Decided to do a trip report since I previously had asked some
questions about the Rampart and stayed there for the first time this
trip.
Left Washington, D.C. on Saturday morning and got to Las Vegas
around 11:00 a.m. Picked up rental car at Dollar who was basically
assigning cars as they came out of the car wash. There was not an
available car on the lot and a long line of people. Fortunately,
they were taking care of FastLane members first so I got a car but I
have a feeling some people were left waiting for a while.
Went off to Fiesta Henderson to the buffet for lunch and warm-up on
the three-play NSUD progressives. Lost about $40.
Now about 1:30 so went to NYNY to check in. Although there is
limited playable VP at NYNY, I still get good offers that make it
worthwhile. Had wanted to play the dollar ten-play JOB and figured
that I needed a daily bankroll of $5000. Was not willing to risk
that much so allocated $1000 to the dollar ten-play. Played for
about 45 minutes and realized I was not having fun the risk was
outweighing the fun but did get a fair amount of coin-in. So
stopped when my loss was $400. Moved on to single line and lost
about $300. Then played quarter progressive triple play with a
minor loss. Went to dinner at America since we could not get into
Gallaghers until 9:30. After dinner, decided to go to the mall at
the Aladdin and passed a dollar five-play that seemed to be calling
to me. (Yes, I like multi-plays.) It was 9/5 JOB. Not the best
but not the worst. But definitely not the best luck. It sucked up
about $1400 in thirty minutes. I could not get anything. The
friend that was with me and playing next to me kept getting quad
after quad. He won an amount almost equal to what I lost. Now down
about $2200.
Outside on the Strip was packed. Typical Las Vegas Strip Saturday
night on a beautiful April evening. Before bed, decided to go back
to the single line JOB and give it some play. This is a 1-100 coin
(dollar machine). Put in $150 and started at five coins ($5) and on
the second hand got a straight flush and then a quad. So decided to
up my play to six coins a hand. Hit another quad and a full house
after a few hands so upped it again. After every significant hit,
kept upping the amount until I stopped at twelve coins per hand.
Kept winning and kept eyeing the royal which now would be $9600
would be my biggest hit. Two times had four to the royal but no
royal. However, after two hours of play I had turned $150 into
$2450. All losses were re-couped and no royal. Don't think I have
ever gotten as many straight flushes (two), quads and full houses in
a short period. Yes, I know some people think JOB is boring but I
don't mind playing something where I have a good chance and making
money is fun.
Next morning, since I had put through the amount of coin that I
wanted, decided to play the quarter triple-play. Was playing the
Still Ugly Deuces and on the bottom line held three to the royal.
Thought I might get a Wild Royal when the machine locks up and I had
a royal on the bottom line. I could not get the words out that I
had hit a royal to my friend that was playing next to me. It was
sort of funny. I think it is the first progressive royal that I
have hit. Got $1070.00 Go to church, then for a massage in the spa
and get ready to check out. Profit at NYNY was $750 plus cash back
which was $560 combination of double cashback and free play.
Sunday evening had dinner at Gallaghers which was good as always.
Had a table that was basically in the kitchen. Very interesting
watching the staff.
Then went to see Zumanity. I enjoyed the show and it was
entertaining. The age requirement is over 18. However, I am
probably showing my age and being a prude but I would not encourage
anyone to take children who are 18 or 19 to this show. I think over
25 would be more appropriate. (Yes, you can tell me if I am being a
cranky old man!) The guy next to me was so excited he was
masturbating!
Summary at NYNY: Coin-in $69000. Host comped room, two tickets to
Zumanity, massage, and meals (approximately $185). Comps appear to
be running a solid .75% with the room being valued at $100 for comp
purposes. Although as you will see from my comments below about
hosts, my host at NYNY is great and overall NYNY seems to have an
efficient and knowledgeable host staff. (I wish my NYNY host could
take care of me everywhere because most hosts seem to be useless in
my opinion.)
Rampart
Drove over to the Rampart. Was excited to be staying there after
hearing about the place and talking to host Gina Lombardi. I have
to say with traffic being so bad in Las Vegas it is a hike to the
Rampart from the Strip. (I now have a little bit more appreciation
of locals who complain about having to drive around town to pick up
cashback.)
Although my expectations were high (perhaps too high), I can only
rate the hotel as good an upper-level Marriott quality room. I
would compare it as being equal to the Borgata although it is tough
to do a side-by-side comparison because there are differences. The
interior public areas and the room are not warm and inviting and
have no artwork or plants although the grounds and pool area are
beautiful. I am not one for over-decorating and stark/plain can be
stunning but this was just dull. The pool and grounds are the stars
here.
Had a room on the sixth floor with French doors onto a small
balcony. It sounds good but actually the balcony was useless. The
room was average size but did not have a comfortable chair to read
in which I think is a negative. The desk though had two chairs.
Beds were good with comforters and turn-down service. Bathroom was
large with shower, whirlpool tub, double sinks but the towels were
ordinary at best. The one interesting thing was that there was a
dial switch in the bathroom so you could adjust the volume in the
bathroom speaker and listen to the TV. Had not encountered this
before.
Gambling at the Rampart was unlucky. Most of my play was on the
quarter ten-play JOB and had exhausted the NYNY profits by Monday
afternoon. It was basically all downhill. I know multi-play can be
streaky but no luck at all. Never went to the positive side, just
all down. Coin-in was a little over $60000 for the two days and
loss was over $2500 a solid 4% loss which I do not expect on a JOB
multi-play with that amount of play. But that is gambling. Had no
royals or dealt quads at the Rampart which would have certainly
helped the bottom line. The VP is acceptable and playable but not
exceptional.
Ate breakfast at the Rampart in the Promenade café and it was OK.
Rampart thoughts. I would certainly go back to the Rampart but do
not consider it a must. Will probably make it one of my two
secondary properties. A lot will depend on what kind of offers they
send me and I don't expect much because I imagine they mostly market
to locals. Getting away from all of the tourists and crowds on the
Strip can be nice once you have experienced the Strip and if you
want a beautiful, large pool that is not as crowded as the Strip
casinos, then the Marriott at the Rampart would be great.
Monday night had dinner at Lilly Langtry's at the Golden Nugget that
was comped. Dinner was great. Had beef again and it was just as
good as Gallaghers. Also got a lobster tail and although I think
lobster is over-rated and do not order it that often unless free,
this was one of the best lobster tails with flavor and that made it
great. Lilly Langtry's gets a star.
Left the Rampart Tuesday morning and flew home.
One note that was rather disappointing is that host Gina Lombardi at
the Rampart made no effort to contact me while on the property. She
was pleasurable to talk with on the phone and we communicated by
email which she responded to and made the hotel reservations and set
up a credit line. I thought that she would try to catch up with me
in the casino or leave a voice mail in the room to give her a call.
When we had spoken she told me that she worked Saturday Wednesday
9-5. When I asked for her on Tuesday morning before checking out at
9:00, was told that she did not come in until noon time. What this
means now is that I have to track her down to get the charges taken
off of my credit card since my play substanitally exceeded what we
discussed on the phone as their requirements for comps. Since she
knew I was checking out on Tuesday, I feel like she made no effort
to meet and greet and welcome me. It seems like I must have a
scarlet letter on my forehead and hosts see me and run in the
opposite direction. Am I expecting too much?
Gary