It was time for the annual trip for Las Vegas. Talked to the guys who have gone before off and on, we ended up with 6 going this year.

In March, Steve and I received offers for free rooms at the Orleans (Steve also got 3 free nights at Rio). We booked all three offers, adding 1 night each at Orleans for casino rate. The others offered to pay for the rooms as we had the free night offers so trip off to a good start (no cost to me).

I booked my flights on Delta/Northwest using frequent flyer points so total cost up to 24.00 due to taxes. Liking this trip so far, airfare and hotel, next to nothing spent. Could I really have a chance at winning enough to cover trip expenses? Even though most booked flights separately, we do so early enough so that we are on the same flight.

We get into Vegas about 1:30 PM and cab to our hotels. I thought about a car but this trip was to relax, no sightseeing planned. I decided to skip a car as more about relaxation this trip. In hindsight, I did not drink all that much and a car would have saved a bunch of cab fares, oh well.

We don’t even get checked in and head to sports book to get a couple of college football bets in. After that, check in at Orleans; take everyone’s luggage to my room (Steve went to Rio to check in there first then will shuttle to Orleans to get room there for others to use). Back downstairs to get something to eat as is now 4:00 PM Minnesota time and Pringles were just not enough to get us to dinner. Where do we eat but at sports book hot dog stand (I have spent another $2 on this trip, it has gotten really expensive).

Everyone kind of meanders around Orleans the first night as no real desire to head anywhere (a couple of us are 50+ and must be slowing down). I wander off for a bit to try Megabucks and get it over with for the trip. Slide in $6.00, yep a big spender, and what do you know, five minutes later I cash out for $201. Could this finally be a positive cash flow trip, only 3 more days to go? Hit machines here and there; give tour of Orleans to those who have not been there before. I wander off by myself again; hit a nickel deuces wild poker machine. I am up, so put in $10.00 and let the fun begin.
What do you know; I hit 4 deuces for the first time ever. Not big dollars but not a bad first day. We head up to the room about 11:30 and call it night.



Sunday, up early to get bets in for pro football games. Scott and I cab over to Rio to meet with Steve and his brother. Try to watch Vikings game at sports book but too crowded. Walk around Rio, as going by McFadden’s find it empty. Get others and we head there to watch rest of game (Vikings win, yes). If like a quiet place to watch football, McFadden’s would be great place choice. Lot’s of beer options and no traffic to trip over.

After football, catch shuttle from Rio to Paris. Walk over to Bill’s Saloon to hit Tix4Tonight. Between Joe’s recommendation and reviews, will try to get tickets for Sin City Bad Girls. We get 4 VIP tickets (we were seated level with the stage so no straining to look, seemed worth extra 6/ticket). After getting the tickets we do the dumbest thing we could have done. Scott and I walked from Bill’s to Hooters. He needed to get a t-shirt for his daughter. By the time we got there we were spent. He was even too tired to walk to the Tropicana to catch Orleans shuttle, we took a cab to the Orleans.

WWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWW
All I can say is WOW, what a fun show. Ms. Peril can flat out sing, and she sure is nice to look at (I barely noticed the other dancers). If anyone wants to be a part of the show, I suggest you wear cowboy boots and plant them on the rail by your table when she asks for a volunteer (you will get better then front row seats). What surprised me were the diverse age groups there to see the show. Young, old, couples, just men, and just ladies all were enjoying themselves.

Did not do much gambling Sunday as just road our football bets, the winning trend did not continue but was only playing a little here and there so did not lose too much. I did find some Wizard of Oz machines at Orleans and got to see the flying monkeys after a couple spins so that was nice.

Monday was even a quieter day. Slept in until 10:00AM, guess the sun took more out of me then I realized. Stay at the Orleans all day, going from one machine to the next. I did try something new. A few of us went to Koji sushi bar. The food was okay but I do not think I will rush back to have sushi anytime soon. Maybe a bit of Saki would have helped?




We did take advantage a nice deal from the Orleans on Monday night. They had advertised rooms that night for $1.00. We booked a room for Steve and he moved there from the Rio. Was nice to have a room for $1.12 total, did not even get a resort fee on that room and made it easier for group to go to airport.

Tuesday was just get up, pack, hit the Courtyard Café for breakfast, and then head for airport. All in all, a nice relaxing trip. Hard to believe I did not once sit down at a card table. I was hoping the six of us would take a table to ourselves for a night but never happened. Next time hopefully.


Would’a Could’a Should’a List

Peppermill for Breakfest
Dick;s Last Resort at Excaliber (one of the group likes it)
Rent a car, works out much cheaper
See another show Joe recommends

So another annual trip has come and gone. Is it too early to plan for next year? If I can get some more room offers like this year in the future we may be able to make it a semi-annual trip.

Daniel

P.S. Wendall, get well soon sir.

Daniel,
The car sometimes doesn't get used much on our trips, but they are cheap enough to rent in LV and cab fares keep going up, so it isn't hard to justify the price. If you drink, leave it parked and call a cab or jump on a shuttle, go back for it tomorrow. 2 is my limit if I'm driving, after that, it's cab city for this old guy!
Wow $201 on a megabucks machine, I know I would have played it through, thinking maybe it's my time to win this thing. Those Megabuck machines are rarely that friendly to anyone, you did well, and were probably the smart one for walking away with the cash. I just wouldn't have had the will power! LOL
Thanks for the great report!
Did everyone in your group get casino cards????
The hotel situation should be selling low for awhile when you look at all the rooms coming on line soon with the new MGM joint opening soon. Those little places, like the Orleans, gold coast, and so on, will need to offer something to fill their joints! M2C
Lee

Lee,

Yes, they all got casino cards. Heck, they even have cards for sports book and turf club card at Orleans. They were working every angle they could to enjoy a couple of free meals.

Daniel - sounds like a fun trip to me. You did more with Megabucks than I have ever done, Next time you are through DFW, let us know.

Thanks Daniel. I read your trip report yesterday and that made me want to see Sin City Bad Girls again. So I went. They were late starting with "technical" problems, there was no keyboard player so it was just a 2 piece band, Lorena's headset mic was scratchy, and there was a guy screaming on his cell phone a couple of tables away. Most problems got resolved and it was still a great show. Ms Peril is so very talented and the whole crew has fun.

Did you have any significant meals or was it just guys eating bar food most of the time?

It's never to early to plan a trip. Build that to-do list. Things change, so check it early and often. I think a semi-annual trip will be happening for you. I don't know if you noticed the crowds were down, but the hotels and casinos did.

Let me know when it's coming up on your next trip, and I'll let you know what shows top my list. I see a lot of comedy club shows and am starting to recognize the good ones when they come to town. This week will be one of my favorites, Ian Bagg.

Wendall,

A trip to DFW to visit you and Maxine would be worth it in itself. Some good Tex-Mex would not hurt either.

Joe,

Sorry to hear about issues at Sin City show, but I am betting even without the mike you could hear Ms. Peril just fine. Wish idiots would respect others with cell phone usage.

We did not have any nice meals this time (no one won big enough to buy. Other then Koji, we did have crab at Al's Oyster bar. The rest of the time seemed to be just bar food. Sad, I know, but we were not making nice dinner plans this trip, just winging it. I am happy to say, no buffets however.

Crowds did seem a bit down, but we did not venture from Rio or Orleans too much this trip so not sure I am a good judge. I hope you are right about semi-annual trip, maybe one with the guys, one with the Mrs. (got to keep her happy too).

If mama ain't happy then no ones going to be happy! LOL

I'll take bar food over buffet food any day of the week!!!

Opened my e-mails today and what do I find? Any two nights free in October. Mama has some days off, I can still get them off. Could it really happy, we shall see.

I better get the to-do list together quick just in case.

Wow, that was fast. So October could mean tomorrow?

I guess that offer was from The Orleans?

Fall just blew in so it's not really swimming pool weather.

How's the to-do list?

I like your priorities - hit the sportsbook, then check in! Those hot dogs are still one of the best bargains around - and still taste pretty darn good.

Let's see ... you made money at Megabucks, saw the flying monkeys on Wizard of Oz, and you hit Deuces - sounds like the only thing left is a Royal, so I'll be rooting for that when you & mama return later this month!