1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

How Many Senior Moments? Live From LV.

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by jasonargo, Mar 18, 2016.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. queentata

    queentata VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2005
    Messages:
    1,012
    Location:
    Crosby, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28
    good stuff so far!
     
  2. jasonargo

    jasonargo High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2006
    Messages:
    608
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Day 4 pretty much in the books. Picked up some supplies at the Market using our 2nd $20 Groupon. Moved from GG to El Co, got a room right around 11 AM. Got settled, then headed out to Mandalay Bay. All 5 of us ran the Win Cards, and we all squeaked out a small profit. Dinner at Crossroads at House Of Blues, no trouble getting seated right away at 4 PM.

    Senior moment #1 - LF can't find her cloth napkin. Not on the floor, can't figure out what the hell happened to it. Brother L looks and says it's on Mom's lap - the clean napkin folded around the silverware is right in front of her. Senior moment # 2 - I ask everyone to remind me to take food porn pics. As I am just finishing dessert, I realize I never took any pics.

    Dinner was really good - I had the lobster mac & cheese (ok), Dad had the ribs, Mom the gumbo, L a burger and LF the grilled chicken sandwich. We had a $50 Restaurant.com cert, and had to order some desserts to make the $100 minimum. I had the chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich, subbing the ice cream of the day (fudge almond), which was really good.

    Next to Aria, to drop the 'rents off at the Zarkana theater. Kudos to usher JJ, who after seeing the wheelchair & walker got them reassigned seats with no stairs. The plan at the time was to head to Orleans to run some promos, but senior moment #3 reared its ugly head. LF lost her drivers license & MILF card. I asked "did you check your pockets"? Yes, the pants are tight too. Fine. MILF desk lady pointed us to house phone to call MB casino cage, Security, and Lost & Found, nothing. At the end of the call, I hear "oh, wait a minute.....". Sure enough, deep in the pocket are the cards.

    So after wasting 20 minutes on this, we decide it's too late to hit Orleans, so off to seek BeeeeJay Memorial Row 802.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    We pooled $5 each to play 5-hand nickel Bonus. We played for 45 minutes with a net total loss of $5. Good fun! Here are some highlights:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    After the show we scrapped plans to go to Bellagio. BTW parents absolutely LOVED Zarkana. They are long time theater people, and have seen Ka before, but Dad was gushing and Mom like it a lot. Used myVegas rewards for 2 pastries & 2 crepes a Jean Phillipe Patisserie and shared them. I actually got a pic before they were devoured.

    [​IMG]

    Headed back downtown to teach the 'rents video poker. Got them signed up at the Cal, and hit the prog nickel progressives at the top of the escalator. Everyone made a few bucks, and L hit like 4 quads in 20 minutes on DDB. Dad got his 1st ever quad, but played it off before I could immortalize it on digital media.

    Drove back to El Co, and I needed a soak in the tub to ease my aching feet & legs.

    Tomorrow is YAH at the Fremont, a couple of drawings, and who knows what else. Thanks for following along.

    -
     
  3. driver01

    driver01 Tourist

    Joined:
    May 13, 2015
    Messages:
    27
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    Nice simple report thank you.
     
  4. jasonargo

    jasonargo High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2006
    Messages:
    608
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Sorry for lack of updates, will add more soon. Dealing with parents has been like herdng 3-legged cats. Had a great meetup with Happyfgirl21 last night, but went from up to down for the trip over the last 2 days. The main tihng I can say right now is how much I love Metro Pizza at EI. Back with more soon.

    -
     
  5. jasonargo

    jasonargo High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2006
    Messages:
    608
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Day 5 found us up around Noon after going to bed around 6 AM. Parents are itching to get going, so we clean up and head to the Fremont for the over-50 promos. Mystery multiplier, I think we all got like 6X points. Got the folks set up on nickel Bonus poker (only 6/5, but they don't care), and got them started racking up points for the free buffets. I headed to Pick-em, and dropped $60 in just over an hour. Got back with M & D just as Mom hit her 1st ever quad. Now my bad, I didn't check the machine she was on, and it was a 20-coiner, and she was betting max, oops, but good for the quad!

    [​IMG]

    The lunch buffet ended at 3 PM just as we were ready to eat, so we waited an hour and hit the dinner. Nothing really special about the Fremont buffet - it was steak night and I had one of those (a bit tough), some raw oysters, peel-n-eat shrimp, roast beef, and a couple desserts. For free (100 base points) it was fine. Note: the dinner buffet ticket is for that day only, but the lunch buffet tickets are good 24 hours). None of us won in the 5 PM drawing, so it was back to the El Co for their 6:15 drawing, which again none of us hit.

    Found a new good place to play VP - the Lobby Bar at the El Cortez. They are now serving Banger IPA and Brown Ale on tap. Unfortunately it is not being served by waitresses on the floor. Dad hit Aces there on quarter Bonus for $100. The best game is 8/5 Bonus, I think DDB was 6/5.

    [​IMG]

    It was time LF & I had a gambling night to ourselves, so we played some SD at the El Co (+$70) then took L with us to cruise Fremont Street. We watched the Imagine Dragons light show which was pretty cool. I took a video of some of it, will try to find a way to post it later.

    First up was the D, we took the one-way escalator to the 2nd floor and walked up to the Sigma Derby table, which was crowded. As we watched, the unbelievable happened - the 200:1 shot hit! This is the 1st time I have ever seen it happen. There were screams and shouts and cheers galore, everyone around the table was going nuts. One guy had 3 quarters in, and made a cool $150.

    Well a few people cashed out at that point so I bought a roll of quarters, and we spent a fun hour playing Sigma, with each of the 3 of us picking one bet plus an automatic quarter on the 200:1 when it came up. Needless to say it never hit while we were playing, heh. The quarters eventually ran out, so we went downstairs where I hit & run on a $10 matchplay (won) and lost all $5 freeplay on a nickel Texas Tea machine, that I thought was pennies before I started.

    Next up was the Cal, where I lost $60 on DD BJ. Found this random guy hanging out near the cage, and just had to get a pic of his shirt:

    [​IMG]

    We moved on to the Grand hoping to find a $5 6-decker, but the place was a ghost town and no $5 tables, so we continued back to the El Co.

    I ran my $50 freeplay into $50 cash at the Lobby Bar, which made me happy. Happygirl21 & I had been texting back & forth, and so we met up at the DD table at El Co. We had a really fun couple of hours playing blackjack, and she is a terrific person. Somehow I ended up drunk and broke, losing either $170 or $270 dollars on the session (pit said I was in for $400, I think it was $500). But it was the most fun I had during the trip.

    Another 5-6 AM crash time, and the day was done.

    I am back home now, exhausted and fighting a cold we caught on the final day. I will post the last days soon, and will take a look at the pics from the DSLR and post the good ones if I can figure out how to post them directly from the computer.

    -
     
  6. Wall St Nole

    Wall St Nole Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2016
    Messages:
    253
    Location:
    Greenville, South Carolina
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    Did they still have $5 single deck at El Cortez? Also how did u get 5x points that one day?
     
  7. jasonargo

    jasonargo High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2006
    Messages:
    608
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Yes there is still $5 SD most of the time, as well as DD with DAS. On Saturday night all the tables were full and I think most of them were $10, but there was always $5 SD DOA during the day & weekday nights.

    I get offers through the El Co personal website. Not sure how to get one set up, you might contact the Players Club or Marketing. I have gotten one day (Midnight to 11:59 PM) per quarter with 5X points for several years, and you don't have to be staying there to use it. Players Club folks can see it when you go there.

    The $50 freeplay was from cashing my IRS refund check at the cage (5%). Locals have a point requirement to meet in the prior month, but the cage supervisor has always approved me when I tell them I'm a tourist.

    -
     
  8. gambler

    gambler VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2012
    Messages:
    2,048
    Location:
    Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    Get yourself better Jason. This is worth waiting for.

    I've enjoyed your report and all the detail you've put into it!
     
  9. jasonargo

    jasonargo High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2006
    Messages:
    608
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Ok, got the video up on YouTube, taken with the DSLR. I had no idea who it was, so I asked LF if she knew the artist. It was my brother who identifed Imagine Dragons. Who knew he was so cool?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSksAKfNguE

    -
     
  10. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2013
    Messages:
    31,301
    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28
    Glad to see FSE put up a more recent artist...I thought they never changed anything! lol

    And 6/5 DDB at El Co lobby bar??? You sure?? Last time someone reported from the El Co it was 9/6! And if 8/5 Bonus is still there, 6/5 DDB makes little sense. But I have seen crap like that before.
     
  11. Wall St Nole

    Wall St Nole Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2016
    Messages:
    253
    Location:
    Greenville, South Carolina
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    Thanks Jason. How about any 9/6 JOB VP at the dollar level?
     
  12. Happygirl21

    Happygirl21 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2013
    Messages:
    1,544
    Location:
    New Jersey
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    24
    It was so fantastic to meet up with you guys!!! I just got home and need to try the TR again. ( as I am sure you noticed at El Co I was on a bit of a bender, oops,lol) I finally went to my room around 6 a.m. maybe 7. Hope you guys had a great time after our meet up!
     
  13. jasonargo

    jasonargo High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2006
    Messages:
    608
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Day 6 started around Noon again. I dropped L, M & D at the Fremont to use the free lunch buffet coupons from the previous day, and went back to El Co to shower up and prepare for the day. The plan was to run some promotions at off-Strip properties.

    Mom has now become hooked on getting free money from casino promos and wants to come along, Dad not so much, and LF DEFINITELY doesn't want them to slow us down. Mom also has an issue with hanging out at the El Co after being hit on the night before by an elderly local while playing Lobstermania. So we reach a compromise where they will hang at the Fremont, and we will return in a few hours to take them to dinner.

    First stop was L's only request for the trip, a stop at a local treasure hunting supplier. His hobby is metal detecting and treasure hunting on a small scale, and this place has some unique items he wants to check out. We find the building in a sketchy neighborhood near Paradise & Twain. Not really a store as such, more a mail-order warehouse, with a buzzer at the door. When the owner shows up, he is pretty wary, despite L having emailed him a few times about visiting. Turns out they had a flood, and the insurance adjusters have been in & out for days, and he is stressed out. He got someone to assist us, though, and later came out and spent some time with L, who purchased a few things.

    Next up is Ellis Island. We had ACG coupons for play 10, get up to $100 and a $10 matchplay. Also the senior promos were on, we used the free beer coupons, and L got some freeplay as a new member. Played some nickel NSUD, and finished up $20 with $10 freeplay, don't recall if I won or lost the matchplay. Since it was Thursday LF & I got 2-4-1 pizza slices from Metro Pizza. Man I love this pizza. Greasy and tasty, and italian sausage that tastes like it should. I can't get anything close here in Austin, and the price is is a steal (under $4).

    Off to the Orleans for ACG promos - play 10 get 10, & a $10 matchplay. Once again, I could not find the full pay DBDW machines near Keno, and since I didn't want to walk all the way down to the poker room area, we settled on 8/5 Bonus at the Alligator bar. Made $16 on VP, and lost the matchplay.

    Last stop was Palace Station. As it was nearing rush hour we took Arville all the way down. No traffic to speak of, but the road dips were somewhat jarring. LF & I had $10 matchplays from myVegas, so we sat at a $10 DD BJ table. I really like the game here, but it has been several years since I have found a $5 table for DD. We played a while, and I walked away down $40 total. The new player promo is 2500 free points, but you need to make another 2500 to cash in a minimum of 5000 for $5 freeplay, so not a very good deal.

    Headed back downtown, and decided to take M & D across the street to Binion's for their promos. Free picture with a million dollars gets you a coupon sheet for new members - $10 matchplay, 2-4-1 entree at the cafe, get $10 freeplay after 10 points. There's also a free Ace promo sign at the Players Club, and a bank of promo slot machines where you have to hit a jackpot to win anything. Also 5 points gets you a free swipe for a prize. After getting signed up I find a circular bank of nickel 7/5 Bonus machines between the Club and the poker room, and set L, M & D working on their 10 points. Swipe their cards, and I think they each got another $5 freeplay. Back to the Club to get it loaded, and back to VP to run it off. Next up is blackjack - every table I looked at was 6:5, so we got M & D settled next to each other at a $5 table. Had them buy in for $20 - first up is the free ace ($10 max). Dealer burned the cards they would normally be dealt for the 1st card, then around comes the 2nd card - BOOM! Face card, face card - 2 blackjacks! The rest of the table are really getting into it for them. Next up the $10 matchplays - dealer busts! Everyone is happy for them. Color up for $52 each. I tell them "easiest $32 you ever made". Mom is stoked, and I don't feel so bad about leaving them behind earlier.

    As we head back to the Fremont to pick up the car, Mom decides she wants to take a picture, just as the crosswalk turns and a wall of people are crossing Casino Center towards us. We get the pics done finally, and make the next crossing. We get the car and head to Golden Gate to Dupars for dinner. LF has a $15 food credit and I have at least $18 in comp dollars. Dad says he will pick up the balance, so all is good. I had the prime rib, got an end cut, and it was massive even though I ordered the smaller cut. Mom's soup was cold, and she had to get it replaced. Several of us enjoyed the shrimp cocktail, despite the higher price of $3.99, and it was otherwise fine. I've never had any real affection for this place since Dupars took it over, and would not normally eat here without a comp.

    We headed back to the El Co, and I am now needing to chase my losses to try to make up for the last couple of days, as this is our final night. I had been playing the Downtown Deuces machines off and on over the trip, and so I went back and dropped a few more twenties trying to hit the $500 deuces or the 4700 coin royal, with no luck.

    Ended up back at the Lobby Bar and checked out DDB, which was an unbelievable 6/5, but with progressives on all the quads. So I decided to try 8/6 Boner Deluxe instead. Finally got a quad, and guess which one.

    [​IMG]

    Went back to playing 8/5 Bonus after that, and eventually hit my final premium hand of the trip.

    [​IMG]

    I was thinking of using the "strict rules of parlay" to continue to chase, but chickened out. Went back to single deck BJ, and dropped another $140 before throwing in the towel.

    This is the most I have played at the El Co during a single trip in years, but I suspect it still won't get me any comp room offers.

    Went to bed after packing up, and the next day checked out & brought the bags to the parents' room, as they were here one more night.

    Oh, one more thing I never mentioned - the old El Cortez fun books are available again, but electronically through the kiosk. You have to have booked your room online, and supposedly through a group deal, but both the parents and I got the front desk person to ok it, and the Players Club added it on to our cards. Free drink at the bar, free glass of wine at the restaurant, $5 matchplay, $5 food credit, and 1/2 off a dollar 10-spot Keno ticket. Needless to say nobody hit the big bucks at Keno. :thumbsdown:

    Took off at around 3 PM - M & D had tickets for Jersey Boys at Paris, and L, LF & myself are flying out in the evening. We dropped the parents at Paris with some tearful goodbyes, and headed up through the airport tunnel. We just missed rush hour, which gave us enough time to head over to Silverton. We had the ACG for 2-4-1 buffet, and since L had eaten earlier it was just LF & I. Buffet was ok, peel-n-eat shrimp, some lamb stew that you couldn't tell whether the meat was lamb or not, some fried shrimp that were good, and desserts including LF's favorite white chocolate covered strawberries. It hit the spot, and would allow us to avoid overpriced airport food. Not enough time to gamble for us, so we left right afterwards.

    Got the car to Fox, and for some reason had to go back in the office to finish the paperwork. I didn't see why I should stand in line, so I asked a guy if there was another line for returns, and he just said come with me. No weird charges on the bill, got deposit credited back, then on to the shuttle to catch the next shuttle to the airport. The rental center shuttle driver was kind enough to call ahead for our wheelchairs from Southwest, and they were at the terminal door when we got there. With the terminal construction, Southwest passengers have to walk outside to door 27 to get inside and check in.

    No issues with the flight back, and the plane was more than half empty, so plenty of room to snooze. Got in 15 minutes early (again!), got the bags & shuttled off to get the car and head home.

    I must say, that with only a couple of exceptions every hotel, casino, and restaurant employee we encountered this trip went out of their way and gave great service. Maybe it was the wheelchair & walker, but still, it couldn't have been better.

    Final tally is down $460 cash, $325 for rooms & car, and maybe another $150 on the CC for food and such. Basically used my refund to pay for the trip. Got a job lined up for next month, so no plans yet for the next trip, but be assured there will be one.

    I'll try posting some of the other pics when I get a chance. Have fun and good luck everyone.

    -
     
  14. Wall St Nole

    Wall St Nole Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2016
    Messages:
    253
    Location:
    Greenville, South Carolina
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    What the fun books are back???????? OK I'm going to have to check into this. Seems like a lot of hoops and hurdles to get it though. Wonder why it's not given to all hotel guests?

    Any update on 9/6 VP?
     
  15. jasonargo

    jasonargo High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2006
    Messages:
    608
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    VPFree lists one machine back in the coin dropper area by Subway, but I cannot confirm. The only $1 VP I normally play would be the 10/7 DB at the 4Q. For $1 JOB you're better off at 4Q or MSS.

    -
     
  16. jasonargo

    jasonargo High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2006
    Messages:
    608
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Ok, here are the pics from the DSLR. I have reduced them somewhat, but I think they should still look pretty good. None have been cropped. Thanks again for following along.

    East of Casino Center FSE:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    -

    - - - Updated - - -

    West of Casino Center FSE:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    -

    - - - Updated - - -

    Cal & MSS:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    -

    - - - Updated - - -

    Aria & Crossroads at HOB, including the fam damily + LF:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    -
     
  17. Wall St Nole

    Wall St Nole Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2016
    Messages:
    253
    Location:
    Greenville, South Carolina
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    Thanks Jason
     
  18. Yokel

    Yokel Player

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2014
    Messages:
    322
    Location:
    West
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    999
    I saw the one $1 9/6 JoB at the El Cortez recently. It's on the very old "Multi Poker" machine near Subway.
     
  19. jasonargo

    jasonargo High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2006
    Messages:
    608
    Location:
    Austin, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    And one last senior moment to report - LF & I both left USB power adapters in the room. Mine was a dual port, hers was a single. I called housekeeping the next day, got a lady who understood what I was looking for, and said to call back in 20 minutes. After I called back I got someone who spoke little English, and "everyone gone", "nobody here". I tried calling back again earlier the next day, I think I got the same person. So I'm just writing them off to the ether. So remember to check your wall plugs on the way out!

    -
     
  20. Royal Flusher

    Royal Flusher Savvy Gambler

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2008
    Messages:
    6,550
    Location:
    Flusherville, Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60
    Some maid has a box full of USB chargers at home.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.