June 1-3: DT Getaway

It's long, so pass it up if you don't want to read meaningless details of drinking, low-rolling gambling and cheap eating.

I’m middle-aged, well known in my little community within L.A. and live in a fishbowl. I was getting that I got to get out of here feeling and knew just what I needed.

I have a great wife, she basically told me to get out of town because I was so stressed out. She doesn’t enjoy Vegas, but knows I do – so she just sent me on my way. She trusts me (with good reason) and told me, “Don’t even tell me where you go. Just go and get away from it all. I don’t want to tell people where you are when they ask me, so I’m just going to say – he’s out of town getting his head together!” KEEEPPPPEEEER!

For me, away from it all is “slumming it” in DT Vegas. It’s a different planet and nobody knows your name. And that’s exactly what I needed.

After typical life stresses which always seem to go beyond typical I hit the road from L.A. to Vegas promptly at 12:20 p.m. on June 1st. The goal is to be there before 5:00 p.m. to put some money down on the Dodgers to lose. Despite being 20 year resident of L.A. I love to see the Dodgers lose; especially if I have money on it. I listened to the Angels almost the whole way so it was a very enjoyable drive.

The drive was smooth and I would have made my goal if I had not stopped so many times to use the “facilities” along the way. Way too much Diet Pepsi, Coffee and water before I left and along the way.

I do arrive uneventfully at Main Street Station where I will be staying on an offer. Just 2 nights free rooms and $20 in meal money. Great for me, a definite low roller. I had a total of $260 in cash and that was my bankroll for two days! I way over-packed, packing for every imaginable situation and packing lots of water and Powerade to help me properly re-hydrate after long days/nights of drinking!

I get started right away on at the Poker Bar. Had a few “High Roller” microbrews and definitely got a good start on the evening. Those three beers cost me $60 bucks but definitely put me in a Vegas frame of mind. Went and bought in for $100 at a $5 blackjack table and played for about an hour, staying exactly even and having a couple of more beers.

Now I was properly lubricated to hit Fremont street. I zipped up the street and landed at Binions which had a hopping poker room. I love the critters that hang out here. I bought in a $2-4 limit hold em’ game and promptly blew through a rack plus $60 more dollars; which is quite a commitment to poor play. Time to tighten up regardless of my oncoming inebriation. If you’re keeping score at home, that left me with $40 on my original bankroll for two days. I used the fact that everyone thought I was a drunken idiot (which was partially true) and started winning some pots here and there. I was drunk, but not drunk enough to pretend I was drunker than I was and get some weak calls on my stronger hands.

Most people enjoyed my reasonably good humor, I’m not a mean drunk. I did keep pretending I couldn’t hear this older, obnoxious guy at my table. His name was Murray and he kept telling me to shut-up. I acted like a couldn’t hear him. Which would suck him into saying it again. Then, I would pretend like I didn’t remember his name. I would reply, “I’m sorry Murphy – just blowing off some steam.” Which would tick him off even more. Another time, I said, “Markie, I can’t hear you, I have a bad eye.” At that point the dealer “warned me” nicely to not inflame the other players. This cracked me up. I made one other mild statement and he got all serious and said, “Sir, I’ve asked you nicely once, don’t make me say it again.” Of course, that was even all the more entertainment for me. Aren’t you glad you weren’t at my table?

I further kept up my table image by having a shot of Jack after every two winning hands. I don’t even want to know; but it was way too much. After lots of laughs and lots of drinks and lots of ups and downs, I cashed out $140 so I decided to cut and run. Besides, I was a little concerned about the two block walk/stagger!

Bought a burger at the 777 and took it to my room. Crashed about 2:30 a.m. and wouldn’t you know it; woke up at the crack of 6:00 a.m.! Wasn’t feeling too well so had a quart of Powerade, some ibuprofen and went back to sleep. Managed to stay in bed until about 10:30 or so. Was moving kind of slow and reminded myself that my pacing for this trip sucked so far! Time to slow down!

At 11:00 a.m. got a call from my friend, “J” who said, “I’m on my buddy; be there in two hours!” That was totally unexpected and was wondering how “unhungover” I could get in two hours. I arranged to get my room changed because I was in a King and we’re not that good of friends! After some Alka-Seltzer and my friend being directionally challenged I was in pretty good shape by the time J arrived. Also played some stupid penny keno game and wound up winning $20 bucks. When he arrived I was having some Chicken and rice soup and some wings and I was beginning to feel myself again.

He had the Blackjack itch so we started the crawl. Started at Main Street; even. Played at the California – it made me crazy. Slow dealers and even slower players. Couldn’t get into a rhythm. Stayed even through these two casinos.

Enjoyed laughing, catching up with J, and pacing my self with some Miller Lites. My body couldn’t handle my pace from the day before but was absorbing these refreshments easily.

Eventually ended up at the Fitz. Started playing Blackjack there and we were really enjoying the game. Good pace, much better dealers and a more festive atmosphere. Played here for a couple of hours; up and down but having lots of fun. Was winning lots of entries for the cruise giveaway that night with suited blackjacks, etc. So we decided to stay until the drawing.

Went on a bad run and was down to my last $10 and was digging for the ATM card. Then, the tide started turning. Turned that $10 into $200 and decided to get the hell out of there!

Went to Binions Coffee shop and had Steak and Eggs with my comp dollars from the night before. Excellent N.Y. Strip steak. Really hit the spot. I wanted to play some poker but the room was a zoo and the waiting list too long. So joined “J” at a BJ table (after first “rescuing” him from a 6/5 table – he had no idea). Lost $40 bucks there after having some fun with people from my home state of Minnesota. Didn’t like the feeling of Binions so talked J into going back to the Fitz.

Then at the Fitz I went on a monster run for a $5 dollar player. Turned my $160 into $480! It was a dream run for this low roller. We played until about midnight and I got the take the money and run itch again. Walked back to MSS and played a little more BJ, winning $40 more. Called it a night.

Had a hard time falling asleep. Heart still overbeating from that little rush I was on. First thing I thought of when I woke up was to take the money, get in my car and get out of Dodge. But I only make it here once a year for a couple of days so I quickly talked myself out of that.

Tried cycling some dollars through the Poker machines, but the money just drained away so fast. Lost $60 quickly. I’m probably not going to be invited back, for free anyway! Had the lunch buffet, mediocre – but adequate. Played some BJ at MSS but J was itching for me to go back to the Fitz and see if magic would strike again. Of course it didn’t and I blew through $200 bucks quickly. Decided my BJ magic was over so doinked around on some penny machines with little consequence. Went to the Nugget to play cards. Played some $2-4 hold-em and enjoyed the company while J went to chase his BJ dreams. Ended up losing $20 after four hours of play, but turned $20 into $99 dollars on a bathroom break on a 5 way dollar machine. So the net visit to the Nugget was profitable.

Hit the road about 4:00 p.m.; just early enough to miss Vegas traffic and timed to miss L.A. traffic completely. Arrived home at 9:30 even with two quick stops and one longer dinner stop in beautiful Baker. Enjoyed listening to baseball all the way home. Counted up when I got home and had $300 and change. So it was a cheap get away!

A day after I got home I received two free nights at MMS or Cal for June, July and August. Maybe I’ll use one of them. We’ll just see how it goes and if I can afford the gas!

That’s my report – good night everybody!

fun trip report! sounds like a blast-loved the part where you were messing with the old guy. u gotta have fun like that sometimes, and having it be a strnager makes it even better

Enjoyable report. Yep, I'm glad I wasn't at that table with you! Thanks for posting.

Great TR. Thanks for posting!

"Another time, I said, “Markie, I can’t hear you, I have a bad eye.” "

Too funny. I'll have to repeat that line!

Poker cracks me up. You always hear from the whiners about sucking out on the river, or how they folded for two hours, got a hand, bet and everyone got out. Hmmm...I thought poker was about how you played, not the cards you got? Anyway, it should be at least about having fun, which it sounds like you do!

Thank you! Nice trip report. Wish I could just get in my car and drive a few hours and be in Vegas. Might not be good for the wallet though. Thanks for sharing, enjoyed your report.

I enjoyed your tour of downtown. I'm now even more eager for my own return there in July. I don't do blackjack but do like three-card poker. Like Sailor, I'm glad I wasn't at your table! On one visit I did get going with another lady player when we decided we'd figure out how to win -- fresh lipstick, shoulders back, etc. The rest of the table was mildly amused and we received no reprimands - or winning hands, either. If I lived as close as you, I expect I'd return soon. Thanks for taking the time to do a report.

I guess I just get a lot of entertainment from people who play $2-$4 limit seriously. No one folds, you're high hands are going to get cracked and there is little skill involved. Almost everyone hand there's somebody complaining about the hand that won. It wouldn't be nearly as funny if people didn't do it every time. Just when you think people have it figured out that it's little more than a carny game where the only one who wins consistently is the house and the dealer taking in tokes. Lighten up players, or go play some higher stakes if you don't want to just have an inexpensive good time.

Murray is a regular at Binion's. Last time I visited he had actually gotten tossed about 30 minutes before I got there for harassing a dealer. Seems like they were looking out for him this time...

From one Minnesotan to another ~ Good TR!