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TR: 7/19-7/23 MGM Grand Live! (?)

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by ams722, Jul 19, 2014.

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  1. ams722

    ams722 Side Bet Shunner

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    My Trip Report

    So here I am laying in my bed in the MGM Grand patiently waiting for the Lady Gaga concert. I'll head down there in about an hour and a half. The little monsters are out in full force. Lots of crazy outfits everywhere. One girl in the lobby was literally just wearing a thong bikini and a Gaga wig.

    Had an early flight this morning at 8:45. It was uneventful, except I was surrounded by this giant group of the most obnoxious Asians on the plane. There were about 20 of them. The flight attendants literally wanted to kill them. They didn't mean to be obnoxious, I think it was a culture gap thing.

    [​IMG]

    Plane landed super early, around 9:40. Took the Bell Shuttle (now priced $8) to the MGM Grand. It was early, so I didn't even try to check in. Dropped my bags off at the Bell Desk (DUN DUN DUN) and headed down to the Flamingo. Couldn't find any good gambling there so I went to the Cromwell. Their one 3:2 table was $50 so I headed over to the Bellagio. My favorite casino of all. Played $10 BJ. Had a friendly dealer. We got into a little argument though about surrender. He said you only surrender a 15 against a 9, not a 10. I told him that was just wrong. He vehemently disagreed. Told me he'd bet me $100,000 he was right. I told him I'd take that bet cause I know I am right... we never got that resolved.

    Headed over to Ballys and played some more BJ. That didn't go so good.

    Headed back to MGM and checked in. No line, tried to get an upgrade cause it's my b-day. No go. Hotel is sold out for Gaga. The room was ready though and it's in a high floor. The elevators kinda suck. Not cause they're slow, but because it's soooo busy. So many people constantly waiting to get on.

    [​IMG]

    Went over to NYNY and ate at Greenberg's Deli. Yummy as always.

    [​IMG]

    Back to the MGM: had $50 Freeplay. Only made like $30 out of it.

    Played Crazy 4 Poker for a while, that has become my carny game of choice. Did really good. But the dealer was lifeless and had no personality.... Hate that!!

    After that I headed back to the room and had some.... adult fun. *cough cough*

    After that, back down to the casino. Played BJ. It was choppy. Lost $15 after a while and decided I was done.

    I was hungry again and got a cheese pizza from Project Pie. Yum!!! May be my new quick pizza place of choice.

    And now here I am waiting for Lady Gaga to start. More to come. Probably live, but who knows.
     
  2. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Good luck!!!
     
  3. ams722

    ams722 Side Bet Shunner

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    [​IMG]

    Gaga put on a good show.

    Time for bed. I've been up for just about 24 hours.

    Back to gambling whenever I wake up. And pancakes, lots of pancakes.
     
  4. Iamrice

    Iamrice High-Roller

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    Adult fun (cough cough) what ever do you mean??!!!!!

    And please post some pancake porn, I love me some pancakes!
     
  5. ams722

    ams722 Side Bet Shunner

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    Up early as always in Vegas.

    All you can eat pancakes at America in NYNY for $7.95.

    [​IMG]

    The pic doesn't give justice to how enormous those things are.

    On my way back I threw a $20 into this machine:

    [​IMG]

    There are two of these in the MGM, and both machines the dealer stands on soft 17, offer surrender, and double on any two cards. Not sure how many splits it allows, but those rules are pretty amazing for $5 BJ. And you do earn MLife points if you put your card in (seemed about the same earning rate as video poker).
     
  6. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    :Was that the default dealer or so you have something for Asians? :evillaugh

    And those rules are definitely good for $5.
     
  7. EastCoastVegasFan!

    EastCoastVegasFan! VIP Whale

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    What is he name of the place at NYNY that serves this?!
     
    July 19th - July 24th
  8. TIMSPEED

    TIMSPEED Money’s on the way, with CashNetUSA

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    America Cafe
     
  9. ams722

    ams722 Side Bet Shunner

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    Ok, today after breakfast I napped.

    Then I woke up and took the monorail to Harrahs. I'm happy to report that Harrahs has greatly improved their blackjack! They used to have a big pit of only 6/5 tables in between the Asian games section and the craps tables. Those tables are now all low limit 3/2 games. They are now 6 deck shoes.

    Unfortunately, I lost $100 there.

    Moved down to the Flamingo and played blackjack there. Made back $50 before getting bored/annoyed with the other players. They have a promo going where if you get a suited blackjack, you get a free pass for the High Roller.

    [​IMG]

    Went to the Bellagio and played BJ there. Made another $50, so now I'm basically even for the day (and the trip!).

    Went to Monte Carlo and played $5 Crazy 4 Poker by myself for a bit. It got pretty bad there near the end, but then I was dealt a 5 card flush and got paid $50 for the progressive side bet. Left that table even.

    Back to MGM. Played the electronic BJ for a bit. There were two crazy people on the end who split 10s EVERY time they were dealt a 20.

    .....I murdered them.

    Just kidding. I just glared evilly. Got the hell outta there and headed to the other electronic BJ machine they have. Left that one even as well (noticing a trend here?).

    Back to the room to relax.

    Then I headed out to Mandalay Bay. What a waste that place has become. Like The Mirage, Mandalay Bay's low limit BJ is all 6/5 now. They are dead to me.

    Walked through Luxor/Excalibur and back to NYNY to eat at Gonzalez Y Gonzalez. I really like that place. One waiter always remembers me every time I go and comes over to chat. It's kind of awkward/embarrassing, but he's friendly.

    [​IMG]

    Then I played Free Bet BJ at NYNY. WEIRD WEIRD dealer. I can't even describe how weird she was. But the relief dealer was really good. Another player was dealt two 4s against the face, and the dealer cited the Wizard of Odds and told him the proper play. I was impressed! I left the table *gasp* even.

    Back to MGM, those people were still at the electronic BJ machine splitting their 10s!! They must really enjoy losing money.

    Headed down to the Cromwell. Played $5 Crazy 4 Poker. Had a great session. Made $150. There was an annoying lady next to me who kept telling me to play the Queens Up side bet. I told her I'll never play that. Every time I got something she'd tell me how much money I was losing out on. She bet the Queens Up and the 6 card bonus bet every hand. I never saw her get anything on the 6 card bonus once while I was there.

    She left the table with $0.

    The reports are true, the Cromwell's drink service is great. Excellent margaritas. I had 3. Not quite as good at the Cosmopolitan's margs, but still good.

    Headed to the Bellagio, made $50 playing BJ.

    Came back to the MGM, fooled around on the electronic BJ machine betting $5. Made $22.50.

    And now here I am back in the room. I think I'm gonna call it a night, I'm exhausted (and up, gambling wise. Why jinx it?!)

    Tomorrow: I have no idea where I'm eating, but more gambling, and seeing LOVE at 9:30.
     
  10. VegasDave

    VegasDave Addicted

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    awesome report so far, keep it coming
     
  11. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    I assume you did this at a 3:2 table? What was the minimum bet available?

    If they still have this in September, I might have to give this a shot. Of course the last time I tried to take advantage of a suited blackjack promo (paid 2:1), I didn't get any blackjack for 90 minutes...lol
     
  12. ams722

    ams722 Side Bet Shunner

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    3:2, $10 minimum.

    My pass expires on July 31, so that might be when the promo ends.
     
  13. ams722

    ams722 Side Bet Shunner

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    Up early as always in Vegas. Donated $21 to the Lions Share. That's about all I'm willing to blow on that thing. There was no line. I would never wait in line.

    [​IMG]

    Then I made back the money I lost there playing my electronic BJ machine. Also found a $5 cash out ticket someone left behind. Took that too. lol

    Then I ate breakfast at the MGM buffet. It's my favorite breakfast buffet, so much variety.

    [​IMG]

    I really have no clue what I'm doing for the rest of the day other than seeing LOVE tonight.
     
  14. cjohnson202

    cjohnson202 VIP Whale

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    free high roller for a suited blackjack? damn, I kind of regret pre-buying mine for $28 through living social (though I got two for $28 since one was free cause I referred myself + two others). I would have been sure to play enough BJ in the first few days of my trip to get a free pass (or several)
     
  15. queentata

    queentata VIP Whale

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    Nice TR. Looks like you are keeping up with the blackjack.
    Hope the gambling continues to go well. I bet the concert was great!
     
  16. Iamrice

    Iamrice High-Roller

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    Thanks for the tip on the all you can eat pancakes and the High Roller deal!

    Hopefully I'll be enjoying both very soon.
     
  17. maxnew40

    maxnew40 Low-Roller

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    Good see a good report on the MGM breakfast buffet. I picked up a pass from MyVegas.

    As far as breakfast goes, if they have fresh fruit and maybe an omelet station I will be happy.

    -Max
     
  18. ams722

    ams722 Side Bet Shunner

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    Oh hey, look! It's the Aria "Bell Desk:" where dropping off your bags and picking them up is forbidden.

    [​IMG]
     
  19. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

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    interesting that MGM buffet has the same drink glasses as Bellagio buffet...

    ...great report btw, loving the quick descriptions and the pics!
     
  20. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

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    Nice report...love your writing style
     
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