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Solo HRH trip Feb 17th to 20th

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by superbeck1, Feb 25, 2010.

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  1. superbeck1

    superbeck1 Tourist

    Joined:
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    My Trip Report

    Vegas trip outline
    Wednesday
    Cab ride to JFK – Left the office at 4pm for a 5:50 pm flight. I figured I would be able to get a cab no problem. I did run into a bunch but no one wanted to leave the city for JFK, I got turned down about 3 times. 4:20 a cabbie agrees to take me, really nice guy flat 40 to the airport. I tell him I will pay tolls and give him 60 if he can get me there ASAP. He thinks it will take him 45 minutes to an hour so now I am really nervous thinking I am gonna miss my flight. Cabbie did a great job with local streets, highways; shortcuts etc and we get to JFK in half hour. Even he was impressed. I run and get my boarding passes and was stunned to see absolutely no line at security screening.

    Fly through without a hiccup and get to the gate, grab a drink and hop on board. Flight was about 80% full and the seat between me and the window remained empty. NICE!

    Staying at the Hard Rock Hotel for three nights plus airfare for $560. I wish I could have stayed on the strip somewhere but cabs were not terrible.

    Flight was real smooth. Slept a bit really intending to hit up the HRH. Cab ride to HRH was quick 8 bucks from McCarran Airport. At registration I was all set to try the 20 trick and see if I could get a suite in the new tower. Line is short at registration, only 3 people in front of me. Plus there was lots to watch as some of the females were decked out. As I walk up to the check in, the girl behind the counter is already apologizing for my “long wait†and stuff and says she will upgrade me to a suite for my troubles. I tried to give her the money anyway but she declined. Room was nice but the view was of the parking lot since I was only on the 5th floor. No big deal cause I didn’t think I would be spending much time in there. The HRH beds are ridiculously comfortable. Best bed I have slept in.

    Unpacked what little I brought with me and ran down to eat something. Pink Taco was already closed and NOBU and Rare 120 looked packed. So I ran into Mr. Lucky’s sat at the counter and had a pretty decent chicken quesadilla. After dinner I walked around the casino and checked out some of the memorabilia on the walls and stuff. As I am walking around it hits me that there aren’t a whole lot of people here and even less playing any games. Most of the tables were closed with the exception of a few BJ, Pai Gow, Three Card Poker open. They have a couple of girls that dance overhead while you play. Pretty interesting. But the casino wasn’t busy at all. I was worried that I might be too old for HRH but walking around that night confirmed I still have a few more years before that happens. Not getting a good vibe and still on east coast time I retired to room and rest up

    Thursday
    Early wake up around 8. Guess I am still on east coast time. I decide to go jogging from HRH up to the strip right to Bally’s and return. Its pretty mild temperatures and once I started got warmed up pretty quick. Had the ipod set up for some old Metallica to get the blood flowing. Made it to the strip in pretty good time but started really sucking wind by the Paris. All those folks easting breakfast could have cheered or something for me but didn’t happen lol. On my way back to the HRH I am on this long stretch of underdeveloped road just past the Monorail and townhouses I see this guy walking towards me as I am jogging. As we are getting closer I start to ease my way to the road side of the sidewalk to give this person some room. Closing the gap I can see this kid is disheveled, in sandals and really just in bad shape. I realize he is also shaded over to stay in my line and now his hands come out from inside his waisteline. They look empty but not sure. I decide I am going to speed up and I shade to the inside part of the sidewalk and we are closing the gap. He slides back into my line so I know he wants to try something. I pull out my earbuds and we are about 30 yards apart, I yell at him that his day could get a whole lot worse. He stands with his hands hanging by his sides as I run by him. I turned around a few times to make sure he didn’t double back on me but as far as I could tell he just started heading towards the strip. Pretty scary.
    Went up to the room and cleaned up. Real hot shower. Wish it had more pressure but it got me clean. Got dressed and ran down for breakfast at Mr. Lucky’s – hash and eggs and OJ. Good service, food was again very good. I paid and left.

    Went outside and ask for a cab. Guys were cool and we talked for just a minute about my gameplan for the day. They gave me plenty of suggestions and I figure lets start at the Venetian. It’s around 10 am.


    I just start peeking into all the various hotels around there, Venetian, Mirage, TI etc. and walk all the way down to the MGM. Now I have worked up my appetite for BJ. Sit down with two guys who as it turns out are from nearby NJ. Played BJ for about 4 hours and without sticking my neck out too much I double my money from 300 – 600. I did have too many Corona’s and no lunch so I decide to take a cab back to HRH. Get washed up and get ready for the night. I guess I had a few too many Corona’s and too much running and walking so I decide to rest up. After an hour I wake up and decide to just hit the Pink Taco for dinner. Fish tacos and guacamole. 2-1 HH so had two more Coronas. Feeling pretty sore and tired from the beer I decide to go lay down for another hour since its only 6 pm.

    Well sad to say I never made it out of bed on Thursday night. Ankle swelled up and was really bothering me. Figured I would lay down for a nap. That turned into 3 am so I just rested.

    Friday.
    Wake up and walk over to CVS. Get some pain killers and water to help loosen up. Really overdid it on the run AND all that walking on the strip yesterday. I wrecked my ankle pretty good as a kid falling off the back of a motorcycle an every now and again it flares up. Not bad for 39 years old. Decide to take cab to MGM. Pretty hungry so I decide to hit the buffet before I get started doing anything. Buffet was pretty good for $15. I was feeling pretty good so I decide to walk from MGM to Wynn and back. Weather was nice. Aleve kicked in. Ankle was loosening up so I figure I can make my way up and back and stop whenever I need to. I went into Wynn, Venetian, Caesars, Bellagio, Palazzo, Planet Hollywood, and would stop at various BJ tables and play a bit here and there. Wound up essentially flat by the time I hit the MGM. Started playing some BJ at MGM again. Got my clock cleaned and nearly lost all of my winnings from the night before plus my own money (Close to 500) before I walked away and took a break. Stupid. Went for a walk and watched some craps tables and decided to try my luck again on BJ. Met some professional tennis players who sat down and we proceeded to rally; great guys and we hit it off right away. After a few beers they were calling over random women walking by to “help “ them count what their hands were. These two women vacationing from Mexico stopped. They spoke okay English but were pretty hot. Turns out it’s the brunette’s birthday. So we order shots and stuff. The girls were having fun watching us play. They were giving us massages and asking us to win lots of money lol. It was fun to watch. The one guy Billy invites all of us to dinner so we went to Wolfgang Puck’s. Tennis guys paid for everything and wouldn’t take any money from me. The birthday girl was really feeling sick from all the booze. They didn’t eat much. Me and one of the pros go back to play some more BJ, the one guy stays behind and we are pretty sure he slept with at least one of them.

    Me and my Aussie buddy proceed to hit big and I win my money back with a couple of real good shoes and presses.

    Other Tennis pro comes back, spills the details, and we play some more BJ. Billy walks away to see whats around. Me and Aussie walk around and we agree to part ways, keep in touch. All that good stuff.

    Beers and shots kick in and I play craps for the first time. The guys running the table were excellent, and I mean excellent. Helped me out so much and really made it fun. Table ran smooth, some good long rolls and I make 800. Not bad for my first time. My flight on Saturday morning is at 7 am. I leave the MG around 1 and head back to the HRH. I don’t want to go to sleep but I am up almost 20 hours with lots of booze in me so I fall asleep on the bed. I wake up with my internal clock that goodness at 5 am. I throw everything in my bag, check out on the TV and run down for a cab. Easy ride to the airport, no line at security and lift off on time. Plug in my earbuds and wake up in JFK.

    Good by laid back trip. Already to head back again lol.
     
  2. redzone

    redzone Low-Roller

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    Thanks for the excellent report. You got a lot in for a short trip.
     
  3. VegasDiva

    VegasDiva VIP Whale

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    Nice TR , glad your ankle felt a bit better.....
     
  4. DJ Ran

    DJ Ran VIP Whale

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    Nice read thanks for sharing. Was it your first time staying off the strip and if so how was it? I myself would never consider staying off the strip because it just feels like I would be missing the whole Vegas vibe.:cheers:
     
  5. DinarPoker

    DinarPoker Tourist

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    Thanks for sharing the report. Opinion of staying off of the strip? I have never done that and am thinking about it but, like to be walking distance to a lot.

    Thanks again.
     
  6. Jinx

    Jinx VIP Whale

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    Thanks for the report, enjoy seeing reports from some of the properties near the strip.
     
  7. zerofan

    zerofan VIP Whale

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    Good job man, sounds like we are the same age and from the same area, except I don't live on LI.

    I give you credit for the solo trip..... :peace:
     
  8. co21ss

    co21ss Tourist

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    Thanks for the TR. I haven't done the solo trip yet, but this sounds like a great one. You get hooked on craps after the 1st session?
     
  9. superbeck1

    superbeck1 Tourist

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    I thought that off the strip wouldnt be too bad but having done it I think I would prefer to stay on the strip. I think my opinion would change if there was more going on at HRH but it was really quiet that week. Maybe if the pool was going on or if there was an act I was interested in ( Santana isnt my style) .

    Off strip just requires a lot of planning. I kind of like to do things on the fly and HRH isnt a property to just walk out of and get things going. Everything was a cab ride and where to go. This wasnt that kind of trip so I think the two conditions combined leads me to rethink off strip in the future.

    I AM HOOKED on craps. I love playing blackjack but having that first expereince at craps was way too much fun. And the table was great from the dealers to the people. I understand it is all around winning and it was a great table and may not be easy to duplicate again but I like having another game to play.

    I dont know if I am gonna get to Vegas anytime soon but once a year is not enough lol. This was a last minute decision and I think I would plan it out a bit better regarding dinner and clubs and stuff. Oh and get out of the room more lol.
     
  10. alicia

    alicia Low-Roller

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    Sounds like a great trip. Congrats on the craps win! The husband and I usually play blackjack, but learned a bit of craps last time we went to Reno for a wedding (they were giving lessons on how to play in the afternoon) and had a BLAST.

    Weird about that guy when you went on your run... that's hilarious what you said - you probably scared him, too!
     
  11. DinarPoker

    DinarPoker Tourist

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    Thanks for the info about staying off strip. I agree that more planning would be needed and I like to just get out and go and not have to plan to much while on vacation. Thanks again for the info.
     
  12. jpw711

    jpw711 Is that your cat?

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    Nice report, Solo can be fun.
     
    No reason to go home yet.
  13. Rockinthe350's

    Rockinthe350's Tourist

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    great TR.
    I agree about the HR beds they are dreamy....
     
  14. marcianofan

    marcianofan High-Roller

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    Nice Tr, tks for posting. I got a couple of years you and i'm starting to feel a little old for the HRH. My thing about the place is its blackjack is awful. I remember reading years ago that it had good,not great but decent rules. The last few years when I've visited while in vegas I've seen nothing but 6/5 BJ and the tables were empty. Maybe they get busier the later it is???
     
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