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Flamingo/South Point – May 21 to 26, 2013

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by buzz_king, May 30, 2013.

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  1. buzz_king

    buzz_king Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Iowa
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    My Trip Report

    Buzzette and I are early 40’s Midwesterners, happily unmarried for 21 years. This trip would be my 42nd and her 35th. Our first trip was in October 1995 and we stayed at MGM. We now stay primarily at South Point with a few nights on the Strip thrown in.

    Delta is our best option for flights out of MSP so a few years ago I signed up for the Delta SkyMiles American Express card. I got my annual $99 companion airfare in October before they discontinued it. I found flights for $317.80 and $120.80 for May 21-26. We had a 9:00 AM flight out so we also booked a “Stay and Fly” in Eagan.

    We began planning this trip in February which is before my South Point offers for May arrive. It was the same case last year so I contacted a host. We contacted her again for an October family trip. This trip, she comped three nights (May 23-26) in a city view room upfront and then later added my May offer to the room which included $20 each in freeplay and resort credit, and most importantly for Buzzette, 25% off at the Spa. Also, the resort fee was waived with the comp.

    While waiting my host’s response for South Point, I also booked a three night offer with $15 resort credit at the Flamingo (May 21-24). I booked this prior to the introduction of resort fees at CET. Since I would potentially have to pay the resort fee if I rebooked, I kept the three nights which allowed us to checkout at our leisure on the 23rd. I did not pay a resort fee but I also did not have internet.

    I booked and rebooked car rentals several times. We ended up with an Intermediate from Enterprise for $120.09.
     
  2. buzz_king

    buzz_king Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Tuesday

    Our Tuesday morning flight was uneventful and found us landing in Las Vegas early at 10:05 AM. We picked up our Dodge Avenger from Enterprise and were quickly on our way to Town Square Mall. At TSM, we went to Tix4Tonight to buy tickets for Tuesday night’s Rock of Ages. We then had the California Club pizza a California Pizza Kitchen and did a little shopping.

    We drove to the Mirage and walked across the street to the Venetian to pick up our Rock of Ages tickets. This is when we realized the idiot sold us tickets for Wednesday instead of Tuesday and I completely missed it when he gave us the voucher. We thought about walking to the nearest Tix4Tonight but in the end just decided to go on Wednesday. We then walked back the Mirage where we went to the Dolphin Habitat using free tickets from MyVegas.

    We arrived at the Flamingo, settled in our FAB Luxury with Strip View room on the 24th floor, and finally hit the Mississippi Stud table at Margaritaville seven hours after landing for our first drink and gamble. The rest of the night was spent losing at Mississippi Stud, winning some back on a Wild Panda slot, drinking too many Landsharks, and eventually a too late, too drunk, too long session of $25 double deck blackjack that saw a small win turn into a big loss.
     

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  3. buzz_king

    buzz_king Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Wednesday

    We slept in on Wednesday after my late night drunk. This caused us to miss our planned breakfast at Margaritaville so we instead had a late lunch at the Bellagio Buffet, with one free with line pass from MyVegas. I spilled a cup of chicken noodle soup but other than that, the buffet was very good. We also toured the Conservatory which had a bird theme.

    After lunch, we played a little Mississippi Stud at Planet Hollywood, a few slots back at Flamingo, and then more Mississippi Stud at Flamingo.

    We then freshened up and walked to the Venetian for Rock of Ages where we had scored row Q, side orchestra $100+ seats for $47 each at Tix4Tonight. As children of the 80s, we loved the music and the story was excellent too. We had not previously seen the musical or the movie. I recommend the show and Tix4Tonight but watch your date!

    Before the trip, I purchased an American Casino Guide for the first time just to get my Amazon order over $25.00 for free shipping. We used our first coupon and more than paid for the book at Johnny Rockets back at the Flamingo. We both had a County Fair Burger, fries, and milkshake, using the BOGO Free burger & milkshake coupon.

    We played one more session of Mississippi Stud and I actually won $495, my best session of the trip so far. I finished the day up a few hundred and drank no beer. Coincidence?
     
  4. buzz_king

    buzz_king Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Thursday

    We got moving relatively early on Thursday and made it to breakfast at Margaritaville. I had steak & eggs and Buzzette had a Key West omelet using a 10% of breakfast coupon from the ACG. Buzzette also had a mimosa but I continued my dryness since I had to drive later. I also noticed what I assume to be the start of the Ferris wheel behind the Flamingo. First photo.

    Since I had cut my losses and Buzzette was losing, I decided it was time to help her out when we gamble together. We played what should have been our last Mississippi Stud session where I won $200 while she lost my $100. We walked through the pool area and then checked out about 12:30, effectively 23 hours early. After the $15 comp offer and about $11 in additional resort credit, our total bill for 2+ nights, Johnny Rockets, and Margaritaville was $36.32.

    With a couple hours to waste before going to South Point, we headed to Gold & Silver Pawn. There was a line out front so we kept driving and ended up at the Neon Museum where a security guard told us we could sign up for morning or evening tours. We declined and headed back down the Strip. This time we did not see a line so we stopped and toured the pawn shop. We did not buy anything or see anyone famous but it was a good distraction.

    Next, we checked into our city view room on the 22nd floor of South Point in the new tower with a view of the Strip. Second photo.

    We played double deck blackjack together for about four hours where I won $600 and Buzzette won a little. More importantly, I got my $100 back this time! I also started drinking again but fortunately at South Point I can stick to Bud Select 55 which is low calorie and low alcohol.

    We hit the Del Mar Deli for dinner (to go) where I had pepperoni pizza and Buzzette had chicken fingers. We paid cash using a 15% coupon in our South Point funbook. I returned to the casino where I won $300 on a Wild Panda slot and then a bit more playing blackjack. Helping Buzzette out with her gambling budget had put me ahead for the trip!
     

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  5. buzz_king

    buzz_king Low-Roller

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    Friday

    Friday was Spa day for Buzzette where she took full advantage of my 25% off coupon. I caught up on the world since I had free internet here and then took another $200 from the Wild Panda.

    We then drove to the M Resort for lunch. We had both received a non-local blowout coupon for free gifts. We left with five shirts and a hat. We normally enjoy free buffets here but this time we instead tried Hash House A Go Go using a coupon for $10 off a $25 order from ACG. I had the bacon & mashed potato stuffed burger while Buzzette had the fried chicken & waffles. The waffles were stuffed with bacon!

    After turning my freeplay into cash, my trip took a major turn for the worse when we found a Mississippi Stud table at M. This was not expected and not good for the bankroll. We played together and while I got my $100 back from Buzzette, I lost $300 of my own.

    We went back to South Point where the night was brutal. Lost at blackjack, slots, blackjack, and slots again. I had almost 3000 coin-in and over 7 hours of blackjack. I gave back everything I won on Thursday and then some. After all that losing, I built up a $200 profit in my last blackjack session before losing that on a $100 double down. Bed time!
     
  6. buzz_king

    buzz_king Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Saturday

    We slept in again on Saturday, our last full day in Vegas. We had lunch at the Coronado Café to use up my food credit. I had some crappy spaghetti and Buzzette had some sort of wrap.

    In October, Buzzette went to Silverton with her family and found two Wild Pandas. That’s basically the only slot machine I play so we decided to go and check it out. I signed up for a card and dug a $400 hole before eventually cashing out a $5 profit on 814 coin-in. Buzzette lost early but then won a little when I fed $100 for her into the Buffalo next to the Panda. Their double deck blackjack rules were the same as South Point so we played a bit.

    Back at South Point, I played the Wild Panda again for a small profit before we hit the Del Mar Deli again for dinner (to go). This time I had chicken wings and Buzzette had a French dip again paying cash with a 15% coupon.

    Buzzette started to pack for our departure and reality set in. This was my last night in Vegas. I was down for the trip but it was a reasonable loss. I decided to take my $320 TITO from the Panda and only small bills to the casino. It was to keep me from staying out late as well as to limit my losses.

    It was Saturday night on Memorial Day weekend and it took at least a half hour just to find a decent spot at a $10 blackjack table. I eventually played for an hour and won FIVE bucks! Next, I hit a two-coin $2 Double Diamond in the high limit room for a $120 loss.

    It was time for the last stand. I put my last two large bills in the Panda and also used $25 in Direct Play. I was almost broke when I got a bonus round that put me back over $100. I then got four coins for $100 that put me over $200. It was approaching 1:00 AM and I had to get up in a little over six hours. I said I was going to cash out at $200 but who knows if I would have or not. Instead, the machine spelled P-A-N-D-A one more time and on the first bonus spin, I get the hit below.

    In the end, this spin would be $872.40 and the total bonus would be $913.15. I cashed out at $1100, got one more beer, and called it a trip.
     

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  7. buzz_king

    buzz_king Low-Roller

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    Post Trip

    Sunday, we checked out of South Point with three nights and the Coronado Café for $10.05. I appreciate the free rooms and don’t bother asking for additional food comps. I just hope my 4300+ coin-in and 13+ hours of $10-$50 blackjack keep the offers coming. I would also like to give the Silverton a try if my afternoon there generates an offer.

    I have now spent 180 days, almost a half year of my 44 years in Vegas. Gambling is my hobby. I don’t golf, fish, or hunt. I do bowl but that’s an indoor winter hobby. Gambling is an indoor year round hobby! I will be back before the end of the year, hopefully in October with Buzzette. In the meantime, there is plenty of action around here.

    Thanks for reading.
     
  8. Burt

    Burt Tourist

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    Nice report.
     
  9. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Wow, because I'm not sure if any of those lines are quints! Maybe I should try that game some time...lol

    Good report!
     
  10. btodd

    btodd High-Roller

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    The big win on your way out of town is the best!!!! We were in Vegas in March to celebrate our 25th anniversary. We went to Rock of Ages the night of our actual anniversary, couldn't have picked a better show!! We are a wee bit older than you folks, gulp, 49, but the music was our era too. I still giggle at the sight of my conservative engineer hubby, belting out all the songs!! I did too, but I always do.........
    Great report, thanks!!
     
  11. Tammy58

    Tammy58 Frugal Slot Jockey

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    Loved your report!
     
  12. gongoman

    gongoman MIA

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    Good trip report thanks for sharing.
    :beer::beer:
     
  13. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Nice report! Thanks for taking the time to write it:thumbsup:
    21 years and no thoughts of marriage. Interesting.
     
  14. buzz_king

    buzz_king Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Replies

    6 lines at $50 (quints)
    11 lines at $25 (quads)
    59 lines at $5 (trips)
    24 lines at $0.10 (ducks)

    The week we were in Vegas was the 21st anniversary of our first date!

    My mother has "thoughts of marriage" for us every trip.



    Thanks everyone for the replies.
     
  15. jpw711

    jpw711 Is that your cat?

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    Great report, nice hit on the Pandas, will have to check them out next trip.

    you mentioned the wings at del mar, were they overcooked to the point of crispy dryness? I had the wings last trip from there, and they were a bit brittle. Should have stuck with the Gyro.
     
    No reason to go home yet.
  16. buzz_king

    buzz_king Low-Roller

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    No, they seemed fine to me.
     
  17. jpw711

    jpw711 Is that your cat?

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    I must have gotten them on an off night. Thanks for the response.
     
    No reason to go home yet.
  18. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    Nice hit on Pandas to make your exit! I laughed at your comment about your Mother having thoughts of marriage for you every trip. What the heck, "if it ain't broke don't fix it"!
     
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