For those of you who read my last trip report, I came away from my March trip with a bad taste in my mouth. I had encountered so many obnoxious people, horrible crowds, and incessant traffic jams that I considered never going back. But things were different on this trip and I

Fantastic Mike!
And Happy B-Day to you! There is someone else on this board who will also celebrate that significant birthday, I think. Anybody fess up? It's not me, I have almost completed my first year as a 50 year old. Don't worry, that urge for more sleep in Vegas will pass.

Glad you enjoyed Avenue Q again. How was the house - full, half sold out? Guess this is their last month in Vegas.

Congrats on the royal but ESPECIALLY on stopping when you are a winner! What game do you play on the machines (Did you say?) I am guessing some Bonus game since you mentioned quad 2's 3's and aces. And - are those progressives for any game on the machine if its a multigame, or for a specific game.

So glad the Lady in Lights did well by you for your big celebration.

But please - X out that part about "middle age" Baby boomer, fine - but not the dreaded MA!

Wonderful Trip Mike!

I think you deserved it, after the last one!
I'll have to revise my VP treasure map of NYNY, so it includes the new locations of the dollar progressives.

So your 50.....you old man, you! LOL
I can't think of a better way to welcome the next 50, then another trip to Vegas....so when is the next trip?

Thanks for the great trip report!
Lee-PA

Congrats on the Royal and the birthday (no, Kes, I won't be turning 50 this year<g>), and thanks for another great report .... I could almost taste those beignets.

You didn't mention crowds, rude people or traffic jams this time .. which seems a little strange on a weekend so maybe your luck wasn't just at the machines.

FWIW, you aren't the only bonehead here; I've also walked away from a machine with credits I totally forgot about, and I had the same happy ending too.

P.S. - Could you introduce me to Charlie? The odds finally caught up with me; I've been getting 4 to the Royal on most machines I play, but I just can't find that last missing part lately.

What a pleasant change Mike. I kept waiting for the Hash House A GoGo venture. It still sounds like a good time.

I was in NYNY tonight. They are moving machines around like crazy. I never knew where Mikes favorite machines were to start with. I did see some 25 cent triple playz with progressive against a wall towards the back. They had a big section cleared off between registration and the slot club. I played dollar and two dollar bonus and ended up on the good side. I almost didn't play because the first few bonus machines I saw were 5/7 at the dollar level, and much worse at 25 cents. Finally I found a game with 1 and 2 dollar credits and it had 5/8 bonus.

Mike,

Great report! What a way to spend your 50th! Congrats on the royal and the all around good trip.

BTW what did you think of the Pacifica? We currently have one at home and I love it!

Thanks for the LV fix.

Karen

Thank you all for your kind words!

Kes - I mostly play Double Bonus. NYNY has many at pay schedules of 9/6 which isn't ideal but it's okay. Avenue Q was about 3/4 full on the main floor and pretty empty in the balcony.

Lee - As JMT said, they're in the process of moving machines around at NYNY. They were doing the same during my trip. In fact, they revamped one section overnight! Next trip is late August.

Daisy - Amazingly, I didn't encounter too many rude people or really bad crowds. I'm not sure where they were (but I don't care). Traffic, on the other hand, wasn't great but I tried to avoid major traffic times.

JMT - Yes, NYNY appears to be moving machines around a lot. One day they had a section cleared out for a poker tournament and overnight it was back with slot machines again. Those quarter triple plays with the progressives you saw were my lucky machines. As far as other machines, I play mostly DB at a 9/6 payback schedule. And we didn't make it to Hash House a Go Go - will try again next trip!

Karen - LOVED the Pacifica! It handled very nicely and was very comfortable! Plus it was big enough to take 5 big guys along with me!

Mike,

Happy Belated Birthday!!! May you have many more great birthdays and RF's in LV...........or anywhere.

Enjoyed reading the trip report. Sounds like you were with a great group of friends. That makes it even better.

Beth/Fred

Hey Mike,

Thanks for the great report!

Congrats on surviving your 50th and having a good trip to celebrate it.

I've got a freind in Vegas who always seems to hit a royal when I'm in town. I've tried to get him to pay for my plane tickets but that hasn't worked.

What did the Virgins think of Vegas? Are they ready to return?

Senator - Good question about "The Virgins."

I think both of them were impressed with the place but came away with different feelings.

Virgin #1 is an architect and had fun looking at the different structures and designs of the hotels and restaurants inside. It was interesting to hear him talk about where good money was spent and where they used cheap materials to cut costs. However, he's not a gambler and I think he had seen enough by the time he left.

Virgin #2 on the other hand, seemed like a kid in a candy store and was wide-eyed everywhere he went. He told me it was "too bad he didn't get to see everything" and that he'd like to come back. He gambled a little and seemed intrigued by some of the machines.

Happy Belated Birthday Mike!

Harry and I always love your Trip Reports. I emailed it to Bill C., (I think it made his eyes water with envy). I didn't know he was one of your invitees who couldn

Mike: Great trip - great report. I would think that the architect would have been in paradise - I can't think of any place else that would have so many variations. Congrats on your 50th.

Linda - GREAT to hear from you! It's been a long time - hope you and Harry are doing well!

Yes, I know about those "young-ins" as you call them. I encountered enough of them on my March trip at MGM Grand. I think you'll find Bellagio a little more subdued and manageable!

I'm not sure if you've stayed at Bellagio before but I'd highly recommend getting yourself a lakeside room. They cost a bit more but I think it's worth it. I find it very relaxing to just sit and watch the fountains when I want to get away from the casinos for a while. As much as I've seen them, they always fascinate me! And of course, the view of the Strip is always nice.

I'm not sure what's up with Bill C. these days - he's been very distant. I did in fact invite him to my birthday celebrations but he turned me down (I had a dinner here in Chicago prior to leaving for Vegas).

My next trip is late August so I'll try to save a few Royals for you and Harry!