Hi,
My husband and I just got back from our first Vegas trip. I have
been practicing DW, NSUD, JOB, and DB in anticipation. We also play
Blackjack. We stayed at the Golden Nugget for 6 days on a deal from
America West--$818 for 2 nonstop flights from Boston and 6 nights
including Saturday check-in for two. We thought it was a great deal.
They gave us a coupon book upon check-in which included 2:1 buffets
to dinner and breakfast, a free drink, $5 off Gordie Brown, various
dollars off to restaurants, and a voucher from $25 in free play
after 1500 points. We used the buffet and the free drink coupons, I
didn't put 1500 points on my card but saved the coupon as it's good
until next June.
My husband played blackjack almost exclusively, mostly at the
Fremont and Bionion's. He had the most luck at Fremont, I at
Binion's. He refuses to get rated (sorry, I know it's important, but
you are welcome to try to convince him, I can't). I played the
lonely JOB quarter machine at Binion's, some 3 play, and a few hands
of the best looking Deuces game (I forgot to take the payout for
NSUD and couldn't remember it exactly--I'm still very new). I easily
got the case of soda or Bud each day but didn't redeem it all, just
enough for the room. I put about 10,000 points on my card in 3 days.
I played the Bonus Flush at the Golden Nugget, never hit 4OAK and
after donating $100 that was boring so I moved to the nickel DB. I
did well on these even though it is by far my weakest game (plan to
change that by next trip). I hit 4 aces twice for $40 each time, at
quarters that would have made me positive (or close) for the trip.
Oh well, I didn't know the game well enough and didn't want to risk
more money. Altogether I played about 600 points on my card, about
$1800 coin-in, the majority at nickels. I put about 27 points for
every $20 in Bonus Flush which by my poor math is, well, pretty
crappy at $3 per point. I'm sure if I'd played longer I'd have hit
some higher hands but I decided to walk away, it's my vacation and
for me $100 in the toilet in 20 minutes or so is not fun.
I played spin poker for a penny a line at the Fremont since I had no
idea how to play and that was a great game. I played on $5 for about
an hour while my husband played blackjack.
At Main St. I found the DW and immediately lost $60. We played a
little blackjack, ate at their Sunday brunch buffet (great), and
that was it for Main St.
We went to Sam's Town and really liked it. I loved all the DW
machines but they didn't return the love, down $60 in twenty
minutes, then another $50 in blackjack. The buffet was great, we'd
consider staying here if we didn't stay downtown again.
By far the best buffet was at the Rio, we ate there before Penn and
Teller which we really enjoyed. We also got 1/2 price tickets for
Amazing Jonathon and that was great too.
I used a few ACG coupons--1000 free points at Binion's, buy one get
one at Upper Deck, free cards, free T-shirt at Slots of Fun to name
a few. The best coupons were the line pass at Tickets2Nite from Las
Vegas Leisure Guide and the $5 off for the Rio buffet.
Things I learned:
1. Keep gambling money separate from expense money. We only spent
$1400 total including cabs (we rented a car from Golden Nugget M-
TH), boarding the dog, meals, souvenirs, and gambling, but I would
have liked to know how much we actually spent gambling.
2. It's OK to walk away from a snotty dealer or a machine that is
eating your money if it's not fun.
3. The outside bar at the Fitz makes the best margaritas.
4. Don't bother with the Westward Ho margaritas unless you are in
the mood for a sweet limey slush.
5. Bring the paytables for the games you don't remember the pay
tables for (NSUD)!!!
6. The Golden Nugget is a great place to stay but not so great to
gamble for low rollers, especially blackjack.
7. Ohhh, the people you meet in Vegas!!!!! Gamblers are an
interesting lot.
All in all, a great vacation. Thanks for all the hard work that goes
into this website, it was invaluable. The database is a gold mine,
made it so easy to find the best games. I read/scan most of the
messages via digest and I have learned so much.
Jackie