Arrived to DTW early as requested by airlines. (3 hrs. early) They had problems with plane. The usual... Be a half hour and we will board... Well four hours later we did... Sun Country in any language is frustration. Delay meant lunch meeting got pushed to dinner, that got pushed to breakfast... That materialized in dinner at the buffet at Monte Carlo the next night.
We had friends there that were on business, so we had to be flexible.... (grrrr)

The flight was smooth and made it in 3 and 1/2 hours.. (not bad). I think they allow different flight routes to planes behind established times. Weather was mediocre... High winds mixed clouds and sun.. temp was 75. Monday was windy and cool. Of course by Thursday.... Was real nice... (just in time to leave..

Arrived at Paris hotel... 3rd people in line and a half hour wait... Room was on fourth floor over pool. Nice view of pool and tower. We wnt down and I played .25 VP... Machines were luke warm... a few hits, but nothing to go in to here... Went over to Gustalovs a few hours later and downed a few (too many) cold ones and all in all did pretty good.

After went upstairs had room service.. Onion soup and a roast beef sandwhich.. (might as well tell you now... They had fancy french names for everything I ate... I cannot even tell you what proper names were)! Boiled down to Raost beef au jus! Was good!

We got up early (about 3:00) and showered then headed to casino. I played 2cnd chance poker and hit four of a kind right off. Played off that and a few hours later... I cahed at about $275.00.

Back to room, changed plans again and headed to Flamingo! Was luke warm there. I like the new Multi games that tell you in true dollars totals, what you have on machine. We headed into the deli there and I wanted a burger, but had to settle for breakfast... Pastrami on an onion bagel.. was good, but boy was it rich!

Headed over to Harrahs.. I was very disappointed! They have installed all those new triple play machines. (most places have, but I think they over did it)! All my familiar machines were gone. I especially dislike the 1 to 25 plays. I wound up on an old V.P. Draw poker and did not do well... $100.00 later and I was gone and so was the money I put in.

Went over to Caesers for a few hours and back to Paris. We went up to room, relaxed and headed down to Monte Carlo, got our visit out of the way and usual Buffet blues I have at any buffet..ie lines full of crabby people (me included)so so food and we headed to play for a while. People we met with are old friends who learned we were going out. He has an Internet company that went from riches to rags in two years. He is working on a deal there that might give him an edge in the gaming industry. If it goes right... I`ll let you all know what it is. Sounds like a winner.

I pulled up a bar stool by front door. I hit four aces right off the bat off a five dollar bill. I believ it was 800 and change in progressive points. I watched it dwindle to about four..then three and then hit a few full houses and flushes to bring me back to around 700. We then started making our way to the cab line. I saw and old double diamond quarter machine...Had to try it and was glad I did. Cashed at just a tad below four hundred.

Due to strong winds, Mono rails were closed. Cab lines long and no car rentals were available. I got on list as soon as we arrived and was never able to get one. We headed back to hotel, played a while and went up to room for dinner and bed.

Got up Wed. morning and weather was much better. Winds had died down, temps were improving and more sunshine. We headed downstairs and played. I really do not recall how I did that morning. We then headed to Bally`s to meet some other friends staying there. Had a couple hot dogs at deli, met for a while and broke off to play a while. I played a very old poker maching right near deli. (think it is called the snack bar). I hit a straight flush right off the bat. First roll... I hit several full houses back to back... I cashed at 600 points for a 1.25 investment! Was happy!

Right behind bar in same area is another old row of V.P. machines. We sat down and within about five dollars I hit four of a kind. All in all cashed out at $250.00.

The four of us then headed down to Sahara.. Major disappointment. Progress has killed this place! Employees were rude and obviously upset with mamnagement by comments made to me. I had to wait for a machine fill... I timed it... 74 minutes.. I told a floor person to keep money and put it down on lessons in ediquette for employees. We then headed to the Nascar simulators. Very cool! I am a huge Nascar fan and have a buddy on the Jeff Gordon team. ( I am an Ernhardt fan)!

We were looking at memorabila when a suit came up and asked if I was owed money... I told the gentleman I would rather leave the money than put up with the attitudes and shortcomings of his establishment. I did go on for a time. He listened intently to what I was saying about lack of doorman when cab pulled up to hearing staff grumbling only 15ft in to their doorway, to almost being knocked down by a change lady coming out from behind a row of machines. Was told to watch where I was going! <g> I have a very dim opinion of this place... Reminded me of Slots of Fun or the old Stupac digs!
ANYWAYS... I wa given money owed with huge appologies and admission they know they have problems, along with assurances they are addressing them... Nascar displays are a must see for racing fans. Jarrett 1999 championship cup is on display. (advice) Go in northern most door... check out Nascar experience... Head back out northern most door! <G>

We then headed to Venitian... (by the way) 15 minute wait for cab and when one arrived... non exsistent bellmaan suddenly appeared and told us and cab driver we could not have cab, because people on other side of building were waiting longer! Cabbie said hop in and told Bellman he would not be back either! Suit was on curb behind us rolling his eyes, yelling at Bellman to let us go! <g> Oh well...never again!

We got to Venitian and I was impressed from second I walked in the door. Beautiful!! Ceilings were like fine artwork... Tile work magnificant. I am involved in construction at work. I manage 120,000 sq. ft. I have an eye for detail.. They did an excellent job. I headed to Draw poker.. Played some change I was given at Sahara and withing ten minutes was sitting in front of a Royal Flush! I had 150 points left after pay off, played that out for about an hour or so and we headed over to Caesers. Had lunch and played the old wheel of fortunes and took about 280 points. I then played some Odesy and headed back to Paris. We then headed over to Gustovovs? Sorry guys... this french stuff... We had some beers and played for about four hours.. Friends were thoughly trashed.. Got them into a cab and went back to bar.. Not being able to have another beer.. I opted for Grand marinier and black coffee.. (nothing like a wide awake drunk) anyways.. racked up 560 points headed for elevators and came across second chance machines... ummm wife and I both did very well.... I finally threw away a 230 point hand and wife caught it too.. Decided it was time for bed!!

Drug myself out of bed about seven... hit the showers and tried to find a quiet place to play! I eventually wound up by .25 V.P. machines near slot club... I sat on an end machine, hit four of a kind... while waiting again for pay out, hit another four of a kind and machine next to it!

I finally decided hair of the dog was the only way I was either going to get my wish... die or feel better... I ordered a coffee with grand mariner... a double! Three in a row in fact.. It worked..(no I am still here)! I did feel better... I went and had some lunch and the rest of the day was pretty uneventful.... We went to Bally`s, Flamingo and Belagio. Headed back to our place and played the remaining hours. Play was so so... Probably lost a few hundred...

Headed to bed, got up at three and played second chance poker for a while.. DONATED BIG TIME! We then headed over to machines I won on day prior.. Four of a kind again! Big one.. four aces! 800-1200? I do not remember.... Went over to slot club and had everything comped along with the clerk explaining I played 20 hrs. there alone!

On the way to grab a cab, Vickie wanted to play break the bank slot.. She hit and wanted to play a bit. I went to one of those new Wheel of Fortunes and slipped a hundred in. (I had no twenties) I did not know what I was doing and played 25 coins in advertently! Luckily I hit a wheel within a few rolls.. I collected three hundred and fifty two dollars! Not bad for a wheel amature! <g>

A few side notes.....

I liked Paris, but think I woul opt for Venitian. I think Harrahs is heading for the toilet in my book. Recent changes has limited V.P. to 1-25, no more updated plain draw poker machines. Too many noise emiting machines.. ( if I hear yoo hoo again... I am not responsible for my actions)...

I do not care for the new look our strip is taking on. Nothing visualy flows. I think it looks garbaged up. Resorts are too cramped looking.

Pornography peddlers are way to visible and I tire of the crap laying in plain view of children and those it might offend. I understand rights etc. but what about those it does offend? The litter it creates is offensive in itself.

I think new bridges are a big plus. I only wish they did not have to be so mamouth.. (again lending to appearence of clutter). I think underground from inside of establishments would have been the way to go. ie.. reducing the risk of flooding, while adding a security dimension.

I did go in to I.P. to visit an old friend who works at the Giesha bar. He is an oriental gentleman about mid fifties. I missed him. He comes on at 7:00 each evening. If someone is there, tell him I was in and missed him. He knows my face and at times forgets my face, then the lightbulb goes off and he remembers me. We always talk about Detroit casinos and his family in Toronto. Real nice guy. (in fact the only reason I step foot in there).

I have some problems with left eye. I was told by Dr. this morning that debris (sand) had worked its way into left corner and has scratched the eye. Was very painful and swelled. (drinking did not help either). Gee glad he told me later!! Should be ok within a few days.

Upside of trip.. I came home ahead!

Downside: I did not get to see everyone I had plans to see. Wife lost about what I won.. Am very disappointed with Harrahs and Sahara. No shows I cared for or have not seen in town. Weather not to my liking. Paris was as crowded as you all said. However I did ok there.

I am very sorry to see Elrancho still sits vacant. I have very fond memories of my late mother and I there. We had fun gambling and she tasted shrimp for the first time while there. I recall it was like role reversal... When I was young and she would make me try something... The furled lip and wrinkled brow in anticipation of something that has got to taste awful... then the race for the next bite!

Well... Waited a full year all most to the day of our last trip. In a few days, will probably start making plans for next. Hope I did not go on as much as I think I did, but as I think you can see, we had a good time.

Back to reality come Monday! [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/frown.gif[/img]

Kevin in Mi.

Great trip report. I have to agree with you, I don't care for the look the strip has taken on either. Waiting 74 minutes for a hopper fill is terrible. Was the place even crowded?

Kevin: Thanks for posting a report and good to see your stay at Paris was a good one.

WTG coming home a winner, although it's funny how so many people report one spouse won and one lost. Next time it will be Vickie's turn to win.

I agree with you and Susan....74 minutes for a hopper fill is ridiculous. They were THAT busy?

Thanks for the report, Kevin. It was very entertaining to read it. Tom Casey

Kevin,

Thanks for the report and congrats on the royal. Was it your first?

I like the way you tell your story, you call em like you see em. You're right about the good VP going away on the strip. Just another reason to stay away from the strip IMO.



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Jeff, Gambling Moderator
jeff@talkvegas.com

Great trip report! Congratulations on the royal. Hard to imagine waiting 74 minutes for a machine fill, don't think I would want to go back there either.

Kevin, thanks for the report. I don't take charter flights unless I have no other way of going. If there is a delay or problem they do not have any backup planes to transfer you to, so you just have to wait until the problem is fixed.
Your experience at the Sahara was terrible. I have heard they were turning the place around, but it seems they have a ways to go.
Glad you won some money. That always makes for a good trip and 20 hrs of vp should qualify you for some good comps and offers in the future.

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John
Moderator Dining Forum
john@talkvegas.com

Kevin,

Thanks for the trip report. I'm not sure if we were ever at the Sahara or not After reading your report I don't think I'll waste the time going. We were thinking of staying at Harrah's on our next trip but now I don't know. We stayed there a year ago and the VP machines were terrible. If they got worse, I think we'll stay elsewhere.

Congratulations on coming home a winner. That always makes a trip much more fun. I think that mosat of us on this board are planning their next trip before the plane lands on the present one.

Hope to meet you someday.

Fred

Nice report, Kevin. I'm sorry to hear your troubles at the Sahara; I thought they were making a real effort to spruce the place up, but it's meaningless without friendly service. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/frown.gif[/img] You mentioned the Nascar simulators ....have they switched formats entirely or do they still have the Indy cars?

Congrats on the Royal ...and coming home even is a great trip!

Hi all! Umm try to answer you all here as best I can. As for the ime in which it took Sahara... Yup! And no.. IT WAS NOT BUSY! That was part of my conversation with the suit I was talking to.

This was my fifth Royal in one year... I am absoutlely serious and cross my heart, swear on my mothers... You get the picture.

What I have not said is that I now use a Poker game called Casino game pak... Made by Masque publishing. ( I have no affiliation or interest and am not advertising). I play the game permanently installed on my hard drive, that allows me to play without installing CD rom each time. I tells me whenever I make a mistake. I thought I was one of the best draw poker players in town and quickly learned I was not.

Software taught me to spot possible hands much quicker and gave me a fast lesson on ones that were not in the cards! <g> I played four or five hours a week... Now probably two to stay sharp. I spot hands much quicker now.

I am in no way saying anyone is going to buy a similar software package and roll in the dough, because V.P. machines are only going to give one when they are ready.. You will never force one.. What I will say is that I can play wisely, long enough to afford to play and increase my chances, by not throwing out the wrong cards and failing to catch on to potentially good hands.

Paris was crowded at night, which made walking in the main aisles a pain. Reminded me of Mirage at times.

Well had a pretty good trip... Will be back to read some more stuff and hope to join in more often... Kevin in Mi.

Kevin,
Thanks for a wonderful report! I'm only sorry it took me this long to get it fully read. Everytime I'd start it, something would call me away.
Ernhardt fan? And here I liked you! LOL
The Sahara employees in general need some schooling, I agree. But they do have some very nice ones too. It's a shame, because the employee's have given me a bad experiance already too. The front bar staff should either be replaced or given service lessons. Sat there talking to Gail in February and no one came over to ask if I wanted a drink the entire time I sat there (bar was uncrowded). I've incournterd the slow fills and hand pays too.
Glad you had a nice time in Paris. So is your next trip going to be on Sun Country? <S>



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Lee-PA
Moderator, What's New Forum
lee@talkvegas.com

I love how all the bosses are "suits." It seems strange to me that the higher up you go the more casual the person is dressed.

I didn't realize the Sahara had gone so far down. It amazes me because I'll bet they could staff that place 2 times over if they put an ad in the paper. Why keep grumbling employees? Ok, buddy, see how much happier you are while looking for a better job. Occasionally I find a guest at my bar who has been sitting for a while without so much as an acknowledgement of their presence. This is my worst nightmare, simply because I've been on the other side of that and I hate it. I don't think I need training, but I wouldn't pass it up. They need to either train or slash or both over at the Sahara. I can't see how this is so hard to figure out. I think you really got their attention, Kevin. It's not often a player will refuse to win because he's upset with the service. Good for you for having the strength.

Lee: Yeah I admit I am an Ernhardt fan... I have met quite a few of the Winston Cup drivers over the years. I have a buddy whom is an engine builder and spotter for Jeff Gordon. If you saw my computer room, you would be surprised at my collection. I have a Pesi machine fron coming in a few weeks with Gordon. Been trying to locate an Ernhardt coke one. I am building a light box to light it up.

Again enjoyed trip. Eye is much better now. Have to bowl and might head down to MGM today. Texas race looks like a wash out. [img]http://www.talkvegas.com/ubb/frown.gif[/img]

Well thanks to all for replies. Kevin