No reason except just to go!

[STRIKE]The Bachelor Party[/STRIKE]
[STRIKE]The Re-Release Party[/STRIKE]
Just Two Guys Going to Vegas!
So what started out as a bachelor party (wedding was called off by the groom) and morphed into a re-release party (then the former-groom to be broke his leg) ended up with only two of a group of 14 guys going to Vegas. This is their story.

Saturday, April 18, 2009
We arrive at SeaTac airport at 7:00am for our 8:10am flight. Not late by any means, but cutting it close and definitely nixing our plans to pick up breakfast. We pick up bagels, get on the flight and make sure the flight attendants know that we'll be hitting them up to get our trip started. After a few baileys/coffee, screwdrivers and onto crown and 7, we start to make our descent... one of the fastest flights to Vegas I can remember. Get to the main termainal for baggage claim. I send my buddy to get bags while I check in to the MGM Grand at the Airport desk. Asked if any complimentary upgrades are available, though wasn't expecting much with so many things going on at the same time. Was offered an upgrade to a 2queen Bungalow Suite for an additional $20 a night from my already awesome promotional rate of $99/$49. I accepted, why not. Re-ran the rate, thankfully double checked because they had upped the rate to $119/$119... that day two increase was more than $20. Clerk made a call, and got it fixed. Gave me keys, went and found my buddy, he was still waiting on the golf clubs to come up. They finally came in, and we headed to the rental car shuttle.

The rental car shuttle needs some line re-working... it's long, it's squirelly, it's narrow.... the cab line is so much more efficient. I hope McCarren looks into this.

Had pre-checked in to Alamo and went straight to the car, plugged in my GPS, put in the destination "TC's Rib Crib" and away we went. Picked TC's because a) we wanted barbecue and b) we were heading to NW Vegas for golf immediately, so it worked out. Ordered the brisket sandwich and sweet potato fries with a sweet tea, not bad at all. Left and made our way to Durango Hills for our first 18-holes of the trip.

We got paired up with a local, so it was the three of us. My buddy and I had plenty of beers and shots of Jager at the turn, the local was an actual golfer and probably wishing hacks like us didn't get to play on the course. Anyway, had a great time. Made some good pars, but lost the bet to my buddy, so I owed him a margarita. It was 6:00- we were going to check out Red Rock Station, but we had dinner reservations at 8, so we went to the MGM Grand. Called on the way to get our room number, they asked us to go to the desk for new keys. WTF? Anyway, still got a bungalow queen with a west-facing view of NYNY and Monte Carlo, not bad.

Made it to Diego's for dinner right on time. Love this place-- this was my 5th time to Diegos and have never been disappointed. Leo was our waiter tonight, we immediately asked about tequilas, he told us their tequila of the month was Aha Toro... as luck would have it, we're VERY familiar with Aha as it's imported locally by a company in Bellevue, WA. So we said "we know Aha well, got any other recommendations?" His eyes lit up, he smiled and we were talking tequila for at least 5 minutes, what we like, what we don't and he ended up bringing out I think three samples... basically three shots of tequila (each) he likes. We picked our favorite and had him make a pitcher of margaritas with it... and it was awesome. Did the spring tasting menu and had an overall excellent dinner, and charged to our room to eat up the $35 food/activity credit that came with the reservation. Walked back towards the casino and found the Majestic Lions. I told my buddy about what I had read about these, picked one and put in my players card and $60. Was down to $9 when it hit a $200 win. Woo Hoo.

Hit the tables for about an hour, won a few bucks, but then since this was supposed to be a bachelor party, we called up the Spearmint Rhino and got them to come pick us up (free ride and cover). A couple got in the limo with us... talking to them on the ride, it was obvious they had connections, so we got to the Rhino, he got us four chairs at a table, I bought a round a drinks as a "thanks for the hook-up" and we hung around for about an hour and a half and had a great time. Our new friends were heading to Encore and asked if we'd like to join them, so we got up and got a cab, and headed over. Turns out they knew someone in XS as well, so we managed to skip the line and cover to get into the club. Bought another round as a thank you, and spent several hours there buying very expensive drinks.

Took a cab back to MGM around 3 (I think) and went back to the tables. Went on a really good run playing the Texas Holdem Bonus table game, but my buddy did not. He left, and I followed him, but I stopped at the Majestic Lions once again to press my luck. Put $100 in a machine, hit a $200 win. Switched machines, put in another $100, hit a $300 win. Switched machines.... another $200 win. Picked a fourth machine-- this one ate my $100, but I brought the tickets up to the room instead of cashing out. Was a good night, getting back in to the room at about 6:45. Man-- the sunshine in the elevator lobby was too damn bright!

Sunday, April 19, 2009
Woke up at 10:30, no clue why. Obviously, only got about 3 hours of sleep, so I tried laying there for a while, but I was up. Maybe it was because the walls are pretty thin and some gal is just a loud talker (maybe she was on her phone, never heard anyone else). Took a shower, went downstairs grabbed a bagel and a gatorade, cashed in my tickets from yesterday and hit the same Texas Holdem Bonus table again. My buddy called me at about 12:30 wanting to know where I was. He thought I stayed there all night, but maybe I should of. When he came downstairs, I had bought in at the table with $100 and had about $600 in front of me. We left, grabbed him some food and started walking.

We were supposed to be golfing at 1, that wasn't going to happen, my buddy was in bad shape. Got him a bagel and a water. Walked outside to get him some fresh air. Made it up to Planet Hollywood, had to get more water, and let him sit for a while. Walked through the mile, found Blondies. Sat outside at the fountain again for some more recoup time before I told him we just need to go in. Walked up to the bar, I ordered a beer and my buddy got a bloody mary (there we go). Had a good time there- very cool bartender offering advice on where to go that night (Body English). We got another round and I ordered a sandwich. Soon enough it was happy hour- all you can drink for $20. We passed, got another round and went back to the MGM.

Another perk of our reservation was 2 free drinks at the west-wing bar, so we hit that on the way back in, picked up some Patron magaritas. Now it's a cool lounge, but boy, those couches really need to be deep cleaned or replaced. Lots of spills, I hope, otherwise lots of sex and urinating going on on those couches.

Walked through the casino with the idea that we're going to check out the pool. Stop at a craps table that seems to be doing pretty well, but each blow $100. Head back to the pool area-- it's closing in 10 minutes. Bah

Walking back towards the hotel-- hey- let's get another margarita at Diegos! So yes, back into Diegos. Sitting at the bar this time, met Cesar the bartender, another great guy at Diegos. Ask for an appetizer menu and if by chance he knows what tequila Leo would recommend, because we didn't remember the name from last night. He had a few guesses, and once again we got two free samples before ordering a margarita each and as my buddy said "chimichangas" (which on the menu are taquitos). Once again, a great time at Diegos.

Headed back to the hotel to clean up for going out for the evening. On the way, told my buddy about the Majestic Lions hits last night and he did the math in his head about how up I was. He wanted me to pay for dinner as a "spread the love" thing. I agreed, but made a bet out of it--- I'll put another $100 in Majestic Lions, and if it hits, dinner is on me. Get down to about $40 and sure enough, won $200. Dinner's on me.

Headed to the Monte Carlo to try the Brand Steakhouse. The Monte looks pretty dead, and older than normal. We get seated promptly at Brand, and ask the waitress for any recommendations for specialty drinks to go with steak. All she can name is fruity crap, so we check out the wine list, select a Pino, she comes back saying they're out, so we just get something else. Get the steak for two which is actually a decent deal, and the food is very good, it's just too bad the service left a lot to be desired.

Walked around the MC, but didn't play anything, just didn't get that vibe. Headed up to the Bellagio thinking we might try to get into The Bank. Talk up (and tip well) a few of the bartenders around the club but they can't do anything. Finally find someone willing to get us in, but we'd have to do bottle service (two bottles). Not wanting to get that plastered, we split and head to Bill's.

Bill's has treated us both well before in the past, but this night the drink service was virtually non-existant, the hands weren't coming and the heat was on. Couldn't have been more uncomfortable, so we head to Bally's. I can't catch anything there, but my buddy finally catches on fire. I drop several bills and he's finally up for a session. We hit the tequila bar in the back (btw- what a pathetic excuse for a Tequila bar... it should not be called that) and catch the monorail back to MGM.

Head back to the Texas Holdem Bonus tables- we split up based on availability and we're each doing pretty well, I'm still down for the night, but it's managable. Then the MGM closes down the other table, and my buddy and the group over there come sit with us. Apparently we're opposites for this trip- we can't both win at the same table and tonight was his night. I get bled out slowly, while he keeps winning and drinking. I eventually bust out and head to bed around 4:30. I stop at the Lions one last time, thinking maybe this will help the sting of no wins tonight, but alas the streak continued and the Lions didn't help me out.

Monday, April 20
My buddy comes in the room around 8:30, open the curtains and is just excited about the streak he was on. he promptly passes out, I close the curtains and grab another hour of sleep, or so. Take a shower, pack and finally wake his ass up, check us out, get to the rental car return center and checked in at the airport. I think my friend finally realizes where we are/what's going on at airport security. I start to get his tale about what happened after I left last night (pit boss cut him off, no more alcohol, they closed the table) and it was pretty crazy. Wish I could have been winning to stay up and enjoy it, but then again- someone needed to get the car back to the rental depot.

Grabbed some food at the airport-- we first went to Wolfgang Puck Express- my friend asked what kind of pasta they were making, the cashier said we don't make pasta- he's saute-ing mushrooms, to which my friend's reply was "yeah ok, I'll have the pasta." Needless to say we left and grabbed a crappy burger elsewhere. Plane was on time (thank goodness, we've been stuck in McCarren before) and my bud slept on the ride home, I had another drink by myself. I guess I have a problem.

Thanks for listening!

 

Sounds like you had a fun guys trip. I really will remember one of my trips to try those majestic lions.

 

Sounds like you had a good trip - will have to check out the Majestic Lions - are they slot machines?

Never heard the Hold'em tables called Bonus tables before...I'm assuming you were playing in the poker room? or is that a table game out where blackjack is?

 

Thanks for posting. Good read.

later, GVJ

 

Q, you are not allowed back into Vegas......unless I get to hang with you!! Great report!!

I love Tequila, but admittedly, I don't have a palate for different types. That tequila tasting sounds like a blast. Wish I could have been a fly on the wall to learn something about it.

And how GREAT was that getting hooked up at Spearmint AND XS? How did you like XS. Drink prices aside, it's my fav joint.

Man, there's nothing like a good guys Vegas trip. I have a ball with my wife, but sometimes you just need to hang with the boys!

(And it brought a smile to my face imagining you guys out on the links drinking beers and hoisting some Jager [My FAV!]).

 

Sounds like a fun trip for sure! I'll have to keep Diego's in mind for my trip at the end of May/June, sounds like a great place. I'll have to do a board search on the Majestic Lions - I'm staying at the MGM and they sound like quite a find!

 

Great report! Thanks for posting.

It's nice to see someone get some lovin' from those Majestic Lion machines.

 

Sounds like you had a blast..........that pasta line cracked me up; who among us hasn't been the walking dead at some point in Vegas! I always find that when I'm gambling at a table with my husband, there's some kind of law that we can't both be winning at the same time. Good times!

 

OK - now the Majestic Lions are NOT the big multi-million progressive that has yet to be hit right?

What is the big one that is still waiting for me to play it?

 

That was a great trip report. Thanks for sharing!

 

Nice trip report

will look for those Lions too

 

Sounds like my trips with my Vegas buddy from Cali.....we dont sta up as late as we used to though...unless we are winning and having too much fun at a table, poker included.

 

Wow! Great job with the lions! I know I used to hear that all the time about those machines but I haven't heard much recently. Are those $1 machines? I might have to try them!

 

Me too!! If we play at the same table, we both lose....we do much better playing at separate tables most of the time. The law applies to us too!

 

Sounds like it was a lot of fun! Thanks for posting!