Chip collecting trip at Monte Carlo January 23rd through 25th

[crm1310]

A little about me and the goals of this trip.

This was my 4th trip to Vegas and I wanted to start a chip collection, play Video Poker, random slots, and roulette. I had 2 nights comp at MC along with 3 myvegas buffet passes (breakfast at MGM, Lunch at Aria, Dinner at Monte Carlo) which left open 1 dinner on Tuesday Night which I had planned on getting a burger at the Cosmo but became distracted.

Several firsts occurred for me during this trip, first time going solo, first time flying Virgin America, first time flying out of Dallas Love Field, and first time using Lyft thanks to all those on this board that speak so highly of it vs cabs.

So here we go!

Flight leaves at 11:30am and arrives 11:25 am just like clock work, seat beside me on the way out is empty and parking at Love Field was available so I considered the flight my first 2 wins of the trip. I am going to try and fly out of Love Field from now on. Much better than DFW for Vegas.

After landing I arrange my first Lyft of the trip to go to Orleans, driver arrives within 3 minutes and takes me directly to Orleans, cost of this was $19 after a $5 rebate and then a $5 tip. I was impressed. Last time it was $24 just from the airport to Monte Carlo. While at Orleans I played 1 hour of VP and hit no 4oaks so when my credits hit zero I figure its time to check in at MC.

Only pic from Orleans.


Arrange my 2nd Lyft of the trip, this time the driver gets lost in the parking lot. He calls me and asks where I am. I tell him by the Lyft/Uber sign. Long story short he finally finds me. I was his 3rd passenger ever and he did not know Orleans had a dedicated pick up area. He gets me to MC and the charge after the $5 rebate and $5 tip was $9. WIN

I checked into my room. On the 17th floor overlooking what is currently a mud pit they are shaping into a pool. Nice enough room, I get a shower and head down for the night.

Pic of future pool at MC


Pic of skyline from room


First thing I do is my Dads bet, he gave me $40 and request I play Top Dollar or Buffalo Gold. I find a Top Dollar first and play it up to $64 after hitting 2 bonus rounds. Next I find a Buffalo Gold Machine and BAM win another decent hit and cash out $95. So I lock this away to give to my Dad. When I try to give it to him when I get back to Texas he gives it back saying I earned it! I love my Dad! No pics of either win, only video and I don't know how to post videos to .....VMB!

I am hungry so time for my myvegas Monte Carlo Dinner Buffet. I am not hard to please and this buffet was great for this simple guy. They even had beer/wine available which I was not expecting. I had 2 plates and 2 beers as I did not want to over eat before hitting the town.

Food Porn of MC Buffet


Next I start my chip collecting. I want the south end of the strip tonight. I go to NYNY, Luxor, MB, Tropicana, Hooters, MGM, and Planet Hollywood in that order. Highlights from this night are my only chip porn of the trip where I doubled my buy in at Roulette while at the Trop, and a $300 win while playing MGM Majestic Lions. This is my largest win while in Vegas and I would later this this AGAIN before leaving for the airport!


Chip Porn


Majestic Lion hit at MGM


First 4oak on my last $1.25. I cashed out! This was at Luxor


I am beat after getting my Planet Hollywood chip so decide to call it a night. What a first night though. I am up around $300, have hit 1 4oak, one small jackpot, doubled my first buy in at roulette, have collected 9 chips including Orleans, and I AM IN VEGAS.

A few more pics from Day 1. Day 2 will follow tomorrow. Hope you enjoyed.

 

[Char1]

Good luck on your trip.
Following along now.

 

[Criminole]

Love it when I start a trip winning the first night! Great hit on last vp hand.

 

[VegasDave]

Great start! Thanks for the pics

 

[Lovegas95]

Congrats on a solid beginning! Great luck to you!

 

[justchuck]

That's a nice start to a trip. Thanks for the pics!

 

[casinokid68]

Great start to the trip. But win or lose, you are in Vegas!!! That's a win right there. I will be arriving on Friday for Super Bowl weekend. Can't wait!!

 

[Acesw234]

The Majestic Lions!! I'll have to reacquaint myself with those next month. The bank of machines still back there by the elevators?
That MC room, is that considered strip view? I have a free upgrade offer to MC strip view and wonder if it's worth it, or stay somewhere else?
Very nice pics!!

 

[crm1310]

The Majestic Lions!! I'll have to reacquaint myself with those next month. The bank of machines still back there by the elevators?
That MC room, is that considered strip view? I have a free upgrade offer to MC strip view and wonder if it's worth it, or stay somewhere else?
Very nice pics!!

Ace, yes the Majestic Lions are near the elevators. They have probably 20 or so $1 machines, then a few $2 and $5 machines. The jackpots start at $1,000 and grow from there. I have never hit the big jackpot but have seen them hit many times. One time it will be me! When they get to $1,200 people will camp out on them as they rarely get too much higher. On my trip in April I saw a woman camped out on a machine all day. As I went to bed I asked her how it was going and she just stared at me and I kept on walking knowing full well she had spent all day chasing it.

My room was a deluxe room standard room. Never been on the strip side so I don't know the difference. My room faced the back side so while not strip view it had a decent view of Aria and other properties behind MC. I would go for a Strip room if it was a free upgrade though!

 

[Richard Alpert]

Awesome start to your TR!
I can't wait for the next installment!
Thank you so much!

RICHARD

 

[crm1310]

Day 2 only full day in Vegas. My goal is to hit all Casinos north of the MC on both sides of the Strip.

I have an Aria lunch Buffet so in the morning I walk the Monte Carlo side of the strip and hit Cosmo, Bellagio, Caesar's Palace, Mirage and TI. I gambled this time at each Casino.

I played Jaguar Mist at Cosmo, I learned of this machine in another recent trip report, my luck was not so good down $40

At Bellagio I played Video Poker. I got my heart broke twice by getting 4 to a royal and coming up empty both times. Uploading these I just now realize the Royal would have paid 1,500 instead of 2,000. But did hit a 4oak which turned my $40 into $70 so I was happy with that and moved on to Caesar's.

2 missed Royals



4oak for 250 credits!


At Caesar's I could not for the life of me find the Cash Cage to purchase a chip. I walked all over this massive place. I finally found it, got my chip and turn around and see a machine very similar to the MGM Majestic Lion. Advice to all play the Casino Branded Slots! I hit this one for $200! I forget the exact name but believe it was Caesars Gold or Caesars Riches. Something like that. Look for them near the Cash Cage if you can find that!



Next on to Mirage, I have never won anything at this Casino and this time was no different. I played VP and .25 slots for an hour and nothing even resembling a win. Down close to $200.

Here is a pic of the Casino that does not let me win.


Next on to TI, I just collect my chip and walk back to Aria for my lunch buffet. I have to be there before they change it over to dinner so I hot foot it from TI and make it by 3 for a late lunch. Glad I did. For a lunch buffet I thought it was excellent. Tons of choices but again since I am pretty easy to please I just ate pizza, a burger that was amazing yet simple and some turkey with gravy.

Food Porn of Aria Lunch Buffet


After lunch I hit up Row 802 for some VP. Sorry to say I lost on my visit to Row 802!


Walked back to my room for a nap and shower. Around 6pm I am ready for my last night in Vegas. Plan is to walk the North end of the Strip from Planet Hollywood all the way to Encore.
I hit each and every casino and stopped to take a ride on the High Roller. For anyone who is on the sidelines....please ride it at night. I thought it was well worth the $37 they charge. The views were amazing.


I had planned on grabbing a burger this night however when I dropped into the Linq I saw Hash a House a GO GO? Spelling? I looked over the menu and was sold, I had to try this place out. I decided on the hot cake with eggs and bacon! I wont tell you how much I ate of the plate but I was on a mission to make it to Encore and did not want to get sick. The pancake was literally falling off the plate.


Another MUST do on this trip was play VP at TAG Bar at the Linq. What better place to let your food digest than TAG? I have a new favorite bar for sure. I just hope next time one of the 4 to a Royal fills in. I had 2 four to a royal hands in 10 minutes. They both turned into flushes but I was still rather upset I had now missed 4 4 to a royal draws this trip. My sadness quickly went away when I hit a 4oak! Kings this time. I cashed out and moved on to my next Casino.



I hit the next several casino's rather quickly just stopping long enough to find the cage and get a chip. One thing I noticed during this chip hunt is how difficult it is to find the cash cage in these places. I guess they don't want you cashing out! I stopped in Cromwell and played Roulette which ended up being a losing session but had my most exciting time. On a small win I tip the dealer $1. She asked me what my favorite number was. I told her my sons birthday the 7th. So she says I am going to put this on 7 for myself. Well everyone at the table goes with her and what do you know SEVEN it is, we all won and really enjoyed our win. Should have left at that time but we were having too good of a time.

I had never been the Wynn so I wanted to take it all in and spent about 2 hours here. It is a beautiful Casino but just not my lower roller kind of place. I played nothing but VP and felt out of place playing this. Glad I visited but don't see myself playing again. They need to take one of their many High roller areas where they have full staff on a dice table not being used and turn it into a low roller lounge. How is that for an idea Mr Wynn!

Only pic from Wynn


So after Wynn I go to Encore thinking they have a different chip to collect but NO, they use the same chip for both Casino's. I would think they would be different? Palazzo and Venetian have different Chips. Maybe it is a cost cutting measure for Wynn?

After Wynn I considered my chip collecting done. I did not make it to SLS, Circus Circus or the Strat. I walked from Wynn back to MC and it took 1 hour and 15 minutes with a stop at Starbucks at Cosmo.

Get to my room at 2am and call it a night.

Day 3. Not to much to this day. Breakfast buffet at MGM and then my flight back home. After breakfast I go back to my MGM Majestic Lion machine. I have $100 in free play from my bonus on the MGM credit card. I use this and hit another $300 win and cash out my $100 freeplay with $336. So I was really happy to end the trip on a winning note. Sad thing is I don't have a picture of this 2nd win as I hit the video button by mistake and took a very short video of my win this time!

Breakfast buffet at MGM, they had more than this but I was not wanting to each much on this morning.


Recap.

I really enjoyed my first solo trip and enjoyed Monte Carlo even while under some renovations. I ended the trip down $200 overall but got a lot of play with the few hits I got this trip.
I hope to get back to Vegas before the end of year and this time fill in a royal or hit my first hand pay! I hope you enjoy the report and GOOD LUCK!

 

[crm1310]

WOW I forgot to post all my Chips I collected! The whole reason for this trip! 26 chips in total. 24 on the Strip and 2 off the Strip (Orleans and Hooters)

 

[Gmoney10]

Nice TR!! Enjoyed all the pics and stories. Thanks for sharing.

 

[jon_vegas]

Great TR. Love the pics. btw, where did you get that case for your chip collection?

 

[casinokid68]

Ace, yes the Majestic Lions are near the elevators. They have probably 20 or so $1 machines, then a few $2 and $5 machines. The jackpots start at $1,000 and grow from there. I have never hit the big jackpot but have seen them hit many times. One time it will be me! When they get to $1,200 people will camp out on them as they rarely get too much higher. On my trip in April I saw a woman camped out on a machine all day. As I went to bed I asked her how it was going and she just stared at me and I kept on walking knowing full well she had spent all day chasing it.

My room was a deluxe room standard room. Never been on the strip side so I don't know the difference. My room faced the back side so while not strip view it had a decent view of Aria and other properties behind MC. I would go for a Strip room if it was a free upgrade though!

Someone would actually play a $1.00 machine all day just to maybe hit a $1200.00 jackpot? Doesn't sound like it's worth it to me.

 

[casinokid68]

Fantastic report!! You sure did a lot of walking!! Next time a Royal Flush will surely happen for you!!

 

[robron]

Great report and pictures! I always feel completely out of place at the Wynn also.

 

[Kobra2848]

Great report. You got a lot done in a short amount of time. Majestic Lions used to be my favorite slot at MGM. They had a bank of four that were quarter machines in the area in front of KA. The one on the end made no sound but boy did it pay. Did you have any problems purchasing the dollar chip from the cage?

Mark

 

[RickyRicardo]

WOW I forgot to post all my Chips I collected! The whole reason for this trip! 26 chips in total. 24 on the Strip and 2 off the Strip (Orleans and Hooters)

Wow nice job! you really covered quite a bit in such little time. Did the trop give you a hard time with the chip?...........the only place the cashiers won't sell them lol!

 

[crm1310]

Wow nice job! you really covered quite a bit in such little time. Did the trop give you a hard time with the chip?...........the only place the cashiers won't sell them lol!

Yes the only place that gave me trouble was at the Tropicana. They said I had to get it from the floor. So instead of me getting one for a buck I won $100 on roulette so that cost them! I was proud of that! Most Casinos would show me several and let me pick the nicest they had. A few went to the back room and got a new roll. At Venetian she offered me one from Palazzo so that saved me a trip! I tipped a buck each one so I have $52 in these 26 chips.