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Taking my 21 Year Old Cousin on His First Vegas Trip!

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by tonysoprano24, Aug 26, 2015.

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  1. tonysoprano24

    tonysoprano24 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2008
    Messages:
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    Location:
    Scottsdale, AZ
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    25

    My Trip Report

    I feel obligated to post a trip report even though I have been to Vegas 20+ times now I guess because vegas message board was the first board I used to plan my first ever trip...now that I'm a really old guy (28) and taking my 21 year old cousin out on his first trip, I wanted to be sure to write a review because it was like reliving my first trip.

    So we actually went on my Birthday weekend, but I rarely celebrate my own birthday and was just using it as an excuse to fly my cousin out as he turned 21 in July. I made my cousin watch rounders so he can appreciate why I go to Vegas 4-6 times a year!

    I booked the flights so we both get there at the same time (I live in AZ so 45 min flight for me, he was flying in from Atlanta). Silly me I didn't comprehend in my head what I had never seen I just assumed the whole Vegas airport was just the southwest terminal since that's what I always fly out and in of...I get there spend 15 mins looking for him at "bagage claim 20' and I think he's screwing with me when it finally hit me....I had to ask an old lady at the counter and she thought I was the biggest tool and told me I had to take a shuttle to the delta terminal...no big deal!

    I booked a stay at Planet Hollywood for a few reasons...keep costs low, central location, and cheap food options....we were able to check in early without a huge line (1-2 pm) and went upstairs to leave the phone to charge...came back downstairs to try and eat at the Gordon Ramsey Burgr place but too long of a line and we were hungry...so we barely made it to YOLOs lunch special...great deal $10 for the lunch special and $5 margaritas

    A friend of mine and his gf were flying in later that evening so I decided to show my cousin my favorite hotels till then...we walked through the Aria first then Bellagio and he was quite impressed. By this time we were actually hungry for some desert and thought maybe we would try the famous jean phillip place at the bellagio but again too long of a line...we head over to the sports book and I show my cousin around when he pulls out his iphone tries to take a panoramic picture of the whole sportsbook...classic rookie mistake....nobody said anything but it was pretty funny

    We sit down at the sports bar/video poker bar outside the sportsbook and order some drinks (my cousin doesn't drink alcohol so it was mainly me drinking) the bartender gives me $10 less in change...never happened to me in Vegas before and I thought it was an honest mistake haha..I give my cousin a $20 to play some video roulette and we burn through it within minutes so we head out to find the "real" tables.....went to Monte Carlo but the only $5 blackjack table was occupied and the rest were $10-$15 on a friday and we didn't want to burn through our bank rolls just yet! haha

    We go to Paris to meet up our friends and I lose $75 while "waiting for friends"...I hate craps

    We actually end up downtown because I wanted my cousin to see it and also cheap gambling...but most of all The sigma derby at the D! it was wierd watching people zip lining on top of us but it was a great atmosphere with bands playing on the stage etc..

    We get inside the D and the sigma derby is upstairs...me and my cousin play for 20-30 mins and it's by far the most degenerate thing in las vegas no quesitons asked...bunch of grown ass men sitting around betting quarters on plastic horses..but I loved every second of it haha

    after that we end up at some dive bar/restaurant place "Nacho mamma" or "Nacho Daddy"...that was the point of no return for me as I dont' even recall eating their nachos...too many titos cranberry for me...we go back to the strip and of course before 3 am going to bed we have to try Earl of Sandwich even though we're full....best bang for your buck on a quick meal on the strip I think

    We wake up the next day and my friends are checking out of paris but not leaving till 10 pm so they just drop off their stuff in my room and we head to the Bellagio buffet at like "brunch" time I suppose...line moved fast and we all ate too much and had a food coma...I wanted to try Aria buffet but read some not so great reviews so decided to stick with old faithful....it was $29 for "Brunch" which i thought included mimosas or something but it was just the buffet...I was under the impression it would be $23 or so ...oh well

    We head over to Bally's because my friends gf wants to play Keno...I had never played...but I actually enjoyed it...now I understand why the drinks come fast at $5 games of keno...20% house edge!

    my friends gf told me to select 11 numbers and if 6 win then I win $$$...so I did...and played 5 game.s..well 6 hit! and I thought I won $15....but actually I won $45 because I accidentally selected 10 numbers not 11 ha

    I degened the rest of the $45 on crazy fours (where you pick 4 numbers) and even did $10 games picking 2...then I was on my last $30 for Keno so I just did three different cards...of two numbers each...for $10 each....with all different numbers...and none of the freaking two hit!!! thats crazy I thought I was a for sure winner

    Then we head over to caesars and just try to find a pre seaosn nfl game to bet on and relax due to our food coma...but to my shock they have destroyed the caesars sportsbook in half! not only that half the seats out of the already reduced amount are reserved for total rewrds VIP...bullsh!@#

    All this for a pretty sick out in the open poker room...but caesars is way late to the game...feels like they are trying to copy bellagio with open window poker room and sportsbook next door...don't get me wrong I love poker and am glad a hotel like caesars renovated/relocated their room for the betterment of the overall game but I don't know if its worth destroying the legendary sportsbook....now I much prefer Bellagio's and many others before caesars

    we go to bet on nfl pre seaosn games ...high rollers only $10 each...only to find out both games we bet on aren't going to be on tv...damn!....so we had to go bet on the broncos and won a nice ten spot!

    made reservations at the gordon ramsey pub restaurant inside caesars and was really surprised ...good spot good vibe...great lobster rolls for appetizers...and had the lamb burger...good meal for the price for sure.

    After that my friends left so it was just me and my cousin and we were on a mission to spend some money on super cheap gambling...I thought we'd go to ny ny and excalibur but because of construction I got lost between hotels exiting the back way and just said screw it and took a cab straight to hooters for their $3 blackjack at 1 am

    we both bought in for $40 and quickly were up to $90-$100....table was friendly even though some middle aged dudes were trying to lecture my cousin in good fun about making the "mathamathical optical play" on a $5 blackjack table with 6 decks that pays 6:5...they werent being mean but just needling a little bit and they can clearly see he is there for the first time...so after two or three comments I just listen fellas we are all here on a 3 am on a Saturday at hooters because we have made less than optimal decisions! let the boy spend his money!

    everyone got a chuckle out of that and I was very proud of my improvised joke...my cousin got all the way down to $10 and we were about to go but then he went on a run and got back up to $50!...eventually he got back down to $25 and said lets go as we had a flight to catch

    He really did enjoy blackjack and as we were in the cashier's lane waiting to cash it he goes "fuqq it I wanna go back".....a degenerate is born! and he bet his green chip all on one bet and got back up to $50 and left hahaha

    This is where I had a great moment of reflection as we were leaving..you don't need money in Vegas to have fun...well a certain min amount but really all you need is some good friends some nice food and some good cards! On some of my trips I would be betting $100 a hand and even had gotten the balls to bet a purple on one hand once and I think why go through all the roller coaster when I just had as much fun as I could have ever had at a $5 table at hooters...it's all about the company

    We woke up the next day (well same day since it was 4 am when we went to bed) haha and ate at planet dailies...one of the more underrated spots I think...nice egg benedict spinach florentine...almost went for the lobster one but didn't want to over do it...went to the airport and went our seperate ways...it was fun bringing a cousin out for his first birthday vegas trip and when I asked him the most important question "did you like it enough to come back" he goes "Yes I'm graduating in may!" ...sign of a true vegas addict...planning the next trip before leaving the first

    Thanks for all your guys' inputs and reviews...this was like visiting Vegas for the first time again seeing it through someone else's eyes...the 5 star suites..the bet size and the suits you wear don't even matter...what matters is the memories you make with friends and families and stories you can tell for years!

    cheers
     
  2. abraxis

    abraxis Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Great report and great gift for your little cousin!
     
  3. WHU66

    WHU66 High-Roller

    Joined:
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    Nice trip and I agree as a relative low roller, it's the friends, family and fun experience that make it - we all know no-one wins but the house in the end.....don't we?!?!
     
  4. mwig

    mwig VIP Whale

    Joined:
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    Nice report. My wife and I are taking our oldest daughter for her 21st birthday next year. We are all pumped about it already.
     
  5. kleland

    kleland Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2013
    Messages:
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    Location:
    VA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    6
    Nice report. We are taking my son and a couple of friends for their first time. I think I am more excited than they are..lol. Thanks for the write up.
     
  6. Rodent Pack

    Rodent Pack S.S. Minnow

    Joined:
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    Hangtown, CA
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    What a blast!!!

    I took my son for his 21st birthday along with my best buddy (son's godfather) and we had a blast. We had this trip in mind since my son was eighteen. What a great place for this "rite of passage".
     
  7. joesmom

    joesmom Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Trips to Las Vegas:
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    We took my daughter and her bf for their 21st birthdays. We had a blast with them and they really enjoyed the nightlife. That was nine years ago and she told me last night that she is going with us on our next trip! Got to pass on the traditions lol
     
  8. MsNVegas

    MsNVegas Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Trips to Las Vegas:
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    Like you said, it's not so much about the money, as it is with friends and yeah family, like with your cousin. Thank you for the write up, I love reading everyone's trip reports and more so I appreciate the time put in.
     
  9. Raptor

    Raptor High-Roller

    Joined:
    May 27, 2011
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    Location:
    Southern Ontario
    Trips to Las Vegas:
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    Nice report, always so cool taking someone to Vegas for their first time!
     
  10. bretmc

    bretmc Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Awesome trip report! I will also be bringing a Vegas virgin in 21 days can't hardly wait.
     
  11. ca_llmedaddy

    ca_llmedaddy Newbie

    Joined:
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    Great TR, 6 days I'm taking my cousin for his 21st. Turned into a group thing now I'll be with 3 first timers. I live my share of gambling but am more excited to see their reactions. Thanks for doing report.
     
  12. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

    Joined:
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    My first trip to Vegas was for my 21st too and I got the fever. Sounds like your cousin may have it too!
     
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