Summer 2012 – Day 22
Waking up in this nice suite on the 15th floor and opening the curtains gives me an idea what it must be like living in an apartment of a high rise in New York are some other large city. This room certainly is big enough (I would guess the sq. ft. are just about the same as my entire house in Pine Valley). Even though it’s still dark outside and around 4:30 AM, in the distance I can see the I-15 and the long, stream of headlights of the cars coming into Las Vegas for as far as I can see. The M Resort, for those of you who have never been here, sits on the very far southern edge of Las Vegas. It’s the first hotel you pass as you come into town, and after you pass it, there’s another six miles or so before you get to the next hotel, South Point, and eventually to Vegas. Despite this being so far away from everything else, you’d be surprised at how busy the casino remains. They do a terrific job of marketing here giving away free meals and having an excellent choice of games that give the gambler a fair shake. It’s one of my favorite spots.
Entrance to the front desk at the M
I finished the trip report and it was still early, so I decided to read. I’m sorry to say it appears for the second time on one of these summer Vegas trips, I’ve lost my book club book, THE LAST WIFE OF HENRY THE VIII. I was about ¾ finished with it and it’s nowhere to be found. I’m guessing that somewhere in one of the hotel bathrooms it got left behind. I’ll need to borrow a copy from another member when I get back to San Diego to finish it. So, I’ve begun reading Anne Rice’s ANGEL TIME. I got a little carried away reading and found myself a little late for my schedule which was to go into Henderson, fill up with gas at Costco, post my report at Starbucks, have a quick breakfast at Burger King, and still make it back to Ballys in time for the tournament. As I was taking my computer to my car, I noticed there was no line whatsoever at the buffet. I put the laptop in the car, found my free buffet coupon and enjoyed a fast breakfast at the M. (3 ½ forks)
Breakfast at the M
Now, I just had time to make it over to Bill’s, park the car, and walk over to Ballys for the tournament. This time around, I scored a 910. Still no quads and certainly it’s not going to be in the money. I went back upstairs and decided to take another shot at the 7/5 Bonus poker. I must admit I’ve decided to make a run and extend my Diamond one more year so a few more points here and there will help. I put in my usual hundred and this time, my session went much better. No, I still have yet to hit a single line Royal (22 days and counting), but I did manage something of an oddity. I held three to a straight flush and caught it. I do follow the little known correct strategy that you hold three to a straight flush (even with one gap) over a high card, and this has worked for me about three or four times in the past (the last being on last year’s Hit ‘em All Nevada trip at Harvey’s in Lake Tahoe). Catching a straight flush is not the strange thing. The odd part is that only five hands later, I hit another straight flush this time only needing one card. I’ve lost count how many times this trip I’ve been dealt four-to-the-royal and could never grab that last card, and here I catch a straight flush right after another one. It’s not unheard of, but it’s certainly rare.
Hold three, catch two...if only they were face cards
just five hands later...unusual
I continued playing. I am catching a good amount of full houses and the occasional quad to keep me in the game. Then, for the second time in three days, I’m dealt quad Aces. It feels good to finally have a good, solid session. However, as these things do, the machine went ice cold and I began losing seven, eight hands in a row at a time. I knew to finally get out. I walked out with $150 profit, my most of a session this trip (that’s not say much, but it’s been a rough trip). It’s already noon and I’ve yet to post my trip report. I realize that these things are all pretty trivial in the big scheme of things, and that I’m under no duty, but over the years, I’ve felt an obligation, almost like a job, to get these trip reports posted in a timely manner. That’s just me. I hustled over to the Starbucks on Flamingo Dr. to post the report.
Second time this trip I'm dealt quad Aces...perhaps I'm playing the wrong game
As I mentioned I’d do yesterday, I headed back to the Palms to take on the 50-play jacks once more and see BRAVE at their Brendon Theaters. The movie wouldn’t start for an hour and a half, and wouldn’t be nice if my session could last that long? (I never lose more than $100 in a session—that’s my stop point) Okay, so yesterday I went on a rant (again) about how suspicious I was that the dealt three-of-a-kinds were so scarce on seemingly only these machines. Well, I suppose I made the video poker gods nervous because this time around I did have my fair share of them dealt to me. So, there goes another theory out the window. I even managed another royal—this makes five 2-cent royals for the trip. My initial $100 got as high as $275 when it began to go into the tank. When I got to $200, I wisely cashed out and took a hundred dollar profit. I then went to the booth to swipe my card for their July promotion. I had put on almost 3000 points during this session. Unfortunately, they had run out of the 2-liter diet Cokes, so I had to settle for a logo beer mug and a shot glass—both of which will likely end up once again in the back of my cupboard only to be tossed out after a year or so.
Thursdays at the Palms is Senior Day. They have assorted bennies for us oldsters such as discounted meals, free swipes for goodies (I got a mini multi-colored notepad and pen—big whoop), and discounted movies. So, I was able to see BRAVE for $4 today—nice. Like LVA member GREGRIO, who sees the same Vegas shows many times, I do the same with movies that I like. This year I’ve watched THE AVENGERS, SPIDERMAN, and now BRAVE twice. The second time allows me to pay more attention to the details and most times I find that I enjoy the movie even more. BRAVE follows the long line of Pixar movies that not only entertain but also have a strong heart-felt message. Behind all the beautiful artistry, the music, and fantasy, is a story about a relationship between a teenage daughter and her mother. Its universal theme is a must-see for all teenage girls as they go through that stage of wanting to be independent and getting through the acrimonious relationship that all girls and mothers seem to go through during these years. (4 claps and a cheer)
I next went back to Ballys. It seems that if you put 100 tier points on your card during the day, you can have another crack at the tournament between 3 and 5 PM. Since I had accumulated enough points this morning, I went back and got my extra entry. This time went much better having hit quad Aces (no kicker) and I ended up with a score of 1435. Now is my dilemma: They aren’t going to post the scores until 8:00 PM. Did I want to stick around for four hours to see if I qualified for any money? My score would likely be just on the edge, plus the prize would only be $50 free play. I honestly didn’t think I’d wind up in the money, so I headed back to the M.
This was going to be my last night here, so after putting my things in my room, I headed downstairs for one last run at the casino. The slot club here allows you to take your accumulated points and turn them into free play right at the machine. They have a very liberal point to cash rate of $3 for every 1000 points. I checked my point total and found that I had 25K+ points. So I turned that into $75 free play. I played the 8/5 Aces Bonus machine. I sat down next to a lady who was playing dollar Triple Double Bonus. Throughout the session, she was asking me to watch her seat as she would leave and come back with another couple 100 dollar bills. In the short time I was there, I watched her put in $1200. She never caught even one quad—and I thought things were going bad for me. I got my $75 up to as high as $135 but as they do, things went south and it wasn’t long before I was back to the $75 again, which I cashed out.
My gambling was done for the day. I picked up a BBQ chicken sandwich for dinner to take up to my room. It was a good day, though not a great one, for gambling. I had a $250+ profit and though this doesn’t do a lot to make up for this trip’s losses, it certainly doesn’t hurt. I’m going to miss my suite as I know that tomorrow life goes back to reality as I check into Sam’s Town for a couple of nights.
More tomorrow.
Waking up in this nice suite on the 15th floor and opening the curtains gives me an idea what it must be like living in an apartment of a high rise in New York are some other large city. This room certainly is big enough (I would guess the sq. ft. are just about the same as my entire house in Pine Valley). Even though it’s still dark outside and around 4:30 AM, in the distance I can see the I-15 and the long, stream of headlights of the cars coming into Las Vegas for as far as I can see. The M Resort, for those of you who have never been here, sits on the very far southern edge of Las Vegas. It’s the first hotel you pass as you come into town, and after you pass it, there’s another six miles or so before you get to the next hotel, South Point, and eventually to Vegas. Despite this being so far away from everything else, you’d be surprised at how busy the casino remains. They do a terrific job of marketing here giving away free meals and having an excellent choice of games that give the gambler a fair shake. It’s one of my favorite spots.
Entrance to the front desk at the M
I finished the trip report and it was still early, so I decided to read. I’m sorry to say it appears for the second time on one of these summer Vegas trips, I’ve lost my book club book, THE LAST WIFE OF HENRY THE VIII. I was about ¾ finished with it and it’s nowhere to be found. I’m guessing that somewhere in one of the hotel bathrooms it got left behind. I’ll need to borrow a copy from another member when I get back to San Diego to finish it. So, I’ve begun reading Anne Rice’s ANGEL TIME. I got a little carried away reading and found myself a little late for my schedule which was to go into Henderson, fill up with gas at Costco, post my report at Starbucks, have a quick breakfast at Burger King, and still make it back to Ballys in time for the tournament. As I was taking my computer to my car, I noticed there was no line whatsoever at the buffet. I put the laptop in the car, found my free buffet coupon and enjoyed a fast breakfast at the M. (3 ½ forks)
Breakfast at the M
Now, I just had time to make it over to Bill’s, park the car, and walk over to Ballys for the tournament. This time around, I scored a 910. Still no quads and certainly it’s not going to be in the money. I went back upstairs and decided to take another shot at the 7/5 Bonus poker. I must admit I’ve decided to make a run and extend my Diamond one more year so a few more points here and there will help. I put in my usual hundred and this time, my session went much better. No, I still have yet to hit a single line Royal (22 days and counting), but I did manage something of an oddity. I held three to a straight flush and caught it. I do follow the little known correct strategy that you hold three to a straight flush (even with one gap) over a high card, and this has worked for me about three or four times in the past (the last being on last year’s Hit ‘em All Nevada trip at Harvey’s in Lake Tahoe). Catching a straight flush is not the strange thing. The odd part is that only five hands later, I hit another straight flush this time only needing one card. I’ve lost count how many times this trip I’ve been dealt four-to-the-royal and could never grab that last card, and here I catch a straight flush right after another one. It’s not unheard of, but it’s certainly rare.
Hold three, catch two...if only they were face cards
just five hands later...unusual
I continued playing. I am catching a good amount of full houses and the occasional quad to keep me in the game. Then, for the second time in three days, I’m dealt quad Aces. It feels good to finally have a good, solid session. However, as these things do, the machine went ice cold and I began losing seven, eight hands in a row at a time. I knew to finally get out. I walked out with $150 profit, my most of a session this trip (that’s not say much, but it’s been a rough trip). It’s already noon and I’ve yet to post my trip report. I realize that these things are all pretty trivial in the big scheme of things, and that I’m under no duty, but over the years, I’ve felt an obligation, almost like a job, to get these trip reports posted in a timely manner. That’s just me. I hustled over to the Starbucks on Flamingo Dr. to post the report.
Second time this trip I'm dealt quad Aces...perhaps I'm playing the wrong game
As I mentioned I’d do yesterday, I headed back to the Palms to take on the 50-play jacks once more and see BRAVE at their Brendon Theaters. The movie wouldn’t start for an hour and a half, and wouldn’t be nice if my session could last that long? (I never lose more than $100 in a session—that’s my stop point) Okay, so yesterday I went on a rant (again) about how suspicious I was that the dealt three-of-a-kinds were so scarce on seemingly only these machines. Well, I suppose I made the video poker gods nervous because this time around I did have my fair share of them dealt to me. So, there goes another theory out the window. I even managed another royal—this makes five 2-cent royals for the trip. My initial $100 got as high as $275 when it began to go into the tank. When I got to $200, I wisely cashed out and took a hundred dollar profit. I then went to the booth to swipe my card for their July promotion. I had put on almost 3000 points during this session. Unfortunately, they had run out of the 2-liter diet Cokes, so I had to settle for a logo beer mug and a shot glass—both of which will likely end up once again in the back of my cupboard only to be tossed out after a year or so.
Thursdays at the Palms is Senior Day. They have assorted bennies for us oldsters such as discounted meals, free swipes for goodies (I got a mini multi-colored notepad and pen—big whoop), and discounted movies. So, I was able to see BRAVE for $4 today—nice. Like LVA member GREGRIO, who sees the same Vegas shows many times, I do the same with movies that I like. This year I’ve watched THE AVENGERS, SPIDERMAN, and now BRAVE twice. The second time allows me to pay more attention to the details and most times I find that I enjoy the movie even more. BRAVE follows the long line of Pixar movies that not only entertain but also have a strong heart-felt message. Behind all the beautiful artistry, the music, and fantasy, is a story about a relationship between a teenage daughter and her mother. Its universal theme is a must-see for all teenage girls as they go through that stage of wanting to be independent and getting through the acrimonious relationship that all girls and mothers seem to go through during these years. (4 claps and a cheer)
I next went back to Ballys. It seems that if you put 100 tier points on your card during the day, you can have another crack at the tournament between 3 and 5 PM. Since I had accumulated enough points this morning, I went back and got my extra entry. This time went much better having hit quad Aces (no kicker) and I ended up with a score of 1435. Now is my dilemma: They aren’t going to post the scores until 8:00 PM. Did I want to stick around for four hours to see if I qualified for any money? My score would likely be just on the edge, plus the prize would only be $50 free play. I honestly didn’t think I’d wind up in the money, so I headed back to the M.
This was going to be my last night here, so after putting my things in my room, I headed downstairs for one last run at the casino. The slot club here allows you to take your accumulated points and turn them into free play right at the machine. They have a very liberal point to cash rate of $3 for every 1000 points. I checked my point total and found that I had 25K+ points. So I turned that into $75 free play. I played the 8/5 Aces Bonus machine. I sat down next to a lady who was playing dollar Triple Double Bonus. Throughout the session, she was asking me to watch her seat as she would leave and come back with another couple 100 dollar bills. In the short time I was there, I watched her put in $1200. She never caught even one quad—and I thought things were going bad for me. I got my $75 up to as high as $135 but as they do, things went south and it wasn’t long before I was back to the $75 again, which I cashed out.
My gambling was done for the day. I picked up a BBQ chicken sandwich for dinner to take up to my room. It was a good day, though not a great one, for gambling. I had a $250+ profit and though this doesn’t do a lot to make up for this trip’s losses, it certainly doesn’t hurt. I’m going to miss my suite as I know that tomorrow life goes back to reality as I check into Sam’s Town for a couple of nights.
More tomorrow.
