Low Roller Visit April 2025
April 8th, 2025 at 2:52:03 AM
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Back in Vegas, baby!!! After no 2024 visits! Spring Break for our younger kid!!
DAY 1
Flew in on Monday evening from San Jose on Southwest Airlines in which no middle seats needed to be occupied.
Took the shuttle to the rental car center to pick up my Hertz rental and was surprised to learn that I'm still a Gold Plus Rewards member! I'm like Tom Brady! I went to my Nissan Rogue and was amazed to discover the car had 4 miles on it. I even asked the gentleman at the gate: does this car really only have 4 miles on it?! He said yes. It's $564 total to rent Monday night to Sunday morning.
We went to Shang Artisan Noodle on Flamingo Road for spicy noodle soup, cucumber salad, and pot stickers. We learned of the place from YouTubers but weren't able to eat there on our last two visits to Vegas because the wait time was so long. I'm glad to have finally eaten there because everything was delicious. The stewed pork in the soup was tender and tasty. The server described the heat level as 7 of 10, and I'd say it was perfect for my taste: suitably spicy but not so hot that I can't enjoy it. We asked for the cucumber salad sauce on the side, and that was a good move: it needs only a little bit of sauce.
When we checked in at Mandalay Bay, we had amazing luck: they were out of double bed rooms, so they upgraded us to their "panoramic view suite" that has a king bedroom and a queen bedroom! It's a room that goes for $800 to $1200 based on two dates later this month we looked up! One weird thing the front desk staffer informed us about was that we were there on the night of their monthly maintenance, so there would be no hot water between 11pm and 7am! So we had about 40 minutes to get in our baths and showers. I asked the front desk guy if they had any promotions going, and he gave me a bunch of free one-hour passes to the Luxor's computer gaming lounge. Nice dude!
At about midnight, I went downstairs to look around. I noticed lots of $15 blackjack tables. One guy was playing four hands and he stood on each of them with totals less than 17 and the dealer showing an ace. He said something like "unbelievable " when the dealer flipped over a 7. They had Free Bet Blackjack tables and roulette going as well. Two craps tables were going, both with $25 minimums. I was surprised to see box cars pays triple on the field.
I noticed a video poker game I hadn't seen before: three-handed, 8-5 "Good Times" Poker with random multipliers for each hand if 6 to 10 credits are played. I'll have to do some research on WoO.
I wound up buying in $100 on $1-$2 no-limit hold'em. Relatively friendly game and friendly dealers. Occasional straddles of $5, but otherwise nothing too crazy. I won a hand with pocket queens and a queen and ace on the flop. I called $15 on the flop, we both checked the turn, and I bet $20 on the river and the other guy folded. Maybe I should have bet the turn out of position. I eventually lost $30, mostly from a hand that I was in with A-K suited. But I had two generous pours of bourbon, neat, that were excellent (the first cocktail waitress said "bourbon well," and I thought that was a brand name that I hadn't heard of). The table broke around 1:15 am. A great first night of excitement and fun!
DAY 1
Flew in on Monday evening from San Jose on Southwest Airlines in which no middle seats needed to be occupied.
Took the shuttle to the rental car center to pick up my Hertz rental and was surprised to learn that I'm still a Gold Plus Rewards member! I'm like Tom Brady! I went to my Nissan Rogue and was amazed to discover the car had 4 miles on it. I even asked the gentleman at the gate: does this car really only have 4 miles on it?! He said yes. It's $564 total to rent Monday night to Sunday morning.
We went to Shang Artisan Noodle on Flamingo Road for spicy noodle soup, cucumber salad, and pot stickers. We learned of the place from YouTubers but weren't able to eat there on our last two visits to Vegas because the wait time was so long. I'm glad to have finally eaten there because everything was delicious. The stewed pork in the soup was tender and tasty. The server described the heat level as 7 of 10, and I'd say it was perfect for my taste: suitably spicy but not so hot that I can't enjoy it. We asked for the cucumber salad sauce on the side, and that was a good move: it needs only a little bit of sauce.
When we checked in at Mandalay Bay, we had amazing luck: they were out of double bed rooms, so they upgraded us to their "panoramic view suite" that has a king bedroom and a queen bedroom! It's a room that goes for $800 to $1200 based on two dates later this month we looked up! One weird thing the front desk staffer informed us about was that we were there on the night of their monthly maintenance, so there would be no hot water between 11pm and 7am! So we had about 40 minutes to get in our baths and showers. I asked the front desk guy if they had any promotions going, and he gave me a bunch of free one-hour passes to the Luxor's computer gaming lounge. Nice dude!
At about midnight, I went downstairs to look around. I noticed lots of $15 blackjack tables. One guy was playing four hands and he stood on each of them with totals less than 17 and the dealer showing an ace. He said something like "unbelievable " when the dealer flipped over a 7. They had Free Bet Blackjack tables and roulette going as well. Two craps tables were going, both with $25 minimums. I was surprised to see box cars pays triple on the field.
I noticed a video poker game I hadn't seen before: three-handed, 8-5 "Good Times" Poker with random multipliers for each hand if 6 to 10 credits are played. I'll have to do some research on WoO.
I wound up buying in $100 on $1-$2 no-limit hold'em. Relatively friendly game and friendly dealers. Occasional straddles of $5, but otherwise nothing too crazy. I won a hand with pocket queens and a queen and ace on the flop. I called $15 on the flop, we both checked the turn, and I bet $20 on the river and the other guy folded. Maybe I should have bet the turn out of position. I eventually lost $30, mostly from a hand that I was in with A-K suited. But I had two generous pours of bourbon, neat, that were excellent (the first cocktail waitress said "bourbon well," and I thought that was a brand name that I hadn't heard of). The table broke around 1:15 am. A great first night of excitement and fun!
Last edited by: smoothgrh on Apr 8, 2025
April 8th, 2025 at 11:44:25 PM
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That's fantastic about the room upgrade.
I don't know if renting a car and staying at Mandalay Bay counts as "low roller", though.
I don't know if renting a car and staying at Mandalay Bay counts as "low roller", though.
I run Easy Vegas ( https://easy.vegas )
April 9th, 2025 at 2:48:45 AM
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Quote: smoothgrh
I noticed a video poker game I hadn't seen before: three-handed, 8-5 "Good Times" Poker with random multipliers for each hand if 6 to 10 credits are played. I'll have to do some research on WoO.
link to original post
Sounds like Good Times Pay.
https://wizardofodds.com/games/video-poker/tables/good-times-pay/
Randomly higher variance to enhance the excitement of the game, but I don't believe any strategy changes are recommended for the base pay table.
On the "unbelievable" blackjack.... did the guy keep saying "I don't think you have it"?
May the cards fall in your favor.
April 9th, 2025 at 7:21:02 AM
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Quote: DieterQuote: smoothgrh
I noticed a video poker game I hadn't seen before: three-handed, 8-5 "Good Times" Poker with random multipliers for each hand if 6 to 10 credits are played. I'll have to do some research on WoO.
link to original post
Sounds like Good Times Pay.
https://wizardofodds.com/games/video-poker/tables/good-times-pay/
Randomly higher variance to enhance the excitement of the game, but I don't believe any strategy changes are recommended for the base pay table.
On the "unbelievable" blackjack.... did the guy keep saying "I don't think you have it"?
link to original post
Thanks for the info! I'll check it out later, as well as the video!
April 9th, 2025 at 8:26:08 AM
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DAY 2
We rousted the kid at 8:30 so we could be downstairs for the 9am pool opening. We amazingly got there 3 minutes before 9, and then excitement turned to frustration. The clock struck 9, but the minutes ticked by and the gates still weren't opened. The line grew all the way back to the elevator doors. We noticed everyone but us had pool floaters for the lazy river and realized we hadn't planned for that. I knew I was going to get gouged at the pool shop. Sure enough, at 9:10 when we got in, I shelled out $35 for a big ring floater.
First up was the wave pool for one hit of the cold water, then off to the lazy river. To our dismay, we learned it was closed because some geese had laid eggs and reportedly wildlife experts were there to determine how to move them! I'm all for the sanctity of a mother bird and her eggs, but I must say that overall, I HATE geese!!! We went into the hot tub that wasn't too hot, and eventually braved the regular pool, which seemed chilly at first, but we adjusted. With an 80 degree air temperature, our frustrations melted away and we had some fun swimming time.
Though I checked out at 11am, we lounged around in the room until noon. We hit a few spots for food before our drive to Zion National Park. The first was Jong-Ro Chicken, a Korean fried chicken place. We said let's just eat one piece in the car before we go to the next place. The chicken had just come out of the oven and was so hot that I actually dropped my piece. (Lava chicken!) We wound up eating most of it in the car!
We were probably hungry from not eating anything in the morning, not even coffee. FYI, the Mandalay Bay suite has a Keurig coffee maker. But when I picked up the sealed coffee cups that had the pods and creamer stuff inside, I noticed that it's part of the snack bar, so I put it back down on the weight sensor. I guess they figure if someone can afford a suite, they don't care about paying for their coffee?
We had coffee and desserts at Moignet A Social Cafe, a Japanese-inspired cafe. They're famous for their "moignets," sort of like a beignet but filled with melted mochi. It was warm, crispy on the outside, lightly gooey on the inside, and probably the most fine doughnut I've eaten. Delicious! And you get six pieces in an order. We also had a strawberry crepe and a mini tiramisu. The tiramisu was light and creamy but with a few bits of orange peel for some texture and citrus zest. Different than traditional tiramisu, but I liked it. We had a cappuccino, Americano, and lemonade. The coffees were beautifully presented and well crafted!
Our next stop was B&C Camera to buy some 35mm film and film for my kid's Polaroid SX-70 (they had only B&W SX-70 film). The store has been in Vegas since 1971 and the employees are super helpful and friendly. We needed a lens cap for my father-in-laws's vintage 35mm camera, so in addition to finding the right size, the youthful looking guy with streaks of gray hair also cleaned the lens for us. He also took time to figure out how to get a strap on the SX-70.
We stopped at Co Ahn Sandwich for our dinner sandwiches, then went to the Centennial Hills area so the Mrs. could pick up a leather jacket she bought on Facebook Marketplace. After getting some water and snacks at Target, it was off to Utah!
It's about 2 hours, 50 minutes from Las Vegas to Zion National Park. Along the way is Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the border town of Mesquite, which we might check out on the way home. Divey casinos? Yes, please! I also want to check out St. George, Utah on the way back.
We were fortunate to have reserved a room at the Zion National Park Lodge. About six fluffy deer greeted us as we turned into the parking lot. After dinner on the balcony of our room, the Mrs. and I went for our usual after-dinner mile walk at sunset. It was dark by the time we got back and the stars shone bright.
We rousted the kid at 8:30 so we could be downstairs for the 9am pool opening. We amazingly got there 3 minutes before 9, and then excitement turned to frustration. The clock struck 9, but the minutes ticked by and the gates still weren't opened. The line grew all the way back to the elevator doors. We noticed everyone but us had pool floaters for the lazy river and realized we hadn't planned for that. I knew I was going to get gouged at the pool shop. Sure enough, at 9:10 when we got in, I shelled out $35 for a big ring floater.
First up was the wave pool for one hit of the cold water, then off to the lazy river. To our dismay, we learned it was closed because some geese had laid eggs and reportedly wildlife experts were there to determine how to move them! I'm all for the sanctity of a mother bird and her eggs, but I must say that overall, I HATE geese!!! We went into the hot tub that wasn't too hot, and eventually braved the regular pool, which seemed chilly at first, but we adjusted. With an 80 degree air temperature, our frustrations melted away and we had some fun swimming time.
Though I checked out at 11am, we lounged around in the room until noon. We hit a few spots for food before our drive to Zion National Park. The first was Jong-Ro Chicken, a Korean fried chicken place. We said let's just eat one piece in the car before we go to the next place. The chicken had just come out of the oven and was so hot that I actually dropped my piece. (Lava chicken!) We wound up eating most of it in the car!
We were probably hungry from not eating anything in the morning, not even coffee. FYI, the Mandalay Bay suite has a Keurig coffee maker. But when I picked up the sealed coffee cups that had the pods and creamer stuff inside, I noticed that it's part of the snack bar, so I put it back down on the weight sensor. I guess they figure if someone can afford a suite, they don't care about paying for their coffee?
We had coffee and desserts at Moignet A Social Cafe, a Japanese-inspired cafe. They're famous for their "moignets," sort of like a beignet but filled with melted mochi. It was warm, crispy on the outside, lightly gooey on the inside, and probably the most fine doughnut I've eaten. Delicious! And you get six pieces in an order. We also had a strawberry crepe and a mini tiramisu. The tiramisu was light and creamy but with a few bits of orange peel for some texture and citrus zest. Different than traditional tiramisu, but I liked it. We had a cappuccino, Americano, and lemonade. The coffees were beautifully presented and well crafted!
Our next stop was B&C Camera to buy some 35mm film and film for my kid's Polaroid SX-70 (they had only B&W SX-70 film). The store has been in Vegas since 1971 and the employees are super helpful and friendly. We needed a lens cap for my father-in-laws's vintage 35mm camera, so in addition to finding the right size, the youthful looking guy with streaks of gray hair also cleaned the lens for us. He also took time to figure out how to get a strap on the SX-70.
We stopped at Co Ahn Sandwich for our dinner sandwiches, then went to the Centennial Hills area so the Mrs. could pick up a leather jacket she bought on Facebook Marketplace. After getting some water and snacks at Target, it was off to Utah!
It's about 2 hours, 50 minutes from Las Vegas to Zion National Park. Along the way is Las Vegas Motor Speedway and the border town of Mesquite, which we might check out on the way home. Divey casinos? Yes, please! I also want to check out St. George, Utah on the way back.
We were fortunate to have reserved a room at the Zion National Park Lodge. About six fluffy deer greeted us as we turned into the parking lot. After dinner on the balcony of our room, the Mrs. and I went for our usual after-dinner mile walk at sunset. It was dark by the time we got back and the stars shone bright.
July 6th, 2025 at 8:41:02 AM
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I’m headed to Vegas again this week, so I should finish my trip report from April!
DAY 3
Only people staying at the Zion National Park Lodge are allowed to drive in. But when you’re in, you don’t have to drive anymore because there’s a shuttle that goes around the park with nine stops. We shuttled to the stop #9, the Temple of Sinawava (Riverside Walk / The Narrows) for a mostly flat, easy hike. Squirrels begged for food at benches along the route. Folks had wetsuits for the end of the dry part of the walk, where they crossed the river to get to The Narrows. That area looks breathtaking in photos, but we weren’t willing to put in the effort to get there. Zion has plenty of low-effort breathtaking spots!
We shuttled back to the Visitors Center and filled our water bottles at dispensers — the water there tastes amazingly cool and clean! As some folks have mentioned, it’s possible to make Zion a day trip from Vegas, and I recommend it. Even better if you stay there and spend the whole day and night — it’s beautiful!
For our evening activity, the Mrs booked a sunset photography tour/lesson for our teen son with a local photographer. He was super nice, and even let me tag along instead of my original plan of hanging out at a coffee shop. He took us out to Bureau of Land Management land, up to some rugged terrain where few people venture. It was an highly satisfying tour — we were in an area high up that most tourists don’t get to see. He showed the Mrs and my son some great techniques for both DSLR and iPhone cameras.
At the end, he took us back near Zion National Park and had them take a shot of the near-full moon that was rising above one of the canyon walls — and the pièce de résistance: a gallery-worthy river reflection shot of the canyon walls.
I want to include a couple photos, but Imgur says: Upload failed, your account is banned (how can that be?!).
DAY 3
Only people staying at the Zion National Park Lodge are allowed to drive in. But when you’re in, you don’t have to drive anymore because there’s a shuttle that goes around the park with nine stops. We shuttled to the stop #9, the Temple of Sinawava (Riverside Walk / The Narrows) for a mostly flat, easy hike. Squirrels begged for food at benches along the route. Folks had wetsuits for the end of the dry part of the walk, where they crossed the river to get to The Narrows. That area looks breathtaking in photos, but we weren’t willing to put in the effort to get there. Zion has plenty of low-effort breathtaking spots!
We shuttled back to the Visitors Center and filled our water bottles at dispensers — the water there tastes amazingly cool and clean! As some folks have mentioned, it’s possible to make Zion a day trip from Vegas, and I recommend it. Even better if you stay there and spend the whole day and night — it’s beautiful!
For our evening activity, the Mrs booked a sunset photography tour/lesson for our teen son with a local photographer. He was super nice, and even let me tag along instead of my original plan of hanging out at a coffee shop. He took us out to Bureau of Land Management land, up to some rugged terrain where few people venture. It was an highly satisfying tour — we were in an area high up that most tourists don’t get to see. He showed the Mrs and my son some great techniques for both DSLR and iPhone cameras.
At the end, he took us back near Zion National Park and had them take a shot of the near-full moon that was rising above one of the canyon walls — and the pièce de résistance: a gallery-worthy river reflection shot of the canyon walls.
I want to include a couple photos, but Imgur says: Upload failed, your account is banned (how can that be?!).
July 6th, 2025 at 9:42:19 AM
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DAY 4
Lunch in Mesquite, Nevada, at Virgin River Casino.
Steak & lobster $24.99, Deuces Special breakfast platter $10.99, and Americanized Chinese chicken noodle soup $11.99: $52 including tax.
Played $10 craps, won $17!
Fontainebleau Las Vegas: really enjoyable stay. The place is nice. The gift shop employee introduced herself and let me know she was available if I needed help as if I were in a Tiffany & Co. One $15 blackjack table off to the side of the main tables. Middle-of-road video poker payables in the sportsbook bar. Our room rate was a great deal (and there’s free self parking)—it’s probably because they have huge room inventory and not many people are staying there up in the north end of the stip. Sure enough, in May it was announced that “dozens” of dealers would be laid off.
Joining the players club got you $25 in free play, so I got my card and went to a Cash Machine slot machine. The Mrs, the risk taker of our relationship, pushed the $10 Max Bet button. Nada. But she emboldened me to “go for it.” I decided to also push Max Bet and won one HUNDRED dollars! Max Bet, baby!!! We played the final free spin at $5 and won $5! So cashed out $105 on free play! I love Fontainebleau!
Slots-O-Fun
Free popcorn, Heineken 0.0% alcohol at the bar
5x25 cents 6-5 Bonus poker (with $1042 royal progressive), $50 cash in: quad 10s! Won $10
$5 6-5 blackjack: The days of $5 are still here (albeit 6-5)! A good run and won $50.
Circus Circus
Roll to Win craps: won $8
Dinner at China Mama on South Jones Blvd. Five delicious dishes: $79 including tax.
Area 15 just before closing: missed the last entry for “Superplastic’s Dopeameme Institute for Pleasure Research” by 10 minutes, but got to wander around the place at a relaxed pace. Discovered the retro arcade/pinball/pool hall! It’s nice there at night!
Lunch in Mesquite, Nevada, at Virgin River Casino.
Steak & lobster $24.99, Deuces Special breakfast platter $10.99, and Americanized Chinese chicken noodle soup $11.99: $52 including tax.
Played $10 craps, won $17!
Fontainebleau Las Vegas: really enjoyable stay. The place is nice. The gift shop employee introduced herself and let me know she was available if I needed help as if I were in a Tiffany & Co. One $15 blackjack table off to the side of the main tables. Middle-of-road video poker payables in the sportsbook bar. Our room rate was a great deal (and there’s free self parking)—it’s probably because they have huge room inventory and not many people are staying there up in the north end of the stip. Sure enough, in May it was announced that “dozens” of dealers would be laid off.
Joining the players club got you $25 in free play, so I got my card and went to a Cash Machine slot machine. The Mrs, the risk taker of our relationship, pushed the $10 Max Bet button. Nada. But she emboldened me to “go for it.” I decided to also push Max Bet and won one HUNDRED dollars! Max Bet, baby!!! We played the final free spin at $5 and won $5! So cashed out $105 on free play! I love Fontainebleau!
Slots-O-Fun
Free popcorn, Heineken 0.0% alcohol at the bar
5x25 cents 6-5 Bonus poker (with $1042 royal progressive), $50 cash in: quad 10s! Won $10
$5 6-5 blackjack: The days of $5 are still here (albeit 6-5)! A good run and won $50.
Circus Circus
Roll to Win craps: won $8
Dinner at China Mama on South Jones Blvd. Five delicious dishes: $79 including tax.
Area 15 just before closing: missed the last entry for “Superplastic’s Dopeameme Institute for Pleasure Research” by 10 minutes, but got to wander around the place at a relaxed pace. Discovered the retro arcade/pinball/pool hall! It’s nice there at night!
Last edited by: smoothgrh on Jul 6, 2025
July 6th, 2025 at 11:47:59 AM
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DAY 5
Filipino buffet lunch for 3 at Nanay Gloria Restaurant: $58.49 including tax.
Experience was disappointing. Most food in the steam trays tasted mediocre and not hot.
In 2023, we visited Kusina ni Lorraine on Maryland Parkway, and though the dining area there isn’t as nice, the food was significantly better.
Spinettis Gaming Supplies
Got two 1990s VHS tapes of the World Series of Poker for $3 each.
Gamblers General Store
New location across from the old location in a smaller retail space
Free spin on Big Bertha for possible discounts or gifts!
Got a few nice Vegas-themed tee-shirts (including the now-closed Tropicana) for cheap.
Went somewhere in the Summerlin area to pick up a watch that the Mrs bought on FB Marketplace, then stopped by the Rampart Casino. Played 8-5 Bonus Poker and lost $3.75 to qualify for the new players card free play. Got $5 free play. Won $3.75 with the free play!
Dinner at Peppermill. After we were seated, someone in a booth across from us started muttering something to us, and we realized that he was a homeless guy. We quietly told the server, and soon the staff came over to gently move him to another area and likely out of the place. BBQ wings (10) $20.50, Berry chicken salad $24.50, Cheeseburger $22.95 + $3 curly fries: $76.89 including tax.
Circus Circus midway fun with the kid!
Orleans:
$3-$6 limit Hold’em: lost $4, then switched to $8-$16 limit Omaha and lost $8 until I realized that I was at the wrong table, then lost $138 at $4-$8 limit Omaha. Not a good night.
While the Mrs played poker, I played nickel Ultimate X @ $2.50/spin and lost $20.25. Then played some Super Sally’s Shrimpmania @$1.50/spin and lost $4.20 — nice.
Filipino buffet lunch for 3 at Nanay Gloria Restaurant: $58.49 including tax.
Experience was disappointing. Most food in the steam trays tasted mediocre and not hot.
In 2023, we visited Kusina ni Lorraine on Maryland Parkway, and though the dining area there isn’t as nice, the food was significantly better.
Spinettis Gaming Supplies
Got two 1990s VHS tapes of the World Series of Poker for $3 each.
Gamblers General Store
New location across from the old location in a smaller retail space
Free spin on Big Bertha for possible discounts or gifts!
Got a few nice Vegas-themed tee-shirts (including the now-closed Tropicana) for cheap.
Went somewhere in the Summerlin area to pick up a watch that the Mrs bought on FB Marketplace, then stopped by the Rampart Casino. Played 8-5 Bonus Poker and lost $3.75 to qualify for the new players card free play. Got $5 free play. Won $3.75 with the free play!
Dinner at Peppermill. After we were seated, someone in a booth across from us started muttering something to us, and we realized that he was a homeless guy. We quietly told the server, and soon the staff came over to gently move him to another area and likely out of the place. BBQ wings (10) $20.50, Berry chicken salad $24.50, Cheeseburger $22.95 + $3 curly fries: $76.89 including tax.
Circus Circus midway fun with the kid!
Orleans:
$3-$6 limit Hold’em: lost $4, then switched to $8-$16 limit Omaha and lost $8 until I realized that I was at the wrong table, then lost $138 at $4-$8 limit Omaha. Not a good night.
While the Mrs played poker, I played nickel Ultimate X @ $2.50/spin and lost $20.25. Then played some Super Sally’s Shrimpmania @$1.50/spin and lost $4.20 — nice.
July 6th, 2025 at 12:28:52 PM
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DAY 6
Saturday morning at a hair salon on W Sahara Ave next to Max Pawn Luxury. While the Mrs got her hair done, I bought a nice pair of ‘90s Nike running shoes for $60. Walked over to Red Dragon and got an Irish coffee while I played Deuces Bonus poker and lost $2.
Back at Fontainebleau, I exchanged 35,000 South Korean Won leftover from my Dec ’24 trip for $22.09. The friendly cashier had to pull out a binder to compare my bills to photos of Korean currency. Xe.com said 35K SKW was $24.64 USD, a $2.55 difference.
Played some Face Up Pai Gow Poker and won $5 to get a chip for my casino chip collection before checking out of the hotel.
Lunch at Saigon Corner on W Russell Road in the West Spring Valley area. Ngheu Xao Dua-Coconut Clam $16, Pho on Hot Stone (Banh Pho) $24.95, Bun Bo Hue $17.95, and Com Ga Nuong, $15.95: $81 including tax. Everything delicious!
Back to Area 15. Omega Mart $64 per person today. The Mrs went to Palace Station while the kid and I explored the wonders of Zalg. I could have stayed for hours longer, but the kid wanted to leave after a little less than 2.5 hours. Worth an all-day visit if you have the time and interest in this interactive art/story/mystery!
Checked in to Virgin Hotel, the former Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Was told the pools were nice, so I hung out there until closing.
Saw the “Zombie Burlesque” show in Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Casino. A Beetlejuice-like character hosts several R-rated song and dance numbers, including some traditional acrobat and contortionist acts, but there’s no actual nudity. $80/ticket.
Late night happy hour at Sapporo Revolving Sushi in Town Square at the southwest corner of Harry Reid Int’l Airport. Really good food — $2 sushi plates!
Dropped the kid back at the hotel, got gas, and stopped by the Red Dragon behind the MGM. The area is a bit sketchy. Played nickel Deuces Wild Bonus Poker, then switched to Bonus Poker and hit four deuces with a 4 kicker for 200 nickels. Won $3.80.
Returned to the Orleans for more poker. Lost $65 playing $3-$6 limit Hold’em, BUT … got quad 10s with an ace kicker, and they held up for a $200 high hand bonus! Nice way to end the trip. If my calculations are correct, I finished the trip ahead $127.
Saturday morning at a hair salon on W Sahara Ave next to Max Pawn Luxury. While the Mrs got her hair done, I bought a nice pair of ‘90s Nike running shoes for $60. Walked over to Red Dragon and got an Irish coffee while I played Deuces Bonus poker and lost $2.
Back at Fontainebleau, I exchanged 35,000 South Korean Won leftover from my Dec ’24 trip for $22.09. The friendly cashier had to pull out a binder to compare my bills to photos of Korean currency. Xe.com said 35K SKW was $24.64 USD, a $2.55 difference.
Played some Face Up Pai Gow Poker and won $5 to get a chip for my casino chip collection before checking out of the hotel.
Lunch at Saigon Corner on W Russell Road in the West Spring Valley area. Ngheu Xao Dua-Coconut Clam $16, Pho on Hot Stone (Banh Pho) $24.95, Bun Bo Hue $17.95, and Com Ga Nuong, $15.95: $81 including tax. Everything delicious!
Back to Area 15. Omega Mart $64 per person today. The Mrs went to Palace Station while the kid and I explored the wonders of Zalg. I could have stayed for hours longer, but the kid wanted to leave after a little less than 2.5 hours. Worth an all-day visit if you have the time and interest in this interactive art/story/mystery!
Checked in to Virgin Hotel, the former Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Was told the pools were nice, so I hung out there until closing.
Saw the “Zombie Burlesque” show in Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Casino. A Beetlejuice-like character hosts several R-rated song and dance numbers, including some traditional acrobat and contortionist acts, but there’s no actual nudity. $80/ticket.
Late night happy hour at Sapporo Revolving Sushi in Town Square at the southwest corner of Harry Reid Int’l Airport. Really good food — $2 sushi plates!
Dropped the kid back at the hotel, got gas, and stopped by the Red Dragon behind the MGM. The area is a bit sketchy. Played nickel Deuces Wild Bonus Poker, then switched to Bonus Poker and hit four deuces with a 4 kicker for 200 nickels. Won $3.80.
Returned to the Orleans for more poker. Lost $65 playing $3-$6 limit Hold’em, BUT … got quad 10s with an ace kicker, and they held up for a $200 high hand bonus! Nice way to end the trip. If my calculations are correct, I finished the trip ahead $127.
July 7th, 2025 at 7:36:25 AM
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Does Slots of Fun have table games again? It used to be that a trip to Vegas was not complete without a Wild West hot dog and a visit to Slots of Fun for some blackjack with a dealer who looked like Chuck Berry. Then they eliminated the games and went slot only.
The older I get, the better I recall things that never happened
July 7th, 2025 at 11:40:03 AM
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Yes!
The Slots-A-Fun video marquee continuously emphasized their old school offerings, including a live $5 blackjack table.
I'll post a pic if I can get my Imgur working again.
My dealer looked more like Imelda Marcos than Chuck Berry.
The Slots-A-Fun video marquee continuously emphasized their old school offerings, including a live $5 blackjack table.
I'll post a pic if I can get my Imgur working again.
My dealer looked more like Imelda Marcos than Chuck Berry.
Last edited by: smoothgrh on Jul 7, 2025
