I think I hurt myself 10/20-24 part II

...and we're BACK!!!

I awaken friday morning to the sunrise...again. (It's the only way to make us get out of bed.) I notice a gathering of clay in no specific order and from no specific casino gathering on the nightstand, next to a half empty beer. John has proceeded to develop a bad habit of not cashing in while in transit between casinos. All I can do is laugh and tell him he'll miss his flight on Sunday because he'll be running around cashing in those chips at various casinos. There's about $400 sitting there. Come to find out him and Jerry make another run at the Paris craps table and did quite well. I decide that I want to hit the Peppermill this morning and manage to ge a few others to go along. This gets slightly delayed when your truly realized I left the rental car at Paris the day before. DOH!

We finally make it to the 'Mill and enjoy a very "scenic" breakfast. Cocktail waitresses with the long slit black dresses...excellent, don't change a thing. It was crowded when we arrived but that's what made it even better. We took a seat at the bar and enjoyed some before round three morning drinks. Very nice.

Upon finishing, we decide to hit Fremont since we haven't yet. I pilot the Do Or Die Garage Experiment over to the LVClub garage and we begin our daylight tour...which ends right at the first craps table we find. I swear we are getting soft in the head. Next thing you know Nephew Jimmy and a couple of friends find out where we're at and cab it over. It's like Barbary Coast 12 hours later.

We roll for a while and some ladies who just came from LaBayou come waltzing thru the casino. I love this town!
4 ladies.
Noon.
4 yardlongs!
I love this town!
John immediately gets shot down after inquiring about the drinks. Of course he asks the feisty one what the blue drink is and without hesitation tells him it's an "ADIOS MOTHER------," well you know the rest. John lasted about 10 more minutes at that craps table. Perhaps the ribbing he was getting from us and the dealers was too much. Well guess what, he comes back with this freakin' blue yardlong and gets the last laugh on us all, which only makes us go across the street and get our own.

Upon freezing my brain and liver, I feel like 3/2 BJ has prettty much vanished from the state of Nevada so I figure I gotta find it down here. So I duck into the Golden Gate and TAH-DAH! It's here. I kill the next couple of hours in BJ bliss, considering I haven't played any yet this trip, color up for about $50 after bouncing back and forth and go to find the rest of the gang making a mental note to myself when I come back later, where I should go.

I finally find the rest of the gang spread out at Binion's...or Harrah's...or the Horseshoe ...or whatever this place is. I find Jerry at a roulette table and he looks like he's building a city of chips. I bring up the fact of not making plans to go to the cellar this year. He's in and I gather a few others. With 4 altogether I walk over to the Queens. Now I've been told that reservations are needed a few days in advance especially for the weekends, but I figured I'd give it a shot and see what happens. I manage to land a 7:30 reservation. Cool. That gives us enough time to mess around downtown some more and then run back to the hotel, clean-up and come back downtown.

Needless to say, it turns out to be a mad-dash from downtown to the Strip midst the Friday evening rush-hour. However we do manage to make it to dinner on-time.

We get the same table we had last year and I even think the same waiter. We ordered prime rib, 2 crab stuffed filets and a petite filet for the lady. Everything was excellent. The salad cart is still a winner for me. Corny as it may be, I'm a sucker for it.

Well after dinner, we strolled out onto the street to walk it off. I picked up a few Cohibas for after dinner enjoyment. Watched the spray paint guy. Took in a FSE show. (Yes the LED's are brighter.) And found another 3/2 BJ table at the Queens. I can't believe I walked right by them. One thing I noticed while walking in for dinner was this. This joint was jammed, smoky and loud. Perfect. Every table was maxed out to the corners. I had to make a few laps before I could wiggle into a table. It had the sucker side bet, but just about everyone there was passing on that. The dealers were pretty cool. This one dude was from Louisiana and had nothing but stories and liked to deal it out kinda slow. No problem with me, cause I figured if I started losing, I'd lose it slower. All the players were real fun too, it was good for a couple hours, we had a lot of laughs.

...And then...(bring down the lights and insert thunder claps here) it all started to unravel. The previous days I had spent amassing fun and small wealth started to backslide and the stack of about $75 in front of me slowly disappeared. I lost with 20's, pushed with 19's you know the drill. I begin drinking Corona's like they're going outta style. Bam another $100. Okay time to stretch. I gotta go find the guys. It takes me a while but I manage to locate our gang. It was only after I got another yardlong brain freeze from LaBayou and dropped another $100 on BJ at the Golden Gate that I found them playing at Binion's on, you guessed it a craps table.

I stagger up and they assure me that the table's hot and I gotta get in on this. So I buy in for $100 and get on the pass line. Well, next thing you know, I'm buying in for another $100. Set the point...7. Set the point...7. "Hot table huh?" I get blamed. I decide to leave and meander for a bit. I begin to wonder who else has 3/2 BJ downtown so I do a little investigating.
LVClub: nope, Double exposure, stay away.
Fremont: 6/5 next!
Golden Nugget: Yeah right!
Fitzgeralds: nada.
It was here where I decided to give up. it was too much like work. The ElCo made it too my mind but I was tired of walking.

I retreat back to the Horseshoe where all my friends are at the SAME TABLE. I stand back and watch for a while and BS with a couple of Jimmy's friends who are also feeling the pain. We end up sitting at the bar and solving the world's problems while checking out a few hookers when the rest of the gang decide to join us and head outta downtown.

Now there's like 8 of us and we're all going back to the strip, into 2 cabs we go. I'm ready to call it a night until Jerry throws out a, "there's an extra $20 in it for ya if you beat that cab in front of us back to Paris." (It's a long tradition that stared years ago when we had a similar cab challenge race from the MGM to the Sahara. That resulted in our cabbie flying in thru the out turnaround in front of the Sahara. Priceless.) So down I-15 we go at about 90+mph. The guys in the other cab figure out what's happening and it is so on. Well we made it there first but not without scaring the hell out of about 30 people crossing the entrance of Paris. Oh, and taking out the valet sign. Real nice.

With a new found appreciation of life I turn to Stoli for some counseling. His assistant RedBull also sat in on some multiple sessions, while at the Paris craps table...again. Now it's just not funny because I end up dropping another $300 there. Dice, slots and drinks. I'm ready to cry, it's not even Saturday yet and I'm down to about $400. I've had enough, I go to tell the others I'm going to bed, when I see John take all the $1 and $5 chips out of the front rail and literally cascade them onto the table. The dealer could only laugh and then ask,
"What's that?"
"The 6 and 8."
"How much?"
"All of it."
It's like a $28 6 and 8 bet. John even lets the dealer stack it for him. Jerry throws out a $30 6 and 8. The banker just looks at them and asks, "Hey where's the guys that were looking for the $5 table?" I look down and see they've got green on the line with full odds, with 10 as the point. My knees go weak. Shooter throws a 6. They press. Shooter throws another 6. They press again. Now I feel like I'm dreaming. But I know it's real because I'm not in the game. I stand back respectfully. Shooter throws a hard 10. All we need was Mean Gene to state there's pandemonium at the Paris Hotel Las Vegas that night. At this point, I'm worn out althoug I want to stay and share the excitement, I was just done. I could've went to sleep right there if the pitboss would have given me a blanket. i grab a beer for the jaunt home and pass by the table to say good-bye and here's my friends coloring up for a lot of black, with Johnny saying, "lets look at the hookers on the way home!" Which were out in full force. we got propped by two but, we both assured them that the performances would be something quite short of substantial. We wouldn't even hit the ground if we fell over at this point.

Now it's Saturday and I'm in no shape nothing. The chips that John again neglected to cash in are spilling over the nightstand and now there's more half empty beers next to the alarm clock. It was a good thing we didn't use it, else someone was getting a warm beer shower one morning. The weather was finally getting better in the morning but not pool side. In fact that was another reason I stayed here was to hit the pool a few days. Go figure.

We take roll call and bodies are a no-show. They're either passed out or like Jimmy and his friends off gambling at Paris all night. Well we have this bright idea to go grab lunch at ESPN Zone. Yeah right, college football Saturday?!?!After we get there I couldn't even get a timeframe as to how long it would be for a seat. I was told, "could be 20 minutes could be 4 hours." i remeber the brewpub next door at Monte Carlo so we head over there. Which was an adventure because navigating thru NYNY is just a challenge in itself. There were so many people in here it was almost like a fire hazard.

There's a small wait at the brewpub but it goes quickly. We debate about getting a giraffe, but none of us are thinking about consuming a large amount of ale, well not at this time anyway. So we opt for a few pints and order a round of shots for an appetizer! Then we order a couple of sandwiches and another round of shot sfor dessert. Pretty cool place. Definitely going back to tackle a giraffe.

Afterwards we just kinda walk around a little bit, do some slots in the MC. I quit drinking for a while so I can drive the rental car back to the Flamingo. We decide to head out to the Orleans for something different, namely an Oyster shooter or 2 from Big Al's Oyster Bar, so we grab the Dodge and head West. Kinda cool place until I found double odds yet again on craps, and then the icing on the cake...even money BJ?! Well we weren't there long. I didn't even have a beer. I just kinda hung out by the sportsbook looking like I know what I'm doing. Plus I want to leave room for the booze I'll be swilling at the Grand Garden tonight to see JB and the Reefers. It turns into a kinda lackadaisical kinda day until about 4:00 when we returned to the Flamingo and was greeted by hordes of Hawaiian shirts and grass skirts, for the next 10 hours would be the 2nd highlight of my trip.

We meet again at Paris and endure yet another Cabbie 500 race to the MGM. I would lose this time only because the other guy was just plain nuts. I never seen a cabbie launch a car almost on two wheels over a curb and nearly sideswipe a line of limos. Our guy dropped us right at the elevator entrance to the Starwalk, which coincidentally is where we wanted to go in the first place. Because as the elevator doors opened there it was...Fat Tuesday's!

After some Jaegerbombs, Jello shots and of course a frozen Hurricane football sized brain meltdown we made our way to the garden. Feeling no pain whatsoever. We find out that we can't take in the footballs but we can put our drinks in some plastic cups. Ok, ever see 50 oz. of Hurricane go into a 12 oz. cup? It ain't happening. I run back to the food court and finagle a few supersizers from the cashier, (Thanks again whoever you are.) and return with the booty. Picture 6 grown adults squeezing slush out of a plastic football into McDonald's cups. There's gotta be a picture of that on a Parrothead site.

We make it to our seats and the show is just awesome. It turns into a huge sing-a-long section up in the cheap seats by us. Yeah, 5th row from the top, but we could see fine. It's all a hazy memory now, but it was just great. I highly reccommend Jimmy in Vegas.

Well the flood gates open and 13,000 parrotheads are on the loose. This is where it gets hysterical. We wind up at Fat Tuesday's again for another Hurricane football and a ridiculously over Jaeger'd Jaegerbomb when we realize that Nick left and called it a night. He was D-O-N-E done. Everyone else wants to go play craps and I'm still wondering where I got a handful of beads and a straw hat that doesn't fit me. Well we decide to walk it back to Paris where we'll decide what to do. Well I get to Paris and I'm reduced to nothing but a slurred piece of jello, with a hurricane football in tow and a Fat Tuesdays t-shirt. It was at this point where we decide to play Vegas hide and go seek because I would not see anyone else unitl the next morning. Some went to Aladdin. Some went to Bally's. Someone got propped by the same hookers as the previous night before and got the same response as well. I told them they need to catch me in the afternoon. They got a good laugh.

John wakes me up only to tell me he's checked out and all I have to do is leave in an hour. So I fall outta bed. "I gotta go cash in my chips!" Now there was a bet I could've won. Cash in he did. I found out later john would score big for the trip. Making a profit of $800. Way to go Johnny boy!

I shower, pack and make the dreadful move to count the dinero. I'm down to about $200. Yikes! I call the rest of the boys and the 2 girls, which should be just referred to as girl because 1 didn't really feel the need to associate with us. Whatever. I'm on vacation. I'll meet them at Paris and we'll kill some time before our 5:00 flight home. After touring the parking garage for about 45 minutes, then finally finding the car I head over to Paris. Upon meeting with everyone, which by the way looks like we were in a bar brawl, stories begin surfacing of who did what last night and where the hell did everyone go. Find out Nick fell into a palm tree on the way back from the concert last night and after laughing his ass off for about 5 minutes made himself get up and go to bed. Michelle tore up the Flamingo craps table. Jimmy met his friends at Barbary Coast where they witnessed some guy buy-in for 10grand at a craps table. Only to bet the don't come a few times and walk off minutes later. Jerry played slots at Paris and only after he hit the call attendant buttoon twice in a row was he asked to "call it a night, sir."

So we wound up at Cheeseburger at the Oasis in the Passage at Aladdin. It probably would've been better had I not felt like redecorating the table. We'll try it again next time. So having no energy left we hung out there. Played some more craps and lost some more. When I got down to the last $100 in my pocket I finally cried uncle and gave in. The others would slowly follow suit, but only because it was time to go.

We drop off the car and get into the airport. Where I grab myself one beer at the bar and watch the airport slots take the last remaining dollars of the weary. The flight was quick on the way home but uncomfortable. I thought I was gonna need the inconvenience bag for the ride home, but thankfully I didn't need it. I bet the mother and her cute daughter sitting next to me were thankful also.

To wrap it up, and I'll probably have to add a few things later. I had, like I said one of the best and worst trips of all time. Winning big at IP and seeing Buffet was by far the best. Hugo's was great. Hurricanes rule! The Peppermill is absolutely wonderful. Two of my frineds won huge. Jerry with about $1200 and John for $800 nice. That was after all expenses were taken into account as well.

And of course, the ugly part. Getting my ass handed to me and then ripped from my grasp only to get it back after losing $1000 wasn't a very good high point. 6/5 BJ is just BS. It's everywhere. Double odds craps, gimme a break. Even pay BJ what's that? Rain. Rain and more rain. Binion's looks like it used to be a cool place to hang. I didn't play any poker. More rain. And I can't forget, not playing the putting course at Angel Park and running the risk of bumping into LVTerry and his friends! Sorry dude!

I also figured I'd make it good and long since I made everyone wait for it.

And by the way I had nothing to do with the Scurvy at the Flamingo...or the brawl outside of Margaritaville Saturday night....I was in no shape for any physical activity that night.

Hope you enjoy. Cheers!

[ November 23, 2004, 06:39 PM: Message edited by: duffelbag don ]

 

...and since you returned the Dodge, probably wasn't you at the 'drive-in window' at the El Co either?

Can't believe the crappy BJ games you found downtown and at Orleans. That fourth horseman should be along any minute now.

Truly, a worthy trip report, DD.

 

Don--

Great report my brotha! Although, it doesn't seem to me like it was that bad. I've lost my entire bankroll a time or two myself, and it sure stings and really takes the luster off of Vegas. But it can't be considered a shitty trip unless you come back on the hook to one of your buddies for a couple of black chips. I've been there before. Damn Vegas enablers...

I was saddened to hear of such crummy games downtown. If all real blackjack is gonna be green-chip or higher, or dealt on continuous shuffle machines everywhere, I'm afraid my Vegas days are numbered.

Thanks for coming out of your Vegas exile to write up such an entertaining report!

Mikey

 

Waaaay cool TR ! ! !

I still havent stopped laughing from the

'also took out the Valet sign' 'nice'

LOL LOL LOL

Glad you won some dough & had a some nice dice runs. Yeah, you can be in the gutter & an hour later lovin life.

mK

 

Wow Don! What a great report. Made for a long day waiting for part 2, but what the heck!

Sorry to hear about the losses. It's amazing how Vegas is a love and hate relationship. That is... I hate the fact that I continue to love the place a few weeks after a spanking!

What's with this even BJ crap? 2X odds? Come on! I hope people respond to this by lower turnouts.

Give people what they really want, and the word spreads. If only we could collectively open our own joint.

 

So you lost profit? Don, Don, Don, Don, Don....

Dude, that is a win in my book! But I hear ya. There has been many a time where i've been up the first hour 10 times my bankroll, only to see the empire come crashing down. I have a nice $300 O'Sheas hat on my mantle to prove on losing session!

A nice report nonetheless, it was worth the wait.

 

that was a great trip report, Don. Starts my day off with a few laughs. I especially enjoyed the "I'm still wondering where I got a handful of beads and a straw hat that doesn't fit me." Sounds to me like you took advantage of every minute you had in Vegas. So has your liver recovered yet? If it makes you feel any better, on one of my trips to Vegas, I got totally smashed the first night and lost my entire bankroll. At least you waited a few days

 

Nice trip report. By the way, since the new ownership took over at the Golden Nugget downtown, all of their blackjack is exclusively 3:2, and craps is 6/8/10X odds.

 

I guess it wouldn't be Vegas without the losses to go with the wins. Oh well, win some, lose some. It coulda been worse. Would do it all over again if I had too. Hey it's a dirty job....

Double odds and poor pay tables just flips me out. It's like a virus and it just won't stop. Big Tex's info on the Nugget promises to be a silver lining. I hope that place keeps those numbers. I can't believe I missed that. Damn yardlongs!

I give it a few more days and future "plans" will most likely be gone thru the prep stages.

[ November 25, 2004, 12:55 PM: Message edited by: duffelbag don ]

 

A true epic saga of triumph and woe, bliss and despair, brilliance and stupor. I laughed, I cried. A memory to last a lifetime (or at least 365 days).

Now, can anyone link me to the old trip report with the guy whose loser friend could would only eat the 99-cent shrimp downtown?

 

Here ya go. I had to search the TR section for "broke".

 

I totally remember that now....

Wow, good work Doc!

Ouch...

 

great report! how long did it take you to recover from this trip? i would have had to sleep for days.

thanks for sharing!