Very late TR: May 2013. 12 Days - Multiple hotels

Some of you know how it is -- it's just so hard sometimes to find time to write up a TR. This was the case for me in May. For those of you that have read past TR's of mine - you know that I do not work in the summer. But I do play at least 18 holes of golf every day, tournaments on the weekends, and build demolition derby cars throughout the summer as well. As a sidenote - I drove to my first derby win this summer.

So -- this trip report had to wait until a date where I could find the time to write it up. I caution that it will be wrote fast, and with details that are a few months old. I will try to break it up by hotel.

I used to play poker regularly, and to some degree, for a living. Now poker is a hobby -- and a hobby that falls down the list a ways. BJ has always been my vice -- and I've tried to get into VP as of late. I've also found that I enjoy craps more than I should.

Purpose of the trip was to get away -- and to rest up and clear the mind for the fun that June/July would bring. Tough problem to have when you have to leave town for 2 weeks in order to get away from your usual pals, so that you can get rested. LOL.

Here we go...

 

Arrive in town on Saturday May 18th.

Flight was SW Direct, about 2.5 hours, with nothing to write about. On time arrival, and grab the shuttle to the rental car place.

Don't usually rent a car -- but had a friend along for the first 3 nights and wanted to show them some things off the beaten path. So this made sense.

Went with Enterprise -- got it for $17/day, all inclusive. Great deal -- just have to watch the drinking.

Was a fight or music event on the strip, so housing was tight on Saturday. Ended up at the Imperial Palace, or Quad. I will forever call it the IP, until they update.

Comped Luv Tub room from CET. Room so dirty I was leery to take off my shoes. Got in the Tub long enough to shower, couldn't pay me enough to sit in it. (However I do remember enjoying the Luv Tub about 6 years ago -- maybe I'm growing up)

Nothing memorable about this night. Spent time walking the strip and seeing the sights. Low played CET, maybe even no played them. Who cares. Room wasn't worth $5.

Did see something on the strip -- I've attached the pic. Wonder what makes these guys think that they can cruise the strip in this and NOT get pulled over??

Also saw a drunk 20-something with his pitbull on a lease inside the Flamingo. Was letting people pet it, it did not have a muzzle on it. Disaster waiting to happen. Drunks and pitbull. Security tried to throw him and dog out -- until they learned that the Flamingo was "pet friendly". Nothing they could do. Hard to believe.

Checked out of the IP and headed downtown!!

 

Hello Golden Nugget.

Got a regular room at the Nugget -- no upgrade.

Upon getting to the room, really no reason to upgrade.

Had to pay to get into the Nugget -- never played there with a card, so no history. Played 55 for Sunday night and 45 for Saturday. Don't think I had to pay the resort fee at that time. Thought it was great value even if they don't comp it off at the end.

Played some VP at the bar while waiting for my friend. Nothing to write home about and pay tables were not good from what I remember.

Loved the pool -- which was absolutely packed. Went down the slide. Checked out the fish and sharks. Awesome.

First time at the Nugget and loved it. Will definitely put in some time on the card, and hopefully start the comp train at the Nugget.

Did watch a guy on the craps table. He and his wife were playing on opposite sides of the table. He was playing 1-3000 per number. Max odds. His wife rolled for about 40 mins. He made a killing. I thought of Nate Dogg --- don't we miss him??

Didn't spend enough time gambling at the Nugget to warrant checking with a host --- plus I didn't have enough charges to worry about!!

One more thing about the GN. I stumbled into Lilly's Asian place for food one night. Sat at a regular table away from the cooking station, but still close enough I felt like I was part of the show. Ordered chicken fried rice, and general tso's chicken. Best Chinese I've had. Bill was about $25 (with water) but it could have fed a table of 4. So good that I went back there about a week later.

After two nights at the Nugget --- time to head to the GG...

 

Check into the Golden Gate for one night on a full comp. $75 in food. (How could you eat that much in the GG??) and $150 in free play.

Was hoping for a new suite, but got stuck with a regular room. I've never got the suite yet!!!

Room was awful. Worst I've seen at the GG. Remember I said the IP Luv Tub was so bad I would only shower?? Well, I wouldn't even shower at the GG. Just waited until I got to the next hotel in the morning!!! LOL. First time I've ever done that.

Played my ass off at the GG. Something about that place just makes me want to gamble. Averaged $150 for 6 hours. During every walk to the bathroom I wondered why I concentrate my play on a shithole to stay....why not go play the same stakes at the Nugget and get something worthwhile???

I guess one reason is because at the Gate, the waitresses know me well and bring me BOTH a Kettle One Cran, and Budweiser every other time they come around. Yes -- makes for long nights.

Time to get out of this dump... Back to the strip!

 

Flamingo Time.

Can't remember if it was 2 or 3 nights. Flamingo is the only CET prop I've never stayed at. Wanted to check out the pool. I absolutely hate their casino!!!

Only things I remember --- had Go Fab or something rather room. It was great.
Pool was great. Paytables are unplayable. Place sucks.

Room and Pool only reason to go to the Fladingo!

Hate to think about it....but I'm headed back downtown to the Golden Gate. Wish me luck. I did remember to shower before leaving the Fladingo -- figured it could be 48 hours before another one. LOL.

 

Back at the GG!!

On the same offer as before. Comped room, $75 food, $150 FP.

Check in with different person -- guess what sir??? You are in one of our new suites!!! Score!!! I inform her that I can now shower and I'm very excited.

Room is one million times better than the regular. Still small. But new. And clean. But damn it's small.

Same story as before. $125 average for 8 hours.

Should be in good standing at the GG.

One night at the Gate and time to move on.

Across the street, my new home is calling....

 

The Plaza.

4 nights. Full comp. Mini Suite. Full RFB. Will no charges. Think I had $150/day in free play as well...

Check in, host almost beats me to the counter. Already checked in, host takes me to the room. Give her the gift I brought her. Got caught up. Life is good.

Except..... it's Punk Rock Bowling downtown and the Plaza is packed. And the pool is now overrun by parties and whatnot. not the relaxing time I expected. Usually the Plaza is so dead that you can relax all you want.

I still love the Plaza, love my host, love the area, love the food options.

I'm easy to please...

Check out --- all is good. $250 average for ?? hours over 4 days. No charges -- and limo back to the airport.

 

Highlights:

Rented a car.
- Ate In and Out about 5 times. (Love it)
- Checked out Rick's Restorations (ok)
- Checked out Kount's Kustoms (really like it)
- Checked out South Point (same as always -- caught a movie here)
- Checked out the M. (first time here -- couldn't lose at VP)
- Checked out Palace Station (hum)
- Went to China Town.
- Checked out Red Rock (watched another movie I think)
- Took a lap on the 215.
- Had the car booked for 3 days, extended it to 6 at same daily rate.

Gambling.
12 or so days in Vegas. Played at about a 150 average....with many hours of NL poker and VP poker mixed in. I'm a beginner at VP, so I usually play at the .25 level --- brings my average down in the computer I think.

Took 20k in cash, didn't use a card once, and came home with 22k. Didn't spare any expenses along the way. Didn't have to touch lines of credit anywhere. No big wins, no big losses.

Played VP at the bar in MSS for the first time thanks to this board. Did enjoy it!



Overall.

I think I'm done with the strip. Downtown and the local joints might have a fulltime customer now.

Can't wait to go back in about 6 weeks.

Let me know if you have any questions --- will be happy to answer and discuss.


Can't get pics to post right now --- will keep trying!

 

Trying to get a pic posted.

 

Just had to say, and not to start a debate but - Pit Bulls are not vicious. They are a reflection of their owners and surroundings. Sounds like this guy had a docile one.

On another note - did you have to pay to tour either Rick's or Count's? I heard that they charge?

 

Also saw a drunk 20-something with his pitbull on a lease inside the Flamingo.

You think it was a year long or month-to-month?

 

OMG too funny, didn't catch that!

 

what did you give t he host

 

Enjoyed your TR! What was the ultimate pull of downtown as opposed to the strip?

 

Not what you might be thinking...

Gift cards to two of her favorite places.

 

I think that at 32 years old, I might just be getting over the rush and excitement of the strip. I really enjoy the mood downtown, without the early 20's crowd. Of course, being a poker player -- I do have to go to the strip to find any higher limit of play.

I like the Cosmo -- and could make it home -- but just can't seem to win enough in there to offset the losses. Makes the free rooms pretty damn expensive.

Would like to make Bellagio home because that's where my poker play is focused, but can justify playing the poker rack rate, when other stuff is free.