A low roller's low budget Vegas vacation

Introduction

0.1 I am neither a AP nor trying to do any AP things. As a matter of fact, I often (not always, though) play the games with big house edges, such as slot machines (including non-full-pay video pokers), carnival table games, etc. Of course, as a gambler, I also try to preserve (in order words, slow down losing) my bank roll while gambling (most of the time unsuccessfully).
If, in an unexpected lucky run, my bank roll even increases, that would be sweet. I wish for it, pray for it, but don’t count on it.

0.2 My English, especially writing, is not what I am proud of. My excuse is that English was not my first language, not even the second. Please forgive me for my broken English.
I know it is painful to read other people’s broken English (or any broken language).

0.3 For reference purpose, I tried to number each major event with a winning/losing/transaction.


Day 1

1.0 Monday afternoon, with 50 $100 bills in an envelop packed into my carry-on suitcase, a $20 bill with my driver license and one credit card in my wallet in my pocket, went to the airport.

1.1 Long term parking at the airport charges $8 (including tax) per day, I need 4 days. Total $32 will be changed to my credit card when I return. For simplicity, I counted it as today’s expense.

1.2 The flight was on time and landed at McCarran around 6pm. Air ticket cost me $316, also counted as today’s expense.

1.3 This was not my first Vegas trip, I knew my way out.
At terminal 1, outside the baggage claim hall, I directly went to airport shuttle area.
The first one I saw was Showtime so I chose it and paid $7.50 for an one-way ride to the Strip. (gave $20, got back one $10, two $1 and two quarters as change).

1.4 The shuttle waited about 5 minutes before hitting the road. There were total three people on the shuttle, an older couple in their 60s and myself. The shuttle first dropped them off at Harrah’s and then arrived at the Mirage around 7pm. I tipped $2 to the driver. As far as I could tell, the couple at Harrah’s didn’t tip the driver.

Trip total so far: -$358 (rounded up to the dollar)

1.5 Check-in process was very fast, apparently it was not a busy time.
Mirage uses Wendy-style line at check-in, and only 3 or 4 people in front of me. I didn’t bother to ask for upgrade, just gave my driver license and credit card.

I booked my stay as a package through a promoter/agent/junket/partner/whatever.
It includes 3 nights of room (the $25 resort fee also waived), $xx resort credit for food, and $200 free play on slot machines. The $xx amount was more than I could possibly eat per day, so I don’t want to say how much it was. Basically, all the meals were included.
I would put down the cost of the package at $500 even though that’s not exactly how I paid or how much I paid.

Trip total so far: -$858

1.6 The check-in desk gave me 2 room keys/cards, then directed me to the Mlife desk for my $200 free play and also told me I could do that anytime later. So I decided to do it after dinner.

1.7 My room was on the 7th floor, with back view. At this low level, I guess the view is not important anyway. I could see the south side of the strip, such as Paris and PH.
I unpacked my suitcase, put my envelop (I checked, money still inside) into the safe and made sure it locked properly.

I am not sure if my room is that cheapest kind in the Mirage. I believe it is.
In my opinion it is no better than a typical Holiday-Inn Express room. The bath room is pretty small, no separate show and tub. Anyway, I don’t care too much about the room or the things in the room, such as the mini-bar.

I read and replied a few emails on my iPhone and made a couple of phone calls just to tell people that I safely arrived. As my phone had unlimited data and I got decent signal, I didn’t bother to connect to their WIFI, even thought it was included as I was told.

Then I went down for dinner. It’s just past 8pm now.

1.8 On my way to the Cravings, the buffet at the Mirage, I found a ATM/Ticket-Redemption machine. Put my $10 in and got 2 $5 out. Then I put one $5 in, and got five $1 notes. I knew I would need them later.

1.9 The line at the buffet’s entrance was not too long, less than 5 people in front of me.
I could see the buffet was less than half full, no need to wait for seats. I like that.
I heard that at busy time at certain buffets on the strip, people have to wait in line for 2-3 hours to have diner. I would never ever do that in my life.

The price is $29.99+tax, I let it charge to the room. The lady asked if I was new to the buffet, I answered yes. She then told me “unlimited wine and beer included,
just go to the bar inside the buffet”. I thought that’s a good value for the price. Regular restaurants would charge a hell lot for serving wine at dinner. Even at those places where you are allowed bring your own wine bottle to the table, they will charge you ridiculous un-cork fee. I know you can always drink wine or anything for free in the casino, but I only drink at dinner, not even lunch.

According to the sign, the buffet has total 11 stations (not counting the bar). As I am a picky eater (I am not picky on quality or taste, but on ingredients, that’s why I always prefer to eat at buffets), I browsed but didn’t get any food from many stations. I only picked a few items I knew I could eat. Popular items, such as snow crabs legs, steaks, I never touch them. I remember they have Chinese, Italian, Mexican stations, as well as a carving station.

I went to the bar and got a glass of Merlot and tipped $1 to the bartender. Nothing special about the wine, I would say average California wine, but drinkable. When paired with the right food (that’s the advantage of buffet, right?), the wine tasted way above average.

After a few rounds of meats, veggies, fruits, and deserts and another glass of Merlot, I was stuffed and nearly drunk.
I put 2 $1 on the table for tip and left the buffet.

Trip total so far: -$862

1.10 My next stop was the Mlife desk, which also has Wendy-style line. There was only one person in front of me. I produced my ID and asked to print a card for me and also wanted to reset my pin #. After that I asked about my $200 free play. The lady told me it’s on my card and I can use it on any machine except some progressive, such Megabucks. Too bad, I love Megabucks (more on that later).

1.11 Next 20-30 minutes, I walked around on the casino floor to check slots/vp machines.
There were several areas with video poker. I should say that all of the paytables are pretty bad. I didn’t look at the high limit room because I didn’t think my $200 free play could last too long on high denomination machines. Eventually I settled on a $1 DDB machine. I remember it’s 9-5 not 9-6, I didn’t see a 9-6. I put my $5 in, and started play on my free play. I didn’t get any good hand, not even a straight. When $200 free play finished, I had $105 credits and cashed out. In other words, $200 free play turned into $100 cash. That’s a 50% value, pretty low. Maybe I should have played penny slots instead. Oh Well.

Trip total so far: -$762

1.12 After cashing the $105 ticket at a redemption machine, I started looking for the table games. There were several pits on the floor. I noticed that most of the tables were empty or only a couple of players. Table minimum on the carnival games were generally $5. I didn’t pay much attention to BJ as I was not in the mood to play BJ anyway. As it was premium time in the evening, so all tables were open, but not many players. I could imagine during daytime there were even less players in the casino. I wondered how could the casino make enough money to pay the electricity bill, let alone the salaries for the dealers.

I hesitated between an empty Let-It-Ride table and an empty Mississippi-Stud table and eventually sit at the Mississippi table. Changed my only $100 and started play $5 a hand.
The dealer was a very friendly 40 something gentleman. He asked my player’s card and I gave to him. I didn’t expect the bit boss would rate my absolute minimum play and I also didn’t need anything because my room and meals were all included as I mentioned. But I gave my Mlife card anyway. Whether the pit boss really put me in or not, I never be able to tell.

As it turned out that my choice of table was correct (I have to admit that I am a superstitious gambler). I won more hands than usual. Mississippi Stud is a game in which if you lose, you could lose dozens of hands without having a single winning hand; but if you win, you could win a lot. In less than an hour, probably just half an hour, I had over $400 dollar chips.
I kept playing a while and colored up $350. During my play, I believe I tipped the dealer a total about $15. Pretty much each winning hand, I tipped one dollar to the dealer.
During my play, I was the only player at the table.
I also ordered one orange juice from the cocktail waitress. The service is OK. Nothing good or bad.

This session I was up $250. I knew $250 was not a big win even for a flea like me.
But I was happy with the outcome.

Trip total so far: -$512

1.13 It’s almost midnight by now and I was already very tired. But I didn’t want to just go to sleep yet. After all, I was in Vegas. Besides, I haven’t really started gambling yet, remember my entire bank roll was still sitting in the safe.

I looked at the table game area one more time. Most games I could also play at my local casinos, with same or even better rules. There were a few new games here I didn’t play before, such as Pai-Gow tile, Free Bet BJ, BJ Switch, big-six wheel. But I didn’t feel like to try any of them.

I knew there’s one game which I could not play at home, and I definitely wanted to play it. That is Megabucks. It is not an exaggeration to say that hitting the Megabucks jackpot is every slot player’s dream. And I am no exception.
A little while ago, I couldn’t use my free play on Megabucks machines, but now, I can do whatever I want with my own money, Yes!

(to be continued)

That was a great read. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next. Also, your english is much better than you seem to think. If you hadn't mentioned it, I'd have thought you were fluent/native but writing quickly.

Good start! Thanks for sharing.

When I worked International troubles at AT&T, I was always amazed at The Asian and Russians I worked with. Their grammar was
almost flawless, yet they would be so apologetic if they had to pause to think of a word or phrase. I go to Colorado Meas State and these college kids would not know a proper sentence if it bit them in the ass.

Thank you all for the encouragements!
I will keep writing and posting the rest of the story.

just curious why so secretive about the cost of the junket and how much food money they gave you. You are telling us what type of change you get but leave out a detail that all of us would like to know.

Quote: pokerface

paid $7.50 for an one-way ride to the Strip. (gave $20, got back one $10, two $1 and two quarters as change).

Why did you feel the need to include the information in parentheses?

I would have expected him to get 4 $3 bills and 2 quarters

Quote: sodawater

Why did you feel the need to include the information in parentheses?

lol, excellent point...I bought a pizza today. It cost 5.29 after the coupon (I used my credit card and earned 1% back. I didn't get change because I didn't use cash. Then I gave the cashier 5 ones and asked for a 5 dollar bill. Since I did not have 6 ones, I left $0 for a tip). All in fun Pokerface, I read about English not being your first language...much respect, and you write better than most American high school graduates.

Quote: pokerface

1.0 Monday afternoon, with 50 $100 bills in an envelop packed into my carry-on suitcase, a $20 bill with my driver license and one credit card in my wallet in my pocket, went to the airport.

I wouldn't normally associate this amount of bankroll with a "low-roller" ! But I guess it also depends on how long you will be staying in Las Vegas, which you indicated would be 3 nights.

I'm looking forward to part 2. As far as low roller and low budget things are concerned, if you spend all your junket food money, I suggest trying the sirloin steak special at Ellis Island. That would be a long but do-able walk from the Mirage.

Quote: GWAE

just curious why so secretive about the cost of the junket and how much food money they gave you. You are telling us what type of change you get but leave out a detail that all of us would like to know.

Nothing secretive. But I do have a reason to not disclose it in the story so far.
If you really interested for practical purpose, then I can tell you it was enough for two people to eat three buffets (breakfast, lunch, dinner) per day.
In fact, the package was for two people.

Quote: pokerface

Nothing secretive. But I do have a reason to not disclose it in the story so far.
If you really interested for practical purpose, then I can tell you it was enough for two people to eat three buffets (breakfast, lunch, dinner) per day.
In fact, the package was for two people.

is this a package that anyone can buy or was it a special offer to you only or a contest win of some sort. I am always looking for a good deal to get my cheap/poor ass to Vegas.

looking forward to the rest of your trip report.

Good report - your English is very passable, probably above average as the language skills here in this country continue the steady decline...

Quote: chickenman

Good report - your English is very passable, probably above average as the language skills here in this country continue the steady decline...

is it on the decline or is it changing?

centuries ago when the writing and speaking were completely different I bet they thought the same thing when we started speaking the way we do now.

For those people who are wondering why I included the detail of small changes ($5, $1), I would say that I always make sure I have enough $1 in my pocket.
In the beginning of the story, if the shuttle ticket was $10 instead of $7.50, I would ask the person to give me at least 5 $1 as change.
It will be mentioned again and again in the story.
After all, as a low-roller, I can only care about small money, not big money.

Perhaps someone reads the story may say that I was always "prepared", I probably agree.

Quote: GWAE

is this a package that anyone can buy or was it a special offer to you only or a contest win of some sort. I am always looking for a good deal to get my cheap/poor ass to Vegas.

It's kinda like the time-sharing resort sale promotion and we actually ended up buying it.
Not just joining the tour (which was only good for $50), but really buying it. Sounds pretty stupid, I know.
There were several options (destinations) to choose, I chose Vegas.
I could write another story about it.

Quote: GWAE

is it on the decline or is it changing?

centuries ago when the writing and speaking were completely different I bet they thought the same thing when we started speaking the way we do now.

Changing no doubt as the language has always been dynamic. But declining in that grammar, sentence construction etc make much of what is written barely understandable. Don't think that's the intent of any language.

Day 1 (continue)

1.14 All Megabucks machines have those very big & tall signs. So it’s easy to find them.
I located a newer Megabucks machine-probably a Wild Sapphires as that’s one of my favorites-and put in $100. The jackpot meter was somewhere above $11 million. At $3 a spin, the credits decreased really fast and all gone in no time. I didn’t hit anything more than $8. I believe I played a total of less then 50 spins. But I was not ready to gave up. I moved to the next machine and put in another $100. It was even worse. The $100 were gone in a few minutes.
This session (if I may call it so) I lost $200, first loss of the day.

Trip total so far: -$712

1.15 I said to myself: “Well, no $11 million for today” and stood up.
I randomly looked at the other progressive machines. One thing I really like Las Vegas is that there so many progressive machines. The $1 Wheel of Fortune jackpot was above $2 million. The $0.25 Wheel of Fortune was something like $1.3 million. There were quite a few other progressive machines at over $1 million.

I noticed one machine with meter at $1.8 million. It was a Millionaire Sevens with the Ladder Bonus from Bally. On the Ladder Bonus, the highest pay below progressive jackpot was 100X pay. At this moment, I still had $150 in my pocket. I decided to put my last $100 into it and play it through before I went to sleep. After I put the money in and checked the credits, I only saw $10 on the machine. I then looked at my wallet and realized that my $100 still with me. It was the $10 that I put in.
Well, $10 was not enough to play $3 a spin, so I put the real $100 in.

Apparently it was not a lucky night for me. $110 went straight down.
On my last hand (only had $2 left, not enough for a full spin on the next hand),
I got the Ladder Bonus. A roller spins in the middle to tell you either move up the ladder, or “Collect” to end the bonus. The higher it moves up the ladder, the bigger the bonus you can collect. I watched it moved up and up on the ladder. When it reached the 100X, my heart started pounding. I asked myself: could this be the moment?
Well, it turned out not. The next spin revealed a “Collect”. Sigh.
I didn’t get the 1.8 million, just $300 bonus.
I knew my chance of hitting another bonus round was slim, so I just hit the “cash out” button. And then went to the ticket-redemption machine, $302 dollars.

It’s past 1am. I decided to call it a night and headed to the elevators to my room.

I got $192 back, almost break even on slot machines tonight.

Trip total so far: -$520

1.16 Too many of us gamblers’ big problem is that we don’t know when to stop.
Or maybe we know we should stop but just couldn’t actually stop, consciously or subconsciously.

On my way to the elevators, I passed by a bank of VP machines. As a real bad habit, I always check their paytables. For whatever motivation, or just stupidity, I sit down and put $100 into one of the machines and started playing $1 DDB. As the story goes, the $100 disappeared quickly and I moved to the next machine with another $100 and met the same fate. At this late hour, my brain was not working at all and I really should not play VP.
As a non-stoppable gambler, I put my last $100 into the next machine and kept playing nevertheless. On the 4th hand, holding a single Ace and got the other three, but no kicker. The credit meter was 880 now.
I promptly hit the cash out button and went to the ticket machine again. After that I headed to my room. On my way out, I found a cocktail waitress and asked for a water bottle and tipped $1.

Trip total so far: +$59

1.17 In my room, I took a quick shower, brushed my teeth, drank some water.
I checked my wallet, $920 in total. I started with $5 cash plus $200 free play.
Not too bad for a night.
It’s almost 3am by now, I set my iPhone’s alarm to 9am and fell to sleep.

(to be continued)

Quote: pokerface

1.16 Too many of us gamblers’ big problem is that we don’t know when to stop.

I'll stop when I die

Quote: pokerface

On my way to the elevators, I passed by a bank of VP machines. As a real bad habit, I always check their payables.

How is this a bad habit? This is probably the best habit that you have mentioned so far.

Quote:

I sit down and put $100 into one of the machines and started playing $1 DDB.

And.... what was the paytable?

Quote: AxiomOfChoice

How is this a bad habit? This is probably the best habit that you have mentioned so far.



And.... what was the paytable?

It's a bad habit for me. If I didn't check it, I would not play. And no playing means no losing.

Honestly I don't remember the paytable anymore. But I know it must be at least a 9/5 DDB, probably a 9/6, otherwise I would not play it.

Quote: pokerface

It's kinda like the time-sharing resort sale promotion and we actually ended up buying it.

Not just joining the tour (which was only good for $50), but really buying it. Sounds pretty stupid, I know.
There were several options (destinations) to choose, I chose Vegas.

I attended a timeshare/points/vacation thing recently. The one I went to was at the Holiday Inn (a well know corporation) and it was insanely over-priced. So, I would only mention that if you give it some thought AND do some searches on the internet, I think you will find that you can stay in Las Vegas for much much less, and at very nice places, than a timeshare/points/vacation club would cost.

I believe you have 3 days to inform them in writing that you have changed your mind and get all your money back.

Of course, it is your money and you can buy anything you want with it. I just thought I would mention that you have options to VOID the transaction if you have second thoughts.