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.

A Vegas Virgin No Longer - Aug. 23rd thru Aug. 27th

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by RamBill, Aug 30, 2004.

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

    RamBill Tourist

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2004
    Messages:
    2,468
    Location:
    west hartford, CT

    My Trip Report

    Hey guys,

    I have finally caught up enough on my sleep to be able to write a coherent trip report. Alas, it will not be anywhere near as good as Typhinie's or Sin's but here goes.....

    Monday morning 3:30 am: After posting my drunken ramblings, I stumbled off to get a few hours sleep. I set the alarm for what I believe to be 5 am. This way I can gradually awaken and get out the door by 6:30. Hmmm....alarm doesn't go off - good thing i really didn't fall asleep. Seems I set it for 5 PM :rolleyes: !!! Oh well!! I'm still up and out the door, taking CT's finest transportation to the airport (ie the bus!). 9:30 am flight on USAIR to Pittsburgh and then from Pitts to Vegas. Flights are smooth and uneventful. Had window seats which always makes me a happy puppy. I get a great view of Lake Mead and Vegas in general as we fly in. I'm psyched! I'm finally here! I was smart enough to pack only a carry on so I didn't need to deal with baggage claim. Hop over to the airport checkin where there are only a few people ahead of me. I have my 20 ready,folded and visible between my license and credit card and nicely inquire about upgrades. I'm told 20 a night extra for a deluxe room, 40 for a mini, 60 etc. I ask is there anything possible complimentary and told no. Ok, the 20 goes back into my wallet and I take the "regular" room. Catch the shuttle over to the Flamingo - no hassles and only about a 10 minute trip. Up to my room. Well, if this is regular, what the heck is deluxe?? I'm on the 18th floor facing the pool and refuge with a good view of the mountains beyond. My room and bathroom are huge with a King bead, sofa, table, desk, and and armoir where the tv is. No mini-bar which is fine with me!! I unpack and head down to Margaritaville for lunch. Up to the 3rd floor deck and out into the wonderful sun and heat (it stayed in the mid to upper 90s all week). After the cold and rainy summer we have ahd in CT, it is really nice to feel the sun and heat! Order up the first of many margs and had a very good burger. It was actually cooked medium rare instead of being incinerated into a hockey puck!! A few more margs and a couple of "I'm in Vegas" phone calls and I'm ready to start hittin' the tables! Up to the room to grab the night's stake and off to the casino. I had budgeted myself to 300 a day to gamble with. First off I hit a few of the million or so slot machines that pack the Flamingo. In what must have been all of 15 minutes, 100.00 is gone! Ok, slots suck! Off to find some blackjack. Hmmmm it seems all they have is 6:5!! No Freakin Way!!!! I circle round a few times and finally find a multi-deck 3:2 10.00 table with what has to be the hottest (ie luckiest) dealer in town! Another Bennie gone! Ok, the night's still young, lets try Craps. Since I've never played before I should hopefully have a little beginners luck. Ya right!!!!! I only bet the pass line with odds (10.00 min table) and zing!!! Another Hundy says sayonara sucker!!! Gee, it's been like maybe an hour and a half and my stake is gone! It's like 6 o'clock. Now what am I going to - go back to my room? B.S. on that!!! I pick myself up, dust myself off, grab another hundred and head next door to the Barbary Coast. I had just received their Club Coast card in the mail before I left. As soon as I walked in I caught good vibes! I liked this place! The casino is small an cozy and I like the way its decorated. Lots of 5.00 tables of 3:2, 3 deck blackjack, 3 card and pai gow poker. People are whooping it up and seem to be having a good time. I sit down at a table with a wiseassed dealer named Larry and I know I'm home!! He's busting my ass with each deal and I'm laughing and giving it right back at him. There are actually waitresses here and the margs are flowing fast and furious. The best part is, I'm winning and they're actually rating my play! I'm smart enough to know that I've got a good thing going with this dealer so whenever he got switched or took a break, so did I. Around midnite I happen to catch one of the pit boasses, Adam, just to tell him what fun I'm having, ask him the time and where could I get something to eat. "Oh, you haven't eaten? What would you like? Here have dinner on us". OMG!!! my first comp ever and I didn't even ask for it! Had a decent T-bone which always tastes better free, and back to the tables. The pit boss's shifts change and now there's Cheryl watching my end of the casino. Larry is still dealing. At this time a group of lovely young ladies from Texas show up. They are celebrating one of the girls' 21st birthday. There's a few guys with them and they're all drunk and happy! They sit down and we proceed to have a good ol' time! They know squat about playing and are begging me and Larry for help. Larry's busting them, I'm "helping" them and we are all winning. It was a blast. They wouldn't let me go - kept claiming I was their good luck charm and kept giving me hugs and kisses on the cheek (which made this old geezer feel good!!) every time we won. By the time 4:30 rolled around, I was too tired and drunk to see the cards anymore. Stumbled back to the Flamingo and off to bed for a few hours. Got up around 11 and counted my money from the past night. $600.00!! That certainly took the sting out of the Flamingo's spanking!! Had a wretched breakfast at the Flamingo's buffet. DON'T EVER EAT THERE!!! That is all that needs to be said! Time to walk the strip and be the tourist. Walked out the door and headed south. I walked down to the Mandalay Bay walking through every place on the way signing up for their slot clubs. Bally's was 'eh'. I enjoyed Paris and Alladin. The Trop was ok - won a polo shirt in their slot tournament and hit a blackjack using their 15.00 for 10.00 matchplay coupon but didn't like the feel of the place. By this time my dogs are starting to bark so I couldn't do Mandalay justice. Walked through Luxor - too dark for me but would love to go back for their hold-em lessons and tournaments. Skipped the Excaliburm and by this time was too sore to go through NYNY, Bellagio, or Caesars. I ended up with massive blisters on my feet even though I was wearing good walking sneakers!! I didn't see any porn slappers out and about and only saw one homeless couple, who hit me up for a cigarette as I was lighting one up. Since he was very polite and only asked for 1 to share between the 2 of them, I gave them several. They were very appreciative and I appreciated that they didn't hit me up for money. Hobbled back to my room to rest a bit as I was going downtown that night to meet several people from the LVA board at MSS. I took the monorail down to the Sahara, and wandered around a bit lost searching for the bust stop to catch the 108. Found it (across the street from the monorail!!!) and hopped on. Now I am very used to taking public transportation because that is how I get to work and I generally feel safe. My normal bus goes through one of Hartford's many ghettos and I don't ever feel unsafe. Plus, although short, I am not that small a guy (think of an older "mini me" version of Hurricane Mikey!). Well, being on this bus with 150.00 in my wallet left me feeling like a piece of chum invited to a shark frenzy!! The looks I was getting did not leave me with the warm fuzzies!!! Got off downtown with incident and headed to MSS. Had a great M&G there. Met some very nice people. Stayed downtown with one of the guys and we hit a few of the casinos. First the GN. Got our club cards, sat at the bar to drink and play a little VP. No free drinks while playing there!! Ok, no prob. 20.00 went in, 2 minutes later $40.00 comes out! We go over to some dollar slots. $20 goes in, 2 minutes later $100.00 comes out!! My bud, by the way, is not hitting anything. Over to Binions. It's not at all empty as some people have recently written. Got our club cards, sat down at a nickle slot and bang! $160.00 hit! My first hand pay!! WOOHOO!!!! Al hits nothing. I'm now up $200.00. Out onto the street to grab some yard drinks at Mermaids (should have hit La Bayou - but forgot!). Got some Bananna drink with 151 rum - very tasty! Watched the light show and listened to some fiddler (last name of Van Wie) not too shabby a player. After that over to the Golden Gate for shrimp cocktails and a corned beef sandwich for dinner. Caught a cab back to the strip and checked out Harrahs where the guy I was hangin with was staying. Said our nice ta meet ya's and I'm off, back to the Coast. Larry and Adam are there and once again I'm there until 4 in the am. This time it's a combination of Blackjack and, for the first time, 3 card poker. I hit a couple of flushes and straights and am up a little. Adam comps me a breakfast for the next night and Cheryl the night boss, comps me dinner! I think Cheryl did that cause a group of very obnoxious drunk Aussies had sat down at my table and were hassling her and the dealer. Lost the 200 I won downtown but hey, free meals and booze! Wednesday, up at 11 again. The dogs aren't just barking, they're snarling and biting!! Limp over to the Victorian room for breakfast and then back to the Flamingo's pools. Swam and sunned most of the day catching some much needed rest. Back to the Victorian for a prime rib dinner. That night I was meeting a couple from the previous night's M&G who were staying there at the Coast. They showed me their room - no bad!! A little small but hey, still a king sized bed and a heck of a lot cheaper than the Flamingo! We played some craps - lost 100.00 again!! Played some Monopoly penny slots with them for the fun of it and had exactly that - fun! They went off to bed and I hit the tables again. Kept to blackjack and won another $300.00. 4:30 am and off to bed with another slip for a comped breakfast again. Up again at 11 (a pattern is developing!) and this time I decide my feet are gonna bite the bullet and do more touring. I cross over to Caesars and walk around there. Had a crappy lunch at their food court - will never eat there again especially when there are so many nicer places to eat! But at that time, I really felt like having a burger. Went over to the Mirage to check it out. I liked it. I would definitely consider staying there sometime. From the Mirage it's over to the Venetian. One word - Opulant! Yes it does look very much like Venice. It is definitely for couples! Now I am really feeling beat and hungover and I head back to my room to chill, read and nap. Oh yeah, the previously missing porn slappers are now out in force. Also, since it's on my way back I might as well check out O'sheas, Casino Royale, the Carnival court (get shirts for the kids) and the IP. Play my matchplay coupons there and win a few bucks. I decided that I would splurge on dinner that night but my feet were hurting too much to go very far. I ended up eating at Ventuno's at the Flamingo. Excellent!! After the breakfast buffet fiasco, I was concerned about eating there but my fears were quickly put to rest. My meal was fantastic and so was the service! I started off with a very creamy and flavorful polenta and wild mushroom appetizer that would have sufficed as a meal. Had an excellent Caesar's salad and a very tender and tasty veal and eggplant dish. The angel hair pasta that accompanied it had a delicious fresh tomato sauce that was redolant with fresh slivers of garlic that were quickly pan seared in EV olive oil. I was completely stuffed. I also had a couple of glasses of a very nice chianti. After resting a bit, it was back to the Barbary. Adam and Larry were off so I knew my luck mat be spotty. I was right. After a couple of hours of blackjack, I was down about $350.00. The dealers that were on, chuckled when I came in saying gee, Bill you're early!! Enough of Blackjack - let's try 3 card poker! Since this was my last night of gambling, I wasn't going to just play minimum bets. So, out with $20 - $25 on the pair plus and the ante. On the second hand I get dealt trip 6's. $250.00 - thank you very much!! It's so nice getting those pink and black chips! Played it loose the rest of the night going up and down and having a lot of fun with the table. At one point during the night, an elderly Chinese gentleman sat down to plaw and was having a nice run of luck. His wife came by, started screaming at him and grabbing his chips! The two of them were just screaming and telling grabbing the chips out of each other's hands! It was hilarious!! He ultimately won out and stayed with his chips. When he left, he was up about 7 -800 bucks!!! I hope he waved those chips under his wife's nose!! Seeing as the next day was my last and I had to check out by noon, I called it an early night around 1 am. One of the Pit Bosses, Bob, comped me a breakfast when I said good night and good-bye to him. I will be writing a letter to the Station Casinos to let them know how their people mad my trip so enjoyable. Woke up at 10 and called the front desk to see about a late check out. Was told no - we are booked solid and you need to be out by 11. I said no, by 12. She said no - 11!! I said, gee, the booklet given to me when I checked in says that checkout is at noon. Oh, and it also says that right here on the phone! Very quietly she agrees to let me stay until 12 - how nice! :rolleyes: . Check out was easy and they let me keep a room key so that I could hang out at the pool. I checked my bag with the bellmen, bought a few books and headed poolside. Stayed there until 5:30 or so, reading and chatting with some very lovely ladies from Missouri. Ate dinner at Margaritaville so that I could end my trip the way it started and caught the 8:00 shuttle to the airport. On the3 plane by 11:00 pm and into Pittsburgh at 6:00 am EST. No hassles and caught a little shut eye on the plane. Another quick hop from Pitts to Bradley, and I'm home! Since I came home with money in my pocket - $600.00 and no charges on the CC's, I treated myself to a cab ride home. Time to plan the next trip!!

    P.S. Oh, Mr. Thompson, sir? this is NOT the Vegas wrote about! For one thing, the great red shark would sit wallowing in traffic overheating and the bats would surely get you!

    Observations:

    Too many families!!!! Kids do not belong in Vegas!! If you want a family vacation where you can gamble, take them to the Bahamas!!!! They'll have a lot more fun and so will you!!

    Where are all the foxy cocktail waitresses that Whassup was complaining about??

    I actually felt sorry for the porn slappers - Geesh! what a way to have to make a living!!

    Didn't see any hookers - wasn't really looking either.

    5 days alone in Vegas is too much for this old dog! 3 nights would have been about right.


    BRING ON MARCH MADNESS!!!
     
  2. vikkign

    vikkign Tourist

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2004
    Messages:
    77
    Location:
    Arkansas
    Great trip report! Sounds like you had a great time and a winning trip!! I have never played at Barbary Coast but after reading your report I plan to. And the late night every night. [​IMG]
     
  3. WickedNails

    WickedNails Guest

    Thanks for the trip report. Are you hooked now? After our first trip several years ago, we couldn't think of anything else but returning.

    Hoping to sneak out this coming weekend if we can find a decent hotel rate!

    I do agree about too many families, however, we have taken our kids on occasion, but they are older kids and shopping and eating is their thrill!

    [ August 30, 2004, 12:36 PM: Message edited by: WickedNails ]
     
  4. Big Tex

    Big Tex Tourist

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2003
    Messages:
    55
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    15
    Great report.... The "Minnie Me" of Hurricane Mikey was laugh out loud funny....
     
  5. Typhinie

    Typhinie Tourist

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2003
    Messages:
    399
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Great Trip Report!!

    I know how you feel about the blisters! [​IMG] Mine are finally feeling close to normal. I swear it doesn't matter how comfortable your shoes are, there is always a chance that you might get them!

    Sounds like you had a great time! Five days would be too much for me also. But I'm glad you lived it up though, I am very proud!
     
  6. Gator5220

    Gator5220 Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2004
    Messages:
    180
    Location:
    Florida
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    27
    Thanks for taking time to write and post your trip report, I enjoyed reading it. I'll be staying at the BC and Flamingo in a few weeks so your report was very timely for me.

    "I will be writing a letter to the Station Casinos to let them know how their people mad my trip so enjoyable." -- You should probably write the people at Coast Casinos also.

    [ August 31, 2004, 12:37 AM: Message edited by: Gator5220 ]
     
  7. RamBill

    RamBill Tourist

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2004
    Messages:
    2,468
    Location:
    west hartford, CT
    LOL meant the Coast!! I was still pretty bleary eyed when I wrote this.
     
  8. KathyinNY

    KathyinNY Tourist

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2002
    Messages:
    847
    Location:
    Upstate New York
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    2
    Great trip report. Felt like I was walking with you the whole way.

    My husband and I would like to stay at the Flamingo on our next trip (which hopefully will be next year). Is their pool area as nice as I've heard? Suggestions appreciated. Oh - hubby and I are in our late 30's. We loved the Harrah's Carnival Bar the last time we were in Vegas.
     
  9. dkbk

    dkbk High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2003
    Messages:
    515
    Location:
    Yardley, PA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    2
    Thanks for the report. I am going to have to try 3 card poker. Blackjack just did not do it for me this time.
     
  10. RamBill

    RamBill Tourist

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2004
    Messages:
    2,468
    Location:
    west hartford, CT
    VegasKathy,

    The Flamingo has an excellent pool area. Another + I forgot to mention in my report was that my room was right around the corner from the elevators! Ages of the guests ran from the 20 somethings to the 80 somethings.
     
  11. JR Swift

    JR Swift VIP Whale

    Joined:
    May 15, 2004
    Messages:
    1,068
    Location:
    Lawrence, KS
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    40
    Sounds like some fine marathon gambling...also enjoy the BC. Just to clear this up, Coast casinos were bought out by Boyd, the people who have Sam's Town, Stardust, etc. So I guess you could write a letter to Boyd. [​IMG]
     
  12. boxcars

    boxcars High-Roller

    Joined:
    May 19, 2004
    Messages:
    603
    Location:
    North Dakota
    Nice report! I enjoyed reading it, and wishing the days pick up the pace for my next venture!
     
  13. sin

    sin VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2004
    Messages:
    4,179
    Location:
    Albuquerque
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    Bill, great report! And your's is better than mine because your's is done and mine isn't! Glad to hear you brought home money too! That is always a plus in my book!
     
  14. RamBill

    RamBill Tourist

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2004
    Messages:
    2,468
    Location:
    west hartford, CT
    Thanks for all the great feedback!! And to Mikey,
    Hey Bro, You Gotta Go!!! I'm sure the rates will drop soon!
     
  15. doctor_al

    doctor_al VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2002
    Messages:
    11,670
    Location:
    Twin Cities
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    18
    Nice report. Sounds like I've gotta work harder to get on a table at the BC, it's always pretty full when I'm in there.
     
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.