Recap report from Super Bowl weekend

Just a quick summary report of my Super bowl weekend trip to the promised land. This is probably the 30th time I have spent Super Bowl weekend there, first time was 1982 when my buddies and I watched the game at the Stardust sports book. I still meet my college buddy Pete there along with other friends and family, and our group grew to 23 this year!

Wife and I flew from DFW Saturday morning on American along with two friends who joined the tradition two years ago, and their daughter who was a SBVV (Super Bowl Vegas Virgin) last year. We also convinced two other couples to go for the first time this year, one couple had an earlier flight and the other had a later flight. Now I prefer Southwest over American as I seem to get an extra inch of legroom on SW but I got overruled when a great fare popped up on American, but that fare came with middle seats and wifey knew I wouldn’t be happy with that so she paid $74 (yes, $74) for an exit row seat for me. It also came advertised as complimentary alcohol which was only offered once. I would have preferred just toughing it out in a middle seat and told her not to spend the $ for an exit row on the return flight.

We had booked a minivan and friends had booked a car so once at McCarran they went to meet SBVV’s boyfriend who flew in from Colorado while we were hungry and stopped into Rudy’s Diner. Many people make the Welcome to LV sign their first stop but we headed for the @ardee sign in Rudy’s (might be Ruby’s Diner, I forget



Everyone from Texas and Pete from California, and my ex in-laws from California were all staying at The Orleans and the casino was packed all day. Ten of us ate dinner at The Prime Rib Loft, great as always, and I called it a night since Pete and I head out to the South Point early Sunday to stake out a spot in line for the watch party in the exhibit hall.


Sunday

I am down in the casino by 6:15 and Pete and one of our first timers came down right around 7 so we Lyfted to the South Point and ate breakfast in the café there, very good. At 8 I got in line for the party after grabbing the prop sheet and a couple programs for the ponies. As I am looking at the entries at Santa Anita I see Peter’s Kitten entered in the first race and figure this is an omen because when Pete and I were out there in August I bet that horse since Pete is allergic to cats. The horse ran second in August at Saratoga, maybe today he will break his maiden!


Unfortunately I forgot to go bet the horse, and of course it won and paid $14.00. Crap! Nobody to blame but myself though.

They open the doors for the Exhibit Hall at 10:30 and by that time we had 7 people in our group and we grabbed three tables not far from one of the bars and everyone started planning out their prop bets. They have 5-6 tellers just outside the hall for betting so never a long wait. I had a couple future bets on the Rams so I only made three bets-

Under 10 ½ points in the first quarter (winner)

Game to be decided by exactly 3 points (loser)

Brandon Cooks to score the last touchdown (loser)

I ended up winning $10 for the day on those bets, but Pete hit all his bets (under 56 ½, no team to score 3 consecutive times, and Sony Michel to score first TD) and won about $600 which was awesome.

One funny Pete story to report here. We went to the boys room and I usually walk out in front of him to clear a path but he got going in front of me and as he was exiting a guy was entering and then he backed into the wall to let Pete pass, but then I noticed the guy had a big glob of foamy hand sanitizer on the back of his shirt. I told the guy he had something on his back and grabbed some paper towels to wipe it off and said “Man I have no idea how you got this stuff on you back” and the guy said “Oh, when I backed into the wall there I must have bumped the dispenser”. Pete and I had a good laugh about stuff like this only happening when Pete is around.

After the game we play for about 90 minutes to let the line to cash tickets die down, and I hit this. Nice to have it dealt, wish it was on DDB


Monday

The ladies all had spa day at The Flamingo so the guys were on our own. I had two hits-



And Pete hit this playing dimes on Ultimate X Bonus Streak-


Two of the Texas guys and I headed off to The Pinball HOF which was a fun time as always (they had never been and both enjoyed it) and then we went to the Carroll Shelby Heritage Center to check it out. Pretty cool, they had just started one of their free tours so we joined up with that for about 30 minutes but we bailed before they went into the factory. Here are a few pics-





Back to the Orleans where we had a couple hours to kill before the evening plans which were for nine of us to go to The Peppermill for dinner (all PMV’s…Peppermill Virgins) and then we were going to see Carrot Top (all CTV’s). Peppermill was great, I told Pete we should go back when we meet up in August and play some video poker in the lounge. Everyone enjoyed the food and the cocktails were nice, I had a Creamsicle, very good!


I think some of our group of nine were not too excited about Carrot Top but I told them I have read many times that those who were skeptical before the show were converts after and that is what happened. He was great, everyone really liked the show. He even had one brand new joke the day after the Super Bowl. “Maroon 5, Rams 3” which cracked me up.


Tuesday

Most of the Texas gang had early flights so no gambling today. I was a bit worried about having a middle seat (If I keep my legs bent for too long the knees start hurting) but we had a newer plane and they seem to have an extra inch of leg/knee room, so I guess I can bump up my rating for AA a little bit . Watched Bohemian Rhapsody on the flight, good flick!

 

Glad you had a great trip!
I wavered on Carrot Top and decided no. Maybe next trip.

 

Great recap @Johnzimbo and one of these days we’ll make it to Carrot Top, it does seem everyone who goes enjoys it.
That’s a lot of Vegas Super Bowl tradition . Thanks for sharing.

 

I hate it when an unplayed hunch bet scores. Trust The Force John.

 

Great report, fella. Got a kick out of it and looking forward to your further adventures with Pete.

 

Always enjoy hearing about your and Pete's adventures!

 

Great report! Glad you enjoyed Carrot Top, it does seem like a very enjoyable show and it’s on my list to see him!

 

Ok Carroll Shelby Center is going on the to do list

 

Missed this till just now. A another great report! Glad to hear Pete did well on his bets!