I'm Back Trip Report 2/25-3/1

What a trip!!!!! I have never done one of these before so I hope I don't hop around too much. Started out of Des Moines on Allegiant Air, pretty uneventful, when we got to Vegas I checked out the check in at the Airport scoped the place to see if the 20 trick would have worked and there was not one single guy that would have been worth a suite upgrade to do the Pam Anderson with so I chose the nice asian lady with long hair, very very friendly I asked if their were any executive rooms available (wanted the coffee pot for my husband) she said it would be an additional 40 a night so I declined and asked for a high floor she gave us the 24059 room. Off to the luggage carrier, Allegiant I swear just throws everything on the belt and what happens happens, it was funny though there was so much luggage pilled up that this big stuffed pink letter was knocked off the middle and rode around the belt for awhile. I went ahead and checked out the limo prices outside the door and they were not 37.00 as discribed in other forums actually they were 67.00 so I told they guy that we needed 2 drop offs, one to Flamingo and one to the Hilton and he said it would be 44 in a car I said great and I went to get the other couple that was with us and went back out and asked for the car and the guy acted like he didn't know what I was talking about for the two drop offs after he talked to a couple drivers he said "well I didn't know you needed 2 dropoffs that will be more" I am thinking " whatever " so he directs us to the shuttle. It was fine no worries. As we were leaving the airport the 2 drivers never found anyone to take and looked disturbed that they didn't take us as they were yelling at the guy that declined us.

Off to the Flamingo the funniest thing we were pulling in and all of a sudden we feel this "thud" to the back of the shuttle we all looked out and there is this guy on a BICYCLE he ran right into the back of the shuttle, fell off his bike and was ratttled a bit hopped back on and kept riding.

We got to our room may I say it was so easy to find and under the rule "A room is a room in Vegas" I will say that this was very clean, big and just what I wanted. King bed, couch, table, chair, desk with chair, another vanity with chair outside bathroom, comforter looked new bed was comfy, view of pool. Shower very invigurating in the morning, the only things I didn't like were the pillows and the fact that the shower curtain sucked it was thin and kept blowing into the shower. Room 24059 can't go wrong. Tipped the cleaning crew 2 day one, 5 day 2, 0 day 3 (had no little bills), 6 day 4. Had new magazines each day.

We freshened up and off we go tooooo "MARGARITAVILLE OF COURSE" met up with our friends. Proceeded to start our drinking which consisted of Long Island Ice Teas, had fun helping the bartenders make sure everyone was served along with getting tips. Their names were JIM BOB and SHANE so if you go make sure to look them up. Got a couple free Long Islands for joking around with the crowd and getting they guys their tips. Hubby got a little upset with my friendliness but its Vegas ya have to have fun. We ate their nachos and conch fritters, the nachos are GREAT enough for 4 people at least. Fritters were good but have had better in the Keys. A lot of the first night is a blurr so bear with me.

Off to start gambling, we went to Harrahs, not much luck on the slots so against my better drunkin judgement I headed for roulette. Placed 40 down, got my chips and started my numbers, soon after I was up at least 2 black chips in my pocket and about 15 stacks of 20 singles in front of me. My husband strolls by and smiles at my winnings and keeps walking (BAD MISTAKE) within about 1/2 hour I had gone through all my stacks but still had blacks in the pocket. Lesson to learn NEVER play roulette when you have drank 6 long islands, you tend to forget that every stack is 20.00 and soon it is all history. After my spanking at roulette, I decided to go to the BJ tables, did ok but nothing to brag about, got bored and cashed my last black winning chip in and donated to the slots. My friends husband was up a 300 from BJ. Wondered off to Treasure Island because I had not for some reason or another been inside the place before. By this time I was pretty much not in a very functioning mode but found a VP and played on 20.00 for an hour or so had it up to 300.00 but somehow managed to continue to play. Once again lesson learned DON"T DRINK AND GAMBLE" well just don't be drunk and gamble. Anyway, husband says its time to go and leads me back to the Flamingo. I don't know why but I feel compelled to get really drunk the first night I am there. Vegas just does something to a gal I guess.

Day 2 woke up not feeling the best so ordered room service, pancakes, bacon for hubby and coffee. I will say those were the WORST flattest no tasting pancakes that I have ever eaten but they did soke up the alchohol from the night before. A couple years ago we had the best pancakes for room service must have switched cooks. We went downstairs and and checked out Flamingo, I got friendly with a nice Sizzling 7 machine, they are in a circle right by the craps tables about 4 or 5 in a circle the place is big so I know it was in the section or side where there is a coffee shop starbucks I think there is a marker on the right front side of the machines #99 and #98. 99 paid me 200, 100, 100, and 98 paid me 100 and 100. Visited them throughout the 4 days. Ooops forgot right when you get to the elevators to go up to the rooms there are a row of wheel of fortune machines the one directly in the middle seemed to be paying off really well throughout our stay hitting the 1000 quarters on the spin a few times that I saw. I think it was a double diamond one. Anyway we played for awhile and then went to the Circus Circus area as we had not been their for quite a few visits and had some luck when I was 16 and visited vegas for the first time with my grandpa on the machines that rotate in a circle. Somehow I always need to revisit them I hit one for 1000.00 when I was there and had to walk away from it as I was only 16 and couldn't have cashed it in. Someone made out big that day. Donated my 20 and had no luck. My husband was back around there playing on a penny machine just for fun it was right by a cashier cage, face the cage, turn right and first machine one end. He hit it for 260.00 and cashed out and we went to slots of fun, just donated there. Crossed the street and went to Riviera signed up for slot club and got free money to play it could have been up to 1000 but put my card in and got 10.00. Walked around and talked to some workers their and found out that they used to work at the GNugget and were fired because they had benefits. Seems they fired all the older workers with benefits and kept the part timers to save money. That had to suck. We headed back to Harrahs and ate at the Carnival Court, really good mini burgers and fries. Great band and fun to watch the bartenders do tricks. Met up with friends again. Then we took a taxi to Play of the Day, to surprise my brother. Nice little place, sports bar for the locals about 3 miles east of the strip, vp machines at the bar all the way around, seems like they hit the royal at least once a day and once a night they have a board up that says when it was hit. Seems like a lot for such a small place, but what do I know. Also, if you hit a 4 of a kind you get to spin a big wheel for another 1000. You need to have a players card, I had one 4 of a kind and won 40 on the wheel. Great food buffalo wings were great and I saw the cheeseburger come out for someone else it looked really good and it was huge. Seems to be a great little place for locals, say hi to Ronnie my brother if you ever go. After that we went back to the strip and freshened up, saw my sizzling 7 to cash in for another 100 recoup some of my losses for the day. Then we went to Imperial Palace to play some BJ a must for the ladies that LOVE Elvis as much as I do. Only don't go on Tuesday or Wednesday night the Elvis on those nights looks like Elvis from the cryptkeeper. This was Sunday so I was safe, and let me tell you girls he is young and knows how to SHAKE WHAT HIS MAMMA GAVE HIM, I think I was red in the face but didn't blink the whole time he was singing and dancing to make sure I didn't miss anything. Very nice guy his name is Gary. If I were only 20 years younger, (wonder if he would come to Iowa for my 40th) Had a lot of fun teasing him though, he seems to remember me every year I am there it may be because of my big red hair from the 80's. Sat at another table though it was oh I can't remember he is black and sings with a horn, very good dealer, had luck with Whitney Houston as well, not good luck with Billy Idol but he is very friendly. I think I made out with about 300 that night off the tables after a couple hours of play. Husband played a new game of Texas Holdem at the tables you put 10 out watch the flop and keep putting 5 in after each card is shown. He started with 20 walked with 300 or so. Very new game to IP and don't think the dealers quite know what they are doing yet as they paid my husband a few times when he didn't win. Stayed around to watch Elvis shake one more time and went to bed happy. (As did my husband) hehehehe.

Day 3

Woke up feeling ok and decided to take the monorail to MGM to see if our favorite Bartender Fred was working we see him every year and have to stop and say hello, it was his day off so maybe next time. Played some VP at the bar though, bartenders were good great bloody mary's for breakfast. Hit a couple 4 of a kinds. Noting big. Played some more slots hit 100 here and there. We headed downtown by taxi cost was 15 I think 20 with tip had a great cab driver. Went to catch a bite to eat opted for the subway (we are not cheap just not big eaters in Vegas) kills the buzz and makes you want to sleep. I had half of a 6 inch tasted good BUTTTTTT about 20 minutes after eating I was running to the nearest bathroom it was very embarassing, don't think they had things at the right temp as I visited bathrooms for the next hour or so. the oposit of the sign on the left. Went to Golden Nugget donated a little, not much for table games or roulette downtown, don't like had held decks and roulette balls bounce around too much before landing for me. Headed to Plaza for some play hit the Elvis machines in the back won about 400 off of them. You have to rub the Elvis to get him to pay or at least that is my theory. Hubby played BJ did ok think came off with a couple hundred or so. Off to the California ( I know what you are thinking not a flashy place) but my brother took me their last year and went upstairs and played KENO (of all things) but last year won 800 on them they are 4 card at the bar play 5 numbers at a time on each card, hit 200 on 4 different machines just hopped around after every win. One in the middle, over 2 to the right, skip one to right, around corner on right, and then 4 left from middle. This year only hit 400 one was 3 right from middle and then 2 right from that. Had our fill after spending some back. We went down and back to Casino across the street from the Plaza facing Plaza it is to the right. Played a double 7 machine of some sort on the wall right by the bar at front door paid bonuses made 100 off of it. Hubby played a 1 machine made 200 or so. Took a taxi back to Flamingo to freshen up for the night. Off to the IP to see Elvis and get my fix. Hubby wanted to play Texas Holdem, he did well stayed at the table for about 3 hours came off with another 300. I played BJ with all the dealertainers, cards not so good that night seemed weird, no matter what I had they made 21. Not a good thing I went through 300 in a matter of 1 hour. I even played with Elvis which I never do hard to concentrate. He is so cute and probably only 22 or so. There was a lady that called herself his stalker, I felt for the guy, I can't imagine being lusted after by women old enough to be his mom, I think he was willing though. Anyway, once again the black dealertainer was the only table that could win seats were all full. I will say that part of the problem was that the people playing did not have a clue how to play. Lesson to be learned make sure you watch the table before you sit, if the players don't know how to play it certainly makes a difference and another advantage for the casino. I was angry at some of the most stupid plays I have ever seen and wanted to slap quite a few people silly. Phrase I was tired of hearing "oh I just wanted to see if I could get a 6" for a 14 when the dealer had a 5 showing" what are these women thinking? Also amazed at the men that really didn't know how to play. When I am playing 25 a hand I at least want the seat to the left so I can make the final decision. Went to get another 100 from hubby went to the slots as Elvis wasn't singing until 11:30 and had to see it one more time before bed. Walked around put 20 in here and there. Nothing, so decided to pocket the rest and wait for Elvis to sing and then said my goodbyes to him and went to get the hubby and he had 2 obnoxious older women sit at his table which killed the carma and he decided to cash in. Off to Osheas, not a bad place, played BJ friend made 300 (seems to be our cash out amount at tables) otherwise you seem to loose it all. Move to another table and so on. Played a little more nothing to mention. Stopped for some more nachos at Margarittaville great as always. Off to bed.

Day 4 final day.

Very unorganized, wanted to do so much more but not enough time. Ended up seeing the Wynn to donate of course but very pretty inside. Not a cocktail waitress to be found. No freebees here. Called my brother he was going to be awhile before picking us up and so we went over to the Treasure Island again, thought I would try the place sober. Went to a bar I think it was a Tiki or Japanese bar right inside to play some VP ordered a T&T hubby ordered a Beer, nothing special, in all my life about 13 years of going to vegas I don't think I have ever been treated so rudely, I got my drink which was very good and strong and bigger than most glasses in casinos, I of course tipped 3 dollars which I think is good for 2 drinks and sat at a machine, my husband had already put a 20 in his machine and was down to 10 by the time drinks came. Forgot, I had to give bartender a 20 to get change so I could tip him. Anyway, as I sat down the bartender was staring at me I put a 10 in the machine and he kept staring at me, I looked up and smiled and then he looked at my husband and said 4.00 I said "what" he said 4.00 I said why we are playing he said you have to have 20 in the machine I said well he did put 20 in the machine it is now 10 because of how long it took to get the drinks. How rude, we don't look like bumbs or anything near that actually I have quite a bit of bling and class so what do you think caused this? Anyway I put another 20 in mine and he wouldn't leave it was like he was stalking me or something. I play max play, just a wierd experience. Was he expecting a bigger tip? I guess I will never know. Anyway got picked up by my brother and usually let him pick where we go when we are with him. Headed to SamsTown Had a great hot dog ( have not had one of those things for years) probably why it tasted so good. Played roulette, had great luck last year not this year. Brother Ronnie did well. Played slots, couldn't hit a thing. We all went upstairs I sat at a bar in a corner room it seemed like, friendliest bartender guy, I of course tipped well and never went without a drink. VP hit some 4 of a kinds on wild 2's one 5 of a kind played for an hour or so. Got confused a bit, had kept switching VP games DD, DDBD, Wild 2's, Wild 7s, and so on. I think a person should try to play only one VP type game a day as they all have different theories and gets confusing for stratagies. Then we were off to another casino of my brothers choice it was called Palace Station, king of a dive but he has good luck there. We had a comped buffet small but good, had split the chichen parmasan and some seafood pasta dish minus salmon with my brother, I wanted to taste both. CP was good but seafood pasta was great. Cooks were eating at tables next to us always a good sign. The chef came out and asked how the food was that was nice of him. We played a little and then forsed my brother to go to the strip. For some reason people who live there would rather cut a toe off than go to the strip for some reason. Anyway, went to IP tables sucked. Went back to Flamingo. Changed clothes can't stand to be in the same clothes all day. Now for the grand finale>>> My husband gave me a wink and a smile and off he went I knew where he was going, it was the high dollar slot area, about 10 minutes later here he comes with a big smile and a ticket in hand. He hit a Blue 7 stars red white blue type machine right inside the door for triple 7 triple 900 payout yea!!!! We all followed him in to see the machine put a couple 20's in the area he told me to put one in the machine he played I said no way will it pay again and left. Oh yea he only put in one coin bummer but that is what he always does and seems to win that way. Went back and started playing a 1 dollar machine and hit it for 200. Cashed out and turned around and there he was all smiles again and said see I told you to play mine again he had hit it for another 400. So with all our might we had said our goodbyes to my brother and we went to bed. Had to get up at 4:30 to catch our flight. Check out was easy done by phone.

All and all a good trip, forgot to say spun the wheel outside IP and won tickets to Legends did not get to use them. Have 6 months to use them so hopefully I will talk him into taking me again with our other friends in May if not I will post them up for someone else.

Bought a American Casino Guide have most of coupons left, not good at remembering to use them. Anyone want them email me tell me which ones and will be happy to mail them to you.

Things I wish I would have done:
Played texas holdem at Harrahs, made it to that last table last year.
Went to Palms
Went to Orleans
Ate more food
Went to Rio Seafood buffett
Went to a comedy show
Went to Coyote Ugly
Won more money
Tipped the lady at the checkin at airport had no idea that I would have liked the room location so much.

Things I wish I would not have done:
Got so drunk the first night and not keeping my winnings from roulette!!!
Not played so many different VP games, think I got confused while drinking what I was playing.
Eaten a subway downtown.

Things to make sure and do again next time:
Check in at airport
Get the same exact room
Tip the girl
Go to Margarittaville
See Elvis
Get really drunk the first night just don't gamble (sorry it is just something I have to do)

All in all great trip can't wait to go back.

Bye Bye
Sorry it was so long. Hope not too boring for you all.
A BIG thanks to everyone that helped me with questions, room info, checking in at airport, everything I am glad I found this spot before I left. Told alot of people about it.

 

Great report - thanks for writing!

 

I LOVE trip reports...and yours was awesome........Really enjoyed the "Elivis "thing.. Was he a dealatainer??? Or a lounge act??? Every yeay we go I always miss stuff I say were going to do This year I made some reservations..so I am sure to do some things I didnt get to do the previous years...Glad you had fun!! Great Report!!!

 

Elvis

He was a dealertainer and he is there every night but Tuesday and Wednesday. A must see when he sings A Little Less Conversation WOW I think they have a good Toby Keith as well. Have fun tell him Sherri says HI. But remember Louie Armstrong is good to play with. Won a lot with him. Tables with dealertainers are very fun to play at lots of high fives, BUT be careful you get a table that people know how to play lots of women there just to talk to dealers thats why I don't play with Elvis.

 

Fellow Iowan

Hey SSKAY-

I too, am an Iowan. We have always flown out of Des Moines on Allegiant Airlines also. But- for our trip in 2 weeks, I checked out leaving from Cedar Rapids, and the tickets are going to be over $100 cheaper. We live in Pella, so the driving distance is one hour to Des Moines vs. 1 1/2 hours to CR. For 5 tickets- we felt that was a pretty significant savings.

Just wanted to give you the heads up for your next trip- depending on where you live of course. I really love Allegiant Airlines for those Vegas trips- it's the only airlines we'll fly to Vegas!

Glad to hear you had a great trip! What was the weather like? When we went in March last year- I just remember being FREEZING cold all the time- didn't pack enough warmer clothes- esp for nighttime outings. Two years ago in March was fine. Last year- only got one day at the pool- but that was okay.

Patches

 

Nice report SSkay,
We are heading down next week to the Nascar race weekend and are staying at IP for the first time. Have never ever stepped foot in the place but got some great rates for the very expensive weekend. From what I'm reading you figure Louie is the man? What selection for VP there? As for your coupons give me a pm at [email protected]. Interested in Green Valley Ranch and Orleans if you can spare.

 

I stay away from the dealertainer pit. The blackjack is dealt from a multi-deck shoe and BJ pays 6:5. I like the champagne pit toward the front: 2-deck or single deck available, and 2-deck pays 3:2. The dealers are super friendly, you can still hear the Dealertainers doing their thing, and the occasional free champagne is poured. I'm gonna miss that place...

 

Thanks for the TR SS! You are right about VP. It is best to learn one or 2 similar game's strategy and stick to it. I use Bob Dancer's VP software and have been paracticing both Bonus Poker and Double Double Bonus as their strategies are very similar. It's very easy to get confused - especially after a few LI Iced Teas! LOL

 

Greeseball have coupons for you but need your address, when are you leaving? I am in Iowa and don't know how long it will take to get to you. Patches we are 10 miles s of DM so wouldn't want to drive to save the money but thanks for the info. The weater was great, it rained a little one day but others all in the 70's. One thing I noticed, I don't know if I posted it earlier but if you wear contacts make sure to take rewetting drops with you while on strip. I could barely keep my eyes open it was so dry. Have fun, have LOTS AND LOTS OF FUN!!!!!! I miss it already. Write a TR when you get back. RamBill thanks for the info I will try that Bob Dancer's, I was so confused I think I threw a Royal away.

 

We had a smiliar experience at Treasure Island. We love staying there but we went to the Breeze Bar for some video poker. It was me, my huband and my best friend. We each put $20 in the machine...took a while to get our drinks. By the time bartender rolls around, he tells my friend "You need $20 in there for a free drink"..she tells him "I did have $20 but its gone down to $10 since I have been sitting here". He was just rude.

We always tip too. I know alot of the bartenders get screwed by people--bu we always tip $1 for every "free" drink we get.

 

Nice trip report...

 

Nice report, sounds like you were very lucky and hit some nice jackpots, we didn't even come close to doing anything close to what you did, as a matter of fact I did not see ANYONE that had won any kind of a pot, we were just there 3-4/3-9.

 

SSKAY-
I could use a few of your ACG Coupons if you still have them.
please Email me at:
[email protected]

Thanks,
Guy