New Year, Old Friend and a Birthday: Day 5

Sunday January 12

Ken and I woke up at around 7:00am. Once again he was contemplating going for that morning 6 mile jog. I reminded him that we have only gotten about 20 hours of sleep over 5 days and that pedestrians get killed on the Las Vegas strip all the time. He agreed with me and went back to sleep.

I got up though and headed over to the Tropicana to check out and to play my last $25 in free play on that “Penguin” game. It was a bit better today and I was able to cash out $35.15.

Now the breakfast buffet at the MGM Grand changes over to a champagne brunch at 9:00am. Although I still had enough resort credit coupled with the myVegas reward (1 free brunch) to cover brunch for the 2 of us, it was pretty sweet when we got to the front of the line and the cashier rang our bill through.


That’s right, 8:59am and still the breakfast price! Boo-ya!

As it turns out, neither of us had any champagne and it looked like the only additional food choices they brought out were meat loaf, beans, broccoli and pizza. Where’s the crab legs and shrimp?

We had a 10:28am tee off time at the Las Vegas Country Club. I decide against renting clubs here because it cost $75! Instead I just keep Ken company through the first 9 holes and then leave him to do some shopping.


Ken thought the Las Vegas Country Club course was much better than Los Prados.


Unfortunately this will be the last photo since my camera battery died.

I manage to pick up a few things for my wife and kids, and stop in at the Rio to put a couple of points on my Total Rewards card since I have about $200 in points I don’t wish to expire. It’s a good thing I did since I managed to win $160 at the Rio!

I pick Ken up and we head back to the LVH to pack. I use my $8 eco-fee ticket to get some pasta from Pizza Hut.

It was still early afternoon, and Ken said he wanted to check out the Wynn. Bad choice. I never have any luck here, and today would be no exception. I end up losing $1000 on slots, craps and blackjack. A waste really since we weren’t staying here and I don’t think a $1000 loss will even trigger any offers for this place. Blah.

We have dinner at the Mirage Buffet using the MRB 2 for 1 coupon. I really like the buffet here. The shrimp is really good and their dessert selection is incredible. It is pricey now at close to $40 per person, but that does include wine and beer.

Ken was actually flying back to Austin, Texas since he had to work on Monday, and I was flying back separately to Toronto, so we said our good-byes after clearing security and headed off to our respective gates.
The flight home was fine and it took me a good 2 days to catch up on my sleep.

Final Notes:

1. How does everyone calculate winnings? While in Las Vegas, I spent $800 on non-gambling activities and gifts. Before the trip I spent $400 on tours, the flight and car rental. I left with $2500 and came back with $2850. Did I win $1150, $350 or did I lose $50? Or did I just get an amazing trip that cost me $50? Either way, I’m counting it as a win. Ken says he won about $300.

2. My biggest losses (about $1000 each) occurred at Hooters, Bellagio and Wynn. It’s too bad I’ll likely never want to stay at Hooters and that kind of loss at Bellagio and Wynn won’t generate any kind of offers.

3. I suck at golf.

4. “Buffet of Buffets” >>> “Take 2: Buffet Pass”

5. After e-mailing Club Viva Las Vegas, they have issued me a refund and have offered a complimentary Sapphire package the next time I’m in Las Vegas for me and any number of friends.

6. I’m still getting casino offers, so maybe the World Series of Poker 2014 won’t be completely out of the question...God and Wife permitting.

7. Thanks for reading!


Thanks so much for the trip report. I enjoy each day's installment and it's nice you broke it up that way.

I hope you do make it back for the world series!!
Thanks for the great trip report and nice photos. I'd say you had an awesome time for $50 - hard to beat. I never could have pulled myself away from that craps table, could have been the roll of a lifetime starting but then again, maybe not. I hope you get to go back for the WSOP!

Jim
Great trip report! Thanks for putting in the Time to write it up!

Great trip and really entertaining read. I have to admit I enjoyed the last trip, based solely on the "sean factor" a wee bit more, but only for that reason

JOHN
Thanks for the great trip report - I always enjoy reading about your adventures. Tell your wife that so far, the LVA board is voting unanimously that you need to go to the WSOP!!! Good Luck with that!

- Linda in TX
Good reading, winning I have lost over a million over 30 years, on a plane or bus everyone wins but me,95% of people can't admit they loose.
How to calculate trip winnings....


You take the $1150 actual gambling win, multiply it by 5, then round up to $10,000 and tell everyone that's how well you did!
Your trip reports are always fun to read, and I feel like I am right there with you the whole time.

It's always nice to go home with you original money, but you really came out ahead. And, the best part was sharing it with your friend on his birthday. NICE!
Great set of Trip reports - thanks for sharing - really enjoyed reading them
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