TR Rio/GVR/Rio 9-2/9-10

Hi everyone.just wanted to share some details of my trip from 9/2 -9/9..

Pretty boring actually..Just a solo guy trying to hit RSF #2 and enjoy the NFL opening week.

Sept 2 Flew Southwest with EB A-28..RSW-STL-LAS
Completely full plane(s) and short delay in STL.Two beers at the bar by Gate 20.
Arrived in LV,bag came quick and no wait for taxi at around 6pm.

Driver took the tunnel ... and then some side road that parallels the interstate.Traffic was heavy there so I was wondering how to handle this,thinking surface road traffic was probably packed also.eventully we got on the interstate and to Flamingo exit and fare came to $25.70.I gave the guy $26 and told him that was your tip because you tunneled me and I should call the TA.... all he did was nod his head and the Rio employee directing taxi pickups heard me as well.I was just happy to get to the Rio and get settled in for the next 4 nights.

Did the 7stars/Diamond/Platinum check in room (I'm platinum because of the CC card)
and love it.Only took a few minutes and upstairs in the Impena 1324 quickly after using some RC's for a couple beers in the gift shop.Get settled in the room and try the safe to stash my DL (I use expired one incase I need ID downstairs) and cash and CC's..
Safe does not open even while displaying open and it won't if trying to pry it open... ahh I'm not going to wait for a tech so I just dealt with it rest of trip..

Wed am

Went down to the sportsbook bar and played and played and no quads to be had.similar story the next 3 days or so,but did hit a couple at the center bar,left side..quite a few of those machines has frustrating sticky buttons and I told an attendant about it when I needed help with a stuck tito.
Played $5 craps and $10 roulette a couple nights,hit a few numbers both games to recover the VP losses..(And I had to cover/pound the 17/20 for the VMB but best I did was a couple corners)

Breakfast was Starbucks and dinner was SportsDeli take-out nightly paying for it on leftover Race to Rewards points.

Friday the 5th.. Took the first 10 am shuttle leaving the Rio to Bally's and walked to Caesars for a Fantasy Football draft. Checked out the new sportsbook area and bar and had a beer there.Very nice redo and the bartender said they had just opened the night before.


Went up to the convention center for the draft and then took a taxi back home and fare was $7.50.So $10 was easy instead of the walk to Bally's and wait for the shuttle.

Noticed the party pit dealers were starting up in the Rio's new 'party pit' ala PussyCatDolls and every other 6/5 BJ gimmick around..

Took a pix and the dealer shook her finger at me..guess the flash on my camera went off? Not sure how she noticed me..
There was a Vietnam Vets convention going on at the Rio,met a couple cool guys over the days..Salute to those guys as I was 10 years too young.Not enough tributes out to those you got DRAFTED and not enlisted on thier own design IMO.

Saturday the 6th...So checked out of the Rio,informed the clerk about the safe and shower leak that leaves a puddle of water in the hallway (You can't see it till you slip on it) and it's not from having the curtains drawn the wrong way..
My folio on the TV showed 3 internet charges of $13.99 on the same day so he took them all off.

Taxi to the GVR was quick,nice driver and fare was around $34,gave her $40 and took her card..Kim W/DesertCab.
Checked in and clerk gave me the printout to initial and sign and it was full price,not what I booked,Saturday @ $79 or so and Sunday/Monday comped..She apologized and clicked one button I think and the new sheet was correct.
And I am happy as it is still only 10:30 am or so and I have a room with no wait..
East Tower 8138 takes a walk outside past the pools to get to and everything in GVR is a walk..Nice room,but no coffee maker and view of the parking garage

Unpacked a bit and threw some beers I took along from the Rio in the pay-fridge where there was room..Safe worked so threw the valuable cards in there and headed down to the book.. a few empty seats at the bar and spent the rest of the afternoon there..guy next to gave me $5 bucks for my half-pack of smokes as we were playing..later I took the haul to the gift shop and bought 2 packs and threw him one..Though I lasted much longer there at these paytables no significant VP hands..Ended up getting some pizza and salad at the food court.Bought a $200 ticket on VT +11 for a friend and enjoyed the game in the room.

Sunday the 7th elavator up to 2nd floor/casino and loooong walks to Starbucks.Prices there for the same order are roughly half of what they charge at the Rio.
Back to the casino at 9am and it is packed..waited 25 minutes or so to get a NFL bet in (3 team parlay that could have cashed if not for the steelers)
Only VP spot at the bar open first games was that short-seat machine.. and there I sat and sat and sat.. and it's right next to where all the people with their drink tix come and order...It sucked..Next to me a couple..Girl sitting at the machine and not playing or drinking.Large purse on the machine.Husband in full Pitt gear standing..He goes to bathroom with her purse and comes back with a full Corona.. after half-time of the games I ask her to move and guy comes back from wherever and says no..
Meanwhile the tenders still are aware of me down there so I keep playing and hit 4 dueces so thanks you lame ass cheap steelers couple.


Cash that tito for $285 and head back to room to check scores and back down to the book for the afternoon games,one seat open played awhile and then was asked to move seats by a guy who's SIL just got there..Machine I moved to was a supertimes pay or something like that..Played $40 just figuring it out..no hits.

Time for dinner so tried Capriottis..Everything looked ok when I placed my order..turns out the cook was working the register and a few people were waiting on orders..30 minutes later some lady demands a refund and by then a couple more employees show up but it was a disaster for the staff..No manager to be seen and these employees had to apologize way too much..Cards are available there with the franchise info and before I even eaten my take-out I sent an email to corporate and the local manager with props to the staff.
Joel the manager did reply and apologized saying he was not aware of an emergency short-staff situation..I would anticipate a busy NFL opening Sunday and maybe a spike in sales after the games are winding down?

Monday the 8th..Early Starbucks walk and back to room and back to sportsbook VP..played awhile a few 4oak's but nothing premium..told the bartender about the steeler moochers and he said next time tell him about it,he said new manager removed cards they had that stated machines must be in use to sit there..but he will still make them give way to a player.His name is Dave and keeps the beers flowing.
Pizza and salad again for dinner and watched the MNF games in room

Tuesday the 9th Nice driver fare was $30 or so i gave him 35 thinking now it should have been more.. Early check-in no problem back at the Rio Masquerade 38006..Locked safe Could not crack the code hoping for some cash in there.Unpacked and packed for dreaded flights home.set wake-up call for 5:30am..Guess it's about 11 am and I play two machines at the sportsbook bar and just like that down $40
At this point I'm so down on the trip I just can't lose anymore at the Rio bartops..I walk to the GC and within 20 minutes of sitting down at the center bar hit a quick 4oak..not the first time I have done that walking across the street..I cash that tito and move a machine over and again another hit,but quad 4's on DDB..


Now at this time the progressive royals were pretty huge-Hearts were at 1600+ and others at 1400,1200 and 1100...But the machines went off-line and every machine had a call attendant screen on it..went in and out all day...Only games to play were dueces or keno which I tried for probably the first time. Hit two 5/6 for $70 each I think on a $20 buy-in..

.By now its afternoon and thinking it's time to head back..cash the titos and have a loose $70 and sit down at a $5 BJ game...I have played there before with the Asian new dealers etc and never won...I buy in and the pit guy knows where I'm from in FL as a native so decent vibe to start.It was a 6 deck auto shuffle with some 20 side bet I never bothered to see the scam payouts.

Ended up there for an hour or more surprisingly..went though 3 different asian female dealers,one did not understand my english at all,one was confused when I put a dealer bet chip on half my circle instead of the prop bet..
But hands came and a lot of double/split opps that paid..I was playing up to $35 and back to $5..Probably had 5 BJ's...Started pocketing some greens after asking them to pay that way..whole time I'm shocked and playing with locals playing minimun,so stashing chips to maintain a low profile..
Good session and cashed out about $400.Back to Rio for food tv and the wake-up call Ugh.
Wed the 10th nice surprise at LAS as I got pre-screening passes so easy in and no wait.there was no real lines anyway..just nice to walk though with shoes on.
Both flights home had empty seats and I ended up with rows to myself..nice when coming home as we can handle everything thown at us on the trip out.A pix from the smoking lounge at LAS early morning;;



Bottem line I think I'm down a $.25 RSF that I had one chance at and so many not fill-in flushes


Thanks for reading this dribble,wishing you all good luck!

 

Thanks for the TR, I enjoyed it!

 

Good report! And good hit only holding 1 deuce! And that deuces game was at the GVR sports bar? That is a decent bartop to add! DDB wouldn't have happened to be 9/6 if you looked?

 

Nice karma hitting the deuces when the couple wouldn't move. I often find locked safes on arrival and techs usually arrive within 1/2 hr thankfully as Zi'm not comfortable without a working safe. Did you have one of the newer Samba suites at Rio?

 

Thanks T and the bartop ddb machines were 9/5 ,I checked a pix of a quad 7's I took..

 

It was cool Breanna for sure..and it was no Samba suite for sure even though the girl at check-in said it was after I asked for an Impenema room and said she could do a Samba suite in the Masquerade tower..I though that's cool but happy with the early check-in..Room was facing Flamingo towards the Palms/GC and still has the shower window in it..38006 ha

 

Will be at the rio one week from today!!!!!

Wasn't aware they had a new party pit there - I am a big fan of their cw's

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Will be at the rio one week from today!!!!!

Wasn't aware they had a new party pit there - I am a big fan of their cw's

 

I wish more people would take the time, as you did for a good trip report. Thanks!

 

Solid report - thanks for sharing!

 

Thanks man - great read.