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Trip Report 10/6-10/11 Bally's

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by Steve in RI., Oct 20, 2002.

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  1. Steve in RI.

    Steve in RI. Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2002
    Messages:
    582
    Location:
    Rhode Island
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    6

    My Trip Report

    Here's another belated trip report. Our day began with at 4 AM wake up call at the airport hotel in Boston. My wife Lynn and I live about an hour away in Rhode Island, and there was no way I could get up any earlier for a 6AM flight. We left on time, and had a change of planes in Cincinati. There was a lot of turbulance on the second flight. I slept on and off, but felt a surge of adrenaline as the 757 touched down at McCarron Airport about 10:05 local time.

    I went to get the luggage and Lynn went to the airport check-in counter which was a good thing. There was no line at the time, but quite a big one was forming by the time we got through. It was nothing compared to the line at Bally's. We grabbed the closest shuttle CLS, and with a minimal wait were on our way.

    Our room (2177) was ready even at this early hour and we went right upstairs. All our requests were honored; high floor, north tower, king bed, non- smoking. The room was large and nicely decorated. I liked it better than the "supposedly" upgraded room we stayed in at NYNY last year. The view was looking north on the strip. Nothing spectacular, but still plenty of neon. After unpacking, we went over to the Flamingo to try and catch up with a friend of ours from back east that was staying there, but to no avail. Had brunch at the buffet. It was nothing to excited about other than the nice view (We sat near the windows) but I hadn't eaten anything all day and was starved.

    We spent the rest of the afternoon picking up our show tickets for the week. After all the running around from Harrah's to Bellagio to New York, New York I was ready for a nap. Then it was time to head downtown for our anniversary dinner at Binion's Steakhouse. The prime rib was the best I've ever tasted, and Lynn enjoyed her filet minion. Service was also excellent. Dinner for 2 and one drink came to about $75-80 dollars.

    After being in Vegas for over 8 hours without placing a bet, it was now time to gamble! However, I was very dissapointed with Binion;s in this department. All the craps tables were packed, and the only blackjack that was open was $10 single deck. I'm more of a $5.00 player. I sat down and promptly lost $50.00. Lynn hit a nice payout on a Monopoly slot but I wanted to get out of there. We walked in and out of a few more casinos, and settled in at Golden Gate. They had a $3.00 single deck game. After about an hour, I still couldn't get anything going, but was about even. I had a shirmp cocktail and went back to Bally's. Played a little video poker before retiring, and hit 4 of a kind on a nickle machine.

    Monday:

    Woke up about 10:30 and went to the Paris buffet for breakfast. It was great! Enjoyed the made to order crepes. By the time we left, lunch was out but I was too full to partake. Next we did some shopping at Bally's. A family member had surprised us with a gift certificate! Played some more video poker, but didn't get anything going this time. Lynn was getting addicted to the Texas Tea slots. Had an early dinner at Fatburger and went over to NYNY to see Rita Rudner. We sat in the third row and it was thoroughly enjoyable.

    After the show, we had coffee and dessert at Krispy Kreme at the Excalibur. Played a little $5.00 BJ at Monte Carlo. Broke even after an hour. At that point, Lynn was tired so I took her back to Bally's. I hit the craps tables and got in on a really hot roll. The same shooter must have held the dice for about 45 minutes. The table stayed hot, and I ended the night up $200.

    Tuesday-

    Started the day with breakfast at Bally's buffet. It was lousy, the worst meal that I had on the trip! Both breakfast and lunch items were stale, and even the coffee was bad. I'm glad this was one of the meals the host had comped for us at the end of the stay. We had a 2 for 1 coupon for dinner later in the week, but were afraid to go back. The afternoon was uneventful. Spent some time at the pool.

    That night we went to go see O, catching a fountain show before heading in. I was a little leary on spending $100 each for a show, but I was not dissapointed. It really took my breath away, and I couldn't believe how fast it had gone by. Afterwards, had a late dinner at the Sidewalk Cafe at Bally's and went to Paris to do some more gambling. I had another profitable session at the Craps tables, but not like last night.

    Wednesday:

    Can't believe how fast the week is going! Had breakfast at the sidewalk cafe. MUCH better than Bally's buffet. After breakfast we went to the Eiffel Tower at Paris. The view seemed somewhat restricted by the safety cage, and was not as good as the view from the Stratosphere . We had a 2 for 1 coupon in the fun book, I don't think it is worth the $8.00 per head they charge. We spent most of the afternoon at the pool again.

    In the evening, we went to see Clint Holmes. It was another good show, although not as good as O. We also got a chance to meet him after the show. From there we went to hang out at the Venetian which we had not seen on our last trip. We ate the Grand Luxe Cafe. It was good, but not as good as The Cheesecake Factory in my honest opinion. The dessert selection is a lot more limited. Went back to Paris/ Bally's to gamble. I played blackjack over at Paris and went to bed $105 richer.

    Thursday-

    The last full day in Vegas, and I wanted to make the most of it. Went to brunch at the Ceasar's buffett. It was much better than Bally's but not as good as Paris. It was hard to find even a $10 minimum table in the casino, but eventually found a $10 BJ table. I only played for a short time but finished $25.00 ahead. Lynn also hit another good payout on a Texas Tea machine there too. That afternoon we used our 2 for 1 spa coupon at Bally's. I was too tired from all the walking to work out, so I spent the time relaxing in the steam room, sauna and spas.

    Had an early dinner at the Paris buffet. We got there before 5:30, so we paid the lunch price. It was a really good deal. Their selection is better than the usual buffet fare. I think this is the best buffet in Vegas. (I have not been to the Bellagio, so can't compare it with that). We then saw the early show of Jubilee. I was not that impressed. Without the 2 for 1 coupon, I would really be a waste of money.

    I tried some more to hit the royal flush on the progressive nickle machine, which now had climbed to over $800.00. I did hit a few four of a kinds though. I finally had a bad session at the tables, losing $100 at blackjack but I didn;t let that deter me as we were up for the trip. I went across the street to Flamingo, and won it back plus some more at craps. I staggered back to Bally's about 5:00 AM and decided to take a shot at the Megabucks before going to sleep. No luck there.

    Friday-

    Woke up about 10:00, and treated outselves to a nice room service breakfast. We normally never get room service but were in the mood to splurge since we were beating Vegas baby! They had given us a late checkout of 1:00 PM which was nice, since our plane didn't leave until 10:45 PM.

    After checking out, we stopped at the Desert Passage shops at Alladin. I was not very impressed, and though the Forum Shops at Ceasars had a lot more to offer. I wasn't planning on gambling today, but decided to go for it one more time at NYNY. I sat down at BJ. table and the guy next to me had absolutely no clue what he was doing. I usually don't let other people's play bother me, but he was getting on my nerves. I lost about $60 for the session, but Lynn did well at a Let it ride table.

    We walked over to MGM. for our final Vegas meal at the buffet. I liked the MGM buffet, but it would have been better if the crab legs and shirmp were already peeled. Took the monorail back to Bally's to catch the shuttle to McCarron. I was totally spent by this time, but couldn't fall asleep for too long on the first plane to Atlanta. The second plane I was crammed in like a sardine (Those 757's are awful!) and felt sick. We arrived in Boston 9:10 eastern time. When I finally got home about 1:30, I slept almost the full day!

    Overall, It was a very succesful trip. Between the two of us we were up almost $700. Other than the Bally's buffett and being charged $3.00 a day for the safe in the room, there was not much I didn't like. At $55.00 a night, Bally;s was a great deal and I would stay there again. On the next trip, I would like to stay downtown for a few nights, probably at the Golden Nugget. Will plan to be back in Vegas next year at this time.

    Thanks all for listening to this long report

    Steve in RI.
     
  2. chef

    chef Resident Buffetologist

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2002
    Messages:
    5,573
    Location:
    Illinois
    Steve in RI,
    This is a perfect trip report. It spells exactly everything in a concise, consistent manner and you are able to cover a lot of ground without being too wordy.
    What appealed to me about it was that early on, I was able to identify with you as the writer and subsequently used you as a measuring stick for various things you did on your trip. It helps me decide if should get see Clint Holmes or eat at the Paris buffet, etc.
    For example, that was interesting that you wondered if O was worth $100. That would also be me line of thinking. Not only did you say it was worth it, but you described it by saying how fast time went. That sold me on it.
    I can relate to your modus operandi.
     
  3. LV Terry

    LV Terry Captain Flop'N Fold

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2001
    Messages:
    3,957
    Location:
    Santa Barbara, CA, USA
    Excellent trip report! Thanks for sharing. Man, do I love the buffet at Paris, especially for breakfast....you're making me want to go back, and yesterday I was feeling burnt out! hahahaha that didn't last long, did it?

    Paris for breakfast, Cheesecake Factory for late lunch...dammit, now I'm hungry!! :D

    Hmmmm....better send some subtle emails to the wife today....do a little Christmas shopping at Ceasar's....

    Thanks Steve!
     
  4. Steve in RI.

    Steve in RI. Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2002
    Messages:
    582
    Location:
    Rhode Island
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    6
    Thanks for the comments. I enjoy reading the trip reports on this and other boards. Unfortuantly my next trip report won't be until next October. I already picked my 3 weeks of vacation for next year, and I'm going to Florida in March for sure. I have another week in July, but its too hot then. Already thinking about next years trip believe it or not. I want to see Mystere after seeing O to compare the two. I want to stay downtown for a few nights, so probably will stay at Golden Nugget and on the strip for a few.
     
  5. brooklyngirl

    brooklyngirl Tourist

    Joined:
    Apr 11, 2002
    Messages:
    230
    Location:
    New York
    Great trip report! I hope ours is as good as yours (we're leaving on Sat.)

    Funny that you would say that about "O", my husband was wondering the same thing. We're going on 11/12. I have no doubt that it's worth the $$$
     
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