Recently returned from a trip to LV last month and have some notes to
share with the forum. As is I normally do, I'll focus on a lot of
couponing and meal reports rather than specifically stating my wins
and losses at various casinos...or rehasing VP info that's been the
same for years.
Transportation
Flew into LAS on a SWA flight from STL. Arrived on-time and rented a
car from Dollar. A $10 tip scored an upgrade from an economy to a
Chrysler 300. Motor Trend called this the Car of the Year? I do not
agree. Without getting too far offtopic and into various specifics,
the car was very disappointing. Obviously a trendy car because of
it's looks. I'd rather have a PT Cruiser, better gas mileage and my
$10 back.
As is my custom, rather than chronologically ordering this report,
I'm going to break it down by casino.
TERRIBLES
Coupons: The funbook contains a $5 matchplay valid on any table as
well as a couple other worthwhile coupons. Add in the $10 POV coupon
and it's worth a trip. Pit was actually a little less sweaty about
coupon play for a change. The 10 minute sportsbook parking is
perfect for a quick coupon hit-n-run. My apologies to any
sportsplayers that were looking for a spot while I was there. 
Lines at the player's club were surprisingly short. Lines at the
cage on a Friday were incredibly long, as usual.
HARD ROCK
Coupons: The 6pack continues to be handed out once per calendar
month, with coupon. For a while someone reported that the 6pack was
only available to new signups. In the last several years of getting
this coupon sheet, I have never been turned down. The free gift
coupon was valid for a shotglass, but I asked for, and received, a
deck of cards instead. Coupon play on the tables here is a breeze.
I think there's as many tables as there are machines.
Video Poker: The .25 9/6 JB remain in the ring below the VIP room.
The machines also remain painfully slow.
ELLIS ISLAND
Coupons: Played the matchplay (MP) coupons here without a problem.
Interestingly, they no longer allow coupons to be played on craps.
Rumor has it that this is because of some sort of inside job
involving a casino manager, a pitboss and a dealer regarding a scam
of allowing a certain customer (read: accomplice) to play multiples
(as in dozens) of coupons in a short period of each day.
Misc: The large male Latino bartender continues to be surly and
rude. I used an ACG 4 free drink coupon for bottled waters and got
the standard snarls and grunts. I guess he doesn't realize how much
water can be consumed during a coupon run. Please stop in and
say "Hi" to him for me while using your coupon for bottled waters
(I'll happily send anyone one of these coupons if you promise to
redeem it in this manner.). I have a new tradition in LV
.my first
stop will now be the EI in order to get my bottled waters and the
customary welcome to town from this bartender.
Misc2: I met the VPFree Administrator while exiting EI. I noticed a
gentleman playing a NSUD machine accurately, with headphones on. I
then noticed he appeared to be the individual pictured on numerous
VPFree luncheons. The card reader displayed the name of Ms. VPFree
(who was playing next to the Admin), so I excused myself and made an
introduction. We chatted for a couple minutes before the wife and I
had to be on our way. Very nice couple people, that Mr and Ms
VPFree.
FIESTA HENDERSON
Coupons: Played the POV MP coupon here without an issue. Made a
couple bucks, too.
Food: Dined at Fuego, their steakhouse, with GVRBill (thanks for
providing the coupon) and his lovely wife. I had the chicken marsala
(I was steaked out) and the wife had the rotisserie chicken. My
entrée was excellent, with juicy, tender, lean white meat chicken in
a very pleasing sauce. My wife stated her chicken was a bit dry,
though flavorful. A BBQ shrimp appetizer was ordered and it was
composed of 4 large, deveined shrimp in a spicy sauce. Their bread
that is served is wonderful
sort of an upscale Pillsbury croissant
type. We passed on dessert. Bill and his wife ordered vegetable
platters, which were enormous. Prices were very reasonable and, in
my opinion, this is a fine outlet to burn points, especially with a
coupon.
LONGHORN
Coupons: Got scolded by a female dealer for not tearing my POV
coupon out in front of her, but she relented and allowed me to play
it after I told her I tore it out so I wouldn't slow down the game.
Of all the POV coupons I played in town, this was the only joint that
even cared about the "must tear out in front of casino personnel"
disclaimer. Not a single employee asked me for my ACG card the entire
trip.
VP: The .25 FPDW remain on the wall alongside the cage.
NEVADA PALACE
Coupons: Tried to play the ACG and POV coupons here, but not before
a pitboss sternly said it was "one or the other". I guess they don't
want to risk bankruptcy from anyone playing multiples of that
whopping- super-juicy-of-a-doozy $3/$2 ($0.49 real value) matchplay
coupon from the LVA POV. And to think I made the trip all the way
across Boulder Highway from Longhorn for that $0.49 in EV. Silly
me. I managed to hit a snapper on my ACG coupon, so all was right in
my coupon playing world.
VP: People play video poker here? I'm kidding
.there appeared
to be a decent promotion for a drawing while I was in town, but I
didn't bother to check machine inventories.
SAMS TOWN
Coupons: Used the last of my 2003 Casino Player free ace coupons
this trip (sigh). Hey, there wasn't an expiration date on them,
and the pit critters never said a thing the past 1.5 years, so I
couldn't bring myself to throw away free money!
CANNERY
Coupons: The place is a bit sweatier on coupons then in the past.
Some pitbosses now sign them prior to play.
Misc: The new parking garage was a welcome addition. Easy in/out.
Park on the higher levels next to the elevators for a shorter walk
throught the garage. I never cease to be amazed how people will park
in the extreme corner of the lower levels of a parking garage, as
opposed to a higher level right next to the elevators.
POKER PALACE
Misc: This place is a treat if you're looking for some flavor in
your trip. All dealers are break-ins, pitbosses wear street clothes
and they don't even have their logo on their playing cards. The cage
has bulletproof glass and a small tray to pass your coins/chips to
the cashier. Hey, that's a sign of a nice neighborhood, isn't it? I
almost felt bad walking out of here with $19 of their money from
playing coupons
Ok, maybe I didn't. The $1 tip I gave to the dealer
appeared to be the only tip of the shift.
LV Blvd somewhere between Poker Palace and Jerry's Nugget (or
anywhere in North LV)
Misc: If you ever eat a huge meal in LV and have a bunch of
leftovers, box `em up and bring `em with you. There is no shortage
of homeless individuals who will graciously take the food, leftover
or not. A bottle of water from Ellis Island also comes in handy
here. Someone dined on leftover Michael's this trip.
JERRY'S NUGGET
Coupons: Another place that features break-ins. The fun coupon play
here is the POV $5 sportsbet coupon. When betting a future, it
essentially makes your bet worth 2x as much, so a 5:1 shot becomes
10:1 shot. This is the better play than picking a side, where you'll
normally only win about 50% of the time, thus making the coupon worth
½ its face value.
STRATOSPHERE
Coupons: At their player's club, members can get a funbook
containing (2) $10 matchplays and a 2-for-1 blackjack (up to $25 bet)
coupon. If you're looking to get established for marketing offers
via table game play, get a couple of these 2-for-1 BJ coupons, flat
bet $25 and rack up some time on the clock while waiting for your
natural.
PLAZA
Coupons: Played the POV coupon here without incident. Since the
Barrick takeover, they now deal neon green playing cards. Neat
looking cards, but a dumb move on management's part since they're
easy for someone to mark.
VP: The .25 FPDW machine at the bar next to Keno was OOS. The end of
an era?
CIRCUS CIRCUS
Misc: Thanks to `luvnluk' for this tip: When parking, go around the
pool area and park in the garage nearest it. Go to the 3rd level and
near the doors. Open the doors and bam, you're in the casino. No
long hallways and no elevators. Perfect for coupon runners. I
played some of the Casino Player coupons and lost, as usual. On the
way out, I saw the pitboss who gave me seven kinds of sh*t for trying
to get paid correctly on a blackjack on my last trip. I cursed him
under my breathe as I passed. I look forward to the day when this
boss opens another single deck table in his pit without putting up
the 6:5 sign. Nevada Gaming is programmed into my cellphone for this
future saga.
WYNN
Misc: I made my first trip through this property and the first thing
that struck me? The font on the overhead signs are identical to the
ones at Bellagio! Are you kidding me? They couldn't come up with
another font to differentiate themselves from the B? The property is
quite nice, with significant red tones throughout. I liked the reds,
but I can see how many others wouldn't. The walkways leading to and
from the property were very small and there will be some serious
congestion issues in these areas during large events.
VP: As reported, numerous $1 9/6 slantops throughout the property.
BARBARY COAST
VP: NSUD remains in a few banks towards the rear of the property.
Single line .25/.50/$1 and 3/5 play machines were observed. Numerous
bartops in both bars had a shortpay deuces schedule. The late night
meal card play remains going strong. Still the easiest comp on the
Strip for anyone with any amount of history at BC.
Misc: Lisa Vios will soon be departing BC and going to South Coast.
We can only hope her replacement is as thorough and giving to
advantage VP players. Lisa is aware of the expected return of NSUD,
yet was very generous with room and meal comps. In fact, she comped
a meal for my wife and I to Michaels this trip, based on my history
of about $6K/day at BC. This isn't the normal comp for us, but we
had the $100 Summer offer that she offered to extend beyond that
amount this trip.
Food: Michaels. Wow, where to begin? If you haven't been here, you
must do it at least once. I'm not sure how to describe the meal, but
overwhelming, a dining adventure and , a feast comes to mind.
Summary: 2 drinks, 2 appetizers, 2 average priced entrees, 2 sides,
and 1 dessert: $246 BEFORE tax and tip. The wife had a glass of
Riesling and I had a dangerously smooth martini. A ridiculously huge
relish tray was brought out upon being seated. I'd guess it was near
20" in diameter and stacked about 3 to 4 items high. We could easily
have gotten stuffed on this starter. The appetizers were mushrooms
and a crab cake. The mushrooms were prepared tableside and were
unbelievably rich. Main courses featured a filet for my wife and the
free range chicken for me (yes, I know, chicken again). The filet
was cooked perfectly (medium) and not charred a bit. It was melt-in-
the-mouth tender and had an excellent flavor; the best steak we've
ever had in Vegas (topping Prime, N9NE and Austin's). My chicken was
very good, but not $45 good. Dessert was a piece of tiramisu cake,
cut tableside from the enormous dessert tray. The service at this
outlet was almost hard to describe. We had a server, an assistant
server and a busser (official terms may vary). Throughout the meal,
no empty/dirty silver/dishware sat on the table more than 40 seconds
(I started timing out of curiosity) and our beverages never got below
2/3 full before being refilled. It was truly impeccable service that
must be experienced. The meal lasted 2 hours and I left a $55
tip
.and I still wondered if that was enough.
IMPERIAL PALACE
Misc: The Champaign pit has been moved from near the cage to the
front of the pit. The traditional center aisle has been eliminated
and several tables were removed. The `Dealertainer' pit featuring
ripoff 6:5 blackjack from a CSM was in full effect at all these
tables. At least the fools are being entertained as they donate
their bankrolls to the IP. Numerous other machines were observed in
this area, but they failed to do anything about the putrid smell that
permeates throughout this facility.
MGM
VP: I checked in to get a freeplay offer that was mailed to me. I
searched and searched and found no 9/6 at even the $5 single line
level. Not even 8/5 bonus. Illinois Deuces was the best I found,
and those were few and far between. This place is the definition of
VP wasteland. A genuine megatoilet as Kevin L would've said.
Misc: After checking in, I decided to go up to the room to have a
look. After exiting the elevator into the central corridor, I
checked the signs on the wall and figured out the way to go. The
hallway that led to my room had to have been a ¼ mile long. It was
so ridiculous, they needed an airport people mover. I can't see how
anyone would stay in a place where it takes over 20 minutes, and a
mile walk, to get from their car to their room. Needless to say, I'm
glad I decided to burn this room and just take the freeplay.
NYNY
VP: Also checked in here on a freeplay offer and played one of the
two 1-100 $ 9/6 JB machines. Beware the `max bet' button is set at
all 100 lines.
Misc: The room I received was nicer and larger than I had read in
other sources online. Fixtures were decent and in good shape. A
nice view was also given on the high floor we were assigned to.
Food: Ate lunch at Gonzales y Gonzales on the food portion of the
offer I received. Service was very good and the food was above
average. Timing was excellent and we were in and out within 45
minutes. Dessert was at Ben and Jerry's (hey, I had $75 in food to
spend!), which was good
.until my ice cream fell off the cone about
halfway down the cobblestone walkway. I felt like a little kid
standing there as my ice cream crashed at my feet. The clerk
graciously replaced my scoop and everything in my world was back in
line.
PALMS
VP: Still NSUD in .25 multiplays, 50play 9/6 JOB by B&Jerrys and
FPDW by front doors are all intact. Redemption of the 125 quad six
bonus coupon was hassle free, taking about 10 minutes to get paid
on. Drink service at the bars, while playing quarter 10/7 DB, was
excellent.
Food: We dined again at Gardunos (thanks to luvnluk for the comp)
and had an enjoyable meal of fajitas. The 3 of us split 1lb of
fajitas, with 2 extra setups. This is a great value play for fajita
lovers who aren't too snobbish to share a big dish.
CAESARS
VP: Sadly, no time to play at one of my favorite haunts
Food: Enjoyed an excellent lunch at Viale in their new outdoor patio
area, using a birthday offer they sent. This is an Italian outlet,
serving up quick and tasty lunches. It's a bit on the pricey side,
like everything in Caesars (imagine prices once the beancounters of
Harrahs take over), and it was obvious this place is hurting for
business. I saw a couple other players at the Connection booth
redeeming offers identical to mine, as well as various marketing
material for the restaurant throughout the property. Given that,
there were still only 5 other tables occupied during prime lunch hour
on a Saturday. Service was decent, but a bit slow given volume
levels. If you get a food offer, this place is worth the visit.
LAS VEGAS HILTON
VP: As several people have stated, the double CB on the Gamemakers
is no more. Honestly, I'm surprised it lasted as long as it did
after the beans were spilled. To whom can I send that thank you
card? All $ and .25 Pickem's are still in place, along with all AA
machines. Factor in the reduced theoretical on top of the halved
cashback and this once great play is a mere shadow of itself. Given
that, it's still the best quarter play in all of Vegas and a decent
choice for players of all bankrolls.
Food: We ate a $35 breakfast in the Café one morning. Essentially
eggs any style, blueberry pancakes, a couple orders of bacon, juice
and coffee. You think the Hilton fattens up the menu prices for
those on attending a convention on an expense account? You betcha.
Misc: I spoke with casino host Carmeline Prahar prior to departure.
She comped a room service meal and our breakfast, about $60 total,
based on my $15K coinin over two days. We also ate at Vegas Subs,
but she said she couldn't comp that (you can imagine how fat my eyes
got when I realized I might be paying out-of-pocket for that $20
lunch). She printed off our room charges, and Vegas Subs wasn't on
it so it looks like I lucked out. She signed, "Please comp" on our
two charges and I took it to the front desk where I had to only cover
my tips (and, JOY, no Vegas Subs charge!). I cleaned out my
cashback after hearing that comps and cashback would be combined very
soon.
ORLEANS/GOLD COAST/SUNCOAST
Misc: If you're in the area of any of the above casinos, be sure to
stop in and earn 1 point on your birthday months. They'll give you
2500 bonus points, which is worth $6.25.
Overall thoughts
The slow demise of Vegas continues, with advantage players' edges
getting smaller and smaller. It's pretty pathetic when I can
honestly state that there are much more profitable opportunities in
the Midwest and Mid-South than in Vegas. Coupon values continue to
get reduced, 100%+ VP with cashback is nearing extinction and offers
continue to be squeezed. Factor in the increased airfares due to
fuel costs, and it's tough for me to continue justifying trips to Sin
City. When you start a trip minus $700 due to expenses, that's a
heckuva hole to dig out of when you're playing to win!