February 26, 2020
I had rough night in that I simply could not get much sleep, so I finally gave up and headed to Vegas even though it was just past midnight. The drive that early in the morning from San Diego was easy what with little traffic and only the many slow downs through construction zones were the only nuisance. In So Cal, the freeways are perpetually under construction and most of that work is done late nights and very early mornings.
I arrived in Las Vegas at 5 AM. This will be a 7-night trip (two nights at Sam’s Town; two nights at the Golden Gate; three nights at the D—all nights are comped). My trips are planned around whenever and wherever I get free hotel room nights. As a medium to low roller video poker player, comped nights are becoming more and more scarce right along with the pay schedules. The only place I can still get free weekend nights is the Golden Gate. Times—they are a changing’.
I went to Henderson and filled that tank at Costco ($2.66 per gal.) and then made a fast stop at Walmart for a few supplies. I went to Sam’s Town and, of course, it was much too early to check in, so I swiped my card in the kiosk and picked up my $10 food comp that came with the room offer (as was $10 in free play).
I used the comp at the buffet for breakfast (the terrific sports book deli, which used to open 24 hours now doesn’t open until 9 AM). The buffet at Sam’s is…okay. I would certainly never pay full price as their food quality and variety is pedestrian at best; however, breakfast is a pretty safe bet and free is always a great price.
I ran my free play through a Zeus penny machine and hit a feature and won $40. I walked over to what used to be the full pay deuces wild machines and though the flat tops are gone, there were four uprights but people were playing at all of them. I asked a man if his machine had full plays deuces and he said he didn’t know and at just that second after he turned back around to hit the button, the got the other two hearts and made a Royal. I suggested to him he might consider giving me commission considering I stopped him long enough to answer me. He didn’t go for it.
I played some Quick Quads (broke even) and then a different Zeus machine and got another feature and another $20 profit. Nice! I am picking up from friend, Terry who’s flying in from Denver, at 11:40 and I still had a couple hours to kill, so I drove downtown to the Golden Nugget to play some 2/4 Hold ‘em until then.
I pulled into the Fremont valet (a great place to park as it’s one of the few places, along with the D’s valet, that you can still park for free (albeit a small tip). The poker room was surprisingly busy on this early morning Wednesday. I was on the waiting list for a good 25 minutes before they opened a new table.
I won some decent hands, but was hammered on a large pot when my pocket kings were ambushed by a player with pocket jacks and caught a jack on the flop. In another hand, I was dealt A/K of diamonds and the flop was 10/J of diamonds and a three of hearts. I needed to be careful to get to the river and hopefully catch the Queen for a $1200 progressive royal win; however, the next two cards, which were both diamonds didn’t bring my queen. I had to settle for a small pot win.
It was time to pick up Terry (I had a $20 loss poker thanks to that trip Jacks fiasco). Driving the back roads (I’m a master at this) was it bit more tricky as both Paradise and Boulder Hwy are going through major street replacements.
I picked up Terry (short time parking has gone up a dollar to $3.00 for the first thirty minutes—everything is getting pricier). We drove downtown (he’s staying the D) and it was too early for him to check in. We both have free play, match play, food comps, and free rooms here—I’m here on Sunday. There’s a new policy here at the D. They are now on to us! Terry and would always come at the end of one month and then stay the beginning of the next month to grab both of the months offers; however, at the D (not Golden Gate—yet), you must use the free play no later than the 26th of each month). This is why we chose this day to begin our trip.
I used my free play on a (you might have guessed) a Zeus machine and once again caught a feature and cashed out $60. Terry used his on the 9/6 Deluxe poker at the long bar.
We went to the D’s café upstairs. The second floor is under major construction as they are adding another bar (Canadian bar), a sports book, and a new high limit slots area. We each had the chicken salad bowl (highly recommended) and used our food comps. Terry checked in and then joined me at the Vue bar to begin our first long journey into the 8/5 Bonus poker with progressives journey. We will spend the majority of our stay at this bar and at the Golden Gate machines (the same linked) so as to win money and keep our monthly offers coming.
Cut to almost three hours later. We both had our share of quads (quad Kings were shining as Terry hit them once and I hit them three times). Terry was killing it up over $100 and I was down $180, when I held the A/2/5 of clubs and the 3 and 4 showed up for a $104 progressive win, which brought me back. I did manage to put in my requisite 300+ points (the daily threshold for the offers) and when added to my earlier $60 win on the Zeus machine meant I was only down $20. Note that at the D and the Golden Gate, video poker is $10 = 1point.
With very little sleep the night before, I said my goodbyes and drove back to Sam’s Town to check in. Sam’s Town used to be my Vegas home-away-from-home for years; however, since Boyd changed their slot card system, which stabs video poker players in the back, I have to turn to the D and Golden Gate.
I’m guessing Boyd lost so many players that after about a year, I began getting offers again, albeit, Sunday through Thursdays only and I’ve been using them whenever I can. Sam’s Town, to their credit, remodeled all their rooms and the change is nothing short of remarkable. The rooms are really nice with monster TVs and all new carpet and furniture—a great place to stay. Of course, it’s easier for me to stay here because I have my car. However, Sam’s does offer a 24 hour free shuttle service to both the Strip and downtown.
Overall all, I’d say this was good start to the trip. I’m only down $40 for the day but have had a full day of meals and of course the free hotel stay.
More tomorrow.
