Pre-Trip Notes - Memorial Version (Long)

Well it's time again for another trip, and another version of my voluminous trip notes for your viewing pleasure. Before every trip to Vegas I spend time researching promotions, reading trip reports, and saving all the information I think I might use. As a result I have this huge list which I share with my fellow VMB-ers.

For those who don't know me I go to Vegas a few times a year, play red-chip blackjack, $.25 (sometimes $1) video poker, and my crack cocaine game is Let It Ride. I chase promos and use coupons. I keep the majority of my meals at $10 or under (not including tax, drink, or tip) and I eat very well.

So please feel free to peruse for pleasure and hopefully some of you can find some useful info from the experience. The casinos are listed in groups starting with downtown, then Strip, then off-Strip. Have fun & good luck!

Disclaimer: This is information copied from blogs, trip reports, casino websites, and other even more unsavory sources. I take no responsibility for the accuracy of the information, and the typos are not mine. Enjoy!

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Plaza - $15 tickets Centerfolds Of Magic (internet)

Golden Nugget - The Grotto is my favorite restaurant downtown. Great menu and wine list and reasonably priced. The thin crust brick oven pizzas are just outstanding. You can also order pizza to go, just ask the bartender. $60-4-50 poker chips, 2-4-1 drink Rush, 2-4-1 breakfast/lunch buffet M-F (ACG)

Binions - 2X points up to 500, 2-4-1 burger (ACG)

Four Queens - 20% off Hugo's, Magnolias, Chicago Brewing (Club 55). Free admission Jay Bolan show (internet). 2-4-1 lunch/dinner Magnolias (ACG)

Hennessey's - 2-4-1 burgers or breakfast on Tuesdays coupon (internet)

El Cortez: Throughout May, Club Cortez players winning a jackpot of $200 or more on a slot machine, a $200 or more jackpot on a video poker five-cent or lower denomination machine, a $300 or more jackpot on a video poker ten-cent or high denomination machine or a $200 or more jackpot on live keno will receive their choice of a free gift card from Walgreens, Smith’s, Walmart, Shell or Chevron. $5 Burger & Beer with chips served in Café Cortez, available 24/7. Saturdays & Sundays in the sports book $1 hotdogs & $2 Bud. From May 16-19 during the Helldorado Rodeo El Cortez will offer $3 Crown Royal specials at all casino bars. Rodeo attendees who visit El Cortez following the rodeo will be eligible for the nightly Rodeo drawing to win $200 cash, two tickets to the NFR on the night of their choosing as well as a two-night stay in a Cabana or Tower room. Interested attendees can show their ticket stub at Club Cortez to receive a ticket. One winner will be selected each night and winners must be present to win. Drawing times are Thursday, May 16 at 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18 at 11 p.m., and Sunday, May 19 at 7 p.m.

According to a VMB member's post there is now free WiFi all along Fremont St courtesy of LVNET.

Helldorado Days, this May 16th - 19th, is an outdoor community event celebrating Las Vegas's tribute to the Wild West and produced by the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge No.1468. Helldorado Days which began in 1935, is the longest running civic event in the history of Las Vegas, originally created as a means to encourage tourism to the city upon completion of the Boulder Dam. With over 40,000 people in attendance, Helldorado Days offers a 4-day pro rodeo, a parade, carnival, treasure hunt for gold, whiskerino contest, golf tournament, poker tournament, art show and auction, trail ride, exhibits and food. For 4 days Downtown Las Vegas is transformed into Helldorado Days as the event takes over several vacant downtown blocks and builds a rodeo arena and carnival from the ground up.

Punk Rock Bowling and Music Festival. Don’t miss this four-day celebration of punk music with bands performing in downtown Las Vegas on Fremont Street May 24-27, coinciding with a bowling tournament at Sam’s Town and the Gold Coast.

$2 off Mob Museum admission coupon (internet)

Hooters: “Pulling for Riches” tab promotion. Get a pull tab every day in May with a chance to win up to $1,000 cash and other prizes including FREE slot play, matchplay, hotel stays, gifts and more. Get a FREE tab every Sunday. Earn 125 points on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 250 points Thursdays through Saturdays. Players may earn up to two tabs per day. Pawn Stars free slot pull 5/23 11 AM - 8 PM.

Planet Hollywood - 10% off Pinks, 25% off Spice Market buffet, 2-4-1 drink (ACG)

The $22.13 lunch special in Estiatorio Milos at the Cosmopolitan serves a three-course meal (with options) weekdays from noon to 2:30 pm. Unlock up to five keys for your chance to win in this unique new game for Identity Members only through 6/9/13. From $1,000,000 cash to complimentary stays, everyone wins every time. Identity Members can earn chances to win by gaming on slots and video poker. Receive one game play for first 100 Identity Points earned on select slots and video poker with additional game plays for every 400 Identity Points earned. Maximum of 12 game plays during promotion period. Visit the Identity Membership Desk to learn more.

Westin Causarina - Gambling happy hour $.25 roulette, $3 craps, $5 table games, 5-8 PM Mon - Th.

Flamingo - For the month of May, Margaritaville restaurants will feature specialty burgers created by Margaritaville Chefs across the country, showcasing the diversity of the iconic sandwich. With Social Media “Meat-Ups” (encouraging the brand’s fans and followers to photograph their burgers for exclusive giveaways) taking place throughout the month, there will be plenty of good food, good drinks and good fun to go around. 2-4-1 frozen margarita Carlos & Charlie's (ACG)

Mirage - On the casino floor, outside the HL room. One table of S17 DD ($25 min).

Venetian - 2-4-1 menu item at Bella Pannini & San Gennaro (ACG)

Riviera - 2 free comedy club tickets, 2-4-1 drink, 2-4-1 buffet (ACG)

Circus Circus - Win Cards. $6.99 breakfast or lunch at Rock & Ritas coupon (internet)

You can get in on the fun by visiting the Total Rewards Center or promotions area at any Caesars Entertainment destination across the country, through May 19, for game pieces containing a special puzzle. Then, watch “Wheel of Fortune” from May 13 to May 24, 2013. Two game piece puzzles will be revealed during each show. If your game piece matches the puzzle on the show, you win.

Bonanno's Pizzeria - 2-4-1 menu item (ACG) - Palace Station, Flamingo, MGM, Luxor

LA Subs - 2-4-1 sub/salad (ACG) - Flamingo, Luxor

Nathan's - 2-4-1 menu item (ACG) - Venetian, Ballys, MGM, NYNY, Luxor, Palms

M Resort - Up to $1000 free play for new members.

South Point still has the 75 cent hot dog special near the sports book. From May 1–31, players have the opportunity to win a 2013 Finlay Camaro 2LS. Earn one electronic entry into the “$800,000 Need for Speed Camaro A Day Giveaway” drawing for every base point earned on slots or video poker.

Silverton - SENIOR MONDAYS - Drawings at 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm every Monday, 3 $1000 CASH Winners, 3 $500 CASH Winners, 15 Winners at each drawing! Free Starbucks coffee while playing.

Orleans: FREE gifts on Mondays in May. Earn 300 points, swipe your B connected Card at any kiosk to receive a voucher. Present voucher at the B Connected Club to receive the designated free gift: Monday, 5/20 – Stainless Steel Ice Bucket. Saturday drawings at 5:15 & 7:15 PM, see flyer for details. Tuesdays Young At Heart drawing at 4:30 PM, swipe for free entry. Play the Young at Heart Kiosk game to win cash & prizes, 10 points. Bill’s Gambling Hall is closing for renovations on Feb 4, 2013. Starting Jan 28th, the Orleans shuttle will stop at the North Flamingo Entrance of Bally’s.

For $7.99 lunch, the Palms buffet is best value in town. Check the 24/7 cafe for players specials, also $5 off coupon (internet). Rode the new shuttle from Palms to Caesars Forum Shops that started 4 months ago. A very welcome change is the new promotion area where the poker room used to be, less crowded than the old food court location. The “Play, Earn, and Win” promotion continues on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays – but the good news all this month is you don’t have to settle for “stuff.” The former “gift days” are “free slot play days” in May. The mailer says you can “earn over $200 in free slot play each day and you keep the points!” A mini earn-and-swipe promotion continues on Tuesdays. And their usual drawings continue on Fridays and Saturday nights at 8 p.m., from April 27 through June 1. 50+ Half price buffet (cash or points) on Thursdays, 50% off special Sterling Advantage menu at 24 Seven Café, scratch card promo. $40-4-25 slot play (Slot Play Coupons)

Gold Coast: $5,000 Hot Seat Fridays in May. 4 pm-9 pm. $1,000 in cash prizes. 10 winners receive $100 every hour. Slot and video poker players with B Connected card inserted in machine are eligible. Saturday drawings 7:15 & 8:15 PM, see flyer for details. Senior Mondays - 5X Points on Video Poker, Free entry into Video Poker Tournament from 1pm-8pm. Only 50 points needed, 1-8 PM. Tuesdays Young At Heart drawing at 4:30 PM, swipe for free entry. Play the Young at Heart Kiosk game to win cash & prizes, 10 points. Wed May 22 earn 300 points for free headphones 3-8 PM.

Ellis Island - The great $7.99 steak special has gone up a buck to $8.99---sort of. After players play $1 or more with their players club card at any machine, they can print a $1 off voucher at any Passport Central kiosk. They must present the voucher to the server before ordering. It’s available daily and is good for the BBQ and Cafe. Steak and daily specials included, except the taxi steak and egg special. 50+ Club for seniors, with drawings every Tuesday and Thursday 11 AM - 4 PM, also swipe promo. I found out you need to run $20 through the machines at Ellis Island to qualify for the senior drawings if you're not local. “Swipe Every Day” promo, where you can “win cash, free play, scratch cards, patio sets, BBQ grills, and more!” First swipe is free, but you can get a second one by earning 100 same-day base points. 2-4-1 pizza slices on Thursdays. May: 5x Monday’s & Friday’s, 6x Tuesday’s & Sunday’s, Saturdays: 10x slots all day, 10x vp from 3pm-11pm. 50% off menu item (ACG)

Tuscany - Many of the 8/5 Bonus games have been reduced to a 7/5 paytable. 10x-point days continue in May on Mondays and Fridays. Pull tabs also return, on the 8th and the 22th. Same rules – 1000 base points = 1 pull tab, with a max of 4 per day. Mystery Free Play days are on the 14th and 28th. Gift days are on the 2nd, 16th, and 30th. The Wal-Mart gift card ($10) promotion continues every Saturday in May. Same as with pull tabs, 1000 base points = 1 card, max 4 per person. There is a 2-step redemption process: Voucher must be picked up same day at the players club, but you must take voucher to the gift shop the same day earned or the next day, Sunday, to actually pick up your gift card. $5 table matchplay (ACG)

Terribles - Fridays and Saturdays in May, 7pm and 9pm Five lucky winners will draw TWO prizes and keep the prize they like best Top prize of $5,000 in CASH at every drawing! Receive one entry for every 50 base points earned. 4X points VP Saturdays, 3X points VP Thursdays. Nifty 50 Tuesdays for over age 50: 5x on your first 1000 points earned. Swipe at kiosk.

Hard Rock - Every Tuesday & Wednesday in May - Earn 300 Base Points for your choice of Breakfast / Lunch, Earn 600 Base Points for you choice of Dinner. 10x Reels & Video Reels / 5x Video Poker Every Sunday & Monday in May. Check players club for info - $5 freeplay & $10 dining credit email. $10 table matchplay (ACG)

Eastside Cannery - May 1-31 May Flowers daily swipe promo (see flyer). Every Saturday in May earn 250 points for a gift & a card with a chance to win a cash prize. Wise 55 3x Mondays all games for age 55+.

Sam's Town - Drawings on Saturdays 4:15 & 8:15 PM, see flyer for details. Tuesdays Young At Heart drawing at 4:30 PM, swipe for free entry. Play the Young at Heart Kiosk game to win cash & prizes, 10 points.

AZ Charlie's (Boulder) - Single Deck Blackjack Pays 3 to 2.

Stations/Fiestas: “May $3 Million Swipe & Win” giveaway includes the chance to win roundtrip airfare for two to Hawaii on Allegiant Airlines as well as cash, dining and slot play prizes. The promotion runs through May 26. Entries may already be earned daily by playing slots, video poker, keno, bingo, table games as well as with select race and sports wagers. Entries earned during the week will be applied to drawings on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 8:15 p.m. Entries earned at one property do not carry over to the other properties. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, guests may swipe their Boarding Pass card at any Boarding Pass kiosk to win cash up to $10,000, free meals, slot play and more. In addition, $600,000 will be awarded through drawings each Friday, Saturday and Sunday with 10 guests per property winning up to $1,000 each. While guests have up to 24 hours to claim prizes, any winner that is present and claims their prize within three minutes of the drawing, will be awarded a “Be There Bonus” that doubles the prize. May Senior Wednesdays - $3,000 FREE Slot Tournaments at every casino 10am-7pm.

Rampart - Drawings Sat at 6, 7, & 8 PM, 100 points/entry, double entries M-Th, 10 winners each drawing. If you're 50 or older join the party every Tuesday with our "Fifty Plus Party." Guests over 50 get a free swipe at the kiosk after earning just 50 points with prizes ranging from free buffets, to Free Slot Play and more! 2X points on VP Wednesdays.

Jerry's Nugget - Tuesdays 50+ 5X points, free $5 matchplay.

Opera House - 40 coin VP quad bonus up to $1 (ACG)

Lucky Club - 40 coin VP quad bonus up to $1 (ACG)

Silver Nugget, Lucky Club, and Opera House: Launched new “My Points” players club. $1 coin-in = 3 points. 1,000 points = $1.00 cash back, comp, or merchandise (.30%). Pit players now also earn actual points for play. New members receive $3- $100 in free slot play upon first carded play automatically.

Cannery - May 25 Sat. Kool Summer of Fun Kick Off Fest & Car Show featuring: The Surfaris, Crystals, Brooklyn Bridge, The Trammps featuring Earl Young, 4pm Free. May 1-31 May Flowers daily swipe promo (see flyer). Thursdays in May earn 250 points for a gift & a card with a chance to win a cash prize. Thru May: 5x slots/3x vp Thursdays. Wise 55 3x Mondays all games for age 55+.

Fiesta Henderson - Table games buy-in for $100 and have one hour of consecutive play during promotion hours to receive dining credit. Limit one $5 dining credit per person. Must play for one hour in between midnight and 6am to receive offer. ALL-NEW Café Fiesta now open! 24-hour dining. Everything under $10!

Skyline - $20 bonus on quads at main bar, $20 bonus for 4 8's (email)

Shelby American
6755 Speedway Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89115
Phone702)942-7325
Monday - Friday: 8 am - 5 pm, Museum & Facilities Tour is at 10:30 am only
Saturday: 10 am - 2 pm, Museum Only Tour is at 10:30 am only

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Wow, are you planning on taking advantage of all of these items!? How long is your stay?

Looking forward to hearing all about it after your return. Have a great frugal, well-thought-out trip

 

LOL! No WAY could I do everything.

I use the notes to create a schedule, so I can see at a glance what's going on that particular day. What I actually decide to do depends on my mood, casino clustering, the value of the promotions to me, etc.

When I get to a particular casino I check out the notes so I don't forget to use whatever I have available.

For example 5X points at Gold Coast puts me squarely into + VP territory, so that's a for sure, especially when combined with a VP tournament the same day.

At some point in the evening the rental car gets parked, and serious drinking can begin.

I'll be there 8 nights this trip, mostly downtown, broken up by 2 nights at Orleans. I need to make up for the last trip, which was my heaviest loser in the past couple of years.

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