Late TR - First Post - ect... May 19th- May 27th. Plaza, Cosmo, LVH

Hello to all. Longtime reader/lurker here, first time posting. Love to read all the other TR's and Vegas news while I'm stuck in the Heartland of America.

Quick intro: Male, early 30's, teach math, coach football, love to golf/bowl/drink (Budweiser)/gamble/demo derby. Obviously a degenerate in many ways -- unfortunately all of which are not cheap Been in casinos since I was 18 (on the Indian Reservations)....first trip to Vegas the year I turned 21 and haven't looked back. I'm mad at myself for not keeping track of the exact number. But it is definately 30+ times. Now I go in the fall to bet football, in March to bet basketball, in May to celebrate the start of summer, and once more either late summer or over Christmas break.

Obviously a late TR --- but better late than never. For those of you questioning the accuracy, I kept a notebook of gambling/eating/etc for each day, and working off it as I type this. Never wrote one before -- so bear with me.

Preface: Solo Trip for 9 days -- my celebration to the end of a school year and the start of summer. I look forward to this trip ALL year long. Nothing like rolling solo in Vegas.

Saturday, May 19th:
Afternoon flight out of Omaha, Southwest Direct. Easy Flight, made good time in the air. Came down to baggage claim, where the limo driver sent from the Plaza was waiting for me. (As I understand now, the Plaza does not have a limo, instead they outsource it to a 3rd party - who cares anyway right??) Driver grabs my grip and we are off and running. Off and running to the Budweiser store that is Long story short, first stop in Vegas is always the St. Tropez Market on the corner of Harmon and Paradise. Weather is awesome, so driver burns one down in the parking lot while I down a 24oz of the King. Back in the limo, cross the strip and head downtown. Dropped off at the Plaza, toss the driver $30 and head inside.
Never stayed at the Plaza before. Came on a 3 night comp, free limo, $200 food, and $150 FP. Checked into a room in the North Tower, 2 Queens, very clean. Besides the small bathroom, I have no complaints. Was hungry so I hit the Plaza food court. Ended up at Zaba's (Mexican grill). Think it was the second day it was open --- no body knew what was going on, couldn't get it charged to the room, but the food was good. Chalk it up to growing pains. Would return.
Quick walk through the Plaza casino - dead. Headed to the Nugget for their nightly tournament. In for $105, got no cards, didn't feel like grinding on night one, played loose -- not a good idea with no cards to back you up. Out early. Find a 1-2 NL game.....up, down, all around....decided to hit the Budweiser hard and have a low risk night on opening night. Cashed out -$140. Hit the hay and sleep like a baby in the desert!

Sunday:
Sleep in, wake up, and hit HAGG for breakfast. Great food, too much to eat. Smoking hot lady sitting at the bar having a morning cocktail, I read the LVRJ and enjoyed the lady, paper, and food. Quick nap. Then hit pool. Those of you that have seen the Plaza pool know that it is nothing great. But it is water, and as I watched the temperature clock spin around and hit 106, it would do just fine.
Back to the Nugget for 2-5 NL. Down 1000. Card dead.
Head to Oscars to eat. Never ate here before. Sat at the bar, had the choice of the secret Italian restaurant menu or the steak menu. Chose the biggest filet that you could get, with mac and cheese. Very, very good filet. Would have it anytime. Not cheap place to eat, drink.
Back to the Nugget for 2-5 NL. Up 600. Still no made hands, had to work for everything.
Have the itch to gamble, stop by the Golden Gate. Buy in for a $1000 on the Craps table. Have to lay low in here, as I received the boot here in March.

Story time -- go downtown with my basketball betting crew to blow off some steam and see DJ Lady GoGo do her thing. I'm tuned up (drunk) and head into the GG -- been here before and get along great with the Pit Boss named Jerry (older, small Asian guy), he is pretty lenient with what I can and can't do. When getting drunk and betting between 300-2000 hand (yes, the limits have to changed) I enjoy getting the double down card dealt face down and flipping it myself after the hand is complete. yes --- I know that you can't do that hardly anywhere....but if they let me and I like it why not?? Well, Jerry goes on break, and a bald white guy takes the pit. He comes over and gives me and the dealer all kinds of shit. I tell him to f^$ off and that's when the yellow coats come, and I'm 86'd from the Golden Gate for the night. Ironically, I head across to the LVC and drop about 2000 in 5 mins, hence the Plaza comp. It all comes around.


Back to the night....I see Jerry, he comes up and says hello and pulls me in close and says that he heard that I had some trouble last time. He apologizes and says I'm welcome on his watch anytime. Then I see the other pit ass, by the looks of things I'm still not on his Christmas card list.
Shoot Craps for about an hour, break even and get out.
Head across to the LVC, buy in for $1000 on BJ table. Start out betting a quarter, and I'm a positive progressive player, increasing a unit each win. Go from 25 - 50 - 75 - 100 etc... on wins. After a loss, back to my base unit. Love playing by myself.....sit at 3rd and see the cards come out of the shoe, making my signal before the dealer even has the count. :evillaugh
While playing, I'm approached by a Plaza/LVC host. Beautiful gal by the name of Jasmine. Simply one of the most beautiful women that I've even seen. A little hispanic mix, some white and asian as well maybe??? Wow. Gives me her card, says that she sees I'm staying with them.....everything will be comped, have a great time and bill it to the room. She will cover it when I leave. Love those words. Also invites me back a couple days later for a 25k BJ tournament. Don't make it back for that - but appreciated the offer. Wow she was hot. Between her at the Plaza and DJ Lady GoGo out in front of the Plaza, and the GG girls on the bar outside, how can you not spend some time downtown?? I used to be a strip guy, but I'm becoming sold on the other experiences.

Obviously my vow to myself to stay IN the poker rooms and OUT of the casinos is not working at this point!!!

Gotta run --- days 3-9 to come later.

 

Cool report. Better late than never!

 

Wow, GG blew it! Sucks for them :evillaugh

 

Monday:
Woke up this morning committed to just playing poker for the next couple of days, staying away from the tables. This was the plan going in, but as you have read - has not worked very well. Time to refocus and find some cards.
Decide to hit the pool quick at the Plaza to see if I had missed anything the day before....nope. Sat out, read and replied to some emails for about 30 mins, then headed back inside.
Hungry --- decided to try out the Pop up Pizza in the Plaza. I wasn't terribly impressed, but wasn't disappointed either. Got two slices, a Pepsi, and charged it to the room.
Headed to Binions to play poker. Had been several years since walking in here. Casino was absolutely dead....sounded like a funeral. Poker room is extremely nice though....too bad they don't get more action. Only game running was a 1-2 NL game, including two dealers playing. I grinded and profited $300 before the table broke.
Made a trip to the jerky store, picked up some jerky and a pepsi, and toured downtown. Walked down past the old Western, and just looked around. Thought about making the walk to Rick's Restoration but wasn't 100% sure of the route, so decided against it.
Headed back to the Plaza, and shot dice by myself for an hour. How depressing is that?? Bought it for $500....hit a couple points, pressed some, lost some, etc... Lost a couple bucks.
Then decided to run my free play through a slot. Jumped around....I like WoF, but don't think my free play worked in those. My notes say that I was +70 on my free play.
Not a bad day....plus money, no beer yet....but hungry again.
Head back to Oscars for the second time in as many days. Got the fillet, baked potatoe, and Budweiser. Absolutely awesome. Charged it to the room to get taken care of later. I would recommend Oscar's.
Decide that I owe the Plaza some BJ play, so go down stairs and buy in for $1000. As I'm a progressive player, I need streaks to do damage. None tonight...and I walk away dead even after playing about 2 hours.
As I planning to check out of the Plaza tomorrow, I'm not sure if my ADT is going to be good enough to warrant future offers??? Not a huge deal either way... Just don't want to disappoint Jasmine....LOL.

Tuesday:
Moving day. Headed from the Plaza to the Cosmo. Looking back on this, I was a genious to do it in this order....might be disappointing the other way around!! In all honesty, I had no choice in the matter. LOL.
Before checking out of the Plaza shortly before lunch, I grab another meal at Pop-up-Pizza and charge it to the room. Pizza good again, not great, not bad. Check out, and yes, no charges.
Grab a cab, and head to the strip.
Cosmo is ready for me. Second time I've stayed there...first time with a balcony. I'm impressed. Wish I had my gf with me, she would like this. Pictures attached...hope it works.
Staying at the Cosmo under a two night comp, with $50 in F&B. What can you buy for $50 at the Cosmo??? My solution...head to the bar and order 4 Fiji Waters to go....that takes care of the $50. LOL.

For those of you interested in the comp offer --- I don't play at the Cosmo. Have only played there twice in my life. Both times being in March of 2011. Was walking the strip with one of my friends, both wanted a beer....so being the geniouses that we are, I say "f*^ buying one, let's sit down and play BJ in the Cosmo and get a freebie".... Well, 30 mins later I was down $750, but we had two free Budweisers. Same story the next day, we were walking past it and the same friend mentioned that I should get my money back. 30 mins later I had lost another $500.
But --- I have recieved offers from them constantly now. Taking them up on them twice. Always the same offer. 2 nights and $50. So, I'm down $1250 to them, but have 4 free nights and $100 in Fiji water from them....

Poker day at Aria. Buy into NL....and grind, and grind and grind. Still no cards. End up down $1000 at day's end.

Head back to Cosmo to enjoy my room. I grab the Secret Pizza on the way up and enjoy it on the balcony while watching the strip and the NBA playoffs on TV.

More later...

 

This... is great.

 

Keep em coming.

 

yes great report... waiting for the rest.... hurry

 

Can you tell me a little about Oscar's? Do they still have the 'Babes' there? Is it a hard sell?

A man dining solo seems to be what they're gunning for.

 

I like the plaza after the renovations a lot but it doesn't get particularly exciting in the casino until maybe/once in a while late at night.....

 

Like I said, I enjoyed Oscar's. Enjoyed it so much that I went back the next night and had the very same thing. They did still have the "babes", but they weren't aggressive at all. I don't think it's what you think it is....the "babes" just stop by and say hi. They don't ask for anything, and move on quickly. Like you said, since I was a male dining solo, I should have got the worst of it. Didn't cost me a dime, and to be honest, they weren't much to look at! LOL.

Food is good --- not terribly overpriced, but not a bargain either. The view of Fremont street is the best part.

I would try it!

 

Wednesday:
Wake up in luxury at the Cosmo....slept in....though I think I could have slept forever. Really enjoyed the beds, and the feel of the rooms. But...it's Vegas and time to get back to it.
Headed out for a walk on the strip....headed South (I hate heading south on the west side of the strip....anybody know a good way around City Center??? It sucks. Have to remember to jump across the strip before hitting that mess) End up at Hooters.

Hooters is a place that I've recently included in my travels. Just once per trip though....couldn't handle it more than that. I enjoy sitting at the back VP bar, drinking free Budweisers and ordering some 8 mile boneless wings. A good meal that reminds me of Sundays back home, minus the comped beer of course. I break even on VP, flip the gal $15 to cover the wings and tips, and head out. Had my name on the 1/2 NL list for about an hour, but they couldn't get it to more than 3 names. I had my mind set on buying in for the max and trying to run over a table --- just to change things up....but it never happened.

Back out to the strip and head to Planet Hollywood for 1/2 NL. Typical scene there --- terrible players and soft games. Unfortunately, I was still running cold. Dropped 600 by losing on the river to a two outer twice. At this point I was down on my luck and decided to call it a night on poker and head out.

At this point, I'm second guessing everything....playing scared, getting no cards, and not having a ton of fun. Has to change at some point doesn't it???

I do make the smart decision however to NOT go on tilt, and stay away from the BJ tables. Instead, I grab Panda Express and hoof it back to the Cosmo to enjoy the last night there. Also make a couple bets on the NBA game before heading to the room. Watch the game in the room, covering the number and the total....so that was a good end to the night!!!

Tomorrow is moving day --- time to head to the LVH. Will get to that when I have time. For those of you reading/following this, I hope you are enjoying it. As I write it, I'm reliving the trip and relishing the thought of going again in 3 weeks!!

 

enjoyed your report. thanks for posting.

 

Great report so far--Enjoying your ways

 

I'm enjoyiing the TR also. I often go to vegas solo and think its great to do what I want, when I want, how long I want to do it blah blah blah.Like I said earlier post, I like the Plaza but i've never tried Oscars. I will next time because of what you said.You might have mentioned it but were you sitting at the bar or did you have a table at Oscars??

 

I had to sign up just to comment on this TR...Awesome. Cant wait for the rest

 

First night at Oscar's I sat at the bar. Second night I had a seat in the dining room overlooking Fremont Street. Both were fine. Some solo people might feel awkward eating by themselves in the dining room, but it doesn't bother me one bit. Service at the bar was great though.

 

Thursday:

Today was moving day, again. Time to move from the Cosmo to the LVH. Some may be disappointed about this move, but the LVH has become home to me over the past 3 years. I have a decent host there, and they take great care of me. And as you've probably picked up on, I don't mind being away from the crazyness of the strip and all the rowdy 20-somethings. Guess I'm getting old. I just hope the LVH doesn't go down the toilet now that it has changed hands.

After packing my bags at the Cosmo, I check out on the TV in my room and head down the elevators to the Secret Pizza place for one last slice. I sit and eat in the lobby, people watching one last time at the Cosmo. As I lowplayed them two stays in a row, I'm not expecting them to be beating down my mailbox with future offers!!!

After eating, I head outside and across the street to jump on the monorail -- which takes me right to the LVH (hard to not call it the Hilton!!!). When I arrive at the LVH, I try to checkin at the regular desk, but am directed to the VIP checkin. A nice touch by my host. Thanks.

Up to the room. Nothing special, but a great room. I always get the newly revonated ones, and they are one of the best values in Vegas. Decide that it is a beautiful day and I head out for a walk. End up "slumming" on the North Strip, dropping in the Circus Circus (why anyone would go in here twice is beyond me???) I had avoided it for at least 5 years, and I guarantee you that it will be at least twice that long this time!!!

Head across to the Riv. Been a long time since I've seen this joint as well. Sit down at a 1/2 NL and quickly discover it's me and 8 locals. 3 of which are caddy's from the Wynn. They are all playing for "hours" so they can be eligible for the Free-Roll at month's end. They are tighter than tight. No money exchanges hands.....I get hands and there is no action. They raise sometimes preflop...I will call or come over the top, just to try to change the table, but it is hard playing 1 on 8. After several beers and down 200, I decide to wish them well and leave. What a life....playing hour after hour, folding folding and folding again.

Head back to the LVH and have a free Buffet. This buffet will not amaze you, but it is damn solid, I promise you that. Another staple that is hard to beat. I grab some sports betting sheets and head to the room --- time to pick out some futures bets I study a little, and hit the hay. Another day tomorrow.

For those people that enjoy betting sports --- I will dedicate the next section to you.... On a later date Gotta go.

 

ive only been in the ' Hilton' once, but man was it dead, and i mean DEAD.To each his own, thats whats great about Vegas and the many,many choices in where to stay and where to gamble.Tks for the info on Oscars and sitting at the bar,which i'm gonna do next trip...

 

I kind of like the Hilton, can get free drinks while in their sportsbook. The glaring negative is the distance from the strip.

 

Side story on the LVH:

As promised above....I wanted to mention why the LVH has become "home base" for me over the past couple years.

For over 15 years a group of my now friends have been going to Vegas once a year in March to bet March Madness. They loved the Mirage sportsbook and always stayed for cheap at IP, Casino Royale, or something of the sort. Then I got in on the trip about 5 years ago --- I was not a big sports bettor but soon became one. The Mirage was great, awesome ticket writers, and great drink service. Then things changed....fast!!! The dreaded drink ticket policy came to be. Now my friends couldn't drink unlimited, all day long. And we do damage -- start about 8am on screwdrivers, hit the bud by 9am, and don't leave the sportsbook until around 7-8pm, and instruct the gals to bring a round each time they come by. Nothing to be proud of, but we can handle this, and impress many people when we can all stand up and walk a straight line out of there. We always tip the gals about $10 per round, and they love the "Nebraska boys". Hell, they even used to bring us donuts in the Mirage!!

Once we had to start betting $2 show tickets on ponies, just to accumulate tickets, it was time to move on. So I suggested the Hilton. Biggest book in town, and still free drinks. Crew loves it now.

We hit it up twice a year for a weekend of sports. Always go in March for Conference Tourney weekend, and in fhe Fall for Football weekend. Drinks are still free, we have a reserved table, and we don't have to ever go outside!!! Can go straight from our rooms, to the book, to the buffet, back to our rooms and never see the light of day. True degenerates!!!

Plus --- even though I play BJ at a level to be comped rooms/food....my pals do not. Just by their minimal play, they still receive $40 rooms at the Hilton any day of the week. Can't beat it!!!'

I just have a feeling that it will quickly come to an end with the new management at the LVH. Then I'm not sure what we will do??? Station casinos offer free drinks in the books??? I know if seems silly to chase free drinks, but that is what this group does. Plus, it is usually a group of 10 or more, and when you're drinking 2-3 beers an hour for 12+ hours a day....it gets damn expensive, fast!! LOL.

Sorry for the tangent. More to come on the trip report when I have a minute.