7 days in Vegas, MSS and RIO, july 9th-16th

Song titles and phrases will used in lieu of providing possible incriminating and/or blackmailing information. This is mostly for the end of the trip. I'll try to do this in installments. It can be a lot to read. Enjoy.

Preface:
22 years old, ready to escape reality for a week.

Ever since my first trip, a 4-day enlightenment to Las Vegas in july of 2009, I have had an insatiable urge to come back for a longer vacation. In December I booked the Rio for 44 dollars a night, sun-thurs. what a deal for 7 months in advance. It was to be my best friend, myself and a possible 3rd person since the room had 2 beds and a couch. I also had planned on booking a downtown property for the weekend. About a month before the trip I booked main st station for 101 $ for Friday and Saturday including taxes. I know its downtown, but that’s still great for a weekend anywhere. Things were set or so I thought.

A week before we were scheduled to make our way to Sin City, my friend informed me he could not make the trip, due to financial obligations with school, car and his band. I was not surprised it happened, but I wished he had been more realistic earlier in the process, not just for himself, but for me as well. I was now out 175 for rooms, but Im not gonna hold him to it. For those that remember my TR from last year, I had a 3rd “friend†who bailed 2 nights before., the one with the free room at wyndham grand desert that we never got to use and ended up at Stratosphere , but that turned out to be a great time, so I’m not complaining about the lack of timeshare rooms. I think next time, I’ll try gather 5 or 6 people to commit, that way i think at least 3 will make it.

The main concern was that I wouldn’t consistently have someone behind me at the tables making sure I was being somewhat responsible with my money. The upside was that I wouldn’t have to lug around anyone who doesn’t want to do the same things as I do. I wouldn’t be alone too much either, I planned to meet up with several family/friends which ended up being more than half the time I was out there. My bankroll for the entire trip was just under 3k, not including airfare, but pretty much everything else.


TRIP
Friday July 9th- Virgin America Flight left on time at 930 out of JFK. Had an open seat in between myself and the person with the window seat. Im a large guy (not Kevin smith large though) so this is always one of my favorite little pleasures in life. It is a newer airline, but the plane was not that big. Less than 30 rows including first class, the aisle is less than 2 feet in width. The purple lighting was easy on the eyes, and the flight was pleasant for the most part, not much turbulence. I had a $10 sandwich, which made for my brunch, since my stomach wasn’t acting so well that morning.

Arrived about noon Vegas time. Because of all my painstaking research, and the amount of time I spend on this message board, I took the 108 or 109 bus to downtown form the airport, for a WHOPPING 2 dollars. Sure beats what would be a 30 something dollar cab ride. Of course the bus took 45 minutes and also picked up many locals who looked tired of Vegas. Didn’t matter, I got to MSS around 1pm. Got the odd numbered room I asked for at check-in, which is good for a view of downtown and the stratosphere, but it was only the 3rd floor, so I also had the pleasure of a back alley area and piping view.

The room was not big, but it had one more bed than I needed and the bathroom was decent sized with a separate sink area from the toilet and shower. Anyone who’s ever been to main st station knows that if you’re over 5’6 , the shower head placement looks like it was made for midgets and children. Otherwise, it still got the job done.
I settled in, made a few calls, and went to the 777 brewpub. Got the 5 beer sampler and 24 chicken wings as well. 12 were honey mustard type wings, the other may have been teryaki. The Sauces and dressings for dipping were excellent. After leaving the brewpub, I played a little $5 blackjack at MSS and the California, winning $40 I think.

I went back the room to shower and change clothes. I got a call from fellow VMBer Whodeyleisure. He was at the Monte Carlo, and I had no plans to meet up with anyone else on Friday anyway, so I took the nearly hour long deuce bus ride (traffic) from downtown to the Monte Carlo. There was an unsavory local who got on around treasure island, smelling bad, and talking crazily about bodies being dug up and then burned, never to be found. When the bus reached Monte Carlo, i got off. The crazy guy said to wait up, i made sure i didn't stick around for that to happen.

Met up with Whodeyleisure and his buddies in his room, we drank some beers and Jaeger shots. I threw in 10 for drinks since it was nice of them to have me. I was feeling pretty good. We went down the casino, I won a quick 70 bucks on blackjack. After that we went back to the room to drink some more, discussing going out to a club and watching titanic, I was really beat.

I had been up for almost 20 straight hours and got little sleep the night before. After winning a fast 20 on casino war without help from cousin eddy, I decided to head back downtown. I crossed the street around pHo, bought some water, and caught the bus. I stopped in the Golden Nugget since it was on my walking path back to MSS. Dropped a quick 60 on blackjack. Impulsively I played some BJ at MSS before going to my room, winning back 30. still up for the day, and more money in my wallet than when I left with, even after food and travel. I grabbed a bbq type of burger from the brewpub, came with fried onions on it, pretty good. It was about 1230am, and I was ready for bed after being up 21 hours straight. I need my sleep.

 

Great start!

 

Cousin Eddie has not always been good luck for me.

 

When I was still working (now retired) I would try and bring a few people along to Vegas for a good time. There was always a few that would back out every time. It was very predictable, same ones every time.

 

I've stayed at MSS several times. I am 5'6" and I'm pretty sure those showers were made for those who are 5' or under. I've never been quite sure why that is. Well, at least the water pressure is decent.

 

Yea the pressure was fine. I'm almost 6' so anything under 5'6 is kinda short to me. Definitely not made for large folks. Second installment coming very soon.

 

Saturday July 10th-

got up around 730. Decided to hit up the MSS weekend champagne brunch buffet. For 13 something w/ tax, a GREAT deal. Sure it wasn’t dom periogne, but unlimited champagne is awesome for 13 bucks, let lone with a very good breakfast buffet. I was impressed by the selection: bacon, sausage patties, links, waffles, pancakes, eggs, eggs benedict, bagels, creamcheese and salmon spread, pizza, various Mexican and Asian dishes, an omelet station and deserts is just too sweet a deal. I had orange juice and made my own mimosa.

Filled up on eggs benny. What a great buffet. I almost cried at how good a deal it was. The service was friendly and plentiful. I took up my cup of champagne to the room since I was too full to finish it, but not before winning a few bucks on BJ. That would be the last of my good fortune for a couple of days, gambling-wise.

Boy was it hot out. I got on an ACE bus to Ballys for an 11:30 panel discussion thing, because Gary Johnson, the former governor of New Mexico was going to be there, and I like where he stands with certain issues. I got there in time to get a back row seat to see a panel of crustaceous old businessmen (including Steve Forbes) who basically want lower taxes and further deregulation, just the thing that helped crash wall st. Gary Johnson spoke and he made logical sense of things, and got a lot of applause. The next guy who spoke after him was realistic and seemed down to earth as well, but still it didn’t save for the rest of the bullshitters on stage. I spoke with several people at kiosks in one of the big rooms and had intelligent political discourse, but still disagreed on some things. Won’t go into details, not worth it for this board.

I left ballys, took the pedestrian overpass to bills gambling hall and promptly lost $115 on blackjack. No biggie, still had a couple hundy in the wallet. Walking north waiting for a bus back to downtown, I strolled into harrahs, thinking “I’ll be taking the free Rio shuttle here possibly in a couple days, let me get the lay of the land†but in reality it was an excuse to gamble. I really like that casino, its not bright, but not too dark or dim either. The lighting and color scheme is attractive to me.

I got bled for roughly 140 at the craps table, although I had a really good roll my first time with the bones on the trip. Didn’t bet more than pass line and 6,8 though. Guy to my right was a good shooter, but not good enough to cover for everyone else being shitty. One guy was betting don’t pass, lost a good amount at first, but when it got choppy it looked like he was making some money. Good for him, play what wins for ya. I don’t hold it against don’t players, because sometimes I play donts. I dropped 60 on roulette in 3 spins, playing mostly outside. Even if I played insides with more chips, it didn’t matter, none of my numbers came up.

So I headed across the Street to the Mirage. An old umpiring friend of my father’s had been working at the dolphin habitat for several years and my dad suggested I go see him. Well it was 15 bucks to get in, and no one seemed to know if he was working that day either. I decided to try my luck with an mgm property and took 400 out of the atm.

The few 15 dollar tables were full and also had mostly 6/5 payoffs IIRC. I refuse to play that. Thanks VMB. I decided to play at a 25 dollar table with my 400 bucks. A little while into the session, a large bald guy, much like myself sat down to my right. He was betting black chips. He was talking about a time where he dropped 30 grand at a table a few years ago. I could barely get a handle on that.

I was up and down for a while, but at one point had 350 or 375 of the 400 after playing a half hour or so. That’s when it happened. I felt good about the hand and put in a 75 dollar bet, Dealer was showing a 6. I got 8s, so I split them. I got a 3 on the first one, was allowed to double and did. $225 on the line for a guy who never should be playing a 25 dollar table in the first place. I had a 17 and 18 going for me, statistically I think I played it right. Dealer flips her card, a 9. 15 showing. Next card is a 4. The adrenaline rush was so immense and breathtaking. It was a major gut punch. All that money lost on one hand. For me that’s a good chunk of moolah. I won't deny though, the rush was still immense.

I played a little while longer, winning back 25 or 50. Cashed out the remaining 150+ i had left in chips. What a beating. I walked across the street, waiting a long time for a bus. I was figuring the city was trying to make me gamble a little longer wherever they could since i hit a cold streak. Finally a duece bus arrived JAM PACKED! It smelled a bit but that happens on 100+ degree days in Vegas. Wasn't too bad of a ride as i got an upstairs seat halfway there. I walked slowly back to Main street, licking my wounds.

I stopped in mermaids on fremont, and thought about getting fried twinkies or oreos. Then i had a little sense, and knew that would make me sick. So i opted for the 17 dollar yard cup of banana blast daiquiri or w/e the F they call it (yea that was more sensible). For an extra 3 bucks they add a shot. I made sure it wasn't grain alcohol they were adding, but rather an extra shot of regular rum. I only opted for it since i asked the bartender if it would "make me forget". I think i was trying to forget how much money i blew through in the last few hours, but it was more a general statement i suppose.

I walked back a couple blocks and through the MSS casino, looking like a ******y tourist with a girly 3 foot long drink. I deserved it i guess. I had plans to meet up with my cousin for dinner, referred to as C, and his girlfriend M.

He knows a guy who works at the Marrakech restaurant (a Moroccan themed place with moroccan food i guess is the best way to describe it lol) on paradise road from his school days, and he's suggested going there before. I showered and got dressed in decent clothing. They were picking me up since i didnt have a car and they did. Very nice of them, coming from the Hard Rock hotel, near the restaurant. But they also needed to pick up their original rental car from a shop nearby, since one of its tires blew out, presumably from the heat and any change in road texture.

I put down a 50 on the craps table, figuring id kill some time before they picked me up. I had a bout 20 minutes from when i reached the casino floor. I played for a couple minutes, profiting 7 bucks. I then put 5 through a slot machine, yielding zilch.

They picked me up, nearly got pulled over by the cops since M parked for 2 seconds on main st where there are signs saying no pickups. She has an eastern european accent and sounded really innocent when the cops flashed the siren and pulled up 4 seconds after i got in the car. They said don't do it again. That was lucky.

It took us over an hour to get there. C and M decided getting their car was useless at that point, but the traffic on the strip was predictably bad on saturday night at 630. Then they forgot how to get there. If i had looked at a map for 10 seconds prior to leaving, i could have figured it out, but i didn't even know it was on paradise road yet. We finally arrive, im really hungry, being that i only finished at the breakfast buffet before 9am.

We shared a 6 course meal that started with a very good shrimp scampi, good bread, Lentil soup which was some of the best i ever had. We then had vegetables, a beef and onion kabob skewered in pineapple, and the main dish of rice with cornish hen which was very tasty and NOT greasy at all. The dessert was a kind of apple pie filling, but it was wrapped in a light shell powdered with sugar. There were belly dancers, and i also had a couple of lebanese beers.

It was a great meal, i had a good time after getting pasted at the tables earlier. I highly recommend this place if you want something unique and different to spice up your day. Thumbs up to the Marrakech.

I went to the hard rock for a little bit with C and M. They had a corner suite which was themed with KISS pictures. It included a double sided HDTV setup in the middle of the room. One side for the couch, the other for the bed. After C decided to hit the hay, M wanted to check out the club but it was packed. She was nice enough to drive me back to MSS. She said she was happy to do it, as she loves driving.

So i said my goodbyes and strolled in the casino. I couldn't help myself, I put 100 down on the BJ table. After 2 shuffles at the double deck table, i was up 50 bucks. I should have left and knew it, like most of the table did. But i figured i was gonna get on a hot streak. In short time, i dropped the 50 in profit, and the 100 i bought in with. I went to bed feeling like shit. Oh well, i move to The Rio the next day, i'll be ok.

 

Great report ..... even with the tight tables, and hardly a win , you still keep on keeping on

 

Great report! I like the sounds of that restaurant as I always I have to come up with something unique for my wife when we go to Vegas!

 

Sunday July 11th.
This day was rather uneventful, besides changing hotels, and avoiding nearly all gambling.

I got up around 9:30am and started packing the few clothes i took out for the 2 days at Main street station. I did not feel like the breakfast buffet again, even though it was magnificent. I wanted to use an ACG coupon for a downtown meal and decided on the VUE bar at fitzgeralds. I checked out of MSS around 10:45, checked my luggage, tipped the guy a couple georges and started my walk to fremont street. I got to the Fitz and decided on the 2 for 1 appetizer coupon. I got chicken wings, and the club sandwich. Really good deal for 12 bucks with a beer. I sat around for a while and talked with a local who had been living in vegas for 40 years. Had some good stories about the mob guys back in the 70s.

I walked back to MSS, and the bell desk guy asked if i needed a cab. Since i couldn't get my luggage on any bus to the Rio from downtown, i said yes. I took a Nellis (i think thats the co.) cab to the Rio. Had a driver originally from the Ukraine. He was cool. The drive was 21 bucks including tip.

I got in the check in line, waited about 15 mins. Being that it was not even 1pm yet, i understood. I did ask for a strip view when i was at the desk, the clerk was nice enough to put in the request, he was very nice and accommodating. A 2 spot for him. Told me to go in the Diamond/platinum line around 230 if the regular check in line was long. I checked my bags at the Rio, and walked over to the Gold Coast across the street to kill some time and check out their lower limits. Even though everything was a 5 dollar table, i didn't risk a dime. I was still feeling really unlucky from the day before. I was going to check out ping pang pong in the GC but i was still full from brunch.

After an hour of table watching i walked back to the Rio and checked the place out before getting in line for my room. It was ready. Room 1585, ipanema tower. 650 sq ft. 2 Queen beds, a couch, safe, closet area and mini fridge. Also a separate sink area from the bathroom, so there were 2 sinks. What a great room. My view was from the Mirage and north on the strip. Another section of the hotel blocked everything south of the mirage. Still a great view though.

I watched TV for a while, and i called the bell desk for my bags. The guy brought it to my room which was great so i gave out some more singles. After sitting on the couch even more just drinking water and looking through the Rio entertainment book, i decided i needed to eat. I went to McFadden's pub. I got the 3 appetizer sampler. Some kind of asian sauce wings, Guinness and bass battered fried onions (those were excellent), and a quesadilla. got a couple of beers, one was a cider-like beverage and a pyramid heifiweizen. Both good. Bill came to 34 with tax. After strolling through the casino for a while, I decided to go back the room. I watched Dumb and Dumber, a classic comedy. I then watched the sun go down from my room, enjoying the sight.

Around 9:15 i went to bed, saying to myself i'll get up around 11:30 and check out the scene in the casino. Batman and Robin, one of the worst films ever made, was on TV and i didn't need to watch that garbage. It was so bad it was entertaining though. Opened my eyes and it was 1:15 am. Too late to do anything productive. Went back to sleep. 1st day at the Rio in the books.

 

Its worth a shot. I forgot to mention they served peppermint tea with dessert. I don't drink any tea usually, but this stuff was goooood. Certainly the most unique place i've been to in vegas. Go for it.

 

Enjoying the report so far, bad news on the gambling losses though, hope they turned around on the trip.

 

Batman and Robin is literally one of the worst films of all time.

 

Great report. I too love MSS and the 777 Brewpub......I also now only stick to poker and 3 card poker after many Blackjack trips all went the way yours just did.

I dont spend a dime on Blackjack ever! Never lost a ton either, but basic strategy for hours and hours gets you nowhere. Hit and run or be run-over are my only experiences with that brutal game.

 

Hit and run is the best way to make any money gambling. Hours of anything will net you losses for the most part. I just dont care for poker, that's the issue. I love playing for a little while, but i can't sit at a table for hours if im losing. Gotta quit while you're ahead. That's what worked the first day, played for less than 15 minutes at a time, and i was cruising. The reason i felt good with BJ, was that i made 175 in AC a week earlier. So i wasn't feeling craps early on, and i was winning for the most part at BJ the first 24 hours. Obviously that changed.

Monday July 12th installment coming soon. - M Resort visit.

 

Yes please--waiting for more about your trip --just great so far.
Hope your luck turns and you win a bundle.

 

Well i didn't hit a flush or anything (i don't play VP anyway lol), but i won't put out spoilers either. Thanks for the well wishes. I try to tell a good story.

 

Monday July 12th- delusional locals, a great buffet at the M resort, and Carrot Top. Detailed day. Get a snack before you embark on this read.

I got up around 9am in my Rio room/suite. I had planned even before the trip on making a visit to the M resort on Monday the 12th, and also seeing Carrot Top the same day. Im not sure why, but it made sense then. So I went to the liquor store/gift shop after getting off the elevator around 10am, grabbed a jalepeno cheddar chex mix bag and water. Not a bad breakfast. I ate it throughout my walk to the back of the casino where the shuttles to the strip make pickups. I finished my bag of chex and water on the shuttle even though there’s signs that say no food or drink allowed. That’s why I tipped the driver when I got off at ballys.

I took the Pedestrian overpass to bill’s and kept walking, remembering that’s where I started my bad streak 2 days prior. I kept on going to Osheas where I played the Donts at the craps table, winning 32 bucks in less than 10 minutes. I was the only one playing. I just knew that table was conducive to 7 outs. Toked the dealers and the cashier. Kept on walking towards the venetian. Walked through its outer bridge areas. Didn’t even want to look in the Casino. Took the bridge to Treasure Island. Wanted to check out that casino, since I hadn’t yet on either trip. Nice place, but all the BJ tables had those autoshuffle or large black triangular shoes. Didn’t feel good about that, so I didn’t play.

The M shuttle behind fashion show mall was at 12:45. I had just under an hour to kill. I decided on having a relaxing tropical malibu bay breeze from the bar in the middle. The bartender had an almost comically deep bass voice. Cool guy. Drink was 8 bucks. WOW. Good bay breeze, but it went fast. Oh Incase you don’t remember, yes im a man drinking a bay breeze. Im on vacation. (although thats not a good excuse when im at a dive bar in new jersey).

Since I had time, I plopped a 20 in a penny slot machine, figuring I may as well blow the rest of the 30 bucks I won minutes earlier. I think it had a bunch of 7s on it, and it was a fairly new machine. After a few max play spins, I hit a nice one. I ended up with a 16 dollar profit when I cashed out. My first ever vegas slot machine win. Woooooo. Felt good, I see why people get addicted. I now had about 15 minutes before the shuttle left for the M.

I walked around the back of fashion show mall to where the M shuttle was parked. Got on with about 9 minutes to spare. Ride wasn’t too long. Arrived at the M around 1pm. Walked through the casino to the Studio B buffet. 16.00 and change for a lunch buffet. One of the best purchases of my life. Unlimited beer/wine/cider/ and a buffet that rivals the bellagio’s. No kidding folks. This was legit. The pastas were my favorite part. Cooked perfectly. Just an amazing eating experience. Only had one glass of wine cider. I was so full. The dessert section is also really good. At that point I was doing it for taste, my stomach was operating on borrowed space. I was stuffed.

Walked over to the front entrance area and asked the desk attendant when the next shuttle was. She said 3. I had about 15 minutes. I went over to a goldfish slot machine to kill some time. Put in 15 bucks. After a bunch of losses, I hit a bonus round thing and ended up with an 11 dollar profit. Another slot machine win. Cashed it out. I went outside and saw a shuttle 50 feet away in a side area. I asked the driver if it was leaving at 3. It was, only it was for the airport. The next shuttle back to the strip was at 4pm. Damn, I knew there was a conspiracy to keep me from hit and run gambling. I walked around outside the M for a few minutes, made a few calls, and took in the beautiful scenery of the desert. I walked back in to the M. I decided to sit down at the M bar. Drink water and listen to the music for an hour was my plan. It turned out to be much more memorable than that.

Hunter S Thompson once said never to burn the locals. I never would do that intentionally. Reporting this part is something i’m not sure is smart, even though I did nothing wrong.

I was sipping water at the bar when a petite woman of 5’2 and maybe 105 lbs approaches the seat next to me. She looks to be in her late 40’s. I’ll refer to her as G. I had no intention of talking to her, but she started talking to me. She was pounding bud lights all day every day from what I could gather. She was in great shape and I figured she was a functional alcoholic. She was well informed on current events and was at the opposite end of the political spectrum as I, but she still recognized I was also a well read young man. We chatted for a while about all kinds of politics, vegas current events and whatnot. She convinced me of nothing, but still had good conversation.

It was 3:56 and I didn’t want to miss my shuttle back to the strip. I told her this, but she said to stay a little while longer, that she would drive me back directly to the Rio without the hassle of taking 2 shuttles and all the walking. I naturally said ok. Around 4:30 we go to leave the M. We talk in the car on the way, I offered to buy her a drink since she drove me. We sit at the shutters bar in the Rio. She played a little video poker while having yet another bud light and as I sipped my second bay breeze of the day. For the record, it wasn’t as good as the one at Treasure island.

I was a little tired and wanted to get a little nap before I went out for the night to see Carrot Top. G insisted we keep drinking and head over to the hard rock. Why not, im in vegas. I play some video blackjack there and just have a bud light like her. We walk around the casino for a bit, talking more about life. I realized that she was batshit insane. G kept on repeating the same stories in slightly different ways throughout my time with her when we weren’t talking about something new. I think it was a combo of functional alcoholism and some kind of insanity. WTF did I get myself into?

It was 730ish at this point. I wanted to get going to the Luxor, unsure if Carrot Top was on at 8 or later. She drives over to Mandalay Bay’s 4 seasons looking for parking, it was just an exercise in frustration. I was too scared to suggest something different. She was being more vigilant.

We finally park in a free lot at the Luxor. I asked her twice in the car if she had wanted to see Carrot Top as well. Both times she asked if I thought he was funny, or if people from my area of the country thought he was funny. She also kept saying the Luxor sucked, which it did, and that Carrot top was gay (not that it matters or that I care, but never thought about it either).

We get inside the Luxor theater and exhibit area. A timeshare salesman who’s good english was probably used up in his sales pitch to me: 2 Carrot top tickets, 2 buffet passes, if I came back tomorrow and sat through a presentation. I said “no, im 22, im not with her, I don’t want the luxor buffet, and im not coming back here tomorrow” in addition, Carrot Top is dark on tuesdays. He kept trying to ask me nonetheless, even after a nice lady working at the nearby kiosk told him loudly that he isn’t performing tomorrow.

I walked over to the box office to buy CT tickets, G went to the bathroom for the 4th time since I met her that afternoon. He was on at 8:30 and I had just under 20 minutes to spare. Here comes the issue: There were only 3 tickets left, none of them together. I didn’t have the cash on me for 2 tix. I figured it would be stupid to buy someone a ticket that they never agreed to wanting, so I just got myself a last row ticket. As I get my ticket, G walks by acting very indignant.

She was upset I didnt purchase her one. I told her the circumstances and the fact that all she did was diss everything about the luxor, never hinting she wanted to see the show at all. I asked if she wanted me to go back and buy a ticket on my card, but looking like she was ready to cry (literally), said no.

I said I felt bad and was sorry but there was really not much I could do. She said she liked me, but that I was a bad person. I asked her to try that again. She then said “Im sorry you’re a nice guy and I like you, but that was fucked up and mean what you did”. Mind you she’s still on the verge of tears. She then asks me angrily “do you have 5 or 10 bucks, im low on gas and need it to get back home (henderson area iirc)” She did drive me all over town, which in a cab would have been a lot more. Plus she got me directly to Luxor without buses or shuttles or wasting time. I cut my losses and gave her 10 bucks. She stormed off angrily towards the exit. Conscious thought now: Why did I even get in her car? She had beer breath and was clearly missing some marbles.

I legitimately felt guilty, even though there was nothing I could do to better the situation. I was tired of watching her drink bud lights all day, and I don’t think she wanted anyone for more than to listen to her craziness.

Long story short, Carrot Top was awesome, I was laughing the whole time. I highly recommend him. Felt a lot better, and brushed everything off. I needed to eat something since I finished lunch 2. It was now past 10. I went to burger bar in the Mandalay Bay/ Luxor hallway connection. I got the hubert keller burger which consisted of a medium rare piece of meat (my choice, cooked to PERFECTION by the way) with carmelized onions, mozzerella cheese, sautéed spinach on ciabatta bread. Got it with sweet potato fries. Ordered a pyramid Heifiwizen beer also. Excellent meal. 27 before tip.


Since I was feeling like a schmuck, I decided to play $10 blackjack at the Luxor. I do not like that casino, has an odd feeling to it. Reminds me of a trashed space station made for kids at an amusement park. Put 40 on the table. Never got ahead. In fact I dropped all 40 in less than 10 minutes. Oh well, had a decent day gambling otherwise (meaning small wins and little loss). Finally had to extract some cash from the atm for the next couple of days. I always win money on that machine.

I got lost trying to find an exit from that godforsaken tomb, and was finally successful in doing so. But not before another used car salesman asked me to do a green screen carpet ride through las vegas. Buddy, you seem like a nice man, but I feel like I was on a carpet ride through las vegas already today. Plus I’m alone, and that amusement is geared more for families, or parents who haven't blown their vacation budget yet on gambling. Thanks anyway.

I walked north on the strip towards the center where a Rio shuttle would pick me up at Ballys. Fuck, that is a long walk when you’re on vacation, and it’s only half the strip. All those pedestrian bridges add up. One thing I noticed: porn slappers are less aggressive than last year. Most of it takes place in areas from Planet Hollywood to harrahs. Finally got to Ballys and hopped on the Shuttle back to the Rio.

I wandered aimlessly around the Rio Casino. Around 2:25 am I put 100 on the craps table. I would have made tons if I was betting donts on the guy who was just shooting. Time for me follow suit. I hit 4 POINTS within minutes. Too bad I was playing Don’ts. And I came up short of the big fire bet anyway. After the 3rd point, I started betting pass line. Was up 20 bucks at one point. I left with 90, only a $10 loss for some good entertainment. Went to sleep pretty easily.

What a day.

 

Wow! My mom always told me to be nice and make new friends, but NEVER get into their car! The same applies to Vegas bar buddies! Glad you made it out unscathed!

Enjoying your trip report - keep it up!

 

Great trip report - for the record I ran into the same problem about ten years ago with a similar female - thought I was going to get killed - ditched her in one of the casinos.

I was at MSS the same day as you but later - I thought it was good but I wasnt terribly impressed - maybe its because I wasnt expecting it to be brunch.