Trip Report - February 18-23, 2023

Trip Report - February 18-22, 2024

Had one of our semi-annual trips to LV.  Having too much time on my hands, I thought I’d write up my usual long-winded, often convoluted, trip report.

Went for 5 days, meeting my friend from NJ.  We usually go in December. right after the PBR, but had to postpone it this year.  We always fly in on a Sunday and catch a redeye back early Friday morning.  Spoiler Alert: This wound up being a profitable trip.  First “ahead” trip in 3 years!

Started off poorly, the plane had computer problems and we sat at the gate for about an hour.  Got updates from the captain.  First update we were informed that they were going to “hit “Control/Alternate/Delete” to try to fix the computer problem.  This is EXACTLY what he said!  I THINK he was joking.  Didn’t work.  About 10 minutes later the captain said that they were going to shut down the plane completely then restart.  I found that message scary…and the pilot completely shut down EVERYTHING as we waited…can’t make this up.  Didn’t work.

I started thinking that after completely shutting down everything, if the computer did work, and we took off and had a problem, would they have to shut down the plane at 30,000 feet to get the computer back online??  We went back into the terminal and American eventually got another plane.  Landed at 5:30 vs 2:30.  Always fly American out of DFW, have hundreds of thousands of AAdvantage miles, I can put up with a lot for a free flight.

I picked up our Budget car rental via Costco.  For some unfathomable reason, a Toyota Rav 4 was the least expensive car.  At $320 it was NOT cheap, but a car always saves us money.  Cab/Lyft fees from the airport to downtown and back are about $100 alone.   We also go to a many off strip casinos all over Las Vegas.  Several years ago, we skipped the car and used Lyft and it cost more money and was less convenient than a rental car.

My friend had already made it to the Four Queens and checked in.  Was able to get one of their “Fun” books.  It’s a tradition that we start a trip, either going to for a pastrami sandwich at Emerald Isle or to  Chicago Brewing at 4Q.  Since it was so late, we had a well-deserved pitcher of “All Nighter” ale and a thin crust “Miracle Mile” meat pizza.  Great as always, but the prices have gone UP…a lot!    It used to cost about $21, 4 years ago, now it is $30.  Still a “good” price by Las Vegas standards, large, crispy crust and loaded with meat, but still a higher price.  Used our 4Q “Club 55” cards to get 10% off…helped a little.

Meals

WE both had LVA MRB books, plus ACG coupons for meal discounts and match play.  Between the LVA MRB, ACG coupons and the Four Queens Fun Book we only had one meal where we didn’t get a discount of some type – the $2 Hot/PBR at Downtown Grand.  Yes, we are “frugal”.

Had quite a few meals at Magnolia at 4Q, followed by Binion’s coffee shop.  Always used a coupon of some sort.  Meals at Magnolia were predicably good, Club Sandwich, Country Fried Steak, etc. Prices have gone up here as well, the $14 Country Fried Steak is now $18, etc.

Binion’s café, where we had several BOGO meals, was good as well, except for the “10 oz ribeye steak, flame grilled to perfection”, as described on the menu.  On a 1-10, I’d rate it a 4.  Was 3/8” thick, very difficult to get it to a medium rare, and they didn’t.   A little overdone, and therefore a little tough.  That said the soup and garlic bread was excellent.  Made a comment on them to the waitress, avoiding the disappointing steak.  She apparently mentioned to the cook that I liked the soup and he, David, literally came out to thank us for the complement.  Guess he doesn’t get too many favorable comments and was appreciative.

Used the LVA online Palms buffet BOGO.  Excellent, particularly for the price.  BBQ pork butt(?)was juicy and seasoned to perfection, Italian and Mexican selections were good.  The coconut ice cream was excellent.  Overall, everything at the Palms buffet could be rated from very good to excellent and worth the money.  We will be back in December.

Gambling

On this trip the gods (small “g”) of video poker were smiling on me.  Brought more money home than I took with me.  I played a LOT of hours of VP, 25++ hours in total over the 4-5 days.  Most of the time it was at 4Q.  Would wake up at 4AM, (6AM, Texas Time) and get on one of my 3 favorite 9/6 VP machines, which are by the cashier.  (Didn’t play $1 level since it was only 8/6 at the $1 level.)  Would play until breakfast at 7:30 or so.  Did this most mornings, often followed by evenings at the same machines.

For table games I have a subscription to Vegasadvantage.com and get their latest surveys as to table game locations and minimums.  As always, it saved us a LOT of time in finding the table games we wanted to play with minimums we wanted to play.  All of them were either Downtown or Off Strip.  We have not been to a Strip casino in 4-5 years.  Without belaboring the point since most people who subscribe to LVA know this already, the Strip SUCKS as far as costs, gambling, parking fees, etc.

4Q is our “go to” place for Video Poker.  Don’t play table games there.  Spent a lot of time gambling downtown and using our LVA MRB match play coupons.  Plaza for BJ, Downtown Grand for Ultimate Texas Hold’ Em, Golden Nugget for High Card Flush., etc.  High Card Flush and a progressive that was at $511,000+.  It required 7 of the same suit, and I think a Royal Flush.  Playing, you had to put $5 on the progressive, lost money there.   Also lost a $50 LVA match play BJ bet at the Plaza but rationalized it since it was a 3/2 table and I some VP winnings I had there which put me ahead.  Overall, for the trip I won a little on table games and a lot, (relatively) on VP.

Our favorite casino for table games is a toss-up between the Downtown Grand and Southpoint.  Slight advantage to DG. It is easy walking distance to 4Q, not crowded during weekday mornings and had $5 Ultimate Texas Hold’ Em’.  Played there for quite a few hours, choppy table, had a lot of fun with some friendly other players and fun dealers.  HAD to have a couple of $2 PBRs and hot dogs.  Went there twice.  Overall won a little.  We’ve been at Southpoint every year for the last 5, played for hours and NEVER even gotten a mailer.  Can’t quite figure that out since every other casino we have played at sends us mailers.  Didn’t get to Ellis Island this trip.

Played Ultimate Texas Hold’em at Southpoint.  Progressive was down to about$10K, usually it is over $75-100K.  Found out someone hit it the night before.  Played for several hours and won.  I caught four “trips” bets in a row when playing for both me and the dealer!

After about 3-4 wins in a row, I always put out a tip for the dealer.  I asked him if he wanted the tip immediately or wanted to play the “trips” line.  He said he’d take the “trips” bet.  I rarely play trips but since he was playing, I played with him.  On the first hand I got a flush and we both got $35.  Going with the flow, next hand I made the same bet for both of us and got trips, each of us got $15.  Followed this up next hand and got a full house for a $40 payout for each of us.  Sweet!  At that point a new dealer came in.  I pulled down the trips bet, but before she dealt, I decided to ride it out until I lost.  The first hand she dealt, I got trips again for a $15 win.  At this point, the dealers and I had each won $105 in four hands.  Never had that happen before and probably won’t happen again. Lost on the next hand, had to lose eventually.  Stopped betting trips, the table “turned” a little after that and I cashed in with a nice win. I said the gambling gods were smiling on me this trip!

We went to the Palms evening buffet on Tuesday, using the MRB online BOGO.  Got there early and decided to play VP since there was no line for the buffet.  I always play a single hand, but only three-hand Multiplay VP was in sight of the buffet line.  The pay table was not as good as downtown but had time to spare.  Sat down and within about 10 minutes, pulled an Ace and King of Clubs, for a Royal Flush with no deuces on one line, a flush on the second line, and a straight on the third…sweet!!!  This is the THIRD Royal Flush I’ve had, with no deuces, in the last five years. .  Had one at the Rampart, one at 4Q and this one at the Palms.  Hit the cash out button and went to the excellent Palms buffet. 

We get mailers every month or so from 4Q offering points/free play.  Got $40 free play for showing up, then at the end of the trip had earned another $50 in Free Play.  Ran that $50 down to almost $0, but on the last hand, playing Double Double Bonus, pulled four deuces for a nice win.  Immediately hit the cash out button.   They were celebrating Chinese New Year, so I also earn a “Lucky Dragon” statute for my play.  .  While I think it is somewhat attractive, my wife disagrees and says it’s “tacky”.  She wins, and I will “re-gift” it.

Final Comments - Downtown traffic

In general, traffic sucks in Las Vegas, but now it is going to a new level.  They (whoever “they” are), have now started to MANUALLY CLOSE Casino Center Blvd to traffic, where it crosses Fremont.  First time it was closed off for 5 minutes or so. We were driving in the area, a security guard had just closed a manual gate coming off of 515 exit to Casino Center Blvd, just past Ogden.  It was closed for about 5 minutes, as he was doing something (texting) on his phone.  Eventually he opened the gate, and we could get through. 

A couple of days later I pulled up to the gate just as he was closing it after letting the last car though, maybe 7:00PM.  Figured I had another long wait…but no.  He arrogantly told me that I had to turn around, then walked away.  That’s it, he completely closed the road…a SECURITY GUARD.  WTF??  Had to wait as the cars behind me first made U-turns, then we drove 3-4 blocks around the area to get back to 4Q parking.  Nothing like a rent-a-cop shutting down a city street.  Wonder what LV “official” thought up/approved this BS?  

Overall, it was a very good trip.  Gambling was profitable, 4Q room was clean and their VP pay tables and points are among the best in LV.  4Q staff were very friendly, particularly at the Player’s Club area.  Meals were good and our total Food / drink cost for the 5 days was less than $400 for the two of us.  Didn’t use any of our comps for meals.  (Thank you LVA, American Casino Guide and Four Queens Fun Book.) 

Already made our hotel reservations for December but will try to get in a July trip as well.

 Texas Transplant - next time you visit South Point, go to thre players club area and ask to speak with Nikki - she is the supervisor. She will look you up in the system and should be able to tell you why you havn't received any mailers. Or, you could call South Point and ask to speak with her at the slot club. I have found her to be very helpful in the past - I was there yesterday.

South Point has a history of stiffing out-of-towners on offers and comps, and that's gotten much worse over the last several years. I only play their best video poker and live poker, and as a result, I have NEVER received a mailer, even though I have been a players' club member since the joint opened (2004?). Until recently, though, I did get some "hidden" offers--no snail mail or email, but when I checked with my host, I did indeed have them.

Your situation is different, though. If you were playing a "carny" game like UTH, you were fighting a massive house edge, and exponentially more so if you were making the side bets (I suggest you don't look up the house edge you were bucking--you might throw up). Therefore, you should have been well "rated" by the pit boss. Here's a bonus tip: if you're going to make those side bets, be sure to make them when you initially buy in. Then, you'll be rated on the total of your base bets and the side(s). Give the huge house edge, you should get a useful evaluation--which you can then take to your host, for present or future comps.

The best way to maximize your table game comps is to buy in, make your bets, including side bets. then ask to talk to the floorman/pit boss and hand him your players' card. He'll look at your bet sizing and enter the time you started in his computer. Ideally, these initial bets should be "inflated" a bit--reduce them after a while, and you'll still be rated based on your initial bets. Ideally, play at a full table, take frequent bathroom breaks, etc.--stretch it out.

Oh, and this may not be advice you'll heed, but...it's best if you minimize the house edge by learning and following the proper strategy for UTH. It's a game where you can actually make a LOT of expensive blunders, and the house does much better than it should because of that.

Great report. 

I'm very very close to giving 4Qs some solid business.  I just don't like downtown all that much.  But it seems to have a lot of upside, no doubt and not like I'm never there.  

They're one of the few remaining casinos that give you good offers for modest amounts of play. Roughly 4K a day of VP action has gotten me the same ongoing offers as the OP--two free nights and $40 free play every couple of months. Plus, their promos have been really good, some returning over 1.5 percent! On top of that, their point system is very generous, especially in comparison with Boyd of Paradise, Stations, etc.

Now, if only they'd kill all the smokers...

Excellent Report, TT, thanks.  Good to see you had a fun and profitable adventure.   My wife and I will be heading to Vegas at the end of March, and plan on making a downtown MRB coupon run on one of our days in town. 

We were in town on the 22nd of last month for a few days for comped rooms and slot tournament, as well as our sons 21st birthday.  Ended up 4th and parlayed my Free Play Prize to just over 5 grand.  Some of that will be our bankroll for March.  The slot tourney win wasn't even the highlight.  For the first time my wife got to play blackjack and roulette with our son, and I got to play a decent VP session at the Southpoint with him.  

Kevin,

Thanks for all the buy-in info, I was doing most of them but not the large intial bet when buying in.  UTH table is almost always full, and at 75, bathroom breaks are a "natural".  Next time though I'll  up my total bets and make a one trips bet, when I buy in and WHEN the pit boss is watching.

I realize that Ultimate Texas Hold-em has relatively poor odds so most of my serious play is on VP.  My friend really likes the game, along with High Card Flush, so that is the major reason I play them.  They can be fun, particularly at a $5 table, where losses are more managable.  Human nature, as it is, feels a level of excitement when there is a shot at a $500K+ progressive, no matter how

I bought and pretty much memorized the basic strategy on the LVA strategy cards for all the games I play, including UTH.  Also watched the Wizardofodds.com video on the game so I am playing about optimal strategy.  WOO instructional video reinforced that the "trips" bet is bad, that is why I rarely play it, specfically when the dealer decides to not take a cash tip and take a chance with my bet.  I put down a trips bet for him/her and also for me. 

On this trip, in this very RARE case, the trips bet turned out to be one of those 1 in 1000 cases where it hit 4 times in a row.  The dealers, who were also taking in some nice tips, commented on the streak as well.  Can't count on that.  "Even a broken clock is correct twice a day".

We've been regulars at 4Q for the last 5 years of so.  ON a 1 to 10, rooms are a 5 or so, clean, nice size with a fridge in the room.  Magnolia Coffee shop is good and "cheap" at least by Vegas standards and Chicago Brewery has excellent beer and pizza.  Once you get on the 4Q mailing list, they usually have some very good room offers.

Can't hurt to give them a try BUT suggest that you request a room at least on the 10th floor AWAY from Fremont St. so you can get to sleep before 2AM.  They cut and paste my room request from my previous reservations and the last 3 years we have been put on the 14th floor, about as far away from Fremont and you can get.

Congrats on the $5k win!!!!  FYI, I think that the Downtown Grand sometime has a Tuesday or Wednesday slot tournament.  4Q offers better than average points for VP plus they have some excellent VP paytables (but you have to check them, they, like all other casinos have paytables that vary widely)

Thanks,will try this on my next trip.  What you don't ask for, you usually don't get.