Just got back from our favorite City on Saturday after three days of Casino hopping and Video Poker. My main reason was to use my 150K of GGWU points but had cashback and food offers to help sweeten the deal. But, like a lot of the Country, it was COLD…sometimes reaching a high up into the lower 40’s.
The other reason is that I was on a scouting mission for next month. I turn the big 6-0 and will fly my five adult kids (with spouses/significant others) and put them up at the PH for three nights. I knew those Southwest Points and Total Rewards would come in handy sometime.
I played lots of Triple play poker and I start off this report with a picture of a hand dealt to me on my last night in Paris:
[URL=https://s795.photobucket.com/user/tedde222/media/predeuces-1.jpg.html]
[/URL]When I go to Vegas, I have very few expectations other than to put some points on my players’ cards, have some cocktails, observe and interact with other players and just relax. I don’t go to a lot of shows or eat at fancy restaurants. My wife doesn’t particularly care for Vegas so most of my trips are solo.
I tend to be a “hit and run” player where I play a machine for a little while and I tend to play a lot of different games. So, one goal I do try for is to hit the four majors: a Royal, Straight Flush, Aces and the Dueces.
It is the beginning of Rodeo week and I have been here at this time before. If you don’t want to get stampeded by them boys, I have learned that you “steer” clear of the Southpoint, New Orleans and downtown. Even so, there are many casinos that change their tune:
Pop and Rock songs are transformed to Country and Western and those cute waitress outfits give way to Blue Jeans and Boots. A good example of this was at the Suncoast but honestly a day or two of CW music is OK with me.
I picked up my car on Wednesday and travelled to my first stop, Harrahs Lauglin. I had $125 in free play and some food vouchers, not really enough to justify the drive but it had been a few years since I had been there. Five years ago, I cut my DIAD on those 50 play machines and I remain Diamond to this day. Had a nice comped meal at the Steakhouse and held my own, earning my 1000 tier bonus along the way. There was one STP machine that continually paid off all day (for other players) and I put a C note in after dinner and hit this:
[URL=https://s795.photobucket.com/user/tedde222/media/royal.jpg.html]
[/URL]Too many Grey Goose/Cranberry finally got the best of me and I hit the second leg of my Major just before I crashed into bed at 10pm.
[URL=https://s795.photobucket.com/user/tedde222/media/strtflush.jpg.html]
[/URL]I always get up early and Thursday morning was no exception. Set the cruise control for 78 mph most of the way so it was a quick trip, arriving into Henderson at 8:15. The Reserve/Fiesta is one of my old haunts so I stopped and played for 45 minutes until I felt the traffic cleared and then it was on to the Suncoast.
Thursday is 7x points, the pay schedules are pretty good, the rooms are excellent and the little buffet is free all day Monday-Thursday for very few points. About noon, I took a trip downtown and played those Treasure Island Coin Droppers at the Main Street, hit a 4OAK and left a few bucks up. Walked down to Fremont and lost $35 playing Pickem Poker. I never really played that much until JMan started talking about them but I did play a LOT on those Gamemaker machines for Bonus and DDB when I first came to Vegas many years ago.
Took a stroll to see the New Downtown Grand and liked the vibe although there were very few people playing. I think this was the idea that Brietling/Poster had when they bought the Golden Nugget from Steve Wynn. Sat down at the bar and put in a hundred figuring I would have a beer and leave no worse than $50 down. The schedules were not good and then I noticed a Royal/Aces progressive sign. I looked for the game and found it: A 7/5 DDB game. YIKES! But, the aces/kicker progressive was at $760 so I said “what the heck!” Seven hands later….Bada Bing!
[URL=https://s795.photobucket.com/user/tedde222/media/aceskicker.jpg.html]
[/URL]Left a nice tip and then departed the casino, walking down to the El Cortez. Never spent much time here as the Golden Nugget used to be my home casino but sat down, had a beer, hit a 4OAK on bonus deluxe and walked out ahead. Went into the Mob Museum and was getting late so I will save that for another trip. Overall, I was impressed with many of the changes that Downtown is making.
Back to the Suncoast where I started a horrible losing streak and downgraded to nickels and at least I stopped the bleeding. Off to bed at 10 pm, overall up a winner thanks to the Downtown Grand. I did get one of those hands that makes you scratch your head. Saved a king and ..........
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[/URL]Friday morning, I left at 6:30 a.m. expecting to miss the I-15 traffic. WRONG! I know Vegas well enough to get onto some side streets but even with that arrived 45 minutes later. I played a lot of TP here and met so many nice people who came for the Wrap up. I took a side trip for a lunch buffet at the M, which is always a treat. Came back, and played more TP before heading off to Caesars ballroom.
Is is truly a fun event and I had a list of gifts from my wife and daughter with the requisite point totals. I called just to make sure there were no last minute changes and had a Christmas Vacation moment while talking to my wife. She confirmed all of the things that she and my daughter picked out and then, after adding them up, found I had 8200 unaccounted for points. She says “well, you should get something for yourself….I mean, after all, they are your points.” Shades of Eddie telling Clark that he should pick out something really nice for himself……
On my way out, I passed up 50 people standing in line to get into a makeshift Diamond Lounge at the Empress restaurant. Really???? Standing in line for small chicken drumsticks???? I did stop by the Paris DL where the line was short but the place was VERY crowded. This is one “perk” that I am getting increasing tired of.
So, back to my hand where I have been dealt three deuces. I don’t hit the four majors very often, my play is starting to go South and it is getting late (for me) so this is my last Hurrah. I hit the button and ……
[URL=https://s795.photobucket.com/user/tedde222/media/deuces-1.jpg.html]
[/URL]I actually finish the evening at the PH where I will be staying with all of my kids next month. I used to think the music was pretty loud and obnoxious but I have really developed a liking for it (maybe a couple of hours or so, anyway). Headed back to Paris where a young lady stopped me and asked if I would like some company tonight. Told her that I would go upstairs and ask my wife. I guess I said something wrong as she turned and walked away.
This was one of my better trips, albeit cold as you know what, but I had a lot of fun as I usually do in my favorite City.
Thanks for Reading! Ted in Chico
