Orleans October 17-23

(ICOULD NOT FIGURE OUT HOW TO ATTACH AS i WENT SO IT IS ALL AT THE END.....HOPEFULLY IN SOME LOGICAL ORDER BUT NO GUARANTEES)

I am a crap addict. Not that it is as addicting as crack but can be just as devastating on your bank-roll. For the whole trip 2 sessions on the positive side was simply silly. But I am an addict so rational stop points at the table are not feasible. Crap.

I leave the house at 2:30 in order to arrive at the airport with plenty of time for the intensive and thorough process called TSA. Still a joke. If 26 ounces of liquid was deadly couldn’t 9 of us line up with our 4 ounce bottles of death fluid and then each go to the bathroom one after the other in order to consolidate into the 32 ounce drinking water bottle we purchased beyond the check point and consumed on the tarmac? I don’t get some of the “rig-a-marow”. Talk about a department which can only grow in their own importance. But I digress from the report.

We arrive 20 minutes late due to leaving 30 minutes late from San Antonio. It is 7:05 in the a.m. Off to the carousel and to the taxi line which had me as the first and last in line. Some line. No tunnel please. “I never take the tunnel” he states matter-of-factly, and off to the Orleans we go arriving at 7:20 also in the a.m. It is early but it is also Wednesday so how many people actually stayed over the Tuesday previous and would prevent me from checking in? Not enough apparently as I am in room 925 at 7.35 a.m.

I love the Orleans. Again, the line was me at the back and me at the front. No early check-in fees or brew-haha for your vacation pleasure. And everyone makes eye contact with a “how do you do?” with such a sincerity they expect a reply. Room 925 faces the pool, is in the bank of elevators that only go to the 9th floor and also has a bank of elevators that go from casino level to the 9th floor and beyond. So actually 8 elevators service the floor with little or no waiting. It is time for breakfast.

I have the steak and eggs, coffee, cranberry juice, toast, blah blah blah and charge it to the room so to plan the day. I go by the sportsbook and see the SF Giants are 9/2 to win the NL Pennant….hmmm, 20$ to go to 180 and close to 200 $ payback if they do….why not? So I plunk it down and take the ticket upstairs to the safe for a review on Monday if possible. I find bets like that more feasible for me than taking them game by game even though they needed 3 in a row. If not 3 in a row it wouldn’t be 9/2.

I have to find the schedule for the bus to Sam’s Town from Harrah’s and from ST to downtown so to plan the most fastidious route to be there by noon. I am planning to meet Joe and his wife from the board as they celebrate their 31st or 32nd anniversary. Haven’t been downtown in many years although we used to stay at Binion’s in the last century and would return home with people inquiring as to our trip to Las Vegas. We could only say how much fun we had at Binion’s as we didn’t see much of Vegas on the trip except to / from the airport. Becky took care of that adventure and we have since moved off strip as we are old and the strip is too crowded and LOUD.

Took the shuttle from Orleans to Bills and walked over to Harrah’s via Flamingo & Margaritaville casinos. It is Wednesday and it is in the a.m. but jeez-louise it is like a morgue in both. Get to Harrah’s and have 20 minutes to spare so I plop down to play my first vp session of the trip. 15 minutes later and a Corona down for the count I am heading to the bus much more quickly as I don’t have to carry around all the extra weight from the 1.25 $ beating I just took. And felt like a winner. There was the bus / coach and off to ST we go right on time. There is a 10 minute void between my arrival time and departure for downtown so off to the restroom in ST to say Adios las Corona. Used to be able to carry those hombres all over town with me and hardly notice. Not so much anymore. They are vacated more quickly than the proverbial delinquent tenant.

The bus pulls up next to the Fremont and I disembark and walk about the downtown I used to know but don’t actually recognize. I go through the Binion’s and see the dealertainers setting up shop and a generally subdued attitude and vibe. Nothing seems right. The poker room is removed to the back or side; no announcement that a 150$ jackpot had just been won on machine # 3501; no yelling at the craps table which I guess could be good as it meant the help weren’t yelling at each other as they were the only attendees and of course it was only 11:45 still in the a.m.

I go across and walk through the golden gate after hearing so much about all the changes and it is changed. Looks like a bit more attention has been given by the cleaning crew but still somewhat slow in business. I go across to the LVC and see the security guard talking to a somewhat disheveled looking gambler not happy with the luck being promoted by the LVC. They separate amicably and I proceed onward down the walk to the California.

There are several bars in the California and I go upstairs and then down (think think think, where did Joe say he would be?) Fortunately there is only one bar with anyone playing vp that was not alone. Ahh, must be Joe and his wife and indeed it was. A quick round of introductions and a beer is available and vp is begun. If the lady in question was truly Joe’s wife (and I have no doubt) he robbed the cradle as she couldn’t have been over 9 those 30+ years ago to be celebrating such an anniversary. Good score Joe!! She had hit a progressive earlier in the trip and Joe had hit something for an 800$ ticket he kept in his pocket for later. We had a spirited conversation and I told him of the comments on his prowess as to the GB and Texan game the previous weekend when the host team failed to show up to their own party.

Service was good and friendly while the three of us were mostly the only patrons although there were visitors for several minutes, it did not seem like many came to play for the duration. After a “few” Coronas I noticed they had Stella Artois and began a relationship with the European lady. Hit one four of a kind and felt empowered.
******
One thing which surprised me somewhat is Joe didn’t have his white coat on nor did he sit slouched at the bar passively playing vp. That avatar thing is overrated. But I don’t sit in potted plants either so I guess that is fair. But both he and his wife were quite pleasant and most courteous in our exchange of tales concerning the previous visits to Las Vegas.

We parted at some point and I went by the craps table and noticed I had 20 minutes or so and what the hell. In 20 minutes I went to the cage and there was a line and the bus was at the curb and the chance of missing it and being downtown for another 70 minutes or so was not too exciting so I made the mad dash. Once back to ST I had a 45 minute lay-over that went to close to 3 hours through my own choosing.

I took the California chips to the ST cage and told the lady I was late and couldn’t cash the chips was that ok to do (both Boyd properties) and she got on the phone and asked and said ok. I was up 100 $ or so at that point and went to the ST tables to kill time until I caught the bus back to Harrah’s. At the end of 3 hours I am up 600 $. THIS is going to be a GREAT trip (can you feel the foreshadowing?) I happily get back on the bus after saying “Adios” to a band of Coronas and cashing my chips for the ride back to Harrah’s and the walk to Bill’s for the shuttle to the Orleans. It is approximately 5:30 in the p.m. and I am home (at least home for the next 6 nights)

Time to get something to eat. I head to the food court and choose the Fuddrucker’s 1/3 pounder and onion rings. Hmmmm cholesterol clogging dietary choices of a vacationing crap addict. I charge to the room and head up there to eat and relax a bit. I am in a great mood; in LV for almost 12 hours and not behind yet. Maybe ever!!

Ahh but I finish my meal and do the hygiene thing to rid myself of the onion feeling and am off to the tables to continue my luck. My first two sessions were the highlight of the trip but I wasn’t aware of that fact until much later.

They have a different layout on two of the table at Orleans with 5to1 4’s / 6’s / 8’s/ 10’s which is a place bet. You don’t lose except on 7. Soft doubles are indifferent. I can’t figure it out but I liked it. I would put 5$ on each and if it hit one of them once I made 5$ overall. Twice and it was Park Avenue. I compared it to 8 FOR 1 on the 10 for example and you would get 35 $ with your bet still up in the center. On this bet 5 $ got you 25 but you couldn’t lose it on the soft 6:4. Anyway, that seemed overall to be the winner for me as the tables got so choppy you would have your bets in place and wham bam thank you sir, new shooter. I won’t go into great detail as it was similar scenarios each time I played throughout the trip. Most of Thursday was the same; “Surely this can’t keep up” and Shirley would swear that it will but I never did listen (and will from now on) to Shirley.

Such endeavors at the craps tables will eventually drive you to the Pinball Hall of Fame to take a “time-out” from the crap addiction. Took the bus which runs down Tropicana on Friday for the 5$ 24 hour pass and got aboard with all the other degenerates. I think I was the only out of town degenerate but we all resembled one another. There was one sweet little old lady sitting across the aisle who was very amicable when I asked which stop was the Liberace Museum. She said she would tell me when it got close. And then leaned over and said “You may want to check out the Pinball Hall of Fame too young man”. I told you, she was a nice old lady.

I got off and crossed the street twice at right angles and off to the PHoF I went. The last time I visited it the location was a strip mall. Glass windows on one wall and commercial tile floor. Very bright and temperate. The current location is “warehouse” style and somewhat dark. Although bigger and it appeared with more games in number, it was not as “cheery” and somewhat warm. One door was open and as an afterthought it could have been the number of games and people in the space that spiked up the temperature. I had a blast as usual. Somehow the reflexes have not maintained their razor sharp responses over the years but the games take you back in time if you played pinball in the late 50’s – 70’s. I would say the games in late 70’s and beyond are 60% with earlier games in the 40% range. The sound of that “CLACK” of wood on wood when you win a free game or match the last numbers is a real memory maker as well. It was interesting to note how many people too young to have enjoyed the older machines were doing so in great spirits and how many wives / girlfriends were there with their man and some were playing alongside. I only lost 10$ in two hours and felt like a winner. If only they served cocktails, THAT would be my new home. Ahhhh.

So back to the bus stop to await the return to the Orleans and it was quick although the bus was much more occupied than before. I think I was the only one who had a belt on although I could be mistaken. Most were released on the strip stop by NYNY as the rest of us headed up Tropicana where I left the public transit for the air conditioning and bing bing bing of the Orleans. I was saving the rest of my 24 hour pass to take the bus in the a.m. and head over to the Bellagio for college football. I had some parlays and wanted to witness firsthand their demise as I usually do poorly on parlays but enjoy them immensely. Surely this trip would be different. It was and I can only thank Shirley for the change of pace. I just wish I had Thursday’s run of crap back but its that addiction thing.

As I go out the door the first shuttle of the day is parked and loading so I take it instead of the public bus. I still have a pass good until 2:00 Saturday so offer my seatmate the ticket if he is going to be using public transportation and he relieves me of my burden. This is a win as the walk from Bill’s is much more convenient than the walk from NYNY to Bellagio although the tram from Monte Carlo is conveniently able to cut that down to a doable distance.

Bellagio sports book is great as they STILL do not ask for betting slips or drink tickets or room keys or anything when you order a drink and I appreciate the lack of hassle. I watched the LSU / A&M game with a great deal of trepidation until the t Tigers finally kicked in and won by more than 3.5…..Then it was off to the rest stop for the “adios amigos” and down the strip I went to see if anything had noticeably changed. Nothing of note but I noted little so it could have changed between Mirage and NYNY and I missed it. Getting closer to NYNY I thought it appropriate to check on the ponies and their return with the renovation at MGM.

Upon first review they were gone. No pony, no cloppity clop. No drink server standing by the change machine. I trekked onward looking for the Lion Progressive (my first time) I couldn’t find it but finally did. When sitting in the chair to play you will look off to about 10:00 and see the table games. Look off to the right about 2:00 and you will see a restaurant sign in / entrance. Your back will be to the High Limit area is the best I can describe. I had fun although did not see the lions in multiple sequence. I did see each lion on each reel but not multiples at once. Best hit was 150$ with triple bars and a lion. Cashed out at 250 $ with a top total of 319$ and playing it down to the cash out of 250$. ONE WORD OF CAUTION, don’t have any amigos needing adios prior to playing the game as the hand pay can be lengthy. It was fortunately only about 7-10 minutes until the girl arrived after a floor person asked if I needed assistance. She summoned someone to come take care of my pay-out and I was on my way to say my goodbyes.

I was despondent as to the absence of the horses while going back to the escalator to cross over the boulevard and make my way to the tram at Monte Carlo. It was like seeing an old girlfriend when I heard the faint cloppity clop of THE race. Following the sound I found the SIGMA and was in heaven once again. I thought it would be cleaned up and spiffy due to its absence but is still somewhat in need of repair. Only 5 stations were functional. The cocktail waitress was a hoot. A tall Central American (?) lady who was funny. Two guys at the other end ordered Jim Beam and coke / Crown and 7 and when she delivered they said to bring another round next trip by. She said surely she would. I ordered and off she went only to return in about 2 minutes!! The two guys went bottoms up and said to do it again…they were ready to get their game on and did so in short order. Another guy came in and said he was there three days ago and had to come back. The waitress came by and asked if he wanted the same(?) as before, Jack and coke? He just grinned and said yes and we all wondered how she could remember him from 3 days ago with all the traffic which had to pass through the Derby. But she did.

The horses are now closer to the restroom and a bit to the left. Go from the old location toward the wall which shares the bathrooms which were closest and you will see it amongst a bank of machines. The machines on the wall (bathroom entrances share this wall) have the change machine abreast. You can’t miss it (especially if you ask). Went through 80 races and won 12$ although 80 races is 20 $. Still a win. Once more I bid good-bye to the amigos and headed to the tram.

I was going to go back and watch the Alabama game with Tennessee at the Orleans. So far my parlays were doing respectably but still had some college games and NFL to go so not too excited yet.

But all is well that ends well……see attachments

Some comments:

Bellagio buffet is no longer as good as advertised. It used to be a unique stop with unique offers which were not available anywhere else. When I ate there it was more cafeteria style food. Nothing was present which would not be available in most buffets we have tried in Vegas. I was just disappointed. They had St. Louis bar-b-que ribs which were apparently baked in the oven and slopped with sauce once done. Not bar-b-que. The rest was chicken, ham, flank steak but no prime rib.

Downtown is no longer what we remember although there are pockets of fun still to be had.

Orleans casino is still the friendliest we have encountered. The staff all make you feel comfortable and you can easily make eye-contact as they seem sincere in asking “How are you?”. And that is part of what you pay for in Vegas. I love it.

They have a resort fee which is waived when you are comped so the entire stay cost me .95 cents. I had a tip added to a room charge for coffee which was not covered.

The vp at Orleans is nice as it is 9/6 for the quarter level. I got lots of 4OAK’s I will try to attach some of them. The best was on a $ machine which gave me Aces with the kicker. Merely more to contribute to the crap addiction is all.

The city bus is great if going off the beaten path.

Ate at the Prime Rib Loft 4 times, 2 T-bones and 2 NY Strip. Always good for us and still so. Reasonable rates for home much less Las Vegas.

They have 14 craft brews on tap at the Orleans. I drank too many to coherently evaluate the quality or taste but enjoyed the variety. Had no idea such was available to the table players / vp players. I assumed it was only for the bar top players. Can’t wait til February.

I’ve run out of gas. Hope you made it this far. Will give an addendum if I can think of anything more relevant when more conscious. Thanks for reading. And thanks for the meet Joe. i WILL ADD MORE ATTACHMENTS TO A SECOND POST.....

 

Here are some results

 

And some sports tickets

 

OOPS.....gotta get back to work....hopefully not too tedious.....

 

THE lion

 

It was a very enjoyable meeting. Both my wife and I had a good time.

FYI, the guy in the white jacket, slumped over, is Mr Sinatra and the album cover from "No One Cares" 1959.

No video poker back then, just slumped over a cocktail, looking like he lost everything

 

Enjoyed your TR. Nicely written!

 

That's it Joe! I kept being bothered by SOMETHING while sitting at that bar but couldn't pick it out until now......if you'd have had the white coat and that slouch I would have put my finger on it....you are a Frankie look-alike....that could be it....I BET your wife was wearing bobbi-sox too.... damn....it was my first day in Vegas so I was captivated by the gambling environment and not so much detail to those I was interacting with....if Sinatra ever has a walk-on during the run of VEGA$....I might get to see you on the big screen (42" anyway)....good luck in December !!

 

I totally missed the deuces w/kicker on dollars, picture. Nice win

 

Great report. Thanks. I love your shuttle and bus uses. Going all the way to Sam's Town to ride free to downtown seems the height of frugality. Thanks for all the details. And Thanks Joe for the full album shot of your avatar. I don't have that album. I'll keep my eyes open.

 

Orleans....

Glad to hear about the friendliness of the Orleans. I have been considering that hotel/casino for a long time and I continue to hear great things about it. Thanks.

 

Dewey: We used to stay at the orleans when it was strictly nickel slots and 5$ blackjack....they would send offers for 3 nights / 4 days (?) considering check-in and out not show how any hotel claims 4 days....so I wanted to visit there sometime during this trip and was looking at Thursdays due to Young At Heart active that day at ST. When Joe's meet-up came around it was just easier to make it one orbit through the casino rather than set aside a separate trip to ST only. It wasn't bad. About 1.5 hours total from Orleans to California. Have heard the number of stops greatly affect the city bus to DT. So here is a comparison....and ST buses are nice.

 

Loved seeing those 4 ovak vp pics

 

Thanks for your report