The Rumble In the Desert (Part I)

The Contenders (westie & Ms. Westie) signed a contract with Southwest Airlines for transportation to Las Vegas in order to fight those 300-pound Gorillas known as Fiesta and Casino MonteLago (CML). This fight for the bantamweight (low roller) VP Championship of Nevada was scheduled for 15 rounds or less beginning February 23rd. The Casino Gaming Commission sanctioned the bout and the participantts agreed to Marquess of Dancer rules. Sam's Town and the Fiesta-Henderson provided accommodations with Alamo furnishing the wheels.

In preparation for this rematch, I adopted a rigorous pre-fight training regimen that included daily workouts on the WIN Poker speed bag and trice daily walks under the supervision of my personal trainer, Max the Schipperke. I also monitored the various discussion boards including VPFree, Las Vegas Talk, LVA, Travel2Vegas, and Las
Vegas Today in hopes of gaining the necessary edge (i.e. multi point days and special promotions) to upset the Champions. I had
a strategy sheet for FPDW and used the VPFree links, ttp://members.cox.net/vpfree/LV.htm, to identify the most advantageous locations to stage the fight. In summary, I was prepared to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee.

We were looking forward to weather conditions of sunny skies and balmy temperatures only to discover Las Vegas was currently playing
Eddie Rabbit's "I Love a Rainy Night". My confidence was unshaken, I knew the real battle would be waged indoors on artificial turf. On
the way to our hotel we stopped at a Wal-Mart for ringside supplies of bottled water, diet Pepsi, Listerine and bandages.

The ring announcer, Michael Buffet (oops Buffer), asked if we were READY TO RUMBLE and the fight began in earnest. I took the battle to
Fiesta-Henderson in round 1. A lead right hand 20 minutes into the round caught Fiesta "flush" on the chin and I scored a Royal. Fiesta went down like the proverbial ton of bricks and I began thinking TKO, but my opponent was able to rise from the canvas courtesy of the slow count provided by the local referee. Although obviously dazed, Fiesta survived the round, but I began whistling the theme song to Rocky as I waited for the bell to signal the beginning of Round 2.

Ms. Westie and I were matched against CML in round 2 because of the regular 0.25% cashback and the added incentive of 2 x point's weekdays in February. I scored my first quad deuces early in the round, but barely survived a flurry of punches late in the round.

In round 3 we returned to the Fiesta-Henderson since Fridays were 5 x point's days. No pain, no gain – the round was scored even on all 3
judges' cards.

In rounds 4-5, we scored on a series of body punches and combinations 5OAKS) plus the availability of 3 x points courtesy of coupons sent by Fiesta-Rancho. Again, the rounds were hotly contested with both Ms. Westie and I scoring quad deuces, but the Gorillas again
prevailed by a narrow margin.

The fight turned decidedly ugly beginning in round 6 when I discovered that CML discontinued offering multi point days except via invitation. As previously reported, CML has recently resorted to rope-a-dope tactics including kidney punching (i.e. slowing down the speed on all the full pay VP machines) and rabbit punching in the clinches (i.e. downgrading schedules on every other machine). I felt this was hitting well south of the Mason Dixon line and demonstrated particularly poor sportsmanship, but the referee deducted no points from their cards.

The Fiestas remained vulnerable as we continued to receive 5 x points on Fridays and 3 x points on senior Wednesdays, so most of the remaining rounds were staged in their ring. Over the next 4-5 rounds I surrendered the last remnants of my Royal and Ms. Westie required continuing attention in our corner for a series of cuts and bruises.

Late in round 9, Ms. Westie caught a second wind and staged a dramatic comeback that continued through round 14. It was WHAM, BAM AND ZONK as she hit one wild royal or 5OAKS after another. I was initially overwhelmed by body blows and took a standing 8 count in round 10, but bounced back by hitting a few quad ducks over the remaining 3-4 rounds.

After viewing the judge's cards at the conclusion of round 14, it became evident a knockout would be required for us to dethrone the
Gorillas. Early in round 15 I led off with a series of combinations (5OAKS) and wild royals, but a second natural royal or additonal quad
deuces alluded us. When Rosie O' started to sing and the judges' cards were tabulated, the twin Gorillas had retained their championship belts and the Westies were headed home to the land of
snow and ice.

No mas? No way! We recognize the final bell in this fight only signals the beginning of the next so we are currently in training for the rematch to be scheduled for later this fall.

Thus concludes the pugilistic segment of this TR so those only interested in VP or currently on a diet may want to forego reading Part II.

[ March 16, 2005, 04:31 AM: Message edited by: westie ]

 

I honestly have no clue what you were saying, but it seems like it was a good battle!

Bring on part 2!

 

Now that was an interesting trip report.

I knew right from the start where you were going with this report and it was wonderfully written.

 

For someone who likes Boxing metaphors that was pretty fun. Nice Tr Westie.
Marty

[ March 16, 2005, 08:32 AM: Message edited by: IllMarty ]

 

Good one.
Hey for your fall TR....with the popularity of wrestling...