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Trip to Mandalay Bay (12/17-12/22)

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by ColoVegPlayer, Dec 17, 2020.

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  1. ColoVegPlayer

    ColoVegPlayer Speed Running for Noir

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    Agreed on the pancakes! Maybe they have new people in for training since it's so dead?

    I walked from MB to Park MGM, getting ready for Primrose. Stopped to play at Luxor on a $5 craps table. $100 gone very quickly... And another $60 on the slots gone! The table games were mostly closed except for 2 BJ tables, the one craps table, and a 000 roulette table.

    Kept walking to Excalibur, didn't play here. The tables were the same as Luxor, but even more dead.

    At NYNY I didn't see any tables open. I'm sure they have at least 1 BJ table, but it was empty here.

    Finally at Park MGM, an hour before lunch. Played some slots and video poker, lost $140. Probably just bad variance, but every time I've played at Park MGM since they reopened, I've never won anything on the slots. Not sure if they made them tighter to make up for the non smoking?

    The tables were a bit more populated here, they even had a Faceup Pai How table open, at $25 minimum.

    I'm still looking for a baccarat (or ez baccarat) table, but alas, no luck.

    Overall everything is closed for the most part. All the shops and convenience stores, except one or two, were closed.

    Off to have lunch at Primrose!
     
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  2. rooster42000

    rooster42000 Goat of all Goats , My Hero

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    Good luck.
     
  3. luckylinda

    luckylinda High-Roller

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    I would have questioned someone concerning the pancakes.
    Good luck hope your lunch is better
     
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  4. luck.ofthe.draw

    luck.ofthe.draw VIP Whale

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    FWIW, Outlets and other shops are open. I was there last month and yes, several gift shops and such in hotels were closed, but go outside and most malls, stores, and CVS, etc are open but with limited hours (ie: Miracle Mile opens at 11a). You may need to wait in a line to get in however.
    Just don't want people thinking "everything is closed".

    https://www.simon.com/mall/the-forum-shops-at-caesars-palace

    https://www.miraclemileshopslv.com/

    https://www.premiumoutlets.com/outlet/las-vegas-south
     
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  5. ColoVegPlayer

    ColoVegPlayer Speed Running for Noir

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    That's a fair point, some shops are still open. I'm mostly looking for things inside the hotels and casinos, so YMMV.

    Lunch at Primrose was pretty good. Apparently they have bottomless mimosas, and the table across the room also knew this. About halfway through my meal this one girl was loudly proclaiming about how "those ******** doctors were shoving needles down my throat to drain an abscess". It would also appear they aren't truly bottomless, as they were asked to leave. From what I gathered they were there for 3 or so hours...

    Anyway. I ordered the steak and fries, and the creme brulee.

    The steak was okay, sort of bland. But a good piece of meat overall. The fries were delicious, had a great seasoning on them. And the ketchup container was SO cute!!

    The creme brulee was amazing, I highly recommend getting it if you ever come here.

    And the overall ambiance was nice, the tables had an elegant gold finish on the sides, and just a very clean and nice restaurant.

    https://imgur.com/gallery/BwgDwem


    Not sure what to do next. Next scheduled thing is dinner at ChinChin tonight, so in the meantime I'll wander around.
     
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  6. ColoVegPlayer

    ColoVegPlayer Speed Running for Noir

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    Mid afternoon update:

    After lunch I played some Free Bet Blackjack, lost $100 and decided to head back to Delano.

    Put in a $20 bet for under on the Panthers/Packers game, and also played a little roulette at Excalibur.

    The gift shop at Luxor and Mandalay Bay are still closed. Really hoping they open tomorrow, because I need that ring by tomorrow night!


    Once back in the room, I checked my pedometer (5 miles) and took a nap.

    Just counted all the money I have left:
    $1502. So I'm only down $339 between gambling and tips (food is a seperate budget), not too bad for the first 24 hours!

    Feeling a bit peckish, might grab a snack before dinner. I'm gonna go gamble a bit more too before dinner! Clearly if I keep gambling I can win that $339 back!
     
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  7. Necrochaos

    Necrochaos VIP Whale

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    @ColoVegPlayer Glad you are seeing some low min tables. Luxor was only $5 for me early morning. Never saw $5 at Excalibur but glad to here it! I played a bit at MB during our Delano stay, but I wasn't a huge fan of the table/dealers. I much prefer Luxor.
     
  8. ColoVegPlayer

    ColoVegPlayer Speed Running for Noir

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    Oh this was all before lunch, I'm sure it's higher now!

    Currently at NYNY waiting for our table. My plan to gamble my way back to even did not work... I'll have to tally up the damage later.

    I did get a great pretzel for a snack though!
     

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  9. mikeyvegas1

    mikeyvegas1 High-Roller

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    Enjoying your report so far, I am staying at delano in 5 weeks. So your saying 3/2 is hard to find even at $25? But they have open seats at lower min 6/5? Also I like to sit next to my wife for bartop VP, is that doable now or is it every other machine?
    Thanks for the report and good luck.
     
    Sons 21st birthday trip
  10. ColoVegPlayer

    ColoVegPlayer Speed Running for Noir

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    Just got back to the room. ChinChin was good, but neither myself not my friend was able to finish it all!

    I ordered the chicken potstickers for an appetizer, and she got the mongolian beef, I got the orange chicken, extra spicy. It was really good, and really affordable. If you're in the area and want a break from "American" food, I definitely reccomend ChinChin!

    After dinner, we played our fortune cookie numbers on roulette, and it hit! That $25 made up for the hundreds lost earlier! :goofy:

    We looked at the cubic zirconia shop also. Surprisingly expensive for fake jewlery but whatever.

    https://imgur.com/gallery/uqNuLEy

    Around 6PM I noticed the NYNY check in getting really full, and after dinner most of the table games had opened up. The minimums at NYNy jumped up to $15, and to answer @mikeyvegas1 , there is $25 3/2 in the evenings it appears, at least on Friday. Yesterday and most of today I only saw the 6/5 tables. The bartops are seperated, some are every other machine, some with a plastic divider. You might be better off at a regular "angled" bank of VP.

    After we left NYNY she dropped me off at my hotel. I played a cute little russian themed slot machine. Lost every penny, but at least it was cute!

    Picked up some gelato and headed up to the room. Gonna soak in the tub and watch Netflix and "chill" (with the gelato!).

    Tomorrow is pretty unplanned. I'm on my own until dinner, when my friend, her sister, and her sisters husband are picking me up. We're heading to Hugo's Cellar for dinner.

    I haven't counted my losses yet...it doesn't count if you don't check, right? Although the lack of $20 bills in my wallet isn't a good sign!



    On another note, it looks like more of the shops inside the hotels opened up later today. Hopefully most things will be open tomorrow!
     
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  11. 3OfDiamonds

    3OfDiamonds Waiting For “Very Good” Video Poker @ Rio…

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    Best of luck for the rest of your trip, for both gambling and shopping availability :thumbsup:
     
  12. ColoVegPlayer

    ColoVegPlayer Speed Running for Noir

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    Just counted the remaining money, 1078. Down 763 so far. Gotta make it last until Tuesday!

    I woke up late this morning (10AM), gonna skip breakfast and find a nice spot for lunch.

    Probably just wander the shops at mandalay and find a restaurant there. And then do some shopping!
     
  13. JoJoR

    JoJoR VIP Whale

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    I'm here to talk pancakes. :feedme: Primrose has really delicious pancakes. They're a little different than your average pancake as they have more of a "cake-like" texture to it. As for Citizen's, I usually get their Ultimate breakfast (comes with 2 or 3 average-sized pancakes) at least once a trip and their pancakes aren't usually their strong point, not too fluffy. Besides that, it's one of my go-to breakfast spots when staying at MB/Delano.

    Also, I appreciate the pics of the Scenic Suite. I didn't realize the bathroom was setup a little differently then Delano's regular suites.
     
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  14. ColoVegPlayer

    ColoVegPlayer Speed Running for Noir

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    I love me some pancakes! Maybe I'll make the trek again to Primrose for some deep dish pancakes later this week.


    I got my ring shopping done, found the ring I'm going to give her tonight! (long story...)

    And for lunch I decided on Ri-Ra. I've been here a few times, the food is really good.

    I'll post pics after the meal. Overhead a great conversation with one couple asking the waiter what black pudding was and got to catch their look of disgust! :goofy:
     
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  15. rm22

    rm22 Gym Junkie

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    Since ur staying at MB, give Della's Kitchen a try. Its one of the healthiest meals you can have on the strip and i think she was on FNetwork for something or other. I ate there a few times during my MB stay.

    Wasn't sure what the ring story was but i like hearing those stories so lets hear the long or partial version. If you dont want to share, thats fine too. No hurt feelings.
     
  16. ColoVegPlayer

    ColoVegPlayer Speed Running for Noir

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    Ri Ra was interesting.

    I ordered the leek and potato soup, which was AMAZING.

    I also ordered the steak and chips. The fries/chips were awesome. The steak, not so much. I wasn't a fan of the sauce on it, but I'm fine calling that a difference in taste. The meat itself however, was so tough and gristly.

    I love RiRa, but cannot reccomend this steak.

    https://imgur.com/gallery/G4o0XG6


    Ring story will be coming soon, probably after dinner. Its really not exciting.
     
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  17. LB9

    LB9 PH Blackjack Degen

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    Enjoying your TR so far as well, appreciate you sharing. It does seem like a lot is closed unfortunately (one of the reasons I've postponed 4 times lol), but I hope you can have some fun and snag some wins! :)
     
  18. ColoVegPlayer

    ColoVegPlayer Speed Running for Noir

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    Popped back into the room to drop off the stuff I bought. I also bought a pair of socks for the girl I'm dating back home.

    Took a look at Della's Kitchen, per @rm22 . Its closed. Not just for lunch, but in general. Has one of those signs indicating it's closed until covid is over, basically.

    Played a bit in the casino, saw a Monty Python game (which still did $3 per point opposed to $10 for the licensed games!). On my first spin, I hit some sort of bonus and won $110. Used that $110 to play for a bit on random slots before giving it back. Really only a $10 loss.
     

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  19. ColoVegPlayer

    ColoVegPlayer Speed Running for Noir

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    It does suck that a lot of places are closed. If you come to Vegas now, you really have to know why you're coming. I used to come for the shows and buffets, but those are all gone. I didn't care what room I had, just the cheapest was fine.

    But now, during COVID, its mostly to focus on some gambling, and nicer restaurants (that aren't buffets), and get a nice room to relax in. And to visit my friend.


    Ring photo is attached. The finest cubic zirconia ring that $24 (minus $2 for gold member) you can buy in the LUX Gift Shop!


    (Unfortunately it seems the Mandalay Bay one is closed still, kinda sad. I like to get a little souvenir from each hotel I stay at)

    I'm sure y'all will get a photo of it on the finger tonight! (Not engaged, just to be clear)
     

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  20. ColoVegPlayer

    ColoVegPlayer Speed Running for Noir

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    Found a convince store at MB that was open, that sold MB themed fridge magnets. Close enough, I guess? I know the Luxor store sells cool themed statue things, oh well.

    Oh they also had half off of some snacks, so I got some chocolate for later.

    Played the Monty Python slot some more, triggered the Black Knight bonus. It was fun, every time you got the Black Knight symbol, it multiplied your winnings and also showed a scene from the movie where they cut his limbs off. I also got the Holy Grail bonus, but only got awarded the mini, of course.

    Gonna dork around the casino a bit longer, then head back to the room to change. We're all gonna dress up for Hugo's Cellar.
     

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