With a get a way needed and an airline voucher about to expire, thanks LVA for the coupons. Solo reservation was for two nights at the Golden Gate.
Flight seat mate was headed in for her 21st birthday weekend with Mom & Aunt. She was excited about her first Vegas experience, and strangely confused that I was going alone. She asked where and I said downtown, with its easier walk between casinos, blue collar comfort, lower prices & higher odds. She said with excitement she was going to “The Las Vegas Strip”, and I was genuinely happy for her.
Taxi in from McCarren may have cost more than it should- $40? The GG front desk apparently recently moved, but check in was no problem. Room upgrades are nice from my last visit (4 or 5 years ago), but good lord 405 was loud at night. Being on east coast time, my “early” bedtime was not early for the FSE & woke me up multiple times. I’m a guy, don’t mind the little things a bit, but couldn’t handle the thought of another night that loud. They graciously moved me to 409 the second night, which was fine. I don’t see how they keep guests in the first room. Not impressed with the charging for in-room coffee.
I know the odds in Keno. I understand. But, there are four or five problems 1) no gambling back home, so its rare to get to play, 2) I’ve been playing the same numbers for 15 or so years, so one day, right? (four suggested by a cigarette smoking old cowboy long ago at the Old Reno casino), 3) low wager for big potential, 4) I’m pretty patient and 5) its entertaining. Where better for nickel keno than downtown LV? Play 8, 6 keeps you going, 7 pays for the trip and 8 pays some bills.
My memory was of a bank at Vegas Club, by the doors- the sit down kind. Of course they have moved machines around in the years since visiting and they were not where remembered. Played in there a bit, but it just didn’t work.
Plaza has always felt a bit confused. Almost like they are not quite sure what to do with the casino. Had a great run- about 2.5 hrs, two Heinekins and walked out up $20. Almost- about my only trip regret was dropping $60 on machines by the door (on the way out..) and losing it in about 5 minutes. The horribly addictive “new” slot type- cannot remember what they are called- but where you can hit 4-9 or so “quick hits” progresives, lots of free play options & a choice of 30, 90, etc coins in. Fun, but way way too fast.
No to Mermaids, no to La Bayou, due to memories of 0 return previously. Binions was fine, played a bit, nothing remarkable. Did appreciate the chili dog (1 of 2 during the trip- hey, its vacation) at the counter.
The “find” of the trip was the 4 Queens. Really enjoyed it. Good vibe, good cocktail service (“cocktails”), a bank of machines in the keno room for twice the fun, old school feel, moderate play. The slot club $10 free play got me in (again, thanks LVA), club folks were personable, even won a t-shirt w points but found out later it was a size too large. Might try staying there next time.
What else? Never hit 7 or 8, must have played thousands (3? 4?) of games mostly between GG & 4 Queens. Lots of 6 of 8. Very few other games- I had work to do. The dancing dealers at GG are nicely distracting and a great idea. The theme works well but the hats on a few of the guys seem a bit forced. My machine was near a back of house entrance, so watching staff (security, floor, dealers, dancers, etc) move in and out was entertaining. There was one beautiful cocktail waitress that everyone was hitting on (or being overly friendly with) – including one guy who wanted his picture taken with a “real Vegas cocktail waitress”. Nice background during the high mental stress of keno.
DuPars pancakes were good (again, thanks LVA). I do miss the .99c shrimp cocktail at the back counter by the piano. For a casino property selling its history, I think the increased price shrimp cocktail (and possible less specific serving location) is a bad idea. Everyone knew about the .99c shrimp cocktail- it was becoming legendary. At DuPars the glasses were on the counter, so I asked and she said $2.99 (though I thought it was 1.99). Nothing special about that, now its just food so I didn’t even bother.
Again, the homeless population was obvious downtown. (I wrote about it years ago on a LVA board). One guy came towards me with a look in his eye, sat quick and “cool” at the next machine- right as the cocktail waitress walked up. He faked it until she brought him a crown & coke & he cashed out having played nothing. Poor guy stunk pretty bad. But, he got his drink.
When it was time to go ($32 ride), as usual, I was more than ready. Until next time..
Flight seat mate was headed in for her 21st birthday weekend with Mom & Aunt. She was excited about her first Vegas experience, and strangely confused that I was going alone. She asked where and I said downtown, with its easier walk between casinos, blue collar comfort, lower prices & higher odds. She said with excitement she was going to “The Las Vegas Strip”, and I was genuinely happy for her.
Taxi in from McCarren may have cost more than it should- $40? The GG front desk apparently recently moved, but check in was no problem. Room upgrades are nice from my last visit (4 or 5 years ago), but good lord 405 was loud at night. Being on east coast time, my “early” bedtime was not early for the FSE & woke me up multiple times. I’m a guy, don’t mind the little things a bit, but couldn’t handle the thought of another night that loud. They graciously moved me to 409 the second night, which was fine. I don’t see how they keep guests in the first room. Not impressed with the charging for in-room coffee.
I know the odds in Keno. I understand. But, there are four or five problems 1) no gambling back home, so its rare to get to play, 2) I’ve been playing the same numbers for 15 or so years, so one day, right? (four suggested by a cigarette smoking old cowboy long ago at the Old Reno casino), 3) low wager for big potential, 4) I’m pretty patient and 5) its entertaining. Where better for nickel keno than downtown LV? Play 8, 6 keeps you going, 7 pays for the trip and 8 pays some bills.
My memory was of a bank at Vegas Club, by the doors- the sit down kind. Of course they have moved machines around in the years since visiting and they were not where remembered. Played in there a bit, but it just didn’t work.
Plaza has always felt a bit confused. Almost like they are not quite sure what to do with the casino. Had a great run- about 2.5 hrs, two Heinekins and walked out up $20. Almost- about my only trip regret was dropping $60 on machines by the door (on the way out..) and losing it in about 5 minutes. The horribly addictive “new” slot type- cannot remember what they are called- but where you can hit 4-9 or so “quick hits” progresives, lots of free play options & a choice of 30, 90, etc coins in. Fun, but way way too fast.
No to Mermaids, no to La Bayou, due to memories of 0 return previously. Binions was fine, played a bit, nothing remarkable. Did appreciate the chili dog (1 of 2 during the trip- hey, its vacation) at the counter.
The “find” of the trip was the 4 Queens. Really enjoyed it. Good vibe, good cocktail service (“cocktails”), a bank of machines in the keno room for twice the fun, old school feel, moderate play. The slot club $10 free play got me in (again, thanks LVA), club folks were personable, even won a t-shirt w points but found out later it was a size too large. Might try staying there next time.
What else? Never hit 7 or 8, must have played thousands (3? 4?) of games mostly between GG & 4 Queens. Lots of 6 of 8. Very few other games- I had work to do. The dancing dealers at GG are nicely distracting and a great idea. The theme works well but the hats on a few of the guys seem a bit forced. My machine was near a back of house entrance, so watching staff (security, floor, dealers, dancers, etc) move in and out was entertaining. There was one beautiful cocktail waitress that everyone was hitting on (or being overly friendly with) – including one guy who wanted his picture taken with a “real Vegas cocktail waitress”. Nice background during the high mental stress of keno.
DuPars pancakes were good (again, thanks LVA). I do miss the .99c shrimp cocktail at the back counter by the piano. For a casino property selling its history, I think the increased price shrimp cocktail (and possible less specific serving location) is a bad idea. Everyone knew about the .99c shrimp cocktail- it was becoming legendary. At DuPars the glasses were on the counter, so I asked and she said $2.99 (though I thought it was 1.99). Nothing special about that, now its just food so I didn’t even bother.
Again, the homeless population was obvious downtown. (I wrote about it years ago on a LVA board). One guy came towards me with a look in his eye, sat quick and “cool” at the next machine- right as the cocktail waitress walked up. He faked it until she brought him a crown & coke & he cashed out having played nothing. Poor guy stunk pretty bad. But, he got his drink.
When it was time to go ($32 ride), as usual, I was more than ready. Until next time..
