Tons of pics -Trip Report 7/27 - 8/1 LINQ & Plaza - Pools and Craps

Four nights at the Linq + one night at the Plaza. The trip is move of a quest to try new pools, and see new things. With this being my 23rd visit to Vegas, I knew it would be a challenge. This trip was semi solo, as I was meeting friends on the first day and @AyDee from VMB on the last day.

Saturday, July 27th –

On time out of BWI at 6:10am, and landed about 10 minutes earlier than expected. I was 90% sure my room would not be ready, but it was & was exactly what I wanted. 2nd floor where I can take the stairs/escalator and avoid those dreaded LINQ elevators. My room was back in District 3, by the ride share and on the same level as the pool. Decided to meet my buddy Tom for the all you can drink buffet at Excalibur (MyVegas Award). The buffet was exactly as expected, plenty of selection, but not a ton of flavor. The champagne was really good. Here is a pic of Tom and myself, he tried to look like an Axe murderer here, I assure you he’s not


From there I decided to walk through NYNY to Park MGM and play my $25 free match play, I drew a 19 to the dealers 17, WINNER! I also walked through the Eataly, it was very interesting. IMO a far cry from the Eataly in NYC, but that’s to be expected.



From there, I meet up with my buddy Sol and hit the Cosmo pool. I’ve already been to the Cosmo pool, but still wanted to check it out, not a ton here other than being really hot, even when in the water.



I was really wanting to hit the Cosmo/Wynn pool, and since Sol was staying there, we decided to go. The outdoor craps table was a $25 minimum and BJ was $50. Had a really good discussion with a group of guy about 90s NBA basketball, and wanted to play craps here, but the table was jammed.



From here, I met up with my buddy Chris who had a room at Caesars, got some food at Café Americano. Here are some photos from his room.


From there, walked back to the LINQ, but not before reserving a piece of cheesecake from the Mirage (MyVegas) and playing 1 $50 hand of BJ which resulted in this.



Sunday, July 28th.

I had some food comps, free play at the Palms & a comped room, so I decided to take the RTC 202 bus from Cromwell to the Palms for $2. I waited for about 15 minutes and could have easily taken a LYFT, but wanted the experience. Once I got it, it was a very clean bus considering what I’ve seen in other cities. In comparison.




The bus dropped me off and I played by $50 free bet in craps, turned it into $40, checked in, then went to AYCE buffet. Same deal as Excalibur yesterday, all you can drink buffet, but it was EXCELLENT. I mean, on the level of Aria excellent. If you’ve never been, I highly recommend it. Also, some views from my room at the Palms.




From there, just hung at the pool all day and hit Omnia at night. It was SUCH a clusterfuck to get in, but the time we got in, we wanted out. On the guest list, still took 90 minutes…. Lesson learned.

Monday, July 29th.

Started off the morning with a less aggressive breakfast, NOSH at Bally’s via a Groupon. I had ½ a bagel, it honestly wasn’t very good. From there, I wanted to try the Bally’s pool. The only pool in Vegas where you have to swim to survive, being that it’s 12 feet deep. I ended up swimming a few laps, talking to some folks from Boston, then heading out.



From there I walked through Paris, Planet Hollywood and headed to Ketchup Bar for lunch. This place is a hidden gem, and is I always like this place for lunch. I try to eat it every single time. For some reason, I forgot to take a photo of my meal, but I got a photo of my beer...



From there I headed to the Bellagio pool, as I’ve never been and want to stay with the theme of trying new pools. Fucking.Kids.Everywhere. I thought the Golden Nugget pool had the most kids, til I saw this mess. I hungout, went for a dip, and met a few people, I did not stay long and don’t see myself going back.




Last pool of the day was Treasure Island, I decided to take the tram from Mirage there. As always, this pool was fun and filled with friendly people. I’ve been many times before, and it never disappoints. I hung there for a couple hours and met a group of people, we decided to meet at Eye Candy @Mandalay Bay later that evening.




– From there, I HAD To play my favorite craps table in all of Vegas, you have probably seen me discuss in on VMB may times, the outdoor craps table at the Flamingo pool. Up until now, I have not done any real gambling, left the table up $270. Really good crew working there, as usual.




I decided to meet the group of people I met at the TI pool that night, a group from Vancouver, they had an 80s DJ and it was a blast. The drink prices were reasonable (for a lounge) and the craps tables at Mandalay Bay were hot. Played about 7 minutes and made $140. From all the walking and the sun, I was running out of steam, and decided to head back to the LINQ.



Tuesday, July 30th.
Started out the morning with Starbucks from the LINQ promenade, I wanted to go with a safe bagel after the NOSH yesterday. Took a LYFT to NYNY to play craps, where a guy proceeded to hit 8 points and a shitload of numbers, left there up $225. Why only $225, well, I was taking my bets down (@smerrian can step in here, and explain ).



I got a text from someone I had met on the plane asking if I wanted to hang, being this person was staying at the Westgate and I’ve never been to this pool, I decided to try it. **Warning, if you’re ever on the pool deck at Westgate without sandals, please note, your feet will be in a world of pain. I checked out the room there, nothing crazy, clean and pretty standard. Pics from the room:

 

I hit send too soon...

Continued.




From there we decided to go to the Stratosphere , went to the 107 lounge for lunch and drinks, then continued to play “crapless craps” at the Stratosphere. I basically transferred $ from NYNY to the Stratosphere, and I lost $200. I must have been playing there a while, between 107 lounge and craps, it was already 9 so I took the monorail back the the LINQ and went to bed.


Wednesday, July 31st. I checked out of the LINQ first thing and took a LYFT to the Plaza. First thing first, I wanted to eat breakfast at BINIONS Café. I wasn’t feeling great so I took it to go. It was excellent. It was also COMP as I used at gift certificate from playing the Binions App. From there, continuing with my them of trying new pools, I decided to try the Plaza pool. This pool has potential to be nice. I was comped a cabana but didn’t take full advantage of it.


From here, I went on a ACG coupon run, played craps at every casino downtown with the exception of El Cortez. I think, even with the match play, I ended up loosing $40. I used a $10 F&B credit to eat lunch at the D, Coney Island. Then proceeded to the Downtown Grand to checkout the pool there. This is a very close 2nd to the Golden Nugget. Lots of room, beautiful pool, really nice bar.




At this point, I have been texting @AyDee for a while, and decide to meet him at Four Queens, where it was the 2nd hottest table of the day. @AyDee was a bit late for the run, but we made up for it later that evening. @AyDee was nice enough to take me on a tour of his room at the Cal, where he pointed out the 20x odds sign for MMS, with a 7 rolled LMAO.


The room was nice, and fun fact about the Cal, it has a 13th floor. He showed me the pool here, which happens to look like one at a Super 8.

@AyDee and I decided to play craps at MSS, where the table was choppy. He introduced me to his GF - P, and I came up with the bright idea of going to Jerry’s Nugget. On the way, I wanted to see the filming scene from the movie casino where Joe Pecsi’s guys beat up James Woods in the parking lot. Nerdy of me!



Jerry’s nugget was surprisingly fun, I lost about $100, but well worth the experience of seeing the homeless shelter and 2x craps odds. We had a blast, got comped a meal (I believe @AyDee has a pic) and got some free t-shirts. I believe @AyDee GF P got a bunch of free swag! From there, LYFT back to Freemont, where I proceed to sleep 12 hours….. from 8 to 8.


LAST DAY! Thursday, August 1st. I had the Binions Gift card and had my 2nd best breakfast of the trip - Used the $25 comp from playing the Binions App with this meal.


– From here, I took my beer tickets from the Binions App to get the sauce in me before my flight (4 beers). Flight was at 2:30pm. First stop, the D, used by Southwest Airlines boarding pass for $50 in match play. Someone on VMB gave me this tip, forgot who it was, but thanks! So, at the D, this was the first time I saw Sigma Derby without anyone playing. It never occurred to me, but the horses run without anyone there, and show odds. Makes sense, but I just figured without a bet, they would not run.


From there, went to the Golden Nugget to bet on a horse that my father suggested (came in 8th). Back to the D for craps, I played with some guys I met at the D, they were from Corpus Christi, TX, had a great roll there. We decided to go for it, and play at MSS with 20x odds. I bought in for $400, left with $412. Caught a LYFT to McCarran in time for the flight. Some pics from I-15 to the airport.




Overall – lessons learned, points to mention.

1) Six days and five nights are WAY too much, never again.

2) The heat in July is brutal, it actually scares people from the pools until the evenings.

3) I only lost $80 on this trip from gambling, not a lesson learned, just figured I would say it.

4) Binions Café is awesome.

5) Next trip is November, Comped at Planet Hollywood - Nov 7 – 10, 3 nights, 4 full days.

6) As much as I try to force Fremont, I'm more of a strip guy.

 

Great report....thanks for sharing

 

Thanks for the report! Sounds like a great time, and definitely lots of pool variety!
Question about the Bally's pool. Is there no shallow portion at all? I'll be there in September, and have never been at the pool, but i'd like to have a place to just sit and soak, and not drown! LOL

 

Great question, there sure is! The pool is split by a a rope after 5 or 6 feet. You walk in like any other pool.

 

Thanks!!

 

Great report!

 

Great report. I know you are a Strip guy, but one day you will get old and join me downtown.

 

Made 8 points and a shitload of numbers and you won $225? Shame on you! And the answer is because you bet $6 on the 8 and pull it down after it hits one time, then after it hits 2 more times maybe you'll put the $6 bet back up. All the while letting your $5 pass line with $5 odds play for the win. You, sir, are not a gambler. You are a socializer that just enjoys socializing at the craps table. (On a side note, your Dad IS a gambler...a no holds barred gambler! Somewhere between the two of you is a typical gambler.)

This made me laaaugh! Having met your dad, this is just so funny.

Glad you had a great trip, lucky one, too! I love being out there for 2 weeks but I don't let myself get sleep deprived; just can't do that anymore. Also, I enjoy Downtown just as much as I enjoy the Strip. I like each of them for what they are.

"Fucking kids". Really? I thought only us non-parent types thought that when at the pool.

 

Great report. Thanks for posting! Loved all the photos except for the ones leaving Las Vegas. It’s always sad and a total buzz kill for me.

 

That’s wayyyyy too much walking for me....

Great stuff!!!!

Between you and NFC....that’s pretty much all of Vegas....LOL.

 

Nice job on the pool tour!
Wish you could have gone up to Binion’s pool deck.
I think if you’re a QQQQ guest you can use Binion’s rooftop pool deck.

 

Love the pool reviews! We always stay at the Flamingo but talk about trying someplace else. Now I don't think I can do it. Love the Flamingo pool too much!

 

Best one in Vegas, although, you guys might want to try the MGM pool. A very close 2nd!

 

Enjoyed the TR thanks for a great read.

 

Appreciate the report. Fellow east coaster checking in. What's the minimum on that Flamingo outdoor craps table? I see that red placard which makes me think it's $5

 

Great report - no wonder you were tired - you covered a lot of ground.
Great pics and enjoyed seeing all the pools. Sounds like a great trip!

 

GREAT TR! I like the way you roll. I'm surprised to see that you were comped a cabana when it seems like you don't bet that much. Is that because of your dad or something?

Btw, your quote above made me think of this line from Clerks which actually runs through my head ALL THE TIME when I see kids being annoying.

http://www.tzr.io/yarn-clip/4880e5c3-d9b1-48f2-83d4-f7c96bc45803

 

Excellent report and pix...good info on the 202 bus out to the Palms/Gold Coast area....

 

No, it was just given to me. I called someone at the Plaza for a quote, he was very generous and gave it to me free as long as I paid for my own food and beverage.