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Post Trip Report 10-2-15 to 10-8-15, the D and Sunset Station

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by Gmoney10, Oct 15, 2015.

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  1. Gmoney10

    Gmoney10 Low-Roller

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    My Trip Report

    Wanted to do a live trip report, but kind of fell by the wayside. Decided to do a post trip report instead. Going out to Vegas with my wife for 6 days for her birthday and an early anniversary. Kids will be stayed with the grandparents. Made some plans prior to coming out. Stayed at the D for 4 nights on a mailer comp and was able to use the $25 food comp and $30 freeplay on this trip. Also used the Golden Gate $25 food comp and $50 free play. Was able to use My Vegas rewards for 2 tickets to Love and Ka, 2 for 1 lunch buffets at the Mirage and Bellagio, and used 2 free nights at Sunset Station along with the $10 comp at Café Grand and 2 free breakfast buffets. Only other planned meal was at Vic and Anthony's at the Golden Nugget for their tasting menu.

    Took the redeye out of Hawaii through LA and finally to Vegas. That trip is getting harder and harder to get through and takes a couple of days to fully recover, but no time for that in Vegas! Went to pick up our rental car at Budget booked through Costco and was surprised by the line to ride the bus and at the counter. The driver said there were several big events going on and to plan accordingly if returning the cars on Sunday due to traffic and construction. Finally got our car and off to the Mirage to pick up our show tickets. Stopped off at the MLife desk to pick up our players cards and redeem the 2 for 1 buffet reward. Went to the ticket office and picked up our Love and Ka tickets without any problems. Went to the buffet after the wife tried a slot machine for $20 that was calling out to her. Lost that. The buffet was almost $40 for lunch and the food was okay. Would not pay full price for it, though. Drove out to the D to check in and up to the room for a quick nap. Couldn't sleep so went down and gambled on the $5 dollar WOF. Went through a quick $300 without a spin :thumbsdown:. Tried some BJ and lost my $200 buy-in quickly :grrr:. Went back up to the room and wife was just waking up.

    Will continue with the rest of the first night and trip on next post.
     
  2. B S

    B S MIA

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    Looking forward to the remainder of your TR.
     
  3. ExVegasLocal

    ExVegasLocal Low-Roller

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    Looking forward to hearing about your stay at Sunset Station. I have a trip planned where 1/2 of it will be spent at Red Rock. But I was considering spending the other half at another Station property. I'm familiar with Sunset Station as I used to live near there. But I've never stayed there. Please do let us know how it was.
     
  4. wanker751

    wanker751 Dutch Rudder Enthusiast

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    Was Sigma derby up and working when you stayed at the D? We were there two days after you left and it was not. Just trying to find out if it has been broke for a while.

    Looking to the rest of the TR
     
  5. Gmoney10

    Gmoney10 Low-Roller

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    When we left I think it was still working. Saw people playing on it the night before we left.
     
  6. Tbone3336

    Tbone3336 VIP Whale

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    Great start, looking forward to the rest!
     
  7. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    Love Sunset Station, hit my first Royal there on my second "pull" before I even checked in!
     
  8. Gmoney10

    Gmoney10 Low-Roller

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    Day 1: Decided to go down to gamble and look around Fremont street. We noticed a lot of security and setting up barricades along Fremont that night. Noticed some signs that said it was "Bikerweek" and figured it would be a wild night downtown. Came to find out it was first Friday downtown and they have a free concert and locals come out to party downtown. We stayed in the D and tried different slot machines and video poker to no avail. Started getting hungry and decided to grab dinner at Coney Island Hot Dog. It was okay and a cheap dinner. We decided to venture out onto Fremont and it was packed. Ended up at the Cal and did a little gambling, but no big wins. Headed back to towards the D and stopped at Walgreens to get some drinks for the room. The long flight was catching up with us and decided to call it a night. I was out at the D for Super Bowl this year and they were just starting to install the new elevator. Nice having another elevator to get to the room and we never had to wait very long to catch an elevator. I don't know why people don't like these elevators.
     
  9. Gmoney10

    Gmoney10 Low-Roller

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    Now I know why Sonya advises to type in Word and copy and paste. This is the third try at this entry.

    Day 2: We got up and decided we didn’t want a big breakfast, so we just picked up something at McDonalds that morning. Before we left for Vegas, I told the kids they could use the freeplay from the D and Golden Gate, but they would have to choose how to play the money. On a previous trip I gave them $20 and they each chose black on roulette. They both lost. Trying to teach them that you can’t win at gambling. Do as I say, not as I do. So the older one said to play a $1 slot machine and try to win something big, while the younger one said to play half on quarter slot machine and half on quarter video poker.
    We went down to Golden Gate and used the $50 freeplay on a quarter WOF machine and played the $20 and got a couple spins and won $21.25. Went to cash the TITO and then tried to use the rest of the freeplay on quarter video poker. When I tried to get the freeplay from my players card there was no freeplay left. Went back to the original WOF and there was $30 credit still on it. Glad it was Saturday morning and not too many gamblers out and about. Played the rest of the freeplay and hit a few spins and won about $75. Went back to the D and played the freeplay on quarter video poker and won $26.25. Not bad for a 9 year old to get to spend $47.25. Went and played the $40 on a $1 Top Dollar machine for the older one. Didn’t get the offer button, but hit it for $55. I guess they will be hooked on Vegas now too.
    The rest of the day we spent shopping for ourselves and for goodies to bring back for family, friends and co-workers. Got hungry and went to In-N-Out Burger for lunch. We always stop there when in Vegas. It hit the spot. Finished up a little shopping at Trader Joe’s, then went back to the D. Made a few sports bets on college football and went 2/4, so basically broke even. Still mad at Notre Dame for not converting the 2 point conversion to go into overtime. Did some more gambling at other casinos on Fremont, but not much luck.
    Went to Dupars for a late dinner. We’ve been before and last time I tried the pancakes for breakfast, but I couldn’t finish them because I wasn’t that hungry. I figured I try them again and had a shrimp cocktail before. Wife got a shrimp cocktail and the fish and chips. We love the shrimp cocktails and usually get them if downtown. The pancakes were … pancakes. Good, but not great. I think I’m in the minority. Used the food credit and paid the rest with cash for a cheaper dinner. Did a little more gambling and went to bed after the music was done on the stage.
     
  10. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Nice start!

    And yeah, I've learned about losing long posts the hard way too. [emoji35]
     
  11. wanker751

    wanker751 Dutch Rudder Enthusiast

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    Thanks for sigma update that is good news.

    Good start to tr.
     
  12. Gmoney10

    Gmoney10 Low-Roller

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    Day 3: Sunday in Vegas during football season! :wiggle: We went to the Stratosphere and watched all the games in their showroom. I think there was 8 screens and had a betting station to wager on the games and 2 blackjack tables. Didn’t check the rules or payout for BJ, I assumed it was 6:5. Showed up a little after the doors opened at 9:00 am and was able to get a booth in the middle of the showroom. During the games we ordered the turkey nachos and the hoagie sandwich. Reasonable for 6-7 bucks each. Nachos were excellent with the turkey. It’s good atmosphere of fans cheering for their teams or bets, but no bad blood between teams/fans. Met some others cheering for the Broncos and realized one of them was there last time we went 2 years ago when the Broncos beat the Cowboys in a shootout. Had the Broncos minus 6.5 and Adrian Peterson dashed my hopes of winning this bet when he ran 70+ yards for a touchdown late in the game. At least the Broncos won the game. Won 1 bet and lost the Broncos bet. Made a 4 game parlay, but lost in the afternoon games. Got a good bet down for Carolina Panthers to win the Super Bowl at 30-1.
    Got back to the D to change and head out to the Mirage to see Love using our My Vegas rewards. We hadn’t been to a show for years when we saw Mystere. We were in the top row, but great seats as far as we were concerned. The show was amazing and the music was great. I know some of the Beatles music, but really enjoyed the music with the performers. My wife grew up listening to the Beatles from her parents love of the Beatles. She really enjoyed the show and explained some of the background to the music and Beatles history. If you get the chance I highly recommend this show.:thumbsup:
    Made it back to the D and went to the D grill for a late dinner before they closed. We ordered the barbeque ribs and breakfast country fried steak. Also, got the chocolate cake since it was my wife’s birthday. Finished the night with a little BJ at the D and won a little bit. Wife used her match play from the ACG and won on the even bet.
     
  13. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

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    Thanks for your TR, G! I'm really enjoying reading it! Your TR--combined with the 29 degrees it is outside my window right now--is making me wish I was in Vegas now!

    I second your recommendation for Love. My bride and I sat in the top row too, but we really enjoyed it!

    Wish my work calendar hadn't changed. For a few years we were able to get to Vegas for NFL week 5 or 6, just when things are getting exciting. I'll have to wait for Week 17 this year!

    Again, thanks for sharing!
    -Richard
     
  14. Gmoney10

    Gmoney10 Low-Roller

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    Here's a picture from the Stratosphere showroom during the Sunday NFL games. [​IMG]
     
  15. Gmoney10

    Gmoney10 Low-Roller

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    Day 4
    I know this trip report has been lacking on any gambling stories, but it’s because we didn’t hit anything worth mentioning. However, today brought a new Vegas story we could tell our friends back home. Two years ago, we came out to Vegas to celebrate my wife’s birthday. We got in on her birthday and stayed at Bally’s. After taking a short nap in the room, we went down to get her a player’s card. They had a promotion for new players and you scratched off prizes on an electric screen and when you got 3 of the same prize, that’s what you won. Hat, tshirt, coupons for shows …. She wins $25 freeplay. We go to the cashier’s cage and get 5 slips for $5 to put in machines. I suggest she use it on a $1 video poker machine and she plays $15 of her freeplay and wins $25.:thumbsup: Okay, that’s a win already. We are headed to go eat something for lunch and she wants to stop and play the rest of her freeplay in a $1 slot machine, 2 credit max. On her 4th spin she hits a 5x multiplier, 10x multiplyer and a 7. Nice $2500 win on her birthday using her freeplay.:beer: So, this trip she wants to go back and play “her” machine again, so we go over to Bellagio and use the 2 for 1 lunch buffet from My Vegas comp. We really enjoyed this buffet especially since we got the breakfast price for $19.99. Good quality food. Would go back again. So we head over to Bally’s and it’s raining. Not too hard, so we walk across the bridge and through the Grand Bazaar Shops – luckily it was raining so we didn’t stop to look around. We got in to Bally’s and looked for her machine. We found the general area where it was at and looked on her phone for the type of slot machine and we found the same one, we checked the number on it and everything. So she decides to put $40 in it to play with. Now you have to realize that she only brought $300 for the entire week to gamble and buy knick knacks, so $40 is a lot. She plays and gradually works it up to $60 then $80 then $90 and says she will play it down to $60 and still be up $20. 2 spins later, she hits 3 quick hits on the screen for $1000!:kiss: At least this time we don’t have to pay taxes on it. She gives me the money and tells me to put it in the safe. She never touched it and brought it back home.
    We finish up looking around Bally’s and go over to the Cromwell. I hadn’t seen it since it was Bill’s Gambling Hall. They did a great job on renovating it. Played some video poker there, but no big wins. We head back downtown after doing a little more shopping for people back home and then get ready for our dinner at Vic and Anthony’s. The Golden Nugget is only 2 casinos away, so when we went down to the lobby and towards Fremont we were surprised by a huge rain storm. There’s no way we can get there without getting soaked and who knows what it will be like after dinner, so we decide to drive over to the Golden Nugget. Called the restaurant to tell them we would be a little late and they said they would hold it for us. Only 15 min late. Dinner was excellent and we both enjoyed the tasting menu there for $49.99 each. 3 course meal and you have 3 items to choose from appetizer, entrée, side, and dessert. Wife had the salad, filet mignon, haricot verte (green beans, we had to look it up), and crème brulee. I had the lobster bisque, filet mignon, au gratin potatoes, and chocolate mousse cake. My wife really enjoyed the green beans to go with her steak. She ordered a cocktail before dinner and coffee afterwards and the bill with tip was around $150. We went back to the D and did some quick packing since we would be leaving for Sunset Station the next day. Wife decided to call it a night and I went down to play some cards. Tried to play poker at the Golden Nugget, but waited for 20 min then decided to play some BJ. Went over to the 4Q and sat down at a table. Waited to the end of the shoe then bought in for $200. As the dealer was counting out my chips, I noticed the placard that said BJ payed 6:5. I asked the dealer if BJ payed 6:5 and he said it did so I told him to give me my money back and I would go play somewhere else. Interesting that one of the pit bosses asked me where I would go and I told him at the D all the tables pay 3:2. He tells me they have a table that pays 3:2 and directs to a table in the middle aisle towards the center. I should have just walked away, just on principle of not gambling in casinos that pay 6:5, but I played a little there. Came away a little ahead and left satisfied. That will teach them! I go back to the D and play one more time with the dancing dealers and end up winning $120. Good end to a great night in Vegas.:wave:
     
  16. Gmoney10

    Gmoney10 Low-Roller

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    Here's the pic of wife's big win![​IMG]
     
  17. Gmoney10

    Gmoney10 Low-Roller

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    Here's a pic of wife's big win![​IMG]
     
  18. Mrscallahan

    Mrscallahan Tourist

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    Great tr so far! Congrats on the Quick Hit win! I love that machine :love:
     
  19. Gmoney10

    Gmoney10 Low-Roller

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    Sorry about the delay in finishing the TR. I will try to put in next entry later tonight. Thanks for being patient.
     
  20. Gmoney10

    Gmoney10 Low-Roller

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    Day 5
    Moving day! Enjoyed our stay at the D and check out was smooth. Remembered to keep one room key to get out of the parking garage without having to pay.:clap: Wife just picked up a coffee at Dunkin Donuts and a donut to tie her over til lunch. We went down Fremont street eastbound and got to see a lot of the old motels and “old Vegas”. Trying to picture what it looked like 40 or 50 years ago. Took it till it met up with Boulder Highway and followed that until we got to Sunset to go check in at Sunset Station. Got there a little before 11 am and tried to check in using a mailer offer and another room for my Aunts using our My Vegas rewards. The rooms weren’t ready, but the front desk was trying to put our rooms near each other. We went to go check out the pool area, but the security guard wouldn’t even let us go out to the pool to look around while we were waiting for our room. We met up with my Aunts, but the rooms still weren’t ready, so we left our bags with the bell desk.
    I requested we go to Pizza Rock since we never made it there when we were downtown. We drove over to Green Valley Ranch and got there around noon. Not too busy for a Tuesday and we got seated quickly. The waiter was very nice and helpful and explained some of the pizzas and history of the chef/restaurant. I knew what I wanted to try and ordered the Margherita pizza and the Cal Italia. He said they were both in the top 3 in popularity. We got to watch them put the Margherita pizza in the 900 degree oven and eagerly awaited its arrival. The waiter advised to eat it while it’s hot. It was delicious and will have it again. They brought out the Cal Italia pizza a little later and it was delicious, also. What I really liked about it was the different flavors it had and they all went well together. I will post pictures of them later.:headbang: It was worth the drive to go eat there. We also shared Tony’s Tiramisu and we all enjoyed that as well. We got a text as we finished that the rooms were ready, so we headed back to Sunset Station.
    We got checked in and they gave us our keys. We headed to the elevators and security let us pass. I kind of liked having security by the elevators since an entrance is close by. The front desk didn’t tell us how the elevator worked so we sat on the first floor until we figured out you have to insert your key in to be able to punch in your floor number. We got up to the rooms and nothing to complain about. The rooms were bigger than the D and everything was clean and the furnishings didn’t look too old or worn. Got cleaned up and headed over to the Galleria Mall to shop a little before going to Ka tonight. Picked up few things for the kids and got to sit around in the food court and talk with my Aunts. Got back to Sunset Station and had a little snack before heading out to the MGM to see Ka via My Vegas.
    The drive out to MGM wasn’t too bad and we eventually found the parking garage. The signs in the MGM were led us to the Arena without a hitch. We thought it was funny that both shows had a concession stand until we found out you can buy overpriced drinks there. Gotta make some more money for the Man. We found our seats and surprised that we weren’t that high in the upper sections. Maybe 4 rows up from the steps. Interesting how they do not allow you to take any video/pictures at all before or during the show. Looking back it made sense since they had performers going around the arena and up in the balcony. The show was fantastic and we were glad we had another show to compare with Love. Both were good, but it depends on what moves you. We both preferred Love, but our kids would like Ka better … more action. The stage in Ka is amazing and impressive how they use it in the show. We enjoyed both shows and would recommend either one if you get the chance.:popcorn We heard it was the 10th anniversary of Ka and they had an offer for buy one ticket for $69 and get a second one for $10. The show is worth the $80 for 2 tickets. After the show we looked around the MGM and caught the end of the overtime game with the Cowboys and Saints. Exciting finish. We headed over to New York, New York and looked for something to eat. We found a fish and chips place and sounded good. We looked at the menu and decided on the family meal – it was about as much as if we ordered two separate meals. The meal came out in a bucket and the pieces of fish were huge! We made a dent in the food, but you can only eat too much fried food. We ended up walking around and finally getting some souvenirs at the M&M store. Headed back to Sunset Station and the wife was going to sleep. I headed down to play some BJ.:poker: Played for about an hour and a half and left up $50 for the night.;)
     
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