It is not very far to the El Cortez from Vegas Club and the roll is much easier in April than in August when I did it last. I love the sidewalks all sloped for luggage or bikes or powered wheel chairs.
I could not get an early room so I left my bags with the bellman. I did not really check in until about seven. I just stayed at the poker table, stayed even, and drank Myer's rum. It was comfortable. Over the course of my El Cortez stay I was not to win at that poker table, and once I lost a good bit, but that is where I lived as long as there were at least six players. Less and I cashed and came back later. I played next to Jackie for a while, but I did not get cards to beat him or anyone else.
The games blend together. Dealers were all familiar except Tia who remembered me, so I must have seen her. I found her very attractive, her long dark hair.
Carol was there and Chris and Joe. Karen I just said hi to on my way to check out, so I never had much time to catch up.
I did hear that Action Jackson has been in the midwest dealing and playing.
Many of the players I knew, but they were not my favorites. I like the Spanish fellow, Pepito I think. I am not fond of the grumpy Eskimo who is always sour about everything, a ranter. I don't enjoy the constant talk of Marine guy, Rick, who is a bit scary. In my last game I had a cute little Cambodian girl named after a flower, perhaps Champey. She is a dealer at the Four Queens and Rick was chatting her up so intensely that no other conversation was possible. She was polite, but not interested and complained about him a bit when he went to the bathroom.
I was sorry not to have more time to ask her about Cambodia, and about her experience here. She was a cutie.
I did go up and ask the brush Jimmy if he did not have a jacket she might use as she was very, very cold and shivering constantly. He lent her a nice fleece, Joe's coat. She never knew I had asked. I'd have liked the credit, but there was no getting that in the conversation as Marine guy Rick just talked a constant rattle.
On my right was a German fellow from Munich. He had been there the day before and won the high hand with four Aces. It seemed odd that a fellow from Germany was spending so much time in the El Cortez rather than touring the strip. He was friendly and I played a bit with my German. Das Schwein shleif for example was what I might say if I lost. I had a plastic pig as a card protector.
One other player had a rubber pig as a protector and so there were plenty of pig jokes and banter. It was a good bit of fun.
At other games I saw mostly the players who don't have so much fun playing. There was the old fellow who is the rule czar, a good player, but very serious and mad at any deviation from the rules. He called the floor because one young fellow did not use a cup holder. He told me on day as I exited the elevator that the game was full, as if I should just give it up. I put my name on the list.
He and a woman he knew were constantly muttering if the played hands were not what they thought should be played. I did not have energy for them. They would talk as if I was not there and be critical. Finally, one time I had enough, so as I collected a huge pot which I had hit on an inside draw (with two overcards) I spoke down the table to them:
"Ya know, it's not about the money. I just play those cards so I can hear you grumble. That's worth all the losses."
He did not laugh, but she thought it was a great line as did the table, and after than they had little to say about my loose play or perhaps that was one of the few hands I played loosely anyway.
I liked setting them up to think I was loose so they called my bets.
However, I did not win here either.
It was a week of not winning.
This old good player had been in Germany in WWII and he spoke a bit of German to the German fellow as did a few others at the table.
I missed the days of Action Jackson.
I did play next to a fellow who was almost blind and help him figure when it was his turn, and how to manage to get to the bathroom. He and I hit is off. He was a good no limit player, but not good at this game. He lost. He is the only person to try my Myer's rum with lime and like it. He thanked me for introducing him to a new drink. He thought it was like scotch which made me wonder if his taste buds matched his eyesight.
Once he was annoyed at me. He started talking about the new television hit
http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/kats-report/2010/apr/10/what-glitters-pawn-stars/
which I knew nothing about because I never watch such television. I should have been more respectful of that conversation. On my ride to the airport I saw the store that is attracting attention. Reality shows sure generate a good bit of interest.
I like reality, but I find it on every corner.
Generally in television I like narrative fiction and no commercials. And buying stuff has little interest for me unless it is a Florida thrift where things are a quarter.
Our Brooksville friends who show us around the thrifts every year would be great for a reality show.
I can't quite get why folks are so attracted to these shows. Why would they need reality on television when it is right out their doorway? Are they unable to romanticize their real experiences? I have been romanticizing Vegas for a couple decades now.
Also at the El Cortez, a board member, Matt met me and bought me a fine dinner of steak and shrimp while we exchanged information. He was a lot more knowledgeable than I am. He pointed out the older slots by the elevator as some of the oldest in Vegas and I was going to play a bit there, but never got the chance. On my way back to the airport these were recommended by the shuttle driver too as the best payers in the casino. The one I wanted had a low large jackpot and that always means there are more low pays. I am sorry to have missed that.
Thanks for the steak and shrimp, Matt, and all the interesting information. I wish I had taken notes.
I did not miss losing money at something any day I was there.
And that is tough to romanticize.
But there is more to consider. Overall, I was just too tired much of the trip to take advantage of all that was offered. I spent too many early morning hours wondering just what to do, not wanting to gamble but up at 4 AM. I was then unable to nap and so unable to go to all the shows I would have liked, or hand comfortably in a lounge and listen to live music.
All in all this was my most disappointing trip. I liked some days, but Vegas did not offer what it used to offer and the poker losses were just very devastating to my ego.
The Flamingo was very disappointing because it was my first real stay on the strip and I did not like it. It was too cold to swim and the water was like ice even on the warm days. The maze of corridors confused me. I was so happy to get out of there and go downtown again.
Next trip I am going to the Super 8 and the Gold Coast.
I don't know exactly when I'll go back, but I don't think it will be soon. Perhaps next April.
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