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Waking up with the Wagner’s April 4th - 11th ooooshit 2nd - 13th

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by LVHooked, Apr 28, 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

    Only problem was they went on vacation also, so we missed them the first four days. We have been working towards paying our home off early, so I wasn’t planning a trip till maybe fall. But the cold, snowy winter put extra money in the Vegas fund, and my son works for an airline so we could fly free. Or so we thought.

    My wife was bitching about work, so I changed flights and we left a few days early. We flew out of Erie Pa. (about 5 miles from our house) to Detroit then onto Vegas. After a long walk to the terminal.

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    And a long line at TSA, there were at least four people in front of us. One was an old manager of mine, so we had a nice chat then on to the plane. But that’s where fast and easy ended for the trip. We taxied to the end of the runway then sat, the pilot announced we were on a ground hold by Detroit. After about a half hour or so we were off, still lots of ice on Lake Erie.

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    With only a one hour layover, and that we were late, it was a scramble to find our gate. Flying standby you get your tickets at the gate, all we knew was the flight number. And the terminal we landed in didn’t have any monitors showing flights. But we got it sorted out and got there with minutes to spare. We then ended up sitting on the tarmac for about an hour, they said there was a big storm hitting Chicago and planes in front of us were on ground hold, I counted ten that finally left before us.

    It was a rough ride pretty much the whole way, also took over a half hour longer then it should have. The plane was a 767, the largest I’ve ever been on. Just amazing how a plane that big was getting tossed around especially on the decent into Vegas. Two people lost their cookies, my wife wasn’t a happy camper, but we made it to LAS. Had her cracking up as we came in, the guy in front of us was upchucking, and I’m eating cheese crackers.

    Coming down the escalator at the D gates everyone was heading left for the tram, so I figured we would go to terminal three and not have the crowd, well I was wrong, huge line at the rental car shuttles, waited at least a half hour there, then over an hour at the Dollar counter. I checked prices at other companies while I waited, closest I could find was +$125 so I waited.

    Had planned Ellis Island for breakfast, but since it was mid afternoon we hit In & Out.

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    Then off to Downtown Grand, for our first three nights. Our original plan had been 4Qs first, but when we decided to leave early I switched, (1 free weekday & 2 weekend nights @ $39) $20 free play at both and $10 food At DTG. Glad we did, I really like this place. Played there and 4Qs that day, had prime rib at Magnolias with a bogo, my wife had the chicken parm, played some on the 10/7 DB but my wife was pissed, they pulled a bunch of penny slots she liked. So after a stroll on Fremont, we ended the night at DTG I caught a couple quads at the bar and we actually ended the night up slightly.



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    Day 2 started great at the $3 BJ table, mostly playing two hands. Had about a two hour session and only lost like ten bucks. Then headed to Red Rock Casino, to use a my Vegas buffet reward, we caught it just as they switched to lunch. It was good, my wife loves the variety of buffets, so we eat at a lot in Vegas. But we waited in a huge line, so I would have rather ate somewhere else. We played a bit and lost a combined $50

    We spent the rest of the day at DTG, I caught a nap in the afternoon, had diner at S&O, we split an app and a club sandwich. I cant remember what the app was, (must have drank to much that night) but I’m pretty sure everything was good. About midnight my wife came to the BJ table, said she had done ok, but was done playing slots for the night. I got her to sit down and play, and we ended up playing till almost 2am she played off my chips so we colored up together, and I was up just over two hundred.

    Day three started with more BJ, I’m playing two spots at six bucks each, with one other guy playing three bucks. When this guy comes up and throws down five hundred on two spots, I don’t remember exactly how it went, but he lost both. But I do remember thinking this guy should learn basic strategy. Turns out he had already lost over 30k and just grabbed his chips and walked off, so they closed the table. But they opened it right back up after one hand with us, and the pit said he lost another 5k before he quit.

    We had breakfast at Magnolias, another bogo coupon. Then came back and played more BJ, they left it a $3 table till almost noon, my wife came by a little after they raised the limit, so I got her to play. We ended up but not by much.

    After that we headed to TAG bar for the meet Captain Ron set up, all I can say is, if you say your going to do something, by god you do it. Lol It was a huge meet, Dave and his wife Judy, and my wife and I. But seriously really glad we went, they are great folks, felt like we knew them forever after five minutes. Ended up chatting with them for 2 ½ hours or more.

    We planned to hit SLS on the way back, but the strip was jammed and my arthritis and knee were killing me so we headed back to DTG, so I could get some drugs and a power nap.

    We walked down to El Cortez for diner, burger, drink, chips and split a order of fries. Great cheap diner. On the way there I hear more upchucking, look around to see a car at a red light with a girl hanging out the window blowing chunks all over Las Vegas blvd. classic Vegas. Should have got a pic.

    The plan was to do a coupon run down Fremont, but my knee was killing me so we stayed at DTG and I played VP all night, mostly losing.

    Day four we were moving to GVR on my Vegas, DTG gave us a noon check out. Again I spent the morning at the $3 BJ table. There was a guy from Venezuela at the table, playing two spots at $25 per. And he was getting slaughtered, the dealer was trying to help him but he wouldn’t listen. The worst was him standing on seven, cant remember what the dealer had, but the dealer told him you cant bust, take a card, but he wouldn’t. the dealer looked at the pit boss, he shrugged and that was it. But he showed no emotion, just kept pealing hundreds off a roll.

    Hit the D café for breakfast, using comps we had and played our free play. Then checked out of DTG and hit SLS, they were packed for a Sunday. I got $10 free play and my wife got $5, put a twenty in a VP machine so I could activate the FP. I cashed out at $15 thinking I would find another VP mach that would pay. But when I walked over to my wife she was next to a cleo machine. So I played that, glad I did. Hit a couple bonus rounds, and we left up a combined $85 which includes my wife’s loses.

    Not sure if this is the front or back?

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    Check in at GVR went smooth, beautiful property and a nice room. But huge, so my knee didn’t like it.

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    Neither of us did very well here, but we had fun, diner was at the Grand Café. Great service, low prices and good food. My wife had an Asian chicken salad and I had a $10 or $12 special that included app, soup or salad, steak with veggies, potato and dessert. For the price my expectations were pretty low, but it was good.

    Day five was another moving day, had a noon check out. But can’t remember if we called down or that was standard. Played a bit, then hit the buffet (my Vegas) again we waited to long, and the line was huge. I would have rather paid, then stand in that line. But buffets make my wife happy, so I suck it up and wait.

    We were going to Zumanity later in the week, so we hit NYNY to pick up the tickets. Only problem was the box office was closed. So we headed to Silverton’s for two nights, easy check in at about 1:30 Played VP at the bar and had three bloody Mary’s. Which lead to a power nap, then dinner at the café.

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    Played BJ at a couple different tables, but just didn’t like the vibe. I play red chip BJ for fun, I rarely buy in for more then 50-60 bucks, if I lose it no big deal. These people were taking it way to serious. Ended up playing VP and some roulette the rest of the night.
    Day six started with VP and coffee, $43 for three if I remember right. I had one green chip left from the night before, so I hit an empty BJ table. Played a couple hours and left up $95, thanks to my wife wanting to go.

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    We stopped at NYNY and picked up our show tickets. Then went to Palms, we had the free coupons for Earl of Sandwich. They were good, but from all the hype I expected bigger and better. But I may be spoiled from a local pizza shop/deli.

    I also wanted to play a little on some quick hits machines, a friend had done ok on, his last trip. We weren’t planning on playing much so we didn’t get players cards, big mistake. We couldn’t find the ones we wanted, even with him on the phone. Finally said the hell with it, figured we would play twenty each, then leave. I put twenty in a quarter triple sevens and hit max bet, thinking it was .75 cents. It was ten bucks, but I hit for $80 so that was cool. So I grab the TITO and go over to my wife as she hits for $200 ish. Even cooler. She gave me the TITO so she didn’t run thru it.

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    I decide to cash my ticket, and look some more for the quick hits, and I found them. I was looking for old 3 reel style, not the newer video ones. These are a newer style, but still 3 reel.

    I hit 1500ish credits pretty quick, I decided to cash out at $350 or $500 I grabbed the TITO at $350

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    So I put another twenty in, and played up and down for a long time. Finally cashing out at forty. My wife went thru $120 so she was about +$100 and I was up +$410 then back to Silverton for the night, my wife won something in a slot tournament, but I can’t remember how much.

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    Day seven was an early check out, then off to Zion National Park. The plan was to stop somewhere to eat, spend the day at the park, then we had reservations at Virgin River Casino for the night. About the time we got hungry I saw signs for VRC so we stopped there and had a great breakfast. Decided to get players cards and play a little before leaving. I noticed they were checking people in, so I figured might as well get that handled.

    My wife had been a little skeptical about staying, when we pulled in, but the great breakfast smoothed her over. We decided to look at the room before leaving, I should add that were not that fussy, we stay at 4Qs and even liked the old Fitzgerald’s rooms. All I can say is, life’s to short to stay in a room this shitty. Unless you have to. And the pics they had on line, weren’t of this room.

    Time for plan B…. I still had a couple free week nights at DTG, so I got on the phone and set up a room there, tossed the keys on the table and headed for Zion.

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    With my knee killing me we didn’t see nearly what I wanted, but I will go back. It is beautiful. There’s a Holiday Inn just outside the park. In a couple trips we’ll do two nights there and really see the park.

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    Ended up back at DTG and at Magnolias eating a rib eye by 8:30 played nickel triple play at DTG and a little at the bar but just donated.




    Day eight we moved to Luxor (my Vegas) we got another noon check out, mostly played BJ and lost my buy in at about 11 so we finished packing and hit the road by noon. They checked us in at about 1pm with no problem. Someone posted the smoking floors here were ganja central, every time we walked to our room it stunk of skunk weed. Not that I really care, but damn I would worry about getting busted.

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    We had the Zumanity tickets for 7pm, and $50 food credit at Monte Carlo both from myVegas. So we just relaxed in the room till about 4pm. Reviews for the Pub at MC were mostly good, but someone posted recently that it was nothing but greasy bar food…..yum sounded perfect.

    Service was excellent, I had the prime rib dip, and my wife had a chicken avocado sandwich, both very good. And we split a pretzel app that was on the happy hour menu, two large ones with dipping sauces for four bucks. We’ll be back, just to have diner off the happy hour menu.

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    We played a bit at MC and NYNY but mostly lost fast. The show was ok, at least there were boobies. We both agreed it was better than Zarkana, but Love and KA were our favorites.

    Back at Luxor I had $25 free play from my Vegas, that I played on a STP nickel, for four bourbon and cokes. And still pulled out twenty. My wife couldn’t win, and so we hit the room.

    Day nine was our last full day, or so I thought. We had a Bellagio buffet reward (my Vegas) for two. But damn I must be getting old, it wasn’t good on Fridays. So I got on my phone and got a Palace Station buffet reward and two t-shirts. The food was about the same as GVR and Red Rock, but no line, so I liked it better. I knew they only had small t-shirts, but with grand kids that was perfect.

    We played a bit there then headed to Palms to see if lighting would strike twice. This time we got players cards, we both got food offers when we spun, but the nice lady gave us free play instead. I got $10 and $5 for my wife, same as SLS gave us.

    We went thru about a hundred each here, ended up with $45 total free play, two more t-shirts and could have gotten two buffets, but neither of us were hungry. In all we put over 3000 combined points on our cards, hoping for a nice offer. And we had fun. Ended the night playing at Luxor, then grabbed a couple slices of pizza and called it a night.


    Day ten….Dropped the rental off, small line at TSA. Grabbed seats right beside the gate agent so I could get our tickets. My wife isn’t a big fan of flying, and since her heart attack she takes anti-anxiety pills. So she went to buy a water so she could take one. Turns out she was going to need more then one.

    While she was gone a guy walked up and asked the agent, if they were paying for bumps. She said not yet, but maybe in a half hour. O-shit this cant be good. A guy a couple seats down went up and talked to the agent, turns out he was a pilot on vacation with his wife. She told him no standbys were flying, and the jump seat was already taken.

    Turns out there had been storms and tornados that week across the country, damn Vegas had great weather, maybe I should have paid more attention to the Wagner’s. And they were repositioning almost thirty crew members on this flight. I wanted to sort out a plan before I told my wife, so when she came back, I got her to come to the smoking area with me.

    I had a couple smokes and searched for options, there was a flight about two hours after ours, that showed a few seats, but the only for sure was the next day at 11pm. So I told her what was up, and that we needed to wait and see. About the time the flight was loaded, I over heard a lady saying there weren’t any open seats on this airline leaving LAS till the next day. Turns out she has 27 years with them, and this was the first time she was stranded. But she was showing the agent how to do search’s, and told me my best bet was the next day at 11pm or the day after that for sure. Damn not what I wanted to here.

    Well no reason to hang around, found a car for $48 bucks till the next night. Figured a room would be easy.
    Got the car and hit McDonalds for coffee, I parked under a tree and started looking, every place we normally stay was sold out. The only place downtown with a room was Plaza @almost $300 ( it hit me later maybe I should have called Kurt) Same on the strip sold out, or almost $300. Hell Sams Town and Eastside cannery were sold out.

    About that time my wife says there’s a cop checking us out, next thing I know he’s parked beside us and getting out. Turns out he wanted to know about the babe magnet Toyota Yaris I was wheeling. Said he wanted to buy one for his wife (I figured he must not love her that much, but who am I to say) I offered to sell him mine (cash deal no title) but he wasn’t interested. So I asked him if he had any pull to get us a room, or where the station was so we could sleep in the parking lot.


    He recommended I try Boulder City, I had thought of that but hadn’t tried. He said Boulder Inn and Suites was nice, so I called there and got a reasonably priced room. We headed over to Boulder highway to play some and get diner. We ended up at Jokers Wild, I splurged and we had burgers and fries. This was my wife’s birthday after all. But they were huge tasty burgers.

    When I first started planning this trip we wouldn’t have been leaving on her birthday, but she couldn’t get off work till after the first quarter, then she wanted to go as soon as possible. So it was her choice.

    We played there for awhile, I played a STP and only lost 2.50 the whole time. But my wife was up a little.

    We stopped and picked up some water and snacks, then headed to Boulder City. Boulder Inn and Suites looked like a no-tell motel, but figured it would be better then sleeping in the car. After checking in, I parked in front of our room, opened the door and tried the light, it didn’t work. So I walked over to the bed and turned the light on there, figured I might as well check for bed bugs, SHITTTT bed bugs, dried blood stains on the mattress, and stains on the sheet. O-hell no

    I looked up as my wife walked in, all I said was bed bugs and she was gone, haven’t seen her move that fast in years. Hit the office, and told the clerk I wanted them to credit my card and I was leaving, he said no problem but he was new and needed the manager. He called the manager then went to check out the bed bugs, the manager tried giving me a suite, (same price) but I told him my wife wouldn’t stay there, as he was reversing the charges, the clerk came back, he said it wouldn’t have been a problem, they were all dead, and the maid must have forgot to change the sheets. EUUUUUUUUUUU

    Then as I was walking out the door, the manager told a girl to go clean the mattress and change the sheets.

    So more anti-anxiety pills for my wife, and time for plan C, First place I called was The STRAT they were sold out, but had a room at Arizona Charlie’s Boulder for $109.… sold, we headed there and they put us in a suite, the room was 4Qs quality, so ok by us for one night.


    I tried finding a flight out for a bit, but gave up for the night. In the morning I ran to McDonalds and got a couple large coffees. Then got back to finding a flight out. Free flights were a gamble till Tuesday, but I found two tickets on Frontier at midnight to Cleveland, for $650 total with bags and picking seats.

    My wife texted my brother to see if he could pick us up, he said yes, so I bought the tickets. Now all we had to do, was figure out what to do for the next 15 hours. Good thing we were in Vegas.

    We still had some coupons for Ellis Island, $10 free play and two earn 200 pts. Get a free entrée. So after watching tv till almost noon we headed there.

    We tried our cards in the kiosk and neither worked, so got new ones and went to play. Long story short, we stayed there about four hours and left up a combined $130 thanks to the 8/5 BP by the front doors, and got two free diners. I had the 10 oz strip with eggs and my wife had the chicken fried chicken, smothered in country throw up gravy. They were both great.

    My wife wanted to end the trip at Silverton’s, so she could sit at the aquarium and play on her tablet. This turned out to be a great idea, we both won and left up almost $400 so we won almost enough to pay for the plane tickets that day.

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    Then it was like ground hog day, off to the car rental barn, bus to the airport, and find out our flight was delayed. But I guess it wasn’t that bad for Frontier, only about 90 minutes late. Smooth flight home, but the seats suck, it felt like a folding chair. But we got to Cleveland and my brother picked us up for the 100ish mile ride home. And wouldn’t even let me fill his tank.



    Final Thoughts

    I decided to only take pics of premium quad hands….only got one.

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    And a pity flush.

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    I will most likely take the free flights out, but buy return tickets.

    Really like DTG, the low key vibe, decent music that doesn’t make my old ears bleed. And every employee seems to like their job. Not sure if their making enough money, but I think their on the right track. Business seemed better for them, compared to last July.

    The 10/7 VP by Magnolias were about empty, every time I went by, word must have got out about the lowered point pay.

    Total cost for the trip came in just under $2700, for an eleven day and ten night vacation for two people, So almost a win in my book.
    My wife has more pics on a camera and her tablet, if I’m slow I’ll try to get some of those put up.

    It may not have sounded like a good trip, but we had a blast. If you made it this far, thanks for reading.
     
  2. fadetheseven

    fadetheseven High-Roller

    Joined:
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    I have to learn to pace myself. I get so exhausted on a 3 day trip and here you are doing 12 days! I've got a 2 night Reno trip and am going to try getting at least 6 hours of sleep per night. Thanks for the TR.
     
  3. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

    Joined:
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    Wow... what a report... you folks got around town and then some! Thanks for the pictures and the time to write it all up and take us along... BRAVO!
     
  4. oldcrabtom

    oldcrabtom High-Roller

    Joined:
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    That traveling standby gets exciting, eh ? Thank God for South west...........enjoyed the report.........
     
  5. Simpatt

    Simpatt Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Thanks for the TR, great read. And congrats on the wins! Seems like you had enough to keep you going which is what counts in Vegas.
     
  6. LVHooked

    LVHooked High-Roller

    Joined:
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    It was about a week to recover from this trip, one week is generally what I like. Thanks for reading.
     
  7. LVHooked

    LVHooked High-Roller

    Joined:
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    I'm sure there's more I forgot, glad you liked the TR
     
  8. LVHooked

    LVHooked High-Roller

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    Standby is a gamble, but were gamblers. The excitement is a little much for my wife, but I'm sure she would do it again, if that's what it took to get to Vegas. Thais for reading.
     
  9. LVHooked

    LVHooked High-Roller

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    Churning the money is what kept us going, originally the trip was planned for seven days with a 3K budget so we did great. Glad you enjoyed the TR
     
  10. driver

    driver Tourist

    Joined:
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    Great report thank-you
     
  11. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Very nice report and pictures!
     
  12. mrbaseball

    mrbaseball Tourist

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    Great trip report.
     
  13. sandybeachbar

    sandybeachbar Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Great report. Loved all the photos.
     
  14. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    Enjoyed your trip report! The standby is stressful. I don't know if I could handle it. I'm thinking of extended Vegas trips but I worry with my gambling habits if I would be able to make my bankroll last.

    Thanks again for taking the time to share your adventures. Enjoyed the pics also!
     
  15. LVHooked

    LVHooked High-Roller

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    A can roll with the punches pretty good, my wife not so much. Flying out is no problem, they were positive in Erie that we would get on the plane in Detroit. So from now on we will buy return tickets. If times work, into Detroit would be fine. The last flight out of there to Erie uses a larger plane so there's always open seats.
    Thanks for all the kind words, I appreciate it.
     
  16. mganut

    mganut Well-Known Member

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    Great writeup...enjoyed your pics and posts. Thanks for taking the time to share.
     
  17. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Nice report!

    But only one premium quad? :( Hope you didn't play a lot of vp in 11 days!
     
  18. LVHooked

    LVHooked High-Roller

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    Only 3-4 hours most days, sometimes more. Mostly BP and Some DB and lots of Nickel STP.

    I figured I was one royal and a couple premium hands, away from a free trip. Lol maybe next trip.
     
  19. Catzilla

    Catzilla VIP Whale

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    Thank you for the fun report, LVHooked. Very enjoyable pictures! Between the upchucking, the bedbugs, the standby, etc., I love that you still had such a good time. :clap:
     
  20. LVHooked

    LVHooked High-Roller

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    Thanks Cat, it was the craziest trip yet, but still better then work. :beer:
     
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