1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

not so great trip (July 29 - Aug 2, IP)

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by letsgo2vegas, Aug 13, 2010.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. letsgo2vegas

    letsgo2vegas Tourist

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2010
    Messages:
    105
    Location:
    CA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    18

    My Trip Report

    Well, hello again!!!
    I've been debating whether to write a TR, since the trip was not very good, but i decided to share the bad together with the good :eek:

    Players: Me (Female, 40), my dad (Male obviously:haha:, 72) and my friend Mark who joined us on Sat afternoon. this was my dad's first trip to Vegas...he lives in Greece and they come here to see me and the kids. My mom did not want to partake, plus had babysitting duty since hubby was working some weird hours. Thanks Mom!!!!

    Our flight was supposed to be leaving OAK at 7:55 p.m. I left work around 5 p.m. went home, packed last minute stuff and hubby drove us to the airport, with my 5 yr old son who was asking me if i can take him to Vegas when he is 30:kiss:

    Flight was delayed...originally till 9, then 8:45, then 9:30 then the crew was coming from another gate...finally left around 10...just GREAT, huh????:grrr:

    Anywho, arrive in Las, hop in a cab, arrive at IP (we had 2 rooms (mine comped) because i wanted to come and go without any questions, plus my dad snores, plus i am a closet smoker:nono: :ssst:and only a couple people know i smoke not even hubby...he is a doctor:nono:) and there are about 20 people in line with only 2-3 people working :bang: they are working at capacity but their capacity is very limited...anyway tried the $20 trick, sorry no cant do cause you are staying for 4 nights. She gave the $20 back and we got our rooms on different floors, yeah!!!!!!!

    I just went to bed and woke up around 7. went down to get me a coffee and play while having my first smoke:eek:. I think i played for about an hour coming out even...a mix of $ and penny slots.
    I took a shower and became pretty and called my dad to go for breakfast. we went to Bellagio and had the buffet, Now, this is a Friday around 10:30. I think it was the first time i had eaten at the bellagio breakfast buffet on a weekday and i was not that impressed. it did not help that it was close to lunch and they were running out of breakfast foods and not uncovering the lunch thingies.
    After that we played at Bellagio...not good -$100 in about 10 min...an omen for things to come!

    After that we went to Bally's and played a bit there...at some point i sat at a 4 machine and it gave me about $400 in a couple pulls, money which i promptly fed to other little machines.
    We walked back to the IP stopping at all the casinos along the way where i was depositing money left and right. Ok, time for a nap and another smoke at the calm of my room!

    Dinner was the Paris buffet, where the line was big but not really moving...anyway, the food was worth it...it always is. i especially like their desserts and their vanilla custard ice cream, yam, yam!
    Bloated we made our way to the casino where i procceeded to loose another couple hundies and licking my wounds went back to the hotel, slowly bleeding $20 along the way, although i won some money at craps and BJ. Back in the room it's time to survey the damage...about $600 down...nice job!
    oh, well it is gambling money and tomorrow is another day!

    Wake up, go down for coffee and playing and sigy and i see my dad (7:30 a.m.!!!!!) plopped in a machine. My Dad loved Vegas and loved the machines...evidently! so, of course, i just get my coffee and go up in the room again...we meet later and decide no breakfast since we are still full from dinner.
    i decide to take him down to South strip, so we go to Excalibur and then luxor and then Mandalay Bay. We play along the way...me slowly loosing and then we had some sushi at MB...nice sushi...not too much but you wouldn't know that from the bill ($100!!!!!!!). After lunch i persuade dad to catch a cab and go back to the hotel while i stay and play and later meet with Mark at NYNY. indeed, that's what i do and end up at NYNY where i played and won about $500 on a 4 machine...at least i am even for the day. I meet up with Mark in his room, (done in dark chocolates and beiges...nice room) and then we go. Mark wants to play 7-card stud so off to the Mirage we he inquires about stud (no banana) and i go to make reservations for later at the brazilian restaurant (Samba). Then i go to fetch my dad since he can be lost in a room all alone...but not before i stop to play some slots at the mirage and harrahs with mixed results.
    Get dad who has been playing and drinking pina coladas and go to the mirage. The food is great, especially the lamb and the teriyaki flank steak!!!!
    On the way out we get Rhumbar drinks to go (i like the glasses too). I am going back to IP to change shoes, because i got blisters from the silver high heeled sandals i have been wearing to show off my very pretty toes, made even prettier with rockstar pedi in blinding bling bling red glitter, while the "boys" catch a cab to go to the bellagio to see about a stud game.
    i meet them at bellagio...after all this walking i feel much lighter. Bellagio has a stud game, yeayyyy! a $20-40 stud game to be exact but it is full and it is a little too rich for Mark. We hang around for a while and then go back to our respective hotels.
    Of course we walk back stopping at all the casinos along the way, sipping pina coladas and having a bonding father-daughter time. i get along great with my dad and we both have the same sense of humor, but he tends to ask too many questions (why are you doing this, why aren't you doing that...Dad, I am frikking 40 years old!!!!! i have a PhD, a great job, married to a great guy, two kids...I can do whatever the hell i WANT!!!!!!!). But i digress:rolleyes2:
    We have a good time, but i am not winning anything. Back at the room to smoke a sigy, lick my wounds again and account for the damage...another $400 in the hole...ouch....we reached the $1,000 mark :cry:.

    to be continued...
     
  2. Gaggles

    Gaggles VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 28, 2009
    Messages:
    10,054
    Location:
    Calgary Area
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    We have all felt the pain of the losing upon losing trip. The only thing to do is....chase for the win!!!!!!!!!!
     
    I Like to Drink and Gamble
  3. ardee

    ardee It's only money.

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2007
    Messages:
    9,984
    Location:
    SoCal
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    110
    I'm with Gaggles on this.
    A losing trip to Vegas beats just about any other kind of trip.
    Thank you for deciding to write about it.
    I'm looking forward to your next installment. :thumbsup:
    Your son is cute for waiting til he's 30. My little nephew is ready to go when he's 21! :faint:
     
  4. letsgo2vegas

    letsgo2vegas Tourist

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2010
    Messages:
    105
    Location:
    CA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    18
    He really wants to go now...i promised him i'll take him sometime soon(this will be a no gambling trip for me obviously), but he settled at 30...i told him i'll take him for his 21st if he still wants to hang out with me.
    at the same car ride he also mentioned that he will be getting $30 a week allowance when he is 30!!!!!!!:cheers: (we give the kids $1/week for every year of age)...so then i turned to my dad and said "maybe you should start giving me $40 every week".
     
  5. Tuna

    Tuna High-Roller

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2009
    Messages:
    918
    this.

    I appreciate you writing this up, it sucks to relive it but at least you get to vent. Your TR is keeping me grounded, I had this trip in Feb, then won in June so since my last trip was a winner I feel like I'm a lock to win this trip...til I read this. I now remember how I felt during the losing trip so I'm not as confident this will be a winning trip.
     
  6. LAURLUVS2BOWL

    LAURLUVS2BOWL Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 4, 2009
    Messages:
    285
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    28
    I too had a 'not so great' trip gambling wise - came home on Monday (8/9) and have been debating whether to post my TR....but i suppose i will! Will just have to wait til i'm in the mood to write it out (haha)!
     
  7. jgates8

    jgates8 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2007
    Messages:
    8,749
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    23
    I have been working at my losing report too. I try to write a few more lines each night. Would have been done a LONG time ago if it were a winning report!!
     
    Easter again..:
  8. VegasDiva

    VegasDiva VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2009
    Messages:
    3,104
    Location:
    Calgary , Alberta , Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    16
    Most of my trips are *losing* ones , monetary wise as I usually take about 1000.00 to 1200.00 to tide me over for 4-5 nights, to include gambling on slots, meals, cabs, other entertainment, some shopping, as I try not to use the cred card ....

    After 6 trips to vegas, the most I've come home with is about $250.00 ...... this last trip we came back with $58.00 lol but it was still a winning trip as I got to go to Vegas and spend time with my darlin hubby, who had never been to Vegas before

    I always feel like a winner tho after each trip because I have spent time with great friends or family. Who says money can't buy happiness:evillaugh

    Enjoying your TR Glad your dad seems to be having a great time too!
     
  9. sabrina

    sabrina Low roller

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2009
    Messages:
    622
    Location:
    TN
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    45
    What did you think of the IP?
     
    Seinfield
  10. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2009
    Messages:
    16,023
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    175
     
  11. Rick1323

    Rick1323 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2009
    Messages:
    307
    Location:
    Upstate NY
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    200
    >> I am going back to IP to change shoes, because i got blisters from the silver high heeled sandals i have been wearing to show off my very pretty toes, made even prettier with rockstar pedi in blinding bling bling red glitter<<

    This.....this is why all trip reports require pictures!
     
  12. unomas

    unomas High-Roller

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
    Messages:
    800
    Location:
    South Jersey
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    Like Joe, I am a little curious how your hubby doesn't know? I am a non-smoker and when I walk through a cloud of smoke from the car to my job, my wife notices 11 hours later when I get home from work (she does have a super sniffer, but I also notice it on my scrubs when I take them off!).
     
  13. jhl3

    jhl3 Vegas Regular

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2009
    Messages:
    488
    Location:
    San Antonio, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    20
    Losing trips are no fun, but $1000 to bound with your father, probably a worthwhile trade.
     
  14. BackInVegas

    BackInVegas VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2008
    Messages:
    1,809
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    I liked the report

    All those big buildings are not built because they give money away.

    It is tough to come out ahead in Las Vegas with tips and cabs. I try to walk when solo. If you include your plane ticket, then you are further behind. I always include my plane ticket as a cost to go out there when I truly am figuring my wins and losses.

    When I am entertaining, tips seem to be more than my gambling.
     
  15. Blonde_4_ever

    Blonde_4_ever LasVegas4ever.com

    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2006
    Messages:
    2,442
    Location:
    Southern Ontario
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    I always expect to lose my gambling money...then if I don't I am pleasantly surprised!! LOL!
    Enjoying your report!
     
  16. letsgo2vegas

    letsgo2vegas Tourist

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2010
    Messages:
    105
    Location:
    CA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    18
    part 2

    So!!!!!!!
    I am just up to my eyebrows with work, thus the delay in posting the rest of the story.
    First a few quick replies to inquiring minds re smoking:
    I smoke 1-1.5 packs a week, usually at work or late at night when hubby is on call. I wash up before going home and i have mints etc. A couple friends who are in the know say i do not smell, but yes, there is a definite possibility hubby knows and chooses to let it slide...Good hubby!!!!!!!

    Wake up Sunday morning same routine...i go downstairs and find my dad plopped in a machine...the same one no less!!!! He really liked the gambling. He had been to other casinos YEARS ago but never to Vegas and he was in awe. Actually he wants to go back before they leave for Greece in September...i don't think I can take him. I offered to make all travel arrangements for him and mom to go alone and give them directions etc for places to go and eat and such, but mom does not want to go (she is your perennial party pooper) and he does not want to go alone. But now i have currency to make them come and visit more often:)

    On to the day then!!!!
    I say hi to dad and get my coffee and play with him a bit. We call Mark and he says he called Sam's Town and they have a stud game so he will meet us in our hotel in an hour to go there. I get ready and we get in a cab to go to Sam's town. Now, the last time i went to Boulder Hwy i took a cab to Eastside Cannery and it was like @25 bucks. The cab driver now decided to take the freeway...i know there is something wrong and i ask him "are you sure this is faster?" he says "yes,yes" and the final bill is like $45. I really wanted to call taxicab authority but i was with the guys so i let it slide. We go in Sam's Town and i instruct my dad to use my card in the little machines. Mark finds his stud game and we agree to meet up in about an hour to check on each other. I go upstairs where the WOF-like $ machines are not nice to me and i am down $300 in less than 20 min.
    but then i find some new penny slots and playing max bet i manage to get a few very decent bonus rounds so i come up about even. Meanwhile, zilch drink service...NOTHING!!!!! So much so that i decide to go BUY a bottle of water...WTF??????
    Mark is done with his poker, having dropped his $100 but having had a great time. Now we need to find dad...When they came i got them a cell phone...but in Vegas dad is so absorbed that he ignores it and i have to call him 15 times before he realises it is ringing and these nice flashing lights are not just for decoration. Argggghhhhhhh!!!!:grrr:
    a parenthesis here: My dad was a huge ocean-liner ship captain for YEARS. He was in charge of the crew and the multi million dollar freights and ships and he was considered an elite captain. My father in law was in US Airforce, a pilot having been in Korea, also in charge of a multi million dollar machine...we often wonder with hubby what the heck happened to these 2 guys and now they behave like my 5 yr old son...wait he at least knows the directions to places!!!!! and they seem so utterly lost and unable to maneuver simple everyday situations. How come my dad cannot for the life of him cash in his tickets at the little machine even after i showed him a couple times?????????? Sometimes i feel i am the mom and him the child. Anyway!!!!:grrr:

    We take the shuttle back to harrahs. Mark goes up to my room to take a nap and my dad goes to his room to take a nap. I go play!!!!!!!!
    First off is CASINO ROYALE!!!!!!!! Hey, they have High-limit slots. Hmmm, these are new have not seen them before. Well, since they are in Casino royale they must be paying good, no?????? WROOOOOOONG!!!!!!!! $400 out before i am able to get a drink!!!!!
    Just splendid...and it is not that i am loosing, more is that i do not really get to play much...I am generally ok when i lose but i have played for some time but when you see the money just dissappearing it is neither entertaining nor cool. I go to play some pennies and they give me back about $60.
    Walked back to Harrahs where i have a $100 ticket from yesterday. I play some $ deal or no deal and after a while i get the bonus rouns where the final offer is something like $290....the values left are $50 and $750 0r something like that. I choose NO DEAl and my suitcase has of course, you guessed it!!!! $50!!!!!! Big woopdy dooooo!!!!!
    I then played INSTANT SPIN!!!! at $5 a pop it is a bit rich but hey, last time it had given me $500. Now not so much the first $100 disappears and the second gets down to $15 when INSTANT SPIN WINNER!!!!!!!! finally...let's see "you've won TWO instant spins!!!!!" Ok, first one is $35 and second is $25, woo hooo!!!!!!!
    then off i am to WOF. A couple WOF spins are small and then a big one!!!! $500!!!! Well, at least i am breaking even!
    They have removed the little martians $ machines....why?????? I play some other stuff and then a machine i have never seen before...it has a side panel with a guy that gives bonus stuff. anyway, after a couple spins i hit the bonus round and i get about $300. ok at least i am up a little bit (how much sweeter it is to get some money after you have lost it!!!!) and i have put a TON of point in the card. time to go back to the IP.

    A few words about the IP. The weird smell is mostly gone, and this time the elevators seem to be working A LOT faster! the rooms are plain, but were clean and they have balconies, which is a HUGE plus for me, as i like some fresh air at night...the AC makes my nose bleed, plus i can jjust go in the balcony to have a sig and not stink up the room. Believe it or not i think cigarettes stink!!!!. That's the main reason i stay there and the fact that they are mid strip. Also, drink service is good and from the casino to your room is not a 10 min hike. The main bar also makes very nice rum drinks! BTW, I have NEVER eaten there!!!!

    to be continued!!!
     
  17. letsgo2vegas

    letsgo2vegas Tourist

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2010
    Messages:
    105
    Location:
    CA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    18
    Interested in the blisters or the rockstar pedi?????
    blisters are now gone, but i can take a tootsie foto if you wish :cheers:
     
  18. letsgo2vegas

    letsgo2vegas Tourist

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2010
    Messages:
    105
    Location:
    CA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    18
    Plane tickets are usually free. i travel for work and have the SWA card so i get 2-3 free tickets, which then i sell :nono: :evillaugh, so it comes out totally free.
    i read your report...wish you were related to me too:cheers:
     
  19. Rick1323

    Rick1323 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Sep 16, 2009
    Messages:
    307
    Location:
    Upstate NY
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    200
    The Rock star pedi of course!! And yes, pictures please!
     
  20. klacey

    klacey Tourist

    Joined:
    Jul 23, 2010
    Messages:
    45
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    Loving this!! Sorry for your losses :-\ I really appreciate all of your details!
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.