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Gaggles Is Live From Laughlin!

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Trip Reports' started by Gaggles, Oct 26, 2010.

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  1. Gaggles

    Gaggles VIP Whale

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    My Trip Report

    After nine trips to Vegas this year, too many losses, Bellagio fountain shows, long hauls, stripper poles, Mirage volcanoes, short pay bar tops, women of questionable character, bad choices, and the same old routines, an offer appeared that made me bite: Three nights at Harrahs, Laughlin and airfare for $269. The kicker was the taxes included, ground transport and the bag. Allegiant usually charges $50 a bag so in my mind that brought this trip down to a manageable $229.

    Alright dammit, I'm in.

    I had a similar offer earlier this year for Tahoe but we had already bought and paid for Vegas so I had to let it slide. I would much prefer Tahoe over Laughlin having been to Tahoe twice and quite enjoying it. Oh well.

    I know many of you may be asking WTF but I have found myself wandering like an animal on a game trail in Vegas lately. Not bored but certainly falling into a routine. I am not complaining but somethings gotta give. Maybe a downtown only trip or something but a change up was due.

    So I'm not really sure how this ones gonna look everybody but I'm hoping you will all like it. It will be pool weather this weekend so that will be nice.

    I am not sure who this offer was open to but I am hoping Diamond status gets me something better than a standard Laughlin room as the standard Harrah's room in Vegas (from what I've heard) is pretty brutal. I am looking forward to an old school vibe. Sort of like DT Vegas meets the Colorado River.

    The only items of any structure are Joe's Crab Shack, and Grapevine Canyon. Has anybody been there? Details? Travel distance from our hotel etc? It would be appreciated.

    Oh...other structured items...booze..and excessive gambling.

    Any suggestions for eats or activities are welcome!

    Now I must temper expectations just a little with the following disclosures:

    I will be with gf
    I will not be with Beejay
    I will be on a smaller bankroll to conserve for my December trip with Beejay, Macker, Jay and Fun Ty.

    Now, let the Laughlin Hookers roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    I Like to Drink and Gamble
  2. VegasBJ

    VegasBJ VIP Whale

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    Good luck! Let me know if Laughlin has changed at all since it has been probably 20 years since I was there last. I remember it as slow, slow, and slower. I am sure that it has grown up some and modernized, but maybe not?
     
  3. miller6pack

    miller6pack Newbie

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    Harrah's is at the very end of all the casinos, and is not an easy walk to any of them. There are river taxis that are really cool that you can take to any casino. I think it's $2.00-$3.00 one way. Just take it from Harrah's, and then you can walk to any casino. I think they run until 11 pm, but if you miss the last one to Harrah's you can take a cab back from anywhere. Really good if your drinking. There is a club at Riverside, that when we peeked in, was full of 20-30 year olds. Try to get river view room at Harrah's and I think you'll be happy. My sister is diamond there, and usually gets a suite, but because it's your first time, and a weekend,it might be iffy. Harrah's at night is packed with older people that never sleep. I think it's because so many of them don't like to drive to the other places at night. Harrah's is quite far from anything else-not really far-but the walk is on a steep incline, that most people just stay there for the night. Have a great time, and let us know what you thought of Laughlin.
     
  4. vegasmacker

    vegasmacker Canadian Ambassador for Sully's Bar

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    Gaggles after listening to Millers impressions I believe you should bring an extra set of tennis balls for your walker. Also don't forget city garbage mike is coming in December too!
     
  5. PokerrNutt

    PokerrNutt High-Roller

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    Laughlin is kind of like Vegas on Xanax...........a little slowed down, a little more relaxed atmosphere, and a lot older crowd. The average age of the Laughlin tourist is probably around 62 - no kidding.

    That said - there are some good parts.

    Namely, Harrah's buffet is really good and fairly big. The casino is decent sized.
    Tropicana - the diner has some good eats and poker room is decent.
    Aquarius - a smaller buffet than Harrah's - but good for lunch. They have some 100% VP payback machines in near the back.
    Colorado Belle and Edgewater (two sister casinos) - veer away from them - they really cater to the seniors.
    The Pioneer - it is an OLD casino, but a lot of local fun - sort of a combination of Golden Gate and Ellis Island. And there are still a ton of coin machines in there, along with cheap roulette and craps. Along with that - there's a resaurant there that is supposed to be really, really good.
    Golden Nugget - nice casino and they have a club there.
    Laughlin - haven't been there yet, but it might be worth seeing.

    If you have the ACG - they have coupons for Harrah's buffet and Aquarius buffet (2 for 1).

    Have fun - it's worth it to see it. If you get really bored - only about an hour away is Oatman, AZ - a really neat ghost town that's still "alive" with stores, bars, and burros!!!
     
  6. NannyD

    NannyD Tourist

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    We went on a junket to Laughlin in the latter part of August out of Toronto and had a really good time. Yes, there are many seniors of which I am one, however, it was a very relaxed 4 day trip. I rented a car from Tropicana for 2 days and was able to take my husband down to the golf course for a 6:04 am tee time & I headed over the the Avis Casino for those 4 hours & played. Hotter than hades that's why I didn't play golf. From there we went shopping over the river to the Arizona side. I liked having a car because it's too far to walk from Harrah's to everything and the boat pass if you get on and off a number of times can be costly. Therefore the car was great.
    Go to the Riverside & on the 2nd floor is their Prime Rib Room - DELICIOUS. Phone for a reservation or go early and walk in. They have great tables by the large windows and a beautiful river view.
    We definitely enjoyed Laughlin and if we get another invite we would go back. It's just a different experience from Vegas.

    Good Luck & Have FUN

    Diane

    :beer:
     
  7. JNCVH

    JNCVH Tourist

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    "I will be with gf
    I will not be with Beejay"

    I thought Beejay was your Vegas girlfriend?:evillaugh
     
  8. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

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    I've got some footage of Gaggles en route:

    [​IMG]
     
  9. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

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    you know what is ironic about this is I got a mailer for the same trip, it might have even been this weekend but I couldn't talk the wife into it. It was $199 all in for two people, charter air, 3 nights, transfers for Harrah's Laughlin. Similar offer for Atlantic City. Coudlnt get the wife to bite though.

    Have fun you lucky dog!
     
  10. elrohir44

    elrohir44 Low-Roller

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    If you are looking for poker action, set your expectations low. There really isn't that much going on anymore. I know Harrah's runs a 2-5 NL game on the weekends. You can also find 1-2 NL action at the Colorado Belle or the Riverside at peak times. The main game in town is 2-6 spread limit with a full kill.

    While there is not much action, the games can be fun and lucrative for those stakes. Competition is either tight-passive or loose-passive. I am usually the only aggressive player in the room when I am in town (as well as the youngest by at least 30 years). I play mostly at the CB, which I belive to be the best room in Laughlin. Staff and players are very friendly, management is quick and helpfull. There are also lots of progressive jackpots and aces cracked. The low stakes and weak competition make it very safe to get hammered while playing :beer:

    Unfortunately the room at the Tropicana closed within the last year, being replaced by a barely-used 'smoke free' gaming area.

    As far as video poker, Colorado Belle and Edgewater each have a bank of full-pat machines that include FPDW, DB, DDB and Joker Poker. I know there used to be some at the Pioneer, but they have been weeding these out. Definitely avoid Tropicana and Harrah's for VP. Not sure about the rest, but I'm sure there are some good options around.

    Several of the casinos have single-deck 3:2 BJ, but there are doubling restrictions and no DAS. A lot of the casinos have many double deck pitch games with ok rules. Everything is very low stakes- usually $5 min on all tables with maybe one $25 'high limit' table getting very little action. Most dealers are pretty friendly. The only place you will see 6-5 BJ anymore is in the party pit at the Edgewater.

    As was said before, Laughlin is a very slow-paced place, especially as the boating season is ending. The average age for patrons is mid 50s-60s. Don't go looking for eye candy, it isn't there. Not even in the recently added party pit at the Edgewater. Just go realizing it is not a crazy, exciting place like Vegas and you should have a good time.
     
  11. dooner

    dooner High-Roller

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    Everyone has had some great insight to Laughlin. I was like you last trip - needed a break from Las Vegas for a bit (a 7 night trip is a long one - with Laughlin 2 nighter in the middle).

    As far as poker goes, elrohir44 basically nailed it. Very little 1-2 NL during the week (a chance on weekend). In fact very little poker before 3:00 p.m. on most days.

    Harrah's has some good table games - a couple great PGP dealers kept us entertained. Cocktail service was exceptional in morning/afternoon. Buffet - yum! Very good spread - variety of dishes for sure.

    The walk to the other casinos is not that bad - if you cut across the hill to the north of the property - seniors with walkers need not apply!

    There is an outlet mall with theatre and an In N Out. Golf - that's another story - some good courses - even cheap for rentals if interested.

    I enjoyed the Golden Nugget - a good vibe with some solid restaurants on the lower level.

    Take a walk up and down the river and enjoy the scenery whilst imbibing large amounts of beverages - that makes you think that you are Vegas!

    Finally, don't be scared of the average senior age - I'm under 40 and really enjoyed the conversation (not, necessarily the eye candy though).

    Enjoy Gaggles!

    P.S. Don't bring Macker to Laughlin - he'd mess up all the senior's opinion of Canadians!!!!
     
  12. elrohir44

    elrohir44 Low-Roller

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    Totally agree with Harrah's having the best buffet in town. My favorite place to eat in Laughlin is Casa Serrano. The make really good Mexican food and it is very cheap too. My wife and I eat there for under $20, including $4-$5 tip. Service is hit and miss but usually quick and there is a nice view from the window-wall. Also give free chips with really good salsas. It is located across the street from the Riverside in their casino 'extension' or whatever they call it.

    Also agree on the age issue. While most people are older, it does not mean that they are not fun to be around. I am 25 and still have a great time chatting with the other players at the poker table. Of course there are some trashy people that show up at such a low-roller destination, but it just adds flavor.

    I will be out there in 3.5 weeks. Maybe I will finally post a trip report on here. We'll see.
     
  13. JNCVH

    JNCVH Tourist

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    Damn I got the offer as well, or somewhat similar. We could have made another boys trip out of it:drunk:
     
  14. Gaggles

    Gaggles VIP Whale

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    We could have invited the girls and gained equity for more Vegas trips.
     
    I Like to Drink and Gamble
  15. Gaggles

    Gaggles VIP Whale

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    Is living in your parent's house allowing you to save up enough money for our Vegas trip in December?
     
    I Like to Drink and Gamble
  16. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

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    burn baby BURN!

    The best part of the way Macker and Gaggles fight is the fact they do it via internet on their smartphones while sitting across from each other dining on scones and hot tea!:evillaugh

    Smart play actually, your girlfriends see you already fighting like a married couple and figure there is no opening for them to pinch either of you out.:poke:

    This Laughlin sounds pretty sweet, even restful perhaps. And Gaggles is going to need it for December, to quote a famous text from the past:

    [​IMG]
     
  17. Gaggles

    Gaggles VIP Whale

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    Wrapping up a few last minute items at work and making all the required calls to get out of here for a weekend!

    We will be departing for the airport shortly. The weather in all locales suggests there should be no delays but with Allegiant (who I am willing to bet runs late 50% of the time) you never know.

    Taking a much smaller bankroll on this trip but that doesn't mean I'm gambling less. Just no more tilts of $5 DDBP machines!

    Out for now. Next update from sunny Laughlin!

    Get bent Beejay!
     
    I Like to Drink and Gamble
  18. VegasBJ

    VegasBJ VIP Whale

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    Good luck!
     
  19. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

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    Hopefully you hit a run of premium quads and royals like that night at Bally's and come home with a thick wad again!
     
  20. bluestreak

    bluestreak Tourist

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    Trip Report?

    This isn't a trip report, but a preview to my normal gambling destination. Does Friday mean October 29?
     
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