Bellagio... Finally (sigh) a winning trip...

Las Vegas March 2017


CrazyAssHumans, yep that's right, that's what this website is all about. So no better place to start this annual March trip to Las Vegas than at the airport. You can see all types in Las Vegas but the airport is a great viewing platform to observe quirks, abnormalities, normality, obsessions, fears, I could go on and on.


It started with the unfriendly curbside SWA bag check dude. He had the personality of a wet mop. The best part is I tipped him five bucks anyhow. Not for the stellar service but to hopefully insure that my check bag makes it to LV and isn't sent to Chicago or somewhere that I'm not.


Walking into the TSA Pre-Check line and there was a little back-up. Come to find out, three older ladies dicking with their bags and oblivious that other people are traveling on this Sunday not just you special Red Hats.


I grab a bite to eat at Mod Pizza; a mini Mad Dog and a Caesar salad. A pretty descent snack and for under ten dollars at the airport, you can't beat that. Next I grab the perfect libation that was 18 w/tip for a double Crown Royal on the rocks at Henry’s Tavern. Finished that up and headed to the gate.



I watch the hustle and bustle of the travelers, everyone in their own little world. People with their heads down staring into a tiny screen on whatever handheld device of their choosing. Remember when we weren't soooooo important? Seriously, what is so important that you walk around clueless of what is going on around you? Gotta see that Facebook or Twitter post about your friend or cousin having a cup of Joe at some trendy coffee shop, is that it? Don't get me wrong I have the latest phone and enjoy the newest technology but really folks? More observations reveal that some of these people don't own a mirror in their home. Or a shower for that matter, com'on you slob take a shower before traveling with other humans because I don't want you to sit near me and have to smell your stank. Thanks to the lady nearby talking on her cell phone so loudly that everyone can hear her, yes you're that important, not. Then there is the guy that is apparently is a good mood riding the escalator taping his fingers on the moving handrail bouncing his hand high in the air.



I noticed there was no plane at the gate and it's boarding time. The reader board says on time. Thankfully the plane shows up and people begin to jockey for position in line. Cattle call, a female voice crackles over the public address system; "A Group 1-60 people line up with...". People forget basic math checking their tickets asking total strangers, what is your number? Standing uncomfortably close learning they have found their spot. Nervousness, anxiety, anticipation to name a few.



The crew is fairly fast disembarking and loading. Since I am A25 I get an aisle seat at row 7. First win of the trip on this full flight is our middle seat is vacant! Uneventful flight (the best kind) and arrive in LV early. A couple vodka crans since SWA doesn't serve CR. I listen to some newly downloaded tunes from Amazon Prime while I begin typing this blog. Once I got as far as I could with writing, I played some Aw Craps on my iPad Pro to get warmed up for the felt. Another thing people, don't take your shoes and socks off when you're on the plane, WTF?



Meet up with my friend E who flew in from Denver arriving about 15 minutes after me. Weather is perfect around 85 degrees. We decide to cab it instead of Uber, big mistake. I ask if we can hit the liquor store on Tropicana and then to the Bellagio. Driver asks if we have to go to that specific store and I say it doesn't matter but I should have picked up on that but was too busy BS'ing. Well the driver must get a kickback from this particular liquor store as they were asking $91.00 for a half gallon of CR. I settled for the fifth for $41.00 and figured I'd spend more for it on the Strip, just the principle of the thing. As always for a Sunday afternoon check-in lines are long. We hit the Invited Guest line with one person in front of us and get a room on the 21st floor with a pool view.



We grab some ice and pour a couple of Crown Royals on the rocks and toast to a great friendship and the countless trips together we have taken to this city they call Sin City. We head out to get a little gambling in before we go to Prime for our 7 p.m. Dinner reservation at Prime doesn't disappoint, the usual for me warm pretzel bread, jumbo shrimp cocktail, filet, and a couple more CR rocks. E had onion soup, porterhouse, and we shared mashed potatoes. All in about 300 with tip. Now time for some serious gambling.



Since I like to hop to different casinos I won't give an exact account of play (not sure how some of you can keep track of this so well) but I will give you the highlights.



Played a little video poker at the Center Bar at the Bellagio. 100 in and I hit 800 on Double Double Bonus poker at 5 a spin. Last trip I hit 2000 and 800 at the same bar, different machines. Bartenders there still think they are all that. I don't get it; I'm there spending money so you have a job. I understand that they are not on vacation; drinking, gambling, etc. but maybe not work in the service industry in LV, just saying.



We hit downtown the next day and played craps, slots, Let it Ride with the usual up/down. We go back to the strip and played at the Mirage. Did fairly well on Craps and hit a mini straight flush on Let it Ride for 800.



We had a bite to eat at the California Pizza Kitchen, food was alright but the service was horrible. Went to the PHo later and didn't do well on LiT and went the Craps table. I did something there I've wanted to do for years. I have seen Aces back to back and have been pretty lucky to call a bet before Aces show up and hit the bet. I usually just throw a dollar as it pays 30:1. So I hadn't seen Aces for a while and I threw down a buck out there, boom Aces. I parlay it and get the look from the dealer that I have seen many times before, are you crazy or just stupid? I confirm the parlay and wait for it, wait for it, BOOM Aces baby! Turned that dollar into 900, crazy or stupid? That's why they call it gambling baby otherwise they'd call it a picnic.



The next morning we head over to the Bellagio Café. Wait line was about 30-45 minutes. Use MLife card and wait for one person and we are sitting down eating. The food there is always good! E and I head over to Caesar's Palace to grab our ladies some gifts at the Coach store (this has become an every trip event). How many purses do you really need? Rhetorical question, I mean geesh I have one wallet that's it. I will say almost every woman we passed with our special edition 1941 collection bags stared at them and some commented. I then hit the Apple Store for another “must have” accessory and we are off to the Montecristo Lounge for a drink and a stick. E has never been there before and enjoyed it. He commented on how surprised he was as he almost walked past it, the door was open and he couldn't smell any smoke in the walkway. We order drinks and light up sticks as we sat at the bar and briefly chatted with the bartenders. I drop 100 into a dollar Triple Double Bonus poker machine. I start at 3 bucks a pull and was dealt 4 to the Royal Flush, swing and a miss. 47 dollars left of my hundo and I'm dealt three Aces and I hit four Aces and a 2 kicker for 4000! E looks at me, congratulates me and said, this is your trip you are on fire. 100 to the bartenders, 100 free play to E, and 50 for the attendant.



We then head to the Total Rewards counter to sign up for their TR Visa promotion that I thought was pretty good deal. Instant Platinum status and continued Platinum status as long as I meet the criteria that is minimal. I won't get into that here, you can look it up. Great deal for E since he is returning to LV next week. I opt for two free buffets and we're outta there. Back to the Bellagio to dump off bags and head out.



We spent the next 7 hours at a Let it Ride table at the PHo, what does that tell you? Hit another mini straight flush for 1200. Not to bore you but I was hitting.......I spent 500 on table massages for E and I and was betting 100 a spot including 3-card spot before it was time for dinner. Since we were hungry and hadn't eaten at the PHo buffet we decided to try it. Very good and I would definitely go there again.



Great trip with a great friend! Flight home was short and sweet. Uber from the airport home. Most likely will be back in LV the first week in December.

 

Awesome!
Thanks for sharing your winning trip!
Great to see a nice bankroll at the end of a trip!!!

RICHARD

 

What a spectacular trip and report. Great flight, great wins, a great friend and a great time. Congratulations in all respects!

 

Awesome trip! Congrats on the wins!

 

Nice detailed report and great hits! That Aces parlay is sick!
And nice Aces with kicker on TDB!

But I would like to point out something with TDB for everyone. Not max betting TDB isn't a good play because along with shorting the royal, they also short Aces with a kicker from 800 for 1 to 400 for 1 (the same payout as DDB). So that changes 7/5 TDB from a bad 94.92% return to a God awful 91.23%. Doing the same short coin move on 7/5 DDB isn't nearly as bad (95.71% to 94.48%). But glad you were betting 5 instead of 3 when it mattered!

 

Nice TR! Glad to see a winning trip...hoping I can have one of those soon

 

Wonderful Report. Good for you to pick out a purse for your wife.

 

Congrats on an awesome trip. Great TR.

 

Cool TR

 

Fabulous report. Live the pics. Thanks

 

awesome!

 

Nice hot trip, congrats!

 

Thanks Richard for reading. Yes nice to come home for a change with some of my old cash, been awhile lol

Tony

 

Thanks Flowers, Yes good times. My best friend and I started going to LV in the 90's as guys trips and we've prably been to LV about 35-40 times together. Now we just try to make it an annual thing in the Spring. Thanks for reading.

Tony

 

Thanks Spicole for reading!

Tony

 

Hi Tringlomane, glad someone gets the Craps bet. That was my favoriie win of the trip, too bad I didn't get pics. Good advice on the slot betting. Thanks for reading and commenting.

Tony

 

Hi spdandpwr, I hope you get to have the same type of trip as well soon! Thanks for reading.

Tony

 

Hi pleasemum, yes it started as a thing one time was I was really getting beaten at Caesar's and decided it would be much cheaper going to the Forum Shops and buying a pursue than to continue to gamble lol. She enjoys the gift when I get home and helps ensure a boys trip next year!

Thanks for reading.

Tony

 

Thanks for reading bshowell.

Tony

 

Glad you liked it. Thanks

Tony