7 nights is a long time in Vegas so I'll try to be brief and hit the highlights.
3/10 - arrived in Vegas in the evening. Our total time involved in getting to Vegas is generally around 12 hrs. so we were a little tired. Checked into a studio unit at Polo Towers, then over to San Remo for the prime rib special. After that we went back to the room to rest up for the remainder of the week.

3/11 - Breakfast was coffee and a cheese danish at the Starbucks in Polo Plaza. Then up the strip to take some pictures for my wifes web page. We walked up to Bally's, over to Bourbon Street to check out their offering, across the street to Bellagio, quick trip through Bellagio's conservatory, then back South to Polo Towers were we picked up our car. Along the way we stopped in the Barbary Coast to rest out feet at a couple of nickle Dueces Wild machines. We ran $10 in and took $2 out for a net loss of $8

From here we drove down the the Beltz Factory Outlet mall. We didn't find this to be an inexpensive place to shop. There were maybe two stores that were truely discount stores. The rest I could do better back home.

Across the street we went to the Bootlegger for lunch. This is a nice restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere and decent food. Although when we returned I read their inspection report in the LVRJ. 38 demerits! Just a couple of more and they would have been closed! Fortunately we suffered no ill effects. The one thing I've noticed since starting to follow the restaurant inspection reports is that no one in Vegas gets an A the first time through. From now on, I'm packing some Alka Seltzer. <g>

After lunch we needed to run back to Polo Towers to complete and upgrade to a one bedroom unit. While we don't spend a lot of time in the room, we find we're more comfortable with a little more space. The design of the two bedroom units puts a door between the studio unit and the dinning area of the one bedroom unit. Last trip we had some REAL EARLY risers who needed to turn up their hearing aids. I swear everything they said to each other was shouted.

That evening we headed downtown to check out the Pasta Pirate. They have a steak and lobster speacial for $10.97. We had friends coming in later that week and wanted to take them downtown for the Freemont Street Experience and one of those bargain meals Vegas is famous for. The dinner and service were excellent. Small sirloin, petit lobster tail, soup or salad, fresh baked bread and a glass of wine to boot. Really a nice meal and actually very filling.

Leaving the Pasta Pirate we decided to hit the machines for a little while. We each ran a $20 into a quarter Bonus Poker Delux machines. On my last 5 quarters I hit quad nines for a $100 payout. Shelley wasn't as lucky and played down her $20. This would be the only time we came out ahead in the gambling department for this trip.

Total in $50 Total out $100. +$50 for the trip

3/12 - Got up a little late and headed out to the Boulder Strip. Drove up and down checking out the different casino offerings and the cheap meal offers to get you in the door.

Lunch was at Barley's Brew Pub on Sunset Road. I really like their cheese pizza and beer for $4.95. Last time I had a pepsi instead of the beer but this time I choose the Blue Diamond beer they make. It's was all right but I should have stuck with the pepsi. While waiting for Shelley to return from the bathroom I stuck a few nickles in a Dueces Wild machine and cashed out ahead $3.50 (Whoo Hoo LOL), Shelley couldn't resist and turned around and lost my hard one profit. LOL

Back to the strip to walk around MGM and play for a little while. $20 each into a Bonus Poker machine, I lost mine, Shelley broke even. Afterwards we went over to the Bettty Boop bar for a Martini and a Pina Colada. Both were excellent drinks and the service was great.

That evening we headed back downtown to add to our collection of slot club cards. Went into the Gold Strike and wasn't overly impressed. They didn't have a slot club either. I will say that I was impressed with the casino area in the Plaza when we got to it. It was fairly large, clean, and easy on the eyes. The staff there was very friendly and helpful as well.

From the Plaza we walked down to Main Street Station to meet with Beth, Fred, Buddha, and Nancy. We were there early so we played a few nickles through a Deuces Wild machine and broke even. The Brew Pub is nice but we really weren't all that hungry. That cheese pizza was sticking to my ribs. We had a couple of appitizers and soda's while there. We were there mostly for the company anyway. It was really great getting to meet people face to face finally. Even if they did mistake some other poor soul in a red sweatshirt for me. <g> What finally gave us away was my small collection of slot club cards. I believe I'm up over 50 now from Las Vegas alone. We do have a few others from Colorado, Mississippi, and Reno.

From here we went to the Stratosphere. We had recieved $237 in vouchers from our previous trip that I wanted to cash in. We also wanted to try to concentrate our gambling here since they seemed pretty loose with the comps. Since signing up for their slot club, we've recieved some decent mail offers. After cashing out vouchers, we headed over to the machines. We settled in on the Bonus Poker machines and managed to hold our own, putting in $300 and taking out $280.

When our eyes became tired from looking at the VP screens, we cashed in a coupon for two free tower passes and headed up to the tower bar. Relaxed with a martini and a pina colada and enjoyed the view for awhile.

Dinner this evening was the prime rib special at San Remo again. After dinner we each took a $5 bill and ran it through the Dueces Wild machines by the front entrance. It's a bank of 8 machines with a progressive pot that I've never seen above $300. We had some pretty decent luck here, playing for 2 hours on $10 before losing our stake.

Total losses for the day amounted to $50 so we are even for the trip at this point.

3/13 - Neither of us are big breakfast people so we skipped breakfast this morning. Drove around a bit looking at the sites. Stopped into a Baskin Robbins for some ice cream and then went back to relax in the room for a couple of hours.

Entertainment for the evening was Blue Man Group. Interesting show using percussion, black light effects, and comedy. I didn't feel it warrented the $75 ticket price though.

Aftwards it was dinner at San Remo again (can't get enough of that prime rib). We played the Dueces Wild machines again but without as much luck. This time they gobbled up $20 with maybe and hours play.

We went back to the Strat. after that to do the lions share of gambling. We started with a stake of $250 and took out $100. Shelley hit the Dollar Bounus Poker machine and it ate her $100 bill pretty quickly. She's starting to understand that it takes a larger stake to tolerate the swings on the dollar machines vs the quarter machines. Still, she likes the feeling of being up 100 credits and that means $100. She put another $50 into the quarter Bonus Poker machine and that one was pretty nasty to her as well. I had started with $100 in a Bonus Poker machine and held my own, cashing back out with the same $100.

Total loss for the day $150. Total loss for the trip $150

3/14 - I decided to try the $2.49 ham steak and eggs breakfast at Arizona Charlies this morning. Really good deal with a large slice of bone in ham, hash brown, toast, and 2 eggs.

We were meeting some friends who were driving in from Arizona today so we headed back up to the Polo Towers Sky lounge for a couple of drinks. Shelley put $20 into the bartop VP machines there and was lucky enough to cash out with the same $20. these machines are very much short pay and I don't really like to play them. I think the jacks or better pay table is something like 6/5. I know I looked at them once and they scared me (and I'm fearless).

After our friends arrived we took them back down to the room to get them settled in. Turns out they took the scenic route to Vegas from Phoenix via California. Seems they missed their turn. Just think, neither had touched on of those free casino drinks yet. <g>

The one bedrooom unit has a sofa sleeper and they had decided to make the best of it with that rather than getting a room of their own. This was fine by us as we enjoy the company.

Since one was a Vegas Virgin and the other had only been to town once, we headed downtown for dinner at the Pasta Pirate and to show them the Freemont Street experience. We were early so we found a bar for a coule of drinks. The girls managed to get their first comps (free drinks) while sitting at the bar. I had warned them it's often cheaper to pay for the drinks rather than play for them. They didn't head my warning and went on to prove me wrong, winning a little money AND getting their drink free while I paid $1.50 for my beer. LOL

Dinner was great and they seemed to enjoy stolling around the downtown area. In the Fitz they stopped to play nickle machines for the BMW. Shelley and I couldn't resist and tossed away $5 here also.

Since one girl had been up since 4:00 am CST, they decided to go back to the room for a little rest. Shelley and I dropped them off and headed up to the North end of the strip to get some pictures. We walked from the Riviera down to the New Frontier were we played a bank of progressive 9/6 Jack or Better machines. These were full pay machines that had a bonus of 3 progressive pots if you played a 6th coin. The progressives were for 4 of a kind, straight flush, and the royal flush. We stuck with just playing 5 coins though. We put in $40 and ended up taking $20 back out.

Afterwards we drove down to the Venetian and had a late night snack at the Grand Lux Cafe. I was a little ticked because Shelley's cheesecake was frozen from the middle out. Service wasn't so hot and they wouldn't take the cost of her cheesecake off the bill. Needless to say I wasn't to pleased with this.

Total loss for the day was $25. Total loss for the trip $175 (so far)

3/15 - Took the girls to the Paris buffet for breakfast. I'm not a big buffet fan but this one is pretty good. Still, I don't think I ate $12.95 worth of food before leaving. We took the girls to the north end of the strip and checked out the Sahara, then walked arcoss to the Worlds Largest Souvenier Shop. At the Sahra we plunked $40 in some Bonus Poker machines and took out $20. Shelley did fairly well but I got eaten alive. I also road Speed with one of the girls. When we got off, she admitted she had her eyes closed the whole time. LOL

Over to the Hard Rock Cafe for some souvenier T-shirts with a stop in the Hard Rock Casino. For new club members they give you a card good for $5 worth of slot play. I managed to run ours up to $15 on a Dueces Wild machine and cashed out. Nice casino but a little to preppy for my tastes. I know most of the Rock and Roll stars are my age and older but the younger crowd this casino attracts just isn't for me. What can I say, I'm just not young and hip anymore. <g>

We then headed up to Quarks bar and grill in the Las Vegas Hilton for appitizers and drinks. They thought this place was really pretty cool and offered some interesting drinks. Shelley and I had some fancy martini's while the girls shared a Warp core Breech for one. They took some ribbing from one of the Klingon Charachters for not being able to handle one of their own each. Then he said, "Oh yea, your human, only one liver and two kidney's."

Dinner this evening was Caesers Magical Empire. The dinner and show were good as always but this time we felt rushed through it. Instead of giving you 10 or 15 minutes between shows, they rush you from one show to another without giving you enough time for a bathroom break. This is a problem since the total experience last about 2 1/2 hours (used to take 3 hrs). Afterwards we spent time wandering around the Forum shops at Caeser. While the girls shopped Shelley and I stopped in a little martini bar call Caverarteria. I had the house martini and Shelley had a coke.

Afterwards it was back to the Stratosphere were the girls signed up for the slot club. Wouldn't you know it, they both came out ahead. One is hoping that she will at least get the free nights offer we recieved so she can return to Vegas when we go back in Sept. Shelley and I once again attacked the Bonus Poker machines. We put $200 in and pulled out $100. Shelley again atacked the $1 machines and was eaten alive while I plunked around on the quarter machine, breaking even.

Total loss for the day $120. Total loss for the trip $275

3/16 - We walked the South end of the strip today taking time to go into MGM, The Grand Canyon Experience shops, NYNY, took the monorail from Excalibur to Mandalay bay, then worked our way back north. Along the way we stopped in San Remo again for their prime rib. On the way back we stopped in Excalibur for a Krispy Kreme doughnut.

Again we went to Quarks for appitizers and drinks. This time we all shared a Warp Core Breech drink. This is served in a large fish bowl with 4 straws.

dinner this evening was at the Rainforest Cafe. This is the second time I've eaten here and it was the second time they screwed up our order. One of the girls dinners wasn't entered with ours. To be polite the rest of us waited for her meal to come out (well, we nibbled just a bit). By the time she gets her meal, the rest of ours has cooled down. They took her meal off the bill and bought us a round of drinks. Still, I doubt I'll go back.

Once more we hit the Stratosphere for gambling. This time putting in $235 and taking out $147. Again I played on the same $100 bill I had been playing on without losing it. Shelley just wasn't having any luck.

All in all we put a little over 400 points on our slot club card which translates into $4,000 run through the machines. We lost a total of $328 at the Stratosphere over the week.

Total loss for the day was $58. Total loss for the trip was $333

3/17 - Time to head home. We stop one last time at San Remo, only this time I had the Champagne brunch. Not bad but I should have stuck with the prime rib (which Shelley did). I just couldn't resist one glass of champagne before leavine.

At the airport I dedided to take Jean Scott's (the Frugal Gambler) advice on airline bumping. When we checked our luggage I asked if our flight was full, it was. Then at the gate I approached the gate agent and told him we would volunteer to bump. In the end we wound up with 2 first class tickets on a flight leaving 3 hours later AND $600 total in airline vouchers. This was the best gamble of the entire trip. Sort of wiped out that $333 total loss all in one shot. We've already booked our next trip using these vouchers and I have the tickets in my lock box. It was probably the first time I've ever left Vegas with a smile on my face.

Geez that was long winded. Aren't you glad I decided to be brief. <g>

Doug,

Great report; just the right length. I counted four prime ribs. I don't blame you as that's my favorite too. I would feel guilty eating that many tho, my wife says they're fattening.<G> Even though you took away the suspense at the beginning of your report, I kept waiting at every gambling session for you to hit the big one. And by golly you did at the airport. I'm beginning to think the bump game is the best game in town and as I said before we will most surely try it next time.

Thanks for an easy to read, complete, exciting report. And you kept a few bars going too. That's the spirit.

Bob

Doug,

Why in the world would it take you 12 hours to get to Las Vegas? From the east coast the max is 6. We ate at the Bootlegger years ago and found the food and service to be very good. Of course, we did not know anything about their rating. At the ExCalibur, are the Krispy Kremes baked on-site or are they brought in? It was great to meet the two of you and yes, the stranger in the red shirt that I called "DOUG" did give me a strange look. I agree with VPBob, a bump sure is a pleasant way to end a trip. Thanks for the trip report.

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Fred@talkvegas.com

Well, it's a 3 hr drive to Kansas City from Wichita. We usually get to the airport 2 hrs. ahead of time so there's 5 hrs. A 3 hr flight to Phoenix, 1 hr layover, and 1 hr flight to Vegas adds another 5 hrs to the trip for a total of 10 hrs. Then whatever time it takes to pick up the bags, get the car and drive to the resort. I guess with the bags, rental car and drive to the resort it's only 11 hrs. Maybe a little more.

If we get a direct flight on SWA and now Vanguard, it's only a 3.5 hr flight plus 3 hr drive. Cuts down on the travel time drastically. Unfortunately, AW and United have been offering some killer deals for us. Our flight on AW was only $158 before taxes and the flight I have booked on United was only $121 before taxes. I'll take the layover for those fares.

Our next trip won't be so bad. Since we had the flight vouchers from AW, we went ahead and booked flights out of Wichita. Kansas City fares on AW at this time were $50 or $60 higher. As it was, flying out of Wichita, we had to pay $1 per ticket plus the vouchers. Since we don't have the 3 hr drive, total travel time will be more like 5 hrs. It's either 2 1/2 or 3 hrs to Phoenix, 1 hr layover, then 1 hr to Vegas. PLUS we get into Vegas at 8:44 am! That is unless we take a bump in Wichita. In that case we get into Vegas around 9 pm but would probably have enough for another flight. <g>

On the minus side, I may have to work one more extra shift to cover our gambling bankroll. I've been slowly building it up after each trip. Last trip was $1,200. We came home with a little more than $800. I should be able to put another $1,000 away for the next trip. Eventually, I hope to have my war chest up to $4,000. That should be enough to survive standard deviation on quarter VP machines.

Excalibur bakes Krispy Kremes on site. There's usually a pretty sizable line when they're baking but it moves pretty quickly. NYNY has them also but they're brought in there.

Doug,
Nice report.I don't go to the Rain Forest anymore either the service is always bad and slow and food is not too good either IMO.I know the tired feeling too.It usually takes me 8 hrs. to get to Las V.from NY.with connecting Flts.and layover time.When you get there though you seem to perk up pretty quickly!! It's that kind of place.

I'll have to try Quarks bar I see it gets good reports here and folks seem to like it.Hope to be there soon.
Bob NY.

Thanks for the report, Doug ...and for saving me a much-postponed trip out to the Belz Outlet stores. I keep thinking I should go out to see what they offer, but you just convinced me not to waste valuable Las Vegas time on bargain hunting<g>.

Since you love prime rib ...have you tried Sam's Fresh Harvest Cafe? I think you once posted that you weren't impressed by the salad bar at the old Smokey Joe's Cafe, but when Sam's switched to their new format, they expanded the salad bar offerings quite a bit ...and without raising the price.

WTG getting that bump! I'll be looking forward to your next trip report<g>.

Doug,
Great report.....the longer the better, in my opinion! So, let me get this straight....do you like the San Remo Prime rib? LOL
I agree about Barleys, their pizza is good, and I like the beer at the other Las Vegas micro brews better. (at least the ones I've tried) Last few times through though, I've been ordering the fich & chips at Barley's.
Thank You for taking the time to post a report. I enjoy reading them all...and the closer a Vegas trip gets the more enjoyable the read!
Lee-PA

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

We headed out to Sams one late morning/early after noon. One to see if we'd run into Fred and Beth (missed them) and two to check out the new offerings. Unfortunately, Mary's diner and Fresh Harvest had lines out the whazoo.
We did manage to get the new Sam's Town slot cards though. <g> Last time we were out there the line for the slot club ran 3 miles long and was moving pretty slowly.


Lee,
I might have to try the Fish and Chips at Barley's next time. I've become kind of spoiled on them since eating some in an Irish pub in the Conrad Hilton in Chicago though. I've never been a huge beer drinker but for some reason, a beer sounded good that afternoon.

Don't forget the malt vinigar with those fish & chips....and a nice dark pint of heavy beer...ah.....now that's a good meal! <S>
As much as I like the food at Barley's, I just can't get to like the little casino. I think they cater to the regulars and view us as intruders on their turf when we venture into the casino area. M2C
Which is an odd feeling from a Station property. Even the Wild Wild West (which is owned by Stations also) I feel more comfortable while playing inside.

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

Fun trip report. I followed you from slot to slot waiting for the win which never came. Actually you did a lot better than I do most of the time. At least sometimes you were able to put $20 in and play on it for a while. Then the entertainment value of playing is worth the loss However, I'll take your win at the airport anytime. That was a great bump. First class out of LV - life doesn't get much better than that.