Mission...Vegas! (Act Two)

Sunday-Confidentiality Agreement Day

I actually worked the Saturday night before until midnight, but it's not a bad run to the airport, so I arrived at about 2:00a.m. for my 7:00a.m. flight. I thought that I would get checked in and go to the gate, but the check-in counter doesn't open at PIT until 4:30a.m. for Southwest, so I had a few hours to kill. Fortunately, OneNickelMiracle makes great phone company and was kind enough to stay up and on the phone with me until the check-in opened.

After going to the gate, I grabbed an omelet, "Italian toast," and Stella Artois from an Italian restaurant I don't remember the name of. I put Italian toast in quotes because that's what they called it, although it was just two slices of Italian bread topped with garlic butter and stuck in a toaster oven for a few seconds. The omelet might have been good, I might have been hungry, it might have been both.

I landed and, with the help of security, was directed to where one goes to catch the bus known as, "The Deuce," which runs Downtown. The gentleman in front of me, who works at an airport sandwich place, swiped his bus ticket and then handed me the ticket and asked for two dollars telling me the ticket was good for two more hours. I was a bit confused by this transaction as the bus driver just saw him swipe that very ticket but the bus driver kind of shrugged as I looked at him quizzically and said, "Go ahead, swipe the ticket."

I sat in the back of the bus with the gentleman and gave him the ticket back explaining I wouldn't be taking the bus anywhere else in the next two hours, so maybe he could get another $2.00 for it when he gets to his bus stop. He thanked me and tried to give me my $2.00 back, but I explained I still got the bus ride that I would have had to pay for anyway, so I wasn't worried about it.

The bus arrived at Fremont Street, so I hopped off and made my way through the Golden Nugget (checking the UX machines first, of course) and then out the FSE side en route to Downtown Grand.

I asked the check-in desk if my big suitcase could be held at Downtown Grand for me, but she replied, "I'm going to get you a room ready right now, go up and it will be finished in ten minutes." I tipped her $5 for hooking me up with the early check-in and the room was clearly no rush job as it was positively immaculate, as you will see in my Review which will be done within the next week.

Upon checking in and paying the Grand Experience Fee in cash, I received a book with multiple food coupons for the assorted Downtown Grand restaurants, my $25 food credit voucher (though you just tell the place to bill it to the room) and a $10 match play coupon. I put my big suitcase in the room and grabbed a shower, then set out to terrorize Vegas once again!!!

I needed a disposable camera, though they apparently don't exist anymore, so I went to WalGreen's and they didn't have any. At that point, I decided the camera could wait and I went to El Cortez and used my Free Play coupon, then I got my Free Play from The D and used my match play coupon for them, then did the same thing at The Plaza and Las Vegas Club.

I got the call around noon about an advantage play opportunity that I can't really discuss, they asked if I would be ready to do it today and I replied, "Well, I haven't slept in 33 hours...so let's go kick some ass!!!"

Unfortunately, the rest of Sunday is largely confidential. I drank copiously while on a, 'break,' from the advantage play that was ongoing and managed to hit Four Deuces on Deuces Wild short-coining a $0.25 bartop machine. I didn't take a picture, though, because I was short-coining.

About three hours later, and 75% drunk, I was off break and it was time to continue the advantage play. It didn't take long, or maybe it took hours, I don't remember...all I know is that I continued to run around and drink afterward. The bartop video poker was unnecessary where I was at, the cocktail waitresses were just as fast.

The combination of no sleeping and alcohol finally reared its ugly head and I fell asleep as soon as we got to the car. The last thing I remember is a nice hit for over $100 vulturing an Ultimate X machine. Apparently, according to my friends, they woke me up and Downtown Grand and I managed to get myself to my room from there.

Attempting to do AP plastered? Sounds like a fun start. :)

Quote: Mission146

I needed a disposable camera, though they apparently don't exist anymore, so I went to WalGreen's and they didn't have any.

Does your cell phone not have a camera? Even my grandfather's flip phone from like 5 years ago has a 5 MP camera -- vastly superior picture quality to a disposable camera.

Quote: sodawater

Does your cell phone not have a camera? Even my grandfather's flip phone from like 5 years ago has a 5 MP camera -- vastly superior picture quality to a disposable camera.

I love my camera on my phone now! 13MP!

And digital cameras/smartphones have definitely rendered disposable cameras obsolete.

Quote: tringlomane

I love my camera on my phone now! 13MP!

And digital cameras/smartphones have definitely rendered disposable cameras obsolete.

the new Amazon phone will have six cameras! Five on the front and one 13 MP camera on the rear.

Monday-Rolling with RudeBoiOi and Boz

I woke up on Monday feeling as though I hadn't drank, or gone nearly forty hours without sleeping, or had done much of anything else the night before. Simply 100%, minor miracle, that. I rolled over and looked at the clock, 5:30, but it was dark outside. I decided that couldn't possibly be right and checked my cell phone, it was 5:30, but still on the a.m. side. I slept away a full friggin' day, I thought, but no, it was 5:30a.m. Monday and I'd only slept for about eight total hours.

I still hadn't used any of my $25 food credit, so with less than six hours to do so, I hopped in the shower and made my way to Stewart and Ogden's at Downtown Grand. It was highly amusing as there was a very attractive hostess, though I was the only person at the restaurant. I informed her that I intended to just sit at the bar, so she walked over to the bar and pulled out a stool for me, "You must be bored," I said and grinned. She assured me that she was quite bored.

The waitress was very nice, but clearly inexperienced. A cute blonde girl with an ample posterior and a cute little pixie haircut bangs longer on one side than the other. She came out and apologized for not knowing anyone was there (the hostess went back and informed her) and brought me a coffee. I sat there and sipped my coffee for about ten minutes before she came and took my order, though I had known what I wanted for quite some time.

I had two pieces of rye toast, apple wood smoked bacon and a Goat Cheese and Spinach omelet. The omelet was very unusual in that they put the goat cheese and the spinach on the top rather than inside of the omelet. Not knowing what else to do with that, I spread it as evenly as possible over the top and went to town. It was still very good and they managed not to overcook the goat cheese, which sometimes happens, you can't cook it as long as you can other cheeses or it becomes somewhat like a thick liquid.

My coffee was allowed to sit empty for about five minutes, perhaps the waitress was playing Candy Crush, but then a few couples finally milled in to the restaurant and she was more attentive from that point forward. I announced I was ready for my check and she asked if I wanted a box for my toast, I replied I was going for a walk and was just going to carry it to munch on and she offered me a to-go coffee, which I gladly accepted.

The total bill was $22 making that the most expensive individual breakfast I've ever paid for in my life, good thing I had the food credit or I'd have dined somewhere else...though it was quite good. The jam came in a little individual jar that you sometimes see at the grocery store for a dollar or more, so I thought about taking it, but I don't use jam so couldn't figure out anything to do with it. I billed the $22.xx to the room and wrote in the rest for the tip to make it a round $25 while also tipping $5.00 cash.

I walked aimlessly around Downtown for a few hours and then went to El Cortez to use my other Free Play coupon. I played some Craps while I was there and left +$60 after tipping the crew about $10. I must have been at the Craps table longer than I thought because now it was 8:30a.m., so I went and checked out at Downtown Grand, drank a cup of coffee and made my way over to The D.

The front desk clerk at The D basically did the same thing that the one at Downtown Grand did, except the room was already ready to go, I was still on the fourth floor, but on the opposite side from December, so I had a much better view.

I put my suitcase in the room and resumed aimlessly walking around when I got a call from Boz stating he was free for a few hours if I wanted to hang out. I took him to Binion's from Downtown Grand and we did this promo I did the day before where you got a free swipe for earning 5 points, 40 points, and 300, respectively. We ran up $40 points and got some bar coupons and a buy-one get one food thing between the two of us. I was a bit perplexed because the girl on Sunday told me the minimum was $5 Free Play and I had won $10 non-negotiable chips and $25 Free Play, respectively, on Sunday.

RudeBoiOi called as Boz and I were doing this, he was early, so he met up with us at Binion's. Boz, who is a really cool guy that I would suggest anyone on the board hang out with given the opportunity, by the way, had to meet back up with his wife, so he excused himself after we slammed down a few of the free drinks at the bar. He warned RudeBoiOi about my newfound propensity for the Tequila Sunrise, "He slams those down like a glass of water."

RudeBoiOi and I ran around Downtown for a bit and we stopped at The D so he could drop some stuff off, as he was staying with me that night, and then we took the free shuttle (very nice!!!) from Fremont to Sam's Town. We departed the bus at Sam's Town and I used my slot match play coupon and ran it through on Video Poker to a slightly positive result, forget what, specifically as my notebook is at home.

We went North on Boulder Highway to Boulder Station where I did the new member thing.

We split our action all day, in terms of risk/reward, and I carried RudeBoiOi all day long and mercilessly harassed him about it!!!

We had run into this supposed family of four begging for help as we walked along Boulder Highway with the lead guy basically demanding to follow us after I told him I'd bring him back something to eat after we got done with what we were doing. I would have, too, except he started cussing me out about me not wanting him to tag along with us, so I told him just to keep walking. On our way back, they were there but heading in the opposite direction and, claiming to have been waiting for us, asked me to grab them something to eat now. I told him I wasn't doing anything for them because he wanted to argue with me earlier, so he cussed me and threatened me. I bent down and retied my shoe figuring if he was going to try anything physically he would try to kick me in the face while in that position and I'd be ready for it...

In any event, nothing happened, he continued to shoot his mouth off and referred to me as a coward and a derogatory slang term for a female's reproductive orifice. Taking my own advice, I ignored him and, "Kept walking."

RudeBoiOi feels that I could have (and should have) taken him, easily, but I'm not quite as confident. I have a background in martial arts, but the guy was in pretty good shape. Either way, not looking to get arrested while in Vegas.

We walked back and went to Eastside Cannery where I had a bunch of free drinks from WebPass (online free rewards thing on all Cannery Casino Resort sites), a free buffet (I split the cost of the other with RudeBoiOi) and they had a new member Free Play. They also gave us coupons to text for immediate additional Free Play and Match Play, so we did that while at the buffet.

We looked for UX multipliers to no avail and played some bartop video poker with our Free Play and free drinks coupons, upon which I hit Four Deuces again!

We went over and ate at the buffet, at least I did, RudeBoiOi is not really a big eater, so he pecked at his food a little bit. I found the buffet at Eastside Cannery quite good, pleasantly surprised that it had decent sushi, and considered the selection quite impressive---more than I expected---overall. Eastside is definitely the superior of the two properties in every regard.

We went and used some Match Play coupons at a place across the street I forget the name of, cool place, though you can still double-down on Blackjack after you have already hit. That didn't come up, but a regular double situation did, and I lost.

About six hours after getting off at Sam's Town we shuttled back to Fremont and played Video Poker mostly between The D and El Cortez. We ate the Burger and Beer special at El Cortez for $5 each which includes an EXCELLENT half pound burger, fixings, potato chips and a delicious Tenaya Creek Ale. Great show by El Cortez, that special, and the café is quite comfortable and aesthetically appealing, too.

RudeBoiOi announced he was tired and going to bed after another hour at The D, so I made my way back over to Binion's.

I tried to play Craps, but they yelled at me for short rolling and told me both dice not only had to hit the wall, but that they wanted them to, "Hit the wall in the air if you're going to be setting the dice like that." I couldn't even comprehend it, in the air?

I gave up on that and played some Pai-Gow Poker instead, and my dealer was excellent company. We discussed the game, at length, and somehow Jackie Gaughan came up and she was telling me how she used to work for him. "He knew us all by name, and he's in Heaven now," I replied that he would have turned Heaven down opting instead to remain as a ghost in his penthouse at El Cortez. She chuckled and said I was probably right.

There was an altercation between a lady and a young girl at the Blackjack Table because the former was trying to tell the latter how to play. The former was right, but was taking the whole thing to extremes. I turned and said, "Look, your plays are right because that's Basic Strategy, but your attitude to this young lady sucks, that's her money to do with as she likes." I then calmly explained to the young girl, as simply as possible, why you stand a thirteen against a dealer showing five.

The girl thanked me and asked me to come play Blackjack and help her. I told her I had no interest in playing Blackjack because I was playing Pai-Gow Poker, but that the older lady knew what she was doing and would not tell her anything that I wouldn't also tell her. I told them both just to be friendly about the whole matter because I was trying to relax at Pai-Gow and they were both being rude to me by bickering so loudly.

The older lady came to me and complained that the girl was taking all the dealer's cards. I asked how she could know perfect Basic Strategy (she was right on borderline plays) and still believe that. She explained that the girl hit 13 and took the dealer's ten followed by the dealer getting a six for twenty-one and beating her. I told her if the cards were reversed, the girl hit thirteen and turned it into nineteen and the dealer busts with 25. I explained it doesn't matter what another player does unless you know what the cards are ahead of time and that if she did in fact know the cards ahead of time I would change my mind and play Blackjack instead.

She made no claim to knowing the cards ahead of time.

I offered to teach the young girl Pai-Gow Poker, but she declined stating that she had enough of learning new games for one day and was going back to Craps. She thanked me for being kind to her and intervening with the older lady and I told her not to worry about it.

I played through her and a relief dealer and her again and turned my action into about +$60, after tips. The cocktail service at Binion's is great for late night table games, but I picked up my chips and left four hours later because I had to go to the bathroom. I tried to play Craps at Four Queens and got yelled at for short rolling, so I went back to The D and half-slept, half passed out at 7:00a.m.

Quote: tringlomane

Attempting to do AP plastered? Sounds like a fun start. :)

It was, we were successful, I can't say much but it required no skill on my part.

Quote: sodawater

Does your cell phone not have a camera? Even my grandfather's flip phone from like 5 years ago has a 5 MP camera -- vastly superior picture quality to a disposable camera.

Wizard doesn't like my camera phone pictures, still never found a disposable, so they'll have to do.

Quote: Mission146

I needed a disposable camera, though they apparently don't exist anymore, so I went to WalGreen's and they didn't have any.

I don't think any film cameras are sold any more, outside perhaps some professional shops.

Still, did you try the photo and camera stand on Fremont St.? Other than that, the nearest thing I know in Vegas to an antique store is the Gold and Silver Pawn Shop ;) Had you found one, would you have found a place to develop the film?

Yeah, WalMart still develops them here...and sells disposable cameras, I just didn't want it to get broken on the plane.

Quote: Mission146

Yeah, WalMart still develops them here...and sells disposable cameras, I just didn't want it to get broken on the plane.

Oh, well, I should say I'm surprised that I'm surprised you knew what you were doing. My bad.

What really surprises me is any film at all survives in the consumer market.

A very enjoyable read, Mission.

Eastside Cannery is one of my favorite places. They have a decent DD blackjack game, similar to El Cortez in that it is dealt face up, but Eastside is hand held. Penetration varies widely by dealer. They happen to be one of the top casinos in Vegas as far as mailers go IMO. The buffet is one of the better values in Vegas, IMO. When I tell people that they always say ",oh such and such has a much better buffet". lol. But such and such cost $20 bucks. Eastide is $6.99 before 4pm and they have a ton of 2 for1 or 50% off coupons which can be used with comps, making the cost $3.50 in comp dollars. Decent dessert station at Eastside if you are into that.

The place across the street is Longhorn. $3 minimum blackjack and it is 3-2 blackjack, along with the 3 card doubling that you mentioned. They also almost always have a promotion on suited blackjacks, paying 5-2 up to $5 maximum bet (an extra $5) or sometimes instead of the extra $5, they have a six pack of Pepsi as the promotion. The 5-2 suited blackjack along with the 3 card double, drops the house edge considerably to almost an even game, I believe. Unfortunately, they are very intolerant of counting (spreading) and they have very poor penetration, usually less than 50% on a six deck game. But for low limit players, a $3 minimum game with very low house edge is something. Oh yeah, dealers are notoriously tip whores.

Now, are you saying you walked from boulder station to eastside? That's probably a mile and a half walk. There is a bus that runs along boulder highway ($2 per trip).

Edit: In thinking about it, the promo at Longhorn might just be for a blackjack in Diamonds as opposed to all suited BJ's.

Tuesday: Going for a Walk

I started to regain consciousness at 11:00a.m., only four hours later, because my body is apparently nearly immortal when it comes to copious levels of intoxication. RudeBoiOi, who was originally staying with me that day, said that something came up and he would try to catch up with me back Downtown on Thursday.

I got up and grabbed a bus to the South Strip, some buses will just take $2.00 and some you have to buy a pass...I still don't know the difference between one bus and another: this one was one of the $2.00 ones.

I started the day by eating a free buffet (MyVegas) at the Bayside Buffet and Mandalay Bay. The buffet was quite good, though the sushi was a little bland, but the coffee was unbelievable! I stuck to mostly light fare opting largely for cold tomato salads, walnut salads and sushi. I had a piece of fried whitefish and the a small cut of roast as well as some excellent cubed cheese that I could not identify. I had a piece of cheesecake and Vegas continue its 0-for-Life streak on knowing how to make a proper cheesecake, too crumbly and not velvety enough, but it was okay, I guess.

Having completed that, I walked first to Hooters Casino and then to Ellis Island to use my coupons. I spent an hour and a half at Ellis Island having walked East on Tropicana to Hooters and then North on Koval to Ellis Island. One of my coupons was for three rounds of drinks for two people, so I introduced myself to someone at the bar, informed him that he was now my friend and, as such, was entitled to three free drinks. The bartended seemed annoyed that I would do such a thing, but didn't say anything. There was a lady at the bar wondering how Craps worked, so I explained that and pulled out my notebook and drew a diagram of a Craps Table and all of the bets. The gentleman was impressed with my knowledge and what I was doing with all of my free offers, so he asked me how I know about all that and I referred him to WoV and WoO.

From there, I continued North on Koval and ended up at employee access to the Wynn, which is this beautiful walkway with gazebos and birds all over the place. I'd actually commented about that at the Player's Club and the gentleman working there told me that I found that nice, I should see the employee dining room and employee buffet. Good on Steve for treating his people so well!!!

I used my Free Play at the Wynn and walked back South to Treasure Island to do a promo for being a first time Player's Club member and earning points. I think that everyone should check out Treasure Island, I can't specifically identify why I liked it so much, but I did, combination of elements.

I went over to Riviera and did their new member free stuff and a coupon for Match Play. I stuck around a bit on that Craps Table (as I was shooting, anyway) and ended up making $40. I walked to LVH, but they didn't have new member stuff anymore.

I went down to The Orleans and used my coupons there, BConnected is really generous about coupons and free shuttles (which I took to Gold Coast) and there ain't a man on Earth who doesn't love the cocktail waitress outfits at Orleans, that's for sure!!!

I went to the Palms first and used a Matchplay, which won. I played through a few more hands of this guy shooting and all of those won, so I decided to walk away +$33 after tipping the crew.

I went to Gold Coast and used my BConnected coupon for there, and then went up to Rio for a bit.

Rio has a cool virtual Baccarat table with a minimum bet of $1, so I sat there and played that for about forty-five minutes after checking UX machines to little avail. There was a kindly Asian man with a Baccarat scorecard that admonished me for betting Banker every time, "You no use brain!" I just laughed, I thought about explaining that I was using my brain because it is a single deck shuffled after every hand (so his notes do nothing) and I was selecting the bet with the lowest House Edge.

I got a call from some friends and we all met up at another casino and played some Ultimate Texas Hold 'Em, at least, they did. Playing for drinks, I only got in once every three to five hands, but it seemed like I won most of the time. Prior to that, I had played Craps and won around $30 or $40 as I finished my PINT+ Arrogant Bastard Pale Ale that I bought at Rio. I slammed a Tequila Sunrise or two at Craps and then a bunch at UTH.

I finished ahead and we went to a poker room as they were closing. Two of our group had already ducked out for the night (after UTH) and I became the third after pushing all-in with Jacks & Sevens after the Turn against one player who had nothing and another player who had inside fours and...CAUGHT A FOUR ON THE F*^%*%&ing RIVER!!!!

I was pretty steamed about losing $100 on that hand, so I took a cab back Downtown, thought about playing Craps, but decided that would be stupid because I was angry, so I went to the D Bar upstairs to get drunk and short-coin Video Poker Deuces. I made about $30 on Video Poker, which is good because I tipped about $20 to this excellent flair-bartender in practice, Diego, who was making me everything under the sun. There was a couple around the bar who started talking to me about Video Poker and it turns out the female of the two was a dancing dealer there who just got done. We all decided just to drink everything we could name on a rotating basis.

I can't remember anything that I drank, but at some point I ticketed out and went to my room. I cashed my ticket the following morn----, um, afternoon.

Sounds like A LOT of walking....Mandy Bay to Riviera, via Koval, no less. Lots of MP's involved. Sounds like maybe the American Casino Guide MP tour. lol

Quote: kewlj

A very enjoyable read, Mission.

Thanks for the compliment! Three days still to go after I finish this response!

Quote:

Eastside Cannery is one of my favorite places. They have a decent DD blackjack game, similar to El Cortez in that it is dealt face up, but Eastside is hand held. Penetration varies widely by dealer. They happen to be one of the top casinos in Vegas as far as mailers go IMO. The buffet is one of the better values in Vegas, IMO. When I tell people that they always say ",oh such and such has a much better buffet". lol. But such and such cost $20 bucks. Eastide is $6.99 before 4pm and they have a ton of 2 for1 or 50% off coupons which can be used with comps, making the cost $3.50 in comp dollars. Decent dessert station at Eastside if you are into that.

That's absolutely right, the desserts there were great!!! I believe I will stay at Eastside Cannery at least one night on my trip next year, if not two nights. Both Cannery Casinos have great values, but Eastside's are even better and it is a beautiful property. I am especially impressed with how spread out all of the machines are, so there is plenty of room to walk.

There was a linked, "Must hit by," Progressive while we were there in hugely positive territory, but there was a group who was clearly a team on it, so you're not the only professional who likes that place!

Quote:

The place across the street is Longhorn. $3 minimum blackjack and it is 3-2 blackjack, along with the 3 card doubling that you mentioned. They also almost always have a promotion on suited blackjacks, paying 5-2 up to $5 maximum bet (an extra $5) or sometimes instead of the extra $5, they have a six pack of Pepsi as the promotion. The 5-2 suited blackjack along with the 3 card double, drops the house edge considerably to almost an even game, I believe. Unfortunately, they are very intolerant of counting (spreading) and they have very poor penetration, usually less than 50% on a six deck game. But for low limit players, a $3 minimum game with very low house edge is something. Oh yeah, dealers are notoriously tip whores.

Thanks for the additional information! I probably will have a session there, maybe try to get away with 1-3 units, when I stay at Eastside Cannery next time around. Although, for me, a unit will only be the $3, so maybe they won't mind me so much.

Quote:

Now, are you saying you walked from boulder station to eastside? That's probably a mile and a half walk. There is a bus that runs along boulder highway ($2 per trip).

And back. Heck of a walk, nice day for it, though.

Quote: kewlj

Sounds like A LOT of walking....Mandy Bay to Riviera, via Koval, no less. Lots of MP's involved. Sounds like maybe the American Casino Guide MP tour. lol

That's exactly what my article is! That and LVA and new member promos.

Wednesday: Oh God, My Head!!!

I woke up at around 11:55a.m. Wednesday with a headache like none other I have ever experienced. I slept through alarms, wake-up calls, more alarms, possibly a parade that travelled directly through my room, and called the front desk to inquire about a late check out. The Front Desk Clerk at The D was very kind in giving me up to 1:30 to check out, but I only needed until 12:45.

I took another shower and checked out. The sun absolutely sucks. So does light. And sound.

I felt like crap, haven't felt anything close to that since college.

Walking wasn't something that was about to happen, so I took the cab to Cannery Casino in North Las Vegas.

I got another early check-in, though it wasn't that early, and knew if I fell asleep it would be game over until the following morning, so I decided to hit the pool. The pool there is actually a nice little pool, and an early afternoon dip turned out to be an excellent idea because an hour of swimming perked me right up and I went to use one of my THREE free buffets. (Two with room package, one with Webpass).

I used my WebPass buffet and had the lunch buffet at Cannery. It wasn't quite as good, nor the selection quite as diverse (no sushi) as Eastside, but it was a serviceable little buffet and I've paid more to eat at worse.

After eating, I went for another swim and then tried to use the Match Play they gave me at check-in. The supervisor refused to pay it (after I had won) because I could not produce a Can Club card, I explained that I was on my way to get a Can Club card, was staying at the hotel, had my room key and just decided to stop because the table was empty.

In any event, he didn't honor my Match Play, and as he went to give my $5 chip back, I complained that the roll was Yo' and that I had $5.00 of my own money in action no matter how you cut it. He called someone who decided that, yes, I did have $5.00 of my own in action and they owed me $10. He gave me my $10, but would not give me my coupon back, he said he would hold it while I got the card. I got the card and returned and he said he threw away my coupon.

I had coupons for some other NLV casinos, but the heat was nothing short of oppressive on Wednesday, so I went to 7-11 across the street, bought two big bottles of water for the room, and returned to Cannery for another swim.

Gambling had been the last thing on my mind when I got up that day, but feeling better after all that swimming, I decided to give it a whirl while I waited to get hungry again. I played some Spin Poker Deuces with five lines for a total of $0.25/play and broke even on that after an hour.

I decided to screw around on some Video Keno Four Card and hit Seven/Seven, Six/Seven, Three/Three and Two/Three to win $148.96 off of a $0.08 bet!!!

I ate at the buffet and noticed a guy with his kids approaching, so I asked if they were all free or if he was paying for any. He said he'd have to pay for two the way it worked out, so I told him just to pair his oldest son with me and he'd have to pay for one less as I still had two remaining.

He was pretty happy with the arrangement and invited me to sit with them, which I did. The dinner buffet is actually the exact same thing as the lunch buffet, except a few different kinds of meats. My stomach was still not in great shape, so I opted for Cucumber Salad, Tomato Salad, a few spring rolls, some cheese and some cottage cheese. I think I may have had a small sample of all of the various meats, but it wasn't my usual throwdown at a buffet, that's for sure.

The coffee at that buffet is also pretty good. Vegas has good coffee, in general, I think.

The gentleman works on the highways and his wife is a party dealer who used to work at Binion's, cool guy who was surprised that I knew about all kinds of different places in Vegas and some of the histories of same. I showed him a picture of my Keno hit and he couldn't believe it, he was even more perplexed when I told him I got it on my thirteenth play, especially combined with the fact that I was wearing my Rutgers #13 jersey.

Almost immediately after eating I witnessed something unbelievable. It didn't happen to me, and Wizard himself is indirectly involved (though he wasn't there) but I have been asked not to talk about it. I am not obligated not to, but the guy who requested it of me was very nice, so I am honoring his request.

It is unbelievable, and you will never believe it happened AT CANNERY!!! I'll get to tell you all about it in 2-3 months. I'll probably be on TV, in Europe.

Cool!

I was having so much fun, I decided to hit 7/7 on Multi-Card Keno again, but I was only betting $0.01/hand, so the result of that was $70 and change.

Prior to that, I hit Three Wild Royals on Super X Pay Deuces for pennies, three on a five-hander all in the same play, no multiplier, though.

With about $3,000 coin-in, the place I thought I would play the least at (hangover) ended up being where I played the most...lol...but I felt better after all of that swimming. I had three free drinks there, as well, so I finally got around to using them at the Pin-Ups bar and enjoyed a Guinness followed by two Stella Artois' (Guinness was a little rough after the night before).

Then, I did something unbelievable.

I went to bed.

Quote: kewlj

Now, are you saying you walked from boulder station to eastside? That's probably a mile and a half walk. There is a bus that runs along boulder highway ($2 per trip).

I have made the same walk before - in mid-August, no less. Fortunately, there are quite a few 7-11s along the way.

As for the bus, that's $2 per trip, so Boulder Station-Arizona Charlie's-Sam's Town-Eastside Cannery would cost $6 (a day pass is $8 if you get the one that includes the Deuce/SDX), plus the southbound buses require you to cross Boulder Highway to get to the casino, then cross again to get the bus (and there's up to a 15-minute wait between buses - there used to be two bus routes that served Boulder Highway, before one of them was changed to serve Boulder City from downtown).

Getting from Mandalay Bay to Riviera on foot - now that's impressive! The only thing that would have topped that is if he had gone on to LVH.

Quote: ThatDonGuy

Getting from Mandalay Bay to Riviera on foot - now that's impressive! The only thing that would have topped that is if he had gone on to LVH.

I did, I didn't know they stopped having the offer until I got there!

Quote: Mission146

Walking wasn't something that was about to happen, so I took the cab to Cannery Casino in North Las Vegas.

OMG! what did THAT cab cost? There is a bus that goes from downtown to a veterans center just north of Cannery. From Downtown, it gets on the highway and the very first stop is on the corner of Craig and Loose Rds (Cannery). Cost $2. We are going to have to hook you up with some transportation suggestions before your next trip, Mission.

BTW, you didn't lose anything by passing on the other North Vegas coupons, Bighorn, Lucky Club, Opera House, Silver nugget, Jerry's Nugget. If you were going to cab to them all, you would have spent way more. If you were going to walk, some are not very good areas (to be nice about it). If you don't speak Spanish, it is almost impossible to communicate a Bighorn (I kid you not). Although Jerry's is another of my favorite places. It's ahh.....interesting.

Thursday: Back To My Home Away From Home

I got up around 9:00a.m. the following morning, thought about taking a swim, but my trunks were still slightly wet (AND COLD) so I decided against it. I didn't sleep well, the desert sand surrounding the area would have been softer than that mattress, so at some point in the middle of the night, I grabbed my (thin) blanket and moved over to the chair.

I felt pretty okay, though, showered and checked out. They have soap/shampoo dispensers in the showers at Cannery which is quite a cheap cost saving measure. The shampoo, I think, is also mixed with conditioner, so it sucked and left my hair a little oily.

They called me a cab for back to Downtown, but a cabbie asked me if I needed a ride outside (first time I'd seen a cab there, so thought I had to call one) so I went back in and cancelled my cab and he took me Downtown. Nice guy. I was going to bus, originally, but my trip bankroll was looking pretty okay after those Keno hits, so I splurged a little.

I checked into the nastiest room I have ever personally seen, complete with the solidified remains of bile and vomit in the toilet at Four Queens. Free early check-in, though, so I guess that's good. I had my choice of the first floor or the nineteenth, I chose the nineteenth, apparently that was a bad decision. Beautiful view, though.

I called down to the desk and verified that housekeeping actually HAD been to that room. They assured me housekeeping had, so I just said, "Screw it." I thought about leaving, getting a refund, and going to the much better D for nearly the same price, don't know why I didn't. I actually challenged myself to stay the entire night in that nasty room...lol

Four Queens: "The Class of Downtown."

Please.

That place wouldn't be the class of friggin' Zaire.

I went over to the bus station and took the bus to Monte Carlo, they made me buy a 24-hour pass this time.

I ate a free buffet (MyVegas) at Monte Carlo. They have stations to get your own drinks, which I liked, because your coffee never runs empty. The coffee wasn't great, but it was okay.

It was the brunch buffet, and everything I had was delicious and everything else looked delicious. The food wasn't as great as Mandalay Bay, but the selection was actually slightly more diverse, except they didn't have sushi. I stuck mostly to cold salads, again, but had some pretty nice fried cod, fish tortellini, asparagus, a small cut of prime rib and a few apple wood smoked sausages. The cheesecake there was still wrong, but it was at least close.

I walked around and killed time so I could catch the bus and be back Downtown to meet RudeBoiOi again by 2:00p.m., he was slightly late through no fault of his own, and we did the Binion's points thing with him winning cards and a $15 off at café or deli while I won $10 non-negotiable chips and a hat.

Did I mention it was the greatest Video Poker run of my life?

On Joker Poker, I had Four Straight Flushes, two Wild Royals and at least eight 4OaK's in the space of 1300-1350 hands. I know how many hands it was, because of the points. Cocktail service was also very fast during this time and I ran a $5.00 buy into $90.00!

After this, we went and had a great dinner at Magnolia's with a buy-one entrée and get one. RudeBoiOi and I split our main courses and had Country Fried Steak and a Reuben sandwich. The sandwich was outstanding.

Earlier in the day, we saw Louie Anderson at the Plaza, but didn't say anything to him. Some Europeans were on a treasure hunt and wanted to know where to find the Berlin Wall. I told him it was at Main Street Station, but they didn't know where that was, so I pointed. He asked where, and I said, "The bathroom." He replied, "You're f*^&*ing putting me on, then." I said, "No, you go and pee on it, the urinals are there."

He replied, "Brilliant, good show, man!" The other European all but forced me to take the rest of his very expensive cigar. Smoking after him almost gave me pause, but he looked clean, and the cigar smelled great (RudeBoiOi, who I was not worried about smoking after, was unimpressed). It was a great cigar!

RudeBoiOi walked around and did the Free Play coupon while I went to look at the Pirates score. Earlier in the day I made my first (legal) sports bet and put $5.00 on the Pirates to win at -104, so spent the rest of the day (all the way to when we were at Magnolia's and I was checking the score on my phone) watching the game.

This is out of order, by the way, the order is Plaza, Magnolia's, Binion's, so that should make more sense.

BeachBumBabs was to meet us later that evening, but her flight was delayed, and then her airport shuttle, by some hostage situation. She felt terrible about the whole thing, but was trying so hard to sound gung-ho, I told her she sounded tired and I was getting tired, anyway, so we'd hang out in the morning.

RudeBoiOi and I went to El Cortez and played...actually, no we didn't, we ended up leaving and going to The D.

We went to The D and took turns on Loose Deuces while the other degened on Caveman Keno (nickels) or Nickel Joker Poker. Cocktail service seemed to have stopped, so I went to the bar and stuck in a $20, played 10 hands and left even, but +Heineken. I finished that and wanted another, "Ten hands," I told the bartender, but she said, "I don't care, you've always been nice to me," though I played anyway. I ended up turning $20 into $60 on that one...not to mention another Heineken.

Needing to be up in the morning, RudeBoiOi and I went to Four Queens around 3:30a.m. and to bed.

EDIT: The Pirates won 11-2! I am now a lifetime winner at sports betting!

Quote: kewlj

OMG! what did THAT cab cost? There is a bus that goes from downtown to a veterans center just north of Cannery. From Downtown, it gets on the highway and the very first stop is on the corner of Craig and Loose Rds (Cannery). Cost $2. We are going to have to hook you up with some transportation suggestions before your next trip, Mission.

It wasn't bad, $22, I think. I'd also been running really well, so I kind of splurged. Also, I felt like complete and utter crap that day so didn't want to wait for a bus. I actually knew about those buses, and the transfer, but Wednesday was so unbelievably hot...

Quote:

BTW, you didn't lose anything by passing on the other North Vegas coupons, Bighorn, Lucky Club, Opera House, Silver nugget, Jerry's Nugget. If you were going to cab to them all, you would have spent way more. If you were going to walk, some are not very good areas (to be nice about it). If you don't speak Spanish, it is almost impossible to communicate a Bighorn (I kid you not). Although Jerry's is another of my favorite places. It's ahh.....interesting.

I was going to walk, but I'm glad I didn't now that you mention all of that.

I have a feeling you called me sometimes in between this week, but I was passed out at the Plaza using my free rooms. Text me if you're still here so we can hang out.

Friday: Time to Go

I woke up at 7:30a.m. Friday and decided not to bother RudeBoiOi, so I showered and left Four Queens. I went to Binion's and broke even on Joker Poker, having earned five points, I got a buy-one get-one at the Deli or Café. I decided not to earn forty points because I didn't really have time to do it on nickels and didn't want to bump it to quarters.

I went to a couple of the souvenir shop places and bought a bunch of stuff for the kids.

I woke up and met with Wizard who was at The D for something closely (but not directly) related to what happened Wednesday at Cannery. I'm going to appear in the same documentary as Wizard, and that's all I can say right now!!! We won't appear at the same time, though, because what happened is going to be portrayed as happening in a different order than it actually happened, so it wouldn't look right if I happened to be both at The D and Cannery....even though I really did just happen to be at The D and Cannery!!!

I'm not supposed to say anymore about this, so I won't, I'll update this thread when the show comes out.

Wizard and I walked up to Binion's looking for RudeBoiOi who finally woke up, somehow we walked past one another, so I told RudeBoiOi to meet at The D and BeachBumBabs showed up around the same time.

BeachBumBabs presented both Wizard and I with a lovely gift which has multiple uses, MATH MUGS! Wizard was identifying all of the formulas on the mug, and I explained that it is the Universal formula for a hot cup of coffee.

Unfortunately, production didn't move as quickly as planned, so Wizard was ultimately unable to eat with us. The three of us (RudeBoiOi, BeachBumBabs and myself) tinkered around Vintage Vegas on various machines just killing time. I hit a 4OaK short-coining a Bonus Poker near the Loose Deuces (which Babas was playing) and then we decided to eat at D Grill.

I forget what everyone else had, but I had a Spinach and Wild Mushroom omelet with hash browns and rye toast, it was OUTSTANDING and only slightly more than half of what my Stewart and Ogden check was, the service was great, too.

That's one thing about The D, the service is always unbelievably good, property-wide.

Babs and I split a shuttle (Wizard was going to ride me to the airport, but production took longer than expected) for $20/apiece and it took her to Harrah's and me to the airport. Pink, Purple, Blue and Orange interior lights, so at least I left Vegas like a high-roller!!!

I turned $5.00 into $20.00 short-coining the terrible Deuces Wild paytable at the airport for quarters, so bought a slice of stuffed Sbarro pizza ten minutes before boarding so I wouldn't get hungry on the plane.

I had a pleasant conversation most of the way back with the people next to me.

I stopped at Meadows and had a good vulturing session on Ultimate X nailing 800 coins on a 4OaK of some sort on some bonus Variant. I don't pay attention. I just play Optimal JoB strategy on anything except Deuces or Jokers because I don't like the Bonus games where Two Pair is even money and don't play them for any other reason.

The rest of my drive was uneventful, and now I'm at work.

Almost done, though, so doing the whole Easter thing in a few hours with the kids and I have two hotel Reviews and a Free Play/Coupon article to write which should keep me busy the next few days.

Happy Easter, everyone.

February or March '15, haven't decided yet, but not April...too hot.

Quote: djatc

I have a feeling you called me sometimes in between this week, but I was passed out at the Plaza using my free rooms. Text me if you're still here so we can hang out.

I'm back home, flew back on Friday. It was great hanging out with you, and I look forward to us all doing it all over again my next time there!!!

Don't feel bad about being passed out, as a German-Irish, my constitution is designed to handle ridiculous levels of drinking!

Wait a sec. You spent almost a whole week in Vegas, hit dozens of casinos, but didn't lose any money, that is indeed unbelievable.

Nice report!

Were you playing that crappy nickel Joker Poker again? Or did the D's paytables change for the better this time? I'd think I'd rather hear the "donk, donk, donk" of Caveman Keno before that Joker game.

Good report though, thanks for sharing!

Quote: pokerface

Wait a sec. You spent almost a whole week in Vegas, hit dozens of casinos, but didn't lose any money, that is indeed unbelievable.

Nice report!

Oh, I never said I won money overall. I didn't specifically discuss all of my losses. I did plenty of losing, too. I won on the gambling overall, but after at least $250 in total tips between waitresses and dealers, $110 in cab and shuttle fares, around $12 in bus fares, $75 spent on restaurants that I actually had to pay for combined with groceries and odds and ends (like water) about $50 total in mini-cigars and $30 in souvenirs adding what I came home with and subtracting what I started with and what I made from AP work...

I made a total of +$197 from the actual gambling, but still left with less than I came with, of course.

Quote: tringlomane

Were you playing that crappy nickel Joker Poker again? Or did the D's paytables change for the better this time? I'd think I'd rather hear the "donk, donk, donk" of Caveman Keno before that Joker game.

Good report though, thanks for sharing!

Binion's, but yes, that crappy nickel Joker again. I can't help it, I love that game! I know it sucks, so I'll only play it in Vegas, not at home.

Thanks for the compliment on the report!

Just wanted to say it was a Pleasure to meet Mission and enjoyed the time we played VP and enjoyed some beverages together. And I have to say, the man likes his Tequila Sunrise's early and often. We were to meet up again later in the day but he started me on a path (my choice!), that ended my day earlier than I planned knowing I was flying out the next morning. It was great meeting and putting a face to a couple of the people on here and again showed what a wonderful group of people are here.

Happy Easter. This was a fun read ! I was thinking about going out to Eastside Cannery during my trip the last week in March, but didn't get around to it.

Thanks for the compliments Boz and JohnnyQ and I'm glad you guys enjoyed the report! Eastside Cannery is an excellent property with tons of tremendous values to be had, I really can't say enough about Cannery Casino Resorts on the whole, except the deplorable rooms at Cannery. Eastside Cannery is far newer, so I am sure the rooms are nicer.

If you stay Downtown, you can take the free shuttle from Fremont to Sam's Town and it's a very short walk to Eastside. If you are staying on the Strip, then the BConnected shuttle runs from either Bally's or Harrah's (one of the two) either straight to Eastside, or maybe you have to stop at Fremont and California first, not sure.

And, again, the free shuttles are very clean, modern and aesthetically appealing...so a big kudos to BConnected for all the free rides.

Quote: Mission146

...I tried to play Craps, but they yelled at me for short rolling... I tried to play Craps at Four Queens and got yelled at for short rolling...

So that's how you won the last challenge! I want my money back! [g]

Quote: Mission146

If you are staying on the Strip, then the BConnected shuttle runs from either Bally's or Harrah's (one of the two) either straight to Eastside, or maybe you have to stop at Fremont and California first, not sure.

And, again, the free shuttles are very clean, modern and aesthetically appealing...so a big kudos to BConnected for all the free rides.

Good to know ! Thanks for that tip.

I was able to find a really good rental car rate in March, so we went that route. We ended up driving all the way down to Primm to the outlet mall there since we had the car. We also went up to Springs Preserve and the Downtown outlet mall (yeah, I guess you can tell that Mrs Q was along on that trip !).

Mission, I do have a couple of questions.
1. I thought you planned to come for WoVCon. But you came two weeks earlier. Too bad we won't see you there.
2. My impression is that you changed hotel every night. Was it because you intended to write hotel reviews or for other practical reasons (such as free stay etc.)?

Mission, do you have a drinking problem?

The BConnected Shuttle runs every 45 minutes between Sam's Town->Fremont ->California.

The Harrah's->Sam's Town BConnected Shuttle runs every 60-90 minutes, depending on the time of day.

Sam's Town is the "Transfer Center".

Schedule

Quote: JohnnyQ

Good to know ! Thanks for that tip.

I was able to find a really good rental car rate in March, so we went that route. We ended up driving all the way down to Primm to the outlet mall there since we had the car. We also went up to Springs Preserve and the Downtown outlet mall (yeah, I guess you can tell that Mrs Q was along on that trip !).

They should put VP in the ladies boutiques for the guys, good paytables, too, have we not suffered enough?

Quote: pokerface

Mission, I do have a couple of questions.
1. I thought you planned to come for WoVCon. But you came two weeks earlier. Too bad we won't see you there.
2. My impression is that you changed hotel every night. Was it because you intended to write hotel reviews or for other practical reasons (such as free stay etc.)?

1.) No, I couldn't make it that week due to a conflicting schedule with the owner of the hotel.

2.) I only stayed at one hotel for two nights (The D) which I was getting for $11/night because of my Buy One Get One mailer for as many nights as you want. At The D, there is also no resort fee if any part of your stay is comped.

I was there, partially, because I am writing a Review of Downtown Grand and Cannery, otherwise, I'd have stayed at The D for $44 + tax, total, for five nights.

Quote: 1BB

Mission, do you have a drinking problem?

A few days per year, anyway.

Between the last two Vegas trips, (December 23-April 17th) I probably had less than 50 total drinks, and I would say that almost all of them occurred on three specific occasions. The WoVCON East crew can attest that I only drank one beer during that event, and actually, that was at the restaurant so I wasn't even gambling anymore and didn't enter the casino after that. The other drinking occasions partially involved Vodka given to me and a bottle of wine given to me.

However, were you to ask: Do you feel your level of drinking in Vegas was borderline ridiculous?

My answer would be yes, and I loved it!!!

Quote: Mission146

Binion's, but yes, that crappy nickel Joker again. I can't help it, I love that game! I know it sucks, so I'll only play it in Vegas, not at home.

Thanks for the compliment on the report!

Oh that was at Binion's? Well that makes a lot more sense now. My g/f and I went there to get our picture with the million dollars and a was going to play some garbage nickel STP while we waited. Until I saw the jerks wanting 25 nickels a line. If I wanted to play quarter ddb, I could play 9/6 w/STP at MSS, why would I settle for 7/5?

Benny has probably rolled over in his grave numerous times by now. Unfortunately I am too young to have experienced the Horseshoe at its peak.

Binion's is still a fun place, though, in my opinion. Cocktail service (in my experience) is the second fastest with the only faster place being Vintage Vegas at The D, El Cortez is probably a fairly close third. Cocktail service may as well not exist at Golden Nugget in my (limited) experience.

Vintage Vegas and The D first floor are really two different casinos, in my opinion, there's really no other way of looking at it. I'm not old, but that first floor is entirely too noisy for a man my age. (30)

Mission def ran way better than me. I think the only time I did better was when we were at el cortez playing multi strike poker and got yelled at by the cocktail waitress for not betting enough and had to up our bet from 8cents/hand to 20cents/hand. Id also like to point out I was able to stay on par with missions drinking pace :)

Quote: rudeboyoi

Id also like to point out I was able to stay on par with missions drinking pace :)

I'm only going to partially agree with that, you went to bed way before me Monday, and my engine was still in full throttle with Tequila Sunrise as the fuel!!!

Quote: Mission146

I'm only going to partially agree with that, you went to bed way before me Monday, and my engine was still in full throttle with Tequila Sunrise as the fuel!!!

I also woke up early Tuesday morning and had two baileys and coffee and a tequila sunrise while playing LDW before you were even awake.

Quote: rudeboyoi

I also woke up early Tuesday morning and had two baileys and coffee and a tequila sunrise while playing LDW before you were even awake.

I had a grand total of 34 drinks Sunday and was operating on eight hours of sleep in the last 68 before going to bed that night, um, morning...and I went to bed hours after you.

Okay, okay, we can throw it down equally strong when the mood takes us, I concede. We're both big guys, though.

Really big guys, more weight generally equals more tolerance.

Do Not Try This at Home (or Anywhere Else) Everyone!

Quote: Mission146

Do Not Try This at Home (or Anywhere Else) Everyone!

Don't worry, I already did, and I can only hope those days are past me [g]

Quote: Mission146

I had a grand total of 34 drinks Sunday and was operating on eight hours of sleep in the last 68 before going to bed that night, um, morning...and I went to bed hours after you.

Okay, okay, we can throw it down equally strong when the mood takes us, I concede. We're both big guys, though.

Really big guys, more weight generally equals more tolerance.

Do Not Try This at Home (or Anywhere Else) Everyone!

Its not how much you can drink, but what you can still do after and during that counts. Want to post up a pic of my chip stack of that poker seat you got pissed and left to me at the palms? I know you have it. 1-3 short handed I bought in 200

BTW, YOU or someone got me sick, I now have a horrible cold.

Quote: Mission146

Okay, okay, we can throw it down equally strong when the mood takes us, I concede.

Good. I wanted to break even in something :)

Quote: AxelWolf

Its not how much you can drink, but what you can still do after and during that counts. Want to post up a pic of my chip stack of that poker seat you got pissed and left to me at the palms? I know you have it. 1-3 short handed I bought in 200

BTW, YOU or someone got me sick, I now have a horrible cold.

Not me, I feel fine.

My loss was a total River suck-out, and the main reason I don't play No Limit. Instead of staying and mercilessly pounding a weak table, (which that one surely was) I get irritated and leave. Had I been playing limit and just lost a few Max raises, I'd have definitely stuck around.

That and limited cash-on-hand, I suppose, that $100 was about all I wanted to risk.