The SEMA Trip that Wasn't

46 years a nurse, all departments, seldom sick despite all kinds of exposure.  Probably didn't call in sick 10 times all those years.  Retired 5 years now, paying my dues, it seems.  Not big sickness...yet...just crud that never used to get me down.   I guess more time to sit around and feel it.  Nurses used to work sick, and I'm sure I did.  Never enough staff to cover, I think no self-respecting bug could overcome my determination...couldn't think of leaving patients/co-workers stranded.

Thanks, Bobby White and Dave in Seattle for your replies.  

Nice TR, Candy.  Glad you did well gambling, and I won't comment about your friend with the hidden horseshoe.  What slots did you win on? 

My wife and I both seem to come back sick from flying - it simply seems to be a given. 

Can you describe the rooms at Wynn?  I've always been curious what they're like and how they compare to Bellagio.

Feel better soon!

Tommy

I remember when people would come to work,really sick and that bug would take out 1/2 of the crew.

  These days,I get my flu shot EVERY year. Even a less powerful bug will give me the creeping crud for a few days. It's like I was run over by a small SUV. We won't die,just feel bad.My health was better when I was working,not now in retirement.I ate much healthier food back then.

   The really good thing about my retirement is that I now have TIME and MONEY.

'Vegas for me in Mid-March,2020.Sick or not.

Thanks antennaunt.  I'm not one that remembers every machine, every hit, etc.  My basic strategy helps on penny slots:  Play full coin.  Put in a C note.   If it rises to $200 credits or more I cash it out, put in maybe a $20 to see if I'm in a lucky moment.   Saving those wins has actually changed my casino life in terms of not playing it all back in.

NOTE:  Up until a couple years ago I NEVER played a slot, always VP.  But VP was snubbing me so I followed my lucky friend and have had some good streaks:  Dragon's Rising (only two at Wynn and they are in Encore).  Dragon Link, the Pandas gave me some good hits at Wynn.  Some new machines I can't recall the name of, but I always try out "new" ones and Wynn had two that gave me good results.  Seems the dragon theme is big and those where if you get 6 gold circles or whatever it is already a winner and gives you more spins to get more of those.  But...like always...nothing is a certainty, and the same machine can be good again or it can be nasty.  At Bellagio I hit good on Heavenly Riches, and others I can't recall right now (head cold still roaring in my ear so my cognition isn't the best, LOL.  Doing better at walking away after winning helps a lot.

Wynn standard (Resort Tower) rooms are very nice, light color schemes, truely floor to ceiling windows, nicer than Bellagio but of course much newer.  Actually, I think the Encore rooms (they call them suites?) are nicer than in Wynn, but it takes a lot of walking to go between the casinos and Wynn has more of everything.  Huge bathtubs (I suppose some have Jacuzzi) but beware no grab bars.  Again, the Encore rooms are even newer than the Wynn rooms.  The elevator situation on Wynn side is much better than Bellagio, structured so no crowding.  Both places have security check your room key before getting on elevator.  No elevator problem on the Encore side.  And now at Bellagio you have to swipe your key and THEN touch your floor number, all floors.  Impressive. 

There is a penny "Medallion" machine at Encore (quarters and dollars on the Wynn side...no way.  Didn't play it, but that's what friend hit at the airport $1100+ (just short of a W2-G at the airport plus more hits, coming away with the $1700.  Of course I don't know how much she spent, but we weren't there that long.  She said her secret is when ONE bonus symbol shows (need three for free games) she hits the stop button, stops the reels often with good results.  I won on that one at Encore last trip, not a jackpot but a good hit.   Sorry I can't provide more detail.  Maybe later.

Dave, we'd gotten our flu shots maybe 4 weeks before the trip.  They say it takes 2 weeks for full effect.  I think I have never had the actual flu, but I trust what they say that getting the shots every year provides some protection even when they miss the mark on which strain is out there.  Hey, they are free, so why not?

Yep - having a playing strategy is key.  Its kinda like putting a stop-loss order on a stock.     

Three simple rules make my losing trips bareable.   I usually will come home with about 80% of my original bankroll...and the last two times I even came home slightly ahead.

Rule #1)  Any machine I play (regardless if its slots or VP) -    put in a Benjamin.    If it rises over $120, immediatelty cash out and put the $20+ in my pocket.   Then I  can put the Benjamin back in the machine if I want.

Rule #2) Any Winnings from matchplays, free slotplay, or other promos goes home.   No recycling back into the casino.

Rule #3)  Dont play table games down to zero.    I usually buy in with a few hundred in chips....when that falls down to 1/4 of the original buy-in a cash out and take the remaining chips home.   Also pocket green chips that go beyond oriignal buy-in amount as you play.

PJ Stroh, good strategies for tables.  I love blackjack for many reasons, including the social aspect, relaxing, money goes slower.  Problem is I want to stay longer, especially when I've had a good run and fun table mates and dealer.  I hate myself when I play down to zero.  Pocketing some greens...haven't done that but it would only take a few to prevent a total wipe-out.  Thanks for reading the TR and thanks for the suggestions.

Thanks Candy.  I know how hard it is to remember what slot you win on and where, and being sick trying to remember just increases the difficulty, so any and all details are appreciated. 

Thanks for the info on Wynn and Encore!  The newer the property, the more advantage they have to be nicer.  I think of a suite as a room with at least a bath and a half that includes more space to stretch out.  I know that is not a standard, but just my terminology.  But I also appreciate the finer touches, even if I'm not there as long as I could be to take advantage of extras. 

I hope you and your hubby feel better!

Tommy

Thanks for the info.  Good slot tips, thanks PJ.