Prequel trip

I've written so many trip reports and upon review, they are mostly very similar, along the lines of same old, same old. So i decided to write this report along the lines of a movie prequel. I'll try to stay focused enough to finish the report with a proper ending. First, the prequel pic:

 

Hoping that draw came in for you!

 

Tring, I can almost see your virtual head shaking at the 7/5 game.

 

The suspense!

 

Tuesday:

To paraphrase Stephen Stills, “Got outa town on a plane for the southern desert”, on Tuesday, February 26. Noonish flight from MKE on SWA. I was lucky enough to catch an aisle exit row seat because of my early boarding pass. In case it helps you figure out the SWA early boarding program, I bought the ticket in September, and was awarded A29 on the flight out. The flight was uneventful, and landed about 20 minutes early. I checked my bag because I also checked my golf clubs, finding both pieces at the luggage coral shortly after trekking my way from the gate. I proceeded to the car rental barn and got a lower mileage Malibu for $162 for four days. The Thrifty rates did not decrease over the months of checking, like they have in the past. But, no need to fret because the additional $50 for a car rental is equivalent to a few minutes on a slot at times, right?

Even though I received a text from the Mirage that my room was ready by 1:30, I had a plan to first visit two casino’s to use ACG FP and MP coupons. Hooters was first on my list. The visit was brief. I played $10 in a VP machine, got my $10 FP from the boothling, and returned to the same machine, leaving that game dead even. I then went to a blackjack table to play for a while. However, after confirming that all bj tables in Hooters were 6:5, I played one hand and left a $20 winner.

I then drove down to Ellis Island to rinse and repeat. I played $10 in a VP machine, got my ACG rewards loaded on my card and spun the wheel at the kiosk. I then took my $10 FP reward to the same machine, and left a total winner of $17.50. I played blackjack at their lone open table. I decided to buy in for $50 and play 5 hands of $10. Won, Lost, Won MP, the won a double down hand. I left EI up almost $80 for the trip, in less than a half hour.

From EI, I drove to The Mirage to check in, unpack, and hang out a while before going to dinner. Being a pearl Mlife cardholder, I parked in self-parking for free. I had never stayed at The Mirage, but had stayed on the property, pre The Mirage, when it was a small little motel called The Castaways. The mobile check in kiosks were empty, and therefore, quick in providing my room key. All I knew was my room number was 5065 and had a key. I had not spoken with any humans at that point of checking in. I walked to the guest elevators. They had separate elevators for different ranges of guest rooms. I turned around and walked to security and asked if 5065 was on the fifth floor or the fiftieth floor. “We don’t have 50 floors” was the response, so I immediately knew my view was not going to be memorable from the fifth floor.

The room was clearly 20 years old, just worn out and meh. I didn’t take pictures of the room. And I’m not sure I’ll go out of my way to return in the future. I only booked this room for two night on a MyVegas reward. The $82 of resort fees paid with that “free” room were less that the $110 room rate I originally booked as part of my 3 night free, 4 night stay at The Orleans. Staying at The Mirage for two nights also opened the door for a $50 free play reward from MyVegas.

I quickly unpacked, changed into shorts and went to explore the casino. I had been in there plenty of times, never much of a winner there, but wanted to try some new scenery. I successfully redeemed the $50 FP reward, even though the terms indicated it would not be allowed on a comped room. I walked over to a $1 Blazing 7’s machine and pushed the max play button three times. Nada, zilch, nuttin, zero, nothing in return. Best laid plans, huh? I played around on several other slots, and cashed out plus $42.

I had reservations at the Cornerstone steak house in the Gold Coast. I had eaten there once before and was impressed. This time, I left more impressed. This hidden gem is certainly off the beaten path, but, in my opinion, rates up there with some other 4 and 5 star Vegas steakhouses, and less than half the price. After $20 ACG coupon, the meal below was $35 including a $10 tip.





A bargain at twice the price.

I stuck around the Gold Coast long enough to lose $200 at a $10 blackjack table, and another $70 at various slots. Given those results, there are no worth pictures to share. I ended up back at The Mirage and won about $20 on a couple slots, then went to bed early, given a long day of travel.

More to follow:

 

Haha. Vigorously shaking because it's a WMS machine. I have never been a fan of their design.

Sucks about the 5th floor. No pics of the air conditioners? Lol

 

I've heard good things about Cornerstone; thanks for the review. I need to put it on the list.

 

I agree re Cornerstone (and whatever it was called before the remodel). Always a good deal; like Prime Rib Loft at Orleans).

Looking forward to hearing about your golf games.

GG

 

Wednesday:

As usual on the first day, by body clock says it’s 6 am, even though the digits on the clock in the room say it’s 4 am. I had an agenda today, since my first round of golf in four months was scheduled to begin at 11:00 am. I played a few slots at the Mirage losing about $40 then headed to The Orleans. I got tonight and the following two nights at The Orleans comped, so I wanted to play blackjack until leaving for Rhodes Ranch Golf Club.

The roller coaster ride continued. I lost $65 at blackjack in rather short order, then proceeded to win a few bucks at VP. I noticed hundreds of elderly women at The Orleans dressed in similar attire. Upon inquiring, I learned they were attending the convention for The Red Hat Society. They sure seemed to be enjoying themselves. Kuddos to them.

Below are a couple pictures of Rhodes Ranches beautiful conditions. Unfortunately, my game wasn’t very good. I played with a couple employees of Rhodes Ranch and got humiliated. For those of you who understand the game, I outdrove them on ONE hole by about 5 yards. However, I used my driver, they both used 6 irons. That put me in my place.




After golf, I had a busy schedule for this night. I checked into The Orleans so I could easily move my bag to my room on Thursday morning when I checked out at The Mirage. I just grabbed a slice of pizza at the Sbarro’s food court stand, then won $140 playing blackjack and lost $140 on slots and VP at The Orleans.

I drove back to The Mirage, cleaned up and changed to see The Beatles Love show thanks to MyVegas. This was my second time seeing the show. I was glad to see a few new things, but even more impressed with the show itself. It’s amazingly good, and I’m not really a Beatles fan. I did, however, grow up during the British invasion.

After the show, I walked to Wynn to visit my pit boss nephew. He didn’t go to work that night, so I played a few slots there, losing. I walked over to TI and played a few slots there, winning what I lost at Wynn. I returned to The Mirage and hit the sack.

 

We bumped into this group on one trip at Paris. They were all over the place there too and also were having a good time. Having a good time seems to be a big focus of the society.

 

Thursday:

Thursday is my coupon run day, particularly downtown, and a planned dinner with my Henderson resident BIL. I hung around The Orleans until late morning. I had originally planned on meeting VMB member GolfingGambler, but he had travel snafu’s with snow in the northeast.

I had eggs benedict at the food court, then went on to a real roller coaster in the casino. I first lost $100 at bj, then another $40 at slots. I decided to play DDB and got the following:


Followed in short order by:


Tring, these pay tables are a little better, huh? These, along with a few other 4OAK made up for the poor start to the day.

I drove downtown and parked in the Binions self park structure, getting free parking stamped by the Binions player club booth.

I had a variety of ACG coupons to redeem downtown. I always asked other players if I was interrupting a game to only play one or two hands. I appreciate that kind of respect from any player if I’m already on a hot streak at blackjack. In order:

-$20 Cal bj

-$10 MSS bj

+$10 bj Plaza

+$5 FP Plaza

+$35 bj Golden Gate

+%60 bj the D

+$1 FP the D

+$45 bj Fremont

I played for a while at the D after eating lunch in their café upstairs. The meatball sandwich was the size of a football, and very good. I had to switch bj table because I will not play at a table where players split 10’s, it hard 14 against a 6, etc.

My BIL and I agreed to meet at the Jokers Wild on Boulder Highway in Henderson. We spent a few hours there, eating a light dinner in their café, playing blackjack and VP while catching up. I won $16 playing bj and netted $50 playing VP. The best hit:



Now, Tring, how about that pay table for bonus poker?

After our visit, I drove back to The Orleans to play more bj and slots. My first session of bj featured two back to back hands of note. The Orleans is a double deck game with very good rules. But because its only double deck, splitting is on the rare side. The first hand of note was splitting 9’s against a 5, with $20 bet on each. I got dealt 19, 19, another 9, 14 and 15. Dealer busted, to my cheer. The very next hand I was dealt a pair of 8’s against a face card. Once again, $20 each hand, I was dealt 18. 19 and a 3, then 21. Dealer again busted to an even bigger cheer. Even after those two hands, I managed to lose $25 at that table. I went on to win $50 on various slots and decided to go to a $25 minimum table and play $35 per hand.

After playing an hour of blackjack, no good or bad streaks were present, and I went to bed after winning $35. That was enough for me until tomorrow.

 

Friday:

Another busy schedule on my last full day. The entire trip has blessed me with beautiful mid 70’s and sunny weather, with light winds, and Friday was no different. I started the day sort of where I left off last night. I plopped down at a $25 min bj table and bet $35 per hand. The day started off great. I Won $115 at that table, then won $80 on slots. I lost a mere $38 on another bj table, but won $50 on .25 VP. I hit about 5 4OAK’s that kept me playing until I left for Aliante. I had a tee time at noon, and played in their casino a while, having arrived a bit too early. I encountered very little traffic during the 20 mile drive.

I won $35 playing blackjack at a table with one other player. She was clearly a local, being very familiar with the Aliante staff. Very nice woman whose ink job was impressive. Even though she was wearing a summer dress, I assumed her entire body was full of ink.

Golfing at Aliante won’t likely repeat for me. The course’s fairways were in poor condition. Their rough was dormant, and of a rice like consistency. I got teamed up with a couple from Calgary. Interesting, very nice couple. The gentlemen was able to convey to me his dislike for all residents of Toronto, Montreal, California and Donald Trump. That’s a lot of baggage, don’t you think? I golfed better than at Rhodes Ranch, but the conditions didn’t make it as pleasurable.

When done, I had about 25 minutes until I could log in to get my boarding pass for my flight the next day. So I went back to Aliante and decided to eat dinner at their buffet. Typical Boyd property buffet value. Nothing exceptional, but priced accordingly. I was satisfied, for sure.

I then went to one of their bj tables and lost $100 before I could even get comfortable in my stool. I went to a different bj table, played about an hour and broke even there. Because this was my last night in Vegas, I wanted to spend it at The Orleans.

After cleaning up, I went down to play blackjack. I lost $100 in each of two $10 bet tables. I couldn’t get on a streak. The next $10 table I visited blessed me with a $220 win. I wanted a break and played slots for a while.

For the second trip in a row, I encountered a random jackpot game:




As you can see from the above photo, there were four jackpots ranging from $16 to over $10,000. I had four unchecked symbols, and had one choice left to select. That meant which ever jackpot I selected would be my prize. Well, again, for the second year in a row, just guess which one I was awarded. MINI. $16 lousy, flippin’ bucks. One can dream, though, can’t one?


Overall, I lost $40 playing VP and $100 playing slots in between blackjack games. My last choice was to go back to the $25 table and play $35 per hand again. I asked the floor if they would switch TV channels so I could watch the end of the Bucks/Lakers game. The floor asked if I was a Lakers fan, to which he heard my resounding NO, Bucks fan. I had bet a mere $20 on them, giving 5 ½ points. The score was close until the end, and the bucks won by over 10.

However, that $18 win didn’t make up for the $200 I lost at blackjack. The floor was kind enough to comp my Saturday breakfast, when I requested it.

 

Saturday:

The last morning of my trips to Vegas are always fun to begin for me. During my stay, I accumulate chips, change and TITO’s in the safe each night, along with my unused bankroll for the day. I then go to the cashier, and get everything changed up to the largest denomination. I then count my bankroll to see how I’ve done. I was only down a few hundred dollars for the entire trip at this point.

However, in 5 minutes, I lost $300 at a $25 min bj game, another $100 on slots and VP, and another $100 on a $10 bj game. I was fortunate enough to be offered to purchase a very handsome gold chain necklace from a passerby. He must have noticed I don’t wear jewelry, and thought I should. One interesting thing happened at the $10 bj table. On Friday morning, when I played bj, the woman next to me was able to down 4 bottles of Heineken and a black Russian in the same amount of time that I drank my first cup of morning coffee. Now, I may drink my coffee slowly, but, holy cow. She was betting $50 to $300 per hand, splashing chips on almost every hand, digging in her purse, slowing the game, and in general, being annoying. Well, on Saturday morning, who do you think I sat next to? Same woman, doing the same thing. It took me a while to realize what was happening. But in that time, the floor walked over to our table and instructed her to leave. She had to be a regular, right?

So, I only had a half hour before I had to leave to get my car fueled and returned, so I sat down at the VP game and was dealt the hand you saw in my first post of this thread. For those of you reading along, and to end the suspense, here is the draw:




My first ever natural royal flush. I know, only nickels. But after my start to Saturday, this was my comfort level.

I left immediately after the hit on VP. The black Lambo in valet was not mine, damn it. Here comes my Malibu. I still had a few minutes, and I always like to visit the Silverton on my trips, so I stopped there for only 10 minutes. I played three different slot machines there. The final one was this one:


Not only a big surprise, and happy ending, but I have no clue what this slot is.

I checked in using my A20 boarding pass and was very fortunate to get the best seat in the house:



OK, that’s a wrap I guess. Just a few observations I’d like to express:

Even though I left the day before the NASCAR main event, the number of visible NASCAR fans has diminished significantly from when I use to go to the races there.

The floor was very accommodating in comping all of my meals at Boyd properties. And I’m only a Sapphire member, as of now.

The Orleans did screw up when I checked in. The “Sheila” wrote the room 1323 on my booklet, and after the keys didn’t work, and much messing around with the front desk on the house phone, they realized I was giving room 1223. That’s only one floor and two very long hallways off.


Roll Credits


The end

 

Thanks for the TR and golfing notes, @vegasvette - too bad we didn't make it to LV, but we made a hard right turn at Eugene, Oregon, and headed to the coast to avoid the 100 mile backup on I5 (closed due to snow and ice). Canceling Vegas, we headed all the way down the coast to Palm Springs.

I've never played Rhodes Ranch, but it looks good from the pics. I agree re Aliante ... played it a few years ago and it was pretty basic. The only saving grace was the price. A long way to drive, too.

Perhaps our Vegas trips will intersect in the future.

Cheers, GG

 

There is no seat in front of you!? did it break or something?

 

Where do I sign up?????

 

h0und10, No seat broke. I'm not sure of the Boeing jet model, but most SWA flights I take have one exit row with the window seas missing in one row. My seat is an exit row also.

 

Congrats on the finish! Thanks for taking the time to write it up! Took me 10 Royal hits before I found one in Spades. Lol

 

Great finale.

 

Pretty standard on the newer SWA planes. One on each side. I always try to snag it, especially on the way out so I can book the first "win" of the trip.