LAS VEGAS MAY 2009 TRIP REPORT
Trip Started: Friday May 15
Length: 6 Days
Stayed: Las Vegas Hilton 3 Nights; Green Valley Ranch 2 Nights
Highlights: Hitting 2 Sets of Deuces Each Paying $625 on 25 Cent VP Machines, Beating the Longhorn out of $70 using 3 $10 MP Coupons.
MR. LUCKY'S/MENTALIST
Arrived from NH by Southwest late afternoon and with a Dollar rent a car quickly made it to Mr. Lucky's at the Hard Rock (HR). Had the off menu $7.77 Steak and Shrimp Special. It was worth about $2.77. The steak was tiny and thin and about half of that was all fat. The three shrimp were miniscule. So I left hungry. My wife liked the Cobb salad though.
I brought a cache of matchplay and freeplay (MP and FP) coupons from ACG and LVA and while at the HR played two ACG $10 MPs (one at blackjack and one at roulette) and won both for a $40 profit.
Checked into the Hilton and scored a North Tower (near the parking garage), strip view, redesigned room (worth the $20 tip). For three nights the cost based on a USPS mailer was $169 total including a Friday and Saturday night. It also included 6 free buffets, and a few other trinkets and baubles. Even my very fussy wife liked the redesigned room.
After relaxing in the room, I made my way down to the casino and played Low Deuces Wild (LDW) video poker for awhile and lost $140 and a $10 ACG MP for another $10 loss.
Before we left for the trip via Goldstar.com I had scored some free tickets for the show, The Mentalist. The only cost was an $8.00 service fee each. Eventually it was time to go see the show at Planet Hollywood's (PH) theatre in the Miracle Mile Mall. The performer, Gerry McCambridge, claims the TV show, the Mentalist, is loosely based on him and that he was a consultant to the show. His Vegas show previously was at Hooters and this was opening night at PH. It was okay but I wouldn't pay full price to see it. I thought it was a 5 out of 10; my wife who likes this sort of stuff rated it a 7.50 out of 10.
After the show, I used a $25 freeplay coupon at PH from LVA and won $26. I then attempted to play a $25 MP from LVA and the BJ dealer informed me they were no longer accepting them starting today. Figuring not everybody got or read the memo, I tried using it again at three other tables at different pits and all gave the same message. I was pissed as that was the best MP in the entire LVA MRB book.
Before hitting the hay, I played some more LDW VP at the Hilton and lost $240.
COUPON RUN/HILTON BRUNCH BUFFET/YELLOW BRICK ROAD
The next day I got up and out by 5:30 AM and played some more LDW VP at the Hilton and lost $100 but won $20 on a $10 ACG MP. I next did a strip area coupon run hitting Imperial Palace, Bill's, Ellis Island, Hard Rock, Terribles, Sahara, Gold Coast and the Palms and won $120 on MPs. I also played some FPDW VP at the Palms but lost $80 on that.
We ate at the Hilton buffet brunch with a couple of the free coupons included in the package. The weekend brunch buffet is much more expansive than the normal breakfast or lunch buffet and they serve free wine, beer and champagne. They also had crab legs and steak. It was very good. Late in the afternoon we hung by the Hilton pool where they had some free entertainment from 4:00 PM to about 6:00 PM. That evening, never having eaten at PF Chang's (and getting good reports on it from many people we know), my wife and I decided to try it for an 8:30 dinner. We went to the one on Paradise Rd. We thought that the orders were small and the food was just average.
Next via Desert Inn Rd, we made it quickly to Boulder Station and went to the Railhead to see Yellow Brick Road, a classic rock band. The crowd appeared to be nearly all locals. There was no admission charge but the band was excellent, especially the vocals. After the show before going to bed, I played some more LDW VP at the Hilton, and this time won $110. I also won $20 on another $10 MP and collected $10 on a sports bet I had made earlier in the day. This was my first ever sports bet and I bet the Red Sox would beat the Mariner's by two runs for even money. They in fact did beat them by exactly two runs. So at this point in my sports betting career, I've never lost a sport's bet.
FOUR DEUCES FOR $625/DENNIS MILLER
The next morning I trekked over to the Palms and played some FPDW VP, but this time won $70, but lost $10 on a $10 MP. From there, I did an east side of strip mini-coupon run hitting the Hard Rock, Terribles, and the Hilton and won them all for an $80 win. We then hung out by the Hilton pool for part of the afternoon, and did lunch at the Hilton Sports Book snack bar. It was actually pretty good for the money: I had a BLT sub and my wife had a hot dog that was the size of three normal dogs. While having lunch we watched part of the Red Sox game.
I later went back to the Palms for some more FPDW VP. I lost $40, but won $20 on a MP before leaving.
Prior to going out for the night, at the Hilton, I played some more 25 cent LDW VP and finally scored big on four deuces for a $625 payout, leaving with a $635 profit for the session. Unlike FPDW that pays $250 for four deuces, LDW pays $625, but this is compensated by lower pay scales on the more frequently achieved lower paying common hands. So the volatility or variance is much greater on LDW and the perfect play long term payout is a bit less than FPDW, yet still over 100%. The strategy is nearly identical to FPDW with only four or five minor modifications needed.
Earlier in the day I got some Dennis Miller tickets (who was playing at the Orleans that night) at tix4tonight for half price at about $30 per ticket. Miller, who is a former left wing democrat, has done a 180 degree turn since 9/11. He is now mostly conservative, especially on defense and anything to do with preventing another 9/11 at nearly all costs. He was hilarious. His obscure references as always went over the head of some. But when you got an obscure one, often times you would be laughing your ass off with those around you just looking puzzled and vice versa. But that made it fun.
After the Dennis Miller show, we went to Bahama Breeze on Paradise, where they have tasty food at reasonable prices. Our particular waiter was a bit forgetful, but he was such a flamboyant flamer that the entertainment value made up for some of his shortcomings.
DOWNTOWN COUPON RUN/NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM/GVR/LION KING/EVERYTHING'S CLOSED
On Monday morning I began another coupon run beginning at the Sahara where I played a $50 in chips for $40 coupon as well as a $5 MP for an overall $10 profit. I then went downtown and parked at the Vegas Club garage. They now collect $5.00 when you enter and give you a receipt. Then you can get your five dollars back in cash at the casino cashier at any time (even right away) by giving them the receipt. Go figure. Anyway, the empty back room now has a few slot machines spread out in it, so the room is not as barren as before.
At the Vegas Club I had a $10 MP from ACG but there was only one table dealing what I thought was BJ. They called it 21. Above the table in large letters they claim they had the most liberal rules in Las Vegas. They listed a bunch of them in small print, but since I was not intending to play long, I didn't read them all (but the first few looked reasonable). Anyway, I'm dealt a blackjack and instead of paying me three for two or even 6 for 5, he pays me even money even against my initial $10 bet as well as against the MP. I said what's this all about? I was planning to play a few more hands without a MP, but with them insisting that even money was what they pay on a blackjack and me saying that you advertised the game as the most liberal rules and so on and so on, I just took my winnings and left. But I was pissed about their misleading signs: F U Tamares Group.
Since it was nearby, I decided to hit the Plaza even though they were owned by the same jokers as the Vegas Club. But there they had normal blackjack paying 3 for 2, so I played a $10 MP there. I then played a bunch of MP and FPs at Binions, 4 Queens, Fitzgerald's, and ElCo for an overall $25 profit.
After checking out the Hilton at about noon, we took advantage of one last free buffet there that came with the room package. The lunch buffet was not as expansive as the weekend brunch buffet. Still it wasn't bad. I'd rate it equal with say the Orleans or Silverton's lunch buffets, though below the Rio, PH or Paris buffets.
With a few hours to kill before checking into Green Valley Ranch, we decided to use a 2-for-1 coupon for the Las Vegas Natural History Museum in North Las Vegas. This is part of the Smithsonian, so on a rotating basis, they get exhibits from them. This time it was featuring exhibits on North American Ice Age mammals, with a focus on those with tusks. You can even touch one of the Ice Age tusks (I know there is a joke here somewhere).
They also had a separate exhibit of glowing creatures, as well as fixed exhibits mostly featuring natural items and creatures from the southwest. It wouldn't make my top ten list of things to do during the day in Vegas, but after you've done the top ten it's worth a couple of hours and $8.00 per person (even better with a 2-for-1).
Next we drove to Green Valley Ranch and checked in. I got a special e-mail offer for $39 per night for two nights. Unfortunately they add a resort fee, but it is reduced to 1/2 price at $12.99 per night. I guess I no longer roll high enough to attain my previous offer which was two free nights with no resort fee. Still, it's a nice place that is typically $100+ a night plus a $25 resort fee even on weekdays during the May high season.
Before leaving on our trip, the general manager at GVR emailed us and asked if we had any special requests. I asked him to waive the resort fee. When we checked in they waived the resort fee, so the only cost was the $39 per night.
The room was excellent with marble baths with separate glass shower stall and separate large tub. The only issue was the safe in the room wasn't working and we had people in and out of room trying to fix it for the first three hours of our stay when my wife wanted to take a nap. By the time we had to leave for the night's entertainment they still hadn't fixed the safe so it meant going through the hassle of signing up for a safety deposit box and placing my wife's jewelry and some cash in it and having to carry another key around (aren't the two large car keys on the hermetically sealed key ring that Dollar always give you enough keys to carry).
Anyway we left for Mandalay Bay for the 8:00 PM show of Lion King (premier week). My wife loved it; I hated it. It just seemed more geared for children than for adults and I'm not big on musicals when people sing their lines instead of talking their lines. Now here it is worse where you have animals singing their lines. I would say I was in the vast minority of people that didn't love it, so please take my criticism with a one-quarter of a grain of salt. I only went because my wife wanted to see it (happy wife; happy life)
After my nightmare of having to see Lion King, things got worse. We hadn't eaten since about 1:00 PM and it was now about 10:30 PM (they actually had an intermission in Lion King, which stretched it out even longer). So we were both famished. We had heard rave reviews about Settebello Pizza at the District at GVR. So we quickly drove back there and got there about 10:45 PM. I drove by it on the way to the parking lot and it looked dark inside. They closed at 10:00 PM (crap). Okay not to worry we can always eat next door at the Cheesecake Factory (as we walk to the front door, we notice that on weekdays they close at 11:00 PM it's 11:00 PM (crap). Okay not to worry, we can eat at the Grand Café in the GVR Casino. We get there and there is no longer a Grand Café and the Original Pancake House is occupying that space and they closed at 10:00 PM (crap^2). Alright, forgetting all of that, surely Capriotti's (excellent subs) in the food court would be open until at least midnight. After all this is a major casino bzzzt- wrong; they close at 11:00 PM. Now fume is coming out my ears but I'm also weak from hunger. So at about 11:30 PM we drive all the way back to the strip after just coming from there just to get something to eat. I gave my wife the choice of the Palms 24/7 café (note the number 24) or the Grand Luxe (I figured one of the two would be open at the Venetian/Palazzo complex), or the Peppermill (they never close).
She chose the Peppermill. By the time we got there it was just about midnight. So now I'm thinking more of a breakfast type meal. I had a bacon and asparagus omelet (I think they used a dozen eggs) and it was great and my wife had a bowl of oatmeal with bananas (that would serve a family of six). Her meal was excellent as well. A bit on the pricey side, but we both love the late night ambience there. Oh and then we got to drive back to GVR again. F U GVR for allowing all the restaurants in the complex to close early. I realize they market to an older crowd than some of the other station resorts, but 10:00 and 11:00 PM is a bit ridiculous to close everything that sells food in and around a casino resort. I complained and their answer was I could have gotten room service.
I don't eat my meals in my bedroom at home (unless I'm sick) and I surely don't want to do it when I'm on vacation. I want to keep that little luxury for when I'm forced into the nursing home, thank you. Plus with all the added service fees, gratuities, and exorbitant room service prices to begin with, I'd get indigestion no matter how good that food might be (though I've never heard anyone say: "Oh, you must try the Hotel room service cuisine.")
Okay so we get back to our room at about 1:30 AM instead of maybe 11:30 as we originally planned. They have replaced the safe. So at about 2:00 AM I go down to get our valuables out of the safety deposit box, so I can put them in our room safe and get rid of the safety deposit key. Incredibly, there is someone on duty at 2:00 AM to allow me to collect my valuables out of the box (but no one to serve any g.d. food in any of the many restaurants at the complex go figure). To be fair I think Fatburger was open in the food court, but we aren't big hamburger eaters especially that late at night.
Being so aggravated about the restaurant situation, I decided it was time to get even by taking some money from the GVR casino I found some Optimum VP machines and played some 25 cent FPDW and 50 cent LDW. After about 45 minutes of play, I was up $200 and stumbled back to the room a bit happier than when I left.
RAINBOW CLUB/CAPRIOTTI'S/FOUR DEUCES FOR $625/SETTEBELLO's PIZZA/VINNIE FAVORITO
The next morning I drove to the Rainbow Club Casino in downtown Henderson to play their rare 10 coin x $0.25 FPDW VP. The interior neon lights and mirrored ceilings are reminiscent of the Peppermill Restaurant and Lounge on the Strip (same ownership). They also have a great eclectic mix of casino music with music from Frank Sinatra, Johnny Cash, the Beatles, and Hoobastank, etc. After few hours of play, however, I dropped $120. The casino does not have a player's club, so there are no points or comps. I next decide to do a Boulder Highway coupon run and began with Arizona Charlie's. This casino is pretty convoluted being on multi levels it reminds me of the old Nevada Palace (where the new Eastside Cannery is now).
Anyway, I lost a $5 MP (I typically don't play $5.00 MPs unless it is combined with some other MP or other purpose to be there, but I wanted to see this place as I couldn't remember being there before). I probably will never go back again either (at least not just for a $5.00 MP).
Next I hit Sam's Town and won a $10 MP for $20 and then went across the street to the Longhorn. This place is a dump, but I always seem to win there and I had an ACG $10 MP, a LVA $10 MP, and one "Free Ace" coupon. After producing my Longhorn/Bighorn Player's Card and them checking their official record book, they said I would be allowed to play all three coupons because I had not played any MPs this month yet.
Well after a double down and a split on the two matchplays and a blackjack on the "Free Ace" I walked out of there with a $70 profit playing just three hands of blackjack all starting with an initial $10 bet per hand. I walked out of their feeling like I had just won $1,000. In the past there and at their sister casino the Bighorn I had always been given a hard time playing MPs. Take that Mssrs. Big and Long Horn. The coupon run ended at the Eastside Cannery where I lost a $10 MP. Then it was back to GVR for some pool time with my wife.
During my daytime gambling gallivants, my wife slept late and then watched "Lost" (Seasons 2 and 3) in the room on a portable DVD player we brought with us. She missed the show when it first started on TV and now is addicted and trying to catch up via the DVDs. So this works out great for me as I have no interest in the show and she has not much interest in gambling (actually she likes gambling except for the part that you could lose).
I ate lunch at Capriotti's: I commend the Thanksgiving Turkey sub. My wife had a large muffin late in the AM so didn't want lunch. After lunch I decided to play some LDW VP at GVR and after about 15 minutes hit 4 deuces for $625 and left up for the session $500 and then went back to the pool $500 richer.
We had plans to eat early at Settebello's Pizza and then drive to the strip to see Vinnie Favorito at the Flamingo. We first heard about Vinnie when he was playing at Binion's downtown but missed him when the show was cancelled at the last minute. We did see him a couple of years ago when he was playing O'Sheas.
Before leaving for dinner, I played a bit of $1.00 LDW at GVR and lost a fast $100 and then watched part of a Red Sox game at the sports book. We then went to Settebello's Pizza. If you like thin crust pizza this is some of the best I've ever had. Everything tasted extremely fresh with great ingredients and it is cooked in a wood-burning oven. They only serve one size, a 12 inch, so you probably should order one per person. I had bell peppers on mine and the peppers were excellent. My wife is Italian and is fussy about pizza, and she claimed it was the best pizza she ever had.
After dinner we headed for the strip to see Vinnie Favorito. I had a coupon that allowed two free admissions as long as you bought a pre-paid drink voucher for $10 for each ticket. Vinnie is like a young Italian Don Rickles (with an East Boston accent). He's brutal in a nice way if that is possible and my wife and I couldn't stop laughing for most of the show. He works primarily without a script and plays off the audience. He picked on my wife this time and last time. I'd recommend him highly if you like to laugh and can take being the brunt of a few good-natured insults.
After the show we headed back to GVR and had dessert at the Cheesecake Factory in the District. It was a nice night and we ate alfresco. I had strawberry shortcake that was excellent and large that also included ice cream and my wife had a lemon cake.
DOWNTOWN HENDERSON/GVR BUFFET
Today was our last day and it began with a trip to the Rainbow Club downtown Henderson for $0.50 FPDW VP. After about two hours I was up about $200, but couldn't hit the four deuces. I took a walk around downtown Henderson and ended up at another casino where I found a 5 cent, 5 play 9/6 JoB VP machine and played for about 15 minutes and won $5.00. I went back to the Rainbow Club hoping to hit four deuces (which I've never gotten there in my many trips there over the years) and lost back the $200 I had won earlier. After returning to GVR, I played some more LDW VP at the $1.00 level and lost another $200.
It was time to pack. After checking out at noon, we went to the GVR lunch buffet where I used a LVA 2-for-1 coupon. The buffet was good (especially the ice cream), about on par with the Rio buffet.
THE FINAL TALLY
And that's all folks. In the end, I left winning about $750 in total (about $400 at VP and $350 on MPs and FP).
SteveT