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Blackjack, Champagne and a visit from Engineering

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by lindagiles, Jan 7, 2010.

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  1. lindagiles

    lindagiles Tourist

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2009
    Messages:
    22
    Location:
    Texas
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    2

    My Trip Report

    Just got back from a fabulous 4 days/3 nights at the Bellagio for my husband's 50th birthday celebration.
    We had a nice flight from Dallas changing planes in Denver leaving nice and early to arrive in Vegas at 9:30 a.m.
    As a surprise, I arranged for a limo (Presidential thanks to recommendations from this board.) Hubby was pleasantly surprised to see his name on the card held by our driver at baggage claim. And I had a pleasant surprise - I expected a towncar and it was an actual limo! Our driver, Roger, opened the champagne and we were off! To the liquor store. Sipped (rather quickly) and stopped at the Las Vegas sign for a photo, then a trip up and down the strip.

    When we pulled up at the Bellagio, we felt pretty happy having just polished off a bottle of champagne at 10 in the morning! Told hubby I was going to try the $20 thing for an upgrade. I handed the check-in guy my folded bill between cc and id and asked if there were any upgrades available as we were celebrating a big bd. He pushed the bill back to me and put us in a fountain view room with a lovely view of the Eiffel Tower across the street.

    Beautiful room. Unpacked. Husband fell asleep so I went exploring. Picked up Players card and wandered the hotel. This was my first trip to Vegas so I was in awe.

    We didn't gamble the first day but went to dinner at Mon Ami Gabi. LOVED the crabcake with celery root slaw. We both had a thin steak. Next time I think I would have the filet. Also made the mistake of ordering 'Frangria' caraf which was a take on the mexican Sangria but with a French wine with lots of friut slices. My husband kept saying, "This kind of grows on you."
    I thought to myself, "you keep telling yourself that!" I hated it.
    As we were sitting outside on the patio, I was hoping to see more 'crazies' walking around so maybe they went home after celebrating New Year's.

    After dinner we walked throught the Paris casino, admiring the sights since we have been to Paris France.
    On the street, passed the guys handing out 'girl cards'. Hubby passed on most of them, then took a handful. (Souvenir trading cards, he says:evillaugh)

    Next day - Monday. We needed to pick up our tickets for the Mystere show that evening so we set out toward TI. It looked so close but wasn't. I didnt know Ceasar's was about a half mile long! Picked up our tickets and headed back on the other side of the street. Went into the Wynn, which is BEAUTIFUL, to find a place for lunch. Had a very nice lunch outside at the Terrace Pointe Cafe.

    Later that day stopped to play blackjack at the Mirage on our way to the show. My first time playing and our dealer was very patient and helpful and let me put my strategy card on the table.

    Mystere was wonderful! Took the advice of the board and sat in the middle of the upper balcony JJ. Never a dull moment and we hope to take our kids next time. After the show we checked the photos they took of us prior to the show...good, but didn't think they were worth $44 so decided to think it over. Never did go back to get them.
    Then needed to eat something before playing more blackjack. We found we didn't get very hungry during the trip...maybe because we didn't have a clue about what day or time it was! So we ate at BLT Burger -very good!
    Then we tried the $25 blackjack table since I have played a total of one whole hour in my entire career. Husband and I promptly lost $100 each (four chips doesn't give you much leeway) Played at a $10 table and it went much better! Then headed back to the Bellagio.

    Found a $10 table with some fun people and a dealer that reminded me of Woody Allen. Very funny and kidded around. (I found that I looked for dealers that were 'fun'. Some had no personality and who wants to sit there with no interaction.) After a few hours, counted up our chips and we were both up $90! I think I love this place!!

    Tuesday.
    Woke up to the toilet being flushed a lot. Asked hubby if he was 'sick'. No. He managed to clog a toilet powerful enough to suck a live cat through the system! I guess he went to the front desk to ask for a plunger. (How classy!) And they said they would contact housekeeping. Turns out this is a job for ENGINEERING! (I didn't read anything on how to tip in this situation). So...kind of embarrassing but it was taken care of. I hope this wasn't noted on our Bellagio Permanent Record for future trips.

    Decided to head in a different direction. (South, I think.) Took the tram to City Place and looked around the Aria. Had a glass of champagne for breakfast at a $10 table for about an hour. I think we lost here. The hotel is beautiful -modern with cool, clean lines: I prefered the warmth of our home, Bellagio. Then took a cab to Mandalay Bay. It was 1 and we were finally getting hungry so decided on Border Grill and we both LOVED IT! This was our favorite meal of the trip. Then toured the shark display and it was well worth it.

    Decided we would work our way back to Bellagio, checking out resorts on the way. My husband had to take photos of about everything...like the boobs in the wall at Mandalay. (He can keep that with his boob trading card collection.) Didn't play any blackjack on our way back but did put a bet at NYNY on the Iowa game that started in 30 minutes. (I'm originally from Iowa and my 75 year old mom is the biggest Hawkeye fan so it was in her honor.) We watched the first half in our room and then went to the Sports Bar at the Belagio. And the Hawkeyes came through! Sat next to an older lady that was cheering for Iowa too. She told us all about sports gambling (and their high level gambling)and seems they go to Vegas A LOT! Duh. I asked her name at the beginning of us meeting and when we went to leave, she said that she hadn't given us her real name. WTF? Why would you tell us that isn't your real name unless it IS?

    Found our $10 table with Woody Allen again and guess what?? More fun people at the table! Guy in the middle had a stack of chips about 13 inches high which I thought was hilarious. He must have high fived us 200 times that night. It was then that I caught the fever: winning and drinking champagne! When I'm up, I put the original amound in my pocket and then play with what is left. Worked out pretty well. Hadn't eaten for a long time so wanted to try Sensi. Closed. Went to the Cafe. Husband said the sandwich was good. My crabcake and slaw was not good. And I'm not all that picky. Oh well.

    Wed.-
    We were leaving today and driver was to be here at 2. Found a $10 table with the requisite fun gamblers. Our dealer was not going to crack a smile not matter what but every once in a while said something 'smart ass funny' so we liked him. Husband had to go back to NYNY to pick up winnings so I stayed at the table. Started with $200, put $250 in my pocket along the way so played until I was out with what was left.
    We tried Sensi again for lunch but it didn't open until 3 so had a club sandwich at the Snack place before heading home.
    What a wonderful trip! We learned a lot about what to do/not do next time. We bought too much at the liquor store on the way in. We brought 2 bottles of wine home and left some beer in the room.

    Thank you to everyone on this board who answered my questions before we went! I can't wait to go back!!:beer:
     
  2. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

    Joined:
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    Sounds like you had a wonderful first trip and are "hooked" like the rest of us! BJ is a fun game when you get on a table with a great group of people....no sense in playing if you aren't having fun! I enjoyed hearing about your adventures. Sounds like the weather must have been quite nice since you ate at an outdoor cafe, bonus!:eek:
     
  3. evan86

    evan86 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    May 17, 2008
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    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    37
    Cosign on the looking for fun dealers. I'm perfectly happy dropping a few hundred if I have a good time at the tables. Conversely, if I have a good session and bring home a few purple chips with a dealer who was stone faced the whole time - it's just not as fun.
     
  4. LAURLUVS2BOWL

    LAURLUVS2BOWL Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Messages:
    285
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
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    Thanks for your TR! Glad you can't wait to go back after one trip - you're one of us now! :)
     
  5. BackInVegas

    BackInVegas VIP Whale

    Joined:
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    Messages:
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    Another addict is born

    Or is it two?

    You sound perfect for Vegas. Your next trip wil have to be NORTH and Fremont Strret.

    Your husbamd is also perfect for Vegas. He drinks, he gambles, and he likes boobs.
     
  6. guapoxxx

    guapoxxx High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2007
    Messages:
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    Location:
    Jersey Shore
    Trips to Las Vegas:
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    Sounds like you had a nice time and appreciate the report! :nworthy:
     
    Annual Golf Trip
  7. VegasDiva

    VegasDiva VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2009
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    Location:
    Calgary , Alberta , Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
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    excellent report, glad you had a wonderful first trip
     
  8. KnowItAll

    KnowItAll VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2008
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    Location:
    Atlanta
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    Nice TR....glad u had fun
     
  9. peanutmnm

    peanutmnm Scotchy

    Joined:
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    Funniest line ever!

    Sounds like we share the same opinion of Mon Ami Gabi. The setting is great but most of the food is over rated.

    Nice job on the report.
     
  10. airball1996

    airball1996 High-Roller

    Joined:
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    Nothing like finishing a bottle of bubbly before lunch time when landing in Vegas. :)
     
  11. Rick1323

    Rick1323 Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Upstate NY
    Trips to Las Vegas:
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    I could actually feel your excitement. I have been to Vegas so many times I sometimes forget what an awesome adventure it must be for a complete newbie. Congratulations on the good sense to do a little homework before your trip! I'm sure it helped the experience.
     
  12. Mycatspot

    Mycatspot I drink my breakfast and play in my PJ's.

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    What a great first trip! You didn't try to do too much and just went with the flow. Shows, gaming, champagne, a fine hotel, a bit of sightseeing...perfect! Thanks for sharing your adventures with us!
     
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