Pre-Trip Asian New Year Feb 18th to 23rd

A little intro, as I am new here. The wife and I are seasoned gamblers. We are not professionals and we do not play for a living or supplement our income with gambling. If we win great--we try to take home 2/3's of all wins while risking 1/3 of the profits. We have a comfortable win-loss stop that has served us well in the past years. We do tend to play heavy and we do get aggressive. I have played since the late 70's, starting in Atlantic City. The wife has played for a good 15 years or so. Played most of the major gaming markets with the heaviest being AC-Vegas and Southern California. Have not been to those markets all of 2014. Our last Vegas trip was New Years (American one) of 2014. We went to the RIO for the first time and everything went wrong, horribly wrong. We switched to Treasure Island and tried to salvage the trip. 2014 I started a new business in the Midwest and work has been overwhelming, intense and ten fold better than expected! We wanted to go for American New Year but the weather here was sub zero and my business is busier in bad weather. Since the wife is Asian we opted for Asian New Year's instead.

We play strictly 90% H.L. mostly Baccarat with some Black Jack. We are full comp at CET and used to be at MGM, although MGM hosts have all switched around end of 2013 and 2014 to different properties. I have about $500.00 left on my self-comp at MGM. If we play at the Bellagio the floor person will take care of Jasmine as they always have in the past and whatever else we need there. My host at CET had my Seven Stars tier level held over for another 6 months from the higher ups which would have expired around the end of 2014. So we choose to go with Caesar Palace. My long term host at another CET property booked us a suite and I found out today it was a 'Senators Suite' two-bedroom. I also had $2,250.00 free play/cash offer that my host got attached to the reservation. We also get a Macys gift card or a Shell card, we will opt for the Macy's card, I will probably have to twist the wife's arm to go shopping with it!.

We pretty much seen most of the Cirque Shows and really didn't find any concerts that were playing. We asked our host for tickets to 'Tony's & Tina's Wedding' (still waiting to hear if anyone seen this and if it's any good). We also got tickets for Eddie Griffen and Penn & Teller. We both seen Penn & Teller before but there is another couple coming with us and they always wanted to see them so we will endure. Might cancel Eddie Griffen as time may not permit?

Sun Buggy desert dune buggies we like so we booked that for Saturday AM for the extended Baja Chase. And most likely we will go to the Secret Garden over at the Mirage and check out the tigers, lions, panthers and of course the dolphins. Our Mirage host will get us those VIP tix that we can get the behind the scenes tour and all that. Did that with the kids a long time ago. The other couple never saw it and they said they wanted to. While we are at the Mirage we will most likely eat over at Japanois Restaurant.

We play mostly at C.P., Bellagio, Mirage and P.H. This trip we will be checking out Orleans, Gold Coast and The Place Station. (Gold Coast and Palace Station at recommendations in another thread from you guys). We will hit the Orleans and have dinner in their Canal Street Steakhouse Friday Night and then play Baccarat till about 11PM. Then we will go on over to The Gold Coast and play Baccarat over there and try Ping Pang Pong for the late night food. Saturday night we are planning to head over to The Palace Station and check out their Baccarat action. One of the wife's friends used to play there and vouches for it. Her host over there called us and offered dinner and a bottle or two for coming over. I told him to get us a bottle of X.O. and a Grand Marnier 150. Should be a fun time in their Asian pit as he said they have lots of action. Oyster Bar was highly recommended to us by the wife's friend and the host. Sounds like we will like it after checking out their menu on-line.

Our old regulars have always been, the steakhouse at Planet Hollywood, Jasmine at Bellagio and Old Homestead at C.P. We are going to try to make it down to MGM, usually just pop in there late at night and play a little in their Baccarat-H.L. Did want to check out SLS just to see how the old Sahara is survived and made over. One of our hosts from C.P. is in the upper echelons of their marketing department there and we already got the email looking for players. According to a friend of mine that is in marketing at the Venetian now, he says the place is still a dump and has no action.

If someone can explain how to post pictures, I will attempt to do it as well. If I can catch some highlights I will get them posted.

Quote: Baccaratfrom79

Sun Buggy desert dune buggies we like so we booked that for Saturday AM for the extended Baja Chase. .

That sounds fun explain. I'm planning on doing a dune buggie thing soon. It's one thing I haven't done in Vegas.

We have done it about 5 times in the past. Always great! Be sure to wear sneakers or something equivalent. Depending on the weather, wear something you can take off if start of day is chilly. You will get sand and mud thrown up and all over you, I promise that especially on the Baja chase, the rest I am not sure. Every time we have done the 1 hour Baja chase. Well worth the money, its about the only thing we don't get comp'd there in the way of attractions or entertainment.

I think its roughly $200-$250 per person. You have to book it. They will come in their shuttle bus and pick you up almost anywhere. They usually do about 6 or 8 stops. All the major strip places for sure. Their warehouse/offices are up across from the LV Speedway. You go there first and do the check in and the short 5 or 10 min safety and instruction course. Then they load you up in a van and go out to the desert about 10 miles from there or so. We always do the single seaters so we can chase each other. They do have 2 or 4 seaters available as well. They kind of play follow the leader with their driver. We always had about 6 or 10 buggies in a group. Hills, jumps, sand, etc. I would say the are not the fastest but they are not slow. Maybe 40 to 55 MPH which is pretty fast on the desert. One time I rolled one, $250 charge extra I believe I had to pay, but hey---it was fun. They provide helmets and goggles. I would suggest a pair of mechanic gloves you can buy in any Napa or Farm & Ranch, etc. They provide a break after 30 mins and water is brought out. Do it, it's a blast!

That sounds like a ton of action. What's your bankroll for the trip?

We generally play with bank roll that we set aside for gaming, win-lose or draw. Our average wagers usually run around $750 to $2,500 a hand unless on a progression with a few wins before pulling it down. Although many are larger than us, we are larger than some players. Many say high limit rooms are condescending and the players are show-offs. Guess to a certain point with a few players that might be true. But then again the players on the main floor have their share the same way. Our bankroll is enough that we have a chance if the cards take a nasty turn for the worse. I try my best to play with a money management system that allows me to quickly start playing with the casinos money and get my own out of sight. The HL rooms (not talking about the private saloons in the rear of them at the larger properties) are a pretty good mix of players with a varied buy-in or bankroll, etc. My wife generally plays black and purple chips while I play purple and yellows the majority of times. We mix our trips these days with action that we enjoy and creating experiences and memories with the other things to do in and around Vegas.

First, welcome to the forums.

Quote: Baccaratfrom79

If someone can explain how to post pictures, I will attempt to do it as well. If I can catch some highlights I will get them posted.

1) Take pictures on your phone.
2) Upload to free image hosting site (I use photobucket - you can make a free account).
3) Within the site just go to upload, pick the pic from your phone, click upload.
4) There's a "link" symbol you click to get the "direct URL"... That URL goes in to #5.
5) These forums have an image tag... [ img = <url from above>]. Note that I used spaces to show you the tag and not have it picked up. You can also click the "Click here for formatting codes" link on any post/reply window (hit reply to my post and you'll see it on the bottom right, across from "post preview cancel").

It may seem like a lot, but it's really quite easy when you have a photobucket account already. I usually just leave my web browser on my phone open to it (when on a trip). Whenever I want to post an update with a pic, I just open my browser, click upload, get the link, and post. It literally takes about 30 seconds at that point.

While it doesn't amaze me, it humbles me each and every time... I've been to Vegas dozens of times, and I'd be willing to bet I've never quite had a trip like you though =). That sounds awesome, and it also sounds like you have a very good handle on your fun, and more importantly, your expenses. I'll be looking forward to your trip report (thread while or after you're there detailing your trip w/ pictures if possible). Pictures really do make the report come alive =P.

I will post from the HL's and other places. In HL's I have slowed my game down and refuse to play every hand, so really need excuses to step back from the table. BTW-years ago in A.C. I got the 'straight hardcore' gambling, go to gamble and nothing else-out of me. Not that is good or bad, just grinds down the winnings if a player took some out previously is all.

Actually we create our own fun. Product of your environment, no? We have a few wagers going on with people about some food challenges. I am remembering back before the SLS a group of us went over to the old Sahara from the Bellagio one night and we tried that 6 pound burrito challenge at the old Nascar Café. We failed, but the café had a real mess to clean up on the floor!

Maybe we can invent something with the Oyster Bar over at The Palace Station with multiple 50oz beers, as in downing them????

Quote: Baccaratfrom79

I will post from the HL's and other places.

This would be awesome. As I try to do a lot in my trip reports (and everyone seems to really like), get action shots of bets out, chip stacks, hands, etc... Of course if you think you might get in any kind of trouble at a place you're comped/like/etc do not endanger your play at all. But if you know you can get away with it (usually places don't care if you don't get the dealers face in the pic) then fire away!

Quote: Baccaratfrom79

Actually we create our own fun. Product of your environment, no?

Freud.. Product of environment and Freudian slips are my 2 favorite subscriptions to his theories =P.

Quote: Baccaratfrom79

Maybe we can invent something with the Oyster Bar over at The Palace Station with multiple 50oz beers, as in downing them????

50oz beer challenge? I'd be interested in hearing said challenge =).

We have taking many pictures at Bellagio and CP. They do not care at all. They only say don't photograph other player's faces, close or afar. We always get some of the chips, huge winning ties wagers and boards when there is monster runs/streaks or something like a whole card of chop-chop, etc. We tend to make a spectacle of ourselves in some of he restaurants. You will see why when I post some.

Quote: Romes

50oz beer challenge? I'd be interested in hearing said challenge =).

How this is shaping up. Well this morning, (the other couple going with) the guy calls me. We seem to put together the outline of the 50oz Beer challenge. This is what we are contemplating. The winner (fastest and most) will have to pay the other a purple chip and dollar per ounce consumed. The purple chip has to be wagered on one bet. If won it has to be parlayed up to 3 times. If all four wagers won, the purple chip gets paid back to the loser and 50% of the profit as well (we are friends so figure its only right). The dollar per ounce is the others to keep, its a wager after all.

Max of 3, 50oz glasses each bought to the pit. (highly doubt all three will be consumed but that's the limit) Wife will video.

Now, a word about the other. He is an owner of a bar/strip joint so he is accustomed to drinking more than me. A word about me. If I put on my Bronx New York frame of mind, I don't give a rats butt and I can take it, plain crazy.

This will be done at Palace Station and the host that we talked to said the 'off street' limits at bac is $5,000.00 so if successful on the third parlay the wager would be $4k on the 3rd one.

Now there is a new twist, the girls are talking about a 'shot' challenge. I wouldn't touch it, I cant drink like that with hard liquor. But, they can. My wife is seasoned and can take a half dozen to around 10 without ever feeling it. I have witnessed the two of them at holiday's finish 2 and 3 bottles pretty quick. They are both Asian and both can drink. I kid you not. My wife's friend runs the bar at the boyfriend's club and she is-let's say--pretty accustomed to drinking shots all night long.

I will call her later and find out if something materializes out of this. It would either be Grey Goose, Patron or Cognac X.O.???

This sounds like my kind of party.

Quote: Baccaratfrom79

They are both Asian and both can drink.

I knew a Serbian woman like that ... however, some say Asians have the opposite genes, so do you note this out of irony?

Quote: odiousgambit

I knew a Serbian woman like that ... however, some say Asians have the opposite genes, so do you note this out of irony?

Opposite as to???

Quote: Baccaratfrom79

Opposite as to???

I assume he's eluding to the Asian glow.

I'm half Japanese and I get the Asian glow, it supposedly stems from my inability to properly digest alcohol (you can Google it for exact info). Not only do I get super red (I look like a bright raspberry/strawberry) but if I cross a certain point in terms of drinking too much I will get migraine-like headaches that only go away with sleep. Pepcid AC (famotidine) if taken well before I start drinking has the ability to negate all symptoms mentioned above. Caffeine will not get rid of the glow but it delays and increases the threshold for the headaches.

Anecdotally, most Asians get red, but the crushing headaches are somewhat unique among my Asian friends. It is because of the headaches that I've never been much of a drinker, they can be brought on by 2-3 beers if I don't eat anything or prepare with Pepcid.

Quote: ahiromu

I assume he's eluding to the Asian glow.

I'm half Japanese and I get the Asian glow, it supposedly stems from my inability to properly digest alcohol (you can Google it for exact info). Not only do I get super red (I look like a bright raspberry/strawberry) but if I cross a certain point in terms of drinking too much I will get migraine-like headaches that only go away with sleep. Pepcid AC (famotidine) if taken well before I start drinking has the ability to negate all symptoms mentioned above. Caffeine will not get rid of the glow but it delays and increases the threshold for the headaches.

Anecdotally, most Asians get red, but the crushing headaches are somewhat unique among my Asian friends. It is because of the headaches that I've never been much of a drinker, they can be brought on by 2-3 beers if I don't eat anything or prepare with Pepcid.

Yeah, I have a friend of mostly Chinese descent who cannot drink, at all, or he will get sick. On his 21st birthday he had one shot and threw up his birthday cake (I wasn't there for that).

But I know plenty of folks of various Asian descent who can drink with the best of them. I think it's just genetic and some Asians have the combination of genes, some don't.

Quote: Baccaratfrom79

Opposite as to???

you've got me treading on thin ice, as discussions of characteristics attributable to ethnic origins can be called racism ...

this seems to get only a slightly better reception amongst gamblers ...

I believe it was here, at this site, in some thread where it was claimed Asians often have little tolerance for alcohol, and I thought you might be echoing that, by ironically indicating this was not true with your referenced women. Actually I never heard that before about Asians.

But in my own experience, I have heard it claimed that Russians and Serbs can 'put it away' with little consequence, and for a biased confirmation, I once knew a Serbian woman who could out-drink me, no question!

So I hope this long-winded explanation suffices LOL

edit: posted without seeing the above posts first

The Asian alcohol tolerance doesn't really run in the family. I felt ready to fall over after two GnT's (in a semi-controlled state, my blackout is around ten drinks) whereas my mother cheerfully took four shots of whiskey, two martinis, a glass of wine and a cocktail before we decided to leave the lounge because we were sick of chicken wings.

Quote: ahiromu

I assume he's eluding to the Asian glow.

I'm half Japanese and I get the Asian glow, it supposedly stems from my inability to properly digest alcohol (you can Google it for exact info). Not only do I get super red (I look like a bright raspberry/strawberry) but if I cross a certain point in terms of drinking too much I will get migraine-like headaches that only go away with sleep. Pepcid AC (famotidine) if taken well before I start drinking has the ability to negate all symptoms mentioned above. Caffeine will not get rid of the glow but it delays and increases the threshold for the headaches.

Anecdotally, most Asians get red, but the crushing headaches are somewhat unique among my Asian friends. It is because of the headaches that I've never been much of a drinker, they can be brought on by 2-3 beers if I don't eat anything or prepare with Pepcid.

My wife is SE Asian. She can drink and drink well. She does get bad headaches but the next day-classic hangover. She has calmed down in her drinking but I seen a couple drinking episodes during Thanksgiving and Christmas that entailed larger amounts of the stuff. I also owned a bar a while back and always said, only a fool drinks to get drunk. However, in my wife's case, the mother of our adorable children (and let's not forget Happy Wife Happy Life and The Wife Is Always Right) she drinks cause she is having a good time, at least that is what she says. Usually about midway between when she first starts and prior to throwing up. I will tell you one thing, if we do this at The Palace Station in the baccarat section, the section will be rocking beyond believe. Janitor, clean up at table 15 please, paging janitorial to table 15.

I have a call into the Chinese/Viet guy that seems to be in charge of marketing at Palace Station to see if we can have our friendly little contest in the Asian section.

Quote: odiousgambit

you've got me treading on thin ice, as discussions of characteristics attributable to ethnic origins can be called racism ...

this seems to get only a slightly better reception amongst gamblers ...

I believe it was here, at this site, in some thread where it was claimed Asians often have little tolerance for alcohol, and I thought you might be echoing that, by ironically indicating this was not true with your referenced women. Actually I never heard that before about Asians.

But in my own experience, I have heard it claimed that Russians and Serbs can 'put it away' with little consequence, and for a biased confirmation, I once knew a Serbian woman who could out-drink me, no question!

So I hope this long-winded explanation suffices LOL

edit: posted without seeing the above posts first

Now I understand what you were referring to. And having spent many years in the NYC area and in the entertainment, restaurant and lounge business of one type or another---you are correct about the Russians and their neighboring countries. Absolutely.

However, just about everyone I know that is Asian, can pretty much drink with the best of them and hold their own. There are a few exceptions but when I compare with Westerners, Americans, etc., the latter would not prevail in drinking. As a whole, as a group, etc.

You are Big Time!

I hope you post some pictures from Palace Station. I am so happy you are going there and the Gold Coast. A lot of big players refuse to venture off the strip. But that is where the real baccarat action happens.

Quote: teddys

You are Big Time!

I hope you post some pictures from Palace Station. I am so happy you are going there and the Gold Coast. A lot of big players refuse to venture off the strip. But that is where the real baccarat action happens.

Absolutely! I talked to Louis @ Gold Coast and Tri over at The Palace Station. Confirmed. I am waiting to hear back from Tri to see if we can do the challenge with the 50oz beers in the baccarat section and my wife film it. I think he left a message he would call tonight. Will let you know.

Now the wife wants to bring the 2 and half year old. He is starting to talk and every few minuets he is hugging her and telling her how beautiful and cute she is and kissing on her (lol, that why I married her-she is the greatest!!!!!) but serious dampers on the dune buggy racing and a couple other things. I briefly explored a couple drop off day care (open 24 hrs) where we can leave him for a few hours here and there, etc. He has been to Vegas once when he was 1 yr old with his brother and sister. My MGM host will give us the VIP play with he dolphins tour at The Secret Garden @ The Mirage and also the Aquarium deal at M.B. Maybe grandma can come and babysit at night??? Oh well, gotta work this out. It's my wife's sidekick, they are getting inseparable.

Well it's 1:45 AM and I just woke up from my deep thinking (fell asleep after dinner on the couch, LOL) and thought, hey---2 weeks away better buy some tickets to get to Vegas!!! I check my Delta account, great! 36,000 miles and all needed for a coach ticket is 30,000 and $11.20 vig slush fund tax. Wife has 30,600 miles. Cool, I will just get the free tix, most of the time if I get some good play in, my host will get me reimbursements for airfare so we usually do first class. The flight is about 3 hours from our origin non-stop so it helps but not a huge deal really. I rather just get the free tix, if there is a value on the receipts he can still reimburse them but whatever. I asked him for a bunch of other off property stuff anyways so its kind of a 2-way street with the ask/receive I figure. Free airline tix ($22.40 vig) and tips is all I have to pay unless we eat off property (outside of CET anyways and MGM).

Gotta call the host tomorrow and get the pick up ordered, coming in at about 10:30 am on the Wednesday and got the 7pm departure flight on Tuesday so we have all day Tuesday to mess around somewhere as well.

Spoke to our new host over at Palace Station and he is saying we can do the beer challenge and film it by the baccarat tables we asked him about. Should be one for the books.

Since it snowed about 12 inches or better over the weekend where I am at and now it is snowing where my wife is at, the 70's will be a welcomed change. I had an old friend call me out of the blue today from Vegas and they said the weather is supposed to be in the 70's this weekend. Over 80 degress higher than it is here right now, since it's -9 outside without the wind chill factor.

Just sent the wife a text, told her I want some Pinks hot dogs and cheese fries at P.H. upon arrival. She is like, nope-we are going to over to Little Saigon Resturant on Spring Mountain Road for some PHO. I better go to sleep.

The 2 and a half year is officially coming along. I called my old host contact @ MGM and he is going to get us some Secret Garden VIP tour tickets for the Mirage so he can go play with the dolphins. He went to Vegas back when he was 1 year old and did the tour. Yesterday he told my wife, "I going Vegas mommy". Probably cause he is hearing his mom talking with her friends and mentioning the word, 'Vegas'. Guess we have to do the Mandalay Bay aquarium thing also for him. Only problem is the Dune Buggy Desert racing thing, he can't go. Wife went out over the weekend and bought new shoes and clothes, LOL.

We will also swing out to Red Rock and do a dinner there at T-Bones Steakhouse. I have a couple $500.00 gift cards my wife had stashed in here purse for a few years back. I was playing there one night, a bunch of us were at the Bellagio and we decided to go bowling at Red Rock's bowling alley, they got these over the top private suites with food catered in. After we bowled and ate in the alley suite we played. I won $13k in two shoes. I went over and bought the 2 gift cards for a grand. My wife goes on line Friday and their website says both cards are inactive. I call the 800 number which goes to Texas to some company that administers the program fro Station Casinos. The lady tells me that, she will email Station and the most likely will reload them after doing some research, expect 3 to 6 weeks for a response. I get on the phone and call the host that took care of me a time or two back in 2011/2012 there. He is gone. The other host I knew there is also gone. So, I ask for the executive host or the manager and some lady gets on the line. I explain it and she looks up my play from a few years ago. She says that she will try her best to get us replacement cards and will call back. Saturday she called and said 2 cards in the mail. She also had the night host manager call and he said to please stop by and he would treat us to the Steakhouse or the Asian restaurant. (Asian New Years and my wife is Asian he saw by the name) So we will squeeze that in. My wife can go to the Jewelry store there and get some bracelet or something to burn up the cards.

What's the beer challenge?

Quote: rudeboyoi

What's the beer challenge?

Last post on the 1st page of this thread. PS: I used to own a bar/restaurant in NYC (90's) and its been a awhile since I really drank. I am ready after this Midwest winter, blizzards and huge mountains of work!

Quote: Baccaratfrom79

The 2 and a half year is officially coming along. I called my old host contact @ MGM and he is going to get us some Secret Garden VIP tour tickets for the Mirage so he can go play with the dolphins. He went to Vegas back when he was 1 year old and did the tour. Yesterday he told my wife, "I going Vegas mommy". Probably cause he is hearing his mom talking with her friends and mentioning the word, 'Vegas'. Guess we have to do the Mandalay Bay aquarium thing also for him. Only problem is the Dune Buggy Desert racing thing, he can't go. Wife went out over the weekend and bought new shoes and clothes, LOL.

We will also swing out to Red Rock and do a dinner there at T-Bones Steakhouse. I have a couple $500.00 gift cards my wife had stashed in here purse for a few years back. I was playing there one night, a bunch of us were at the Bellagio and we decided to go bowling at Red Rock's bowling alley, they got these over the top private suites with food catered in. After we bowled and ate in the alley suite we played. I won $13k in two shoes. I went over and bought the 2 gift cards for a grand. My wife goes on line Friday and their website says both cards are inactive. I call the 800 number which goes to Texas to some company that administers the program fro Station Casinos. The lady tells me that, she will email Station and the most likely will reload them after doing some research, expect 3 to 6 weeks for a response. I get on the phone and call the host that took care of me a time or two back in 2011/2012 there. He is gone. The other host I knew there is also gone. So, I ask for the executive host or the manager and some lady gets on the line. I explain it and she looks up my play from a few years ago. She says that she will try her best to get us replacement cards and will call back. Saturday she called and said 2 cards in the mail. She also had the night host manager call and he said to please stop by and he would treat us to the Steakhouse or the Asian restaurant. (Asian New Years and my wife is Asian he saw by the name) So we will squeeze that in. My wife can go to the Jewelry store there and get some bracelet or something to burn up the cards.

Several Vegas guys with kids on here, perhaps they can line you up a babysitter for the dune buggy day?

Quote: beachbumbabs

Several Vegas guys with kids on here, perhaps they can line you up a babysitter for the dune buggy day?

If anyone can help that would be great! PM me for my cell phone#. We will have a suite at C.P. or perhaps someone knows a day care place with 'Drop in" (non emrollement) that is okay. Does anyone know Tinker Town or Little Paradise??? Thanks.

I just spoke with Little Paradise down the road from RIO on Flamingo and they do have 24/7 daycare and accept drop in? Anyone know anything about this place???

Well, 8pm Sunday eve!! I just throw a steak on and reflecting. Packing later tonight. Tomorrows a work day and Tuesday traveling to the wife and kids. Weds am early 6am to the airport for the Vegas flight. Wife and 2 and a half year old. He says every single day, "I'm going Vegas mommy with daddy and you"!!!

Called my Mirage host (not staying there) and he got us the VIP experience with the dolphin contact and 8 x 10 photos and behind the scenes tour of the Secret Garden comp'd and set up for Friday morning.

I throw the Comedy Channel on waiting for the steak. Just beginning is the original "Hangover". I put the sound up, "You never walk away from a table when your on a heater" (waving his finger in the air while saying it). LOL.

I'm sorry guys, have not been to Vegas and played baccarat serious (a couple times in the Midwest with the bull crap low limits, etc.) I am going to smack them and smack them hard! I hope some people I know are playing, should be it's the start of Asian New Year's. I am so looking forward to some rock-n-roll games, some card ripping up, card throwing, drink spilling, yelling and screaming, high fiving and stacks of flags. Looking to get on a 12 to 15 Banker run, that's what gets my blood pumping and my wife in a great mood. Put a chocolate or a flag out there and press it up once or twice and then just pull down the repetitive winning hands.

Also looking forward to the SunBuggy desert racing and flying airborne over some sand hills and even rolling the buggy, hell it's worth the $250 fine.

Did you end up solving the childcare situation? Is Grandma going to come, or are you getting a Nanny?

Quote: BoulderDamIt

Did you end up solving the childcare situation? Is Grandma going to come, or are you getting a Nanny?

Still playing that by ear. That one child care place has 24/7 for 'drop ins' as they call it. But the question is, little king and Miss Goddess is pretty much a 24/7 thing to the max. He doesn't like being without his mom except with his brother and sister and he is in his own house. We are going with my wife's best friend and her boyfriend, so maybe she can watch him when we gamble. As far as the desert dune buggy, haven't figured it out. Maybe we can leave him at the day care and see how he handles it. Grandma can't come this time. Hey, I deal with haz mat spills on the highways, somehow I will work it out.

This is going to be fun. We will head over to Circus Circus with him for the rides and kids games. LOL.

Right on. Well I hope your little one enjoys the trip as much as you will.
Best of luck to you!

Quote: BoulderDamIt

Right on. Well I hope your little one enjoys the trip as much as you will.
Best of luck to you!

Thanks.!

Quote: Baccaratfrom79

Still playing that by ear. That one child care place has 24/7 for 'drop ins' as they call it. But the question is, little king and Miss Goddess is pretty much a 24/7 thing to the max. He doesn't like being without his mom except with his brother and sister and he is in his own house. We are going with my wife's best friend and her boyfriend, so maybe she can watch him when we gamble. As far as the desert dune buggy, haven't figured it out. Maybe we can leave him at the day care and see how he handles it. Grandma can't come this time. Hey, I deal with haz mat spills on the highways, somehow I will work it out.

This is going to be fun. We will head over to Circus Circus with him for the rides and kids games. LOL.

If you play that high limit... I'm sure the casino would give you a dedicated female to watch your children if that gets you on the tables lol.

Quote: Romes

If you play that high limit... I'm sure the casino would give you a dedicated female to watch your children if that gets you on the tables lol.

I called and they cannot recommend or provide phone numbers. They used to, but liability and attorneys now, something must have happened. We have a couple tagging along so we can try. The only problem is Saturday when we wanted to go to the desert and race the dune buggies. When he falls asleep is not the problem at night.

We are here and finally got checked in. C.P. is slammed. Cruised by the high limit on the way to eat our 266.00 lunch at the Chinese restaurant. 3 pound live lobster was the main course along with 5 huge side dishes. Great! See the big baccarat table is all set up for Asian New Year in the middle of the HL room! Waiting on the room set up, juices, sodas, fruit, bottle of XO and some milk for the baby.

Still can't figure out how to post pictures?? Anyway to do it if I download to my laptop??

Quote: Baccaratfrom79

We are here and finally got checked in. C.P. is slammed. Cruised by the high limit on the way to eat our 266.00 lunch at the Chinese restaurant. 3 pound live lobster was the main course along with 5 huge side dishes. Great! See the big baccarat table is all set up for Asian New Year in the middle of the HL room! Waiting on the room set up, juices, sodas, fruit, bottle of XO and some milk for the baby.

Still can't figure out how to post pictures?? Anyway to do it if I download to my laptop??

You can upload the pictures to a photo-hosting service like photobucket or Google Picassa (what I use), and then just embed a link to the photo in your posts here.

Quote: Baccaratfrom79

I called and they cannot recommend or provide phone numbers. They used to, but liability and attorneys now, something must have happened. We have a couple tagging along so we can try. The only problem is Saturday when we wanted to go to the desert and race the dune buggies. When he falls asleep is not the problem at night.

You called the casino or you talked to your host?

If you play big enough your host can take care of it for you.

Played a little last night. Up $1,500.00 after jumping in a midi bac game the last 8 hands of the shoe. Wagered $300-$400 a hand. Played one shoe after that. Got up to about $6k and then down to plus $2k. Every darn 8 we all had got beat by a 9. Every 9 we had was tied. Last 1/4 of shoe was better back up to about $6.5k. Could have went either way, wagering $1k to $4k a hand could have lost a lot or won probably $30k plus. Couldn't get into anything, sure tonight will be better and more players.

Have an appointment out in Summerlin today and then bringing the baby to see some of the sights. Probably let him go to Circus Circus, the kids high roller joint. Went for a nice walk outside already from 5.30 am to just a few mins ago. Going to go eat some breakfast. A giant steak and eggs I think. I have been taking some pics and will post.

Getting ready for the day. There is some huge magic convention in town screwing up the car service at Caser's royally! Finally got a commitment out of the 7 Stars VIP supervisor to get an escalade and driver for 4 hours. Usually don't have any problem like this, especially during a weekday! We are going out on Flamingo and then to Smmerlin and then we are going to Red Rock. I have a couple $500 gift cards and thought I might as well go use them over there and pick my wife up something. We will eat over there and then get a ride back to C.P./the strip later.

Friday morning went to The Secret Garden at the Mirage and did the VIP Experience with the kid feeding and petting the dolphins, etc. Ate at BLT Burger. Lots to be desired there to say the very least! Not even worth mentioning. I had about 500 express comp points so I paid for it and saved the hassle of complaining. Over cooked and crappy service to the max! The giant 20 inch grilled hot dog the kid and I split was better at the Carnegie Deli on the way in at 10:30am!!

Thursday afternoon was introduced to the director of marketing @ Red Rock and gave us a tour of their suites and villas. He bought my wife and I and the baby lunch at Noodle Bar. Pretty good. Huge Wonton soup with large shrimp, Pad Thai, wife had hot beef seafood soup. Bunch of appetizers. We will be making a trip there in late April. There villa with a private small pool on the terrace is over the top. Nice pool outside and great cabanas as well. They also have day care until 2 am there so that is the closure on the deal! Also their bowling ally with those cool suites. We will bring the two other kids and all of them can stay busy.

We had some great tix for Love Show last night at 9.30 pm showing. They changed up the show from the last time we saw it in 2013. Excellent show! Great and exciting!

Went back to C.P. Played some bac. Get this, sit down and buy in. Wife is next to me. Everyone down on the opposite end of table huge on the Players. My wife goes, put it up on Banker. I do. Players return an 8 and they are all smug. I turn over a duce and have a 3 side. They are all yelling for a snowman. I slam down a 7 and take the hand. Welcome to baccarat white boy, LOL. They were not happy, but we made it up with some great hands. Up and down for a few shoes. Finished about $15k up after getting real lucky on ties and pairs. Mostly reserved tables in their HL With Chinese New Year and lots of groups and families playing together. Action was good and some laughs. Nice players a good mix of Asian and whites as well. Two big tables going from $100 min to $25,000.00.

Going down to Tropicana to see Illusion show tonight (Saturday) and eat at Bacio Italian house there. Tomorrow we will check out Mandalay and the let the kid enjoy the Shark Reef Aquarium.

B79, how do you like the Bacc action at Red Rock? They only have one or two tables in high limit, right?

Yes, they had the two bac tables in their H.L. set up. We like their H.L. nice and laid back compared to the jam of the strip. They will also give us one on the main floor if we want. Their amenities there are huge and very family and laid back friendly!!!

Saturday rested up. We did go to the Tropicana. Nice renovations. The property welcomingly lacks tons of douche bags!
the Italian room was great, absolutely old school great without all the celebrity chef sauces and unknown concoctions.
Took lots of pics and will post, I promise! Went to the Illusions show, was good.
the baby loved it and stayed up for the whole show.

Sunday afternoon went over to China Town on Spring Mountain Road and ate at Little Saigon. Afterwards went down to Mandalay Bay. Took the kid to see the Shark Reef. Enjoyed. He was so excited to see the sharks up close. Went to the café out in the middle, forgot the name. Had some great sandwiches and food. Their lobster roll was pretty tasty.
Played a great shoe of baccarat later at c.p. Will describe more in the am.

Just arrived home. It is Weds. around 4pm. one flight cancelled and had to switch another one from last night, was supposed to be in around midnight. oh well. Tuesday we were at the Tropicana for lunch at the Café and a 20 year old friend that used to be an executive host at the LV Hilton is now an executive host at the Tropicana. We were given a tour and were shown a vip pool bungalow and a sky villa. Both very nice and great amenities, on par with most other major hotels. Butler staff, limos, their pool, spa, fitness center, private pool cabanas, etc. Will post pictures this week.

Monday went shopping. Gambled, etc. Will get some more details on all this tomorrow. Probably up a tad bit over $20k and covered at least $5k of senseless spending if not more. Wasn't the kick ass smack the casino down trip but there were no winning tables every night. Most were losing money. Didn't even double the buy-in/risk money but like I said, most tables were ugly.

Quote: Baccaratfrom79

Just arrived home. It is Weds. around 4pm. one flight cancelled and had to switch another one from last night, was supposed to be in around midnight. oh well. Tuesday we were at the Tropicana for lunch at the Café and a 20 year old friend that used to be an executive host at the LV Hilton is now an executive host at the Tropicana. We were given a tour and were shown a vip pool bungalow and a sky villa. Both very nice and great amenities, on par with most other major hotels. Butler staff, limos, their pool, spa, fitness center, private pool cabanas, etc. Will post pictures this week.

Monday went shopping. Gambled, etc. Will get some more details on all this tomorrow. Probably up a tad bit over $20k and covered at least $5k of senseless spending if not more. Wasn't the kick ass smack the casino down trip but there were no winning tables every night. Most were losing money. Didn't even double the buy-in/risk money but like I said, most tables were ugly.

Personal expectations are a funny thing. If I came home up 20K I'd feel like a millionaire, and you thought the gambling was meh. Maybe not a legendary trip, but certainly sounds like it was a good one with several highlights! Thanks very much for sharing.

Trip was pretty good. however, we risked over $50k and if I don't at least double that, then the gambling was mediocre. I play to win and I risk what I bring or my FM. Double is okay and triple is the start of something really good. Looking back, there was only one shoe that I could have smacked the casino on and that one had about 17 chop and a whole section of 4's and 5' and 6's repeats side-by-side. But I was down about $30 or $35k at that point and I was playing catch up. In a good mood and if I was up something I could have made $75k or better off that shoe at $5 to $15k a hand.

I totally get why it was mediocre for you - that's why the comment about expectations. I was laughing at myself, not at you. Really sweet mid-trip recovery there.