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Last Minute Wedding Trip, Mirage and MSS... my best trip ever. (2014/6/13-6/16)

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by progrocker2112, Jun 17, 2014.

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  1. progrocker2112

    progrocker2112 Watch out for this guy

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    My Trip Report

    Background:
    My best friend of nearly 25 years informed me about six weeks ago that he was going to Vegas for the first time other than a family visit when he was a young teenager. He had a sour taste of the place (another reason not to bring your kids, you'll just make them hate it) but his father was getting married again and had purchased him plane tickets and a room at The Mirage for the weekend. I was excited for him and tried to data dump cool stuff to do/see for a few weeks, mostly for my own benefit of just having an excuse to talk Vegas. The Monday before my trip I sent him a text asking if I could crash in his room should I buy last minute tickets, when that was confirmed I immediately scoured Kayak and did not find anything in a price range I felt comfortable with. Having never flown Southwest given the Wright Amendment and Love Field being a much further drive I nevertheless took a crack on their site and found a round trip with same plane on the way out and a 2 hour layover in San Antonio on the way back for $325. Sold (and signed up for Rapid Rewards knowing the Wright Amendment expires in October). I had already scheduled a four day weekend for these dates (having no kids or wife and four weeks of PTO per year you tend to just schedule random days for the hell of it and then find something to fill them with later). The last hurdle was calling mom to say I wouldn't be with her for the first Father's Day without my father, but she has known my friend as long as I have and gave her blessing to accompany him.

    From Fort Worth to The Mirage:

    Having ensured that I would return home to all clean clothes and dishes for the following work week, I set off towards Love Field, stopping at a local chain of brewpubs for lunch. My flight was at 1 PM and so there was little Dallas traffic save for some closed lanes on Mockingbird and I soon entered Love Field for the first time, knowing that I would be looking for garage 'B', which turned out to be a gargantuan structure that seemed to be completely full except for the uncovered roof. Oh well. Security was quick at Love as they waved me over into the pre-checked line. I'm new to Southwest boarding procedures....weird, but it seems to work. Also with many people taking advantage of free checked baggage there was plenty of room for my sole item, a trusty Swiss Gear pack that's been around the world with me (actually there is a stretch of a few longitude lines between Chennai and Bangkok that it hasn't crossed, two separate trips coming from different directions). Flight to Amarillo was packed, and surprisingly all but 29 passengers disembarked here. Because of this I wasn't counting on many people getting on, but after I moved up to a prime aisle seat near the front a nearly full compliment started boarding...and the middle seat went unfilled. Win.

    The second leg was uneventful and I was on the ground and off the plane by 2:45 PM. My plan was to take the CX (3:00 and 3:30 departure times from Terminal 3) to the Fashion Show Mall stop and then the tram from TI to the Mirage. I unfortunately missed the terminal shuttle to get me to the 3, but easily made the 3:30 by 10 minutes or so, and once we were on our way it took 30 minutes exact to get me to my stop. The TI/Mirage tram was something I was completely unaware of until last week, but proved to be great. I walked to the Mirage pool and my friend came out to hand me my key card, room 5023 and bade me to come back down ASAP.

    So it begins...
    It probably took less than 15 minutes to head to the room, change, get slathered up in SPF50 sunblock (I'm adopted so not totally sure, but I'm betting I have mostly Irish blood given my propensity to burn...and drink) and get back down to the pool. I've never even been in The Mirage before, and it's all just...pretty nice. The pool was no exception to this rule, not the greatest but certainly not bad. Here is where I ended up meeting the rest of the wedding group. In addition to my friend and his father were his two uncles with wives, the bride to be with sister and daughter and daughter's friend, both attractive younger 20s students that proved to be fun and not above hanging out with a couple of mid 30s guys.

    I didn't stay at the pool long, from about 4:25 to just after five as it became aware that this group has been down here for much longer (I think most arrived before 10 AM) and were well lubricated already. The groom is a huge Jimmy Buffet fan and started repeating '7 o clock, Margaritaville!', partially egged on by me repeating back, 'When?...Where?' Friend and I got quickly changed and walked across the street, my first chance to show him my Vegas knowledge, we ducked into Casino Royale for a Michelob and then started walking back south. We walked through Quad towards the back, I mentally noted where the escalators to Hash House were and went through O'Sheas. Friend is kind of worldly and didn't appreciate neither scene nor acoustic alternative rock cover guy playing, so we headed into Linq and back towards LVB when we approached by a cleavage-y blonde in a red dress offering us a free drink. I normally would have nodded this off as a ploy but Friend was unaware of such potential scams and stopped. Turns out it was legit, an offer from Total Rewards to have a drink at their new Tag lounge, valued at up to $10. She actually walked us into the TR desk back inside the Quad, waited for me to reprint a card and him to sign up and get our coupons. Conversation topics included her being a former Miss Nevada, and how Miss America girls were smarter whilst Miss USA girls were hotter, her admitting to the former. Trust me, this was taken with skepticism but proven true with a trip to Wikipedia after she finally departed, having left us at the bar to select out beers. Nice girl.

    I'm starving by this point, but Friend reminds me that beer is food, so we look for something with substance...hmm, 22 ounce bottles of Arrogant Bastard for exactly ten dollars. Win. At this point I've spent 8 dollars total this trip to receive four beers, and 6 of those were tips. We finish those up as the Rangers and Kings were starting the 3rd period, unaware that the game was less than half over at that point. We walked the short walk to Margaritaville and at 6:45 put in our reservation for 12 (turns out I'm actually the self-invited 13th, but we made it work, although this little detail proves important later...)

    [​IMG]
    Context: Friend attempting self vasectomy after quickly downing AB, sent to another friend recovering from his real one.

    Tom at the Margaritaville bar on LVB deserves his own paragraph. This was Friday night on the Strip, pools were just getting out and the craziness was about to start. He calmly handled the crowd and us, including making some great suggestions and pouring strong beverages with quickness and ease, carrying on light conversation all the while and quickly serving and sending people on their way (Friend and I managed seats, there are only six in this small room next to the main M-ville casino bar). The rest of the wedding crew slowly arrives and it's apparent that I need to catch up to them, so I get a double shot of M-ville brand tequila, a steal at 3 bucks plus tax per shot. This bar also had a premium vodka (Ketel One perhaps?) on permanent special at 4 bucks per shot.

    Margaritaville itself turned out to be a decent mid-strip chain dining option. I had coconut shrimp that was adequate, and the balloon artists on stilts found out that there was a couple to be and came over to produce a suitable balloon hat of interlocked hearts. Friend was quite toasted by this time and was threatening to knock a stilt person over, but I calmed him with a reminder that the hot college students wouldn't think that was cool....shortly thereafter I was toasted and began a heated political conversation with the college students that had me on opposite sides with daughter. I quickly realized the error of my ways and apologized, diffusing situation. This is another important detail, making sure that I wasn't seen as a dick for the remainder of the trip.

    After dinner we go our separate ways and I begin the process of walk/dragging my Friend to the Stage Door. We detour into The Cromwell because I was curious...holy crap is this place different than Bill's. He has to use the restroom, I sit down and put five dollars into a slot and am nearly immediately accosted by a cocktail waitress. The hearsay here is true! Great service and I scored a Stone IPA that I didn't even end up finishing.

    I ended up dumping the IPA outside of Stage Door and led him in. He was just as amazed with the place and signs on the wall as I was my first time. I ordered two beers and shots (PBR and Barton's) and soon after it was clear that my friend was not going to make it the long haul that night. I walked him back to The Mirage, and being a little tired myself I decided to also turn in...not. I instead stopped in the Starbucks and ordered a Venti Americano in a a Tall cup (five shots of espresso with a stronger mix than normal) sat down and did my best to drink this hot beverage as quickly as possible.

    Friday Night Solo Gambling and Boozing Marathon:

    I had brought what has become my standard bankroll, two thousand plus whatever cash I had on hand the week before, but had left ¾ of it back in the safe. I didn't want to blow it all on the Strip, as I had planned to stay one night more than everyone else and move to MSS on Sunday and rack up some points, hopefully to return myself to B-Connected's good graces that had taken a hit after a two year absence.

    That actually reminds me, the meager slot play at Cromwell was not my first gamble. I had actually decided pre-trip that I was going to put 40 bucks on one spin at roulette on everyone's favorite number thanks to Beejay, which turned into sixty after a barfriend from home insisted on me taking his 20 to add to that. So I had 20 straight up on 17 and the corners and sides covered with nickels on the way out to dinner earlier. The Mirage actually had a $25 European (single zero) table that I had noticed walking in, so this was perfect. Anyways, long story short I hit 21 and got $40 + original $5 back. I'm an honorable man so I plan on returning $15 to my acquaintance when I see him next, he'll probably take it in drinks with his wife (good people that love Vegas, Shreveport and Biloxi). This outcome wasn't as good as the $1200 win possible, but better than nothing.

    Okay, so back to the post Americano time period, around 11 PM on a Friday night. I hear that TI actually has decent gaming and there's a tram right there, so I hop on. I find the player's club, sign up and head for the nearest bar. I order a Stella and play through a hundred on what I think was 6/5 BP, yuck. Quad 9s only in that stretch. This gets me plenty of points to swipe for the first two new signee awards, a mystery prize ($5 FP) and $25 additional FP. At this point I consult VPFree2 and find out that very close to me is full pay JoB at the 50 cent level. First hundred doesn't last long and neither does the second. I'm down to a couple hundred plus odd bills, so I decide to slow grind on my favorite slow grind table game: Let it Ride.

    Even with an empty table this is a pretty slow game, and at ten dollar minimum I bought in with my two last hundred expecting it to last a while, at least 18 hands which is still a decent amount of time in this game. First of all, no bonus bets or 3-card bets for me. The Hawaiians at MSS seem to love these, but I tend to remember all the times I lose it rather than hit big on it, so I no longer do it. The game starts out pretty well, slowly losing chips but hitting some pairs and even a trip on the last card to stay near even for a while. First dealer is an older white lady and pleasant, I'm the only one there and I'm not being too much of a drunkard (I actually get more introspective when drinking) so we enjoy a light conversation about nothing in particular. She goes on break shortly after and an older American-Asian lady fills in, again pleasant. Not too long afterwards I'm dealt my first instantly winning hand...not just a high pair but trips!

    ***Big Win Alert***
    I was happy with this but soon realized I had a shot at something more, a full house or hell, even quads. I started 'lightly' tapping the tables edge with both hands, slowly chanting,

    'Four! Four! Four!'

    She turned over the first card, a 10 and my 'tapping' and 'chanting' had become banging and screaming at this point,

    'Four! Four! Four!...'

    Which is of course what was turned over! Fifty to one on a thirty dollar bet! I scream HELL YEAH but no one really notices. The dealer turns to the pit boss who comes over, glances and says 'Pay him.' A purple chip is placed next to each pitiful stack of two nickles, my first ones ever (I've cashed out 1500 from a 500 buy in once at GG but they didn't have purple at the craps table at that time)! I'm not one to continue playing a high house edge game after hitting what could be considered a 'jackpot' hand, so I cashed out after tipping a quarter, 1740 in chips. Originally down three hundred and change I'm now up 1200, my most ever...for now.

    This concludes part I, part II will continue when I have another few hours to waste, hopefully tomorrow night before my Rangers start playing (West coast games are finally good for something, letting me get trip reports written!), part II and potentially III will continue to cover such events as the slow Friday decline, The Mirage Buffet, return to the Pool, the Wedding, HH at OG, The Happening, Saturday night out with hotties, Move to MSS, Random DT time, The Long Stupid Walk, bottle service with the C team and a fine dining experience! Details will only be lacking when laws and/or Board Rules may be broken by giving them!
     
  2. RockyBalboa

    RockyBalboa Front Line Winner

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    Nice report so far!

    Helluva hit too...keep it going!
     
  3. jimboguy

    jimboguy MIA

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    Nice report so far. I have heard that cold Arrogant Bastard helps speed the vasectomy recovery time.
     
  4. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    And that's some cheap anesthetic! $10 for 22 oz of that on the strip? The damn grocery store here usually wants $7...:grrr:

    Glad to hear Cromwell has Stone IPA too. Sounds like CET is trying to step up in the craft world. :thumbsup:

    And awesome hit at Let it Ride! When I tried that game, I got nothing over and over...
     
  5. hillwood24

    hillwood24 High-Roller

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    Great report so far! I might have to try my hand at Let It Ride on my upcoming trip.
     
  6. TimLion

    TimLion High-Roller

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    Love the Let It Ride win! For a high EV game, it's a blast. I can't wait to read the rest!

    Santé,
    TL
     
  7. TIMSPEED

    TIMSPEED Money’s on the way, with CashNetUSA

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    Damn G, already a winning trip!
     
  8. denluvslv

    denluvslv Low-Roller

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    I had to laugh at the two beers, Arrogant Bastard and Stone IPA. My husband loves those, in fact I have both in my frig now. I'm loving your report. Keep it coming.
     
  9. progrocker2112

    progrocker2112 Watch out for this guy

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    This begins Part II, which will start off slowly but hopefully gain steam as we approach The Happening. No guarantee that I'll be able to fit that in during this installment however...but we like suspense, right?

    The slow Friday night decline:
    So what is one to do with 1700 bucks in there pocket at around one AM on a Saturday morning on the strip? Well, I'm a bit more practical than most, so my first order of business was heading back to the room to drop off a bit of that cash. I took advantage of the TI/Mirage tram a third time and was soon back in 5023. It was pitch black, Friend had some sort of white noise going and it was kinda hard to find a light switch, but I eventually made it out after 30 minutes of accounting and biology. My bankroll in the safe was up to 2400 (original plus airfare, hoping that it wouldn't be touched again) and I had the remainder on me, should be plenty for a fun night out, right?

    What to do? Well the wedding party Daughter had mentioned perhaps going to Kahunaville in TI later that night, so I headed back that way. I had seen it near the escalator to the tram and could definitely hear a thumping the last time I went by, when I walked in there was quite the party going on. I did not appear to be in the target demographic, but no one else cared so neither did I. I got a Piña colada that was actually reasonably priced and listened to a few songs before heading over to Gilley's, where I am the target demographic. It's been a long time since I've been country dancing, living only 15 minutes away from Billy Bob's even, and suffice to say I did not break that trend. I would have been willing if there were any suitable targets, but it looked to be mostly twenty somethings that were more interested in line dancing to hip hop than two-stepping. I ordered a Coors and a shot of Turkey 101. One was drank slowly and then the other quickly (and not the order you'd think) before abandoning this Vegas clone of a hometown honky-tonk.

    Wandering around TI a bit, I decided to see if I could catch lightning twice and returned to the scene of the crime, finding the original pleasant older lady back on the table. She had heard about my hit and congratulated me, I bought in for a mere one hundred this time, good for at least eight hands. That ended up being how many I played with no hits and four nickels left, useless without two more of their brothers. I inquired if my earlier tip was pooled, she assured me it was but I went ahead and left that last twenty bucks with her just so she could enjoy the act of receiving a tip. Out the door I went, the front way this time. I was in the mood for craps.

    I almost changed my mind and mood as I walked down the drive from TI and the Little Darlings 'limo' (more like a mid sized SUV) was out front. I gave pause a few moments thinking about what I wanted to do, but remembered LD was all-nude and therefore dry, and I don't think I had had enough to drink yet. Instead I crossed LVB at the next possible point and entered Casino Royale, marching up to craps table triumphantly...only to find it full and despite waiting a good five or ten minutes, not seeing any sign that there would be an opening for yours truly. Out the door again I go.

    Craps is one of those games where the strip isn't too terrible compared to downtown. Prop bets might be worse, but I don't play those. I only play Pass + Come with odds, and that's the same everywhere as long as I'm going low on odds. Therefore I balked at the Harrah's tables as I walked through and instead found myself heading towards O'Sheas in the back of The Quad. Once again it was not meant to be, even by now at nearly 3 AM. Full table...and they looked like they were having a blast. Oh darn. Luckily as I walked back down the Linq towards LVB I ducked back into the Quad near the Tag lounge and spotted a not full table...check...five dollar minimums? Sure!

    I buy in next to a large dude with a rack full of nickels. Damn, this must be a good table! I receive two hundred in chips and put out my pass line bet, then glance over to whom will surely be my new best friend's bet to see he has ten on Don't Pass. WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO? Well, we've all seen some choppy tables in our lives, but this was just flat out cold. I said as much when two nice gentlemen bought in next to me...and they turned out to be Don't guys too! Where am I, the El Cortez? I still had fun slowly watching my chips fade away, hitting just enough points to keep me in the game for perhaps an hour. Luckily there were so many point sevens that I was getting a Come rebate before setting too many numbers. Only once did I manage to cover all the numbers with double odds behind, and I think only one of those ended up hitting before Big Red. Long story short, my bankroll cannot withstand seven outs of that magnitude, so I refused to buy in for any more after the two hundred was gone.

    At this point I notice that I've actually received texts from Daughter and they are finally awake again and back out, but I just start walking back towards the Mirage. I was tired yes, but I was other things, and for that reason I decided to try the Mirage VP bars, perhaps a comfort woman would make contact. At the sports bar I slip in a hundy to play some terrible paytable of BP or DDB, don't remember. I ask for a coke only to keep the eyes open a bit longer. Some yobbo nearby was about to tell a girl why everyone hates Americans, I managed to tune him out, but I did swear I heard him talking up Bundaberg rum...I guess the stereotypes are true. Daughter texts that she is at Caesars and just had seven shots. I get a second wind and walk next door (having lost that one hundred).

    Well, it sounded like a good idea. I headed over there and realized that this must be the longest 'next door' in Vegas, fine for a more sober version of myself that hasn't been up for over 20 hours, more difficult for the current state. I made it only to find that I could not find them. I ended up at the bar near the Pussycat Doll pit and played some dollar VP. Two hundred lasted only barely long enough to get a Pepsi (Sidenote: MGM beats Caesars on soft beverage choice by a mile). I look to my phone only to see that the party group has moved on to The Quad...it's about 430 AM at this point and the tank is nearing E. I walk up to the cabstand and get a ride back. The cab driver gives me a bit of attitude for wasting her time just to take me next door, but I offer to get out and get in the next cab. That shuts her up.

    I make my way up to the room, empty my pockets, strip and pass out.

    This concludes part II, which will likely be the most boring section. It was tough to write out in detail, will try to be quicker with the next installment.
     
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2014
  10. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    Congrats on the LIR hit; enjoying your report.
     
  11. Crambone

    Crambone Gnaeus Pompey Magnus

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    Bundaberg

    No relation.
     
  12. jimboguy

    jimboguy MIA

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    Truth. He looks nothing like you
    bundy-r-bear.jpg
     
  13. Suekel

    Suekel VIP Whale

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    Great TR so far, looking forward to more!
     
  14. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    I'm pretty ashamed that my only Aces w/kicker while actually playing DDB (I have got AWAK in other games probably 6 times or more) came from shortcoining that bar for beer since it was past 3am and my hotel for that night. But considering I was playing Bonus earlier, I'm glad I switched. 30/6/5 Bonus and 7/5 DDB are their two best games available at that bar sadly (96.18% max + prog.) and (95.71% max + prog.) respectively. The place is just a lot greedier than most strip bars, sadly. I like most of Mirage otherwise.
     
  15. progrocker2112

    progrocker2112 Watch out for this guy

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    Part III

    Saturday Morning at Mirage:
    After four hours of fitful sleep (really the only good sleep I get is in my own bed) I get out of bed at 9. Friend is also stirring and we decide to hit the Cravings buffet for breakfast. We're down there by 9:45 and with no line are seated in no time. I take a lap around the room just to see what all is on offer. I settle for doing a bread/pastry plate first, followed by some meats. The prime rib at this buffet is actually quite decent. I ask for as rare as they have, and turns out this is some nearly red (almost rare enough for me) beef that ends up being quite tender, I was able to cut with the dull knife provided. I follow up with a plate of Asian foods and finish with a few cold cuts, smoked cheddar and two of their mini desserts, the blood orange parfait and a mini cupcake with a tiny Oreo on top. All the while I have been experimenting with the soft beverage machine, the cherry and vanilla flavors coming out strong in my Dr. Pepper. Also I managed to finish about three glasses of sparkling wine that was actually pretty decent whilst Friend had four or five and got a good buzz going, his hangover now gone (I didn't really have one). The coffee was also above average, Friend had gotten mine but said the machine sounded like it was fresh grinding and pressure brewing as it slow poured out our cups. We ended up lingering for almost an hour, him being a slow eater and me enjoying my coffee and bubbly as I told him about the night before. Turns out he was pretty drunk and didn't even remember me coming in to add back to my bankroll at one AM.

    Eventually I went back to the room to get ready for the pool and he said he was going to wander around a bit. I got slathered up in my SPF50 (Walgreens had 3 ounce containers for 2.50 at home, Friend paid quite a bit more at the Mirage pool for his) and headed back down. Even on a Saturday around 11 it was easy to find some chairs, maybe a bit further from the pool but under some shade and secluded. My only other Strip pool experience has been Flamingo and this would definitely not be the case there. He shows up not too long afterwards and we hang out a bit, walk around the pool a bit and go back to the chairs to hang out. The wedding was at 5 pm and we were told to be ready to go by 4, so not much to do. Eventually I decided I had risked enough sun and went back to the room for a brief nap. Friend comes up at 230 and says he's going to go work out a bit and we'll meet downstairs to watch the England vs Italy match at the sports book. Well I went ahead and got ready for the wedding, cleaning up and getting into the 'non jean pants' I was told to bring. I head down to the sports bar and it's pretty full, but am able to find a seat.

    The machine I'm at is only dollars or higher and I think it may have had 7/5 BP, but it may also have been 6/5, I cannot recall. Anyways I slip in a hundred with a bit of trepidation and proceed to play. Miraculously this doesn't go away before I can even ask for a beer, but gives me a fair amount of play and eventually doubles up, although I was hanging around at the 160-195 level for quite a few hands, mixing in blank hands with some trips, flushes and full houses but no quads. I decide that I'm going to lock in this quick one hundred dollar victory and cash out. I wander around the sports book itself looking for seats and of course cannot find any as the match has already begun. Not wanting to blow any money before going to the wedding I just go back upstairs to watch the game. Friend is eventually back up stairs, gets ready and we head down for a pre wedding drink at the bar in front of the Revolution Lounge. I get a Wild Turkey Rye and he gets a beer, picks it up for me (20 bucks for two drinks, lol) and before we know it his two uncles with wives are down and we're ready to ride over to The Chapel of the Flowers.

    There are six of us so we had to split up cabs, resisting the urge to say 'Follow that cab!' to our driver. Turns out he was quite an adept driver, changing lanes perfectly with the flow of traffic to push us ahead of the others out on LVB. In no time we're at the Chapel. We wait for the other cab...and wait...and wait. Finally they pull up about 20 minutes later with big smiles on their faces, which I thought interesting because I was sure they were just long hauled. “We got to go see where they film Pawn Stars!” one of the wives exclaims, so mystery solved. I forget as a more frequent visitor to Vegas that some of the 'newbies' really take pleasure in such trite experiences...but whatever floats your boat.

    The Wedding
    So this is my first experience in a famed Las Vegas marriage factory, and it seems to me that Chapel of the Flowers is not a bad choice should one want to go that route. There was a family taking pictures out front after their ceremony (and based on dress and age of the participants I ventured to guess that this was actually a first marriage rather than a third or fourth) and a porch with misters to wait on, although we weren't out there long before being ushered into a chapel in the back. As the sole non-family member I took a seat alone on the back right. With three rows bisected by the center aisle I'd say that the maximum capacity seating here would be 24, although 18 would be much more comfortable. I notice what look like webcams around the ceiling, and it turns out I was correct. This place will broadcast your wedding so that family and friends back home can watch live. Nice touch.

    Before the bride and groom arrive in the limo that's included in their package the man that would be performing the ceremony came in and gave us a few instructions about not taking our own pictures, etc. They always have 'good' reasons but never say that the most important reason is that they want to sell their own pictures, in this case taken throughout the ceremony by a pair of photographers with impressive looking gear. Friend is taken aside for instructions in his role as best man which amounts to standing to the side and handing the Man the rings when called on.

    The ceremony takes longer that I expected it would. The Man seems to be repeating himself a bit and there are some conventional wedding tropes included, like the candle ceremony. Totally secular though, so that's a plus in my book. Eventually bride and groom kiss each other and we're led outside. They're going to take pictures and then head to The Venetian for a reception dinner.

    But wait, remember how I invited myself and I was the 13th person? Friend had already informed me that I was not going to be able to go, as the maximum capacity of the room they reserved was 12. This was fine with me, I had already called OG and confirmed that they would let me in for free before 6 pm, and it was not even 100 yards away across Oakey street...they started their pictures and I snuck off....

    Part III is short, as I'm going to hit the rest of the amazing Saturday night later. The VP porn pictures are coming, don't worry.
     
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2014
  16. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    Location:
    Ontario, Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    130
    Don't keep us waiting too long.
     
  17. sconnie

    sconnie Downtown Kinda Guy

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2012
    Messages:
    248
    Location:
    Racine, WI
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    Yeah, come on! ;-)
     
  18. jimboguy

    jimboguy MIA

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2010
    Messages:
    2,576
    Location:
    Salt Lake City, UT
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    80
    Wow, must have been a massive limo if it could fit an entire bridge. :evillaugh
     
  19. USCHawks

    USCHawks High-Roller

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2013
    Messages:
    920
    Location:
    WA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    12
    Sounds like a great trip so far, I can't wait to hear the rest of it.
     
  20. progrocker2112

    progrocker2112 Watch out for this guy

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2009
    Messages:
    981
    Location:
    Panther City
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    30
    OG
    So I've been here a few times before, always during the day. Not many girls working but because of the HH drinks before 6 and its location (get off the Deuce at Oakey) it's not bad, especially if you have no expectations. My eyes are still adjusting as I try to walk to the bar, there's helpful floor lighting to guide you. Beers and wells are currently 3.50, I've got about 30 minutes before 6 so I order a Miller Lite and a well whiskey neat. I notice the always present 'Prostitution is Unlawful' sign with a giggle as I count to myself, one...two...thr-----, and am interrupted with a rub on my back and a hello. Just like clockwork. I luck out, Dancer (actually named after one of the myriad of gemstones that performers like to use), turns out to be not only within my low standards, but also a preferred model. We enjoy a short chat and I am mentioned possibilities that seem to ignore the sign behind us. Now, at the moment I've got five hundreds and five twenties on me with my original bankroll intact in the safe back at the Mirage. I'm planning on playing some VP at MSS later so I just ask for a few normal dances with 'promise' that I'll come back tomorrow if gambling goes well. One dance starts and she is immediately notified by PA that she will be on stage next song. There were no girls on stage since I arrived. Funny how that works out. We finish the one dance out, I pay her for two to thank her for the conversation at the bar and wish her well. I'm able to get one more whiskey in before 6, finish that and my beer up as she is getting off stage. I reiterate that I'm going to go play some VP rather than stick around and go to the front to ask for a cab. The door girl that waved me in for free earlier is friendly and complies, and then chats a bit with me as I wait. I realized I forgot to tip her upon entry and stuff a few bucks in her jar (I have VIP membership at the local place back home and ALWAYS give my doorgirls at least a buck).

    Eventually (actually not that long of a wait) someone walks in right past me. Turns out he's the cab driver, he laughs at missing me and proceeds to take me up to MSS with some nice conversation. Nice guy, I was pretty lucky with cabbies this time except for the one lady the night before that gave me a bit of an attitude. I had managed to get out of OG for less than 60 bucks, two dances, three 3.50 drinks with tips rounded up to five each and a three dollar tip for the door. Not a bad experience for the money and time spent, I've had 60 disappear on me a lot quicker before at the machine or table.

    MSS – 777 Dinner, Beer and VP Dessert
    First order of business here was to get some dinner, so I stop to soil the Berlin Wall and wash my hands before going to what has truly been my Mecca in Mecca, The Triple Seven brewpub. On jimboguy's recommendation I ask if they still have the sour IPA. Turns out they do and turns out that this is fantastic. I had my first real sour several years before at the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, and although it's hard to find in DFW (or was before Jester King Brewery came out of Austin and started doing sours exclusively), I've always jumped at getting them when available. Turns out this was the perfect mixture of sour and IPA bitterness...almost like a Thai dish with how the contrasting flavors complimented each other. Alcohol sweetness, wild yeast sourness, hops bitterness...heavenly. I ask for the large (a steal at 4.50 for what is likely 7-8% ABV) and he comes back with a small and an extra sampler cup full. Turns out they're out of the large glasses so he gave me the little bonus one and only charged me for the regular size. I look through the menu at all the great food items I've ordered in the past, the awesome Italian sandwich, more recently added Korean short ribs, the King's portion prime rib...and I settle on something new. In honor of the reception dinner at the Venetian going on, I get chicken fettuccine Alfredo. This turns out to be not bad but not great. I wanted more of the garlic bread, that was good. Alfredo is very filling though so it's no time before I was done, a large portion still in front of me.

    I order another sour and strike up conversation with the guy next to me at the bar. Turns out he flies helicopters for Hollywood. Once again I have an inherent skepticism but he begins mentioning small airfields in the Fort Worth area that he's flown out of and I end up believing him to know his stuff. I give him recommendation of a club near Meacham Field in Fort Worth and once I've finished my brew I bid him farewell. Nice guy. It seems when I try to start conversations with strangers on the Strip I'm always rebuffed but not here in my base bar at MSS. People that like good beer tend to be the friendliest sort, anyone that's ever gone to brewery tastings will know this to be true.

    Another stop at the Berlin wall and I'm ready to play video poker. I scout out the All Star 2 machines near the Main Street entrance and cashier, turns out these are short pay. I remember on VPFree2 there is also mention of similar multihand machines near the valet entrance. I find them with no problem...win. They're also right by a bank of Wheel of Fortune quarter machines and the progressive has gotten quite high (over 1.6 million, much higher than the average hit from what I understand). Lose. Oh well, I'm sure I'll be able to tune out the noise soon. My goal is to play 10,000 coin in and see where that gets me on five handed 8/5 BP. I've got five hundred bucks and cab fare back to the strip ready....so here we go.

    The first hundred goes without much affair. I hit some non-premium quads but eventually have to put in the second hundred, which also goes kind of quickly until I manage dealt trip aces...this turns into my first premium quad of the trip (unless you count the four 4's at LiR):

    [​IMG]

    That gets me within 25 bucks of the starting point which I play down and at a point still above the second hundred I get dealt a pair of aces that turns into more quad aces:

    [​IMG]

    All along I've been getting some non premium quads, ten if I recall correctly that I did not take photos of. The scratch cards help me remember exactly what I had after looking back at these photos. I continue playing along and I'm nearing my goal, but I've had to put in two more hundred. I think at around the 7500-8000 point mark I receive a text from Friend that the wedding reception is over and they're heading back to Mirage. I say that I'm out drinking at my favorite place (and I've had a few Marker Pale Ales during this session indeed). I decide to switch to ten hands so that I can get back as I'll be returning to MSS tomorrow and can gamble more then...it's risky to hit my goal with only one hundred left, but with some potentially high payouts if I get dealt something good. Turns out it is not too long before I get dealt three 4's...hmmm, hasn't this happened before? If I can do it in one chance at LiR I'm sure I can get some with ten chances at 2/47 odds. Sure enough:

    [​IMG]

    And here is where I learn something about MSS scratch cards. You actually get one per quad, not per occurrence of quads. She hands me two on this one. The two slot attendants that were coming by to keep me in the game quickly were Carmen and Rose, both nice ladies. At this point I joke to one (Rose I think) if she's getting sick of me yet. She smiles and says 'Yes'. I couldn't tell if she was joking, but laugh it off.

    The Happening
    So it wasn't very long after she left that I was able to take advantage of the multiple scratch card rule. What was I dealt? Non-premium quads? Aces? A straight flush? Or perhaps something that nearly made me fall out of my chair? If you chose the last option, you were correct...

    [​IMG]

    I don't really know what I can say about how I felt seeing this. I know I was shaking. I know I was instantly texting Friend that I would be returning ASAP and that we were going to go party. I started chatting online with one of my other best friends (I have three that I would go to battle for, but I think only the one on this trip would go to battle for me). He's just gotten up on Sunday morning in Australia, so has plenty of free time to chat with me about the payoff process as it's happening. He keeps asking if I've got the money yet and are they going to screw me. I laugh that off, he's never been to Vegas and probably has seen too many mob movies. Eventually I am presented a W2G, my first ever, and I tell the attendant (someone new) that I've attempted to change my zip code about 10 times both on B-Connected's site and in person and they still have the wrong one. This adds further delay (but the good news is it looks corrected on B-Connected now). I sign the corrected one and minutes later I'm being counted out one hundred one hundreds. The entire slot team seems to be surrounding me at this moment, and I inquire if tips are pooled. They are. I take two of the hundreds and put them down and say this is because Carmen and Rose have been so quick with the scratch cards tonight (speaking of, Rose had counted me out the ten for the royal flush during one of the waits for the W2G).

    I'm now feeling very nervous as several people have come by and seen my jackpot. But guess what, I hadn't hit 10,000 points yet! I continue playing, much to the surprise of both Carmen and Rose who each have to return once for a non-premium quad (actually they may have been premium, I was just past taking more pics at this point) as I continue my march. As you can see I had 280 credits at the time of the RF's, I actually manage to get this up to 610 to cash out at 10K coin in. Along with 26 scratch cards, 2 of them being premium $3 ones and the rest of the usual variety I had 206 bucks to get at the cashier. I put those two hundreds in the belt with the other 10K-200 to bring it back up to full. I'm proud to say that this will go home intact and find it's way into my bank account, where I learn that you actually need $10,000.01 to generate a CTR. I show them the above picture so that they don't fill out a SAR to spite me. Ha.

    Final math on this session: I put four hundred dollars into the machine, I ended up getting out 10,152.50. Had I not hit the royal the 10K in coin in would have cost 248.50 minus what would have been 16 scratch cards. That's not bad at all. Because of what happened, it was actually f---ing excellent. I'm going to end up losing 400 bucks back to MSS the next day for only 3000 coin in, but I sure as hell don't care now!
     
    Last edited: Jun 21, 2014
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