Solo Buzz (Dec 8-12)

This is my 43rd trip to Vegas and 2nd solo one. The first solo trip was several years ago and I did have some friends in town so it wasn't completely solo. This one could be unless my friend Ted arrives on Wednesday. His wife teaches school in Vegas but he has been back home farming.

I said I would never fly Allegiant Air again but I ended up booking this trip out of Cedar Rapids IA because the price was right and the flight times allow me to drive to and from the airport in the daylight. And then with a Winter Weather Advisory issued for Sunday, I ended up heading to my local Isle of Capri in Waterloo IA on Saturday night. That led to a very, very early arrival for my Sunday afternoon flight.

Hotel will be the Flamingo comped for four nights. The host I have worked with at South Point said offers were unavailable during the Rodeo so I passed on casino rate plus resort fee. My online reservation said I would be paying a $18.00 resort fee at Flamingo but it was not mentioned at check in and has not appeared on my bill so far.

Despite a few inches of snow, Allegiant came through with on time arrival for the incoming flight. If not for de-icing, we would also have left on time. Flight was uneventful and we arrived almost an hour late at 5:30 pm.

 

Can I get a low cal beer?

Since this was a solo trip and I was on the Strip for all four days, I cancelled my car rental and took a cab to Flamingo. I said "no tunnel" but not sure if he heard me. We took Koval and cost was $18.10 plus tip. A bit of traffic.

My Fab room is dated and has a "great" view of the old Bill's. Not impressed especially with the 7:00 AM wake up call from the construction.

After unpacking, I went to Margaritaville for dinner. I had the boneless wings and a Michelob Ultra. Last trip, I drank Landsharks the first night and got hammered drunk and hammered at the tables.

Next, I moved to the Mississippi Stud table in the Margaritaville Casino. I asked for an Ultra but was informed they only had Bud Light, Miller Lite, and Coors Lite. I said no thanks and soon moved on with a $10 profit.

Walked through the Quad and then to Harrahs for more Mississippi Stud. Table was full when I sat down but quickly cleared. Played a few hands solo but was eventually joined by a rotating group of guys from Windsor, Ontario. This was the last night in town for the group of ten. Fun group.

The waitress came by so I asked what they had for low calorie beer. The massage gal informed me that her messages were VERY low cal. Oops. Eventually, I did get a waitress to bring me a Miller 64. OK, two or three waitresses and many Miller 64s.

After buying in for my second hundred, I played mostly even for several hours before hitting a flush for $180. This was soon followed by pocket Aces with a board of Deuce, Deuce, Ace for a cool $500. I eventually cashed out with the full $500 profit. See chip porn below.

And more chip porn to come!

 

What do you need?

So today, Monday, I woke up around 7:00 am to the pounding at Bill's. A minor headache was quickly cured with a couple of generic drugs. I considered asking for a room change but decided against it. It's only going to be two more mornings since I have to get up early Thursday anyway.

Confirmed the resort fee was still not on my bill but decided to purchase internet anyway. I figure I can use two 24 hour sessions to cover the rest of the trip. If I end up getting charged the resort fee, the internet fees will disappear.

I purchased a couple of MyVegas solo buffet passes before I left. One was for Monte Carlo which serves brunch 7a-3p. I figured this would allow me to have breakfast at least once no matter how late I eat. Well, I was out the door before 9:30. It was not spectacular by any means but for free it was fine. I made five trips for food and had three pepsis from the self serve drink section.

(1) Small salad with Italian and a bit of cole slaw.
(2) Bacon, sausage patty, chicken apple sausage, and hash browns.
(3) Chicken noodle soup.
(4) Spicy corn muffin, French toast, and more bacon.
(5) Two different chocolate desserts.

I walked back to Aria where the only double deck blackjack game open was a $1000 minimum. Looked like the guy was playing $5k chips. I instead lost $100 in a Wild Panda slot with $450 coin in.

I crossed the street to Planet Hollywood for some more Mississippi Stud. Played a few hands alone before I was joined by an impatient lady. You have to have patience and deep pockets to play this game. Oh well, she left soon and I was solo again.

Dealer Cathie was awesome. My first pocket pair were 8s and she says "What do you need?" I would not tell her and she's like how I can think the card if I don't know what you need.

Still solo, I get pocket Aces and have to dig for my fourth hundred. A game of patience and deep pockets. I tell her I have a winning pair and they are not face cards. She says "Aces?" but I don't confirm. I just cannot say it! She turns over an Ace and we both say "Yeah" or such. "Come on, one more". Bam!!! Second card is an Ace!! Quad Aces for an awesome $2000. Did I say Cathie was awesome?

Table filled up while Cathie was on break and I eventually cashed out $1600 profit. I am now back in the room taking a break.

 

Awesome start! I have 6 days to go, and hope I can get a start like that. Continued good luck...can't wait to read more

 

I love Mississippi Stud but I always get killed playing it. I am just happy to see that people can actually win at that game! Great job and keep it going!

 

Enjoying the report!

 

Monday night

Ok, mostly a low rolling night with no chip porn.

I played a Wild Panda slot at Flamingo for mostly $2 and $3 a spin with brutal results. I was in for several hundred and winning almost nothing when I bumped to $5 a spin and got a bonus round for $300 plus. It helped but still booked a loss.

I then walked to Casino Royale and picked up a couple of $1 Michelob Lights. Back to Margaritaville for a little Mississippi Stud until I finished those beers. Again I asked for an Ultra and even though it is available at the casino bar, the waitress does not bring them from there. Your loss Flamingo.

Back to Casino Royale where I decided to low roll Free Bet Blackjack. I use to play here a lot back when they dealt a decent double deck game. Played several hours of a game I am sure has poor odds but the Michelob Lights were flowing. Booked a small profit I think and had fun.

On the return to Flamingo, I played a few minutes of solo Mississippi Stud at Harrahs. Small win or small loss....not sure how much I had bought in for.

Now it is well past bedtime but I stop at a $25 double deck blackjack game at Flamingo. What can I say, it was on the way to the elevator. Had a great time and booked either a $100 or $200 win. Somehow, my notes and bankroll were off by $100 this morning. Damn light beer. Must stick to low cal!

Slow moving this morning. Damn light beer.

 

Nice photos

zzuBer, I had to reactivate my membership (last posted in 2005) in order to see the chip porn, but it was worth it. Will Detroit and aRFBy be far behind me?

 

I am also a big Michelob Ultra fan. I found that only MGM properties serve it, no CET. Something to do with contract thingy with beer company.

Anyone know about availability of Ultra downtown?

Great report - keep it coming!

(and I agree about the big bankroll needed for Mississippi Stud - although with my experience, the bankroll simply gets drained quicker!)

 

Hello Big!! I forgot you had to be a member to see the photos.

 

The Tuesday drag

Tuesday late lunch was at the Aria Buffet, again using a MyVegas reward. Maybe it was because I was a little hungover or just not that hungry, but I was underwhelmed here. The meat selections were ok but the potato and vegetable options were limited.

Tuesday afternoon was a complete drag. I played the Wild Panda a couple times and also short Mississippi Stud sessions at both Flamingo and Harrahs. Maybe it was the losing but I just could not get my gamble going. I ended up back in the room watching TV for awhile.

Finally got moving again and headed to Harrahs for more Stud. I don't think I ever hit more than two pair over several hours but did end up with a good group and dealers. Lost but had fun.

I again tried to go to bed but that $25 double deck blackjack game looked inviting. Bought in for $200 and almost went broke before getting a little run to cash out $300.

I think today I'm going to look for some lower limit but decent blackjack. Maybe TI. It does have to be an early night though as I leave in the morning.

 

The Two Step Recovery Program

I walked to TI where I had a great meal at Gilley's. First time there since it closed at the Frontier. 1/2 rack of Baby Back Ribs, mac & cheese, and chipotle cheddar tater tots, and a soda for $30 including tip.

I was planning to check out their blackjack even before receiving a $10 match play at Gilley's. I lost the match play on the first hand ($10 double deck) but recovered quickly and booked a $120 win. I would have played longer but I prefer a hand held game over a face up game.

On the way back, I played heads up Mississippi Stud (edit...at Margaritaville) and won the first three hands including a straight. Then after a dealer change, I won three in a row again followed later by a flush. Six black out on a $100 buy in.

So in two stops today, I have recovered all of yesterday's losses.

 

More chip porn!

Do I really have to go home tomorrow?

Flamingo has two Wild Pandas which is pretty much the only slot I play. The one that has treated me well in the past has an issue with the screen so I have avoided it so far. Well, the other one sucks so I gave it a try this afternoon and won $180.

Harrahs Mississippi Stud tables were closed and the one at Flamingo has been a loser for me so I decided to try Ballys. (The Quad table has also been closed most of the time.) A little "older" crowd here but still a fun table. Bought in for my second hundred and then got Ace-Five. Dealer turned Ace-Five-Five for a $400 full house. Unbelievable, two full houses and a quad in four days.

Not sure what to do tonight. 6:00 AM is going to come damn early so I have to take it easy. Have not heard from my friend Ted so he must not have left Iowa yesterday as planned.

 

Slot pic

Last post from Vegas.

Nothing good to report on the Mississippi Stud front tonight but I did hit for $400.00 on the Wild Panda. I also had a milkshake for dinner at Johnny Rockets using reward credits.

Excellent trip overall.

 

Nice hits and good read so far. What are the odds on MS that you hit for 2K, was that on your 5 dollar wager up front?

 

Yeah he is playing the minimum $5 ante which makes this game really sick. It is easily the most swingy table game. Playing optimally hitting a $2000 quad is 1 in 7735. This $2000 quad payout is also 5.17% of the game's return, and the $1200/$1600 quads are worth over 2%, so the game is a big vacuum without hitting this, or other sizable hands.


http://wizardofodds.com/games/mississippi-stud/

Great stuff! Keep up the big hits!

 

Mississippi Stud

Yes this game has unreal swings. Lifetime I have six quads all with $5 minimum to start, two in Vegas. I have hit a few full houses betting $10 but not many.

My better half has never hit quads but blew my hits out of the water about a month ago at our local when she hit the royal for $15K. Dealt Jack-Queen of Diamonds and the board went King-Ace-Ten. We were the only ones playing at the time and I stupidly tossed Ace-Five when the King appeared. I must have had a premonition to just get out of the way.

Two weeks later on her birthday, we were playing again at the local. I was dealt King-Jack of Hearts with Ten-Queen the first two cards. Open ended for another $15K or $3K. Not to be but a 9 of Clubs at least gave me a straight.

Leaving Vegas in an hour. Will be at the local again Saturday night!

 

Final Thoughts

I bad mouth Allegiant all the time but they came through this trip. Flight home left and arrived on time.

I stayed at Flamingo but was not overly impressed this time. I spent much more time at Harrahs. I also wonder how many times I walked through the Quad but never once played!

I got by on one meal a day except for the addition of the Johnny Rockets shake the last night. Other than the first day, I was never really hungry. It must have been all the bacon I ate at Monte Carlo that first morning.

I cannot remember the last time I spent the entire trip on the Strip. I had considered taking the shuttle to South Point but the cards were flowing on the Strip so there was no need.

Coldest ever that I have been in Vegas but still warmer than home. When looking at my phone, I kept seeing negative temps. Ouch.

Final numbers:

Food - $68.63 less $22.30 in comps. I count MyVegas rewards as FREE not comp but they totaled $41.98 in value.

Hotel - Flamingo comped including resort fee. Two 24 hour internet charges of $13.99 each.

Other - $40.50. A few Coke Zeros but mostly the $1 Michelob Lights plus tip at Casino Royale.

Travel - $320.98. Allegiant $251.98 including both a checked bag and carryon. Cabs $44.00 and CID Parking $25.00.

Gambling - a win of $2017.00. Estimates - blackjack (inc. Free Bet) $470 win, Slots $218 loss, Mississippi Stud, $1765 win.

Thanks for the comments. Buzz

 

Just a few quick pics from Bellagio

I did take a few pics at Bellagio for Buzzette.

 

I'm not too surprised. The quad is a much better way to walk between the two places now. If the quad didn't comp dogfish head at the bar, I probably would have played less there than I already did. Nice pics of the conservatory. I am missing Vegas in December, first time we've haven't gone in Dec the last two years!