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Trip Report, 4 nights at Mirage and UFC fan expo/UFC 148

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by AceRothstein80, Jul 9, 2012.

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  1. AceRothstein80

    AceRothstein80 Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Wichita Kansas
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    My Trip Report

    Just got back from a great 4th of July weekend trip, my 12th to vegas, 1st at Mirage

    I flew out on the 4th, arrived at The Mirage right around 1230 Vegas time. I had a free flight from my frequent flyer points, and ontop of that 3 of the 4 nights comped at Mirage. They comp upgraded me to a tower deluxe room, because they did not have a dbl queen room for my arrival night, even though thats what I booked. I had a roomate coming so a King was not good, but they gave me the better room and a free rollaway so it worked out very well. It was an awesome room. Very cool decor, nice bed. good view from the 25th floor, I looked out at Wynn/Palazzo/Venetian and the Volcano. Had a jetted soaker tub and walk in shower in a pretty good sized bathroom. Best room I have ever been in Vegas

    First thing was I hooked up with my buddy who was already there staying at the Wynn. He met me at the Mirage and we played some video poker(I had $100 free play), both lost and then We went down to Pampas for some good grub. I went to the vegas fight shop in the mall to see what the autograph sessions were gonna be for UFC fighters. After that, we went back to the Wynn. I thought my room at the Mirage was nicer than his. Maybe not just nicer, his was nice...but I liked mine better cuz of the decor and stuff. They were roughly the same size and both had similar features. We hooked up with his roomate, and we went out and drank heavily. It was the first time I have drank much in months. We bounced from Wynn-Gilleys-Piano Bar at Harrahs-Carnival Court. Drank very heavily, talked and danced with as many girls as we could. We finished up eating a greasy breakfast at bills, and I stumbled back to The Mirage around 530am.

    Day 2 was a loss. I have not been drinking much lately as I said. The boozen from day 1 TKOd me. Ive had many drunken Vegas nights, and never really was hungover before. This time it got me. I tried greasy food, sweatin it out by the Mirage pool, downing asprin and alkaseltzer, drinking tons of water n gatorade. None of it helped, I was hurtin and lethargic. I hit the Mirage pool, which as reviews promised was too crowded IMO. People putting towels down on chairs and you never see them there. it's very nice but, I dont like the over crowded aspect. I walked over to tao beach. i wa shocked how small it was. There was no cover, so thats why i went, just to see. There was some smokin hot women there, but in my sad sack hungover state, I couldnt muster up the ability to have some drinks n hang out. So I walked around it and headed back for a nap. Then I got up, headed back to miracle mile to meet the first ufc person, the ring girl brittney. I got an autographed calender and a pic with her. Then, back to mirage. I shot some craps while I waited for my buddy who was rooming with me to arrive. He got there late, we put his stuff away, and met our other friends at casino royal, because of there $1.75 beers. They started pounding, while I choked downa couple slowly. I just didnt have it in me, so I retired early. It was funny, I heard my roomate come back in, it was daylight out, not sure but atleast 530-6am.. he walked in and did a header right onto the rollaway with all his clothes on. Those lst 4 steps from the door to the bed were probably the last bit of energy he had lol, he litterally face planted onto the bed.

    Day 3 I hit hash house a go-go for my fav breakfast and headed to Mandalay Bay for the ufc stuff. The fan expo was ok, but too much waiting in line. I never met any big name guys cuz the lines were atrocious. I met(over course of 2 days) and got pics with Jim Miller, Daniel Cormier, Mike Chiesta, Ariel helwani, Miguel Torres, and also back that night Rich Franklin at the fight shop. I also went into the weigh ins, which was crazy. there was prob 10,000 ppl there just for that. I met some cool dudes from Australia who were press, and were workin with Stephan Bonner's Tshirt company at there booth. They offered if I came back by the booth passes for a private party Bonner was throwin, but I did not go. I met back up with my friends at gilleys again, I sipped lightly instead of drinkin heavily. I went back to The Mirage for some more craps shooting, and had my first winning gambling session.

    Day4 was fight day. None of my buddies wanted to go 2 fight, one was down to do the closed circuit party at Mandalay Bay. So I had planned to scalp, so I said if I cant get a deal, i'll go there. I went back to expo, watched alot of the grapplers quest bjj matches(I train bjj). It was funny watchin 4 yr old kids competing. around 2, i was wishing i had a room on the south end instead of mirage so i could take a quick nap, and did not wanna travel all the way back. So i bounced around down there, gambled at NYNY and Tropicana(recouped my free play there from last trip), went to MGM and ate at rain forrest cafe. Then I went back by the arena and started scalping. I also ran into the Australian guys and BSd with em. Since I was solo, my mindset was i want and expensive good seat for very cheap that someone will dump. It wasnt going good, until the end. I met 2 guys from Canada, who were waiting on 1 friend, and they had 1 extra. it was $600 face. I said guys I dont wanna insult ya, but im only wanting to spend $200. They were cool, and like no we wanna get some more than that. I said ok, ill prob go to closed circuit at MB. Then 2mins later, there friend arrived and they wanted to go in, since prelim fights were happening, and took my offer.

    So, I had good seats, about 13 rows up, near one of the walkout aisles(the one anderson came out). The prelims and 1st ppv fight were boring, but then on 2nd ppv fight, the action picked up. I had made bets early in the week at Mirage. I had a parlay going, and all my early bets won. Forrest Griffin was my last guy I needed to hit the parlay. Personally, I thought tito won that fight, and was pissed cuz it was gonna make my parlay a loser, but the judges gave it to forrest and I won. I hit all my other bets too, except the main event in which I took Chael. The Arena was electric for that fight. Chael dominated rd1. in rd2, when he fell and anderson threw that knee, it looked illegal from my seat, but I guess was ok. That of course was the beginning of then end, as Anderson won ,adding to his incredible unbeaten UFC streak.

    I then headed back to Mirage. That was a fight in its own. Super crowded leaving MGM, Monorail and cab lines were swamped, so I walked, and the strip was assholes to elbows the entire way. All my buddies went downtown, I had no desire for that. So I just stayed at Mirage, cashed my winning fight bets, and then had a real good winning session shooting craps. Was a fun night and good end. I had a 730am out of vegas on sunday, i booked that because I had a Wilco concert in Chicago sun night to end my weekend. I took maybe a 2-3 hr cat nap, ate breakfast then headed to McCarran.

    All in all, fun trip. In hindsight, I would have skipped the expo. Too much waiting in line. I guess I can say I did it once. But I woulda prefered to jump into a poker tourney with that time. I really liked staying at Mirage. Great room, location, Ive always loved there ambience in there Casino. I also love the food options, BLT burger bar is awesome, california pizza kitchen, there buffet and Carnegie Deli all were very good too. The only thing I would like them to add to the place would be a good bar/drinkin spot. Not a club, just some fun place like a piano bar, or a sports bar, or like Gilleys. But other than, it was a great trip, and am ready to book trip #13!!!!
     
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2012
  2. captainron62

    captainron62 VIP Whale

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    $200 for that ticket was a steal!!! Its on my bucket list to see UFC live in LV!
     
  3. LaRae

    LaRae Low-Roller

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    Thanks for making me laugh out loud at your buddy face planting! Sounds like you had a great trip. Thanks for posting.
     
  4. AceRothstein80

    AceRothstein80 Low-Roller

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    Yes, this was my 2nd one, I also went to 116 with Brock vs Carwin. It's fun! next time I may try a closed circuit viewing or go to Lagasse's.
     
  5. bigmoneyvic

    bigmoneyvic Tourist

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    the faceplant, now that was funny. Why is it the older we get the worse the hangovers are?.....I felt your pain. Great report. How much did you bet /win on ufc parlays?
     
  6. AceRothstein80

    AceRothstein80 Low-Roller

    Joined:
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    I had

    Sonnen for $50 at +220 - LOSER
    Le for $20 at +190 WINNER I should have loaded more up on that
    Maia for $20 at +130(I think?) WINNER
    Mendes -650, Le +190, Griffin -300 $20 parlay WINNER, profit was $69

    I cant believe Le was a dog like that, hindsights 20/20 but I shoulda bet more. And Mendes was such a lock, I shoulda keyed him in with some other parlays
     
  7. Ike

    Ike Low-Roller

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    Cote looked like he was in terrible shape. What a disappointment. I really wish Le would have started fighting earlier in life. He has some serious natural ability, but his body breaks too quickly in a fight and he gasses.

    The Mendes fight was a joke.
     
  8. AceRothstein80

    AceRothstein80 Low-Roller

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    I can't believe the UFC threw Mendes such a softball! But at -650, he was only worth parlays. Le is 40 years old, so you gotta cut him a lil slack on conditioning. Forrest and Tito both looked slow and gassed too. But there fight was fun, because it was a brawl.
     
  9. Brian23

    Brian23 Tourist

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    My seat was probably very close to yours. I got a high five from the ice man when he walked out from that tunnel. Fights were electric !
     
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