2011 win shots

37 Quads, even hit Quad A's with a kicker and 2 Straight flushes. 21 @ Orleans, 5 @ E. Cannery, 4 @ El Cortez, 3 @ Caesars, 2 @ Terribles, 1 each @ Bally's, Ellis Island, Flamingo and one at a bar near the AMC movie theater Rainbow Promenade. No Royals this trip but I did much better than last year with my daily average being 3-4 hours gambling per day. I came home on the plus side this year. :o)

2010 Show Review

It come to my attention that I had started my show review post from 2010 and never got around to finishing it. Better late than never so here goes:

May 30th: We went to see the NHRA Heritage Series - Rockabilly Rod Reunion at the LVMS, this was a first for me to see drag races. I was amazed to see how fast some the cars went, the fastest one we watched was 240 mph. This is an outdoor activity and family friendly. It was an all weekend event but we only attended Sunday's show.

May 31st: Carrot Top - My husband was excited that we booked this show as he has been a fan for many years. He likes the prop comic acts and we have seen many TV appearances that involve Carrot Top. Our over all opinion of this show was that we were glad that we got to see it however we were both disappointed with his effort to entertain. I know that there is some deviation from show to show in regards to the material and props but we had never seen the show so it was all new to us. There was a portion of the show that he mentioned doing that excited the crowd and we were eager to see it but toward the end of the show he refused to do that part of the act because he wasn't getting the "response" from that audience that he expected. He even cut his act short and left the stage early. We will not be repeat customers to this show.

June 1st: Viva Elvis Was super excited to have booked this Cirque show as we both loved Beatles Love. Going to this show gave us an opportunity to see the new Aria also. We had nose bleed seats for this show and usually that doesn't matter at the Cirque shows that we have seen in the past but this one I would have probably booked closer seats had I known. The show wasn't sold out and the air conditioning wasn't on in the theater in fact it was rather warm in there. I found that the projection of Elvis images in picture or movie reels on the back wall of the theater captured my attention more than the performers did. We had tickets to the late show and this was a long day for us both (up early), we were extremely tired and that was only compounded worse by the excess warmth of the theater. We had trouble staying awake. Yes really we were nodding off. I believe that unless this show is changed it will not last long - just my opinion.

June 2nd: Chris Angel Believe - every review that I read on this show said don't waste your money but I had to see it myself. The magic was minimal and the show really centered around the clown performers. In the middle of the show a VERY VERY annoying warning alarm sounded along with flashing lights constantly for what seemed to be 10-15 minutes. Many people actually got up and left the theater. It finally stopped and the show restarted w/o an explanation to those of us left waiting. I would not recommend this show to anyone, Chris Angel fan or not.

June 3rd: Blue Man Group - We were pretty close to the front for this show and after having a daughter that played in marching band for 5 years we appreciate the acoustic effort. You would think it would be hard to have a show w/o speaking performers make sense but it worked and we both really enjoyed the show, audience involvement and the paper shower as part of the finale was great. They also send a green message and educate in a fun way.

Playersforum.com

I am a member of this site PlayersForum.com "a place for people who like to play casino games, slot machines, table games". A site for some good gambling info, game info and a little bit of everything related to the gambling world. This site periodically sends me short surveys to fill out (maybe one a month) usually with a cash incentive. I usually fill them out thinking that anything that may help with getting games out that I like, machine designs or comps that I find important. This month I was selected as a WINNER of $100. Woo Hoo! doing the happy dance. Maybe I will play it on one hand of blackjack during my upcoming Las Vegas trip.

2011 Las Vegas trip is nearing

6 weeks from today and we will be in Las Vegas for our yearly trip. I am feeling really lucky this year. Time will tell! As of yesterday we have secured our final room reservations. We are staying at 2 new to us properties this year. First two nights we are staying at Eastside Cannery this is a newly built casino and a first stay for us, they have offered us free rooms we believe due to our visits to their (local to us) sister property The Meadows in Pittsburgh. They are also giving us $20 free casino cash to play on. Nights 3 and 4 we will be staying at, drum roll please..... Caesar's Palace, this too will be a first for us in Las Vegas although we did stay at Caesar's in Atlantic City last fall. I lost a lot there so I hope that Vegas is kinder to my bankroll. Might I mention that I do love Caesar's formally known as Harrah's for their continued room offers w/o the nasty Resort fees. For our final two days we are staying at The Orleans, they have consistently offered us two free nights every year plus a little free play and some restaurant $$. This casino also waves the resort fees on our comped rooms. We have ordered tickets to see The Lion King at Mandalay Bay, these were bought with a discount code costing us a little over $60 per ticket. We are also going to try out the All Stage Pass this year. I will report after our trip with how successful or not it was.

Candy Warehouse - Game night and Card game candy

I found this interesting site that sells Las Vegas themed candy. Thought I would share for those that host poker nights these would surely be a hit! Candy Warehouse

Small local hit

10+ weeks and counting until our Vegas vacation. We went to a local video parlor in WV. Gambling is legal there. I was playing keno nickles and hit 6 of 7 with a 2x multiplier for $120 within my first few spins, one more would have been so nice. Cashed it out and came home. More funds for Las Vegas. I don't play video poker there as the pay scales are so poor 5/4.

I had forgot that I had taken this photo, We made a stop at the Welcome to Las Vegas sign (see above) and across the street on the right if you are facing the welcome sign is a liquor store. We pulled in and was surprised that the handicap liquor drinkers only get 1/2 parking space. Yes that is a HUGE pole in the middle of that parking space. Second funny in this photo is the guy that stopped walking and posed as I was taking the picture(I didn't know him from Adam). People in Vegas are so funny!

Harrah's All Stage Pass

I have made many a reference to my love of Harrah's properties for their no resort fees pricing and the fact that they enjoy our business enough to offer us comped rooms. Sure they don't have great pay video poker but hardly any casino does these days. With a little effort its not hard to find decent pay and the one coin loss difference on a full house on my gambling budget certainly is made up with the comped room. I love Harrah's! In my Harrah's e-mail letter I learned of a great offer called an "All Stage Pass" where you get 48 hours of Las Vegas shows at Harrah's properties for $99. Wow I hope that this is still going on in May when we return. To purchase All Stage Pass, visit the Planet Hollywood box office located across from Heart Bar. You'll be issued an All Stage Pass credential, or you may use your Total Rewards card. Then proceed to the box office of any show you wish to see. You'll be able to pick up your show tickets no earlier than two hours prior to show time. Tickets are based on availability. This is a list of the participating shows:

Jubilee! (7:30 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.)
Human Nature (7:30 p.m.)
Rita Rudner (8:30 p.m.)
Matt Goss (10:00 p.m.)
Mac King (1:00 & 3:00 p.m.)
The Improv (8:30 p.m. & 10:30 p.m.)
Legends in Concert (7:30 & 10:00 p.m.)
Chippendales (8:00 p.m.)
Divas Las Vegas (10:00 p.m.)
Nathan Burton (4:00 p.m.)
Matsuri (4:00 p.m.)
Anthony Cools (9:00 p.m.)
George Wallace (10:00 p.m.)
X Burlesque (10:00 p.m.)
Vinnie Favorito (8:00 p.m.)
The Price is Right (2:30 & 7:30 p.m.)
Dirk Arthur (7:00 p.m. & 9:00 p.m.)
and thanks to About.com Las Vegas here is a break down of the best way to maximize your purchase. Although I really doubt that one could see this many in 48 hours here goes:

Day 1 – Buy the "All Stage Pass" at 7:45
8:00 Vinnie Favorito or Chippendales
10:00 George Wallace or Matt Goss

Day 2
1:00 Mac King
4:00 Matsuri
7:30 Legends in Concert or Human Nature
9:00 Anthony Cools or Dirk Arthur
10:30 X Burlesque or Divas Las Vegas

Day 3
2:30 Price is Right
4:00 Nathan Burton
7:30 Jubilee

Cleveland Clinc in Las Vegas?

Inspired by a past post from fellow Las Vegas blogger Jules Lovely Las Vegas During our recent Las Vegas trip we visited this very imaginative design of a building. Cleveland Clinic for many years has been consistently ranked high on the list of the best hospitals in the US and is located in my resident state of OHIO. When I read about this building I had to check it out, Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas. You know you can't gamble 24/7 and have to take in some sights. Thanks Jules w/o your blog I would have never known about this.

Ellis Island

During our 7 days in Vegas we ate at Ellis Island twice, once at the Bar-B-Q and once in the restaurant (expect a long wait time for the restaurant). We used BOGO coupons from the American Casino Guide for both meals. The King Cut Prime Rib dinner cost us $13 + tip and included all of the fixings for two and a house brew each. The Bar-B-Q cost us $8 + tip (I had the chicken and the hubby had the rib and chicken combo). Both meals were more than I could eat. During our visit we also used the 4 free drink coupons and enjoyed some good pay video poker.

Sex and the City

Dear hubby fell in love with this "penny" progressive game this trip, I believe that it is pretty new possibly related to the release of the movie. Although it was classified as a penny machine the minimum bet to cover all lines was $2.00. This has a very fun bonus board and there were several times that he cashed out for a lot on his new favorite game. These machines were limited in numbers and appeared to be playing very well the week we were in Vegas. You could hardly get on one and when you did it paid off. He hit several progressive jackpots on it for the lower amounts. He never got Mr. Big and the big payout.

Video Poker Quads

some more

Attended the 2010 WSOP

During our annual trip we stopped by The Rio as spectators to check out the WSOP. I wasn't lucky enough to bump into a poker pro as I did last year but was amazed to get to see so many full tables as many unknowns were playing qualifiers. Maybe someday I will get confident enough to play. I didn't hit the big jackpot but got some great screen shots of my VP wins. Will update the trip report as time permits with pictures and reviews. Coming back from two weeks of vacation on PST to EST, getting my house in order, enjoying summer and that pesky job has consumed all of my spare time. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog, check back soon.

2010 trip is nearing

I have been so busy haven't posted much of late but with the trip quickly approaching the dear husband thinks I must not be as excited about this trip. O contraire mon ami. We have booked 4 major shows at highly discounted visitor prices. We are seeing Cirque Du Soleil's Believe and Carrot Top at Luxor for $75 for both ($37.50 each). We are seeing Blue Man Group at The Venetian for $65 and using The Summer Of Cirque website we booked the new Cirque Show Viva Elvis (we loved Beatles Love) at the rate of $62.50 per ticket. So the final tally for 2 tickets to each of the 4 shows is $405 making the average ticket price of $50 each. I also got free tickets to The Rockabilly Rod Reunion for the entire weekends events by taking a survey from the LV Motor Speedway. We were able to allow a little more in the entertainment budget this year due to the fact that we had free flights using our Delta sky miles, we have to fly from Ohio to Atlanta first before flying to Las Vegas but free flights (had to pay $10 each security fees), I won't complain. We are staying 7 days, in comped rooms - 2 nights at the Orlean's (plus a food credit and some bounce back cash) - 3 nights at Paris and 2 nights at The Flamingo. I am really loving Harrah's and no NASTY hidden resort fees. I LOVE Harrah's!

Downtown Las Vegas aka Fremont Street Experience

This is a still pic, my movie files are too large to upload. The hubby and I love to go downtown. He actually likes staying down there, I have mixed emotions on this subject. Part of the draw is that gambling seems to be a little better and the casinos are closer to one another, you can walk out of one right into another. The ceilings are lower and therefore smell really smokey. We have stayed in Fitzgerald's, El Cortez and the Plaza (see room pics on the right). Another reason we love to go there is the hourly free 15 minute light shows on the canopy above Fremont Street. The entire street darkens and every casino shuts down there marque lights and the show begins. I recently became aware of a show schedule on this site Fremont Street Experience, we really enjoyed the "Kiss over Vegas" the last time we were there, but we are fans of the band too. We always rent a car while in Vegas so getting there isn't a problem. It would almost be an impossible walk from The Strip unless you were a seasoned walker and have lots of time to kill. I would not recommend walking it after dark. You do have to pay to park if you aren't staying down there. We always park at Main Street Station, pay $2 and then go inside and get the $2 back at the cashier cage. Last time we were there, no one was working the parking lot booth so we didn't have to pay at all. If you don't rent a car here is a Tripadvisor tips page on how to get there, although its dated 2007 its will give you an idea on how to get there. I hear that taking a cab there is expensive. If you are planning a trip to Vegas plan a trip downtown at least one day and evening (to see the show) of your trip.

Free to do in Las Vegas

This is just about the most thorough list of free to do in Las Vegas that I have ever seen. Vegas4locals.com This site also has a great free coupon section that can be used by anyone not just locals.

Atlantic City "ain't" no Las Vegas

My over all free stay at Showboat in AC was a positive, however Atlantic City in general should take some lessons from Las Vegas. We ate at 2 buffets while there one at the Trump Taj (used a BOGO free coupon in the American Casino Guide) this lunch buffet was $21. That is not a typo food is very expensive in AC. The second buffet was at the Showboat for a dinner, was $22 but free via a food comp. Maybe its just the way it is there but I found a lot of rudeness, people jumping ahead in lines, touching food with their fingers and NOT putting it on their plates (I actually watched a lady reach in and pick up a roll with her fingers, even though there were tongs there say it was too hard and put it back) blah! It also must be common to eat with your fingers while in line or else these people were starving and couldn't wait until they got to their table. AC needs to put up signs addressing this issue - NO EATING WHILE INLINE - It was not only once or twice that I witnessed it. Ewwww! The dear husband again did better with his gambling budget than I did. I lost my entire bankroll for the two days and he managed to actually win $70 over his allotted gambling money. I found the video poker pay tables to actually be better here than the Harrah's properties in Las Vegas which was opposite of what I had expected. I only hit one quad for the two days (pretty bad huh?). My hubby managed to hit quad aces on a DB .25 game paying him a cool $200 with his first twenty in. That man of mine has the luck this year. Will maybe post a few pics later.

Las Vegas May 2010

We haven't even made our trip to AC yet but we booked our airfare for our annual spring trip to Vegas. This is the earliest we have ever booked but got a great deal and couldn't pass it up. We booked with Delta, May 29th 2010 through June 5th 2010, 25,000 miles with one stop each way, one layover 1 hr and 24 min. and the other layover 45 min. for a grand total of $20 taxes and fees for both tickets. We are working on our free rooms. I Love Harrah's as I can book 4 free nights this far in advance but will likely have to wait until next spring to finalize the other 3 nights at another property. We are hoping to only have to move once this year but will move more if necessary.

Atlantic City, NJ

Although I know it's not Las Vegas, Atlantic City is like a mini Vegas and is a bit closer to my home. We are making a 2 day trip to AC next month Sept 14 - 16th. We are season ticket holders to Richmond International Speedway for both Nascar races and since we are only going to be 5 hours or so away we decided to drive on up. We have been to AC once before and honestly wasn't all that impressed. Made the mistake of visiting Vegas first. Unlike Las Vegas you have to pay to park at almost every casino, dining was VERY expensive and other than the ocean (which is cold that far north) they just don't have the entertainment and things to do and see that Las Vegas offers. You know you can't gamble 24/7. I am hoping to maybe recover some of my losses from Vegas this spring. Harrah's properties has offered us those two nights comped based on our play in Vegas. I am really beginning to love Harrah's.