This was going to be my 29th trip to Las Vegas, but for my fiance Kim, it was going to to be her first visit to my favorite city. Our vacation actually consisted of a week in Southern California to see my neice graduate and visit with family followed by four nights in Vegas.
We left Arkansas by car on June 18th after running a 4 mile race that I've attended every year since it's inception in 1980. Our first night stay was in New Mexico. We got up the next day and spent most of the day at the Grand Canyon before arriving at Laughlin late in the evening. I had a room for two nights for $10 a night at the Edgewater off of their website. The rooms were nothing special, but clean and served their purpose of giving us a place to lay our heads down for the night.
We got there around 8:00 PM and went straight to the buffet and used a 2 for 1 coupon for a quick savings of $9. The buffet was small with few choices, but they had steak so I was happy. After eating we joined the player's club and found out we could get considerable cash back free play with play over the first 48 hours. We were both tired, but decided to play a little nickel video poker. We found some 7-5 bonus poker and after an hour called it a night. I had lost my $20 buy-in while Kim had won $11 for a $9 lost.
The next morning we used two free breakfast coupons the front desk had given us after a run on the river walk. After breakfast, we decided to sit down at some triple play nickel VP machines and rack up some points playing 7-5 bonus poker. I couldn't hit a thing while Kim kept hitting quads and many full houses. I blew thru $100 in about 45 minutes and decided to go play some poker. Kim stayed at her hot machine for the next 3 hours while i went to the poker room and played some $2-$6 spread limit Texas Hold-em. I faired better at the tables and casched out a $31 win while Kim's machine colled she still cashed out a $20 winner. A quick match play lost and we were off to Harrah's to cash in a ticket one of the fine folks from this forum had sent me that he forgot to cash out at a recent Laughlin trip.
I cashed in the $51 ticket, lost $5 getting one point on my Harrah's card and used a ACG coupon for a 2 for 1 buffet. The coupon saved us $16 and the buffet was good, but over priced for what was on it. Full price would not come close to making up on what they offer. We went out and took a short walk on the river.
On the way back, Kim wanted to stop inside the Pioneer. I had never been in that casino but decided it would be neat to see it. Kim liked the country setting so we joined the player's club which gave us $10 in free play and decided to put 200 points on our card to get to do the wheel spin. We played quarter 8-5 bonus and I was up around $20 when I got to spin. Kim had lost $40 and given up on the cause. I spinned the wheel and got $30 in free play. I played it through once and we cashed out with a $20 lost between us. Kim was amazed when I cashed out and quarters came out. She had not seen this "old school" method of pay out.
We came back to the Edgewater and took another walk outside. We then watched the house band some at the Colorado Belle before heading back and calling it an evening. The next morning we packed, and both needed just a little more play to reach the next teir of free play. Free play for new members at the Edgewater went up in increments based on points earned during the first 48 hours. I did a little better at the triple play nickels and was dealt qud 10's once during the play. I qualified for $10 in free play and Kim had qualified for $25. She also used the MRP coupon for $10 more in free play. We played it through and cashed out with a $43 win. We used some points combined with a 2 for 1 coupon to get our breakfast buffet free and headed out to Southern California for a week with the family.
I wont go into all the details of our family visit. But I do want to brag on my neice. She was valedvictorian in a class of almost 700 and she got to wear a special red gown at graduation. Her speach was great. We did take in a Padres-Braves game at San Diego and an Angels-Nationals game at Anahiem while there. On June 28th, we loaded up and headed towards Vegas. The first two nights we had a suite at the El Cortez using the LVA members online coupon for two nights for $45. The last two nights were at the Orleans which was free for Thursday night and $50 for Friday night.
When we entered Las Vegas on I-15 we saw a sign at South Point advertising the comedian Ralphie May was going to be there July 1-3. We both wanted to see Ralphie and we pulled in there first. I used the MRB coupon for a 2 for 1 show ticket for another $35 in savings. The reason we were both excited to see Ralphie May is because be both grew up in the same home town he did and we both knew him growing up.
We checked into the Tez. The Cabana Suites are really nice, and I love the fact they have free candy at the lobby. We rested for a short time and then headed out to Henderson to meet the fine family renting my condo. We visited them for awhile then made a stop at the Fiesta Henderson for another 2 for 1 buffet. It was filling and adequate and only cost us $8 for both of us. We played some of my favortie 10 play penny video poker progressives and cashed out $1 up then headed back to Freemont Street.
Freemont Street is celebrating the 80's and we spent almost 3 hours listening to the 80's cover band playing there. The Nancy Rayguns was our favorite band and we enjoyed hearing them and watching some of the "local's dance. After the band called it a night, be did too and headed back for a good night's sleep.
We got around late the next morning and had plans to meet my cousins who were in town for lunch at the Palms. We used my $50 off coupon at the buffett for a $25 savings for all five of us. Kim signed up for a player's card and we decided to play some on her card and my card to use the free play coupons in the MRB and aloso used the new player's free play on her card. We had about 30 minutes to kill before my cousins got there so we went to the quarter full pay dueces. It only took us 20 minutes to drop $80 when my cousins texted and said they were here. We went to the buffet which I called average. We enjoyed the visit and wished my cousins a safe trip as they were leaving to head back to Arkansas after we ate. (They were at the family visit in California as well). On the way out, I used a $10 match play and was dealt a black jack to help ease the pain of the VP lost with $25 in return.
We then headed over to the Orleans to put 400 points on our cards for the Wednesday promotion that gives everyone free comp. points. Kim used her $10 MPR coupon and matchplay as well. We lost our match play, but came away a combined $5 winner playing the triple play nickel progressives with 9-7-5 double bonus. Being dealt quad queens put me ahead as Kim ended up about $20 down. We swiped our cards for the promotion. My three draws resulted in 20,000 extra points and Kim ended up with 15,000 extra points which equals about $50 in comps at any of the Boyd casinos.
We made our first trip down to the strip because we had tickets to the Australian Bee Gees concert at the Excaliber for the evening. I used the Goldstar website to get the coupons for half price. The concert was really good and we both enjoyed it. I was a little dissapointed they didn't sing "Fanny be Tender with my Love", but still enjoyed every song. I knew all the words to almost every song including their old stuff. We did a a little touring of the south strip before and after the concert and decided it was time to eat.
I decided to treat my fiance to the wonderful world of Ellis Island. We used one of the free drink coupons to load up on free root beers and used a two for own coupon for dinner as she got Alfredo and I got Steak and Shrimp. The meal was huge and great as usual. We played a little to get the $10 free play MRB coupons activated while waiting to get a seat in the resturant. Kim was intrigued by the singing in the adjoining karoke bar. However she was tiring as we ate. After our meal, she got a second wind and we went in the karoke bar for about two more hours of pure entertainment. The singers at Ellis Island are so varied and animnated that we had a blast. When the clock his one in the morning we decided we better call it a night and head back for some sleep.
The next morning was moving day to the Orleans. We maximized our time in the Tez and checked out just before noon after sleeping in. We walked down to the Golden Spike to use a 2 for 1 coupon in their diner. Kim loves these old type diners and even though it was noon we both ordered breakfast. We saved $7 on our meal and headed over to the Palms. Before heading to the Palms we used the MBR coupons for $10 in free play each at the El Cortez. I lost $7 and Kim won $2 for a $14 win.
I had scheduled Kim a full massage with $50 off using her MBR coupon of course. I played on her card while she got her massage. I bounced back and forth playing quarter full pay dueces and 8-5 bonus. I put $100 in and got four queens early on to jump ahead. I played it down to $80 and decided to switch over to the ducks. I lost $60 real quick on the ducks and was starting to tilt when I was dealt a dirty royal. My machine then got hot and I went up to only $10 down overall and floated around there before my machine cooled off again and cashed out $50 in the hole. I went back to the 8-5 bonus machines. Kim needed 1500 points to maximize her free play offers and I was at 1400 and slowly dieing a VP death. At 1490 points I hit quad Jacks to make a little come back and cash out $35 down.
Perfect timing resulted in Kim coming out in a state of heaven after her massage. She went over to the players club, and the nice lady gave her a total of $45 in free play, a windsheild cover, a cell phone purse, and found a coupon for $5 free play for me for the next day. Kim used her free play to recoup my $35 lost to the exact amount of $35. We used another match play on the way out and won for a $20 win at the Palms as we headed out.
Next stop was the Gold Coast to put 200 points on our card for the MRB free buffett. We played some penny three way action video poker machines for a couple of hours. We ended up netting a massive $1 win and two free buffets. The buffet God's were on my side as Thursday night was steak night at the Gold Coast. We enjoyed the meal and Kim decided she wanted to see the bands some more at Freemont Street. We watched the bands and then heading back for sleep. I had Kim get a card at the Golden Gate and put 25 points on her card for free pancakes using her MRB coupon. She played 10 coin 9-5 double-double bonus and couldn't hit a thing. It took us $35 to finally get the 25 points and joked about eating the $35 pancakes before we leave.
Friday morning came and it was sad knowing this would be our last full day in Vegas. We slept in late and stoped by the Palms for the $5 free play I had and one last matchplay. I cashed out $4 after playing my free play thru once and won yet another matchplay for $24 in revenge from the Palms.
Our next stop was Sam's Town to put 200 points on our card and yet another pair of buffett coupons. We sit down at the 10 coin full pay dueces to earn our points. We had been playing only about 10 minutes when I held two ducks and got the other two for a nice $100 win. We continued to play and I was pretty well staying even while Kim was losing her butt. After about an hour of play, we switched postions and I played on her card for awhile while she played on mine since I play much quicker then her so we could reach 200 points about the same time. I got two dirty royals on her machine fairly quick to make a small recovery. Her machine started to bleed money again. I finally reached 200 points on her card and she still needed 10 more on my card. She asked me to finish playing on my machine. My machine had cooled off too and it looked like we were going to net a massive $10 win between us even after hitting quad ducks. At point 198 I held two ducks again, and once again two popped up so we were able to actually book a $110 win and two free buffets. What luck as it was Steak and Seafood night so our buffetts were worth $38. They had awsome T-Bones on the buffett and I was in heaven.
By the time we had ate and played, it was almost time for the Raplhie May comedy act. We headed over to the Southpoint and got our seats. A lady came out before Ralphie did and she was almost as raunchy as he is. When she finsihed her act, she said I would like to introduce my husband, Ralphie May. Ralphie was funny as on comedy central. He went for almost an hour and half. When he finished he was walking out to sign autographs and sell stuff when Kim yelled Ralph!. He looked over and said "Holy Hell, Kim and Bill, how are you guys." He said he had to go out and meet some fans but we better not leave. He signed autographs for about 30 minutes then we sit around and visited for about two hours after that. He autographed and gave us four DVD's before we left. His wife asked me what my personal connection was with Ralphie. I told her I was his youth director at church when he was growing up. She said I did a piss poor job of that as we laughted. Ralphie knew Kim as they grew up in the same neiborhood.
It was almost eleven and we had to drive a lot the next day. But we needed to make one stop at Ellis Island to play our free play. We played our free play through for $21 win. Kim couldn't resist watching some more karoke so we still didn't make it to bed before 1 AM.
The next morning we packed our stuff and headed downtown for some $35 pancakes before leaving. I forgot about the $10 free play coupon at the Four Queens so we stopped by there before eating. Kim joined and actually got $20 in free play after earning a few points. We played nickel 9-6 jacks or better and a couple of quads and a straight flush gave us a $34 win in our last attack on the the casinos in Las Vegas. We had our pan cakes at the Golden Gate and I do agree they are some of the best I've ever had.
We took the 95 out of Henderson with $100 more in the bankroll then what we left with even after paying $50 for Padres tickets and tips and cash for some of the meals.
I appoligized to my fiance for not getting her all the way down the strip to see some of the other properties. She said that was fine we can do that on later trips. I was glas she liked Vegas and would be coming back for more.
A couple of personal notes:
I can't beleive all the "characters' walking around Freemont Street now trying to earn a dollar here or there getting their polaroids taken with the tourist. We saw Micheal Jackson, Ozzie, Spongbob, to name a few.
I was surprised at how clean the Golden Spike was. We went there just to see the "sleazy" side of Vegas and it was way to clean.
Again the LVA saved my ton of money on my trip. Thank you Anthony.
We left Arkansas by car on June 18th after running a 4 mile race that I've attended every year since it's inception in 1980. Our first night stay was in New Mexico. We got up the next day and spent most of the day at the Grand Canyon before arriving at Laughlin late in the evening. I had a room for two nights for $10 a night at the Edgewater off of their website. The rooms were nothing special, but clean and served their purpose of giving us a place to lay our heads down for the night.
We got there around 8:00 PM and went straight to the buffet and used a 2 for 1 coupon for a quick savings of $9. The buffet was small with few choices, but they had steak so I was happy. After eating we joined the player's club and found out we could get considerable cash back free play with play over the first 48 hours. We were both tired, but decided to play a little nickel video poker. We found some 7-5 bonus poker and after an hour called it a night. I had lost my $20 buy-in while Kim had won $11 for a $9 lost.
The next morning we used two free breakfast coupons the front desk had given us after a run on the river walk. After breakfast, we decided to sit down at some triple play nickel VP machines and rack up some points playing 7-5 bonus poker. I couldn't hit a thing while Kim kept hitting quads and many full houses. I blew thru $100 in about 45 minutes and decided to go play some poker. Kim stayed at her hot machine for the next 3 hours while i went to the poker room and played some $2-$6 spread limit Texas Hold-em. I faired better at the tables and casched out a $31 win while Kim's machine colled she still cashed out a $20 winner. A quick match play lost and we were off to Harrah's to cash in a ticket one of the fine folks from this forum had sent me that he forgot to cash out at a recent Laughlin trip.
I cashed in the $51 ticket, lost $5 getting one point on my Harrah's card and used a ACG coupon for a 2 for 1 buffet. The coupon saved us $16 and the buffet was good, but over priced for what was on it. Full price would not come close to making up on what they offer. We went out and took a short walk on the river.
On the way back, Kim wanted to stop inside the Pioneer. I had never been in that casino but decided it would be neat to see it. Kim liked the country setting so we joined the player's club which gave us $10 in free play and decided to put 200 points on our card to get to do the wheel spin. We played quarter 8-5 bonus and I was up around $20 when I got to spin. Kim had lost $40 and given up on the cause. I spinned the wheel and got $30 in free play. I played it through once and we cashed out with a $20 lost between us. Kim was amazed when I cashed out and quarters came out. She had not seen this "old school" method of pay out.
We came back to the Edgewater and took another walk outside. We then watched the house band some at the Colorado Belle before heading back and calling it an evening. The next morning we packed, and both needed just a little more play to reach the next teir of free play. Free play for new members at the Edgewater went up in increments based on points earned during the first 48 hours. I did a little better at the triple play nickels and was dealt qud 10's once during the play. I qualified for $10 in free play and Kim had qualified for $25. She also used the MRP coupon for $10 more in free play. We played it through and cashed out with a $43 win. We used some points combined with a 2 for 1 coupon to get our breakfast buffet free and headed out to Southern California for a week with the family.
I wont go into all the details of our family visit. But I do want to brag on my neice. She was valedvictorian in a class of almost 700 and she got to wear a special red gown at graduation. Her speach was great. We did take in a Padres-Braves game at San Diego and an Angels-Nationals game at Anahiem while there. On June 28th, we loaded up and headed towards Vegas. The first two nights we had a suite at the El Cortez using the LVA members online coupon for two nights for $45. The last two nights were at the Orleans which was free for Thursday night and $50 for Friday night.
When we entered Las Vegas on I-15 we saw a sign at South Point advertising the comedian Ralphie May was going to be there July 1-3. We both wanted to see Ralphie and we pulled in there first. I used the MRB coupon for a 2 for 1 show ticket for another $35 in savings. The reason we were both excited to see Ralphie May is because be both grew up in the same home town he did and we both knew him growing up.
We checked into the Tez. The Cabana Suites are really nice, and I love the fact they have free candy at the lobby. We rested for a short time and then headed out to Henderson to meet the fine family renting my condo. We visited them for awhile then made a stop at the Fiesta Henderson for another 2 for 1 buffet. It was filling and adequate and only cost us $8 for both of us. We played some of my favortie 10 play penny video poker progressives and cashed out $1 up then headed back to Freemont Street.
Freemont Street is celebrating the 80's and we spent almost 3 hours listening to the 80's cover band playing there. The Nancy Rayguns was our favorite band and we enjoyed hearing them and watching some of the "local's dance. After the band called it a night, be did too and headed back for a good night's sleep.
We got around late the next morning and had plans to meet my cousins who were in town for lunch at the Palms. We used my $50 off coupon at the buffett for a $25 savings for all five of us. Kim signed up for a player's card and we decided to play some on her card and my card to use the free play coupons in the MRB and aloso used the new player's free play on her card. We had about 30 minutes to kill before my cousins got there so we went to the quarter full pay dueces. It only took us 20 minutes to drop $80 when my cousins texted and said they were here. We went to the buffet which I called average. We enjoyed the visit and wished my cousins a safe trip as they were leaving to head back to Arkansas after we ate. (They were at the family visit in California as well). On the way out, I used a $10 match play and was dealt a black jack to help ease the pain of the VP lost with $25 in return.
We then headed over to the Orleans to put 400 points on our cards for the Wednesday promotion that gives everyone free comp. points. Kim used her $10 MPR coupon and matchplay as well. We lost our match play, but came away a combined $5 winner playing the triple play nickel progressives with 9-7-5 double bonus. Being dealt quad queens put me ahead as Kim ended up about $20 down. We swiped our cards for the promotion. My three draws resulted in 20,000 extra points and Kim ended up with 15,000 extra points which equals about $50 in comps at any of the Boyd casinos.
We made our first trip down to the strip because we had tickets to the Australian Bee Gees concert at the Excaliber for the evening. I used the Goldstar website to get the coupons for half price. The concert was really good and we both enjoyed it. I was a little dissapointed they didn't sing "Fanny be Tender with my Love", but still enjoyed every song. I knew all the words to almost every song including their old stuff. We did a a little touring of the south strip before and after the concert and decided it was time to eat.
I decided to treat my fiance to the wonderful world of Ellis Island. We used one of the free drink coupons to load up on free root beers and used a two for own coupon for dinner as she got Alfredo and I got Steak and Shrimp. The meal was huge and great as usual. We played a little to get the $10 free play MRB coupons activated while waiting to get a seat in the resturant. Kim was intrigued by the singing in the adjoining karoke bar. However she was tiring as we ate. After our meal, she got a second wind and we went in the karoke bar for about two more hours of pure entertainment. The singers at Ellis Island are so varied and animnated that we had a blast. When the clock his one in the morning we decided we better call it a night and head back for some sleep.
The next morning was moving day to the Orleans. We maximized our time in the Tez and checked out just before noon after sleeping in. We walked down to the Golden Spike to use a 2 for 1 coupon in their diner. Kim loves these old type diners and even though it was noon we both ordered breakfast. We saved $7 on our meal and headed over to the Palms. Before heading to the Palms we used the MBR coupons for $10 in free play each at the El Cortez. I lost $7 and Kim won $2 for a $14 win.
I had scheduled Kim a full massage with $50 off using her MBR coupon of course. I played on her card while she got her massage. I bounced back and forth playing quarter full pay dueces and 8-5 bonus. I put $100 in and got four queens early on to jump ahead. I played it down to $80 and decided to switch over to the ducks. I lost $60 real quick on the ducks and was starting to tilt when I was dealt a dirty royal. My machine then got hot and I went up to only $10 down overall and floated around there before my machine cooled off again and cashed out $50 in the hole. I went back to the 8-5 bonus machines. Kim needed 1500 points to maximize her free play offers and I was at 1400 and slowly dieing a VP death. At 1490 points I hit quad Jacks to make a little come back and cash out $35 down.
Perfect timing resulted in Kim coming out in a state of heaven after her massage. She went over to the players club, and the nice lady gave her a total of $45 in free play, a windsheild cover, a cell phone purse, and found a coupon for $5 free play for me for the next day. Kim used her free play to recoup my $35 lost to the exact amount of $35. We used another match play on the way out and won for a $20 win at the Palms as we headed out.
Next stop was the Gold Coast to put 200 points on our card for the MRB free buffett. We played some penny three way action video poker machines for a couple of hours. We ended up netting a massive $1 win and two free buffets. The buffet God's were on my side as Thursday night was steak night at the Gold Coast. We enjoyed the meal and Kim decided she wanted to see the bands some more at Freemont Street. We watched the bands and then heading back for sleep. I had Kim get a card at the Golden Gate and put 25 points on her card for free pancakes using her MRB coupon. She played 10 coin 9-5 double-double bonus and couldn't hit a thing. It took us $35 to finally get the 25 points and joked about eating the $35 pancakes before we leave.
Friday morning came and it was sad knowing this would be our last full day in Vegas. We slept in late and stoped by the Palms for the $5 free play I had and one last matchplay. I cashed out $4 after playing my free play thru once and won yet another matchplay for $24 in revenge from the Palms.
Our next stop was Sam's Town to put 200 points on our card and yet another pair of buffett coupons. We sit down at the 10 coin full pay dueces to earn our points. We had been playing only about 10 minutes when I held two ducks and got the other two for a nice $100 win. We continued to play and I was pretty well staying even while Kim was losing her butt. After about an hour of play, we switched postions and I played on her card for awhile while she played on mine since I play much quicker then her so we could reach 200 points about the same time. I got two dirty royals on her machine fairly quick to make a small recovery. Her machine started to bleed money again. I finally reached 200 points on her card and she still needed 10 more on my card. She asked me to finish playing on my machine. My machine had cooled off too and it looked like we were going to net a massive $10 win between us even after hitting quad ducks. At point 198 I held two ducks again, and once again two popped up so we were able to actually book a $110 win and two free buffets. What luck as it was Steak and Seafood night so our buffetts were worth $38. They had awsome T-Bones on the buffett and I was in heaven.
By the time we had ate and played, it was almost time for the Raplhie May comedy act. We headed over to the Southpoint and got our seats. A lady came out before Ralphie did and she was almost as raunchy as he is. When she finsihed her act, she said I would like to introduce my husband, Ralphie May. Ralphie was funny as on comedy central. He went for almost an hour and half. When he finished he was walking out to sign autographs and sell stuff when Kim yelled Ralph!. He looked over and said "Holy Hell, Kim and Bill, how are you guys." He said he had to go out and meet some fans but we better not leave. He signed autographs for about 30 minutes then we sit around and visited for about two hours after that. He autographed and gave us four DVD's before we left. His wife asked me what my personal connection was with Ralphie. I told her I was his youth director at church when he was growing up. She said I did a piss poor job of that as we laughted. Ralphie knew Kim as they grew up in the same neiborhood.
It was almost eleven and we had to drive a lot the next day. But we needed to make one stop at Ellis Island to play our free play. We played our free play through for $21 win. Kim couldn't resist watching some more karoke so we still didn't make it to bed before 1 AM.
The next morning we packed our stuff and headed downtown for some $35 pancakes before leaving. I forgot about the $10 free play coupon at the Four Queens so we stopped by there before eating. Kim joined and actually got $20 in free play after earning a few points. We played nickel 9-6 jacks or better and a couple of quads and a straight flush gave us a $34 win in our last attack on the the casinos in Las Vegas. We had our pan cakes at the Golden Gate and I do agree they are some of the best I've ever had.
We took the 95 out of Henderson with $100 more in the bankroll then what we left with even after paying $50 for Padres tickets and tips and cash for some of the meals.
I appoligized to my fiance for not getting her all the way down the strip to see some of the other properties. She said that was fine we can do that on later trips. I was glas she liked Vegas and would be coming back for more.
A couple of personal notes:
I can't beleive all the "characters' walking around Freemont Street now trying to earn a dollar here or there getting their polaroids taken with the tourist. We saw Micheal Jackson, Ozzie, Spongbob, to name a few.
I was surprised at how clean the Golden Spike was. We went there just to see the "sleazy" side of Vegas and it was way to clean.
Again the LVA saved my ton of money on my trip. Thank you Anthony.
