Laughlin, Las Vegas 2/3-2/8

Thursday:
We left early and stayed at the Avi Casino which is about 20 miles south of Laughlin. The casino has added on a movie complex and a new wing that was very nice. They have the nicest beach and boat ramp of any of the river casinos. I hit a royal on the nickel machines within ten minutes of playing which is only $200 but one hell of a start. Played a little craps and lost then went to the BJ tables and worked my bet up to $180 from a $5 starting bet and got an eleven against the dealers six. Had to double and lost. Ended up the night up about $150.

Friday:
Left for Laughlin to stay at the Flamingo for the Super Bowl party. Met several of our friends that were there for the same reason like we do every year. We had just about the whole floor blocked and it was great. Played the horses, BJ, Video Poker and Craps and ended up down about $250 for the day.

Saturday:
We were invited to a Tailgate party by the casino besides the other party and it was very good. They had buffet style food that was excellent. They had an open bar, food, T-shirts and free chances into a Super Bowl pool with 100 squares. We had four squares and hit on one for a payout of $106. Not too bad for free. Gambling was about the same as Friday.
Heard some rumors that the NFL has told the major stations that if this year and next year the ratings do not improve by big numbers they were going to move the Super Bowl to the NFL channel and it will be pay TV. This was from one of the big shots at the casino.

Super Bowl Sunday:
Bet the game NE/overs for $100 and lost. We watched the game in a big suite that faces the river and it was fantastic. I enjoyed it more this year instead of the Big Screen in the ballroom as in past years. The guy who had the suite had some food brought in from Vegas and they were one of the best sandwiches that I have ever had in my life. He told me where he gets them but I didn’t write in down and so I will have to call him to find out. Everybody in the room was in agreement about the quality and taste. Had a good run at the tables and had to double again and lost on another big bet.
Decided to go to Vegas the next day and called the Plaza for our room.

Monday:
Left about 9am for Vegas and stopped at the Railroad Pass Casino for lunch which was OK. It is always windy there. Checked into the Plaza by noon and got the mini-suite on the 17th floor. Click here to see the view that we get at night of the strip.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/DonD/100_2074.jpg

Hit another nickel royal in the afternoon but it did not cover my losses for the day.
Did my walk around downtown and ended up playing craps at the Golden Gate. They have a $3 minimum with full 5x odds. Mikey, you could deal craps here without ever going to school. The dealers were soooo bad that I ended up only playing the pass line because they screwed up the come bets and it was a hot table. The stickman and box man were yelling all the time. Walked away plus $180 with a $20 buy in.
The wife went to the Larry Jones show at the Plaza and she loved it. They say it is free with a one drink minimum but it comes to about $10 with tip. They had some new bands in the lounge and they really drew a crowd. Ended the day a loser but not by much.

Tuesday:
Got up early and went to Lake Las Vegas. All I can say is FANTASTIC. The casino is small but very nice. Their video poker payouts are better than any place I have played. Here is a picture of their sign:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/DonD/100_2071.jpg

Here are more pictures of the area. These pictures do not do it justice.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/DonD/100_2070.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/DonD/100_2059.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/DonD/100_2069.jpg

Lake Las Vegas is worth the drive and if you can or could afford to retire there I would really consider it. I did get some brochures that I am going to look at but I doubt if the prices will allow me to retire there next year.

Wednesday:
Left about 9:30am for the 3.5 hour drive home and the whole trip including everything cost me just under $1,000 which is not bad for six nights. Had a great time and already thinking about when we go next. My excuse next time will be that I want to check out Lake Las Vegas again.

 

Don,

Gorgeous pics of LLV! Thanks so much for sharing! Hubby and I plan on spending at least a day there when we head out in late September. I wish it were September now!! Did you happen to dine at MiraLago?

 

Less than a grand for six days is right there alone a grand of a trip!

Nice trip report, DonD!

Was in Laughlin two weeks ago and drove back to Vegas, stopping at Railroad Pass. Indeed it's windy...

Was the craps table a dollar minimum? It was for us.

Drove through Lake Las Vegas on the early December trip. For those who haven't been there... it's very nice. Very pricey too (to live).

Nice view of strip from Plaza!

Played craps couple of weeks ago at Golden Gate. You're right... what a mess. Dealers had ZERO clue how to pay out proper odds of passline or place bets. As a matter of fact, it was too frustrating waiting for payouts everytime a point was thrown and somebody had the come bet.

 

boxcars, that is exactly why I left the GG. The table was still hot when I left but I could not take it anymore.

More pictures of LLV>
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/DonD/100_2060.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/DonD/100_2065.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v319/DonD/100_2068.jpg

Skyy, no I did not dine there but did get some of their free pastries and coffee that they have on Tuesdays at the casino.

 

Nice report. Loved the pic of the strip at night. I haven't run into the problem with the Gate dealers, because I never win at those tables...

 

Nice TR Don.
Sounded like a good time.
Say hi to Jen.

Nice pics. What Casino is that at Lake Las Vegas?
Marty

[ February 11, 2005, 09:55 AM: Message edited by: IllMarty ]

 

Marty, they are going to have at least five championship golf courses when it is done. Here is the website to the casino.
http://www.montelagovillage.com/mv-casino_montelago.html

BTW
Celine Dion lives at Lake Las Vegas.

[ February 11, 2005, 10:20 AM: Message edited by: DonD ]

 

Don...great report, great pictures!

I'll see what I can do about finding my way behind the felt at the Golden Gate. When I'm playing there in March I'll talk to the floorman.

Mikey

 

Hey Don,
You had me until you told me Celine lives there.LOL

 

Don,

You lucky, lucky man!!!

 

Marty, you may want to check this out for one of your gambling/golf trips. The prices are cheaper than the strip.
http://www.montelagovillage.com/ac-vacaction_plan.html

 

Sounds like you had a good time. Thanks for sharing.

I think somebody that was talking about the NFL and moving it to a pay per view event didn't have a clue.

Just comparing the amount of people in the US that can get over the air channels - ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox compared to the cable/sat. NFL Network - which just started is night and day. It's not the networks fault if the league can't draw the numbers.

 

Nice trip report...nice photos. View from the Plaza reminded me of my last trip. IMHO, one of the most underrated (and cheap) good views of the city is the South Tower there.