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It Feels Like the First Time! Ballys 12/2 – 12/5

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by abandapart, Nov 30, 2016.

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  1. abandapart

    abandapart Tourist

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    My Trip Report

    Ever wanted the chance to relive your first time in Vegas? Well now is your chance. This board has been everything to me over the last 2 months while I have been planning my first LV trip, so I am going to do my best to pay you all back with a TR, through the eyes of a first timer. Im hoping for a live TR, but it might end up just being random drunken musings and pics. Promise to do my best but don’t fault me if im overwhelmed.

    Here is my first intro to the board and my initial list of questions (if you want to go back to the beginning) –
    https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/index.php?threads/new-to-board-first-vegas-trip-tons-of-questions.135555/


    Background –
    Already a regular in local casinos and gamble on just about anything, getting to visit LV for the first time. Not sure why it took so long, but I have 3 days to make up for it.

    Going down with a buddy who has been many times, so he is sending me out on my own while he sits back and relaxes.

    The Plan –
    I am going to do my best to hit as many casinos as possible on the strip (and maybe even downtown) in 3 days. Basically grab a drink, hit and run a slot and/or table and then move on. I know its a lot of walking, but this is how I tend to do first trips at places so it will be fine. Many of you will say (or at least think) that this doesn’t sound fun but I couldn’t be more excited. Im hoping to give my “first timers” thoughts/opinions on every casino, the views, the buildings, the people, everything as I go. If there is anything you want my thoughts/opinions on as I go let me know. Everything I know going into this trip is from you guys so whatever I can do to pay you back. Remember, I really have no past to shape any opinions.

    Friday – Land in LV around 11pm. Gonna try to check in at Ballys and see the last fountain show at Bellagio and then hit Caesars. I am the most superstitious gambler you will ever meet, so I have a few places in Caesars I need to rub. Try to get a couple hours sleep afterwards. This night will hinge on just how much I am able to sleep on the plane on the way in. Havent decided if I want to try the $20 trick for a Jubilee room. Wont be spending much time in the room but an upgrade would add something to the experience.

    Saturday – Breakfast at Mon Ami (7am) and then head south going through every strip casino til I get to Tropicana. Cross the street and head down to Mandalay Bay and then every casino back up to Cosmo. I want to eat lunch at China Poblano even though nobody ever mentions it. The menu just seems too interesting to pass up and I’m definitely not a High Roller that can hit some of the fancier places. I do have a list of places in many casinos I want to stop at and see along the way. Cross over the bridge back to Planet Hollywood and back up to Paris where I will meet my buddy at Beer Park. The hope here is that I can do all this and be at Beer Park before 8pm so I can catch the end of the Big Ten Championship game with him. Wish me luck.

    He then wants to take me to Downtown to see Fremont St. I want to, but the body will tell me if I can. Anybody think I can walk all of the south end of the strip and do Downtown in 1 day/night? Feel free to start placing bets now, but I am just competitive enough to do it.

    Sunday – Today I recover. Buddy is going to find a good sportsbook and we plan on making a bunch of NFL bets and just watching games all day long. The initial thought right now is Bally’s or Bellagio, but we may take the tram up to Westgate. The big thing is where can we find a comfy place with good drink rules, Im gonna let him figure that out. We had thought about Caesars but its $100 for 3 hours and that’s the home base for the PBR parties in town that weekend. Not gonna be low key.

    No real food plans today. Probably just whatever is around the chosen sportsbook.

    1 bet I am foolishly going to make -- 3 of the home state teams are playing Sunday. NFL, NHL, NBA. Sounds like a perfect parlay. I wonder which team is going to screw me this time.

    After the games I’m thinking of heading over to O’Sheas. Seems like a fun casino on a Saturday night. Probably hit the Linc and the promenade too. If downtown didn’t happen Saturday night then it may happen tonight instead.

    Monday – Last day, have the north end of the strip to do. Depending on how I feel I am going to stop at either Serendipity 3 or HHAGG for breakfast. Need to start at Cromwell and work my way up to Wynn, then cross over to TI and back down. Again with a list of a few places here and there I want to check out along the way. I need to be back to Bellagio for dinner buffet at 3. I will have a BOGO from myVegas (I should probably figure out how to redeem that). We are eating early so we can then roll to a sportsbook and watch MNF (starting at 5) with a few additional bets placed and drinks consumed.

    Flight out is the red-eye at 11-something back to Detroit.

    I am also planning on getting a $1 chip from every casino I hit and doing some slot golf. These are my ploys to keep me from sitting down at a table somewhere and spending every day gambling (which I would normally do). If I can keep moving towards my goals of getting as many chips as possible, and completing my slot golf, my competitiveness will win out over my inner degenerate and I can keep moving.

    That’s 25 or so casinos, give or take, plus Downtown. That’s another good bet for the board members - I think the over/under for actually visited would start at 20?

    So, thats the plan going into this. Lets hope its not trashed by day 2.
    If you are in town and see me lets have a beer.
    If you happen to see me passed out somewhere please prop me up against something soft. Thank you.

    This is either going to be epic or a complete dumpster fire, definitely no in-between.

    All right ramblers…. Lets get ramblin!
     
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  2. Bigcash12000

    Bigcash12000 Tourist

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    I am staying at Ballys the same time as you so maybe we will run into each other. I can tell you from experience its a lot of walking but you can do it. I did that a few years back collecting $1 chips and started at Circus Circus and walked all the way down to Mandalay in one day and hit a few others on the way back up like Tropicana, Hooters, MGM, before taking the bus back to CC. The next day i hit the other side of the strip plus all the ones behind that side like Westgate-Hilton, Tuscany, Ellis Island, and Hard Rock. We did downtown the next day and its much easier since everything is super compact. Some casinos i literally walked into the cage and got a chip and left, but most i played the big wheel or something like that. Good luck
     
  3. sybgal

    sybgal VIP Whale

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    We really like the sportsbook at Bally's but noticed you wanted comfy chairs....theirs aren't but the place usually has a fun crowd & the food court in just across the hallway.
     
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  4. Richard Alpert

    Richard Alpert LOST

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    I can't wait to follow along, no matter what form your TR takes!
    Have a great time, abandapart! :thumbsup:

    RICHARD
     
  5. Suekel

    Suekel VIP Whale

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    Looking forward to this!
     
  6. GamblingGolfer

    GamblingGolfer VIP Whale

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    Yes, the walking is doable. I once hit 37 casinos in one trip, the plan being to see how long it took at a bar in each property to get a 'free' drink. I managed (36 out of 37 were clearly cooparative). I posted the TR on another board. If I can find it, I'll re-post it here.

    Good luck and have fun!

    GG
     
  7. 93 Octane

    93 Octane Chief Bottle Washer

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    Bunch of us staying at Bally's at same time, I will have the VMB wristband so if you see me let's grab a couple o brews

    I'm setting the O/U at 25.5 casinos
     
    Last edited: Nov 30, 2016
  8. Miller12pack

    Miller12pack High-Roller

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    I'm thinking you will do 22 casinos on the strip, and 7 downtown. But that doesn't mean you can just walk in and walk out. Have a drink or 3 at each, and if you are having fun, stay longer. It sounds to me that this will not be your only trip to vegas, so instead of trying to do everything your first time, just have fun. I can't wait for your trip report. Have fun and stay away from the ladies that are asking if you are alone.
     
  9. Kobra2848

    Kobra2848 VIP Whale

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    On our first trip we stayed at the Golden Nugget and one day took the bus to Mandalay Bay and started hitting all the casinos heading back north. We made it all the to Treasure Island before the wife said no more. I think you have a pretty good plan as long as the alcohol doesn't mess it up.

    Mark
     
  10. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Sounds adventurous! Good luck!

    This is what we mostly did on our first trip back in Sep. 2011. We at least walked into almost every strip casino. But I do NOT recommend walking all the way downtown. Too time consuming, there are a few miles of nothing good to see. Take the SDX bus, or Uber/Lyft.

    You can try to get a Jubilee with a $20, but on Friday at 11pm, I would just be hoping that they have your smoking preference left... Also if you sleep light, earplugs are good for many Ballys rooms. The quietest area in our experience is the Indigo Tower facing the pool.
     
  11. Simpatt

    Simpatt Low-Roller

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    Have a great first trip and win big!!
     
  12. M0rtyC

    M0rtyC TBD

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    Epic pre-trip. Hope you have a blast.
     
  13. abandapart

    abandapart Tourist

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    I remember when I was a kid I was so excited to go to summer camp I would pack 2 months in advance. I didnt do that this time, but I am so amped up Im officially not sleeping well. Flight takes off in about 35 hours!
    Todays plan - Wrap up work loose ends, grab the bank roll and bring the dog to her grandmas. I also need to practice tapatalk when I get home. I will post a pic of the lucky hat I will be wearing the whole trip for others to look out for.
     
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  14. abandapart

    abandapart Tourist

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    I been thinking about a good reply to these ladies, something I can stick with the entire trip and see what kind of reactions I get. Any good ideas?
    "Honey, I cant afford you"
    "Only if I win enough on the next hand to pay for you"
    "My mom told me to only go with nice girls"
     
  15. IM ALL IN

    IM ALL IN High-Roller

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    Waiting for the Hat Pic.. You've exhausted me already. After 38 years of gambling trips, I just wanna find a nice bank of $5 machines and SIT there.
     
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  16. andyg99

    andyg99 VIP Whale

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    Just stick with "no thanks"

    That last reply might set one of them off - those girls generally aren't the most stable... I once thought I made a witty reply to shoo one off and she began to scream something about stabbing me, thank God security was near...
     
    Vegas Trip #57
    Vegas Trip #58, Sammy Hagar
  17. abandapart

    abandapart Tourist

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    Ha! That might be the best tip I have gotten yet. Thanks!
     
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  18. WIZARD

    WIZARD You're gonna need a Bigger Boat

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    I will be sitting in the Flamingo Sportsbook from 10:00am to about 4:00pm on Sunday(Weather permitting-suppose to have a lot of rain in Houston) and then I will be drinking heavily at Ellis Island for most of the evening,
    look me up at the Flamingo sportsbook (I will be the big, loud, obnoxious one, just yell out "Wizard" and I will respond with "I am the Wizard").
    I will take the over on 20. (Bally's, Cromwell, Flamingo, Margaritaville, Linq, O'sheas, Harrah's, Casino Royale($1 Michelobs) - that is already 8 casinos in a small area)
    Remember to cheer for my Nittany Lions Saturday night.
    For breakfast try HHAGG.
    Have a GREAT TRIP !!!!
     
    Last edited: Dec 2, 2016
  19. abandapart

    abandapart Tourist

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    [​IMG]



    Lucky hat. The U
     
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  20. WichitaMuskie

    WichitaMuskie VIP Whale

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    Overall great plan, but if you're going to do all this work you might as well complete the circuit and walk to SLS and cross over to Circus Circus before heading back south. Personally, I would also add The STRAT (to me the Strip is Strat to Mandalay Bay), but some might think that's ridiculous.
     
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