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Five Day Downtown Stay

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by mkhira2, Nov 28, 2016.

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  1. mkhira2

    mkhira2 Tourist

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    My Trip Report

    Had a great trip with my wife a couple weeks back. Below are the highlights. We were there a total of five days - three full, two travel. After roughly forty hours of gambling between us, we came back home $50 ahead, even after generous tipping and a couple dumb bets. Much of that was thanks to two stellar blackjack sessions and 16 quads on quarter VP. I played at Boar's Head Bar every morning while my wife got ready for the day. Nice when you start the day up, which I did every morning except one. This was our first time staying downtown, and we may have found a new home base.

    One thing I'd like to note - blackjack at Main Street Station is excellent. Dealers were friendly and pace was slow. 3 to 2 odds and you can touch the cards, which was fun for me. Never been able to do that on the strip or at my local casinos. Four deck shoe and great beers. Highly recommended.

    On with the report ---

    Day 1

    My wife and I landed in Las Vegas around 4pm. Ubered downtown to The California (our home for this trip), checked in, and immediately left for Lotus of Siam. Had a pleasant meal. Three appetizers and two entrees between us, along with beer for myself and wine for her. The female chef won (tied) for a James Beard Award in 2011, and I can see why. After dinner, saw Mystere. Her first Cirque show. She was amazed and can't wait to see another. Headed to the High Roller (open bar option) and the bartender poured heavy and often. Had roughly six drinks (+/- 1) in thirty minutes. Wound up at Ellis Island playing nickel 9/6 JoB and drinking micro brews until the wee hours. Back to The California, and time for bed after a busy day.

    Day 2

    Took a tour of downtown. We stayed on the strip on our previous visits, so we wanted to wander through all the hotels and casinos we'd been hearing about. Her favorites were The Plaza and The D. My favorites were Golden Gate and Main Street Station. We both enjoyed how divey El Cortez was. After walking nearly 10 miles according to her fitbit, we took a video poker break at Main Street Station. Soon after, we hit The Mob Museum. Turns out it was "buy one admission get one free day" because it was the anniversary of The Kefauver Hearings, which we learned all about. Hit up Oscar's for dinner at The Plaza after because we left the museum feeling like gangsters. Started with crab cakes and manhattans. Excellent. Bone in ribeye for me, petite filet for her. Both excellent as well. Shared three sides. All were mediocre. Played blackjack all night at Main Street Station before bed.

    Day 3

    Now that we'd settled on which casinos we wanted to play at, we hit them all. Craps at The Plaza. Blackjack at The D. Craps again at Golden Gate, and plenty of video poker at Main Street Station. This day was kind of a blur between the booze and bouncing around. We wound up at Top of Binion's Steakhouse for dinner. Crab cake again to compare to Oscar's. Not a clear winner. Another ribeye, and she opted for the filet and lobster. Unbelievable. We ordered a $100 bottle of wine. When the waiter brought it out, he commented "This wine is actually on sale because we're rotating to a new vintage - it's only $50 tonight". Nice. We both enjoyed the ambiance here over Oscar's, which surprised us both. Fantastic meal and service. Left and played craps at The California until the early hours.

    Day 4

    Woke up and went to The D to play Sigma Derby on a friend's recommendation. We lucked into two spots right next to each other. We spent two hours here; I could have spent the entire trip. Apparently the game has a cult following. I understand why. Some of the most fun I've ever had gambling. Still thinking about an overnight trip back just to play it again. Had to leave to meet a friend who happened to be in town. Lunch at Magnolia's. French dip, club sandwich and grilled chicken salad for the lady. Alright. $3 craps at Fremont for 2 hours. Placed a bet on a football game. Headed to The Golden Gate for more craps. When we got hungry, we hit Dupars for shrimp cocktail and hashbrowns. Made our way to The California for blackjack while we watched our football game. Won at both. My wife went to bed and my buddy and I hit another craps session at Main Street Station, followed by a couple pints and video poker at Boar's Head Bar.

    Day 5

    Snuck in an hour of video poker and an hour of blackjack before heading back to the airport. Wished we had another day. Until next time!
     
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  2. vegasdev

    vegasdev VIP Whale

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    that all sounds just perfect.. even on stays of 5 or 6 days, it still seems like the time disappears. thx for posting.
     
  3. kkinwi

    kkinwi VIP Whale

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    Glad you enjoyed downtown! Thanks for the report...
     
  4. bubbakitty

    bubbakitty Doing retirement again and happily so....

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    Great report. Sounds like you start the day as I do. Would rather take a chance on a vp loss in the a.m. than sit and watch the wife curl and dry and shape and then sigh and start once again. DT is what you make it to be. Glad you enjoyed it as not everyone is so inclined. You did a lot!
     
  5. M0rtyC

    M0rtyC TBD

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    Thanks for sharing. Not a second of wasted time on this trip. Congrats on the winning trip!
     
  6. LV2GAMBLE

    LV2GAMBLE Certified LOW Roller

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    Sounds like a great trip. Once we stayed downtown years ago, we never looked back. Haven't stayed on the strip in years as we really enjoy the closeness and madness of Fremont. Coming home $50 ahead is a great trip in my book. Thanks for sharing! :beer: :beer:
     
  7. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

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    Man, that sounds like a great trip. You got some good deals and did well in your gaming. Nice!!!

    Thanks for sharing.

    :peace: :beer:
     
    Annual CCA (Casino Collectibles Association) Show at South Point
    Long Overdue Stay At The Golden Nugget
  8. tonysoprano24

    tonysoprano24 Low-Roller

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    love the sigma derby....on my last trip years ago someone cracked the glass at the one at the mgm so I think this is the last one left lol
     
  9. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    MGM still has theirs as of September.

    Nice report mkhira!
     
  10. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Very nice report! You accomplished a lot.
     
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