WoV East II

Quote: beachbumbabs

The only problem with the last week of September is that it's G2E in Las Vegas. I don't know who-all is headed for that, but I'm planning to go. The actual G2E dates are Sept.29-Oct.1, with some activities one day either side of that, FWIW. Sounds like the WoV dinner will be either Tue or Wed.

Then again, perhaps no one from the East Coast is planning to go out for that.

I'll be in Vegas Sept 23 - Sept 28th. So it looks like I'll miss out on both events =(. If anyone is going to be in Vegas before let me know I guess.

Not sure who maintains "the list," but I would be very interested in any East meetups! Just let me know =).

I will be in Vegas Sept 13th - 16th

Quote: Romes

Not sure who maintains "the list,

Whoever takes the initiative for the time in question!

Perhaps that person should be known to the members to some degree, to encourage a good response.

The next order of business will be the dinner. As I see the current plans, they are as follows. Meet in the food court around noon on Sept 27th. Play craps around 1pm. We can do a somewhat early dinner around 4 or 5. The question is going to be, where to eat. On our last meet up this was a small problem as there are not to many places to choose. Also we need to get a head count before we officially make the plans. If you are going to be bringing someone with you please let us know so we can plan accordingly for the dinner. All are welcome, spouses, girlfriends, friends, mistress, or whomever you want to bring. I believe my wife will be attending as she did in March.
The options that I see them are as follows.

On-Site (If we stay onsite there will be discounts and also we can earn comps to pay for it.)
Carvery- They have a small buffet or you can order from the menu. Last meet up, one of the problems was seating. They could not guarantee that they would get the group together. I have not called since they changed the layout but I will make the call if there is interest in here.
http://www.meadowsgaming.com/dining#carvery
Food Court- this would be a more informal gathering but we could definitely do it. There is a sandwich shop, pizza, cold cuts, and ice cream.
http://www.meadowsgaming.com/dining#foodcourt
Bistecca- This is their steak house. I have never eaten there and as any steak house it would be more expensive.
http://www.meadowsgaming.com/pdf/Bistecca_Menu.pdf

Off-Site- In the immediate area the only restaurants are ones that are inside hotels. Last meet up we ate at the Double tree.
Double tree- We ate here last meet up. I thought my dinner was good but not everyone enjoyed theirs. They actually brought in a server just for us since they were closed on the day we were there.
http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/pennsylvania/doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-pittsburgh-meadow-lands-PITMPDT/dining/index.html
Palazzo 1837 I have never been here but have heard good things. Another somewhat pricey place.
http://www.palazzo1837.com/
Cambria Suites- http://www.cambriasuiteswashingtonpa.com/dining.aspx?isOn=4
Marriott- http://www.marriott.com/courtyard-hotels/hotel-dining-bistro.mi

All of the above off site places are within 3 miles of the casino. There is also a shopping district that is about 5 miles away with all of the normal chain restaurants.

The pricier places just don't seem to be a good idea.

I would like to give the Carvery another try, if you are willing to feel them out.

I vote on-site whatever the group wants.

For my part, I was impressed with the dinner. I would not be there in the evening, anyway, and cannot even guarantee at all...so I abstain from voting on the dinner location. I will also not be playing Craps, unfortunately, given my current financial situation, my monthly budget for -EV gambling is exactly $5...which is unfortunate...because I would certainly win any Craps shooting contest you guys come up with again.

I'll defend my title of Greatest Dice Shooter on WoV at our Spring Fling next year.

I thought it went pretty well at Doubletree but am ready to change if some didn't like their entree's, or whatever it was.

My vote is in.

are we getting this?

that sounds like a conversation my wife and I would have.

ETA: I guess it is more like, where do you want to eat? I don't care, how about you? I don't care, you pick. I don't care, it is up to you.

Quote: GWAE

that sounds like a conversation my wife and I would have.

ETA: I guess it is more like, where do you want to eat? I don't care, how about you? I don't care, you pick. I don't care, it is up to you.

Back in June of 2011 had a poll on what personality type are you when it comes to going out to eat.

I'm so jealous I won't be able to attend as I'll be in Vegas until the 29th! Sounds like a lot of fun.

If anyone is heading that way in the next couple weeks though feel free to PM me as I'm usually out that way once a week or so.

Meadows.
If it's not a Sunday I can't come.
My 2 cents.

Quote: odiousgambit

I thought it went pretty well at Doubletree but am ready to change if some didn't like their entree's, or whatever it was.

I wasn't impressed which is why I voted to stay onsite.

Quote: mwalz9

Meadows.
If it's not a Sunday I can't come.
My 2 cents.

maybe you and Mosca and anyone else who is able/staying over can hook up
but it is for Saturday 27th [main event]

Quote: GWAE

that sounds like a conversation my wife and I would have.

ETA: I guess it is more like, where do you want to eat? I don't care, how about you? I don't care, you pick. I don't care, it is up to you.

Your conversation sounds a lot like ours, except ours goes a bit further.

Me: Where do you want to eat?
She: I don't care. I'll eat anywhere.
Me: Well, I don't care either. You pick one.
She: I'm not picking. You pick. Anywhere is fine.
Me: Okay, let's go to Tony's.
She: I'm not in the mood for Italian. Can't we go somewhere else.......

Rinse. Change the restaurant name. Repeat.

John Patrick and Larrys are going to be there I heard.

Quote: odiousgambit

maybe you and Mosca and anyone else who is able/staying over can hook up
but it is for Saturday 27th [main event]

I can't. It could cost me upward of $1000 in lost income. Saturday is a big money maker. And I will be coming off of a vacation week. I can't take two Saturdays off in a row.

Quote: Mosca

Quote: odiousgambit

maybe you and Mosca and anyone else who is able/staying over can hook up
but it is for Saturday 27th [main event]

I can't. It could cost me upward of $1000 in lost income. Saturday is a big money maker. And I will be coming off of a vacation week. I can't take two Saturdays off in a row.

no, what I mean is maybe you two and some others staying over can do Sunday

I agree with a few people that eating onsite would be the most convenient. The only 2 options that we would have is Carvery or the Food court.

I was at the Meadows this evening and stopped by the Carvery. There was basically no one there. I asked the hostess about seating 12 people together. She said as long as they are not busy and have staff then it wont be a problem. However, she could not guarantee it ahead of time. The one problem with their tables are, they are round. I am not sure if they would push them together but we could make something work I would think. I went back over around 6:30 and there was a 40 minute wait so I think our best time would be before the dinner rush at maybe 4 or 4:30.

If we wanted to try that and it failed then we would be stuck with the food court. There is a ton of seating there and we could turn tables to all sit together. It wouldn't be a horrible thing if we had to do that, IMO.

As for games. Today at 3pm they had 3 craps tables at $5 and 4 blackjack tables at $5. I left at 9:30 and they still had 2 BJ tables open for $5 and they were both 6 deck shoe games.

Remember, the Meadows website has webpass which you can earn daily points. You can use the points to get discounts at the casino. The rewards are not nearly as good as they were 6 months ago but there are still a few decent ones. If we eat at the carvery I will use my points to get the BOGO $20 gift card for the carvery.

Thoughts?

I just think onsite is less hassle. I'm driving 2.5 hours at least to get there. The last thing I want to do is drive some more. We're not talking gourmet dinner either way. Can't imagine anywhere local is that impressive anyway.

Quote: GWAE

Remember, the Meadows website has webpass which you can earn daily points. You can use the points to get discounts at the casino. The rewards are not nearly as good as they were 6 months ago but there are still a few decent ones. If we eat at the carvery I will use my points to get the BOGO $20 gift card for the carvery.

Yeah, I didn't even bother signing up on the new one. Last time I did the thing where you get into the high-roller room. A breakfast omelette bar was not bad but the only other perk was privacy and looked like cheaper drinks. Bellagio it is not.

Since there have been no objections we are going to meet at the Carvery for dinner. I agree that it is best to stay on site. If the Carvery is unable to seat us together then we will just make due in the food court. I think either way will work out fine.

Next up is time.

My vote for time is 4pm.

This plan sounds fine and 4 PM should work pretty good.

The Craps should have wound up and been over. If not, time to be over!

I know this post is not particularly relevant to the current state of this thread, but a dozen pages or so ago, there was a very brief discussion of the possibility of having this gathering (or a later one) at the Harrah's Cherokee in North Carolina. Among the strong negatives to that idea were (1) the long distance travel that Cherokee would involve for most of the people who plan to attend the event that is now set, (2) the high table minimums I mentioned for craps on weekends, and (3) the extreme difficulty of getting a weekend room at the Harrah's hotel without being prepared to put a substantial bankroll out on the table.

At the time I made my earlier posts in this thread, I intended to be at Cherokee this past Saturday night with my wife and a friend, staying at comped rooms off-site but fairly close by. Subsequently, we revised our plans and were there last night (Monday). With that change of plans, several impovements manifested themselves, so I thought I would provide a little update. I know that many forum members would not make a trip for a mid-week gathering, but you might as well know what the options could be.



When we changed our planned arrival date, we were still not able to book comped rooms at the Harrah's hotel, just one of the partner hotels in town. However, after we arrived at the casino and had played for just a little while, I was able to talk nicely to a hotel desk agent, and he worked it out for us to stay on site. No money changed hands either as a part of those discussions or as charges for the rooms. I think it was strictly a matter of conditions evolving and a polite conversation about what could be done.

On Monday afternoon, Monday night, and Tuesday mid-day, there was always a $5-minimum craps table in operation. While it was very busy, I really had no trouble finding a spot to play. There might be some difficulty getting room at that table for a group that all arrived together. There were several other tables in operation at all times, some at $15, maybe some at $10, but I never saw any at higher minimums.

During my two sessions on Monday, I won $200 in 2.5 hours, then lost that $200 back in 75 minutes after dinner. Today, I had a final session for 70 minutes before the drive home. That was maybe the craziest craps session I have ever experienced.

When I arrived at the table, I was able to get the position of stick left 1, which is now my second favorite. The shooter was at my end of the table but next to the base dealer, he was shooting from the don't, and his buddy next to him was also playing the dark side. They were playing don't pass with a don't come bet on every roll. On rolls of 6 & 8, the shooter did not lay any odds on his DC and his buddy did not even let the DC move to the number. On rolls of 5 & 9, they both moved the bets and laid limited odds. On rolls of 4 & 10, the both laid $60 odds with their $5 DC bets. They were doing this on every roll, so they were putting a fair bit of action up for a $5 table.

They weren't strictly playing the dark side -- they hedged a little. When they had money on the DC 4 &/or 10, they would bet the hardway. Sometimes when they had don'ts on the inside, they would place the number, too. I never really understood that part of their strategy.

In contrast, I was playing strictly the pass line, some odds (not full), some 6/8 place bets that I pressed a little, and an occasional 4/10 buy bet if my inside place bets kept hitting. For the most part, it looked as if I was playing exactly the opposite of those two guys, except that I wasn't doing the come bets every roll. Obviously, if the table had been hot, they should have taken a beating while I was making money. On a cold table, it would have been the other way around. So how did it turn out?

That guy shooting from the don't made maybe half a dozen points, and there were several good rolls from the other end of the table before the dice worked their way around to me. I left after my mediocre hand. As a nickel bettor, I won $430 net on top of my $200 buy-in in those 70 minutes at the table.

As incredible as it sounds, the dark-side players were making money, too! And most of the other players at the table seemed to be also. Before I left the table, there were four dark-side players on my end of the table along with four of us playing the "right" side. All of us winning money. Of course, that made for a good time all around. The dealers were happy with the tokes, even though they were being kept quite busy with the action, and there wasn't anyone around complaining that the house was losing money.

So how did both sides make money? Well, the recurring theme seemed to be that the point would be set; lots of numbers would be rolled (paying out on the place bets); there would be lots of DC bets and odds on the table; then the point would be made. Right side bettors would cheer, and the dark side bettors would lose one bet. Then there would be a come-out 7. Right side players would win a nickel, and the dark side players would win all of their DC bets! That must have happened eight or ten times. Craziest thing I have ever seen while sharing a table with the dark siders!

Quote: Doc

...

Good story!

re playing at Cherokee, I am pretty determined to do that some time or another. Too bad you can't make it to PA, we are going to have fun at the Craps table!

If anyone is venturing to meadows this weekend PM me. I'm still upset I won't be able to attend the actual event, but meeting up with anyone who goes with any kind of frequency would still be fun =p.

Quote: AZDuffman

Yeah, I didn't even bother signing up on the new one. Last time I did the thing where you get into the high-roller room. A breakfast omelette bar was not bad but the only other perk was privacy and looked like cheaper drinks. Bellagio it is not.

Yeah I am mad that they the removed this perk. It was not the greatest but my wife and I would go on a Saturday around lunch time. Eat lunch, then gamble, then eat dinner. On the way out we would use our normal food coupons for ice cream at the food court. It was not the greatest food but for 2 free meals and $2 drinks it was worth it.

I sometimes realize there are things that 'fit' for me as a gambler and other things that don't fit at all. Last year I couldn't make myself go for the online freebies. Just couldnt do it, too something ... boring? Dunno. Even now, I don't regret it.

Certainly am seeing reasons not to do it this time.

Other things, yep, seems to be in my DNA.

Is 4:00 carrying the day? Let's hear from you.

Quote: odiousgambit

I sometimes realize there are things that 'fit' for me as a gambler and other things that don't fit at all. Last year I couldn't make myself go for the online freebies. Just couldnt do it, too something ... boring? Dunno. Even now, I don't regret it.

Online freebies are not bad if you are like me with a complex that sets you into routines and at the same time you can no longer just watch TV without doing something besides. But the work/reward ration at Meadows just isn't there.

Quote: odiousgambit

I can now say that I will attend! This required getting my wife to change some plans. Any married men out there know that carries a price. How much? Expected to far exceed my gambling EV [at any normal level of gambling], for this trip anyway [g].

So! Looking forward to it and hope some other "maybes" can get out of that section. Alas, we have to send Mosca to it now. And I for one can't dangle Sunday at him as I will have to vamoose.

I think we can just declare we will meet noon-ish Saturday 9-27 and I propose we start a Craps session at 1 PM. To "Vote" on that, just declare it won't work for you and what will; if it screws up too many guys we'll try to change of course.

We will have a Craps challenge, not a wager for you to cover but like last time, I just put up the money. Your welcome, it's no biggie, more details later. Also, there is a rumor there will be a second challenge by someone else.

I have also prepared a trivia contest for dinner; Wizardly influence casts a long shadow!


_

Attending:

[to the best of my knowledge]

VCUSkyhawk
Daddydoc
AZDuffman
GWAE
vendman1
Teddys
Odiousgambit
_


"maybe" attending:

OneNickelMiracle
Wudged
Mission146
RaleighCraps
JohnnyQ
deedubbs


_

Have pretty much indicated no, or unlikely

Doc
Face
BeachbumbBabs
SOOPOO
Mosca

RC is a strong possibility at this point. Won't have much of a BR to play with, but given the rolls that you all chucked on the table last time, it shouldn't take long to double or triple up. ;-)

Quote: RaleighCraps

RC is a strong possibility at this point. Won't have much of a BR to play with, but given the rolls that you all chucked on the table last time, it shouldn't take long to double or triple up. ;-)

Woohoo!

making a special category for you!


Attending:

[to the best of my knowledge]

VCUSkyhawk
Daddydoc
AZDuffman
GWAE
vendman1
Teddys
Odiousgambit

_

Strong Possibility:

RaleighCraps

_


"maybe" attending:

OneNickelMiracle
Wudged
Mission146
JohnnyQ
deedubbs


_

Have pretty much indicated no, or unlikely

Doc
Face
BeachbumbBabs
SOOPOO
Mosca

Here it is, probably in final form.

Dark Flames Cutthroat Craps Challenge

This Craps Challenge will be cutthroat in that the player who does the best knocks off the last player who had done best till then. This time around, instead of the 'most passes' in a hand, the competition will be for a player who wins the most points in a hand.


Short version: as a shooter bests another shooter in the above, he knocks him off and wins double the prize [hedged, see below]. Anyone with a hand of 2 points won will get at least a novelty item, however.


>>>

Long version:

A hand will be defined the same way the casino does, the period of time the shooter is allowed to hold the dice, which means rolling Craps does not matter but a 7-Out does. If a shooter has to give up the dice for any reason, however, or elects to, that will constitute a hand. Fairness in terms of 'equal opportunity' will not be considered.

The challenge will be on when at least one shooter makes at least one point. Should that shooter turn out to have done the best*, he wins $15. In the case of a tie or ties, the shooter that made a point of 10 or 4 will be the winner; failing that, points of 5 or 9. If this condition has a tie or ties, the players will be awarded novelty items instead of money.

Should any shooter exceed another shooter in the number of points made in a hand, that shooter is the new apparent winner, winning double [$30 if knocking off the guy who made one point in a hand] while the previous claimant gets no money . Ties will be resolved later in some random manner. I reserve the right to limit the pay-off to $60. This would be because in some unexpected manner I failed to win much money. I expect to pay off happily in most circumstances I can envision. I am to be sole judge of this condition.


All shooters who make at least 2 points in a hand will get at least a novelty item.


The shooter needs to have rolled his hand between the time we get to the Craps table in the afternoon and before when we all go to dinner. He also needs a witness I am familiar with; I will say besides myself that could be any person who came last time or Raleighcraps should he attend. Anybody playing Craps after dinner, we'll have to see if I'll have another challenge or not. I do enjoy them.

afternoon bump

So, this could be you




Or, this could be you



That we will have fun is guaranteed!

I am pleased to confirm that not only will I be attending, but my CFO will be attending with me.
And for all of you thinking you will win the OG craps challenge, I will only say beware of the Mrs. She can throw some pretty mean dice, when she wants to.....

Quote: RaleighCraps

I am pleased to confirm that not only will I be attending, but my CFO will be attending with me.
And for all of you thinking you will win the OG craps challenge, I will only say beware of the Mrs. She can throw some pretty mean dice, when she wants to.....

that is great. I hope we can get a decent turn out.

As I understand it,

we are meeting at Meadows food court at noon, on Saturday Sept 27

We will be headed to craps at 1:00PM for any craps challenges, and other gaming

At 4:00PM we will get supper at ???


Are these details correct?

As we have a 7 hour drive, my wife and I will be getting a room, so we will be gambling after dinner, assuming BR is still intact. Most likely we will be playing BJ in the evening (BJ has been much less volatile for us lately). I will play BS from 3rd base, whereas my wife will play mostly BS but will stray with her instincts at times. Just be forewarned if anyone decides to play BJ with us.

Quote: RaleighCraps

As we have a 7 hour drive, my wife and I will be getting a room, so we will be gambling after dinner, assuming BR is still intact. Most likely we will be playing BJ in the evening (BJ has been much less volatile for us lately). I will play BS from 3rd base, whereas my wife will play mostly BS but will stray with her instincts at times. Just be forewarned if anyone decides to play BJ with us.

have you secured a place to stay yet? There are a few places very close by that give casino rates.

Quote: RaleighCraps

I am pleased to confirm that not only will I be attending, but my CFO will be attending with me.
And for all of you thinking you will win the OG craps challenge, I will only say beware of the Mrs. She can throw some pretty mean dice, when she wants to.....

Great news! updating soon the list of known attendees ...

Quote: GWAE

have you secured a place to stay yet? There are a few places very close by that give casino rates.

What kind of rates? Unless the craps table is super hot, I will not be playing a very high level this trip,so a casino comp probably won't happen.

Attending:

[to the best of my knowledge]

now updated

AZDuffman
GWAE
Teddys
Odiousgambit
RaleighCraps
Daddydoc [but no recent word]
vendman1 [ditto]
_


"maybe" attending:


Mission146
deedubbs


_

Have pretty much indicated no, or unlikely

OneNickelMiracle
Doc
Face
BeachbumbBabs
SOOPOO
Mosca
Wudged
VCUSkyhawk
JohnnyQ

Attending:

[to the best of my knowledge]

now updated

AZDuffman
GWAE
Teddys
Odiousgambit
RaleighCraps
vendman1 [but no recent word]
_


"maybe" attending:


Mission146
deedubbs


_

Have pretty much indicated no, or unlikely

OneNickelMiracle
Doc
Face
BeachbumbBabs
SOOPOO
Mosca
Wudged
VCUSkyhawk
JohnnyQ
Daddydoc

details review

meeting at Meadows food court at noon, on Saturday Sept 27

We will be headed to craps at 1:00PM for any craps challenges, and other gaming

At 4:00PM chow at the Carvery

Quote: odiousgambit

details review

meeting at Meadows food court at noon, on Saturday Sept 27

We will be headed to craps at 1:00PM for any craps challenges, and other gaming

At 4:00PM chow at the Carvery

Thank You

Any truth to the rumor that the farthest traveler wins $10 from all attendees ? ;-)

Quote: RaleighCraps

Any truth to the rumor that the farthest traveler wins $10 from all attendees ? ;-)

lots of rumors, but if you win the craps and trivia contests both, anything is possible!

we need to spread the word that the Craps players must hew to the R-craps rule that we all maintain a spirit of winning. You've convinced me on this. Esprit de Craps I like to call it!

How late is everyone staying? I have to work till 6pm. I can be there by 8pm if anyone is still going to be around.

My wife and I will be staying until midnight, assuming we still have chips. We will probably be on BJ tables then.
I will be wearing either a green or orange golf shirt with the Wizard of Odds Logo.

Why wouldn't WOV East 2 be in AC?

Quote: aceofspades

Why wouldn't WOV East 2 be in AC?

Why don't you make a run to The Meadows tomorrow?

Why go to AC and play under their bad rules when PA has plenty of choices with better BJ rules, and $5 games?

I'm driving 7 hours! You have to be closer than that, aren't you?