My TR – Superbowl Weekend 2009

My TR – Superbowl Weekend 2009

Can anybody really have too much fun in Vegas? lol Apparently not. I get home, check my email, and I have a three day comp offer from MGM. What next. I'm still laughing and shaking my head over this last weekend...

FLY THE FRIENDLY SKIES (-$200)
I love to travel. But HATE the actual ‘traveling’ part. My Dec nightmare adventure began with an unexpected overnight in Minneapolis (and unscheduled trip to Mall of America to kill time), and ended in that same airport when a ‘mechanical problem’ pushed the flight from Vegas back three hours. I’m at the MN gate, arguing with the NW staff, because I SEE my plane—right there—outside the window—and they aren’t gonna let me on!?!? (They eventually did.)

This trip—traveling was heaven. Gotta love direct flights, online check-in and traveling with just a carry-on. Get to the airport 30 minutes before the flight. Arrive at the departure gate and a dozen other passengers are still in line for boarding. Ten minutes later, we pull away from the gate, wheel over to the runway, and are airborne—20 minutes ahead of schedule. To my surprise, it turned out to be the same routine on the way home. Internet boarding pass in hand, I breeze through security screening, jump on the tram to D gate, buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks, check the Superbowl score (20-14) and get on the plane—20 minutes ahead of schedule.

PUBLIC TRANSPORATION (-$8.75)
I work in the downtown area surrounded by a sprawling college campus—and have a free bus pass. So I’m use to public transit systems. If you don’t mind the little bit of extra time it takes, the Vegas CAT system can get you just about anywhere for a few dollars. Thanks to my friendly skies crew, we were early, and I knew if I hurried I could catch the 6:12pm 109A, travel straight down Maryland Pkwy and be downtown by 7pm ($1.75/fare). On Saturday afternoon, I took the free shuttle from downtown to Sam’s Town, and then another free ride to Harrahs. I wandered up and down the strip, then at 7pm bought a $7/24-hour pass that was valid on all CAT buses and the Deuce, making sure my 24 hours didn’t expire before I got my free ride to the airport the next day. (NOTE: In Dec, a one-way Deuce ticket was $2 and a 24-hour pass was $5. That fare is now $3/one-way and $7/day.)

ROOM (Comp)
I like a free room, so I’m not very picky. As long as the bed is soft, the heat/air works (and doesn’t rattle all night), the water pressure in hard enough to wash the shampoo from my hair, the curtains are heavy enough to turn the space pitch black at 3pm, the elevator isn’t a half-mile away, the FSE doesn’t sound like it is happening in my room, and I have a coffee pot—I’m happy. I found everything I needed—except the coffee pot. After a panic phone call to the desk (I can’t live without coffee in the morning), the nice people at the Fremont accommodated my addiction.

FOOD/DRINKS (- $20 with tip)
Those same nice Fremont people comped me a brunch buffet, too, which I thoroughly enjoyed on Saturday morning. Sunday morning breakfast was at Binions-- $1.99 eggs, potatoes and toast (other breakfast specials-- $1.99 pancakes (3) and $3.99 steak & eggs). I stopped in to snack on Golden Gate’s .99 shrimp a half dozen times over three days. On the strip, I had an order of five breadsticks, bottle of water, and a margarita (Bill’s) for $1/ea. I arrived at Harrahs Carnival Court just as they called over the loud speaker-- free shots at the bar (I got two). The rest of my drinks were “free†at the BJ or craps tables. I say free—but I always tip the waitress with two $1 chips. So, although it is technically costing me $2/drink, it comes out of the winnings I’ve set aside—and after 2-3 rounds, I don’t have to ask anymore. The next time, I’m just handed a drink, and she shares in my good fortune. We both win on that system. I certainly drank a lot of free alcohol.

MIX at Mandalay Bay (-$50 with tip)
My one luxury. It was early. The sun had set less than an hour ago. Some other travelers had the same idea as me, but it was still just a few. I’m lounging on a patio couch, sixty-four floors above the Strip and the temperature is still around 60 degrees. Sipping my Pink Goose cocktail, and nibbling on duck springrolls. Enjoying the quiet night air, looking out at the lights and bustle of the island that is The Strip, and the lights of the tiny houses in the suburbs stretching beyond the horizon. I rested my tired feet on that couch for over an hour. I got up only once—to go to the restroom….

LADIES RESTROOM AT MIX (Priceless)
The club is dark. Black everything and low lights. My first time here, I slid down a ramp and almost broke my ankle. I’ve figured out how to navigate the dark shadows since then. Passing the elevator, I head into the women’s restroom, notice the end stall is open and make a bee-line for it. Smiling broadly, I close the door behind me. Two walls of the small room are floor to ceiling windows. I slip my pants down and sit on the toilet, looking out onto the courtyard of THEhotel and the lights beyond--and have the urge to giggle. Even though I know the glass is one-way, I feel like a voyeur and an exhibitionist all at the same time. Lol Fortunately, despite the allusion of this public display, it has never stopped the flow.

GAMING (+$670)
After losing $150 at BJ downtown Friday night, I quit at 3am. Saturday, I walked through Sam’s Town ($5 tables but no single deck, mostly shoe) and Bill’s (same thing)—and didn’t sit down. I got nostalgic for MGM and toured the whole casino. There were only 4-5 tables of $10BJ (all shoe), a few more than that of $25/BJ (shoe again), and a whole heap of $50/above.

I stopped and watched one guy who had a stack of black chips about two feet tall—and he kept trying to stack more on top (must have been some good luck thing). Another guy was playing at a table all by himself. No min listed. $10,000 max. He was betting stacks of purple chips like I play red. $7000 changed hands between him and the dealer in like five minutes. Too rich for me. I make the circle and head for the Lion’s Den and the walkbridge to Tropicana. Just before the escalator, I see something shiny on the floor and stop. It’s a penny. Being a dork, I think of old Ben’s sage advice—see a penny….. So, I pick it up. Get on the escalator, head over to the Trop, find a place at their $5 craps table, and throw in $70. Two hours later, I walk out of the casino with over $400 in my pocket, and a reason to celebrate with a little luxury at Mix. Quite happy with how my day turned out, and not wanting to push that luck, I opt out of gaming Saturday night. Maybe I shouldn’t have. The next afternoon, I hit Binions, MSS, and finished at the Fremont (just before I had to catch the bus to the airport), and left a winner every time.

SUPERBOWL (+$35)
Before I boarded the plane, there was still seven minutes left in the 4th quarter and Arizona had just scored. The game was already over before they finally turned the XM radio back on in the cabin. When I found out the final score, I had to smile. My Superbowl bet was a parley—Arizona/14 and Over 39.

Expenses $ 300 (including various tips)
Winnings $ 705
Net +$405

 

nice TR.

 

Great report! Thanks for sharing

 

A WIN! Thanks for posting your TR.

later, GVJ

 

Nice TR, always good to see someone finish in the black, congrats!

 

Nice TR...congrats on the WIN!

 

Great trip. Thanks for sharing

 

I love to hear about winning trips!!!!

 

Welcome back Lacy! But I expected some kinda shenanigans from you in the elevator going up to Mix.....