host confirmed the reservations and we leave the night of February 5th.
I received an invite to Rincon’s New Year’s Eve celebration for two nights in their newly finished convention showroom. There would be dinner, dancing, and at 1 AM, they would announce the winner of $1 million dollars cash. At first I thought it was a drum drawing with everyone in the room, which would have made this VERY exciting; however, I later learned that the drawing was a computer drawing based on everyone’s play from the past year (the more play, the more “tickets” you earned). You didn’t have to be at the event to win. As a 7 Star member, I certainly had my good share of “tickets” but mine would be but a shadow to those players that are at the top of the food chain—that guy who plays $100 per hand comes to mind.
This was the very first time the new showroom was being used, so we were all guinea pigs as to the service, which would require about 800 guests being fed appetizers, main meals, and desserts by a brand new crew. I have worked in catering and know what a nightmare it can be to serve that many people at once and still have all the dishes hot and fresh—I expected some glitches along the way. All of the guests were 7 Stars and high Diamond players. The main course was steak and lobsters. The steaks were on the small side, but the lobsters were large. The meal was outstanding though the service was slow and disorganized at times. While we ate, a pianist played music from the very large stage. The plan was to feed everyone, then empty the room, remove the tables; set up the dance floor and then all would return at 11 PM with the live orchestra to dance in the New Year. We headed back to the room after eating around 8 PM. By the time eleven o’clock came around, we chose to forgo the festivities and just stay in the room. During dinner, we had sat next to a nice couple, but the lady was a binge-talker. She went on and on non-top for almost two hours about her favorite musical groups and the places she and her husband had gone to and hardly stopped long enough to eat. We certainly didn’t want to run into her again and they were going to call who ever won the million dollars after the drawing—guess who never got the call?
That closed out 2013. It’s been a wild year for me. When it was announced that Diamond would now require 150,000 tier points, I was sure that I would no longer bother to renew, and then the discovery of the bonus tier points led to my renewing Diamond in just two days and making the decision to go for the 7 Stars as long as the cash toolbox was okay. I couldn’t have predicted the rash of royals that allowed me to make it. I’ll be curious to see how 2014 turns out as I’ve decided to attempt to renew my 7 Stars status. I’ll be the first to admit that I am not expecting to be successful. I’m that rare gambler who doesn’t gamble to lose money. If my toolbox becomes empty, I quit. It’s as simple as that. The Diamond benefits are fine with me. I could let go of the round trip tickets, the $500 meal, and the free movies in the room. If that’s the case, then why renew? Because I like the round trip tickets, the $500 meal, the free movies in the room. I would miss the free room Internet, the 7 Stars line passes (don’t think this isn’t a major plus, but it is), and the occasional, “Oh, you’re seven stars! Welcome sir, how can I be of service?”
It’s already January 20th and my tier total is—0. By this time last year, I had already renewed my diamond. It’s time to get started. I understand that it will take me 20 days of 2500 tier point per session to renew 7 Stars. Caesars recently announced that they added an extra bonus: 5000 tier points in a single day will come with a 10,000 tier point bonus. I’m not sure if I could sit so long as to make 5000 tier points in one day (the 2500 would take me about six to seven hours). I would have to have had a couple of Royals and up my play to the dollar level at 5 play to pull that off—not sure if I have the stomach for that—we’ll see. I’ve surprised myself in the past.
I accepted two tournament offers. One is a stay a Ballys for three nights and a free entry into a video poker tournament at Planet Hollywood. The next would be the following week which is a poker tournament at Harrahs and a three night stay at the Rio. I booked both tournaments and made my reservations. Oddly enough, when I talked to my host at Rincon, he said that because I have the postcards with the offers codes that I should just call them myself as there was nothing extra he could do for me in Las Vegas; therefore, eliminating any communication snafus. I made both reservations and decided to stay at Laughlin for the weekend between the two tournaments.
I arrived early on Monday morning, which also happened to be Martin Luther King’s Day. Traffic to Las Vegas was non-existent. Traffic from Las Vegas I expect will become something else later on. I arrived too early to check in, so I made a stop at the M Resort to use my monthly $10 free play. I played the Quick Quads machine for dimes and was up $25, so I quit and had breakfast at the buffet (my free monthly buffet coupons didn’t come in the mail). As always, the M has a wonderful buffet. I then went to see the new Jack Ryan movie, which was good. Chris Pine will now have two franchises to star in, Jack Ryan and Captain Kirk.
I drove to Ballys to check in and was given a room in the newly remodeled Jubilee Tower. I had read others report on these rooms so I was glad to see one for myself. They call it a “Jacuzzi Suite” but it’s really not a suite at all as there’s only one large room with the Jacuzzi taking up a major portion. On each side of the Jacuzzi (the walk-in shower is behind it) is a sink and counter (his and her section—very nice). The toilet, however, is in a very small room barely large enough for the toilet itself—claustrophobics beware!). I have a view that includes the Eifel Tower and the fountains as you look to your extreme right. Directly across the way are all the rooms at the Paris—a peeper’s paradise. Overall, the room is very nice (though the fan for the heater/air is too loud).
The Jacuzzi and bathrooms in the Jubilee Tower
View from my room
The first thing to take care of was signing up for the tournament at Planet Hollywood. I would be taking the same walk many times the next few days from the Jubilee Tower at the front of Ballys to the back, through the indoor connecting walkway into the Paris to the front of the Paris and across the street to Planet Hollywood (bypassing the usual porn-slappers, Grand Canyon Tour hawkers, and costumed panhandlers) into the casino and up the escalator where the video poker tournament will be held at the entrance of the convention area, which overlooks the casino down below. When I arrived, there was a line with no less than 80 people waiting to be registered. I’ve learned to look to see if there’s a dedicated line for 7 Stars card holders, and sure enough, there was…with no one waiting. I signed up immediately (remembering so well being the guy in the long line shaking my head as the 7 Stars members went ahead of everyone). This tournament will have three sessions: tomorrow at 9 AM and then again at 2 PM; and then on Wednesday at 9 AM with the winners (the aggregate score of the three sessions) posted at 6 PM Wednesday night. Top prize is $25,000 and pays down to $100 in free play. The top 250 players win something. There are 12 sessions with 75 machines which tells me there are 900 players total. After getting a print out of my times and machine numbers, I headed back to the Paris where I spent the next three hours in the Diamond Lounge.
I rarely spend too much time in Diamond Lounges, especially when I’m alone. However, at the Paris, I sat at the bar with Salvador (“just call me Sal, dude!”) serving drinks. I ordered a Lemon Drop (my latest favorite cocktail) and watched a little TV. Sal had this habit of refilling your drink if it got down to half full when he noticed you weren’t paying attention, so it was sort of a bottomless drink. It didn’t take long before I started loosening up and talking with people next to me at the bar. Before long all five of us were talking about everything from football to foot creams. As is the custom with Americans (I understand we’re the only ones who do this), we asked what everyone else did for a living. The couple on my right was in construction, the couple on my left (Glen and Marie); he was a fireman in Huntington Beach. I casually mentioned that one of my best friends had retired from the fire department in Oceanside. He asked me what his name was, and I said Hugh Fleming, and Glen said the name was familiar as he took a class back in 1982 at Palomar College from a guy with that name. Damn! Hugh taught at Palomar for a couple of years. What are the odds? I asked how he could possible remember that—it was 32 years ago! He said that he learned a lot about firefighting from him. Well, I was just drunk enough to call Hugh right then and there. “Hey Hugh—you’ll NEVER guess who I’m sitting next to in a bar at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas!” Glen and Hugh talked for a little bit and I told Hugh it says a lot about him that a student of his over 30 years ago would remember him from just a one semester class. I went to college for over 9 years, and I couldn’t give you the name of even one my instructors.
After too many Lemon Drops and chicken wings, I said my goodbyes and as Glen was also in the video poker tournament and had the same times as I did, we agreed to meet up the next day. Before heading up to my room, I sat down at a quarter triple play 7/5 Bonus Poker machine (the best pay schedule they have) and slipped in a hundred. I know better than to play when I’ve had a few drinks, so I was really careful to go at it slow. Though after an hour or so and being down a couple hundred, I did manage 500 tier credits to get a small bonus and went to bed. As I was trying to fall asleep, something was nagging me: My schedule is four nights here, the weekend in Laughlin, and then four nights at the Rio for a poker tournament. Why would I be staying four nights? Results are Wednesday night. Why the extra night? I got out of bed and checked my registration ticket. Sure enough, it was only three nights, not four. I checked my reservation for Laughlin and sure enough, I arrive there on Friday. Damn! I came here without booking Thursday night?
The next morning the first thing I did was go through all my offers (I keep all my post card offers in a folder in my briefcase, which goes with me everywhere). I knew that if push came to shove, I could simply request an extra night here, but I did have a freebie available on that day at the Silverton. I had some free play coming from them, so I called. The reservation operator said that my offer was a two nighter and that Friday night was sold out. I said I’d just like to stay Thursday and that worked out fine. Whew!
I walked over to Planet Hollywood just before the tournament began and found Glen and Marie. They had just come from breakfast at a place called Eat in downtown and recommended it highly. I said I’d perhaps check it out tomorrow as my plan today after this session was to stick around the Strip properties because we had to be back in five hours for the next session. My session was HORRIBLE. I’m a good video poker player, I’m fast and I know my stuff, but all of that experience is worthless if you don’t get dealt any good cards. By the time the ten minute session was up, I had no quads and only one full house. My score was 690, the lowest score on my bank of machines. Okay, well at least I got three free nights out of it.
I headed for Harrahs down the Strip a bit for breakfast. I stopped to check out the work on the entrance to Ballys. If you haven’t heard, they have torn that entire area up (it was huge mistake in the first place—a total waste of prime Strip property) and are putting in—what else—another shopping complex. If there’s one thing Las Vegas needs, it’s another shopping complex of small stores and eateries.
The once entrance to Ballys, now just dirt
I walked past what used to be Bill’s Gambling Hall what used to be the Barbary Coast and the newest name, Cromwell (really?) is still under major reconstruction.
The latest look at the once Bill's and one day the Cromwell
It was 10 AM and as I walked along the front of the Flamingo, Mickey and Minnie mouse were seated on the sidewalk downing some beers—next to them were three or four empties. Yes, Las Vegas, the city where dreams can come true. I made it to Harrahs and enjoyed the breakfast buffet while reading the morning newspaper (bought in the gift shop for $1.50 as Caesars squeezes and extra fifty cents out every newspaper sold). The food is good but breakfast is the one thing that’s pretty hard to screw up. I went back to the Quad to check out the recently opened O’Shea’s. This is NOT the old dive that was once next door. This place is very upscale (yes they still have the beer pong tables) and nothing is like it used to be. The few video poker machines at the bar all have terrible pay schedules and the Bonus Aces was an odd one I had never seen before. A full house paid 10 and the flush paid 6 (amazing except 3-of-a-kind only paid 2): 1,2,2,4,6,10,25,40,80,250,50,250.
I had some time to kill, so I signed up for a small daily poker tournament at the Quad which is only $30. There were a total of 20 people signed up (two tables) and I managed to get to the final table but end up going out in 7th place having my straight being beat by a river flush. That was okay as I needed to get back to Planet Hollywood for the 2 PM session. This time, things went a little better as I managed a bonus quad (no kicker) and quad jacks with my fair share of full houses. I ended with a score of 1590 giving me a total of just of 2280. I went back to Ballys to put in some more play (it’s a long way to renewing 7 Stars). Things just didn’t go well. In bonus poker, you need to make a few quads, and hopefully quad Aces to stay in the game. Oddly enough, I was never dealt three Aces in tournament play and now in real play. The Aces have abandoned me! It’s starting to get deep as I’m now down almost $700 for the trip—far too much this early. Fortunately, 2013 was a banner year for me so my toolbox can take a few hits along the way, so I’m not that concerned—just yet.
I knew I needed to quit for a while, so once again it was over to the Paris Diamond Lounge and Sal with his bottomless Lemon Drops. Glen and Marie were there once again and we had a grand time chatting and drinking. I told them I would definitely go after tomorrow’s morning session downtown to check out Eat. I wanted to visit the downtown area anyway and take a look at the newest attraction, the Container Shops. I kept my drinking down to just two and heading to the deli to get some dinner; however, I noticed that the Quick Quad machine was available. Quick Quads is a favorite game of mine, but they’re far and few between. I always play them at the Riverside, and I believe this one in Ballys is the only machine in all of the Caesars properties. It’s a quarter 3/5/10 machine and it does have 7/5 Bonus Poker. I won’t go into Quick Quads and how the strategy is different, but it’s a fun game but you need to be on your toes when making your decision as to what cards to hold. The lady next to me playing Triple Double on the machine next to me squealed. She had just hit a Royal. She told me that yesterday she hit a Royal the same way, holding three and catching two. And both Royals were in Diamonds. She said, “I guess Diamonds are a girl’s best friend!”
She soon cashed out (I told her, “smart girl”) and left. After ten minutes later, I was dealt four to the royal along with an extra King. Of course, I tossed the King and the 10 appeared on the second line giving me my first Royal of the year—and yes, in Diamonds. The lady soon returned and noticed the amount on my machine and said I must have hit something. I told her that Diamonds can be a boy’s best friend as well. I continued to play but the machine went ice cold and I was soon down a couple of hundred and I quit. At least I’m going to my room even once again for the trip, which is all I really ever hope for. I watched Captain Phillip on the pay-for-view (it’s free along with the Internet for 7 Stars). It was as good as everyone has said.
The next morning (Wednesday) I headed for the final session of the video poker tournament. I once again hit a bonus quad (no kicker) and a slew of full houses ending the session with 1265 giving me a total of 3545…not even the amount of one Royal, which I had heard a couple people did hit. I didn’t like my chances but Glen said I could have certainly made the cut. All his sessions were bad. I doubted it but did notice a couple of empty chairs for this final round. Some folks do so poorly; they simply don’t bother coming back, which is good for me.
I picked up my car from valet and headed downtown where I parked in the Fremont valet (a little known gem of place to park). As I always do when I make my downtown pilgrimage, I loaded up with all my assorted slot cards for the properties here. I like to slip a $20 in most the properties here to keep me on their radar. First things first, it was time for breakfast. I knew the place I was looking for was on 707 Carson, so I walked the four blocks or so to find it—and wouldn’t you know it? It was right across the street from the Container Shops.
Eat diner at 707 Carson
This is a small place in not the best area of downtown (though it’s slowly building up) but don’t be fooled—this isn’t just a lowly corner diner; it’s an upscale place with nice tables, cloth napkins and a modern design. It only serves breakfast and lunch and the menu is surprisingly limited to three options for breakfast and about six or seven sandwiches for lunch. However, the food is outstanding and judging by the amount of people eating her and the 10+ staff working in this smallish place, it’s doing very well. It seems from the menu offerings, this place bends toward the natural and organic side of food. I had a simple bacon and eggs breakfast served with terrific large cut parmesan potatoes. Somewhat pricey at $11, but very good.
I walked over to the Container Shops. If you haven’t heard of this place, it just opened before Christmas and all the shops are made from disposed shipping containers. This means they’re all very small, but they’re beautifully designed and the creativity is amazing to see how each container has been turned into a small store selling everything from jewelry, fancy cupcakes, and even BBQ. Also a big plus for families with small children is that the center is a staffed large free play area for kids. At the end of the park is a large stage for nightly entertainment where they encourage you to bring a blanket and sit on the grass and enjoy the free shows. This is a winner and I certainly see this idea sprouting up in many other cities.
Three stacked containers at the Container Shops
The BBQ Container with another shop on top
The staffed children's play area (it's all free)
I went into most of the casinos downtown usually losing the $20 but managed a nice score at the Fremont when I played Pick ‘em a caught a rare quad for $150 win. Having spent a few hours at this, I headed back to Ballys, parked the car in valet and went to have lunch at the recently opened Haute Dogs eatery in the Linq shopping area (only three stores are open right now and the others are still fenced off). I wanted to try this “gourmet” hot dog and compare it to the overpriced Nathan’s dog at Ballys ($7.95 at Ballys for a plain hot dog—insane!). I paid $5 bucks for their plain dog that comes with onions and mustard and is grilled, not boiled or steamed. It also had the snap as you bite down and it was good—five dollars good? No. But it was a great little lunch snack. I took a picture of the menu.
Menu of Haute Dogs
Next door to the Haute Dogs was a gourmet candy shop called the Purple Zebra. It seems to be the new fad in Las Vegas shops, candy by the bulk. This place was large and had every possible kind of candy imaginable, but I will say that the short time I was here I only saw one couple browsing around though there were six clerks milling about with nothing to do. I don’t like their chances.
Entrance to the Pruple Zebra
The now completed and soon to be open wheel at the Linq
It was 2:30 and I signed up for another $30 poker tournament at the Quad. This is a very nice way to spend a couple of hours. You can lose $30 in five minutes at a machine, but the poker tournament is a nice place to socialize and enjoy the game. This game had 22 players and it pays the top three ($290/$155/$95). This gives the house $100, which might be a bit stiff, but no one’s playing this tournament to get rich. Once again I made the final table, but the first hand was my last. I was short-stacked and the flop gave me trips. The big blind called me and caught a straight. Oh well.
On my way back I stopped in the Diamond Lounge at the Flamingo. The place was packed but the host said that there was reserved seating in the lounge chairs by the TVs for 7 Stars. This is the only Diamond Lounge in Las Vegas that I’m aware of that has 7 Stars reserve seats—but it was a good thing as I got a premier seat. To my shock, this Diamond Lounge did NOT serve chicken wings (blasphemy!) but had rice and stir fried chicken along with an assortment of veggies. I had a small plate and the customary lemon drop. After a while, I struck up a conversation a lady on my right and a guy on my left. He was a retired Naval Officer, she was at one time in the Army, and I was in the Air Force. Needless to say, the next hour or so was exchanging assorted war stories (I was the only one old enough to have been in Vietnam) and we went on and on from chatting about the military, food in Diamond Lounges, TV shows, and of course, sports. This is the way of the Diamond Lounge Lizards. Talk with total strangers about totally nothing and everything and still managing to solve all the world’s problems.
I went back to Ballys and checked with the cashier to see if I had placed in the money. It turns out I was in 104th which was good for $200 in free play. I played it in the Quick Quad machine managed to earn another 500 tier points on my card while cashing out $100 in real money. I was happy to have finished the day up a couple hundred dollars (yes, a nice win on a penny machine—I simply can NOT stay away from them). Back in the room, I watch the new Thor movie on pay-per-view (I’d already seen it, but I really enjoyed it) and finally got to sleep around midnight.
So, this is getting too long. I’ll write another chapter with the remainder of this trip in a couple days.
More later.
It’s been over a month since the last chapter simply because I didn’t spend any time in the casinos during the most of the month of December. Having already reached the level of 7 Stars I was going to achieve for the year, I saw no point in continuing to gamble my toolbox funds with no real benefit. There was one exception to that, which I did post a small article when I made a quick run in Rincon because I wanted to take advantage of $150 free play offer along with a $60 food comp.
I won’t go into detail about this trip as I did talk about it in that article, but I’ll just give a short gist of what happened. They had moved the two Dream Machines over to the main video poker area as the old spot was being used as a temporary poker room as the remodeling continues. Unfortunately, they placed the two machines directly under an air conditioning duct that blew directly onto the machines. I’m not too sensitive to temperatures but these were actually, seriously too cold to play. I alerted an attendant and I told my host. They both said they’d look into it. I sat next to a man who was playing 10-play for dollars and was playing the Dream Card bonus, which was $100 per hand. He soon hit a $2000 payout and the attendant didn’t give him cash; but rather after filling out the tax form, she gave him two $1000 tickets. I didn’t know you could do this. Playing at his level, I could certainly see how this would be easier. As we both continued to play, he’d reach into his wallet, which had a stack of these tickets and slip in another $1000 each time he needed to (did I mention that I’m a very nosey person). I had used my free play up and fortunately made a nice small profit. I simply can’t fathom playing at the level this guy does, but it just goes to show me that anything is possible. He was playing Bonus Poker, so he knew what he was doing taking advantage of the full pay schedule.
I did go to Rincon one more time and that was to use my $500 dining comp. This is a nice 7 Stars perk. My only complaint is that you have to use the entire amount at one sitting. I can only guess this rule is so that the paperwork is less burdensome or something. Anyway, I asked my kids to bring their spouses and the six of us would enjoy a wonderful meal at the steakhouse. I got a room for the night (Rincon offers me two free nights every two weeks) and they brought all six of my grand kids with their dinner to the room to hang out and watch movies (free in room movies for 7 Stars) while we had dinner. It was a Thursday night, so I was given one of their best suites, so the kids could watch two different movies, one in each room if they wanted to watch something different. It’s nice that they’re all now old enough to be left alone for a couple of hours (they have cell phones and know to call if they need anything). We had a few appetizers, meals of steak, salmon, scallops and desserts. The food and service was spectacular and the bill still came to only $426. Of course, the $100 tip certainly didn’t make the meal totally free, but it was a wonderful night.
The one thing I’m not absolutely clear on is whether I receive another $500 dinner when the new tier year kicks in (April 1). I believe I do and I’ll share that information when it becomes available. I did manage to book another of the 7-Star perks, a round trip ticket to New Orleans with limo service to and from the airport along with four nights. As many of you long-time readers know, my son and I go to Vegas every year to celebrate his birthday which we’ve done since he turned 21. He’s 40 this year and we’ve decided to use the New Orleans trip this time as he’s never been there. My host confirmed the reservations and we leave the night of February 5th.
I received an invite to Rincon’s New Year’s Eve celebration for two nights in their newly finished convention showroom. There would be dinner, dancing, and at 1 AM, they would announce the winner of $1 million dollars cash. At first I thought it was a drum drawing with everyone in the room, which would have made this VERY exciting; however, I later learned that the drawing was a computer drawing based on everyone’s play from the past year (the more play, the more “tickets” you earned). You didn’t have to be at the event to win. As a 7 Star member, I certainly had my good share of “tickets” but mine would be but a shadow to those players that are at the top of the food chain—that guy who plays $100 per hand comes to mind.
This was the very first time the new showroom was being used, so we were all guinea pigs as to the service, which would require about 800 guests being fed appetizers, main meals, and desserts by a brand new crew. I have worked in catering and know what a nightmare it can be to serve that many people at once and still have all the dishes hot and fresh—I expected some glitches along the way. All of the guests were 7 Stars and high Diamond players. The main course was steak and lobsters. The steaks were on the small side, but the lobsters were large. The meal was outstanding though the service was slow and disorganized at times. While we ate, a pianist played music from the very large stage. The plan was to feed everyone, then empty the room, remove the tables; set up the dance floor and then all would return at 11 PM with the live orchestra to dance in the New Year. We headed back to the room after eating around 8 PM. By the time eleven o’clock came around, we chose to forgo the festivities and just stay in the room. During dinner, we had sat next to a nice couple, but the lady was a binge-talker. She went on and on non-top for almost two hours about her favorite musical groups and the places she and her husband had gone to and hardly stopped long enough to eat. We certainly didn’t want to run into her again and they were going to call who ever won the million dollars after the drawing—guess who never got the call?
That closed out 2013. It’s been a wild year for me. When it was announced that Diamond would now require 150,000 tier points, I was sure that I would no longer bother to renew, and then the discovery of the bonus tier points led to my renewing Diamond in just two days and making the decision to go for the 7 Stars as long as the cash toolbox was okay. I couldn’t have predicted the rash of royals that allowed me to make it. I’ll be curious to see how 2014 turns out as I’ve decided to attempt to renew my 7 Stars status. I’ll be the first to admit that I am not expecting to be successful. I’m that rare gambler who doesn’t gamble to lose money. If my toolbox becomes empty, I quit. It’s as simple as that. The Diamond benefits are fine with me. I could let go of the round trip tickets, the $500 meal, and the free movies in the room. If that’s the case, then why renew? Because I like the round trip tickets, the $500 meal, the free movies in the room. I would miss the free room Internet, the 7 Stars line passes (don’t think this isn’t a major plus, but it is), and the occasional, “Oh, you’re seven stars! Welcome sir, how can I be of service?”
It’s already January 20th and my tier total is—0. By this time last year, I had already renewed my diamond. It’s time to get started. I understand that it will take me 20 days of 2500 tier point per session to renew 7 Stars. Caesars recently announced that they added an extra bonus: 5000 tier points in a single day will come with a 10,000 tier point bonus. I’m not sure if I could sit so long as to make 5000 tier points in one day (the 2500 would take me about six to seven hours). I would have to have had a couple of Royals and up my play to the dollar level at 5 play to pull that off—not sure if I have the stomach for that—we’ll see. I’ve surprised myself in the past.
I accepted two tournament offers. One is a stay a Ballys for three nights and a free entry into a video poker tournament at Planet Hollywood. The next would be the following week which is a poker tournament at Harrahs and a three night stay at the Rio. I booked both tournaments and made my reservations. Oddly enough, when I talked to my host at Rincon, he said that because I have the postcards with the offers codes that I should just call them myself as there was nothing extra he could do for me in Las Vegas; therefore, eliminating any communication snafus. I made both reservations and decided to stay at Laughlin for the weekend between the two tournaments.
I arrived early on Monday morning, which also happened to be Martin Luther King’s Day. Traffic to Las Vegas was non-existent. Traffic from Las Vegas I expect will become something else later on. I arrived too early to check in, so I made a stop at the M Resort to use my monthly $10 free play. I played the Quick Quads machine for dimes and was up $25, so I quit and had breakfast at the buffet (my free monthly buffet coupons didn’t come in the mail). As always, the M has a wonderful buffet. I then went to see the new Jack Ryan movie, which was good. Chris Pine will now have two franchises to star in, Jack Ryan and Captain Kirk.
I drove to Ballys to check in and was given a room in the newly remodeled Jubilee Tower. I had read others report on these rooms so I was glad to see one for myself. They call it a “Jacuzzi Suite” but it’s really not a suite at all as there’s only one large room with the Jacuzzi taking up a major portion. On each side of the Jacuzzi (the walk-in shower is behind it) is a sink and counter (his and her section—very nice). The toilet, however, is in a very small room barely large enough for the toilet itself—claustrophobics beware!). I have a view that includes the Eifel Tower and the fountains as you look to your extreme right. Directly across the way are all the rooms at the Paris—a peeper’s paradise. Overall, the room is very nice (though the fan for the heater/air is too loud).
The Jacuzzi and bathrooms in the Jubilee Tower
View from my room
The first thing to take care of was signing up for the tournament at Planet Hollywood. I would be taking the same walk many times the next few days from the Jubilee Tower at the front of Ballys to the back, through the indoor connecting walkway into the Paris to the front of the Paris and across the street to Planet Hollywood (bypassing the usual porn-slappers, Grand Canyon Tour hawkers, and costumed panhandlers) into the casino and up the escalator where the video poker tournament will be held at the entrance of the convention area, which overlooks the casino down below. When I arrived, there was a line with no less than 80 people waiting to be registered. I’ve learned to look to see if there’s a dedicated line for 7 Stars card holders, and sure enough, there was…with no one waiting. I signed up immediately (remembering so well being the guy in the long line shaking my head as the 7 Stars members went ahead of everyone). This tournament will have three sessions: tomorrow at 9 AM and then again at 2 PM; and then on Wednesday at 9 AM with the winners (the aggregate score of the three sessions) posted at 6 PM Wednesday night. Top prize is $25,000 and pays down to $100 in free play. The top 250 players win something. There are 12 sessions with 75 machines which tells me there are 900 players total. After getting a print out of my times and machine numbers, I headed back to the Paris where I spent the next three hours in the Diamond Lounge.
I rarely spend too much time in Diamond Lounges, especially when I’m alone. However, at the Paris, I sat at the bar with Salvador (“just call me Sal, dude!”) serving drinks. I ordered a Lemon Drop (my latest favorite cocktail) and watched a little TV. Sal had this habit of refilling your drink if it got down to half full when he noticed you weren’t paying attention, so it was sort of a bottomless drink. It didn’t take long before I started loosening up and talking with people next to me at the bar. Before long all five of us were talking about everything from football to foot creams. As is the custom with Americans (I understand we’re the only ones who do this), we asked what everyone else did for a living. The couple on my right was in construction, the couple on my left (Glen and Marie); he was a fireman in Huntington Beach. I casually mentioned that one of my best friends had retired from the fire department in Oceanside. He asked me what his name was, and I said Hugh Fleming, and Glen said the name was familiar as he took a class back in 1982 at Palomar College from a guy with that name. Damn! Hugh taught at Palomar for a couple of years. What are the odds? I asked how he could possible remember that—it was 32 years ago! He said that he learned a lot about firefighting from him. Well, I was just drunk enough to call Hugh right then and there. “Hey Hugh—you’ll NEVER guess who I’m sitting next to in a bar at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas!” Glen and Hugh talked for a little bit and I told Hugh it says a lot about him that a student of his over 30 years ago would remember him from just a one semester class. I went to college for over 9 years, and I couldn’t give you the name of even one my instructors.
After too many Lemon Drops and chicken wings, I said my goodbyes and as Glen was also in the video poker tournament and had the same times as I did, we agreed to meet up the next day. Before heading up to my room, I sat down at a quarter triple play 7/5 Bonus Poker machine (the best pay schedule they have) and slipped in a hundred. I know better than to play when I’ve had a few drinks, so I was really careful to go at it slow. Though after an hour or so and being down a couple hundred, I did manage 500 tier credits to get a small bonus and went to bed. As I was trying to fall asleep, something was nagging me: My schedule is four nights here, the weekend in Laughlin, and then four nights at the Rio for a poker tournament. Why would I be staying four nights? Results are Wednesday night. Why the extra night? I got out of bed and checked my registration ticket. Sure enough, it was only three nights, not four. I checked my reservation for Laughlin and sure enough, I arrive there on Friday. Damn! I came here without booking Thursday night?
The next morning the first thing I did was go through all my offers (I keep all my post card offers in a folder in my briefcase, which goes with me everywhere). I knew that if push came to shove, I could simply request an extra night here, but I did have a freebie available on that day at the Silverton. I had some free play coming from them, so I called. The reservation operator said that my offer was a two nighter and that Friday night was sold out. I said I’d just like to stay Thursday and that worked out fine. Whew!
I walked over to Planet Hollywood just before the tournament began and found Glen and Marie. They had just come from breakfast at a place called Eat in downtown and recommended it highly. I said I’d perhaps check it out tomorrow as my plan today after this session was to stick around the Strip properties because we had to be back in five hours for the next session. My session was HORRIBLE. I’m a good video poker player, I’m fast and I know my stuff, but all of that experience is worthless if you don’t get dealt any good cards. By the time the ten minute session was up, I had no quads and only one full house. My score was 690, the lowest score on my bank of machines. Okay, well at least I got three free nights out of it.
I headed for Harrahs down the Strip a bit for breakfast. I stopped to check out the work on the entrance to Ballys. If you haven’t heard, they have torn that entire area up (it was huge mistake in the first place—a total waste of prime Strip property) and are putting in—what else—another shopping complex. If there’s one thing Las Vegas needs, it’s another shopping complex of small stores and eateries.
The once entrance to Ballys, now just dirt
I walked past what used to be Bill’s Gambling Hall what used to be the Barbary Coast and the newest name, Cromwell (really?) is still under major reconstruction.
The latest look at the once Bill's and one day the Cromwell
It was 10 AM and as I walked along the front of the Flamingo, Mickey and Minnie mouse were seated on the sidewalk downing some beers—next to them were three or four empties. Yes, Las Vegas, the city where dreams can come true. I made it to Harrahs and enjoyed the breakfast buffet while reading the morning newspaper (bought in the gift shop for $1.50 as Caesars squeezes and extra fifty cents out every newspaper sold). The food is good but breakfast is the one thing that’s pretty hard to screw up. I went back to the Quad to check out the recently opened O’Shea’s. This is NOT the old dive that was once next door. This place is very upscale (yes they still have the beer pong tables) and nothing is like it used to be. The few video poker machines at the bar all have terrible pay schedules and the Bonus Aces was an odd one I had never seen before. A full house paid 10 and the flush paid 6 (amazing except 3-of-a-kind only paid 2): 1,2,2,4,6,10,25,40,80,250,50,250.
I had some time to kill, so I signed up for a small daily poker tournament at the Quad which is only $30. There were a total of 20 people signed up (two tables) and I managed to get to the final table but end up going out in 7th place having my straight being beat by a river flush. That was okay as I needed to get back to Planet Hollywood for the 2 PM session. This time, things went a little better as I managed a bonus quad (no kicker) and quad jacks with my fair share of full houses. I ended with a score of 1590 giving me a total of just of 2280. I went back to Ballys to put in some more play (it’s a long way to renewing 7 Stars). Things just didn’t go well. In bonus poker, you need to make a few quads, and hopefully quad Aces to stay in the game. Oddly enough, I was never dealt three Aces in tournament play and now in real play. The Aces have abandoned me! It’s starting to get deep as I’m now down almost $700 for the trip—far too much this early. Fortunately, 2013 was a banner year for me so my toolbox can take a few hits along the way, so I’m not that concerned—just yet.
I knew I needed to quit for a while, so once again it was over to the Paris Diamond Lounge and Sal with his bottomless Lemon Drops. Glen and Marie were there once again and we had a grand time chatting and drinking. I told them I would definitely go after tomorrow’s morning session downtown to check out Eat. I wanted to visit the downtown area anyway and take a look at the newest attraction, the Container Shops. I kept my drinking down to just two and heading to the deli to get some dinner; however, I noticed that the Quick Quad machine was available. Quick Quads is a favorite game of mine, but they’re far and few between. I always play them at the Riverside, and I believe this one in Ballys is the only machine in all of the Caesars properties. It’s a quarter 3/5/10 machine and it does have 7/5 Bonus Poker. I won’t go into Quick Quads and how the strategy is different, but it’s a fun game but you need to be on your toes when making your decision as to what cards to hold. The lady next to me playing Triple Double on the machine next to me squealed. She had just hit a Royal. She told me that yesterday she hit a Royal the same way, holding three and catching two. And both Royals were in Diamonds. She said, “I guess Diamonds are a girl’s best friend!”
She soon cashed out (I told her, “smart girl”) and left. After ten minutes later, I was dealt four to the royal along with an extra King. Of course, I tossed the King and the 10 appeared on the second line giving me my first Royal of the year—and yes, in Diamonds. The lady soon returned and noticed the amount on my machine and said I must have hit something. I told her that Diamonds can be a boy’s best friend as well. I continued to play but the machine went ice cold and I was soon down a couple of hundred and I quit. At least I’m going to my room even once again for the trip, which is all I really ever hope for. I watched Captain Phillip on the pay-for-view (it’s free along with the Internet for 7 Stars). It was as good as everyone has said.
The next morning (Wednesday) I headed for the final session of the video poker tournament. I once again hit a bonus quad (no kicker) and a slew of full houses ending the session with 1265 giving me a total of 3545…not even the amount of one Royal, which I had heard a couple people did hit. I didn’t like my chances but Glen said I could have certainly made the cut. All his sessions were bad. I doubted it but did notice a couple of empty chairs for this final round. Some folks do so poorly; they simply don’t bother coming back, which is good for me.
I picked up my car from valet and headed downtown where I parked in the Fremont valet (a little known gem of place to park). As I always do when I make my downtown pilgrimage, I loaded up with all my assorted slot cards for the properties here. I like to slip a $20 in most the properties here to keep me on their radar. First things first, it was time for breakfast. I knew the place I was looking for was on 707 Carson, so I walked the four blocks or so to find it—and wouldn’t you know it? It was right across the street from the Container Shops.
Eat diner at 707 Carson
This is a small place in not the best area of downtown (though it’s slowly building up) but don’t be fooled—this isn’t just a lowly corner diner; it’s an upscale place with nice tables, cloth napkins and a modern design. It only serves breakfast and lunch and the menu is surprisingly limited to three options for breakfast and about six or seven sandwiches for lunch. However, the food is outstanding and judging by the amount of people eating her and the 10+ staff working in this smallish place, it’s doing very well. It seems from the menu offerings, this place bends toward the natural and organic side of food. I had a simple bacon and eggs breakfast served with terrific large cut parmesan potatoes. Somewhat pricey at $11, but very good.
I walked over to the Container Shops. If you haven’t heard of this place, it just opened before Christmas and all the shops are made from disposed shipping containers. This means they’re all very small, but they’re beautifully designed and the creativity is amazing to see how each container has been turned into a small store selling everything from jewelry, fancy cupcakes, and even BBQ. Also a big plus for families with small children is that the center is a staffed large free play area for kids. At the end of the park is a large stage for nightly entertainment where they encourage you to bring a blanket and sit on the grass and enjoy the free shows. This is a winner and I certainly see this idea sprouting up in many other cities.
Three stacked containers at the Container Shops
The BBQ Container with another shop on top
The staffed children's play area (it's all free)
I went into most of the casinos downtown usually losing the $20 but managed a nice score at the Fremont when I played Pick ‘em a caught a rare quad for $150 win. Having spent a few hours at this, I headed back to Ballys, parked the car in valet and went to have lunch at the recently opened Haute Dogs eatery in the Linq shopping area (only three stores are open right now and the others are still fenced off). I wanted to try this “gourmet” hot dog and compare it to the overpriced Nathan’s dog at Ballys ($7.95 at Ballys for a plain hot dog—insane!). I paid $5 bucks for their plain dog that comes with onions and mustard and is grilled, not boiled or steamed. It also had the snap as you bite down and it was good—five dollars good? No. But it was a great little lunch snack. I took a picture of the menu.
Menu of Haute Dogs
Next door to the Haute Dogs was a gourmet candy shop called the Purple Zebra. It seems to be the new fad in Las Vegas shops, candy by the bulk. This place was large and had every possible kind of candy imaginable, but I will say that the short time I was here I only saw one couple browsing around though there were six clerks milling about with nothing to do. I don’t like their chances.
Entrance to the Pruple Zebra
The now completed and soon to be open wheel at the Linq
It was 2:30 and I signed up for another $30 poker tournament at the Quad. This is a very nice way to spend a couple of hours. You can lose $30 in five minutes at a machine, but the poker tournament is a nice place to socialize and enjoy the game. This game had 22 players and it pays the top three ($290/$155/$95). This gives the house $100, which might be a bit stiff, but no one’s playing this tournament to get rich. Once again I made the final table, but the first hand was my last. I was short-stacked and the flop gave me trips. The big blind called me and caught a straight. Oh well.
On my way back I stopped in the Diamond Lounge at the Flamingo. The place was packed but the host said that there was reserved seating in the lounge chairs by the TVs for 7 Stars. This is the only Diamond Lounge in Las Vegas that I’m aware of that has 7 Stars reserve seats—but it was a good thing as I got a premier seat. To my shock, this Diamond Lounge did NOT serve chicken wings (blasphemy!) but had rice and stir fried chicken along with an assortment of veggies. I had a small plate and the customary lemon drop. After a while, I struck up a conversation a lady on my right and a guy on my left. He was a retired Naval Officer, she was at one time in the Army, and I was in the Air Force. Needless to say, the next hour or so was exchanging assorted war stories (I was the only one old enough to have been in Vietnam) and we went on and on from chatting about the military, food in Diamond Lounges, TV shows, and of course, sports. This is the way of the Diamond Lounge Lizards. Talk with total strangers about totally nothing and everything and still managing to solve all the world’s problems.
I went back to Ballys and checked with the cashier to see if I had placed in the money. It turns out I was in 104th which was good for $200 in free play. I played it in the Quick Quad machine managed to earn another 500 tier points on my card while cashing out $100 in real money. I was happy to have finished the day up a couple hundred dollars (yes, a nice win on a penny machine—I simply can NOT stay away from them). Back in the room, I watch the new Thor movie on pay-per-view (I’d already seen it, but I really enjoyed it) and finally got to sleep around midnight.
So, this is getting too long. I’ll write another chapter with the remainder of this trip in a couple days.
More later.
