My first trip report on VMB

I've done many trip reports on LasVegas4ever, but this is my first one here.
I know some posters on this board who post there, so you folks know who I am and I've met several of you.
I have posted my Video Poker wins in the Video Poker section of the site, no need to duplicate these here.
The Three Amigos 2020 Las Vegas Trip


The three of us formerly worked for the same company in the same division. Two of us for a short period worked in the Technology Planning, though had different expertise. In 2010 we agreed to do a Vegas trip together and have been going

there eleven consecutive years. Both of my friends missed one trip, though I’ve been to all of them. The early years we did most of the tourist spots, like Red Rock, Valley of Fire, Hoover Dam, Death Valley, etc.

Prior to our trips we get together for a lunch at one of the local restaurants and plan our trip. My friend “I” volunteered to take notes and provide minutes to our meeting and we make comments for corrections. It’s equivalent of a business document in tone. We document what things we will do and other options we categorize as maybe.


This trip was my Sevens Stars Retreat and also 7* Signature Event. I had up to

$1200 for Air Fare paid in Free Play our fare for two of us was $1080. The third

friend paid for his own ticket and the fare was split with the one that got his airfare free on my ticket. I also had another $500 folio from an experience credit and I was also booked with the 7* Signature event. All told I had $1400 to spend for food and drink on this trip. It turned out we went a bit over that.

The other restaurants for dinner were Bugsy and Meyers and Old Homestead.

I also was able to schedule a couple of short meets with people from two of the Vegas websites. One VMB meet with Flowers and another with GR25R5Rchips from

LV4Ever.


Overall we missed a couple of the places that were probable we didn’t do and were replaced by some we did multiple times for expedience.


We also went to Harrah’s where we met my host at Noodle Bar and she ordered

several dishes for the four of us. We get to talk and catch up and she knows my most of the people I travel with to Vegas. She sets me up and I know what she can do for me and she delivers.


We dined at Mon Ami Gabi and Café Americano for breakfast multiple times, because it was just easy. We like MAG because the food is good and compared to many others on the strip, a bargain. We also went to Pizza Rock one prior to the

Neon Museum Brilliant Show. I should have booked both the Brilliant and the Guided Tour and was disappointed that I didn’t get to some of the neon signs, my error – next time.

Now I will talk about the experience overall during Covid-19. It jus was not the same Vegas that I’m accustomed to. The constant wearing of masks was a bit tiring and I think it wore me out some of the time. I played only VP as I usually do. Having

Fewer machines available weren’t an issue until Thursday afternoon rolled in. I have particular machines I like, several weren’t available due to requirement of every other machine being unavailable.


An observation not connected with Covid-19 is that Caesars changed some of their pay tables that were 9/6 to 9/5. I play multi-line machines and they were usually 9/5 prior to now. However, single line machines that I know were 9/6 are now 9/5. I wasn’t able to check many machines but I’m guessing the 9/6 single line machines have met extinction in CP.

Overall I did not have a winning trip though my loss wasn’t large to me. My normal play is $1 multi-line VP. I also play single line usually at $2. This trip I had four hand-pays. I had various wins, none super large.

I’d like to interject an unusual thing that happened to me again. I normally play in the same area in CP. Some of the Cocktail Waitresses have been there for many years and they see repeat customers. Last year Michelle, a CW, came by and says to me Vodka and Cranberry? I say how do you remember that? She says I always what my favorite customers order. I said not right now. Then she waves her had over my VP screen and says she was wishing me luck and leaves. Three hands later I get a Royal Flush.

This year I’m sitting and playing at the same machine and Michelle comes by and says I was looking for you. Again she says Vodka and Cranberry? This time I said yes and she says you want a Figi water too? I say yes. Off she goes and before she’s back I had four to a Royal and I connected on one of the hands. I wouldn’t believe it if I wasn’t the recipient of this gem of luck.

Also, one morning the very first hand I played – I drew a kicker for a $2K Aces.

See below link for VP wins:
https://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/index.php?threads/my-latest-vegas-trip-vp-winners.178534/

Below is some evidence of my food and play. I was remiss on capturing food because I don’t like to show food that was partially eaten.
Masks that I wore this trip , I did 4 years in the Air Force in a previous life that's why I wore them.

To prove I was in Augustus Tower a picture from my room.

 

What a great story re: your favorite cocktail waitress, that is incredible luck! I like the way you split up the airfare with the other two, very fair and generous of you. As for MAG, its one of my faves too, well priced for the quality and location. Great food pics also, I miss having a decent camera on my phone. Thanks for sharing.

 

Yeah... great story about Michelle!

 

I must meet this Michelle lol. Thanks for the report!

 

She's good looking too, though you won't know since she's wearing a mask now. Plus she's working 2AM - 10AM.

 

I was worried you were going to say your favorite CW was laid off or something due to covid so I'm glad she was still there and remembered you, those little moments are one of the many things I love going. I know things will be different but, and I may be naïve, I hope there's still this sort of customer service atmosphere that's been there in years past, irrespective of the situation.

Thanks for sharing!

 

Thanks for your first VMB TR!
T'was a great read!

RICHARD

 

Love your food and TR. Okay. I need to play VP at your machine and order from Michelle and say that you sent me! Glad that you had a good time.

 

Nice food pics.

 

Have followed your reports for years! Well done on this one, enjoyed your stories!

 

Nice report.

 

She doesn’t know my name. You’ll have to say “the guy who orders the Vodka and Cranberry”.

 

oghuman,
I know you probably don't care about saving $100 for your friends' airfare. I think you can use up your $1200 7stars airfare by booking all three tickets through Caesars airline reservation and only have to pay the difference. I have done it the last two years when I travelled with my two kids to Vegas for the CES show. Oh I forgave to consider that maybe your friend got a super cheap ticket on the side. then the cost will be cheap for them!

 

We were in extra legroom and the third friend was in regular coach. I never thought about how to split everything up to be fair for all of us.
I’m generous but not sure what would be fair to them and me. After all they’re also getting a free room and minimal cost for meal share tip costs. So far the guys haven’t complained.
If you could come up with a formula that wouldn’t screw anyone that would be great.
That would take into account the money I run through to earn these rewards.
Btw, sometimes the tickets cost more.

 

Glad you had a great trip with your friends, OG!
So sorry I missed you, t-4 for me!

 

Wishing you good luck and a fun trip,

 

Nice story with the CW at CP

 

Glad Michelle was able to give you some good luck with your royals!

 

Thanks for a nice TR. It looks like you had some excellent food. Is that a Bananas Foster Cinnamon Crepe? Looks delicious.

 

Thanks for the TR - looks like good use was made out of the dining credit I’ll have to journey over to CP one of these days and see if Michelle can turn whatever machine I’m at EV-positive