First Vegas Trip of the Year 3/28-4/1

Hello there VMB! I'm a long time lurker and thought i try my hand at a TR. This is my first TR so bear with me. I’m primarily a BJ player, used to be craps. I brought $800 cash with me, but had a BR of 5K to play with. Since I’m writing this days after, some parts aren’t as clear to me if it were a live TR.

Sat 3/28

Mrs. and I flew in around 7:20pm, it was a shorter flight than expected so off to a good start. Lately I’ve like renting a car better than cabbing it as I am an AVIS premier member and car pick up is very easy; just find your name on the board, go to the car and drive off. I always find discount codes and deals in order to make the rental as cheap as possible. 5 day trip ended up costing me about $155
First 3 nights we were staying at Palazzo due to room comps and $225 free play that I got. Check in line was pretty long but only about a 20-30min wait. I tried the $20 trick to get a strip view room, worked out, but when I got to the room, it was only partial strip view, more so of a view of the High Roller. Next day I asked for them to change my rooms for an actual strip view.

After check in and taking a shower, Mrs. and I were starving as we had nothing to eat all day. Mrs. is partial to Gordon Ramsay places, so we went to Burgr. On our walk over there I tried a few hands at Free Bet BJ at Palazzo, nothing good there, lost 5 out of 7 hands at $25 a hand; bad start so far.
I wasn’t trying to really gamble yet, so called it quits after the horrible start. We decided to walk over to Pho as we enjoy the walk on the strip. It was really busy being a Sat and all, but still enjoyable. There was a line at Burgr, but we were able to bypass it using my TR card so score! We got the wings and jalapeno poppers which we always enjoy. I had the Hell’s Kitchen Burger and Mrs had a hotdog, which was huge; that’s what she said.

After the meal we started our walk back to our rooms at Palazzo, we were pretty tired as we were moving things that whole day prior to our trip. On our way back we stopped by the Walgreens outside Palazzo to pick up some typical things like water, booze, some makeup things for the Mrs. Etc. Got back to the room and decide to call it a night at around 1am.

Sunday 3/29

While the Mrs. was getting ready, I went down stairs to get my free play at the Grazie desk. The free play was split into 3 $50 tickets and one $75. Went back up to the room and we came back down together. It was about 11:30am and we were going to Caesars to go to Bachclinal as we always wanted to try that.
Before heading there, I decided to play some more Free Bet. Now if you’re wondering why I was playing free bet was because I didn’t want to start off playing $50 or $100 a hand and at Palazzo only the carny BJ games payed 3/2 BJ until you get to table mins of $50+. My BR for this session was $300, needless to say it was a short session, couldn’t believe it. I lost every single free play along with my BR in a matter of 10min. I just couldn’t win. If I had soft 19 and dealer had a 9 showing, Ace underneath. Soft 17 with a hit to hard 17 for me, dealer 7 showing, you guessed it, Ace under for 18. Pushed on 20 and BJ, off to a bad start this trip.

We decided to drive to Caesars today instead of walking it. The line was ridiculously long, but thank goodness we were able to cut the time in half from TR card. Over all the Bachclinal buffet was good. The selection was good, but the dessert was only subpar; Wynn has better dessert choices. The meal came out to about $105, a bit over priced for the selection if you ask me.
After the meal, I decided I wanted to get some play in first. Found a 3/2 table with a very friendly dealer. There were 2 other people there and one guy seemed to be doing pretty good, bought in for $300. The shoe was pretty choppy to start with, but I ended up ahead for $300. There were a few hands that we real highlights for me. I play pretty good basic strategy, but this trip I was being killed with it. Twice I was at 12, dealer showed 3 and the other time 4, I asked the Mrs., “what do you think” both times she said hit and we pulled a 9, which would have made the dealers hand. I was just laughing and in disbelief as I would have lost both hands had she not been there.

Prior to that though, I was doing okay and up about $200 at the time. When I do well, I like to be progressively. I was going to up my bet to $150, but Mrs said no, I obliged and reduced it back to $50. Well what do you know BAM! BJ. I gave her some ish for that, but only about 5 seconds. She redeemed herself with the 2 hands I would have lost if she wasn’t there.
After the session, she said no more playing at Palazzo since it was so bad; didn’t happen though, I still played, more to come.

We decided to then drive to Miracle Mile for her to do some shopping there and I get some more play in. I went to the Party pit area and sat down near the back where the 3 BJ tables are and bought in for $400. Two other people at the table, another couple. The girl had about 3-400 with her, guy had about 2k in front of him. The dealer was very pretty mix of Black and Korean I think. First hand I got BJ, off to a good start. I was up and down, but mostly up so having a good time. The guy on the other end had choppy hands as well, but varied his bet pretty drastically; been there done that as well. He went down to $500, then back up to 2.5k, then got felted.

When the couple left me and the dealer, Desi, got to talking. She was saying how she doesn’t feel sorry for guys when they bet like “jackasses,” her term not mine, but do when people just can’t win any hands. My guess why she called it jackass betting was that she was trying to give the guy advice in saying things aren’t going well and he should slow down, but he didn’t. After talking a bit, this is when I found out surrender was available! On my previous trips, Dealers never said anything and it was only on that little digital prompter that goes across. It wasn’t until Desi told me that is was available; dumb me.

Anyways, after they left, I was doing pretty good. Average bet was up to $50 and would progress to about $150-175, every time I bet $175 I’d lose though! Was very annoying! Small talk continued and one thing that kinda stood out was that she told me her work schedule and that she’d be there till Wednesday and she’d be off. Previous to that she did mention a past BF and made no mention of a current one; maybe I’m thinking too much into it. I was up $800 that session and happy.

Met back up with the Mrs and went back to the hotel. We took a nap and really don’t remember what we had for dinner or did afterwards.
Being the degen and stubborn bastard I am, I decided to play more at Palazzo. I walked over to Venetian and played some ½ no limt. Table was tight for the most part and I caught only a few good hands. The hand that stood out was my last one. Pocket Kings and was UTG, I raised to 25 and got reraised to 40. I proceed to reraise to 80 and then it was heads up. Flop came and it was rainbow no connectors. The guy raised to 50 and I think for a bit and go all in for an additional 210 or so, guy snap calls and says gamble. Well needless to say, he catches runner runner straight; he had 6/7 off suit. Everyone at the table just shook their head at that.

I should have just called it a night cause it was about 1am, but feeling bitter about that hand I decide to play some BJ to win back the $200 buy in. First 4 dealer hands were 20, 21, 20, 21; these were soft 21s. We ask for a reshuffle and first 2 dealer hands, you guessed it BJ. I was just in a bad mood at this point and was down $300 in a matter of 10 already. Being the degen I was I went up and got my remaining cash and came back to play. I decided to go to the two deck pitch game at $50 instead, not much better here and the dealer had a annoyed look on her face for whatever reason. Lost all the cash I brought and didn’t want to use the ATM so I called it quits unwillingly.

Monday 3/30

I went to the bank and got my 5K BR determined to get back my loses and then some. After getting the cash, we dropped back into the room to lock it up and went to Circus Circus. A little about myself, I’m 30, but still kinda of a kind in that I enjoy games, and rides. Adventure Dome was a blast for us as well as playing the carny games. There was no 3/2 BJ so no gambling there.
Mrs wanted to return something at Miracle Mile, so off we went. After she was done, we passed by a Salon, place, forgot what it was called. We originally were gonna pick up ticket to Love together, but after passing that, she decided to get her hair done and lashes. I went to Mirage and picked up the tickets myself; buy on get one free curtesy of myVegas. After getting the tickets I decided to play some BJ and came out ahead $300; okay doing good so far on new BR.

Picked up the Mrs and went back to our rooms and got ready. While she got ready, I decided to go down and play. Back to free beet cause I’m a stubborn degen. Session was good this time, bought in for $400 and came up $300. We went to Love and it was a great show. If you like the Beatles, you’ll love the show, if you don’t it won’t be as good.
When the show ended it was around 11pm and the places we wanted to go to were closed. Decided to drive down to old Vegas. I always liked old vegas and the lights and overall feeling; even though we don’t stay here. Walked around for a bit and decided to eat at Magnolia’s which we enjoyed before. After the meal decided to play some craps, only session this trip. We actually did very well, but I was playing only min betting with odds. Was up enough to cover the meal and then some. The funny thing was that I LIKE to think I can do dice control, even though I know I can’t. But I can control my throw pretty well. My through arched pretty high and would always hit the corner of the table. Note, that not once did the dice leave the table for my 15min roll or so. I got told to please through it lower, no problem. Other rolls either hit the corner or rolled and tapped the back. All times it did touch the back, but still got comments of all the way to the back. It was funny cause the stick would give the pitboss a look. Mind you I only hit my number once, 6, the number was set at 5 for the duration of my throw, which was about another 10-12 rolls.
We got back to our rooms and decided to call it a night, was back up $700, down $100 for the trip.

Tuesday 3/31

I woke up early and got breakfast from Grand Lux for the Mrs and I which was pretty good. I had a $30 dining credit that I wanted to use. Checked out and everything was comped including resort fees so great. We drive over to Paris and check in. Got upgraded to a Suite room with $20 with a great view of the Eiffel Tower and fountains so that was great. The room over all was dated and the bathroom fixtures were literally falling off, so not great on that end. This TR is much longer than I planned so I’m going to just cut it short and straight to my last gambling sessions.
First table was the best shoe I’ve had in a LONG time, I just couldn’t lose. I’m kicking myself now for not betting like I normally do, if I did I’d be up 40k+ easily; coulda, woulda, shoulda. That session I was up $800.

Later in the day I ended up in the high limit room, started off betting 100-200 a hand and was up and down. Hit a bad streak and went down 2.5k. Got frustrated and started betting 500 a hand getting some of it back and then some. As the pitboss what my avg was and was rated at $450 or something like that. Took a break and came back later. This time the session was bad. Lost 2 hands at 500 each with a spilt and double in there, 2k lose in one hand.

Wednesday 4/1

I lost my 5k BR and wasn’t happy. Like the degen I am I get another 5k and proceed to play. Started off going down again, but then things finally started to make a turn. I was still playing with scared money, and held off on doubles that I should have done, but when you take a beating doubling with dealer showing 10 become more difficult.
Long story short though, I got my 5k back and was actually up 9k for the trip. The last hand before calling it quits was for 2k and BOOM! BJ, I knew it was time to cash out. Asked the pitboss my avg for that session and was rated at 1.6k.

This was already about 5am and my flight was at 7. Got back to the room and woke the Mrs up to pack. Checked out and asked if my fees would be comped which then I was told I need to talk to a host which wouldn’t be in till 8am.

Returned the car and almost didn’t make the flight, but luckily did. Got home called a host about the fees and was comped; would really be surprised if they didn’t, upset even.
Mrs. and I are already going through Vegas withdrawals, can’t wait for our next trip.

 

Great trip report. Thanks for sharing. Sorry the tables weren't cooperating!

 

hah. were you reading the same TR? He CRUSHED it at the end.

 

Thanks Nitez, nice report. Well done with your winnings, it so often ends badly when chasing losses!

 

Thanks Simpatt, less more often than not it does end badly. Can't complain now, but really wished that shoe where i couldn't lose happened in the high limit area instead, would have been awesome.

I was actually playing with another guy at one point in the HLR and the dealer made a joke when he got 8/8, this was because of what happened to him the previous day. Same dealer 8/8 with dealer showing 5. Of course she split them, and got another 8, another split. He was playing 2k that hand, so he was already at 6k after two splits. Gets two double downs and he was in for 10k. Dealer proceeded to get 4 card 21. I just winched hearing that. He wasn't doing better that session either. He was a good sport though, said he was up 25k two days ago.

 

Good report! But no 3:2 BJ at circus circus? Anywhere? That really seems unexpected.

 

You start the trip betting greens then end the trip betting bananas? I'm impressed.

 

I started the trip out in greens just so I don't go through my bankroll the first night. Good thing I did was well considering how bad it was to start out with. By the time I was playing with Yellows, I was chasing, some what, even and it was my last night there so I didn't have to "worry" about my bank roll as much.

Just remembered another detail when playing at Palazzo, at the $50 min table, the dealer just looked upset or pissed at me for whatever reason as soon as I got to the table. I gave my ID and she just gave me this dirty look, which i thought was kinda weird and rude.

It was a pitch game, and she was tossing the cards hitting my hands; maybe my hands were to close to the dealer? Either way it was a bad session and the dealer didn't make it much better. Every time I lost it seemed like she'd scoop the chips and cards up with a smile. Maybe it was just me being down and a bad mood, who knows. Just know if i saw here again next time, won't be sitting down :Þ

 

You certainly did well preserving your roll, kudos! I find the dealers at V/P similar, although not overtly hostile, they tend to be brick walls. Not a lot of fun to play with.

 

Most fun I had on the trip was at Paris High Limit & PHo Pleasure pit.

At Paris, even the quiet dealer was "rooting" for me to make a come back, which is always nice.

 

If I owned a casino, I would make all my dealers root for the players. This won't affect the math one iota, but will make the players feel better, and thus want to play there.