Let’s see .......
Lucky Bracelet ............. CHECK
Slot Cards ...........................CHECK
Candy for Host ......................... CHECK
Reduced-Fat Cheez-its .................… CHECK
CHECK, ... CHECK, ... CHECK, ... CHECK, ... CHECK
I guess I’m packed.
It would be a pain if I forgot something, especially like my slot cards.
That would mean that at every casino I would have to wait in a line at their slot club to
request for a new card. I don’t ever want to forget my slot cards.
Don’t know about you, but my slot cards stack in now about 1 1/2 inches thick.
It’s Sunday, May 13th,
.............. not a bad ride to the airport. Direct flight to Vegas ............ that’s cool.
While sitting in the airport, I noticed quite a few travelers in the gate area with new sneakers.
Do you think they’ve been to Vegas before?
Well before the flight is over, you know that they have,
after you start hearing all the random in-flight chatter
..... “This time we should go over to…..”, or ”Do you remember the time I hit that machine at ......”
It seems that at least 75% of those on board our flights are returning to Vegas.
Our Southwest flight was equipped with Wi-Fi,
so for $5 I could use my tablet to goof around and keep myself occupied.
However, It was not the best connection for sure,
and I had to wait a long time for the sites to connect.
The closer we got to Vegas, the worse it got so I just did other things with the tablet.
I did not pay for their Wi-Fi on our return flight,
which reminds me that I should call S/W and complain.
Our flights almost always pass the Hoover Dam on our approach to Vegas.
I took this picture for those of you who haven’t seen it,
and of the new Bypass Bridge (Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge) from the air.
Soon after passing the dam we were landing in Vegas, but we had to sit on the runway
for about 20 minutes. “So close, and Yet So Far”, Rock’n Rita uttered.
We had to wait for some plane to pull off from the gate.
It was waiting for passengers from a connecting flight.
Now it’s starting to get hot in the plane as the AC was turned off while we sat,
but far worse was to be in Vegas and stuck ON “da plane”.
Hey !!!! Let me out now, ..... I can see the Strip, ...... I’ll walk from here.
Have you any idea ??? ....... like it’s Christmas morning but you can only look at your wrapped gifts.
We’ve never had this happen before, but finally we slowly taxied over, and Finally We Are Here !!!!!
......... grabbed the luggage and a cab fairly quickly, and then off to The Orleans.
Check-in is ALWAYS very fast and efficient there.
Up to the room, ... drop everything, ... downstairs, ............... Bada-Bing, Bada-Bang, Bada-Boom.
Okay, all our travel BS and all the other stupid stuff is done, now “Let’s go gamble”
Our tradition, for years now, has been to always play the quarter Loose Deuces machines
(which pays $625 for 4 Deuces), near the Alligator Bar first, and we did just that.
Well no 4 Deuces, ........ and no Royals in this first mini-session, but we’ll be baaaaack.
A couple of years ago I hit 4 Deuces, then a Royal, then 4 Deuces again on this first traditional sitting
(about 45 minutes). Last year my son met us in Vegas, and was playing that same bank of Loose Deuces.
While waiting for us to arrive he hit those Deuces THREE TIMES in about 30 minutes,
and all on the same machine. $625, ... $625, ... $625 !!!!!
It’s now 6:00 PM, and we had reservations for Canal Street, which was right behind us.
It’s a very nice place with a wall mural of a southern riverboat scene that’s about 40 feet long.
Somehow it’s illuminated and changes from daytime to nighttime every 15 minutes or so. It’s cool.
No drinks for me please, as I had a small headache,
probably from the 2 Tanquerays on the rocks that I had on the plane (ya gotta love those free S/W drink coupons),
............. so I started right in with an appetizer.
I opted for the Louisiana Crab Cakes (there were 2), with Roasted Corn Relish and Creole Mustard.
This was a bad move, as one is enough, but Rock’n Rita doesn’t like them so I just HAD to eat both.
We each ordered Filet Mignon (done medium), house salad and split a huge baked potato.
Ended the meal being way too full, ...... should not have had both crab cakes, relish and rolls.
I vowed never to order an appetizer again.
We gambled a bit after dinner, and ended up crashing in the room,
much earlier than usual for our first night in Vegas.
MONDAY
We ate the Breakfast Buffet , played a bit, did the pool for a while, then we visited Gold Coast.
There was a Slot Tournament at The Orleans we were entered in and had to be back
to register between 2 and 5, so this gave us some free time.
Earned enough points for a free buffet promo at the Gold Coast,
so since it was already lunchtime ..... let’s go in to “just get a quick snack”.
Well that quick snack idea didn’t last long when I saw that they offered fried chicken.
I had 4 pieces with mashed potatoes, gravy, veggies, etc,
I LOVE it when they have fried chicken at a buffet
I’m in H-E-A-V-E-N !!!!!! ....... I also added a “make your own taco” to my plate.
This meal was nothing special, ....... but man it was REALLY good
While at the Gold Coast they had a Video Poker Tourney we entered.
It’s a “play 15 minutes anytime” thing, and the next day (to get you back) they post the scores.
The game was DDB, and from talking to those running it, neither of us scored high enough
to have ranked anywhere close to those already in the money. Hey, but thanks for telling us.
BTW, We had penciled in The Orleans Dinner Buffet for tonight, using the LVA 2/1 coupon,
but ended up not going because I ate all of that Fried Chicken, and wasn’t all that hungry.
So Rock’n Rita got a slice of pizza, and I ended up with a couple of frozen Margaritas.
We will use that coupon when we return in the fall.
TUESDAY
We ate at The Orleans Breakfast Buffet again. We love this buffet.
This time I decided on an egg-white omelet,
and added in some mushrooms and green peppers.
When your omelet is half done, the cook asks if you would like cheese.
I always opt out, but am baffled when someone in the line orders either an egg-white or Egg Beater omelet,
and then when asked “Cheese with that?”, without any hesitation they say “Yes”.
Huh ???? .......... My thinking .... Either You IS or Either You AIN’T watching your cholesterol.
At 9:30 we played the first of today’s 2 sessions in the Slot Tournament.
It was a lot of fun, and later in the afternoon after playing session 2,
we checked our two combined scores for the day.
Unfortunately both of us were far down in the standings, but hey !!!! ..... ya just never know.
Maybe tomorrow we will get a Mega-Huge-Score,
and the leaders will all break their index fingers or something.
Later while back in the room,
I noticed that the shower at The Orleans had a great feature that I’ve never seen in any hotel before.
The water didn’t drain very fast, so while you showered you were actually pampered
with a warm and soapy foot bath. Kinda cool.
This must be one of the amenities included in the resort fee.
However, Rock’n Rita didn’t like this and called housekeeping.
They came to the room and were able to disable this feature, all in about 20 minutes time.
Very fast and efficient service
Tonight we ate at the Prime Rib Loft at The Orleans.
I did it again and ordered an appetizer ....... Lump Crab Stuffed Mushroom Caps.
The platter arrived with 5 mushrooms, and since Rock’n Rita won’t eat mushrooms either,
I just HAD to eat all 5. Good Lord, I’ve done it again !!!!
Between the bread, the stuffed mushrooms and a Martini, I’m already starting to get full,
...... but it was all REAL good
We both ordered Prime Rib, the small “Queen” cut (done medium),
which is the smallest of 3 cuts at 10 ounces, along with a salad and a baked potato each.
BTW, This picture of my prime rib was specially requested by a poster here;
“please go to the Prime Rib Loft and post some pics of the au jus with a piece of beef fat in the middle”.
You know who you are. I do hope you enjoy this picture.
We finished up every morsel , ......... I am jammed again, and we then moved on to gamble.
I hit this inside Straight Flush at the Mardi Gras Bar playing Triple Trouble Poker - $250.
Here’s two more Straight Flushes
that I hit somewhere along the way playing Joker Poker/Kings - $500 and $250.
I also hit 4 Deuces playing Looses Deuces - $625
And for you slot players, a small win (I think it was $140)
One nice thing I like about The Orleans is that they have live bands playing.
If you are close enough to the Bourbon Street Lounge (which is basically an open area)
you can enjoy hearing them while you’re playing.
If not, the music over the PA is constantly entertaining, .......
always playing a great mix of current stuff and oldies tunes in the casino and at the pool area.
Songs like Hold On, I’m Comin’ by Sam and Dave, and It’s All Over Now by the Stones
are just a couple of solid classics that I heard.
This trip playing Video Poker, we both received some great cards on the deal.
So great, that we would hold all 5 cards.
HOLD – HOLD – HOLD – HOLD – HOLD
Here’s some VP Porn for you to lust over.
Rock’n Rita started it all by being DEALT 5 Aces playing .50 cent Double Bonus Deuces Wild - $400
She was also DEALT a Straight Flush playing .50 cent Joker Poker/Kings - $125
I was DEALT a Wild Royal playing Loose Deuces - $31.25
I was DEALT 4 Deuces playing quarter Loose Deuces - $625
I was DEALT 5 Fours playing $1 Double Bonus Deuces Wild - $250
WEDNESDAY
Breakfast Buffet again ............. I’m jammed again.
Today is my 2 Year Anniversary, ....... HAPPY ANNIVERSAY TO ME ~~~ HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO ME
Well, it’s not exactly a “happy” anniversary, because today’s date 2 years ago was when I hit my last Royal Flush.
Yes, it’s been 2 long years since I’ve hit a Royal.
It would be cool to end that losing streak on this anniversary.
At 9:30 again we played the final Slot Tourney session.
The Awards Banquet will be later tonight, but first we need to catch the shuttle to the Strip.
There’s the saying “Timing is Everything”, and ya know that when everything is “clicking” perfectly.
Like when we just get to the shuttle pick-up spot and the shuttle is either just arriving or people
are just starting to board. That’s been happening a lot the last few trips,
but this time there was this guy wanting to break my streak.
I was wearing a T-Shirt that reads “Fender - Hot Rod”,
which I received free from Fender Guitar for “test driving” one of their “Hot Rod” amplifiers at a local Guitar Center store.
We were walking through the casino kind of fast, when this guy stops me and starts talking about Hot Rods,
and I tell him that the shirt is not about cars, it’s for guitar amps ……
he keeps talking, I start walking, he’s still talking, I tell him again it’s about a guitar Amp-li-fi-Errrrrrr.
I don’t want to miss the shuttle so I keep walking, he’s talking, I’m walking, he’s still talking,
I’m now fully focused on the door, and now he’s saying something about
his grandfather who had a “Hot Rod”, I keep walking, he’s still talking and I’m a good 25 feet past him,
..... he’s still talking, Rock’n Rita now starts laughing ,
we finally make to the door and get in the line, ........................... Here Comes the Shuttle !!!!!
We board and grab our seats and Rock’n Rita says something about me being some kind of magnet,
because strangers will always just start talking to me.
We made it to the Strip without any further incidents.
I was looking for an Area-51 T-shirt for a friend who likes that kind of stuff,
so we walked up the Strip looking, and we also checked out the Fashion Show Mall.
Could not find anything, but we did get some much needed walking/exercise in.
It’s always fun to walk in Vegas, even if we seen the same stuff hundreds of times.
We didn’t find the T-shirt, even though we walked through part of the Forum Shops on the return.
There we saw a sign outside some sports/collectible place that Pete Rose was signing autographs inside.
Walked in, he was just a little bit inside the door, there were about 3 people in line.
It was kind of eerie quiet in there ........ okay I saw him, ......... that was that.
Shuttled back to The Orleans to get ready for the Awards Banquet,
......... great food, solid band, open bars, awesome desserts, open bars (oh yeah said that. heh, heh)
In the Final Standings Rock’n Rita placed ahead of me, as I ended up 26 places out of receiving any money.
Unfortunately, she placed 11th behind the last money winner,
........ but we both had a great time participating in this event . Ate too much again though.
After the banquet we played more Loose Deuces.
This was when I received the 4 Dealt Deuces (pictured previously),
but very shortly after that happened Rock’n Rita,
who was seated to my left, also hit 4 Deuces also for $625
On this trip I also had a few exciting Video Poker wins when I just held one card..
You just never know what those cards will do
I held 1 Deuce playing Double Bonus Deuces Wild - $500
I held 1 Deuce playing Double Bonus Deuces Wild - $250
I held 1 King playing Joker Poker/Kings - $1,000
I held one Ace (sorry for the cutoff picture. It was $2 Joker Poker) - $170
THURSDAY
The final day of our breakfast buffet was again really good.
We went to the pool for an hour or so, packed up, checked out, then moved to Bellagio.
Like I said “Timing is Everything”, and unfortunately today my timing was a bit off.
We exited the Valet Entrance too soon, for the next cab in line was the one that
included a very Stupid Cabbie seated in the driver’s seat.
Me: Bellagio
Stupid Cabbie: Palazzo ?
Me: No, Bellagio
Stupid Cabbie: Palazzo ?
Me: No, Bellagio with a “B”
Stupid Cabbie: O-vah dare ? (as he points)
Me: Yes
Well he gets us to Bellagio, which is a very easy and direct drive from The Orleans,
but I wasn’t paying attention and the Stupid Cabbie did not drop us off at the main hotel entrance.
It was north of that, maybe a special valet parking or something ???,
which I didn’t notice until I pulled up the suitcase handle and turned around. WTF ???
Anyway, we had to schlep our suitcases through the entire casino looking like lost Vegas Virgins,
because this jamoke was hired to do a job that he never should be doing.
However, I did get a nice picture of this shiny red Lamborghini parked there
Check-in took about 20-25 minutes, and there were only 4 people ahead of me,
not like The Orleans that has almost always been 5 minutes or less,
but this was totally my fault, as there were about another 8 lines to choose from,
and I always seem to find the slowest one.
BTW, I was told twice about my plastic room key.
“Do not keep it next to your credit cards or cell phone, because that could de-activate it”
Well, okay then, just where are you supposed to keep it ??? .............. nevermind.
Up to the room which was in the Spa Tower...... kind of a long walk, but not unreasonable.
Very nice room, probably the nicest that we have ever stayed in anywhere, and with a view of the fountains.
We were only in the room about 15 minutes when Rock’n Rita answered the phone.
“Mrs. Rock’n Rick? ...... Is everything okay with the room? ...... Do you need anything?..... etc, etc”.
The attention to detail that the Bellagio exudes touches every nuance of their every operation.
It was cool to open the drapes and sheers by remote from the hallway or from either side of the bed.
The bathroom had a separate shower and tub, with double sinks and even a digital scale.
You can turn the TV on Channel 22 and listen to the fountain music right in your room as you watched the fountain show.
I was even impressed with the nice pads of writing paper left in the room,
not to mention the quality of the bath products. It is an exceptional property
Great room, okay, ...... but as soon as we checked out everything, we were on the Strip again.
Took the bus Downtown. We only gambled in 2 casinos this time, Main Street Station and the El Cortez.
Rock’n Rita has hit the Loose Deuces ($625) at Main Street Station the last 2 times we were there,
and she was determined to keep her streak alive.
The last trip she hit them twice, (the second time they were dealt).
I played for about 10 minutes with her and moved on.
About 5 minutes later my phone rings ....... “I Got 4 Deuces !!!!!”
Holy crap, she hit them again, that’s another $625.
She has hit them 4 times in the last 3 visits to MSS, and all on the same machine (which shall remain a secret, heh, heh).
We played a little longer and I couldn’t hit crapola there.
I never have been able to hit anything there.
Although it’s a nice property and I like it there, it’s just not a lucky place for me.
However, it’s exactly opposite for Mrs. Rock’n Rick.
So, like always, I was on a cold streak once again there,
and we left for Fremont Street and the El Cortez with one of us taking away a few dollars .
I always know when I’m cold, because I can hold 4 cards to a flush until the cows come home,
and never connect. Then at other times, BAM !!!! those cards are falling in place like the pieces of a toddler’s jigsaw puzzle.
That’s when it’s wicked fun
We had 6:00 reservations at Flame in the El Cortez.
We did the players club first as we had coupons for Freebies, then of course sat down to play.
It was after 6:00 but we continued playing ......
Hey, I don’t think the restaurant is going anywhere, and I’m hitting.
I was playing a dollar Joker Poker/Kings, and it paid $90 for 4 oak. I cashed out $100 ahead.
Oh yeah, with a clang, clang, clang, clang, clang ..........
100 clanging times as it was an old coin-drop machine.
At Flame we started by splitting a really great Chicago Garbage-Style Salad
(kind of a down-and-dirty antipasto which was plenty for two), and a couple of toasty warm rolls.
I always like a good salad, and this one was.
We both ordered Filet Mignon (done medium), and split a huge baked potato and a side of asparagus.
I had 2 glasses of wine and Rock’n Rita had an Iced Tea.
There was a piano player in the far corner who played all the standards ......
extra nice job on the Godfather Waltz then transitioning into the Love Theme From The Godfather.
The total bill after using the LVA coupon was $51.35.
Another great deal, and another great meal
Oh by the way, that $100 I won before dinner, I played in a WOO machine just outside Flame’s entrance right after dinner.
That selfish bitch Dorothy, and her 3 freaky friends stole it ALL back from me without any guilt or hesitation.
I’m ashamed to say that I didn’t even get one single “boom .. Boom, .. BOOM” Bonus Round.
For what it’s worth, I’m blaming the , (but it takes a lot more than that).
Bussed it back to the Bellagio.
Here’s a night shot from the room in the Spa Tower.
After watching a few fountain shows we regrouped and went down to the casino to gamble more.
It was wicked LOUD there, and I’m not one to complain because I’ve been playing drums in Rock groups
for years, but between the nightclub “thud, ... thud-thud”, “thud, ... thud-thud”,
and the groups of guys here, and gaggle of girls there, add in the machines dinging and whirring,
and then the overall casino din, it was hard to play and concentrate.
Maybe the marble floors don’t help much with the acoustics there either.
The unfortunate thing was that we found machines that we liked “Triple Trouble Poker”
(the VP game with the 3 Devils for a Bonus Round), but they were in a high traffic area which didn’t help.
Anyway, 2 years and a day after my last Royal, I “HELD” 4 cards, and hit this.
FRIDAY
Ate at the Bellagio Breakfast Buffet. This we thought was a big disappointment.
Sorry Bellagio, but the waffles, pancakes and blitzes were all doughy,
and the long slow-moving line was unexpected.
My opinion, it’s definitely not worth the $34.48 for 2 people for breakfast.
We both agree that we much prefer The Orleans Breakfast Buffet,
..... even if they do have plastic glasses and paper napkins.
Went to the pool about 11-ish, and it was packed.
There were no available lounges ..... Either they were occupied by a person, or “occupied” by a limp white towel.
I found a pool guy, told him I wanted 2 lounges in the sun, tipped him $5,
and after 10 minutes (there were others before us) he found 2 chairs, removed the towels and moved them for us.
Again, we are too used to the easy, no-hassle accommodations that The Orleans offers, and this was just one more example.
Very nice pool area at the Bellagio though, just too crowded to find it relaxing.
One nice feature about the pool we liked was that the elevator brought you directly down to the pool.
Just press “Pool”, the doors open, and you’re there.
Later we decided to go to the Bonanza Gift Shop for the Area-51 T-shirt. This was my last effort to find one.
We bussed it up there because our 24 hour pass from the previous day was still good.
We’ve been a few times before, but always seem to find it an interesting place to browse through,
and they did have the T-Shirt ..... kind of cool, white with a replica of the “WARNING” sign silk-screened on the front.
My friend was elated when I gave it to him.
For supper we planned on the Mirage Buffet,
if only for the warm and moist macaroon cookies with the crusty outside that Rock’n Rita likes so much.
Here’s a picture of my first of many plates.
Using the LVA 2/1 coupon, I feel that this is one of the best buffet deals in town.
Cost = $29.18 for two people. Now how can you beat that ???
Tonight we had tickets to see “O”. This was a great show.
The timing, symmetry and synchronicity of the divers is breathtaking.
We had fairly good seats in Section 202, Row V.
It was one of our “best-ever” shows that we have seen in Vegas.
This to me is the elegant star of all the Cirque Shows.
After “O”, we ventured through the casino. It seemed more cranked-up tonight as it was Friday night.
We sat at those same Triple Trouble Poker machines that we liked the night before.
After only a few minutes Rock’n Rita let out a startled shriek
.............. SHE HIT A ROYAL !!!!!
Rock’n Rita’s .50 cent Royal
I was happy for her, because she has been Royal-less for a long time too, actually it’s been 22 months.
I remember one Vegas trip she hit 3 Royals, which were on 3 consecutive days.
As I recall, she was a little upset when she couldn’t keep that streak alive on day 4.
During another year she hit 4 Royals, which were all in 4 different states.
Both of those feats are very hard to accomplish
I was so happy to see that she also finally ended her Royal drought.
Hopefully the Royals will now start popping up regularly again for the both of us.
This was a nice way to end our last full day in Vegas, her hitting a Royal at Bellagio,
a truly spectacular property, and with a perfect Strip location.
Although we were somewhat disappointed in some things, we were totally thrilled with others.
The stay was very reasonable, since I booked the two nights through a great E-Mail offer,
...... then after talking with a host, we were comped for the second night.
Now that we have stayed and played, hopefully we will be getting some nice offers from them.
SATURDAY
The ride to the airport was very quick and easy, but there was quite a line of vehicles of all sorts,
all bumper to bumper in front of the terminal drop area.
After a short wait, our driver scooted to the left and dropped us off in the “street” area, but that was okay,
as I think we would still be in that congestion. Inside was just as busy, but we made it through okay until we got to security.
One guy ahead of us started ranting because they found on small bottle of liquid in his carry-on that he forgot to pull out.
His beef was that there was no consistency in the security,
because one airport wouldn’t let it through, or not find it, and others would.
..... but he went on and on, yada- yada- yada, ranting to anyone and everyone that would listen to him.
Rock’n Rita said he reminded her of me. LOL
At the end of the screening area was a LV cop sitting at a podium. I’m surprised he didn’t step in,
but he’s probably there only if things get out of hand or turn physical.
We played video poker only a very short time in the terminal while waiting for departure.
We both lost a little and quit, ...... don’t like playing as much without a card in a machine.
A short time after takeoff we reached the 10,000 foot altitude,
and I was able to use my camera for this picture, as we passed over the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
As we were still rapidly gaining altitude, the final chapter of our Trip #23 to Vegas came to a close.
It’s strange how we still always find it sad when leaving.
I reclined my seat back and turn to Rock’n Rita and said,
“That had to be one of our top 3 Vegas Trips ever”.
Then I chuckled, ......and she smiled, because I say that at the end of every trip.
EPILOGUE
We did a lot of walking in Vegas, but I still gained 2 pounds.
It doesn’t sound like much,
but at that rate over the course of a year it would be 104 pounds !!!!!
Good thing I don’t live in Vegas. LOL
Eight days after returning home we ventured to nearby CT (Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods)
........ Ya know, just to see if the Video Poker Gods were still watching over us.
Here’s a few more pics that I think you might enjoy.
I got four 9’s DEALT on Triple Double Bonus - $250
Then hit a Straight Flush on Joker Poker/Kings - $250
Hit 4 Aces on DDB - $800
Hit four 7’s on DDB - $250
Rock’n Rita had a Video Poker first.
She finally hit Five of a Kind on Joker Poker/Kings !!!!!! - $500
THANKS FOR READING. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.
Rock’n Rick
