Latest Vegas Trip

[onemoretry]

Lately, it seems, most trip accounts I have seen have reported less than stellar results. Well, brace yourselves, here comes another one (negative results, that is).

We recently returned from our latest Las Vegas adventure. We arrived there on February 21, and departed, somewhat poorer, on March 8. We started with three nights at the M, then four nights at the Rio, followed by three at Main Street Station, two at Caesar's Palace, and, finally, three more at the M.

My daily results were -350, -100, -400, +300, -1000, -100, -700, -700, +950, -250, -380, -295, -500, +640, +460, and -200. My overall loss at the machines was about $2625, which was offset a bit by $475 in cashback (MSS and the M), and $170 via MSS scratch cards. I actually had several $3 scratch cards and one $5 one. The scratch cards added about 0.45% to the game return.

With the exception of some $1 8/5 bonus poker at the Rio, we played mostly 25c multiline, but with a modest amount of single line, as well. The single line play was NSU deuces at the Cromwell, the Gold Coast, and MSS, 8/5 ACE$ bonus poker at the M, and some 6/5 bonus poker on the strip.

We would not normally stay, or play, on the strip. However, we received an invitation to attend a function at Caesar's Palace that required a two night stay there. It fit quite nicely into our schedule, as we had not filled in all of our nights yet. The function was a rather spectacular dinner called Favorite Things Dinner Celebration. There were many, many valuable prizes given out. We did not win anything, but had one exciting moment when the announcer said: "From Ontario, Canada...", but followed by some other name.

In order to win a prize, you had to be present, and quickly proceed to the front and present your total rewards card and ID. I was sitting beside a lady whose husband had elected to not attend the dinner and continue playing baccarat in the casino. Wouldn't you know it? His name was called. She went to the front and pleaded, but to no avail. She was not a happy camper as she stormed out, leaving her glasses behind. I suspect that things were rather frosty in their room that night.

A promotion that Caesar's has on is called Quest for Rewards. If, during the promotion period, you visit a CET property and put on 25 tier credits, you get a 250 tier credit bonus. We did all nine CET Vegas properties. It was actually a bit of fun. We had already played at the Rio ($1 8/5 bonus) and at Caesar's (25c 6/5 bonus), so we started at Harrah's, then south to the Linq ,Flamingo, Ballys, Paris and Planet Hollywood, before returning north to the Cromwell to finish up. I had been under the impression that all video poker at CET strip properties was $50 per tier credit, so was glad to find that 25c 6/5 bonus poker (albeit a crummy game) was only $10 a point. Between the two of us, we could do 25 tier credits in about 10 minutes per stop. In the perverse world that is video poker, I did better at the 6/5 bonus poker, than the NSU deuces at the Cromwell where we finished.

We stopped for lunch at a place called the Burger Brasserie. It is located in the walkway between Ballys and Paris. The only reason I mention it is a rather unusual item on their menu. It is a burger with upscale toppings and sides. The price, if you can believe it, is $777. We were told that you can order it without the bottle of Dom Perignon for a mere $77. We opted for hot dog and prime rib sliders, and a stella, for $30.

While in Vegas, we met up with an old acquaintance from our Barbary Coast days. At the time, he lived in Ohio, but has since moved to Las Vegas. He took us to dinner at the Top of the World restaurant at the Stratosphere, which he paid for with his points. He is 91 years old, needs a scooter and oxygen to get around, yet still gets out almost every day to play at Arizona Charlies.

Would you believe, by the way, that people pay money so that they can Sky Jump from near the top of the Stratosphere? That's certainly not for me.

We did receive a pleasant surprise when we returned home and checked the IRS website to make sure our 2016 tax returns (mailed Feb.10) had been received. Not only had they been received, they had been processed, and the cheques were in the mail! That's quite a contrast from the previous two years, with average processing times of nine or ten months. Now, we have funds for our upcoming Laughlin trip.

[billryan]

What are the MSS scratchcards? I've never played there.

[onemoretry]

Playing full coin, with a player's card in the machine, you get a scratch card for any four of a kind or better, with natural cards. Most cards are $2, but there are some higher values available, including a very occasional $5000 one. Waiting for an attendant to bring a card does slow your play a bit, but that's not really a problem.

We often get 5x multipliers at MSS. Combing 5x (0.5%) with the scratch cards makes 8/5 bonus poker a positive game.

[billryan]

Thanks. It's been years since I was there, and only for a LVA members meet in their bar.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=onemoretry] He is 91 years old, needs a scooter and oxygen to get around, yet still gets out almost every day to play at Arizona Charlies.[/quote]I want to be that guy when I grow up! 

[Tedlark]

Nice report OMT, even though your gaming results were a bit less than stellar. What are the rooms like at M? I was thinking about staying there next time I go or I may split time between Rio and M.

[onemoretry]

The standard rooms at the M are very modern, and, in my opinion, top-notch. I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed if you decide to stay there.

[onemoretry]

In looking over what I wrote previously I noticed I neglected to include the fact that I did hit three royals on the trip, one at MSS for $1000, and two at the triple line 25c progressive at the M for around $1050 each. And, my wife had as many sets of deuces in one day at the M (6), as I had in my entire trip. Three of those were from draws to one deuce (they just kept coming in like lost sheep finding their way home).

[Raner]

I used to play at the Rio years ago and it was spotless.
I went to visit if a few years back and it had gone down hill a bunch. All the dollar video poker machines had screen burn out where the cards are displayed.
I had some good times at that joint.
How did it look when you visited it this trip OneMoreTry...

[billryan]

Was at the Rio yesterday. It's pretty shabby these days.
Nothing like it's glory days of the early 2000s.
Even it's legendary buffet is a shadow of itself, at twice the price.