The D and My Birthday 8/16 to 8/18

8/16
Arrived at Logan early enough to breeze through security and baggage check in. Didn't know that I didn't have to pay for my checked bag because I am a government employee and showed my CAC. I just thought that it was for active military . Unfortunately if you take C terminal out of Logan be prepared to deal with traffic there because of construction. Luckily the Logan express was early and made quick work of the traffic. Downside of getting to the airport early was that Dunks didn't open till 0600.

Me and my wife got a direct flight to Vegas and it was not that packed, so we didn't have to fight for an armrest. It's been about 4 years since I was last in Vegas and the host we have at the D still works there and was able to comp our room and transport to and from the hotel. This time our stay is only till the 18th so not as long as our last time.

Arrived in Vegas at 920 the flight from Boston made good headway. We were greeted by the driver Kalan and low and behold it was a stretch limo with alcohol. The limo was what surprised me. I thought it was going to be a town car that we got last time.

Once we checked in it was straight to the VIP check in and they upgraded our room from the standard king to the corner king on the 23rd floor and not facing Fremont Street. I learned my lesson last time.

We got an early lunch at circa from victory burger. Around 1100 we ordered and got the food at 1115. Not to bad of a turn around time. I had the victory burger and my wife had the American Classic. Both burgers came out medium well. Not how I normally take it but it did it's job of filling me up. The waffle fries were on point and you only need one order if your other party is having a burger as well.

After the light lunch we played a little bit at Circa I did ok at Craps (15min) the table was warm but none of the shooters, even myself could get the game going. I however hit for the small on a 5 dollar bet and was 2 away from the Tall and All. Natalie my wife hit big on Willy Wonka for about 800. So at the moment she is up 585 and I'm down 47. Masks are mandatory in the casino and they seem to be enforcing it when you are at the tables. The slots not so much.

Dinner at Andiamo was amazing. I had the veal chop and my wife had the tenderloin and gnocchi. We split the side of asparagus, which our waiter suggested we do. He also brought each of us a small bowl of angle hair past and a tomato cream sauce that topped it was to die for. Both of us were full from our meals but there is always room for dessert. Natalie had the cheesecake and I had the creme brulee. There was a candle in it and the waiter wished me a happy birthday. We made the reservation for 1730 but they were able to seat us earlier at 1715. My instructions on open table were followed to the letter. The waiter was a true professional and attentive to our needs, but we didn't have any except the occasional filling of the water glass.

After dinner we played a little bit of slots and Natalie watched me play Craps on a cold table. So after losing 200 we called it quits. End of day one 8/16.

8/17.

Woke up at 0630 showered and ate at hash house gogo at the plaza then we ventured to the Golden Gate. The Craps table min was 10.00, which surprised me since yesterday they were all 15.00. We left the Golden Gate and made our way to Circa. The tables for Craps there were 15.00 I was up and down playing the pass and ATS. Then I had Natalie throw while I bet and she hit on the Small for 155 and I was happy. We played for another hour or so and then it got cold and I gave the dealers 5 when I left. We stopped at Binions and got the Fish Spa foot treatment. It is an interesting feeling.

After the fish spa we had lunch at Coney Island Dogs for a quick cheap eats. Then we went back down to Golden Gate for some Craps. The tables were still at 10 dollars, I had an ok session but nothing big. I bought in for 600 and walked away with a loss of 300. Then we walked down to the world cam so we could wave to my in-laws. They seriously live vicariously through world cams and other virtual apps. After finding which camera to wave at we walked back to the D. Natalie finished up her bankroll for the day while I am still able to have some fun tonight. I also was able to turn 20 bucks into 100 on the big wolf slot near the check in of the D. I think it was a points and session counter slot because when I was playing it showed a couple of numbers and stating games played this session.

Went back to the Golden Gate around 1700 and the Craps table was back to 15.00. I bought in for 500 and walked out with 845. So I am up 345. It was a good roll with one of the shooters. Again missed the ATS by two numbers. Coming close every time hopefully after dinner at Project BBQ luck will turn.

After dinner we went back to the D. Natalie went up to the room and I headed back down to the Craps Table. I was having a great roll making a few points here and there and then the same guys came back from last night. All they were playing was the Don't Pass and Don't Come. I understand that's a way to play but man theses guys just killed it for me. So I took what I had and cashed out. Fortunately I did better than I thought and was only down 200. I went back to the Timber wolf diamond slot and did well there also. So after asking what the count down thing meant, I was told it was to award points and free play.


8/18

Well on our way back home. So we had some time to kill before the limo picked us up and Natalie wanted to play some more. We sat down at a Willy Wonka slots and put in 60 bucks and by the time we walked away we had 97.00 not bad for ending the trip on a win. The only thing that I paid for out of pocket was the flight, the food we ate, and my bankroll. The room was clean, the shower worked. The only downside was the AC was not as powerful as I would have liked it, but that's because I like to sleep in an icebox.

I just want to give a big shout and thank you to my host Ann who made this trip fun and possible for me and my wife Natalie. We both had a great time.

The pictures attached are of the fish spa and my veal chop.

 

Happy birthday!!!

 

Too bad you couldn't play through the hate/don'ts. That's a great feeling when you are shooting, you keep the roll going, and run them off the don't. That's right fellas, don't bet against me today. This is Vegas, it's sunny and no rain is in the forecast!

 

Those guys were doing everything possible to win on the don't and I really was not in the mood to get into a fight.

 

Thanks for the detailed trip report. Sounds like you two had an enjoyable trip.

 

Yeah, if they were hard-core, best to let em fizzle out. But if they talked any smack, it would have been fun to have some light hearted, good-natured, back and forth.

I walked up to a table at B once and got passed the dice almost immediately. I noticed a strange negative vibe at the table. The guy next to me...a young Asian in 20s with a ton of chips. Was betting heavy. $500 don't laying $3k odds. Betting $500 Don't Pass on every throw and backing it up...even if his previous bet lost. And I'm betting table mins w/odds. And I go on a tear. I mean his 3.5k bets are dropping off the table left and right. The table's mood shift to cheering, but the guy next to me looks really concerned. He doesn't back off with his bets. Finally I hit my point. At this point, I felt sorry for the guy. I wasn't gonna rub salt in the wound. I told him. Look, on this come-out I'm gonna hit the 7 (I said the actual number '7') for you. I normally set the dice for doubles...but i set it for 7...and boom it hit. I gave him a high five even though I lost a few come-bets (odds returned). He said he still got a little beat up but was happy to get out alive. He colored up and left. Everyone at the table then told me that he was getting a little too happy about his good fortune (and their bad fortune) before I joined. Maybe I was too nice...but I don't have any control over the dice anyhow.

 

I got arrested for doing this, you got free checked bags.

 

When I checked in I used my CAC because I didn't want to use my passport. I don't have the "Real ID" yet that will soon be required.

Was your CAC expired? I've never hear of someone getting arrested for that.

 

Nah, that was just a joke. I don't even know what a CAC is, I was sounding it out phonetically.

 

So much this.. The worst is when you don't even press any, because it's only working because you're on min bets and the dice be evil like that sometimes.

Last time I gave a friendly warning and he had to sweat for 10 minutes as I binked every # but the point or out. He was put out of his misery w. a two way 2-3 hop bet on the third try.

 

Thanks for the TR.

 

Yeah man, if I want my point to hit, I can get it if I back it up with 1x odds. I'll do it when I'm desperate to make the point. I don't think it has ever failed! Was the point a 5 when you hit 2-3 hop?

Reminds me of a time when a buddy of mine lost the dice when he was betting against himself. He dinked all his don't come bets away then hit the point losing his last bet (don't pass). He busted out, so the dice passed to the next guy at the other end of the table. That guy wasn't really paying attention thought the table was on fire and was like, "Why are you giving me the dice? He hit his point, let him keep rolling!" "Well sir, he's leaving the table, he's out of chips!".

 

Yep.

 

Sounds like a nice birthday trip! Thanks for sharing!

 

Great report! It sure was a fun trip. Thanks for sharing!