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Maybe we are old enough for Sams Town, Nov. 20 - 27

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by LVHooked, Dec 6, 2015.

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  1. LVHooked

    LVHooked High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2012
    Messages:
    613
    Location:
    Fairview, Pa.
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12

    My Trip Report

    This was a pretty low rolling trip, we generally have twice the bankroll with 50% more just in case. But we had a blast and got a lot of play in.

    My wife had a cortisone shot in her knee a few days before we left, and I never had the surgery on my knee from over a year ago. (the pain takes my mind off my arthritis pain lol) so we were both gimping a bit, then about five miles from the house, I realized I forgot the neck pillows my wife bought. Then about twenty five miles in, I realize the coupons I got from Budda were at home. When I take my shoes off at TSA their my old ones, not to stained up but their all I brought. So yah I must be getting old. I’m sure this was all my wife’s fault, I just need to figure out why. lol

    Flights
    Our son works for an airline so we could have flown free, but after the BS last April flying standby, I bought SWA tickets in July. Had I known the budget was going to be tight, I would have flown standby.
    I got non stops out of Akron Ohio for $210 each with early boarding, its 126 miles from our house so about the same as PIT or CLE. But cheaper parking, $42 for the trip and a tiny airport. So no long hikes and a short TSA line. The shuttle bus also picks up and drops off right at your car. We got A20 & 21 out and A21 and 22 back. The flight out was scheduled 4.5 hours but was almost 5, coming back was only 3 hrs 20 minutes, we must have had a hell of a tail wind. SWA is dropping non stops from CAK next April, so this will most likely be the only time we fly from there.

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    Nov. 20th
    The flight out was smooth, but long just under 5 hours. And again the healing powers of a SW flight amaze me, a lady that was in a wheelchair at boarding and had a boot on her foot was able to walk faster then me after landing.

    Rental car was with Advantage @ $131 for the week. Nissan somethingorother with crank windows and no power locks, you couldn’t even unlock it from the passenger side from the out side. But it ran fine and was easy on gas. First stop was Wal-mart on Eastern, coffee maker, coffee & filters Styrofoam cups, case of water and some snacks for the room was just under $25.
    Then we hit Ellis Island for bacon and eggs, we both dropped twenty pretty fast so we headed to the Cal for our first three nights. I booked this on a promotion someone posted here, buy two get one free

    I asked for a room with some kind of view, we ended up in the east tower facing south. But it was the Pent house floor, and almost directly across from the elevator. The room was clean and fine for us, the bathroom is small but not a big deal. The loose electrical outlet was a little scary.

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    After getting unpacked and resting a bit, we hit the casino but neither of us had much luck, so we headed to MSS and played a bit with the same result. So at about 5:30 we hit 777 for diner, neither of us were very hungry so we split garlic fries and chicken tenders, the fries were great, the tenders average.
    After a bit more play we hit the room by 8pm having been up for about 21 hours.

    Nov. 21st
    We were up early but after the beat down the first day, we drank coffee and watched TV till about 8am. I found a STP spin poker I could play @ nickels, I played about an hour and a half on my first twenty. Then just after I put the second twenty in, I had my wife sit at the machine while I went to the rest room. When I came back she had hit quad aces on the deal, she said she waited so I could get a pic, but I took to long so she kept playing. I ended up playing this till after 2pm and put about 7500 points on it. I parlayed it to dimes and quarters but never won much unless I was on nickels. This ended up being the only machine I played on at the Cal from then on.

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    We had my Vegas rewards to pick up at Mirage for Beatles Love the next day, so we headed out, the line at the box office was nuts I bet we waited an hour.

    I had a coupon for Fat Choy that I had read about on here, but it was at home. But we went anyway and it was really good. we ordered a short rib grilled cheese and a pork belly BLT, we were suppose to split them. But after a few bites of the grilled cheese my wife wouldn’t give up the other half. She did save me a few bites when I threatened to leave her there, and damn was it good. This ended up being our only meal of the day, so it must have been filling.

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    Back at the Cal we took a short nap, then walked over to the Plaza. My wife still hates the smell, it hits you when you walk in the door, I think its better then it was, but still it seems their trying to hide another smell. They had a band playing that we watched a bit, but my wife wanted out.

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    The party pit beside the front door seems weird also, there were only two creepy looking old guys playing when we walked by and it just had a weird vibe.
    After playing a bit at GG we walked Fremont, caught one light show then headed back to the Cal and played a little more before calling it a night.


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    Nov. 22nd
    After some more STP, I asked the host if I had enough play in to get a couple breakfast buffets. I should have been more specific she gave me $15 at Market St Café but I wanted MSS ones. But it was fine, the buffet is limited but good.
    After more STP we caught a nap then headed to Mirage for Love, this was the second time we saw it, and we both liked it even more then the first time. Our seats were section 209 last row with an aisle in front, just like SWA first class we had leg room.

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    After the show I had a my Vegas reward for Carnegie Deli cheese cake, and we were going to split a sandwich. But first I wanted to grab a smoke so I put a five in a random slot, played a bit and cashed out +35. Nice free show, free cheese cake and now the sandwich and tip was paid for also. We couldn’t finish the sandwich, and got the cheese cake to go.
    Then a little more STP before calling it a night.

    Nov. 23rd
    My birthday, coffee and cheesecake for breakfast, then down for more STP. Someone was on it so I looked around and almost put a twenty in a slot, but noticed the lady that was on STP walking by. After a bit my wife came up and said she was waiting for someone to leave a WOF, she wanted to play, so I told her to try the machine I was going to play. And she hit it for +128.
    Around ten I asked the host if I had enough play do anything with our room charges, she took care of everything except the small bill from 777 more then I expected so a win.

    After checking out we stopped at Palms, to play the quick hits I won on last trip. But no luck, so I figured we still needed to kill some time so we headed to Luxor to get the birthday big wheel spin. After watching two people get $5 I figured that’s what I would get. But I hit for fifty, there weren’t any VP machines by the m-life desk so I ran $25 thru a slot and only won a few bucks so I played it off and found some VP. Turned the last $25 into $28 without a quad, cashed out and left.
    We then hit Grimaldi’s for the free birthday pizza, something about free just makes a pizza taste better. It wasn’t the best I ever had, but close and the service was excellent.

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    We then headed to Sunset Station for two nights thru my Vegas, very easy check in, nice clean room, but a hell of a walk from the casino floor. We ended up crashing in the room till 7pm, carb over load from the pizza? We played a bit but neither of us had much luck so after a late diner at their café, with a $10 off from my vegas we hit the room.

    Nov. 24th
    We had decided this would be a no gambling day, but didn’t have a real plan. I had gotten my wife a my Vegas reward for the night helicopter flight, but I didn’t have enough points till a few days before the trip for mine. And couldn’t get the reward at home. I was able to get one this morning, and set them up for that night.
    We then decided to go to Clark County Museum, we had been here four years ago and figured since it was the perfect temp for walking outside, and we would see if they changed much. For two bucks it’s a deal, not a lot changed but we enjoyed it.
    We also took a ride in the desert, and I showed my wife where I would put her, if she ever stiffed me on my half of a short rib grilled cheese again.
    Back at Sunset we had lunch at the buffet, free from my vegas. Then relaxed in the room a few hours, before heading out for the helicopter ride. We left early so we could stop at Ethel M’s Christmas light display, very nice and my wife loved it.

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    We needed to kill a little time so we stopped at the Vegas sign, first time at night.

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    The helicopter ride was a blast, not scary like I expected. My wife really didn’t want to do this, but I talked her into it. She thanked me on the ride back to Sunset, for convincing her to go.

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    There’s an In N Out about a block away, so we grabbed some to take back to the room. It was terrible my burger was hard and the fries were cold. I knew we would have cold fries but these were nasty. We’ve eaten there many times and expect mediocre fries, but the burgers were always great.

    Nov. 25th
    We had breakfast at the buffet, again free from my Vegas. We played a bit and I had I little luck on STP, I think I even cashed a TITO for +20 or 30 bucks.

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    We checked out and headed to DTG for our last two nights, comped after talking to a host a few weeks prior.
    It was only about noon so I parked in self park, so I could find out the new valet pay system. We were also going to Mandalay Bay for the Shark Reef and diner buffet later, (both free from my vegas) so we left everything in the car and went to check in. We were given a room no problem, 10th floor facing east. Nice clean and very little noise. The clerk said self park was free for hotel guests, and valet was free if you put 50 points on your card, otherwise $7. We had to get new cards, so I asked at the players club if I came there with my valet ticket after getting the points. She said valet is free for Silver card members, so just show the card when picking up. We both play on my wife’s card and she’s Silver so not a problem.
    After playing a few hours we headed to Mandalay Bay, the Shark Reef is a hell of a walk from the casino. The normal walkway is under construction so its weird getting there, but guards were positioned along the way giving directions. Not sure its worth twenty bucks to me, but great for free.

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    Mandalay Bays diner buffet tasted fine and had a nice selection, but put me in severe intestinal distress half way thru my first plate, so that was all I ate. Just glad it was free from my Vegas, and that it passed after a few trips to the rest room.
    Back at DTG after getting settled in the room we hit the casino, I found a triple play that seemed to like me, so I mostly played that all night.

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    Nov. 26th
    Thanksgiving and our last full day. When I put the card in, our points had dropped to even lower then when we started the day before, so it was off to the players club. Same thing had happened our last trip, they reset it and said it’s a glitch that happens to some players that are staying at the hotel. Everyday we had to get it reset, not a big deal but no wonder we don’t get offers any more.
    We played a bit, took a walk around Fremont Then ended up back at DTG playing until lunch. I had seen the post from R. Flusher one morning about S & O’s mac & cheese so I had to try it, my wife ordered it also. I didn’t tell her who recommended it, because of the Tacos El Gordo Howe place that she hated. But you redeemed your good name, she really liked it and I thought it was good.

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    We even hit the pool after lunch, to harass our daughter who would love Vegas pools.



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    In the evening we hit the D for a bit, my wife had some free play. Not sure how she did but I lost some on VP. Then we hit Four Queens where I had twenty in free play, I played it on the 9/6 job and turned it into almost forty if I remember right. Diner was at Magnolias with a bogo for my birthday month, I got the rib eye, it was very good but the baked potato was terrible, I think it was from the day before. I believe my wife had a cheeseburger.
    After that we walked a bit, then played at Fremont I ran twenty thru the old style $1 quick hit reels, hoping for lighting. I didn’t hit, but a lady on the other side of the bank hit for $5000 I was going to snap a pic but my wife thought it would be rude. We ended the night playing at DTG.

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    Nov. 27th
    We got up early packed everything up, then headed down to play. The plan was to play a bit, then head to Silverton’s where I had some free play. But we were both doing good so we stayed, my wife came over and said she had just hit for sixty something, and wanted to leave on a win so she was done. I had almost fifty on the machine so I switched to quarters, and said one quad and were out of here, or I was playing it off. Well no luck.

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    Gassed the car up and hit the airport, long ass TSA line, but they opened up more booths and we were thru it in 18 minutes. SWA first class for the flight home, on a smooth flight arriving 30 minutes early.

    Total for everything except gas to Akron and back was just under $1900, and we still had a few hundred left in our gambling budget. We had to really watch our budget, but still had a blast. And this past week was busy, and I got a big check I didn’t expect till after Christmas, so my wife has chilled out about having enough cash for Christmas shopping for the grand kids.

    Final thoughts,

    We brought a better camera, but it never found its way out of the suitcase. So these were all on my phone.

    I need to start keeping better track of our points, I sometimes note the total at the beginning of the day, but always forget that night or the next morning.

    People complain about my Vegas, but it still is worth the trouble for us.

    Our neighbors with the cat (King David) that torments our dog, volunteered to watch her. My wife was very nervous about this. (their both pushing seventy) But they are in better health than me, lol our daughter also said she would come get her, if there was a problem. Of course her and King David got along fine, as long as Zoey didn’t try to play, when he wasn’t in the mood. They had two of their grandkids most of the time, and said Zoey kept them busy. And they raved about what a great and well behaved dog she is, other then wanting to take a nap with him on his recliner. At about forty lbs she’s not a lap dog any more. Then yesterday morning shes at the front window, just flipping out barking, growling and snarling. I’ve never heard her growl much less bark like that, so I look out and some lady was bent down petting King David. Then when she picked him up, I thought Zoey was going thru the window. She didn’t stop till the lady put him down and walked away……So I guess her new best friend is a cat? lol

    I have some coupons my wife forgot to bring, if anyone has a trip planned before the end of the year PM me and I’ll gladly throw them in the mail.

    MSS bogo buffet….lva
    45% off raiding the rock vault….lva
    Bogo Fat choy @ Eureka Casino….lva
    2-500 points get $10 in free play @ Eureka…lva
    2-Ellis Island play $10 get 10-100...lva
    Magnolia’s bogo….. acg
    Silverton’s buffet bogo or -50%….acg
    2-Ellis Island earn 200 pts get a free entrée…acg
    1-unsigned ACG member card.

    If you made it this far thanks for reading.
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  2. Snidely

    Snidely VIP Whale

    Joined:
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    Messages:
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    Nice report! You sound too young (at heart at least) for Sam's Town. You might have to wait until your daughter starts to collect Social Security to be old enough to Sam's Town.
     
  3. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

    Joined:
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    Nice report! Love the detail! And we like Sam's Town! Lol

    Nice hits on the STP Spin Poker! I'm still waiting on multiplied Aces...doh!

    Also good run at downtown grand! But that is quite a rough paytable. That's the drawback with nickel multiline games. :( So much fun though!

    Thanks for sharing!
     
  4. LVHooked

    LVHooked High-Roller

    Joined:
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    Fairview, Pa.
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    I had posted that my wife said, we weren't old enough to stay there in another thread. And a few Sam's fans took offense, so it seemed appropriate. Lol
    These quad pics are only a few of the ones I got, it was almost comical how every time I bumped to quarters, they stopped. Pay tables don't matter if your hitting quads. Lol
    Thanks for reading guys.
     
  5. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

    Joined:
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    Nice report thanks for sharing. SWA first class? Middle seat open? :evillaugh
     
  6. LVHooked

    LVHooked High-Roller

    Joined:
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    A skinny older women had preboarded, and had the aisle seat. But we were first off the plane. lol
     
  7. Chrisbeans

    Chrisbeans High-Roller

    Joined:
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    Thanks for sharing your report! I love how your dog has a new BFF!
     
  8. Suekel

    Suekel VIP Whale

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    Great TR, I enjoyed it! Seemed like a good variety of places, meals and activities. Glad you had a good trip!
     
  9. Blonde_4_ever

    Blonde_4_ever LasVegas4ever.com

    Joined:
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    Loved your report. Especially the part about the dog and the cat! LOL
     
  10. LVHooked

    LVHooked High-Roller

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    This cat and our last dog got along good, when we first got Zoey I think the cat couldn't figure out what happened, he would come over and Zoey would just bark at him.
     
  11. LVHooked

    LVHooked High-Roller

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    The only thing we missed was Raiding the Rock Vault, next trip for sure.
     
  12. scohitch

    scohitch Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Great report - I really enjoyed reading it. I'm early 40s and I think I'd prefer a more laid back casino. I put Sam's Town, Silverton, Orleans, etc, into this category. I'm not early 20s anymore and, while my musical taste matches that of the younger crowd, my ability to stay up that late has gone.
     
  13. phantomfj

    phantomfj High-Roller

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    Nice report!.......and hey, we share a birthday:beer:..........you gotta check out Raiding the rock vault, it is something to see and hear!
     
  14. Char1

    Char1 VIP Whale

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    Sounds like a good plan nicely executed.

    Thanks for the TR
     
  15. LVHooked

    LVHooked High-Roller

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    Happy belated birthday, and this was the second trip we wanted to see it, but didn't make it. So hopefully next trip for sure.

    And thanks everyone for reading and commenting, it is appreciated.
     
  16. Ty

    Ty ?

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    Thanks for the TR, I enjoyed reading it.
     
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