TR 5/2 - 5/5 Anniversary/Derby trip

This trip was early anniversary and annual Kentucky Derby trip. We enjoy the Derby, so celebrate the 13th anniversary a little early to enjoy our happy place. Coach would say he has been happily married for 2 years. Hopefully he is kidding.


WARNING – FIRST DAY OR SO IS LONG, AFTER THAT, NOTES GET SKETCHY

Day One – Friday May 2
Our direct Southwest flight out of Cleveland leaves approximately 25 minutes late as our plane was late coming in. I like the new Southwest line up personally. No jockeying for spots and camping out. Seems to run smoothly and efficiently. Coach and I had A26 and A27 boarding passes and grabbed our usual window and middle seat. A very nice nurse heading to Vegas to visit a friend for a girls weekend sat next to us and was a great seat mate. Made conversation here and there, but she mostly relaxed and enjoyed the ride. Coach and I packed a lunch to have on the plane so we don’t starve on the 4 hour and 40 minute flight gate to gate. We watched the Tom Cruise and Glenn Close flick Lions for Lambs, which frankly, in my opinion, sucked. Coach didn’t seem impressed either. I thought it was way too predictable and completely forgettable. We also watched Oceans 13, which was MUCH better in comparison, but the battery died half way through the picture, and although we had the laptop, we elected to just kick back and enjoy the scenery.

Flight was uneventful, EXCEPT for the upstanding citizens sitting behind us. T was a couple and a boy, approximately 13 year old boy. First the 13 year old boy was REPEATEDLY putting his armrest up and down with force, which kept making a clanging sound and despite the fact it was not connected to my seat, kept making my seat move. This could have also been his knees hitting my seat, who knows. Now as a mother who flies with her children a couple times a year (they are 6 and 10) they know to not kick the seat in front of them, put up and down the tray for no apparent reason etc. Now I do NOT have perfect children and this sometimes requires a reminder, however, nothing that I heard was said to this boy, but I did give the death stare a couple times, of which he was oblivious. Now that being said, I do not totally blame his parents/guardians, whatever, as they started drinking wine as soon as beverage service started and did not stop until the flight attendant informed them that no more drinks were being served since we were descending into Vegas.

They were beyond trashed, getting louder and louder and words slurring more and more often which resulted in several looks between my husband, myself and our seat mate. I was actually surprised that they continued to serve them. Anyway, our seat mate tells us that the flight attendant had asked the female if she had smoked in the restroom at one point, I missed this part, probably was watching the movie. So as we are descending into Vegas and attendants are safely in their seats, she lights up a cigarette. Yep! Her husband or whoever loudly says put that out! And I have no idea where she put it out, but it went out. Unreal. And flight attendants didn’t catch her as they were safely in their seats. I felt bad for the kid because both his parents were tanked and its early afternoon and they are done for the day and what is that kid going to do? Yikes. Anyway, we landed on time at 1pm vegas time despite late start.

We waited for luggage, had a very short wait at cab line and off to Bally’s. Coach and I had a little bet he came up with the night before we left. He set gas at $3.95 line and asked if I wanted the over or under. Gas had been around $3.60 at home and I immediately took the over thinking this was the first big score of the trip. WRONG! Coach won! I hate when he’s right. He was just a little too proud of himself. It was only $20 bucks though. Come to think of it, I never paid him. In currency anyway.

No one in check in line at Bally’s and I wanted to see if we could get into our room early. Had a very nice gentleman help us and asked for complimentary upgrade using my $20 sandwich. I mentioned the room with the Jacuzzi tub, but it was not to be at that point. He said he could get us in a “Diamond†room now in North tower or if we wanted to wait til 6pm he could get us a fabulous room we would love. After leaving home at 9am that morning (it was around 5 back in Ohio), I just wanted to freshen up and hit the casino so we took diamond room. He handed me the $20 back, but since it was technically an upgrade (we had discounted classic room reserved) and he did help and give us some options, I gave him the $20. Good karma, I hoped.

So off to room 2177. Ok. I was a bit disappointed. What is a diamond room anyway? I have been spoiled last few trips with Jacuzzi suite with 2 vanities, big room etc and the room was nice and it was clean, but I was initially disappointed. Then I realize, what the hell am I complaining about? Nice room, clean, no view, but when are we in it, and we are in Vegas!! So I get happy, unpack quickly, freshen up and off we go.

Coach heads to Sports Book to get a few bets in and I am ready for a beer, so I head to bar VP and throw a $20 in and get a beer. So, I had my $20 corona, and off we go for Ellis Island steak special. Good as always. Head back to Bally’s and I play some VP while coach hits the poker room. I had dropped $80 in 25 cent VP (which is what I play whole trip unless I indicate otherwise) with only a $35 ticket. So I decide one more $20 then I will go to poker room. So finally, at 5p Vegas time I hit 4ok aces! Go me! No kicker, but I will take it. I cash out and head over to poker room to see if I can get in at coach’s table. So I am fortunate enough that a seat was open at his table for 1-2 NL and I buy in for $250. The cocktail waitress was good to me and I drank quite as few coronas. Had to laugh at one point as I saw a bar back wheeling a cart through the casino to bar near poker room with several cases of corona. I know they weren’t all for me, but it makes me laugh anyway. Had a couple fun people at table, so that was nice. Did get into a hand with coach at one point, raised before flop, I think he re-raised me, maybe one other caller at that point (corona had well past kicked in at this point, memory gets a little dicey ). Flop comes and nothing exciting there. We keep betting and other player folds, coach ends up all in and I call. Coach was slightly disappointed to see my aces after he flipped his pocket kings. Poor guy. I busted him out. He took it well. Pot was about $350. I felt bad because I usually play a little looser than I should after a few, ok, a lot of beers, and he probably thought I had nothing. At this point he had done damage to at least a 12 of miller lite, so he called it a night. The guys at table were teasing me about busting out Coach, but all in good fun. They kept asking me if I was going to be in trouble. Funny. I played a bit longer, but after a trip to the ladies room when I was strolling back to the poker room at an angle I decided it was time to call it a day, gave a final tip to the dealer, and cashed out. Told the guys I had to go make Coach feel better.

At end of day, Coach was down $350, and I was up about $350.

More to come.....

 

Day Two – Saturday - The Derby!
Many months ago when Coach booked our trip, we found out some of his coaching buddies from other schools were going to be there so we decided to hook up to watch the Derby at Caesar’s. Actually, they stopped by the night before when we were at the poker table briefly and coach talked to them but I was busy playing so I just got to give the one guy I know a hug quickly. Great guys and tons of fun. Oops, got off track….let’s back up (if anyone beeps, I will make sure you get a computer virus)

Anywho, I needed breakfast this morning! We were up about 6:30a Vegas time, I can never sleep here, and off we go to Ellis Island. Do you see a pattern here? Anyway, I was starved and decided on chicken fried steak (what is that meat anyway? Chicken? Steak? Pieces parts? I think its pieces parts…) Coach had an omelet which he promptly chowed down and enjoyed. My breakfast was awful. I mean really bad. Im not a big egg person so I let coach eat those and basically I ate my toast. It was just wrong on so many levels. The chicken fried steak or whatever it was, was BAD! (Side note, although I have never met her, I have read the famous Sticky of t2v’s love of toast and its many wonderful qualities. I though of her at this point and thought all would be right with the world if such a fine quality individual could sing the praises of toast. She is right! Thanks Sticky! It worked for me!)

After breakfast I think Coach hit the sports book and planned out his long list of Derby bets for the race for us, family and friends. I proceeded to Paris on my way to the M&M store (I always get kids M&Ms in fun colors) and a Walgreen’s run. Now, I was tired, and I didn’t get quite enough breakfast and the last thing I wanted to do was make the trek down by MGM to go to the M&M store. But I always end up waiting til the last day, ad I promised myself I would not do that this trip. So as Im strolling through Paris, which is probably my favorite casino, I decide a ginger ale is in order, so I sit at Gustov’s bar for a little refreshment. Oops, there is a VP machine here! Guess I’ll play a $20 while I take a little break. Like I needed a break already, but I was dreading going to M&M store. So after a few hands I hit 4ok 6s. Great! Cash out $75 and put original $20 back in. Down to $5 with nothing thrilling, just enough to keep playing and hit 4ok 7s! Nice! Cash out $65. $20 back in. Can’t leave right? Im winning and this machine is my friend! Hit 4ok 8s! Cash out and decide I have to go down strip for errands. Yuk.

I make the trip and handle appropriate purchases. Found little battery operated (you guys are sick, really, what did you think I was going to say?) Welcome to Las Vegas sign for 10 year olds school project for a state float and she picked Nevada! She’s a good kid! I was way excited about that and some postcards of Hoover Dam etc for her float so I called home and checked in. All is well and daughter very excited about sign! Only other thing of note was I saw a drug bust by Las Vegas finest. He had guy handcuffed against his cruiser and was pulling out endless little paper packets of what Im sure was Sweet and Low, but evidently, cop was not convinced and read the guy his rights, right there, in Spanish. Interesting. I was about 5 feet away from them, as I waiting to cross street. I didn’t see COPS show there, so I think my 15 minutes of fame clock hasn’t started ticking yet.

So seeing as it was hot out (really hot) and I was tired still, I thought it best to stop at Paris at the ATM I mean my magic VP machine and have another beverage. Just ginger ale, still feeling the effects of yesterday’s beverage intake. I thought it best to hydrate so I could gear up for the Derby! It is now 10:15a Vegas time. I proceed to hit 4ok Js, then 4ok Aces! (no kicker ) A $20 later I hit 4ok 6s, then 4ok 6s again. By 1pm Vegas time I’m up $272 for the morning. Not too shabby! I throw in another $20 and after 45 minutes on same 20 hit 4ok 9s and decide to cash in all these lovely tickets and go meet coach as we are meeting friends at Cesear’s at 2:15p for Derby.

Cesear’s was packed and we met up with our friends at Shadow bar and had a table right in front to watch Derby. I placed 3 bets, 2 for $5 each on Court Vision and Coal Man or something then I had Coach place a last minute bet for me on Eight Belles, $10 to show. Race was fun as always with everyone yelling and cheering. So sad at end when Eight Belles went down. When they should have celebrating her 2nd place finish, they were mourning their horse. So so sad. But I cashed at $32 ticket, but there was part of me that felt bad about it. Kind of bummed me out. But I had another beer and toasted her memory, and felt better 

After Derby we headed to Paris with our friends so I could show them my machine. Unfortunately someone was camped there so we didn’t get to play it. But we all sat down and played awhile and I did get 4ok 4s dealt to me but couldn’t get the kicker. Coach and I were hungry and planned on going to Ellis Island for steak, but didn’t feel like walking down so we parted from our friends in search of some food since we hadn’t eaten since breakfast. Coach had a meatball sub at Nosh and I had a reuben. Both very good. Used my total rewards card to pay for $22 lunch. Nice!

After that Coach headed to poker room and I’m off to Bally’s bar for a little VP after seeing my machine at Paris was still occupied. It was approximately 6:30p Vegas time. I proceeded to hit 4ok 2s (no kicker again), 4ok Js, then two hands later 4ok 8s, 4ok 10s then 4ok 8s again! Go me! By 9p Vegas time I met Coach in the poker room at Bally’s and played til around 12. Bought in with $300 and cashed out 3 hours later with $320. Not too shabby! We were tired, so went to Nosh for bagels, taking $7 off total rewards card and went to room for snack. And we ate the bagels.

Day 2 – Coach down $235 and I’m up about $360

 

Day 3 – Sunday
I knew this would happen, notes getting very limited, I’ll do the best I can….

I was up early, about 6:45a vegas time and Coach sound asleep. I sneak around and try to make myself presentable and head out so he can get some rest. I head up the strip to Flamingo, etc and walk through the gardens and pool areas with my coffee from Sip City at Bally’s on my total rewards card at $6.50. I stopped in Harrah’s, O’Shea’s, etc and didn’t play but people watched and just walked. On way back I stopped at Barbary (can’t call it Bill’s) to play some nickel VP to kill some time. Hit 4ok Ks and played for an hour or two before coach called and I met him at Bally’s. We head back to Barbary for racing form and go to Victorian room for breakfast. Coach had a skillet breakfast and I wasn’t very hungry, so I ordered a side order of bacon and wheat toast. Good service and food was good. Not that you can screw up toast and bacon, but Coach had no trouble finishing his breakfast and enjoyed it.

Back to Bally’s where Coach hit the sports book and I went to room and changed for some pool time. It was 9:05a vegas time when I got there and I left at about 11:15a. It was very enjoyable but HOT and I purchased some sunscreen at pool shop as after 20 minutes my arms were a bit red. I did bring my spray water bottle which was a godsend. However, I don’t recommend leaving it in the sun, it melted ! I left a few hours later to grab a shower and get or boarding passes for our flight leaving tomorrow at 12:10pm. I really enjoyed my pool/reading time and had a HUGE iced tea which was quite good for $6.

After obtaining the boarding passes, I went to Paris and played my machine and hit a full house on 1st hand after keeping a pair of Kings. I then hit 4ok Js, but spent $40 with no tickets, so I wandered around Paris, looked for an open Wheel of Fortune game but no luck there. I wandered for awhile mostly people watching which is great fun!

I grabbed Coach from poker room and we decided to head down to Ellis Island for steak special again and it did not disappoint. We enjoyed our dinner, but got their too early for the BBQ which we have been wanting to try but not having any luck. I hope to try it next time.

We headed back to strip and Coach went to poker room at Bally’s. I then wandered some more and after a while went to Paris to my machine and played. I hit 4ok Ks then 4ok Jacks and 4 ok 8s. I just put in another $20 and Coach texted me and said there were drunk players at his table with seats open. Ah ha! On my way boss!

Forgive me, I will do my best from here on out, but there are no notes, I’m going from memory, or lack thereof.

I managed to squeak in at Coach’s table and sat next to him, which is my favorite place to play cards. I played VERY tight in the beginning and folded some hands I probably should have stayed in, but you’ll have that! These guys are table were tanked, really tanked. They had multiple shots and beers while at table and were slightly obnoxious. At one point, this guy with LOADS of chips, probably $800 or so made a comment to me, which I did not hear, but he was laughing. His 2 buddies, one actually said “That’s not cool” or something to that effect and the other told him to be quiet or I would hear him. He asked me if I heard him and I gave him my death stare. I’m quite good at this. I practice in the mirror for just such an occasion. I continued to give him the stare down. Little weasel. He finally cashed out and unfortunately I didn’t get any of his chips and
Frankly, hardly played a hand, I just folded hand after hand. Couldn’t catch any cards. Anyway, our friend stopped by and said the guys were at Barbary hanging out and they had a band. Coach still wanted to play so I walked over with our friend and met the guys. Two of them were playing Mikey’s favorite Let it Ride. I watched for about 10 minutes, and watched the one guy lose hand after hand. I have never played a table game, so I was finding it hard to buy in although they wanted me to play with them, I didn’t. I joined the other guys in the lounge and bought them several rounds from the $3 corona cart and listened to the band, which we really enjoyed. At some point, Coach came over and joined us. One of the guys was still playing Let it Ride and the other won a few nice hands and cashed out so he was hanging out with us.

So we go over and watch the guy still playing for a few minutes and Coach says lets play. I had never played. And I didn’t like that they guy kept playing and wasn’t winning anything. However, I thought it would be fun to try, but I know the house has me on this one, but what the heck we leave tomorrow and it would be fun. So we both buy in and off we go. It is a fun game to play and the dealer and other players were nice to me considering I didn’t know what I was doing so the dealer in the beginning would look at my hand to make sure I was doing the right thing, which was a bonus for me. I had a few 10s or better so that was good, then I got 3 queens dealt to me. And yes I was playing the $1 bonus (yes, I know this is a sucker bet). Well, the dealer has a pair of tens! Go me with the full house! I won about $240 on that hand, I think. Memory is a little shaky, ok, a lot shaky! So I threw the dealer a $30 tip. That was fun! I did tip when I won other hands, but not having played this type of game, I wished I had Mikey’s tipping post memorized so I knew what to do, but for a first timer, I think I did ok. However, when I left the table, I didn’t tip the dealer, which I should have. That dealer didn’t deal me any winners, I always remember to tip when I win, but I will use my many beers as my excuse, but I did feel badly. I did cash out up on that game, but I just got lucky. I could have easily left down. I do not recall Coach winning anything significant or I would have remembered. I think ! I didn’t even remember that I didn’t tip the dealer when I left til the next morning.

Coach and I called it a night, it was late, probably 2am vegas time. We stopped for a couple bagels on our total rewards card and went to bed.

 

Thanks for the TR. Would have been perfect if there was a derby horse named "40AK." lol It's too bad about Eight Belles. My father-in-law raises horses so it was tough for him to watch.

LC

 

Day 4 – Sunday – Time to go home

Coach and I woke up at probably 7am. I thought he was going to go to poker room first thing which was fine, I could pack up the room and get us ready to go and I was fine with that. We lazily laid in bed for well over an hour and just hung out. That was actually really nice as at home we always have to get right up to get ready for work and kids for school, or ball practice on weekends, etc.

We got all packed and went to Nosh for a couple bagels for couple and one for me and checked our total rewards cards. I had around $14 on my card which we put towards room. I did have several cups of coffee, we had a lot of bagels or meals at Nosh on the card, so that was good. Coach had…..wait for….. 27 cents. Yep, I think that was the number. Guy asked him if he even played. Now this really irritated Coach and he is hard to irritate. He spent countless hours in poker room. A lot of hours. He has read before that obviously comps are not good in poker rooms, they are making very little money on them, but he has heard around $1 per hour spent in poker room. He had squat. Seriously. I wouldn’t be surprised if he spent approximately 27 hours in poker room and they give him 27 cents. Embarrassing really.

So we packed up our final items and did express check out on TV which is quick and painless. We then headed for cab stand, no line and headed for airport at about 9:45a vegas time or so. I like getting to airport early and then we can eat in a relaxed fashion.

Southwest moved very quickly at check in. we proceeded to the Mexican restaurant where Coach had a skillet breakfast which he enjoyed and I wasn’t very hungry just having had a bagel, so I ordered an English muffin and proceeded to eat ¼ of Coach’s skillet that I shoveled onto my English muffin! Quite good.

So we proceed to security and there was hardly a line, which usually we go Thursday to Sunday instead of Friday to Monday, so this was a nice change. We proceeded to our gate and decided since we were getting home at 7:15p our time that we would get subway to eat at some point on the plane as we wanted to get home from airport to see the kids before they went to bed at 8:30ish. That Subway in Concourse C is a NIGHTMARE. 45 minutes in line to get a sub. Unreal. But we enjoyed it later and were both glad we got it.

Flight home uneventful and left and arrived on time. Coach finished watching Oceans 13 and I dozed through part of it. It is always sad to leave Vegas, but we are usually ready to get home and see the kids. But, we still can’t wait to go back. Next trip, October for Coach’s bday. Can’t wait! Coach’s turn for a good money trip in October, he definitely deserves it.

If you are still with me, thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.

 

Great TR and nice hand on Let It Ride!

 

We're thinking about staying at Bally's. Can you give me some info? Good? Okay? Any info would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

what type of questions do you have Becky? It would be easier if I knew specifically the type of info you were looking for! Let me know

 

Thanks for the good read, Hoopswife. I always enjoy reading your TR's, you have such a good sense of humor. It sounds like Vegas treated you well!

 

How would you rate it compared to other places you have stayed? We stayed at the Monte Carlo three years ago so that's the only place I have to compare it to (unless you count my stay at Imperial Palace 12 years ago : ) ) We are thinking about TI, Paris, Barbary Coast, and Harrahs. How would you rate Bally's in comparison? We'd like a nice room that is clean & fairly new. How are the views from the rooms? We had a high strip view room from the Monte Carlo and LOVED it. So I think we'd like to have the same. Did you book airfare and rooms seperate or together? Where did you book through? Sorry for all of the questions! Thanks!

 

I've never stayed at Monte Carlo, TI or Harrahs. I have stayed at Barbary. I like Barbary, higher floor room with strip view so you can see the fountains. Rooms have been renovated there and have flat screen TVs, new linens, etc. Bathrooms there are VERY small. We only stopped staying there when it changed to HET property as we no longer got room deals, so we returned back to Bally's. I like Bally's rooms. They are big and have great bathrooms if you can get a suite. I would love to stay at Paris - its my favorite casino, but Ive never stayed there. We will get there sometime, but we like Bally's, and scarily, some of the bartenders and poker dealers start to remember us and its nice to feel welcome there. Bally's room are renovated in the North Tower, but they do not have strip view rooms (or if you do, you have to smash your face against the far left window) but south tower, not renovated rooms (or some of them not yet renovated) have great views, so its all in what you are looking for. We always book separately as we get room offers and sometimes comped rooms so it makes more sense for us to book separately. Have you checked with Monte Carlo re offers?

 

nice tr!!!! sounds like a ton of fun, especially your little machine!!! where exactly was that machine??? i'm heading there in july and staying at paris...i could use some luck!

 

Nice TR! The first thing that came to my mind was the Las Vegas sign when I read battery operated.

 

Great report, nice going on the VP. My wife loves the Paris casino so we usually stay there or Bally's for part of our trip. Loved "the death stare" I've gotten that a few times. When I was sober I knew that meant stop or else; however, when I was tanked I had no idea what that stare was for.