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Discussion in 'Introduce Yourself!' started by Piggylane, Nov 28, 2013.

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  1. Piggylane

    Piggylane Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2013
    Messages:
    679
    Location:
    Quabbin Reservoir, MA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    159
    Hello!

    Sunday will be somewhere near my 150th trip to Las Vegas, all but one for business! I usually spend two weeks there and will do so again, back in January and March too. What my business is quite frankly is none of yours. Sorry to be so blunt, it's necessary though.

    A bit about me. Physicist & Engineer within 10 years of retirement. I like to play video poker, currently over royaled. Way over royaled! Have the W2G's to give to the CPA in January. None of them from strip casinos - not surprising!

    I don't use a players card anymore. I used to be Diamond at Caesar's, Platinum at MGM, Gold at Venetian, Emerald at Orleans and had my mailbox full every day with offers of free play, free rooms, free flights, free merchandise, etc. Hosts (professional thieves) called weekly enticing me back. It took me a couple years and a significant amount of money to really understand that free rooms and free play cost me money given the built in casino advantage. I went willingly, won six figures some times, lost others. In the end the pendulum swung too much and I gave all the player's cards back and am on no one's mailing list!

    All the cheesy merchandise I received usually ended up as targets for my rifle range (got one in the backyard, do you?) - loved those snowflake candy dishes from the Orleans!

    Currently I play for fun and not try to kill the house. It can't be done.

    I am a wrong bettor at craps. Way more successful over my career and since I am not a Vegas local I don't have to worry about losing friends. Watch for a slightly overweight white guy getting yelled at the next two weeks: me! But I will walk with lots of purple chips in my pocket. I always do!

    So that's me. I understand most games, know the probabilities, understand random numbers and have an intimate knowledge of statistics. I don't wish to discourage anyone from their gambling experience, just don't bet the rent or mortgage money; use your discretionary money and have some fun!

    Best wishes to all!
     
  2. atcmurph

    atcmurph Watcher Of The Skies

    Joined:
    Apr 18, 2007
    Messages:
    775
    Location:
    Indiana
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    120
    How about this: "I'd rather not say what my business is." :peace:
     
  3. Piggylane

    Piggylane Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2013
    Messages:
    679
    Location:
    Quabbin Reservoir, MA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    159
    There are many readers and few posters

    I have been reading the message boards here for quite some time. Some folks are nice, some are not, some are indifferent, some are nosy. The latter tend to ask questions that don't need to be asked.

    Spending nearly 300 nights in a hotel room somewhere, consistently for the past 15 plus years, provides me with unique travel perspectives I'm happy to share but I do so in as straight forward manner.

    It's hard to travel the USA and many other countries without running into a casino. I usually stop in to ones I've never visited and post limited reviews on TripAdvisor under a completely different name. There are some real ugly ones out there! I hope to add threads here that are a bit more extensive.
     
  4. KellyLovesVegas

    KellyLovesVegas Earthling/retired space nerd

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    Messages:
    1,848
    Location:
    San Antonio, TX area
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    81

    Welcome, Piggylane. Your posting 'voice' seems familiar :)
     
  5. R8erhed

    R8erhed Tourist

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    Messages:
    39
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    5
    With all that experience, you didn't mention a thing on Vegas really...the bio is great and all, but what about the 'best of?' Casino/poker/craps/dining/spa/hotel/service/shows etc etc

     
  6. Piggylane

    Piggylane Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2013
    Messages:
    679
    Location:
    Quabbin Reservoir, MA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    159
    Replies

    To KellyLovesVegas: this is actually the first message board I've posted on! Bet there are similar cynics out there!

    Regarding the best parts of Vegas, where to begin?

    Restaurants, too numerous to mention! I particularly like Bejing Noodle Number 9 at Caesar's - it's the only place I've been since China that makes food that taste like it was made in China!

    The clam chowder, white (red is clam soup!) at Big Al's Oyster house at the Orleans is the best in town, closest to what we get in New England. Good shrimp cocktails. The Peppermill over serves their portions but I've never had a bad meal, always can count on them.

    Hotels - my favorite is Palazzo but that's not in the current travel policy and since I've quit blowing wads of cash there I don't get comped weeks anymore. Free rooms are really free, are they? If I need an economical place to sleep nothing beats the Orleans. Currently I am staying here until Friday then eight days at Monte Carlo. The Orleans rooms are clean, cool and quiet - that's all I need. Good food here except for the buffet which in my opinion is the worst in the city. Good luck here too, I am up over $2K today on VP and slots.

    Suncoast is another decent economical stay. They torqued me off a few years ago when I sat to play BJ with $200 and a couple hours later, up nearly $20K they told me I was too lucky for them that night. Haven't been back. I don't card count, it was six or eight decks anyway, and actually don't like blackjack nor play it well, just got lucky.

    Another favorite hotel is the JW Marriott. As a Platinum Premier for life I usually get a nice room. The Rampart casino is OK and there are some decent restaurants too.

    In the area the Valley of Fire gets my vote for best place to hike as well as the rail trail at Lake Mead. Also have a blast feeding the fish down at the dock at the marina there.

    There are many more nice things in Vegas, like the locals and many not so nice, like a small slice of the locals. Same for every city I visit though.

    Love seeing the city constantly transformed!
     
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