Semi-annual visit from Cleveland to LV
We landed at about 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, picked up our rental car at
Avis via Priceline (saved about $30) over standard web rate and
proceeded directly past GO to Tuscany. HAD to place a bet on OSU-MSU
game (my one football bet of the year) and catch lunch from leftover
comp $. Watched the game at a bar-top VP machine.
OSU won the game but didn't cover, so lost the $25 bet. Lunch at
their Mexican restaurant was decent: the stop was well worthwhile as I
hit a progressive $.25 DB royal while playing the $25 free play offer
we got for the month. Unfortunately, I hit mine about 15 minutes
after another idiot hit for $1192. Mine was paid at $1002. Oh -- I
forgot to mention I was the other ididot -- I hit 2 royals on the same
machine in about 15 minutes! Also "worked the program" for 2 jackpot T
shirts. This stop was the highlight of the trip.
Maintaining the discipline that we had planned -- playing only at
certain properties that make us offers on certain days to try to
consolidate "visits." We proceeded directly to South Point where we
were staying for the first two nights. SP opened right after our last
trip out, we had never been there before. Saturday comped and Sunday
$59. We are hoping that SP becomes one of our "home" casinos and that
they revisit their VP inventory with some improvement. My bride found
ample $5 BJ opportunities and was happy.
As to the amenities, the flat panel TV in the room was very nice and
the room was very "Orleansish," but the property seems to lack an
identity. Aside from all the cowboys for the equestrian center, I
couldn't discern any theme that dominates. Nothing remarkable about
the casino.
About 7 a.m. on Sunday, we were out of the room ready to go and
starving -- headed to the cafe where we must have caught them in the
middle of the shift change. Service was abysmal and the food when it
finally arrived was cold. The graveyard special was not available on
Sunday.
We played our games unremarkably for a couple of hours and decided to
venture over to Silverton. I managed to sit at a bartop VP for most
of the early afternoon and view the Browns vs. the Steelers and watch
the home town team choke to manage a push. After that, couldn't find
my bride for quite some time, finally found her watching them feed the
fish -- that speaks to how well her BJ session went.
We headed toward Tuscany for double points and stopped at Hooters on
the way. Signed up for slot club and acquired my $1 check for
collection. Largely unplayable VP, but some of the dealers proudly
upheld the casino name. Thought i had a "find" at a $.25 bar-top, but
realized after some play that the weak point of the machine was in the
2500 coin payout for the royal. Wife located me and whined about
losing the best part of $100 to the cleavage at a $10 table in rapid
order.
At Tuscany played bar tops again, had a few Heinekens and hit four
deuces on a DW machine. Bride was still unhappy and now hungry so we
had steak dinners from points at their restuarant. Had planned on
going to their Italian restaurant, but checked the menu and there was
nothing on it that we were dying to have. Went back to SP to give them
some action. I retired early and bride played BJ earning us a
breakfast comp.
We made a mistake at SP. When we got there, we sat at a BJ table and
asked the pit for pit cards, they took our driver's licenses and hit
some data base which provided a Gold Coast number that was used on our
new SP card. That precluded us from collecting the 1000 point bonus
in our fun book without argument. It later added to the confusion at
Orleans as they also had to issue new blue cards and consolidate
points from last year. Recommendation: at SP go to booth and apply
for the slot card the old fashioned way. You need to have their card
have a leading 6 on it otherwise, they believe you are a Coast
acquired customer.
Had a nice breakfast in their cafe about 8:30 a.m., graveyard still in
effect, but had omelets as we were high rollers on a comp. Food was
hot and service was superb. Got my $1 check. Checked out of the hotel
around noon, and headed to Orleans where we were staying for the next
three nights. We got 3 nights and a one day slot tournament for $99
via mail offer.
We gave them a lot of play for the next two days. Tuesday was 2X
points. Used 2 for 1 offer for lunch on points at buffet. In addition
to VP, I played BJ and Craps. Had two losing craps sessions and one
good winning session at which I earned a comp for 2 to the Prime Rib
loft for Wednesday evening. Renewed an acquaintance with Roberto, the
waiter in the loft. He is probably one of the best waiters I have
ever encountered. Checked tournament results, finished just out of
the money. Had a couple of murderous sessions at double bonus. Gave
up and went to bed. (No plasmas yet at Orleans).
Wife earned a breakfast comp which we converted to lunch as we got a
late start on Wednesday and played for some time before hunger forced
us to lunch in the cafe. Checked out at noon after speaking with slot
host who assured me our play was "strong" for the trip and call her
next time before we come out -- should be able to get in a comped
tournament with food. Cool.
Went to LVH, Sam's Town and AZ Charlies, first and last were brief
stops, ST was for a couple of hours which was very profitable. I was
looking for a good play and found JOB at one of the bars on a $1 prog
machine, started playing, and then realized that each had was $8.
Tremulously, I played and the machine cooperated, hitting quads once
and multiple full houses and flushes. Won about $300. My bride and I
had not been to ST since 2001, staying away because the place is
infested with "geezers." Well as I sat there enjoying the piped in
music, I came to realize that we must be entering "geezerdom" as I was
enjoying the music. It was targeted to our generation.
One remarkable thing at ST -- the roulette pit was automated and a
touch screen game integrated with a real wheel and coupier. It didn't
look too popular, but sure looked cool. It seemed to be a slightly
larger footprint than a regular roulette table.
Headed to Red Rock en route to Texas Station where we had a comped
room for the last night. Loved Red Rock, love their slant tops and
adjustable leather chairs. Got my $1 check. Played for several hours
then went to TS for the night. Had $25 in free play, didn't find a lot
of playable VP and went to bed. Bride kept playing and managed a
royal (her first ever) on a $.05 deuces machine. She was tickled to
death when she came up.
We got out of Dodge as quickly as possible the next morning, no meal
comps or points to be had, and went back to Red Rock where we played
until noon prior to heading to the airport. Not a profitable morning
for either of us.
All in all a great trip, never went beyond my original $900 pocket
stake, came home with money, played more than I ever have, should get
offers from Orleans, SP, ST?, and Red Rock. Never went near the
strip. Total cost for the week: about $1500. Didn't have to eat
Cranberries.
Since return, received an offer for New Years for free room at TS
December 30 and 31, 2006. At this late date, air fare would be
prohibitively expensive. Hope to return as usual in March.