Heading back to Vegas 9/12 to 9/16, staying at the Mirage but missing Don Barden's Fitzgerald's

Longtime listener first time caller to the message board. Little background started going to Vegas when I turned 21 and was still in my undergrad years. The bankroll at that time was about $100 a day and my home casino was The Fitz, the elevators never worked but the second floor bar always had $1 Bud Light drafts and they always treated us well, the ex also swore they had the best nacho's. Now I have more money and my home base is The Mirage but I still catch myself from time to time in my office thinking of the days where the ex and I would stay up all night drinking, wake up with no hangover, wait 20 minutes for the elevator and go to the pool behind the casino next to the parking garage with a cooler full of Keystone Lights.

The Mirage is setting me up with some sort of Suite, 500 in free play, plus $50 a day in food and beverage credits. The bankroll will be around $8000 for the trip, I play craps, VP, and like to play some of the slots like the buffalo machines and the quick hits. When I start hitting the sauce hard I will play the carnival games just for shits and giggles. Also will be spending allot of time at the pool and casino hopping. Also love Ellis Island and will be over there quite a bit. Not sure if I will go downtown, not going to rent a car but cab or it or Lyft.

The one thing I think I am going to miss the most is the bars in the casino not being open.

Side note: May of 2019 got a nice message from the host at DTG and decided to give them a try. Host was nice but he was not impressed with my play at the property, had to let him know its hard to play there when there are no tables open when I want to play...…, where is Don Barden when you need him!

Leaving Midway Sunday morning hoping all goes well and all the other passengers comply with the mask policy.

I will try to keep up with a live report, but that depends on how much I drink. Not sure my reports will be as interesting as some of the veterans of the board but thought since I enjoy others reports I should at minimum attempt my own.

 

Win big!

 

Wasn’t there some weird BJ game called O’Lucky’s at the Fitz? I remember my friend swore by it & it always turned his trip around when he was down & out.

 

I stayed at the fitz at least 12-15 times, still go to the D now, try to hit the andiamo steakhouse there and ask for hugo as your waiter.... tableside caesar salad and osso buco, shrimp scampi...its all good. I used to play the spanish 21 there because they allowed double double double down....it was BJ on crack cocaine....loved it! Win!!!

 

Don Barden a name I haven't heard in years. He and Bob Stupak were quite the pioneers, although Barden will certainly be remembered far more broadly for being the first African-American casino owner in Vegas. Both Barden and Stupak died way too young.

 

Good Luck.

 

Gooduck!

 

tagging along! Good luck and have fun!!

 

Looking forward to this. Heading to the Mirage 9/26

 

Not sure but I am sure there was, use to be a weird Caribbean Stud game there I lost my ass on.

 

In 2004 there use to be a sign in the lobby with the picture of Don Barden, also the the polish prince of the Stratosphere will be fondly remembered for his mustache and he was a helluva poke player.

 

Good luck! Will be following along leading up to checking in for 16th-20th! So excited to be back to our Mirage!!

 

Good Luck! Have Fun! Upstairs at the D is a semblance of the Fitz. Keno Lounge. Vue Bar. Sigma Derby. I think there's a Blarney stone up there somewhere. Downstairs is a little different though.

 

This day is dragging, cloudy and misting here, ready for the Vegas heat and sun. Thirty six hours to go.

 

At the airport rode the blue line from Rosemont, switched to the orange line at Clark and Lake took about an hour and five minutes, much better then driving to Cicero. I see social distancing at the airport is non existent, I have not traveled since March so was interested to see how it would be. People also walk to slow and stop in entry and exit ways without regard to others still........step aside Please! Oh well a few hours from the promised land and beer taste good in the morning.

 

Memories, stayed at The Fitz in early 2000's, loved it, remember Barden, remember casino host David Bartek UT ex football player, stayed for years moved to Flamingo now downtown for last 4 years at D , will be there Sept 24. Win & stay safe. Believe Barden & Derek Stevens from Michigan ?

 

How’s the Mirage Vibe so far??!!

 

I'll never forget the Fitz. It's the first place I won $50 in nickels on my very first trip to Vegas. I can still remember the sound of the nickels falling in the damper and me standing in the cashier line with my bucket of nickels thinking I am in heaven.

 

@Tcthom15, was the high limit room open?

 

Tcthom15, we hardly knew ye