Buddha’s Trip Report , Aug.27 - Sept.3 : Anniversary, Birthday, Friends, Gambling ..
Buddha’s Trip Report , Aug.27 - Sept.3 : Anniversary, Birthday, Meeting Friends, Gambling, Food, Promos, and Traffic Jam-ups
Wed. Aug. 27 : This Labor Day trip has become a regular time for us, but recently, we have been leaving the day after the holiday, missing out on many promotions. With Labor Day falling on the 1st, we decided to leave the Wednesday before the big weekend, in order to fully celebrate our anniversary, and my birthday. This was 42 years together for Mr. & Mrs. Buddha, and my birthday # 64 (does Paul McCartney come to mind ?), and my first time being able to take advantage of a few birthday promos in Vegas.
Once again, we have chosen to fly Southwest out of Indianapolis, instead of our usual flights from Chicago Midway. I caught a “DING” about 3 months back for INDY & LAS for $90 p/p each way, which was a savings of almost $200 from the Midway prices. Even the economy parking at Indy is $2.25 / day less than Midway, and the airport is smaller & much less congested, and gasoline is about 40 cents / gallon cheaper … all making the 3.5 hour drive worth it. Our SWA plane actually pulled away from the gate 5 minutes early, and in no time at all, we were airborne to Vegas, arriving 20 minutes ahead of schedule.
With “Quicksilver” reservation in hand, our first job was to pick up the rental car from Alamo. From the time we walked into the rental facility, used the self-service Kiosk … there were about 50 people doing the old “wait-in-line” processing … printed out our reservation slip, walked up to the Alamo garage level, picked out our car, checked out, and drove away … was about 10 minutes. Compact Chevy Cobalt for a final all-in total of $128.94 for a full 7 days.
Since we were already on the south side of town, we headed down to South Point to get Sunday show tickets for comedian Ralphie May (“Last Comic Standing”), using a 2/1 coupon from the Casino Player fun book. Quickly onto the I-15 North, for the trip to Fremont St., and the drive just as quickly came to a complete stop, with nothing but brake-lights in front of us, and a warning sign, “Accident ahead - all lanes closed.” This was not a good way to start our happy trip. I immediately tried to exit at Blue Diamond Rd. (by the Silverton), in order to use the Industrial frontage road (Dean Martin Way), but so were about 100 other vehicles. After creeping along, through several light changes, we made it over to the frontage road, only to be bogged down again at Tropicana, waiting again through several more light changes, trying to get back onto the I-15. Total trip up to Fremont St. was about 80 minutes !!!!!
Check-in at the Four Queens was quick & easy. We were staying there on a 3-night comp offer, which also included a “VIP Meal Passport” for an allowance of $45/day at Magnolia’s and the Deli. After getting situated in the room (south side of North Tower), I once again discovered that my laptop could pick up the wireless signal from the Golden Nugget … YES !!! Slightly hungry from our day of travel, we headed down to the Deli for a late lunch of freshly made sandwiches, chips, drinks, and condiments. Show the Passport, sign the receipt … Free !!
Now to the main attraction for this stay at the Four Queens … the “Top It Off” promo, earning free Shell gas cards, and free-play, based on your casino points earned. Nancy and I quickly settle in to a variety of JOB, Bonus, and DW video poker (both playing on my cards). After about 3300 coin-in, we were down $32, and decided to take a break, and go on a small coupon run. First stop was Fitzgerald’s for a win on a $5 MP (+10), and immediately back outside for the brief walk down to El Cortez. The EC had sent us an offer which included $25 free-play, and sure enough, it was already loaded into my account. I unfortunately picked the VP machine from hell, and was only able to salvage a $13 profit after the one-cycle through. Back to the Fitz for another $5 MP (different table, different dealer), and I’m dealt a BJ for a nice, easy win (+12.50), and I tipped the dealer $1.50 (chips). I decided not to do the Birthday points promo at the Fitz, when I found out that you have to cycle $10 coin-in (for 1 point), in order to be awarded $5 worth of “free” points. No big advantage there …..
So, for this ½ day of action, we find ourselves $2 ahead. Can you feel the excitement … ??? We decided to celebrate our big success with a late night dinner at Magnolia’s. Nancy chooses the prime rib special, and I go for the country-fried steak dinner …. all covered under our meal passport. We fully enjoyed our meal, as we survived the first day in our favorite city. It’s only 10:15 pm, and we’re running out of steam … time for bed … more fun ahead …
Thurs. Aug. 28 : This morning, we are meeting friends for breakfast at the Gold Coast buffet at 9:00. But, since we retired somewhat early last night, we were awake early … taking care of morning duties, showers, and getting dressed for another day of fun. With some extra early time, we hit the Four Queens casino, to continue on with their “Top It Off” promo play. We squeezed in about an hour’s worth of play, losing $48, and we were off to the Gold Coast to meet Darryl, Carolyn, and Carolyn’s mother, Helen (Mum), from Pittsburgh. Darryl and I have been trading coupons, emails, and pictures for a couple years now, but never met in person, until now … but we all felt we knew each other by now. Lots of friendly talk on many subjects, along with good breakfast food at the Gold Coast buffet (POV 2/1 , plus points … $0).
This breakfast meeting was of different emotions … Nancy and I are just starting our trip, and Darryl, Carolyn, and Helen are going home tomorrow. Darryl surprises me with a birthday card, and acquires a piece of chocolate cake, and a lighted candle (with the help of our servers), and everyone gathered around to serenade me with “Happy Birthday” (which is tomorrow). Lots of fun & laughs … thanks Darryl !!!
We say our “good-byes”, and I win two $5 MP’s before leaving the Gold Coast … (+10) and (+15 on a double-down). We head back to the Four Queens for more video poker on their promo, and after a couple hours, we have lost another $65. Not exactly how this was supposed to work, but the losses have been minimal. We decide to take a break, and walk around Fremont Street, as I stop in at the Fitz for a losing MP (-$5). We take a stroll through Binion’s, to see if there has been any improvements since the owners of the Four Queens took over. There are more hard-wood floor sections, the player’s club has been moved further north to a central location in front of the security area, there are more gaming tables back on the west side, and the Big Wheel female “dealer/operator” by the far southeast doorway was showing an ABUNDANCE of cleavage, attracting a large crowd of players to this crappy game. But …. The video poker is still bad (mostly left over from the Harrah’s change-over) … hard to find much of anything that was playable.
We return to the 4Q for a small lunch at the Deli … Nancy opts for a Turkey sandwich, and I select a large mint chocolate chip waffle cone … yummy !!!! We present our Meal Pass, sign the receipt, and leave. I guess I have been remiss in mentioning that with all of these free meals and buffets, appropriate tips are always left for waiters, waitresses, and servers. In fact, tips made up the largest portion of our “out-of-pocket” expenses.
Time for a little more VP at the 4Q, to keep pace with our goal on the gas & free-play promo, as return to our usual machines for some JOB and Bonus Poker. We’re not hitting anything bigger than a few 4ofKind, but we managed to eke out a small win. Time for a road trip, as we head out for the Sahara.
I always like to hit the Sahara a couple times each trip, to use MP’s and the POV 50/40 coupon. The drive down is easy, and the Sahara parking garage off Paradise Rd. is convenient, but it has the absolute slowest (and dirtiest) elevators in town. My usual strategy at the Sahara is to do a $5 MP at the far north end of the pit first (- $5), then go to the cage and buy my $50 of chips for $40 with the POV coupon. I play these at a middle table, and on a good run, end up with $65 of red chips (+25), and play another $5 MP before leaving the table, but I lose again (- $5). Lastly, I go to the far south end for a final MP, finally hitting a winning hand (+10).
Since tomorrow (Friday) is 5X points at the Orleans, we decide to drive down there, have a couple before dinner free drinks (ACG), and scope out the VP machine inventory. Overall, things did not look good, as almost all of the 8/5 Bonus Poker on the floor has been downgraded to 7/5 and 6/5, and we could only find one bank of machines that had 16/10/4/4 DW by the Alligator entrance. We did find out that most bar-top machines still have the 8/5 Bonus, and there are still five 9/6 JOB Triple Play machine to the southeast of the hotel front desk. We head over to the Cabaret bar … I, being the driver, stick to O’Doul’s non-alcoholic beer, and Nancy has a couple of Amaretto Stone Sours (her favorite) … (ACG $0), plus tip.
After a quick trip back up the I-15 brings us back downtown to the 4Q, park the car, and head to Magnolia’s for a 9:00 pm dinner. We were surprised how busy they were, and actually had to wait a few minutes for a table to be cleared. Nancy decides on the Teriyaki Chicken and Rice, with a salad, and I select the Salmon dinner and Manhattan clam chowder. After a full day of chasing around, it was nice to finish off the evening with a nice meal … (meal pass $0). And by the time we left Magnolia’s, it was 75% empty.
Time for bed … more fun tomorrow …..
Fri. Aug. 29 : Another fine morning, and time for a free breakfast. In the previously mentioned El Cortez mailer, with the $25 free-play, there was also a coupon for a free breakfast buffet for 2. This is not an elaborate buffet by any means, but they do have all the basic breakfast items, along with an omelet station, and a variety of VERY fresh pastries & donuts. Good enough for us, and it’s FREE !!!
Having finished with breakfast, we head out north for the Santa Fe Station for my free $25 birthday bet (this can only be done on the exact day of your birthday). Easy drive up Rte. 95 North to the Rancho exit … you can’t miss seeing the hotel/casino, as it’s right there at the side of the highway. This is a very nice property, with LOTS of video poker, and I would probably stay here, if it wasn’t so far out from everything else that I like. We find the tables pit, way in the back, and get the attention of the pit boss, showing him my ID, and be happily arranges for my free bet, with the nearby BJ dealer. I’m dealt a 17, with the dealer showing an 8, and I have to stand pat. Dealer turns over a 4, hits with a 10, and I win a nice green chip. I then ask the pit boss if I can play my own $25 MP on another bet, with my new green chip, and he happily agrees (one of the friendliest pit critters I’ve ever met). This time I’m dealt 18, and the dealer turns over BJ … and my bet is gone. Had those cards been one card off, that BJ might have been mine, and I would have walked away with a total win of $87.50 …. DAMN !!! Easy come, easy go ….
We would have stayed and played some VP, but we headed back to the Four Queens to put in some more play on their “Top It Off” promo. After cycling through another 2K, we pass the 1200 point threshold ($8 coin-in = 1 point) that was our goal, losing $21. The maximum level for the promo was 2000 points, but we did not want to risk another 6400 coin-in, and we had other places to go. For our total play points in this promo, we get a sunshade for the car, $30 in Shell gas cards, $85 in free-play, and $31 cash-back.
Before heading out for other activities, we stop by the 4Q Deli for a quick lunch, two hefty turkey sandwiches and chips, using the Meal Passport ( $0 ). We still have one night left at the 4Q, but this afternoon, we are heading down to check in at the RIO. As a special treat for our anniversary & my birthday, we are taking advantage of a special offer for 3 nights (Fri-Sat-Sun) in the Ipanema Tower. We found the Carnival parking garage off of Valley View Blvd., and check-in was quick & easy. In fact, much quicker than the walk from the parking garage, and down the outer hallway to enter by the buffet, past the buffet, past the All-American Grill, past the security station, past the jewelry vendors & Starbucks counter, around to the elevators, up to the 5th floor, and down the hallway about 50 yards … Whew !!! And, we look out the window at our view, and see only the back, commercial delivery & garbage area …. Gee thanks. The room was large & beautiful, and very comfortable, and we’ll only be sleeping here for two nights …. But the long walk only reminds us why we like the smaller properties downtown and off-strip.
After the long walk back to our car in the garage, we head off to the Orleans for 5X points. I find the Triple Play JOB, and Nancy tries the 16/10/4/4 DW with no luck, and heads off to the back bar (by the poker room) for some 8/5 Bonus Poker. I have a few good runs, and cash out a couple good tickets, but still lose $14, but also get a nice hefty boost with my birthday points given by the Orleans. Nancy wins money at the bar, but short of what she lost at the DW machine. After grabbing a couple free drinks at the Orleans (ACG), we head over to the Gold Coast to find out many VP machines have been downgraded. I play some 8/5 Bonus for a few minutes (+ 5), and automatically am awarded more birthday points from the Gold Coast on my player’s card …. Sweet !!!
We head back down to the Four Queens, hoping to meet up with our friend STL Mike, but could not locate him. About 9:00 pm, we head up to Magnolia’s for our last free passport meal. Nancy chooses the Philly cheese-steak platter, and I opt for the BBQ chicken breast dinner …. tasty and “free” . We check around for Mike again to no avail, and decide to go on another quickie MP run. A quick stop at a Fitz BJ table finds me going bust looking at the dealer’s 10 (- $5), down to the El Cortez for another bust hand, along with a 2nd loss with my 19 looking at a 4-card 20 (- $10) …. drats !!! Back to the Fitz where my 13 becomes a winner as the dealer’s 5 goes bust … hooray for me !!! (+ $10). Returning to the 4Q, Mike is still nowhere to be found, and we head for bed. Another busy day tomorrow ……
Sat. Aug. 30 : Today is free gift promotion day at the new Eastside Cannery on Boulder Highway, and also the original Cannery up north on Craig Rd. But, first of all, we take in the early graveyard breakfast at the El Cortez coffee-shop, using the $5 coupons from two of their fun books. Two basic bacon & eggs platters, with hash browns & toast, and a pot of coffee fill the bill, and with the two coupons, the bill comes to 54 cents !! Not free, but close enough …. LOL !!!
Next we walk back to the Four Queens, gather up all our belongings, pack the suitcases, and check out …. No charges, and we’re off to move all of our gear up into our room at the RIO. Of course, this means the long death walk from the garage, with our suitcases & other gear in tow. Nancy suggests that they should really have benches or couches in the upstairs hallways for senior folks to take a rest stop on the way to their rooms. We get stuff unpacked, and we organize our routine for the day. A return walk to the parking garage, and we’re off to the Eastside Cannery.
A drive down Flamingo Rd. to Boulder Hwy, (by Sam’s Town), and a turn south for about a ¼ mile brings us to the to the “EC”. I was glad we came in the morning hours, and found decent parking, because from the grand opening on the 28th, there have been big crowds, and a severe lack of parking. We were really impressed by electric atmosphere on the EC, the overall layout, and lots of new VP machines (many which are the comfortable slant-tops with large HD/LCD (???) screens. Many 8/5 Bonus, and a few JOB and FP-DW.
Nancy settles in at a single-line 8/5 bonus, while I go find a BJ to play one of the ACG Nevada Palace $10 MP’s (pre-printed for use at the EC). I turn a 13 into a 20 for a quick win (+ $20), and excitedly go find a Triple Play 8/5 Bonus console. Things don’t go as well here, as I drop ( - $125 ) here in about 90 minutes, but fortunately, Nancy has had better luck, winning about $80. I put about 3500 points on my new EC card, and we head over to the C.A.N. club to collect some free gifts. UH-OH !!! The line is about 100 feet long, but my dear wife offers to wait in line while I rest my sciatica on some nickel VP. I will say that the clerks were working at lightning speed, and in about 35 minutes, Nancy is just about at the front ropes, and I quickly cash out my VP ticket ( - $9), and trade places in line with her. I was pretty sure I had enough play to get an EC hat and a new Dri-Fit shirt, but the clerk says, “You have enough for everything”, as she ALSO brings out an EC silk “camp shirt”. I am now an official EC clothes-horse !!!
Before leaving, I decided to play another ACG $10 MP, and get dealt two 7’s against a dealer’s 5. I pull out another $10, split the 7’s (coupon stays on first 7), and I get another 7. Out comes another $10 for a split, and now I have three hands starting with a 7 … follow along closely. I now get a 3 on the first 7, and I bring out another $10 for a Double, and catch a 9 (19). On the 2nd 7 , I receive a 8, and stay (15). On the 3rd 7 , I get ANOTHER 7 , and put out another $10 for another split (now four hands). Again, on the 3rd 7, I receive a 4, and put out another $10 for a Double, and catch an 6 (17), and on the last 7, I receive a 2 (chickened out on the double) and an Ace (20), and I’m looking at an advantage potential for a $70 win. Dealer now turns over a 3 for an 8, and pulls a 10 for 18. It’s a good thing I was a Math major, because we now needed an accountant to sort out the credits & debits. I win the first & last hands (+ 40), and lose the 2nd and 3rd hands (- 30) … for a $10 win ….. Whew !!!!
As we are finally leaving, we pass by the new “tableside” buffet … supposedly waitresses retrieve your selections for you (sounds dumb & slow) … and there appeared to be over 100 people waiting in line for a table.
We get out to the car, and head up Boulder Hwy., and unto the I-515 heading northwest, exit at Eastern Ave., proceed further north to Lake Mead Rd., west to Lohsee Rd., and up north to the original Cannery. We did all this to avoid all the road construction on the I-15 , north of the “spaghetti bowl”.
We’re used to the promotions at the Cannery, and today is a “Red Star” day, and with a copy of their monthly calendar of promotions, they have a selection of free gifts. Nancy selects a small crystal candy dish, and I pick out a box of two vacuum space-saving clothes bags. Before heading to the 8/5 Bonus VP machines, I win a $10 MP (+ 20) … but eventually lose $25 on VP, but have enough points for another free “Dri-Fit” shirt (points are not deducted in these promos). Nancy has equally bad luck at VP, losing $38, and to top it off, I do one more $10 MP, have to take a hit on a stiff hand, and go bust (- $10).
We decide to have the Cannery lunch buffet … ACG 2/1 (- $10) … before it closes, and before the free “Summer Bash” music concert begins at 4:00 at “The Club”. Lunch buffet was very good, with an assortment of fish, shrimp, flank steak, BBQ pulled pork, pot roast, and the carving table, along with many side dishes. We then got into a loooonnnggg line for the concert, and wondered where everyone was going to sit … ??? But, as the line moved & snaked through the casino, we passed right by the entry doors to The Club, and headed to the OUTSIDE doors, where they had bleachers set up for an OUTSIDE concert !! It was 103 damn degrees outside !!!! We took a pass on that, stepped out of line, and headed for the parking garage, choosing to return to the RIO for a break from the action.
By the time we got back to our room at the RIO, we flopped into bed … NO, not for that !!! We needed a power nap, and we are both asleep in 5 minutes. We must have been more tired than we thought, as we slept for almost 3 hours. Refreshed from our nap, we wash up, put on some fresh clothes, and head for the Orleans for a little VP, and some relaxation at the Cabaret Lounge for some free drinks (ACG), and to watch tonight’s band, “The Edge”. A nice way to end the day’s activities, some good rock music … we sit through two full sets and more free drinks (ACG), and it’s midnight when we head out back to the RIO.
A train ride in the morning …..
Sun. Aug. 31 : Today, our itinerary and promos take us to the extreme ends of the area. I did not keep track of the mileage, but we enjoyed the day. Our first destination is the Southern Nevada Railroad Museum in Boulder City. This is not only an outdoor display of old trains & locomotives, but they have a completely refurbished passenger train that takes you on a 40 minute ride … open only on Sat. & Sun. The fee for the ride is $8, but there are $1 off coupons on their website.
We start out down Flamingo Rd., and decide to first stop at Terrible’s for a 2/1 brunch buffet (POV - $10 ). I know full-well that this is a very basic buffet … nothing fancy … but it was on the way, and I had a couple other coupons to use there. We had the basic breakfast items, as well as a few additional meat choices … turkey, roast beef, BBQ meatballs, etc., and were good to go. Downstairs, I lay down a POV - $10 MP on a BJ table, look at another lousy 13, but the dealer shows a 4, and goes bust. (+ $20). Over to the sloooww player’s club, I renew my player’s card, and get another free t-shirt (POV).
Off we go again down Flamingo, but stop to top off the gas tank (3.63 / gal) for our marathon drive today. Onto to the I-515 south, we head for Boulder City. Upon entering town, look for Yucca St. at the Taco Bell (thanks Darryl), and turn left … you can’t miss it. We made it easily for the 10:00 am train ride, but there are other rides at 11:30, 1:00, and 2:30. Very interesting place, if you like old trains, and the volunteer conductors are more than happy to explain various points of information along the ride. We buy some souvenirs for our grand-kids at their gift shop, and we are ready for part 2 of today’s schedule.
Back out on Rte. 95, and onto the 515 north, and eventually off onto the 215 west & north … heading to … the Rampart Casino. It’s a long, but easy drive on a Sunday late morning … the 215 goes all the way up, past the Red Rock Hotel/Casino, to the Summerlin Pkwy (turn right), and over to the Rampart Blvd exit (I told you it was going to be the extreme ends of the area). The reason for getting to the Rampart was three-fold … 2X points today, ACG $20 MP’s, AND … the Promenade Café has their senior early-bird dinner (3:00 - 5:00 pm - Sun. -Thurs.).
Found a parking spot in the garage, right by the casino entry door, and we are at one of our favorite places. We scope out the usual VP offerings, and I stop at a BJ table for my “first” ACG - MP. I lay down my MP coupon & $20, and the dealer doesn’t bat an eye. HOWEVER … an overly aggressive pit boss lady spots my coupon, and asks for my ACG card and Rampart player’s card, and promptly logs me into her computer …. Damn !! I know now that will be the only MP for me today. Luckily, I get dealt 20, for a nice $40 win. Off to the VP machines, Nancy settles in at her favorite slant-top on the outer ring of the Round Bar, with 9/6 JOB, 8/5 Bonus, and 16/10/4/4 DW. I’m grab a seat just about 50 feet away at a 10-play nickel machine, with the same three game offerings. After a couple hours of racking up a bunch of 2X points, I am ahead $31, but Nancy has lost $50 … but a “team” profit with my MP.
It’s now 3:00 pm, and time for the senior early-bird dinner. The Promenade Café is a very nice “coffee-shop”, looking out over the casino, and this $4.99 meal is one of our regular visits. You only get a choice of two entrée dishes, but you don’t know what they are until you get there. Included is either soup or salad, rolls, coffee/tea/iced tea, and a slice of pie for dessert (several choices). Nancy starts off with the tomato basil soup, and chooses the BBQ beef sandwich (huge) platter, with fries and a pickle. I select the house salad, and the spaghetti & Italian sausage dinner. For dessert, Nancy has chocolate cream pie, and I have my favorite banana cream pie … yummy !!! I pay the $9.98 with my card points (free, and no tax on a comp).
From the Rampart, we drive back to the RIO, to freshen up for the evening activities … at the South Point, another far side of town. This is the night we have the 2/1 (Casino Player) show tickets to see the comedian Ralphie May (“Last Comic Standing”) at 7:30. Since they opened up the Silverado exit off the I-15 several months back, it’s a quick & easy drive down, and into their parking garage. First business at hand is for Nancy to get set up at the player’s club for her $10 free-play (Casino Player). We then find the new full-pay VP machines about 50 feet down to the right of the player’s club, which all have 9/6/90 JOB, but play very slowly, with no speed adjustment. I save us a couple seats, and begin playing quarters, and Nancy eventually shows up to do her free-play on nickels. I’m losing a little, when only a few hands into her free-play, Nancy hits 4 Jacks, leading to a completed free-play cycle win of $12.50. Unfortunately, Nancy then tries continuing on with a fresh $20, and loses it. I am now on my 3rd $20, losing again, when I’m dealt the 2-4-5-6 of spades, and surprisingly hit the 3 spades for a 450 quarter straight flush !! I cash out for a $48 overall win. We still have more time before the show, so we head toward the showroom, and find some nearby machines … Nancy on an 8/5 Bonus slant-top, and me on a 9/6 JOB Triple Play upright. The cocktail waitress gets up a couple pre-show free drinks, and we play for about 45 minutes more. Nancy plays the whole time on one $20, up & down, up & down, and with only $8 left hits 4 Aces for $100, and a quick cash-out for an $88 win. I wasn’t having much luck on my triple-play machine, losing about $65, when I was dealt the 6-7-8-9 hearts, and on the middle line, up pops the 10 hearts, for a 250 quarter win, giving me back most all of my losses on this session, and I cash out.
If you saw Ralphie May on TV, he is a short obese person, and at this performance, he appeared even heavier. He literally waddled sloooowwwly onto center stage, and hardly moved from that spot. Hopefully, at his young age, he can get his weight under control, before he turns into another “Big Elvis”. He expectedly does a lot of “fat” jokes, and much of his act is very politically IN-correct, as his jokes insults several various types of people. Some parts of his act did not result in big laughs, and other parts were very funny, but he needs a more polished presentation. We met him out in the casino after the show, and he is VERY fan-friendly, shaking hands & talking to everybody, and signing anything people handed him.
We though of staying around the South Point for some free drinks (ACG), and some more VP, but it was along active day, and we were tired. Back to the Rio for our last night’s sleep in that comfy bed. Tomorrow is another moving day ……
Mon. Sept. 1 (Labor Day) : Awake early, as is our standard pattern, showered, dressed, and packed up … I do the TV on-screen check-out, and find a room charge of $1.25 for a phone call I made to an “800” number. I select leaving it on my charge card, as I don’t feel like waiting in line downstairs to pay this silly fee. We are eventually moving into the Vegas Club downtown, but not until noon.
Today is 6X points at the Gold Coast, and we are conveniently meeting Nancy & Jeff from NJ at the Gold Coast buffet at 8:30 am. We have a free hour to play a little before breakfast, but first, I try an ACG - $5 MP … get a stiff hand, and go bust (- $5). The brief VP session brings about a nice $68 profit, and we spot Nancy & Jeff . Nancy and I have traded coupons a few times, and we last saw each other at a big meet at Paris a couple trips back, and it’s always nice to get together whenever we get the chance. We update each other on recent news, and exchange Vegas war stories, as we all enjoy a hearty breakfast. More talk, more laughs, and more food & coffee, and we say our good-byes until another time.
Nancy and I decide to do some more VP here at the Gold Coast, since it’s still 6X points. But unfortunately, I give back $22 of my earlier wins, and Nancy has worse luck … down $86. That’s why it’s called gambling, because we certainly didn’t take advantage of those bonus points. Time to head for the Vegas Club.
Last May, we had our host put us up in a Plaza Deluxe room in the Tower facing Fremont Street. We were not happy with that room, and the loooonngg walk to the parking garage. So, for this trip, we requested a room at the Vegas Club in the North Tower. These are much nicer, larger rooms, with an extended sitting area, with a full couch, lounge chair, and coffee table, and an additional mirrored vanity counter (no sink) in the sleeping area. We had the end room (917), with the floor-to-ceiling windows looking straight south down Main Street, with the lights of the Strip in the distance. And … the North Tower elevators are only a very short walk to the inside elevator to the parking garage … very convenient.
The Plaza has a little bit more to play … 9/6 JOB and 8/5 Bonus … than the Vegas Club, but we find that some of our usual machines have been downgraded. Nancy has no luck at all, and eventually goes for ice cream after dropping about $70. I stay and play and play and play, working hard to scrape out a $10 profit, but put about 2400 points on my card. I meet Nancy back in the room, watching TV, still lamenting her bad luck at the VP machines.
We relax for an hour, and freshen up for dinner, with plans on meeting another Vegas friend, “Coupon-Mark” from Wisconsin. Mark is a long-time trader friend of mine, and we regularly exchange emails on a variety of topics, but often on the topic of advantage casino play, and casino promotions. We meet in front of Magnolia’s for dinner at 6:00 pm, and are quickly seated. Mark gets a steak dinner with his 4Q meal pass, and I use an ACG 2/1 coupon as Nancy orders Lasagna, and I get the open face turkey mashed potatoes & gravy … mountain high & delicious. (- $12). Mark has been beating the pavement doing MP’s, even more than I … and we swap many stories, good & bad, about our current trips. Mark loves his Vegas trips as much as I do, and we both seek out the challenge of the games, and the ever ongoing search for each & every advantage in making (and saving) money. Great seeing you, Mark …..
After dinner, I run in to the Fitz, and win a quick $5 MP (+ $10). Nancy wants to watch her Monday TV shows (upset with today’s losses), but I return to the Plaza for more VP, and a MP. The VP was again tough to get into a winning cycle, and after playing about 1000 points, I’m down $31. I switch gears, and take out a $25 house MP coupon card. I have two of these left over from our May trip, with a printed expir. date of 12-31-08. I find a BJ table shuffling up, put out my coupon & money, the dealer looks at it, and calls over the pit boss. This rude Asian gentleman looks at my coupon, and without any pleasant discussion or explanation, blurts out, “No more coupons, coupons over, coupons no good !” He reminded me of the “Soup Nazi” on the Seinfeld show. I pointed out the December expiration date, and I tried to explain that I was given this coupon as a guest back in May, and that I was again a hotel guest now. He again repeated his “No more coupons” mantra, and I tried to point out that this was the Plaza’s OWN coupon … not from an outside coupon book or magazine, but directly from them, with their OWN printed date. All he kept saying, was “No more coupons, coupons no good !” … over & over & over …..
I finally gave up, took back my money AND the MP coupon, and went looking for my host … who I find out is off on Monday’s. I then go to the player’s club, and offer my complaint issue, and the kind lady there completely understood my dilemma, and tried to get another host for me to talk to, but he was busy at the Vegas Club, with other bigger fish than me.
It was then, right there at that point, that I decided that Nancy and I would play no more on Tuesday, or ever, at the Plaza/Vegas Club properties, until I get some resolution on this issue. I have an email into my host, and am waiting for a response. Bed time, and a different agenda for Tuesday …..
Tues. Sept. 2 : Today was supposed to be more play at the Plaza, but I nixed that. A new plan arises, and we’re up early, showered & dressed, and decided to drive out to the Rampart for their “Senior Early Riser” breakfast special, 5:00-8:00 am, in the Promenade Café. They offer four breakfast choices, including coffee & tea, for $1.99. We leave Fremont Street about 6:15, and hop onto the Rte 95 Expwy, with traffic not a problem. But then, about a ½ mile before the Decatur St. interchange, we start seeing lots of brake lights, and then we notice 3 helicopters hovering in the air ahead. We start hearing more news reports on the car radio … a 4-car accident on the Expwy, on the other side of Decatur, with traffic at a complete standstill. Sheeesh …. This is how we started our first day of this trip on the I-15. After about a full hour of creeping a few feet at a time, the gridlock finally opens up, getting us to the Rampart, in time for our early riser breakfast..
Both Nancy and I order the basic eggs over medium breakfast … bacon for her, sausage for me … hash browns, toast, and coffee …. All for $1.99 each !! They also have three other choices, with an omelet, or pancakes, or oatmeal. It was as good a basic breakfast as you would get anywhere, and I paid with my points (free). Not a bad deal …..
After breakfast, I take my chances at doing an ACG - $20 MP, but this pit boss only takes a brief look at the coupon, and I’m good to go. I’m dealt a 2 / 5, with the dealer showing an 8, and I pull a 4-card 21 … Yes !
But wait … the dealer turns over a 4, takes a 3, followed by 6 … for 21. A push … Damn !! That was a $40 win almost in my pocket. I get to replay my MP bet, and I’m dealt a 14, with the dealer showing a King … that’s not a fair fight, and I take a hit, draw a Queen, and I’m a loser … a $60 negative swing !!
With that unfortunate hand, I’m also reminded of my B-day MP at Santa Fe, and the multi-split hands at the Eastside Cannery. Those three situations combined for about a possible $200 negative swing to my gaming bankroll ….. Woulda, coulda, shoulda …. as we gamblers always say.
We play a couple hours of VP … I win $30, and Nancy ekes out a $1 profit … and I realize that I have earned enough points for today’s Rampart giveaway … a gourmet fruit juice press, which we will award to one of our grown children. We drive back to Fremont Street, stopping at the El Cortez to redeem my promo coupon at the player’s club for two free ice cream bars … delish !! Over to the Vegas Club, park the car, and retrieve my laptop from our room, and head over to MSS, where a free wireless signal is available. I check our email, and then log in to the Southwest web page for purposes of reserving our boarding passes for tomorrow (Wed.). Success … “A” passes for both of us, which we will print out at the airport self-service kiosks.
Following that business, we run into our friends Claire & Deb, who we are having dinner with later, before heading to the Strip for separate shows. Many of our trips seem to coincide with similar time periods of the year, and we see each other often on Vegas trips. All four of us head off to separate gaming areas …. Nancy winning $28, and I make a $55 profit, with 6 scratch cards for an extra $12. We all go to freshen up before the evening activities, and we meet back at the MSS buffet …T-bone steak night. Claire had his MSS meal pass, and I used an FSE 2/1 coupon, and a $15 charge for Nancy and I. A good dinner, and even better with Vegas friends, as we get caught up on each other’s news, and trip notes. After dinner, we take our rental car, and drop Claire & Deb at the Palazzo, for their “Phantom” show, and Nancy and I continue around to the back parking garage at the Imperial Palace, where I managed to score free tickets for the “Legends” show. We have seen the Legends a couple times in the past, but this was the best one ever.
After the show, we dabbled around the IP casino for 30-40 minutes, and eventually got the car, and returned to the Palazzo to pickup Claire & Deb at 10:00, as we planned. I do have to admit that we were a few minutes late, as I couldn’t find the rental car. We were on the wrong floor, but I kept pushing the remote button, and could hear the car beeping below. Down a floor, push the remote button, and … AHA … there it is. Funny now … not then …..
Upon returning to the MSS, we say our good-byes to our friends, and Nancy and I decide to stay in the casino for another hour or so of VP. My lucky Triple Play machine turns on me, for a $49 loss, but Nancy’s MSS good fortune continues, with a $52 win. Time for bed ……
Wed. Sept. 3 : Today is departure day … the end of another fun time in Vegas. We shower, dress, and carefully pack away all of our clothes and free casino gifts … thinking we would need extra luggage. But we squeezed it all in, and Nancy put the juice press in her special canvas travel bag carry-on. We check out from the Vegas Club … no charge … and we head for the Gold Coast for one final breakfast with friends, before turning in the rental car, and heading to the airport.
I did one final MP at the Gold Coast before breakfast, and get dealt a BJ, and some dirty looks from the players that were already playing before I showed up. The dealer pays me $15 (should be $12.50), and I leave quickly, as it is not my job to train the dealers, as I have stated in several trip reports before.
We meet up with Garry (“Kemosabe”) and Marcia, and head off to the buffet. I use a POV 2/1, and points for a FREE breakfast for Nancy and I. Garry is also a member of OpenVegas, and we trade coupons often, and meet regularly in Vegas. We are now ending our current trip, and Garry & Marcia are just starting theirs … I wish we could stay longer. Gary and Marcia live only about 20 miles from us back in Illinois, but we meet out in Vegas where the action is. We tell them about all of our adventures, and they are all excited about their turn at the excitement. A nice get-together, and time to run.
We stop on Warm Springs Rd., to top off the gas tank, return the rental in quick speed, and we’re at the airport, going through security in record time. A very smooth flight home, and a 3.5 hour drive from INDY has us home safe. Next trip … tentatively in mid-December.
Final Summary :
>>> Gambling - VP : Team Losses (- $319)
>>> Gambling - MP’s : + $156
>>> Out of pocket meal costs : (- $36)
>>> Tips (all types) : (- $ 74)
>>> Comps & freebies : well over $1000 in value
(rooms, meals, drinks, show tickets, gas cards, shirts, hat, crystal dish, juice press, etc.
If you made it this far … Congratulations … and thanks for reading.
Any comments or questions are always welcome, but please forgive any typos.
Buddha (Jim)
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"Curiosity is one of the permanent characteristics of a vigorous mind."
Last edited by Buddha777 : 09-08-2008 at 06:32 PM.
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Sounds like you had a fabulous time!
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