Summer 2012 – Day 4
A good night’s sleep—rare, but great when it happens. Though I was up around 7 AM, I didn’t actually get out of the room until 10:30 AM what with watching Mornings with the Wagners (the local husband and wife news team), writing the report, checking all the emails, trip report responses, reading for awhile, and generally just puttin’ around. I needed to take my vitamins so I stopped in the gift shop to buy some orange juice. My jar almost dropped when the guy told me it was $3.75. I mean, I know the gift shops are going to be a tad more expensive but almost double what it costs in a store? They’ve lost my business for the rest of eternity.
It was cloudy today and even looked like rain. I headed out to Red Rock Hotel and Casino as all the Station properties were having a multiple points day both yesterday and today. I took Sahara most the way. Today being a holiday, traffic was sparse and even the restaurants seemed slow except for the Hash-a-Go-Go, which was jammed. I drove over the Charleston and for the hundredth time, drove past my turn. The parking garage is in the back, and you’d think there’d be a left turn to it, but it’s not. For the umpteenth time, I drove past the freeway and made a U-turn.
Red Rock Hotel and Casino. Note the gray weather in July
First place I headed to was the penny penguin machine that I scored so well last time around. Of course, it was gone. I searched everywhere for it and couldn’t find the same machine. I sat down at a Spartacus game and played on it for a good hour and cashing out even. I then played different games here and there and found a new Lord of Rings machine. This was a reel spinner but still has a lot of the graphics and sounds of the older game. I put in a $20 and got a bonus on the first spin. I hit a few bonuses and was up almost $100 when it went cold. I cashed out $60 ahead.
New Lord of the Ring machine
It was already 3 PM. The day just flies by when playing these games, and of course, casinos a notorious for not leaving you and clue what time of day it is. I managed a couple thousand points on my card and was up, so I decided to head on back to the LVH. When I left the parking lot, sure enough, it was raining—not really hard, but enough to get my car cleaner. I took Charleston all the way back with a fast detour into an Albertson’s to get two OJs, which I’ll put in the small refrigerator in my room. Take that gift shop!
As I was driving along Paradise, I wanted to get a picture of what used to be the Hilton sign marquee out front. At the time when I put that up, it was the largest sign in all of Las Vegas. I was wandering what the new ownership did. Well, as you can see, they simply took the words Hilton off it. It looks terrible and shabby. They need to do something about that.
The LVH sign in the front...doesn't give the most welcoming message
When I parked my car and headed to the lobby, I was shocked to see so many people in line to check in. I know yesterday I complained at how dead it was, well, this won’t be the case tomorrow. I’m guessing that the majority of people got off work Thursday and Friday, so are taking a long weekend.
Glad I wasn't in this line.
I sat down at a favorite game of my called Stonehenge. I made a couple of nice hits (never got a bonus—this game is extremely stingy with its bonus) and cashed out $40 up. This made me a hundred up for the day, so I decided to walk back down to the Sportsbook and play my Ugly Deuces Spin Poker. Unfortunately, all the seats were taken, so I settled for some quarter 9/6 Jack or Better. I played for a long time catching an 8 of clubs to fill a straight flush; however, I could not catch a quad and end up cashing out with the hundred I put in. I don’t like the slot system they have here. It’s one of these clubs where you put your card in and all it says is “accepted.” You have no clue how you’re doing when you’re playing. On some machines, if you put in your card it will scroll how much you have in comps, but you never have any idea how many points you have or how they’re allocated—nothing. I’ve been playing quite a bit at spin poker, which is $2.50 a hit, and I’d say I’ve put in at least a couple of hours. My comp total? $6.25. Geez.
I went back to the spin poker machines and found one open. I put in my hundred and began playing. Sitting next to me was an older Asian lady. We go to talking. She kept going back and forth between DDB and Deuces Wild. While I was playing, I’d occasionally take my phone out and check my Win Poker app to see the right play. She asked me about it and I even looked up some hands that she wasn’t sure about making. I was hoping to get her story to share with you, but she really wasn’t very forthcoming, and I thought my questions might be crossing the line, so we just played the games. I did well at first getting as high as $137, however, not ever getting a really good hand hurt and the machine eventually ground me down and I lost the hundred. This makes me even for the day, so in many ways, that’s a win in my book.
As I was headed to my room, I saw a sign by the elevators instructing everyone that due to the inclement weather, the BBQ party would be in the Convention rooms. That’s all fine, but what about the fireworks? I went up to my room and as I looked out of the window at 7:20, the skies had cleared, but I suppose it’s too late now to change back.
I walked down to the convention center and there was already a long, long line of people waiting to go; however, that didn’t prove to be problem. There were four different buffet tables and bars throughout the place. They had what you’d expect on a Fourth of July. There were BBQ ribs and beans, corn on the cob, salmon, four or five different choices of salad, fruit, and a hamburger and steak station. The food was excellent. They also had a dessert station in the middle with apple, cherry, and boysenberry pies along with ice creams and toppings. All in all it was very well organized and everyone seemed to have a good time.
The dessert station in the convention center
I listened to the band and then the Air Force color guard came in as the lead singer sang the National Anthem. Everyone in the room stood up, hands on heart, and some even sang along. The band was very good, but my only complaint was it did the usual club band repertoire that have been done for years. I left my band twelve years ago and I played every song they did. It would have been nice to do something current, though judging from the age of the crowd, I suppose I understand. However, if I have to sit through “Summertime” once more, I’m going to do something drastic.
The band plays on.
The presenting of the colors was an inspiring moment.
The fireworks were still going to go off at 9:20, so everyone headed for the pool area. I didn’t bother. From my window, you can see four or five different shows all going off at the same time throughout the valley. When it comes to fireworks shows, I’m just bit done with that—too many shows—too many years.
I’m finishing today’s report this evening as my Internet in the room is only for 24 hours and I can do the next one at Starbucks on my way back to Laughlin. I would like to take a couple of lines and respond to some questions posted in the replies from both the free and membership sides.
RecVPplayer: At the10 Riverside, the 8/5 schedule was exactly as you’d expect 400 for Aces, 200 for 2s, 3s, and 4s. I look for that along with the 10 for two pair whenever I sit down. I did not think to look at the regular quads, which were only 100.
Siwst852: You’re right! My bad eyes. It’s called Vince Neil’s Tres Rios (not dos). As for the Great Race, I’ll only be logging in at Laughlin and Vegas this year.
Wjkomo: Yes, the Riverside is having a $5 gas card and will give you another $5 for every 500 points you put on your card in the month of July. I was going to collect at the end of the month when I should have a couple of thousand points accumulated.
BAGIANT: Yes, you’re right. The Prime Rib room at the Riverside has some of the best cuts anywhere. My parents and I go there whenever we’re there at the same time. My only complaint with the place is I don’t care for the buffet style for everything else, plus the desserts and sub-par. But the Prime Rib—wonderful!
Chessie: Yes, my parents warned me a long time ago about the Mexican restaurant across the bridge from the Riverside. I haven’t eaten there.
More tomorrow.
A good night’s sleep—rare, but great when it happens. Though I was up around 7 AM, I didn’t actually get out of the room until 10:30 AM what with watching Mornings with the Wagners (the local husband and wife news team), writing the report, checking all the emails, trip report responses, reading for awhile, and generally just puttin’ around. I needed to take my vitamins so I stopped in the gift shop to buy some orange juice. My jar almost dropped when the guy told me it was $3.75. I mean, I know the gift shops are going to be a tad more expensive but almost double what it costs in a store? They’ve lost my business for the rest of eternity.
It was cloudy today and even looked like rain. I headed out to Red Rock Hotel and Casino as all the Station properties were having a multiple points day both yesterday and today. I took Sahara most the way. Today being a holiday, traffic was sparse and even the restaurants seemed slow except for the Hash-a-Go-Go, which was jammed. I drove over the Charleston and for the hundredth time, drove past my turn. The parking garage is in the back, and you’d think there’d be a left turn to it, but it’s not. For the umpteenth time, I drove past the freeway and made a U-turn.
Red Rock Hotel and Casino. Note the gray weather in July
First place I headed to was the penny penguin machine that I scored so well last time around. Of course, it was gone. I searched everywhere for it and couldn’t find the same machine. I sat down at a Spartacus game and played on it for a good hour and cashing out even. I then played different games here and there and found a new Lord of Rings machine. This was a reel spinner but still has a lot of the graphics and sounds of the older game. I put in a $20 and got a bonus on the first spin. I hit a few bonuses and was up almost $100 when it went cold. I cashed out $60 ahead.
New Lord of the Ring machine
It was already 3 PM. The day just flies by when playing these games, and of course, casinos a notorious for not leaving you and clue what time of day it is. I managed a couple thousand points on my card and was up, so I decided to head on back to the LVH. When I left the parking lot, sure enough, it was raining—not really hard, but enough to get my car cleaner. I took Charleston all the way back with a fast detour into an Albertson’s to get two OJs, which I’ll put in the small refrigerator in my room. Take that gift shop!
As I was driving along Paradise, I wanted to get a picture of what used to be the Hilton sign marquee out front. At the time when I put that up, it was the largest sign in all of Las Vegas. I was wandering what the new ownership did. Well, as you can see, they simply took the words Hilton off it. It looks terrible and shabby. They need to do something about that.
The LVH sign in the front...doesn't give the most welcoming message
When I parked my car and headed to the lobby, I was shocked to see so many people in line to check in. I know yesterday I complained at how dead it was, well, this won’t be the case tomorrow. I’m guessing that the majority of people got off work Thursday and Friday, so are taking a long weekend.
Glad I wasn't in this line.
I sat down at a favorite game of my called Stonehenge. I made a couple of nice hits (never got a bonus—this game is extremely stingy with its bonus) and cashed out $40 up. This made me a hundred up for the day, so I decided to walk back down to the Sportsbook and play my Ugly Deuces Spin Poker. Unfortunately, all the seats were taken, so I settled for some quarter 9/6 Jack or Better. I played for a long time catching an 8 of clubs to fill a straight flush; however, I could not catch a quad and end up cashing out with the hundred I put in. I don’t like the slot system they have here. It’s one of these clubs where you put your card in and all it says is “accepted.” You have no clue how you’re doing when you’re playing. On some machines, if you put in your card it will scroll how much you have in comps, but you never have any idea how many points you have or how they’re allocated—nothing. I’ve been playing quite a bit at spin poker, which is $2.50 a hit, and I’d say I’ve put in at least a couple of hours. My comp total? $6.25. Geez.
I went back to the spin poker machines and found one open. I put in my hundred and began playing. Sitting next to me was an older Asian lady. We go to talking. She kept going back and forth between DDB and Deuces Wild. While I was playing, I’d occasionally take my phone out and check my Win Poker app to see the right play. She asked me about it and I even looked up some hands that she wasn’t sure about making. I was hoping to get her story to share with you, but she really wasn’t very forthcoming, and I thought my questions might be crossing the line, so we just played the games. I did well at first getting as high as $137, however, not ever getting a really good hand hurt and the machine eventually ground me down and I lost the hundred. This makes me even for the day, so in many ways, that’s a win in my book.
As I was headed to my room, I saw a sign by the elevators instructing everyone that due to the inclement weather, the BBQ party would be in the Convention rooms. That’s all fine, but what about the fireworks? I went up to my room and as I looked out of the window at 7:20, the skies had cleared, but I suppose it’s too late now to change back.
I walked down to the convention center and there was already a long, long line of people waiting to go; however, that didn’t prove to be problem. There were four different buffet tables and bars throughout the place. They had what you’d expect on a Fourth of July. There were BBQ ribs and beans, corn on the cob, salmon, four or five different choices of salad, fruit, and a hamburger and steak station. The food was excellent. They also had a dessert station in the middle with apple, cherry, and boysenberry pies along with ice creams and toppings. All in all it was very well organized and everyone seemed to have a good time.
The dessert station in the convention center
I listened to the band and then the Air Force color guard came in as the lead singer sang the National Anthem. Everyone in the room stood up, hands on heart, and some even sang along. The band was very good, but my only complaint was it did the usual club band repertoire that have been done for years. I left my band twelve years ago and I played every song they did. It would have been nice to do something current, though judging from the age of the crowd, I suppose I understand. However, if I have to sit through “Summertime” once more, I’m going to do something drastic.
The band plays on.
The presenting of the colors was an inspiring moment.
The fireworks were still going to go off at 9:20, so everyone headed for the pool area. I didn’t bother. From my window, you can see four or five different shows all going off at the same time throughout the valley. When it comes to fireworks shows, I’m just bit done with that—too many shows—too many years.
I’m finishing today’s report this evening as my Internet in the room is only for 24 hours and I can do the next one at Starbucks on my way back to Laughlin. I would like to take a couple of lines and respond to some questions posted in the replies from both the free and membership sides.
RecVPplayer: At the10 Riverside, the 8/5 schedule was exactly as you’d expect 400 for Aces, 200 for 2s, 3s, and 4s. I look for that along with the 10 for two pair whenever I sit down. I did not think to look at the regular quads, which were only 100.
Siwst852: You’re right! My bad eyes. It’s called Vince Neil’s Tres Rios (not dos). As for the Great Race, I’ll only be logging in at Laughlin and Vegas this year.
Wjkomo: Yes, the Riverside is having a $5 gas card and will give you another $5 for every 500 points you put on your card in the month of July. I was going to collect at the end of the month when I should have a couple of thousand points accumulated.
BAGIANT: Yes, you’re right. The Prime Rib room at the Riverside has some of the best cuts anywhere. My parents and I go there whenever we’re there at the same time. My only complaint with the place is I don’t care for the buffet style for everything else, plus the desserts and sub-par. But the Prime Rib—wonderful!
Chessie: Yes, my parents warned me a long time ago about the Mexican restaurant across the bridge from the Riverside. I haven’t eaten there.
More tomorrow.
