Summer of Tournaments – Day 5
This morning I needed to be at the buffet before 9:30 so I would make it under the 24 hour cut off time. I could have gone to the Flamingo, but I chose to go back to the Paris as it was next door to Bally’s plus its quality is a little better. I chose to have one of their savory crepes and some juice. It was very good, but again I don’t think I’d pay their prices if I had to pony up the cash for these buffets. But to honest, if you’re a buffet person, the usual $49 price is quite the bargain, assuming you use it at least three times and you can use it as much as your stomach will allow.
I drove over to the Quad valet, which is a good place to park on if you want to visit that portion of the Strip (now that the Barbary Coast and its great parking garage is gone) because few people know it’s there so it’s an easy-in, easy-out though you do need to navigate the under building pathways to get there. No big plans today other than play the second session of the video poker tournament. I once again met up with Jim and we sat down at our machines for the ten minute play.
I end up with 1,360 when added up with yesterday’s 2,030 gives me a total of just over 3300 for the tournament. Looking around, I was still in the higher group. They posted the leader board from yesterday’s sessions and the leader had over 7000 points (geez!) so, I’m hoping for a cash win of anywhere’s from $100 to $300. We have to wait until 7PM to find out. Jim and I said our goodbyes as he’s heading back to Arlington tomorrow and I walked back over to the Quad to register for their 11:30 poker tournament. I was disappointed to see that they’ve raised their buy-in from $30 to $50. It was 11:20 and I asked how many people were scheduled to play and the clerk said that only 5 people have registered so far. I shared with her my feelings that at $30, it was an approachable and fun game for those who aren’t in it so much for the money but for the fun of playing and learning, but that $50 is just a little high for such a small tournament. There simply wasn’t enough people to make it worth my while and left.
There is a daily free slot tournament here that anyone staying at a Caesars property gets a coupon to enter. The prizes are minimal and when I went to sign up, the line was out the door, so I didn’t stick around to play it. The construction is still ongoing here. Some of the casino continues to be boarded off as they add more attractions. They’ve added a strange new blackjack game that’s set up like a small theater on the stage is a pretty dealer but it’s a virtual reality figure. It seems an awful lot of money invested in yet another blackjack table. I don’t give it six months.
The new virtual reality blackjack game. Expensive set-up…no one playing.
I have no other plans today. This is how it’s going to be most of the summer. In years past I would be driving all over the place looking at the new attractions, checking readers’ suggestions, and taking in all the sights. I’ll continue to look for new things to write about but there will be some days, I simply won’t have done much—it’s a long two months. I drove back to the Palms for, yes, another movie. I want to see the new X-Men flick. It’s received some very good reviews. I had a half hour so I again sat down at the 50-play 9/6 Jacks and put in a hundred. Today, things did go so well. The two-pairs vanished and I don’t think I had more the four 3-of-a-kinds dealt to me. I did have four-to-the-royal dealt but with 50 changes to cash in, I didn’t get even one. There was a lady sitting next to me who saw I didn’t catch any and replied how frustrating that can be and I agreed. We soon shared in our frustration because in the next five minutes, she also was dealt a four-to-the royal, and she didn’t catch one either.
The entrance to the Brenden theaters at the Palms
The X-Men: Days of Future Past movie turned out to be pretty good focusing on the Mystique character (not surprising as it was being played by Jennifer Lawrence who’s probably the hottest bankable movie star out there today. The Palms continues to have great daily promotions and swiped my card in the promotions kiosk and won a $10 CVS gift card. They’ve opened a new place in the back of what used to be their Mexican restaurant and are calling the Back Door Burger as it also faces and is open to the pool guests. That seems to be the new trend these days—gourmet burger joints. They seem to be popping up everywhere.
I headed back to Bally’s and left the car with the valet. I walked over to the pedestrian bridge (a toasty 106 today) so I could take a picture of the continued construction at the entrance of Bally’s which they’re going to be calling the Shopping Bazaar at Bally’s. I was here just a month ago when they were first tearing down the walkway and garden and there was nothing left but earth movers doing what they do best—move earth.
A few weeks ago…
Today. These guys work fast.
Construction is such a mystery to me. I know that even before they start putting up the steel for the buildings, someone has already put in the sewage lines, and run the electric conduits all underground and attached to whatever and where ever you attach these things, and this before the first piece of wood is put in place and the concrete is laid—amazing! There was no question that the long walkway to Bally’s before was a gigantic mistake on what is some of the most prime real estate in the country. It’s good they’re doing something here but really—does Vegas need more shops that sell souvenirs and women’s wrap arounds?
I walked back over to the Paris to hang out in the Diamond Lounge where the best bartender in the city is working, Sal. There are only eight seats at the bar so I made sure I was there when it opened so I could secure one. Also there was a couple I had met a few months ago, Glen and Marie who live a few miles up the I-15 from me in San Marcos. Glen is a firefighter and he was involved in those fires recently and worked four days straight helping to put them out. The fires were close enough to their house they could see the flames from their kitchen window. Sitting to my right was Michael, who we just met, who lives in Del Mar during racing and is a professional gambler. Both he and Glen were also in the video poker tournament. At hearing my scores, he said I’ll probably win a $1000. I said no way and he wanted to bet me a hundred dollars. I told him I’m sure he’s wrong but I know better than to bet against a professional. When 7PM rolled around, I went to the cashier’s cage to see if I cashed, and if so, how much. She took my card and came back with $1000 in free play. I went back to the lounge, slapped Michael on the back and said, “This is why I didn’t bet you.” There were high-fives all around.
Marie, Glen, and I in the Paris Diamond Lounge
I needed to attempt to get my 2500 tier points for the day and now I had the stake money to do it. The difference between free play and cash is that free play doesn’t require any tax forms. Plus, assuming you’re going to gamble anyway, free play allows you to “double-dip” in that you not only have the money you won to play with but you also get the tier and reward credits as you go.
All of this is great except for one contingent: you need to win and on this night I did not. It was a bloodbath. I was dealt four-to-the-royal six times playing 5-play (30 opportunities) and not one of them came in. This can be expected but what I didn’t count on was the complete vacuum of quad Aces. With over 23,000 shots at getting a hand with four Aces (very much needed when playing Bonus Poker); I never hit them even once. I was dealt three Aces countless times, but none came in. It was simply a terrible session, which can and does happen from time to time. Not only did I lose the entire $1000 but because I was so close to the 2500 tier points needed, I had to continue and lost another $300 of my money. When all is said and done, my 2500 tier points cost me $300, which would normally be okay, but it was damn good thing I won that grand at the tournament.
While I was playing, three times I was greeted by slot hosts just to say welcome and if there was anything I needed (how about some decent cards?). One guy came over and introduced himself as the assistant casino manager and handed me two free tickets to the Jubilee 10 PM performance. I was pleased he said hi and happy for the tickets, though I couldn’t and wouldn’t use them as I had a lot of playing to do plus I plan on seeing the show later this summer. About an hour later, I handed the tickets to a young couple who seemed very happy to have them. I’m thinking either the casino manager is happy to extend the comp tickets for my play, but I’m more inclined to think that it’s Tuesday night and it’s likely they’re trying to fill the otherwise empty theater with warm bodies.
When I finally reached my goal, I headed back to my room at 12:30 AM—early in the evening for most Vegas tourists, but for me—a good three hours past my bed time. So, it was a good day (I won) and a bad day (I lost), but I’m still happy to be here and to share all these ups and downs with you.
More tomorrow
Totals:
Tournaments played: 2 Cost: $0 Won: $1000
This morning I needed to be at the buffet before 9:30 so I would make it under the 24 hour cut off time. I could have gone to the Flamingo, but I chose to go back to the Paris as it was next door to Bally’s plus its quality is a little better. I chose to have one of their savory crepes and some juice. It was very good, but again I don’t think I’d pay their prices if I had to pony up the cash for these buffets. But to honest, if you’re a buffet person, the usual $49 price is quite the bargain, assuming you use it at least three times and you can use it as much as your stomach will allow.
I drove over to the Quad valet, which is a good place to park on if you want to visit that portion of the Strip (now that the Barbary Coast and its great parking garage is gone) because few people know it’s there so it’s an easy-in, easy-out though you do need to navigate the under building pathways to get there. No big plans today other than play the second session of the video poker tournament. I once again met up with Jim and we sat down at our machines for the ten minute play.
I end up with 1,360 when added up with yesterday’s 2,030 gives me a total of just over 3300 for the tournament. Looking around, I was still in the higher group. They posted the leader board from yesterday’s sessions and the leader had over 7000 points (geez!) so, I’m hoping for a cash win of anywhere’s from $100 to $300. We have to wait until 7PM to find out. Jim and I said our goodbyes as he’s heading back to Arlington tomorrow and I walked back over to the Quad to register for their 11:30 poker tournament. I was disappointed to see that they’ve raised their buy-in from $30 to $50. It was 11:20 and I asked how many people were scheduled to play and the clerk said that only 5 people have registered so far. I shared with her my feelings that at $30, it was an approachable and fun game for those who aren’t in it so much for the money but for the fun of playing and learning, but that $50 is just a little high for such a small tournament. There simply wasn’t enough people to make it worth my while and left.
There is a daily free slot tournament here that anyone staying at a Caesars property gets a coupon to enter. The prizes are minimal and when I went to sign up, the line was out the door, so I didn’t stick around to play it. The construction is still ongoing here. Some of the casino continues to be boarded off as they add more attractions. They’ve added a strange new blackjack game that’s set up like a small theater on the stage is a pretty dealer but it’s a virtual reality figure. It seems an awful lot of money invested in yet another blackjack table. I don’t give it six months.
The new virtual reality blackjack game. Expensive set-up…no one playing.
I have no other plans today. This is how it’s going to be most of the summer. In years past I would be driving all over the place looking at the new attractions, checking readers’ suggestions, and taking in all the sights. I’ll continue to look for new things to write about but there will be some days, I simply won’t have done much—it’s a long two months. I drove back to the Palms for, yes, another movie. I want to see the new X-Men flick. It’s received some very good reviews. I had a half hour so I again sat down at the 50-play 9/6 Jacks and put in a hundred. Today, things did go so well. The two-pairs vanished and I don’t think I had more the four 3-of-a-kinds dealt to me. I did have four-to-the-royal dealt but with 50 changes to cash in, I didn’t get even one. There was a lady sitting next to me who saw I didn’t catch any and replied how frustrating that can be and I agreed. We soon shared in our frustration because in the next five minutes, she also was dealt a four-to-the royal, and she didn’t catch one either.
The entrance to the Brenden theaters at the Palms
The X-Men: Days of Future Past movie turned out to be pretty good focusing on the Mystique character (not surprising as it was being played by Jennifer Lawrence who’s probably the hottest bankable movie star out there today. The Palms continues to have great daily promotions and swiped my card in the promotions kiosk and won a $10 CVS gift card. They’ve opened a new place in the back of what used to be their Mexican restaurant and are calling the Back Door Burger as it also faces and is open to the pool guests. That seems to be the new trend these days—gourmet burger joints. They seem to be popping up everywhere.
I headed back to Bally’s and left the car with the valet. I walked over to the pedestrian bridge (a toasty 106 today) so I could take a picture of the continued construction at the entrance of Bally’s which they’re going to be calling the Shopping Bazaar at Bally’s. I was here just a month ago when they were first tearing down the walkway and garden and there was nothing left but earth movers doing what they do best—move earth.
A few weeks ago…
Today. These guys work fast.
Construction is such a mystery to me. I know that even before they start putting up the steel for the buildings, someone has already put in the sewage lines, and run the electric conduits all underground and attached to whatever and where ever you attach these things, and this before the first piece of wood is put in place and the concrete is laid—amazing! There was no question that the long walkway to Bally’s before was a gigantic mistake on what is some of the most prime real estate in the country. It’s good they’re doing something here but really—does Vegas need more shops that sell souvenirs and women’s wrap arounds?
I walked back over to the Paris to hang out in the Diamond Lounge where the best bartender in the city is working, Sal. There are only eight seats at the bar so I made sure I was there when it opened so I could secure one. Also there was a couple I had met a few months ago, Glen and Marie who live a few miles up the I-15 from me in San Marcos. Glen is a firefighter and he was involved in those fires recently and worked four days straight helping to put them out. The fires were close enough to their house they could see the flames from their kitchen window. Sitting to my right was Michael, who we just met, who lives in Del Mar during racing and is a professional gambler. Both he and Glen were also in the video poker tournament. At hearing my scores, he said I’ll probably win a $1000. I said no way and he wanted to bet me a hundred dollars. I told him I’m sure he’s wrong but I know better than to bet against a professional. When 7PM rolled around, I went to the cashier’s cage to see if I cashed, and if so, how much. She took my card and came back with $1000 in free play. I went back to the lounge, slapped Michael on the back and said, “This is why I didn’t bet you.” There were high-fives all around.
Marie, Glen, and I in the Paris Diamond Lounge
I needed to attempt to get my 2500 tier points for the day and now I had the stake money to do it. The difference between free play and cash is that free play doesn’t require any tax forms. Plus, assuming you’re going to gamble anyway, free play allows you to “double-dip” in that you not only have the money you won to play with but you also get the tier and reward credits as you go.
All of this is great except for one contingent: you need to win and on this night I did not. It was a bloodbath. I was dealt four-to-the-royal six times playing 5-play (30 opportunities) and not one of them came in. This can be expected but what I didn’t count on was the complete vacuum of quad Aces. With over 23,000 shots at getting a hand with four Aces (very much needed when playing Bonus Poker); I never hit them even once. I was dealt three Aces countless times, but none came in. It was simply a terrible session, which can and does happen from time to time. Not only did I lose the entire $1000 but because I was so close to the 2500 tier points needed, I had to continue and lost another $300 of my money. When all is said and done, my 2500 tier points cost me $300, which would normally be okay, but it was damn good thing I won that grand at the tournament.
While I was playing, three times I was greeted by slot hosts just to say welcome and if there was anything I needed (how about some decent cards?). One guy came over and introduced himself as the assistant casino manager and handed me two free tickets to the Jubilee 10 PM performance. I was pleased he said hi and happy for the tickets, though I couldn’t and wouldn’t use them as I had a lot of playing to do plus I plan on seeing the show later this summer. About an hour later, I handed the tickets to a young couple who seemed very happy to have them. I’m thinking either the casino manager is happy to extend the comp tickets for my play, but I’m more inclined to think that it’s Tuesday night and it’s likely they’re trying to fill the otherwise empty theater with warm bodies.
When I finally reached my goal, I headed back to my room at 12:30 AM—early in the evening for most Vegas tourists, but for me—a good three hours past my bed time. So, it was a good day (I won) and a bad day (I lost), but I’m still happy to be here and to share all these ups and downs with you.
More tomorrow
Totals:
Tournaments played: 2 Cost: $0 Won: $1000
