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11/8 - 11/10 - Monte Carlo - First Handpay and a Zzyzx Road Discovery

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by fudgewapner, Nov 12, 2015.

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  1. fudgewapner

    fudgewapner High-Roller

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    My Trip Report

    Obligatory "long-timer lurker" mention! Been to Vegas 30 or so times. Last visit was June, went three times in 2014.

    This trip: impromptu solo trip to get out and decompress. Stayed at Monte Carlo on a very cheap M-life rate. Stayed there 5-6 times before, found it suits my needs, is in a good location, and isn't so big that you walk miles just to get back to the room.

    I live in San Diego, so choose to drive this solo trip as last-minute flights were just too expensive. Didn't have a chance to save up for this journey, so the 3-figure bankroll was pretty light. It was more about relaxing and having some time to make my own damn decisions independent of the wife and kids. Although my wife is a peach for encouraging me to get out and have fun.

    Sunday - left at 3:30 am to get to Vegas before 10 am football. This is a great time to do the drive, made it to the MC parking garage in four hours and fifteen minutes, had the cruise on 85 the whole way. Proceeded to place the sports bets, and then nearly fell asleep in a sportsbook chair while dreaming of six-leg parlay payoffs.

    10 am bets did not go well. Played some Megabucks and my standard $40 on $1 Wheel of Fortune. Managed a $30 and $100 spin, and came out ahead. Dumped a little on roulette, and then settled in for the afternoon games. The most interesting game was the Oak-Pit, where it was tied 35-35 at the end (Pit -4.5) and the Pittsburgh receiver has a large gain, and looks like he slows down before the end zone. Then they hand off for winning field goal position, and dude nearly reaches over the goal line, but tucks it in to prevent a fumble. They kick the field goal, and win 38-35 for no cover. This one guy in the book yelled like he got stabbed when they didn't get the TD.

    Check in was smooth. 28th floor with pool/Aria view. There was some oontz-oontz music from the pool, but I wasn't going to sleep, so it didn't matter. Then I get a zero-risk win for the trip! I go through the desk drawer (I had to do some work on the laptop) and grab the MC-branded stationery, and notice there is $60 in twenties in the envelope. I debate what to do with it, and then decide it was likely left by someone doing the $ management envelope thing. So, I take that cash (promising to leave extra for the maids) and try to double (or more) it up with roulette and some slots. Didn't come to pass, but it sure was fun.

    Will update further later today - and include some images!
     
  2. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Good start! And more pics the better!
     
  3. fudgewapner

    fudgewapner High-Roller

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    Found money in the drawer - a great start to the trip. IMG_20151108_164115063_HDR.jpg
     
  4. fudgewapner

    fudgewapner High-Roller

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    $100 wheel! I always have to play dollar wheel, although I've likely only walked away with money a handful of times. Hearing that wheel spin sound is just fantastic.

    IMG_20151108_232654776_HDR.jpg
     
  5. fudgewapner

    fudgewapner High-Roller

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    Sunday night was some roulette and then 1-2 no limit in the MC poker room. Did pretty well, in for $140, out for $250, played patient, and killed about seven rum and cokes. The drink service in the room was quite good. It's small, so they don't have too many players to cover, but I was impressed with the frequency.

    I then played a little $1 DDB on a machine just outside the high limit room. Got a nice 4OAK after only 4-5 hands. That was a good signal to go to bed.

    IMG_20151108_235158089_HDR.jpg
     
  6. fudgewapner

    fudgewapner High-Roller

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    Monday morning I slept in until 830, which is shockingly late for those of us with younger kids. After a few hours of laptop work I headed to the Aria buffet for a MyVegas reward.

    I've been to most of the buffets on the strip and believe Aria to be my new favorite. The freshness of the food is impressive, and I enjoy the open feeling of the buffet itself, with the natural light coming from the poolside windows. The details make it feel more upscale. The drinks are in actual glass glasses, compared to the plastic cups at the MGM Grand buffet. The iced tea tastes like actual brewed tea, whereas the MGM offered watered down pre-mixed tea.

    Monday afternoon was some roulette, some mild strip walking, and my MNF bets of the Chargers and the Under (that worked out splendidly).

    I watched the game in the sports book, Jay F'ing Cutler beat the Bolts and killed my parlay, and so I took solace in some more Captain & Cokes. Rested up in the room for a bit, and then hit the MC 11pm poker tournament for $40. 32 players, got to the final six and we decided to six-way chop for $200 each. I was more than happy to do this as it was nearly 3 am, and I wanted to have at least some cash to bring home. On the way back to the room, I decided to put $40 in the same DDB machine where I got the 4OAK. Three hands in, I got dealt three aces. Could it be? Boom, got the fourth and the 3 kicker for my first ever hand pay. Stunned silence, then I flagged down a security person who quickly called over someone to handle the payment. A very sweet hit, as this was likely my last gambling for the trip and it funds my March Madness trip very well.

    The giddiness from the win was amazing. I was exhausted, but couldn't get to sleep until just past 4 and then was up at 715, eager to play a little more before driving home.

    IMG_20151110_030307091_HDR.jpg
     
  7. bebevegas

    bebevegas Low-Roller

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    Nice hit!
     
  8. fudgewapner

    fudgewapner High-Roller

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    Tuesday morning was rough. Up after three hours of sleep, with lucid handpay dreams. Went across the street for the MGM buffet (MyVegas again), and was tipping ones like I was at Spearmint Rhino due to my winnings night before. The lady at the counter, gets a buck. Lady directing me to the line gets a dollar. Lady walking me thirty feet to the table, gets a buck. Omelet making guy gets two bucks.

    I've always prided myself on being a good tipper (especially relative to the amount of my meager bankroll). I try to tip everyone that offers a service, including the cashier workers and the Mlife reps that took off the resort fees at the end of my stay (70$ is better than nothing). I start my trip with a separate stash of ones that I keep together with a binder clip instead of my wallet, so I can easily throw out some ones. I left the maid twenty bucks.

    Moving on, I put in some Masters futures bets and put $20 on my Indiana University to win March Madness, then it's time to hit the road. I leave around 11, and going over the Cajon Pass there is 10 seconds of snow at the very top, and then it reverts back to rain.

    40 miles or so further, I stumble upon the second highlight of the trip. Many of LA or SD drivers know the infamous Zzyzx Road sign. I stopped there to pee, heading north/west off the freeway. It dead ends in a few hundred yards, and dips down to where you can't see it from the freeway. I stop to get out, and notice a horrifying graffiti-covered mattress along with tons of broken beer bottles. It's a disturbing scene, like a True Detective ritualistic murder. I take a leak and some quick picks and keep looking out for incestuous cannibals to come out of the hills and murder me. I really believe some bad stuff has happened there.

    IMG_20151110_114316207.jpg

    The drive forward on to SD was pretty slow and uneventful. Came home, gave the missus some of the winnings, and then put $1k in an envelope for March Madness. Until then!
     
  9. Superpocky

    Superpocky VIP Whale

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    Interesting report and what a hit for 2k! Thanks for sharing!
     
  10. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Great hit!

    Thanks for sharing!
     
  11. fudgewapner

    fudgewapner High-Roller

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    Thanks! How's the paytable? I saw sub-$1 was all 8-5. Not sure if there was a better option close by?
     
  12. Jordan

    Jordan Caveman

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    Just to clarify, the poor maid lost $40 on the original tip...Only receiving $20 from the original $60 tip that was left for her and no actual tip from you...
     
  13. Stevie D

    Stevie D VIP Whale

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    And where do you get off taking a picture of Jordan's mattress?!
     
  14. Stevie D

    Stevie D VIP Whale

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    By the way, nice hit.
     
  15. fudgewapner

    fudgewapner High-Roller

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    The money was in envelopes inside the drawer - I figured that wasn't exactly the tip location. The envelope yes, but it wasn't out on the table. But I can understand your point (and don't want to argue with a trip report legend), and I typically give the maids more than many do. I'll be sure to provide extra on my next trip.
     
  16. fudgewapner

    fudgewapner High-Roller

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    I dry heave a little every time I think of that mattress. I was shocked/relieved there wasn't condoms all over the place. Actually that would have made me feel better..
     
  17. Jordan

    Jordan Caveman

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    Only a legend in my own mind fella ;)

    I'm sure the next maid will appreciate the few extra bucks next trip...so it's all good!

    Cheers & Congrats on the AWK!
     
  18. fudgewapner

    fudgewapner High-Roller

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    Your reports are fantastic - great details on food and drink, very enjoyable.

    And I appreciate the note about the money. I tried to multiply it on roulette, so greed got me a little.
     
  19. grosx2

    grosx2 Have fun storming the castle!

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    Nice hit with the aces, and I love the Zzyzx sidebar!
     
  20. jlee1224

    jlee1224 Tourist

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    Nice TR! Man, all of us VP players are playing hours and hours and days and days to score a $2k 4Awok and you nail one basically on your way out! total jealous.

    Very nice short trip and the major score makes the drive home seem like nothing.
     
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