Monday:
My alarm clock's melodious beeping shocked me awake at 5:00AM CST. Carefully exiting the bed so as not to disturb EH, I was soon showered, dressed, and waiting on the cold, dark driveway for my cab.
The TED plane left promptly at 8:00AM and arrived in LV on time, at 9:30. I was soon in a cab headed for Fiesta Rancho, one of my favorite casinos in which to play VP.
I was pleasantly surprised that the cab fare from McCarran was only $27.00 (plus tip) a mere $6.00 higher than the fare to downtown.
Check-in to my comped room took only minutes, though I was somewhat non-plussed when the desk clerk asked me for $5.00 for "early check-in". I told her that I've heard of "late check-out" charges, but never the reverse. She explained that "normal check-in" was at 3:00PM. For earlier check-in there was a $5.00 penalty. Laughing at this absurdity. I requested that she contact my host, who was kind enough to waive the charge.
Nothing has been renovated in the rooms at FR, and, while clean and comfortable, it is, at best, basic Motel 6 style. This was of no consequence to me. I've stayed in some of the best 5* hotels in the world, and while that is a totally different ( and very pleasant ) experience, it is not why I visit LV so frequently. I am perfectly amenable to sacrificing hotel elegance and ambiance for positive FPDW and FPJW.
I began my initial "walk-through" the casino to verify what might have changed since my last visit in March, 2005. Though some machines had been moved to other locations, most of the FR great VP inventory was still in-tact. The one big exception was the removal of the "Bob Dancer" machines which had previously contained FPJOB/10/6DDB/NSUD and other nice games (in addition to racking up one point for each $1.00 played). This nice play was replaced with some 3/5 play machines with poor pay schedules. This was an exceptionally poor trade-off.
By 10:30 I was seated in front of one of my favorite FPJW progs. This would prove to be the beginning of a LONG and very unprofitable 8+ hour VP session.
Though I had "fun trying" (LOL) I endured one of the worst one day bankroll losses ever. When I finally retired for the night ( at 7:00PM! ) I was negative almost $800. For this experienced player (20+ years) playing mostly .25c Optimum single-line 100%+ VP, (plus some .25c 3 play NSUD & 9/6JOB and a little $1.00 10/7 DB) this was quite disconserting.
I fervently hoped that this was not a portent of events to come, as this was also to be my longest ever VP adventure. When I left FR, it was to be continued until the following Monday, in Reno, where I was meeting EH for Super Bowl weekend. The Reno sessions will be covered in "Part 2."
Though I had triple my normal bankroll in the safe deposit box, I briefly ruminated as to whether that would be adequate should this unfortunate turn of events continue.
Falling asleep on this thought, but thankfully not dreaming about my vanishing bankroll, I slept soundly. My mid-west time clock woke me 5:00AM, my normal wake-up time at home. I had a feeling this would a better day.
Tuesday:
Up and at the the JW by 6:00AM. At this hour I had the entire bank of machines from which to choose. Selecting a favorite end machine, I quickly hit a lovely 5OAK, to start the morning in the right direction. I played quite awhile on this friendly machine, staying between $300 and $350 the entire time. When my ticket decreased to $275, I decided that I had stayed long enough at this not overly comfortable upright.
I strolled down to the .25/.50/1.00 uprights along the far wall, near the hotel check-in counter. These machines offer, at the .25c level, FPDW, LDW, 10/7DB & 10/6DDB. At the .50c & $1.00 level, "only" the 10/7DB and 10/6DDB games are offered. The DB is also a prog.
Sensing that the Bell Curve was swinging in my direction, I selected the $1.0010/7DB
prog. as my play. On the 3rd hand, I was dealt quad 3's. I happily cashed out $500 noting that I was now almost even for the trip! One good morning's activities was all that was required.
I headed to the Baja Coffee Shop for a nice breakfast of crisp bacon, scrambled eggs, hashed browns, sourdough toast and coffee, at the bargain "club card" price which was under $6.00 plus the tip. I self comped the charge with my Amigo card.
I have yet to pay for a meal at the FR. You earn comps through your play, and I always have enough to cover all my meal charges.
The Amigo Club booth opened at 7:00AM, and I went there to activate my "triple points" day. I had received a mailer that included coupons for triple points, free play, match play and a free lunch or dinner buffet. I had discovered on previous trips that, because I am from out of town, I could not do this myself at the kiosk. I don't know why it is necessary for non-LV residents to have all multiple points days activated at
the booth, but those are the rules. It's certainly no big deal, just another casino idea that doesn't much sense to me.
Feeling confident that things were going my way this morning, I walked to the far end of the casino (between Subway and the Parking Garage) and settled in to play .50c & $1.00 9/6JOB on the bank of M/G-M/D machines in that area.
I noticed that, in tribute to the totally clueless who might wander in, these machines also offered 6/5Bonus Aces & 7/5BP. I was also surprised to find 9/6PBD, another game I played at the .25c level.
I did well enough to cash out a ticket for $250 from my original Bennie for the JOB, and another ticket for $130 from an intial investment of $20, after snaring 4OAK on BPD. For the first time, on this trip, I was actually ahead.
I decided to have a look at the Spin Poker. I had been practicing this fun game at home, on the computer, but had never played it in a casino. After viewing the pay schedules on the 45 coin .25c Spin Poker, I decided to take a pass on playing it. I just couldn't get excited about risking $11.25 per hand at 9/7DB, 9/6DDB, 8/5BP or Illinois/LVAirport Deuces.
I spent much of the rest of the day alternating between the FPDWprog. & FPJWprog.
It was one of those up and down days. Nothing much special was happening. If I was down a $100 on a machine, I usually, eventually got back to even on that or another machine. Lots of play; not much action.
After a very abundant and tasty Cobb Salad which served as a combination lunch/dinner, I once again hit 5OAK on the JW bank, and then 4Aces at BP, for nice winning day of approximately $1,100. I was now about $300 positive for the trip, a much nicer place to be at bedtime!
Wednesday:
I awoke again at 5:00AM and was playing in the casino by 6:00.
Since I had had such sucess at the bank of .25/.50/1.00 DB & DDB bonus machines on Tuesday morning, I decided to test the waters again. For my 1st play of the day, I selected 10/6DDB in the .25 denom. I had debated with myself about playing .50 denom., but decided to err on the side of caution because of the volatility of DDB. I was doing very nicely, completing flushes and full houses, when I drew to an initial two Ace hold. On the draw, Up popped the other two aces along with a three! I couldn't believe my eyes. A lovely $500 win. I finally cashed out $600 before leaving for breakfast.
The breakfast choices at FR are either the Baja Coffee Shop or McDonald's. I am not much of a fan of the Golden Arches, so I opted for the CS once more. I selected hotcakes and bacon. Everything was piping hot and well prepared.
With my tummy fully satisfied, I tackled the JW and DW progs. again. Nothing much good happened, and I went back to the .50c 9/6JOB bank, where I turned $100 into $250 in short order. Soon two chain smokers invaded my territory, and I reluctantly cashed out and wandered over to the .25c M/G 3 play bank that contained 8/5BP.
This bank is located next to the bar alcove just before you reach Club Tequila.
I plopped down at an end machine, which I invariably choose, since then, I can only be smoked at or spoken to, from one direction. I noted briefly that the last player had cashed out a ticket totalling $1,050.00. I assumed that a RF probably had something to do with the size of this ticket. Well, I thought to myself, maybe the machine has another RF just waiting to pop-up. After about 10 minutes of play, I drew to the Q/K/10 of spades, on the bottom line. On the 2nd line, the beautiful A/J appeared. Happy Day!
The rest of the day's play was rather poor, but since I was already positive by over $1500, I was more than satisfied.
The regular quite nice buffet was closed for remodeling. There was an appreviated buffet set up in Gardunos. The food preparation and selections were not nearly as good as they are at the normal buffet, but I still found plenty to satisfy my appetite.
After dinner I tackled the deuces again. I was having absolutely no success with the deuces on this trip. Eventually, $200 and a few hours later, I gave up the quest and went to bed.
Thursday:
For some reason I awakened at 4:00AM, an hour earlier than usual. Since I could not fall back asleep, I dawdled through a refreshing shower and dressed leisurely. I still managed to arrive at the JWprog.by 5:40. I again selected my fav end machine, and played it continously until it was time to leave for breakfast. About halfway through the session, I hit 5OAK. When I cashed out my ticket totalled $350.00.
At 7:30 I had a breakfast date with one of my good friends from vpFREE, who lives in LV. We were both right on time and met at the coffee shop, where we enjoyed a nice hour of comfort food and conversation. It was a very pleasant interlude and would have lasted longer, but an 8:30 Dentist appointment awaited my friend.
The rest of the morning was uneventful. I didn't have any other hands of note, though I played continously until 11:30AM, when I was to meet some other friends for lunch.
This charming local LV couple, who I was meeting for the first time, were kind enough to invite me to lunch as their guest. They had explained that they had many more comp points at Stations than they would be able to use. I was delighted with their company and conversation. We chatted for about about an hour and half, over good salads and iced tea. When they left, I felt that I had known them for a long time.
The VP profits for the rest of the day were poor to mediocre. Additionally, Thursday is multiple points day for local LV residents. It was difficult to find an Optimum machine that was not in use. After parting with about $400 in hard-won profits, I called it a night. I was down for the day approximately $150.00. Nothing to worry about.
Friday:
My last day in LV until the beginning of April. I was in the casino by 6:00AM, staking my claim to a FPJW machine, on 5X points day. I quickly hit a nice 5OAK, and cashed out when the ticket decreased to $200. I then sought out a FPDW where I presently hit 4 Ducks. An auspicuous start to the day. I was beginning to regret that I had to leave the casino at 11:00AM to catch my flight to Reno, via San Francisco.
The rest of the morning was pretty much up and down. After I played my final hand at FR, I tallied up the score, and found that I was up over $2,000 for the FR. All room charges and food had been comped. I even had enough points left over to "buy" two charming trinkets in the gift shop for the the gals in office who were covering for me. Not too shabby in my estimation.
Part 2. Reno Super Bowl Adventure to follow as time permits.
Best regards to all.
-Babe-
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