march 21-27 MM4 and monster BJ streak

To show that all types can mix and match at MM4, consider this - as some of T2Vers are rolling into their beds at 7:30 am Sunday after a night of hijinks and revelry, I am on my way for a 13-mile run around McCarran and other areas south of the Welcome to Vegas sign.
Indeed, one doesn't need to be a drinker, or even a poker player to have fun with the MM4 crowd. I'm neither, even though at one time (from the late 70s to the early 90s) I would have not only joined the raucous partying scene, but would have been leading the charge.
I don't have any wild MM4 stories to share, but can report that hooking up with old MM4 buddies and meeting new ones is priceless in itself. The Friday night party in Angy's suite was an excellent opportunity to engage in good old-fashioned social intercourse with a colorful cast of characters; likewise, with the Poker Tourney. I did not play in it, but got a kick out of taking part in the camaraderie. The same applies for Sunday night's downtown affair.
This was my third major T2V event. Not to sound like a propaganda minister for the board, but for a random gathering of internet folks from all parts of the country it's amazing how well everyone gets along.
Instead of a blow-by-blow account of my trip, allow me to share a few thoughts:
Gambling - I had several LVA, ACG and funbook matchplay ($5-25) coupons. For this trip, I would use the blackjack ones and only stop at casinos that I happened to be driving or walking by. I also planned to chart my wons/losses to see how I made out after a year of playing them.
Well, I had an unbelievable streak of luck. I won the first 14 matchplays I tried. Bear in mind, I would only play the matchplays, no other blackjack hands. So, this was 14 consecutive winning hands. I found out later the odds of this happening was 33,500-1.
After I hit the first three or four, I thought my luck would run out. Once, I got up to around 10 wins, I didn't know what to think. Then I won back-to-back $25 MPs at Rampart on Sunday and Fiesta Henderson on Monday (we do a lot of driving while in Vegas). Wow.
My streak finally ran out at the Longhorn Casino on Boulder Hwy. I played two more after that, winning one and losing one. Starting with a $5 bet Thursday at the new Frontier, I ended up with a $245 profit (counting my money bets and the matchplays) on 17 hands.
I'll continue this experiment in June and August and will be damn happy to win half of the bets.
The only other gambling was a bit of choppy craps playing. Did get to the outdooor dice table at Wynn, but they upped the limit from $10 to $25 just as I stepped to the table. I'll try them another time.
Did you know the Fremont had a $2 table and ElCo had a $3 table with 10X odds?
Buffeting - I'd like to report that we tried something different, but it was more of same. It's hard to pay full price for a new buffet when you have loads of 2-1 coupons or comps. In previous TRs, I've plugged the GVR and Red Rock and after dining at both buffets for dinner, thumbs-up all around again.
The culinary highlight, though, was the lunch buffet at Paris. Everyone raves about breakfast there, but their lunch their could be the most under-appreciated buffet in town. I'm a big fan of Bellagio and Wynn buffets, but the Paris lunch gives either a run for the money. It has the quality, it has a different bent to it and the taste sensations are there. This was my second visit within a year and both times were outstanding.
I am downgrading Silverton and Orleans. The Orleans has been slipping a bit the last couple years and the Silverton wasn't as good as I remember it last summer. Still, both are a decent value play.
I hate to say this, but I'm giving one of my least favorites joints - Palace Station - a slight upgrade. They kind of fixed this one up and for $6.99 (with players card) for dinner, a very serviceable meal. They had tender rare steamship round and a solid pasta station. However, unless saving money is your bag, there are much better low-to-mid range buffets in town.
Lodging - Thank you Angy for setting us up at the IP for a very reasonable weekend rate. It sure made the MM4 stuff easier to facilitate. The first two nights, we had a comped Atrium Suite at the New Frontier. The NF is an old property, but no complaints about the roomy suites. The final two nights were at the El Co with LVA coupon (first night $30, second night free). Quite satisfied with what we got for the price. For peak season in Vegas, we made out like bandits.
Misc. - I regret not seeing Don Rickles at the Nugget on Thursday, but got together for an outing with a large group of friends from Vegas. Since I've been coming here, I've gotten to know quite a few locals and much of my spare time is spent with them.
It also wouldn't be a Vegas trip without some sort of outdoor activity. On Monday, my son and I attempted to hike to the top of Devil's Peak (5,800 el.). To get to it, we drove to Jean and then took a frontage road for six miles, drove under I-15 and followed an unmaintained rock-strewn gravel road another six miles to the base of the mountain.
We never made it to the top of the mountain as it was too steep and loose rocks made for slippery footing. We did manage to find an alternative route that got us within a couple miles of the California border, discovering an abandoned phosporous? mine and a couple cool caves along the way.
More MM4 stuff:
- Did you know it is possible to find a chef's trinket of sorts from the porno shop. It is. At Friday's party, sin, presented me with a gift - a little chef guy holding a cookbook with an erection sticking through it. Sanosurfer Larry said it was his idea, though. Thanks guys for thinking of me.
-Did you know that T2V was represented at Friday's shindig with a Triple D, a Double D and a Single D. I'm not saying which ladies are so-endowed, but those that have never made a MM4 or a NSF, come and find out for yourself.
Who knows, you might even get sandwiched.
-Did you know the IP parking garage is the worst in town. It is and it was a bit tougher this time as I had a larger vehicle than normal to manuever around in. I got something bigger in case I had to chauffeur large number of T2V participants at once.
-Did you know I finally learned how the game of Texas Hold-Em works. Everyone looked like they were having a blast at the tourney (kudos to Doug for arranging it), but give me the craps table any day.
-Did you know we still were able to have fun without ken2v making an appearance.

 

Very nice report. I have a friend in Vegas who has alot of the same interests as u and your son. He retired there and is quite the hiker etc. I told him I would like for the two of u to correspond.

As always it was a pleasure to see and spend time with u again.

 

It was great seeing you again Andy. We're going to have to take over a craps table with you on the next trip. Good stuff

 

Great TR and very nice seeing you again this past week!

 

Great report!! Always neat to hear all the perspectives. And HOT DAMN on the matchplay streak!!!!

 

It was good seeing ya Andy. Thanks for the ride buddy.

Congrats on the matchplay run and the new CHEF BEAR.

Marty

 

Awesome report Andy, but I'm really bummed I didn't get to see you again.

Your description of the hike near Jean really intrigues me as I've driven through several dozen times without any clue such cool hikes exists.

 

Thanks for the TR Andy. It was good seeing you again, if only for a brief time. Your streak happened to end at a favorite hang-out of my workmates and mine. The Longhorn is right across the street, and the overnight bartender is really nice to us!

 

Glad our paths finally crossed, chef. And anybody who knows what "steamship round" is, is somebody I need to hit a buffet with.

 

Damn, just think what fun coulda been had. lol

 

Andy, great meeting you, and thanks for the ride back to the Mandalay after the poker tourney. Hope we cross paths again

 

Great to see you again chef... Love the report!!!

 

Nice report Chef!

It was great to finally meet you, I just wish we had time to play a little craps or blackjack together. Ohh well, maybe next year.
... T-350 something


-George (another bald guy)

 

Chef it was wonderful seeing you again. I wish we could have shared that meal together, but there is always next time! Until then

 

Great to meet and talk w/you at the IP, chef, a real pleasure!

 

You must be one hot looking individual to have both men and women thinking of you while in a porn shop. My hat is off to you sir

 

Another great TR Chef. You prove what I've been saying that you don't have to drink or gamble to have a great time in Vegas. It helps; but, there's so much to see and do and places to eat that you really can have alot of fun.

 

Another great TR, Andy and it's always nice seeing you. To bad I didn't get to ride in your rental car this time, I heard it had no stinky sock odor.

Once again, congrats on your match plays, I don't think I've ever heard of anyone doing that.

Until next time