I'll set the stage. I had received a promotion for a 3 day slot tournament 6 weeks or so ago, to be held at the Las Vegas Hilton, which is where we stay in Vegas more often than not. This promotion had been gnawing away at me all that time because #1 slot tournaments I've previously been in have been fun, #2 it was inexpensive and #3 it's a slow time at my work, and I was going to take time off just for the heck of it in the first full two weeks of January anyway. So I made reservations at the Hilton, just in case I decided to go. Checked America West, I had enough miles for an award ticket. The nights included in the tournament were 16th, 17th & 18th. No award seats on the 16th, but there were on the 15th. I was getting excited, and thought this was no problem, I'd go to the Orleans and stay one night, then move to the Hilton. Now, I'm trying to think of who I want to go with me. My husband was in the process of changing jobs, so he was out. With only a week or so to go, I ask a couple different girlfriends. No one can go on such short notice. By this time, I'm getting excited about going, and the fact that no one could go didn't really matter to me. I'd always wondered what it would be like to go to Vegas alone. Couldn't decide, it got down to Sunday, the 12th and I still hadn't made an airline reservation. What really worried me was the weather. Would I have snowy roads to or from Columbus, OH, which is two hours driving each way. I hate snow and ice!! So on Sunday, I thought what the heck, you only live once, and made the award reservation, which I couldn't believe was even still there. Only three days ahead.

So I have a 2:20 pm AW flight on Wednesday. No problem with the weather getting to Columbus. Flight changes planes in Phoenix. Bad head winds the whole way, and it takes an extra 30 to 45 minutes. Had a very short layover to begin with, so this was bad. Got off the plane, and sprinted from one end of the terminal to the other. Of course the next flight had to be as far away as it possibly could be. I had taken carry-on only, and was glad I'd opted for the one on wheels, versus some of the other bags we have. I'm the last one on the plane, but I made it. Not that it would have been such a big deal, there was probably another AW flight to Vegas in an hour or so.

Got into Vegas on time. Find an airport shuttle that will take me to the Orleans. The first one I ask didn't want to go there and directed me to either Showtime or one that had three letters, something like OCI. I took the one with the three letters. We made a stop at the MGM and at the Monte Carlo, then to the Orleans. Everyone is having fun in this shuttle van. Young guy from England was very entertaining. I'm looking at all the lights thinking, I'm so lucky, it's great to be back. Trip to the Orleans was $5 plus tip.

Check-in was fast. Room was in the older tower. For those of you who haven't stayed at the Orleans, the rooms are good sized with a sitting area, dressing area and very small bathroom. They have ironing board, iron and hair-dryer. Hair dryer is too anemic for me, and I have to bring my own. Rooms are actually pretty nice. I like this place. Have stayed here a couple times before. Used the L.A. Times ad when I made my reservation. (Thank you Beth) $30 plus tax included two free buffets, half price ticket for show and other coupons I wasn't interested in. No show that night. Went and ate dinner at the buffet. It was good. Then did some gambling. Played some Video Poker with little or no luck. Then went to all the video slots. Finally had a little luck on a video wheel of fortune, the original kind, not the newest ones. Was tired and went to bed even.

The next morning I ate the breakfast buffet, and went in search of a good video poker machine. I found one that gave me several 4 of a kind's. I kept going back to this machine and cashed out each time. Nothing huge, but still wins. Around 11 am I decide to check out and head for the Hilton. Left the Orleans around $140 ahead. Not huge, but ahead is great to me!!

I had plenty of time, and knew that it's quite a distance from the Orleans to the Hilton on Paradise. Cab fare would be quite a bit. So I started thinking about how I could use shuttles to get there. I took the free shuttle that the Orleans has to the Barbary Coast. I had checked the web and knew the Trolley Bus had a stop across the street at Bally's. However, when I went to get on the Trolley Bus, the driver ask me where I was going because they aren't supposed to take people with bags. I didn't know this. My bag was small, and he let me on since I was going to one of the hotels they service. Inexpensive trip. Tip for Orleans driver, plus cost of getting on trolley bus was only $1.65 plus a tip.

Checked in at the Hilton. This was fast because of using the VIP line. I ask for a newly remodeled room in the Central tower. These rooms were the oldest and in dire need of remodeling. They have done this to at least some, if not all of the floors, and they are very nice now. I now prefer them to the north tower. They also now have entire floors that are non-smoking. These rooms also have ironing board, iron & hairdryer. This dryer is better than Orleans, but I still don't like it. Room has dressing area and is well appointed. The only thing I had to do for the tournament on Thursday was to register and pick my times to play and machines. So I set out to find a good video poker machine. Didn't have much luck at this. Did, however, run across 4 new Lucy machines. These were great fun, and I was taking a little out of them each time I played. Ate at the Buffet Thursday night. The buffet at the Hilton used to be great. I can no longer say that. It has changed a lot in the last couple years. I even wrote to them about this a year or more ago. This night I had them make a fresh pasta dish at the pasta bar, versus the precooked food on the hot bar, and that was very good. The price of the tournament ($99) included 3 nights room plus a $50 food credit in any of their restaurants. Good deal.

Friday morning, I was hungry and ate the buffet again. This time choosing to have an omelet freshly made versus the food on the hot bar. I then went to my first Tournament session. This was a twenty-minute session. It was set up in the Star Trek casino on Red White and Blue machines.

Friday afternoon I played the second session. I was doing OK, but not great. In this particular tournament only the top 25% received money, so I'm not holding much hope.

Friday night, I decide I've had enough of buffets. I decide to go to the Margarita Grill, their Mexican restaurant. I had the Green Chile Burrito dinner. It was huge and very yummy. I might have to stop back here before I leave for another meal!! Go and gamble a little more after dinner. Not much luck except on those fun Lucy machines.

Saturday morning I had breakfast in the caf

Great report Susan. I can't believe it was your first. It read like a veteran. I would be ecstatic if I could go and return and it only cost me $80. to $100. I would probably be going 3-4 times a year. I have never seen those Lucy games but they sound like fun. Do you know if there are any games based on the Honeymooners? Anyway thanks for the report, I enjoyed reading it.

Susan - I really enjoyed your report - I love the detailed reports, somtimes I think I should be more detailed. You confirmed what I learned several years ago i.e. it is indeed fun to go to Vegas alone - there is always something to do and you can really meet alot of nice people from all over the world - I have always found it fasinating as to how far people will travel just to go to Vegas. Hope to see you at our annual Thanksgiving meet. Best Regards: Wendell

I enjoyed your trip report, Susan. One of the best things about Las Vegas, in my opinion, is being able to go out anytime, by yourself, and not feel conspicuous. If you drive, and use valet parking, it is even safe to do so 24/7. Glad you had a good time.
For redzone30, there ARE Honeymooner machines around, with video clips of the old Honeymooners show. They are fun, too......
Laine

Congratulations on your first solo trip! I'd also be delighted with a $70 trip. It's great going with friends & family, but it's sometimes nice to have absolute freedom to go wherever you want, whenever you want.

Thanks for my morning fix!

Hi Susan,

Thanks for the report. What a nice, cheap trip you had. Glad you decided to try the trip alone. I love going to Vegas by myself.

I like good Mexican food, I'll have to try the Hilton sometime.

I hope you waved at me before leaving Columbus. If we don't hook up in Vegas anytime, maybe we can have coffee sometime when you're flying our of Columbus again.

Susan, Your trip report was great, I enjoyed
reading it.

Susan,
What a great report. It sure didn't seem like this was your first time writing one. I thought for a second there, you where going to tell us you won a harley! <S>
I agree, loosing $70 for 4 nights is pretty darn good, and is just about as close to a win as you can get and not win! LOL
Thanks again for taking the time to type it all out for us!

thanks for the great report susan--heck i lose 70 bucks just walking thru the airport!!

Susan
Great report! I would love to go solo! Gotta work on the hubby on that one. Love Mexican food, will try Hilton hopefully in June.
Thanks, Kat

Susan,
Thanks for the report. Anytime we can come home $70 down is considered a successful trip. Even to AC. Glad to hear that you benefited from the L.A. Times posting. We often wonder if anyone uses them. Just how would you have gotten the Harley to Ohio should you have won it? I am surprised that you were able to get a seat on the airplane with such short notice and using the awards program.

Susan,

Enjoyed your report. Very timely as Fred's doctor this past week jokingly suggested I go to LV without Fred for one week and then he go without me for the next week. Don't know as I'd like that, but your report lets me know it can be fun. Glad to hear the losses weren't great and the trip was a safe one.

Have known of 9 women meeting each other in LV and having one great time.

Thanks again. It read well.

Beth

Redzone30:
Thanks for the kind words. GamblinTater answered your question about the Honeymooners. I have not played that one, although it seems like I've seen it. Maybe just advertised in one of the Vegas magazines, I don't know. Where is Stony Creek?

Wendell:
Is it detailed, or am I just windy?? (s)
I hope I get to come to the meet next Thanksgiving also. I don't know though at this point.

GamblinTater:
Yes, I felt very comfortable being by myself. Thanks for reading my report.

Daisy Deuces:
I was delighted to be able to provide your morning fix. (lol)
You're right Vegas is fun with a group, fun by yourself, just plain fun!!

Senator:
I did wave to you as I left Columbus!!!
Hope to see you in Vegas again sometime, if not, I might take you up on meeting for coffee sometime I'm in Columbus.

Casinoslo:
Thanks for reading my report. Glad you enjoyed it.

Lee:
If you won a Mustang you had to take it. If you won a Harley, you had the choice of the harley or $10,000 cash. However, the Harley's were each worth more than twice that, so I'm not thinking that was such a hot deal. They were special editions and unlike any I'd seen. Jim (husband) drooled when I told him about the whole thing. Although we've talked about this Harley thing before, and I told him if he ever gets one, he'll just be allowed to ride it around the barnyard. (lol)

Dagseattle:
Yes, I know what you mean. A few weeks ago I went to Greektown Casino in Detroit with a girlfriend. I lost quite a bit more than that in 4 hours, so I was really happy with the Vegas outcome.

Kat:
Work on the hubby, and also try the Mexican restaurant sometime. I thought it was pretty good.

Fred:
I'm not quite sure how I would have got that Harley home.
I was really surprised when I was able to book that award only three days ahead. I was even surprised when it was there a week ahead.
I always look through those LA Times ads when you and Beth post them. Thanks for doing that.

Beth:
I think my husband might jump for joy if his Dr. told him that. (lol)

Susan

Hi Susan
Stoney Creek is in Ontario about 40 miles west of Niagara Falls. I just got an e-mail from NY-NY and they have some dates for $69. After reading your report its tempting to grab a Sunday to Thursday and just takeoff solo. :p

Enjoyed your trip report Susan. I've never entered a casino tournament, thanks for explaining how they work, i'll have to try it sometime.

Great report Susan. I overheard a conversation on slots tournaments while in Vegas last year. This person was complaining that they were a scam and all they were doing is tying people up for long periods of time.
Apparently this person was in a tournament where you play for so long and have to wait a few hours for the results to see if you get to play on. The time was not enouh where you could go somewhere else and come back. Thus, you were at the mercy of the tournament to stick around.

Does this have any truth to it? You said there were 300 people. Is there an elimination process so that if you lose early you still have time left to do something else.

Redzone30:
I think I may have received that NYNY offer also. Sounded pretty good. Obviously, going solo is not for everyone, but try it sometime, if you think you would enjoy it. It was fun for me.

Ed:
I've been in maybe 4 other tournaments. They were a little different than this one, but the buy in was more also. In the other ones there was a welcoming party with gift and a big dinner at the end with entertainment. The playing part was the same. Of course, the prizes were larger in the ones you paid more. In fact everyone won at least $50, and the top prize was considerably more. Actually all in all when I think about it, the one I was just in was probably a better deal overall. The tournaments I really enjoyed were high/low. Meaning the top people and the bottom people got the same prizes. It was the people in the middle that got the lowest prizes. I came in 4th from the bottom and received $1,500 in one.

Oneboater:
In each of the tournaments I've been in you only played 20 minutes each session. You had either 3 or 4 sessions. Mostly 3. When you picked your times, you received both times on the card and they were spaced about 4 1/2 hours apart. There were maybe 5 groups of 50 plus. My times were at 10:30 AM and 3:30 PM on Friday, and 10:30 am on Saturday. Everyones was spaced similar to that. So at 10:30 am I had a 20 minute session, and was free until 3:30 pm at which time I had another 20 minute session. Didn't have the last session until the next morning at 10:30 am. Prize distribution was at 4:00 pm. You really couldn't go on an out of city day trip or anything like that, but otherwise, I really don't see where it would be a problem to be back in 4 1/2 or 5 hours. I guess the bottom line would be that when you get into one of these you just know you are going to be obligated to be somewhere at certain times.

No, there wasn't an elimination process. Everyone played in this tournament all three sessions, with your three scores being added together to determine the winners. I think, however, I have seen promotions for tournaments that eliminated people after the first two, so I guess if you were going to get into one, you should be sure what you're getting into.