TR Snippet Background Music

I pay attention to the music around me in Vegas. Most of it I enjoy, some of it grates on my nerves. Tastes in music are subjective; however, I would argue that pumped in music should usually be eclectic and at least draw on jazz and blues as well as the old Rat Pack type lounge music singers that we associate with Vegas.
What happens too often is some radio station, playing the same modern music :nasal whines of indecipherable lyrics shouted over loud percussion and peppered with shouted advertisements that encourage us to just stop into Walmarts and say such and such and we'll get a free hot dog or some app for our phone, and all of it so loud it is overwhelms and sense of peace over a meal or a swim. Binions pool music is a perfect example. I asked if it was always the same and the attendant said yes. I was unable to keep my own thoughts while swimming there and left earlier than I needed to leave.
In the past I've been unable to talk to dinner guests at Hash a Go Go or the KGB restaurants. Luckily this trip I had no guests at Todai Seafood buffet. There the mall music from Planet Hollywood was pumped in loud and particularly annoying because it clashed with and decomposed the Asian theme.
I registered complaint.
"Is there no Asian music of value to add ambiance to the theme and cuisine?"
Perhaps my complaint would be passed on.
I would not bring guests there. There could not be conversation over the din.
Because it was a holiday at the Stratosphere pool, the music was mixed by a professional DJ. Still he mixed in some older songs I remember. Most of it was rap with a few older rock songs thrown in. It would not be my pick, but then I was one of two white haired old guys in the mix, and the professional mixing and equipment made a huge difference. I remember hearing a percussion instrument for the first time in a song I have heard often over the years. It is amazing to hear parts of songs that are very familiar, but missed on the radio versions.
And some of the music was unique.
Take "It’s Time for the Perculator." In this song these words are the only lyrics and when the perculation does begin to play, it is like listening to a good percussion piece played on some city corner on plastic buckets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVTvzqIHiNk

And Musto and Bones, Dangerous on the Dance floor was pretty sexy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfqTrMhWOFY

I talked to the DJ, and he said that sometimes he does mix in jazz and blues, but he did not take the hint that he could give himself permission to do it that day. He worked with a computer and a turntable and he was quite skillful.
He ended with a totally different sort of song that I'd like to own. It was called "Closing time"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGytDsqkQY8
and followed with a Muppets ending song.
I think Closing Time is one of the best discoveries I have made this year; it is soft rock sound that layers meanings rather than uses simple repetition. It is a sad song. It tries not to be, but it is very sad.
It is not overly nasal.
So with such expert handling of sound, and at least some eclectic mix, the music was not too loud and not annoying even for this old guy, but perhaps all the bikinis distracted me from listening. Had I brought my earplugs for swimming, I could have protected myself from water in the ear as well as turned the volume down.
At the Gold Spike during the times I used the pool there was no music and the only sound was the soothing sounds of the water falls.
I liked that best.
I could just breast stoke for an hour or so and let my mind wander.
It is meditative.
All the pool needs is one Buddha.
The Harrah's shuttle pumped in a radio station, but one with an older set of sounds. I think it was 105 something. The music was mixed. Barry White's, "Can't get enough of your love baby," played and assorted others I knew. Ironically, the lounge at Bally's had a great group called Indigo and they played that same Barry White as well. I also heard something repeating, "Come and open up your crazy life."
One night the sound of a harmonica drew me into Hennessy's when I was drunk. I had a hamburger and an order of onion rings that would have been enough to feed four people.
The food was fine at Hennesy's as were the old Irish faces in tavern poses on the wall and the old fashioned cane like chairs and supersized bottles of Cholula on the table. No damn Tabasco monopoly here.
The young band never played harmonica again. The woman in the band was cute and personal with a fine clear voice and TANK GIRL on her tee shirt.
She did whistle into some of the tunes.
That was cool.
It was 90's music and clearly nostalgic to this young crowd. Too much drum here and not enough use of the guitars in unique rifts.
" Don't go chasing wild cards."
http://www.metrolyrics.com/waterfalls-lyrics-tlc.html
The girl in the lead mentioned Empire Music and I thought that was their name, but it turns out to be a cult film from 1995 that was silly fun to watch. Someone I missed it first time around. Plenty of well known actors in it.
The 90's as the good ole days! Man, am I old!!
Excessive repetition does seem to be the disease of much of rock. In the jazzy big band sounds of the 30's and 40's the music moved the bits about and different instruments could each take a different approach to the melody. I like a trumpet and the saxophone and a good piano. Usually now it is all guitar and drums with the latter drowning out the entire piece. There is hardly room for a voice. Thus screaming is necessary.
　
At the D upstairs was a nice mix of older music, some from early 60's mixed with some Sinatra, Elvis, Dylan. These are the sounds of my youth. I liked playing video poker to the sounds, but the deuces wild machine was right next to the sports book and so the music had to compete with sports commentators. Back at the Vue bar it was more of a clean listen. If you want an oldies VP bar experience, this is it. You have to content yourself with Heineken or Corona. Otherwise only rust stripping well drinks.
Downstairs at the D was fast dance music run through a clear sound system with plenty of sexy women dancing on platforms.
I enjoyed watching for a while.
Now the word is they are hiring more dancing dealers.
Loud fast music seems a perfect match for a dancing mood and I liked it here and in the Carnaval Court. None of it was the modern radio whine music that I dislike while playing video poker or swimming. I don't suppose that sort of sound is good for dancing either.
But music that is great for dancing is not great for eating or swimming.
It was like that during the disco era. Few people really wanted to enjoy a meal to disco, but on the dance floor it was just great.
Well, those are my few reflections on background music encountered in Vegas this trip.

TR SNIPPET laundry

Since I go for 23 days, laundry is an issue. 
I did laundry once this past trip at the place on Arville between Flamingo and Tropicana.
http://www.insiderpages.com/b/15242021804/wizard-of-suds-las-vegas

The rest of the time I did laundry in my room, usually washing out some things when I first arrived at a hotel, so they would dry before I needed to pack to go.
These Rugged Earth shirts I buy marked down to about $15 at Beall's in Florida are wonderful shirts for Vegas. They are cooler than a tee shirt. They dry overnight and my travel steamer will take out most of the wrinkles, except those around the pockets. The two extended space pockets are just great and carry my phone and glasses right where I can easily find them. I wear nothing else in Vegas.
My shorts are good too, with many pockets. However, they take two days to dry as do underwear and socks.
If I want to give up the time to go to the laundromat, those machines do an amazingly better job than hand washing or even my washer at home. This time I tossed in everything in one load, including a pair of sneakers that had stepped in horse manure, and everything came out bright and clean in spite of the fact that I tossed the soap right in with the clothes, not seeing the dispensor. I did not put the sneakers in the dryer.
At the attached convenience store, I got a roll of quarters and they gave me free soap and a free drink as well, I had a sweet vanilla coffee. Actually, I got two rolls and played Pacman while I waited.
I had a car when I did this, but I could see taking the Flamingo bus up to Arville and walking from there.
with a trip of 22 days, I have plenty of time.
I don't like the way socks come out of hand washing. They are so dry and stiff. This trip I bought new socks here. They did not add much to the weight going home. I think I’ll go every trip with a bag of new socks.

TR SNIPPET FOUR QUEENS HAT

The Four Queens is fast becoming my favorite place to gamble and the staff at the Four Queens are always on their best to help, but this conversation really made me chuckle.
I’m at the Player’s Club.
"So, I might like to buy a hat. I see it is 300 points. What is that in cash?"
"I don't know, sir, because we don't handle cash here, just points."
"What is the value in cashback of 300 points?"
I really don't know, sir. All I know is what I see on the computer.
Okay, you saw that my points were 1100 and my cashback was $27. I figure that means I Iwould pay about $7.50 for the hat the way I do the math."
“I really don't know.”
The clerk goes away to post my point doubling coupon.
There are two other clerks, so I just say a bit louder, "Hey, is there anyone here who is good at math. I can do this math, but it just does not seem official."
They all shake their heads and say no. They are terrible at math they say.
The supervisor has not heard my question, but she comes to actually post my point doubling on the computer, and I ask her,
"What does a hat cost?"
"300 points, sir."
And how much money in cashback would I lose if I use those points for a hat rather than for cashback.”
She fiddles with the computer a while.
“$7.50, sir.”
Well, guess I’ll pass on the hat, then. Thanks for posting my coupon doubling.

So the coupon doubling added 500 points to my total and that is worth $12.50 cashback. I think that makes the Four Queens American Casino Guide coupon one of the most valuable in the book. I used the Riviera free comedy coupon for two free tickets, so that topped it in value. Pretty amazing coupons really.

TR Snippet Gold Spike

I stayed only one three night weekend at the Gold Spike this trip.  I enjoyed it more than the Four Queens or Imperial Palace or The D.  Except that it has nothing for me to play, it is ideal for my needs:  frugal, easy check in with no lines, well positioned for buses, wifi, nice small uncrowded pool, a quiet, comfortable room and Turner Classic Movies on the television. 

And it is close enough to the El Cortez that I can play live poker there easily.

While I am leaning more to being around the Flamingo, my favorite poker room in Vegas, I get good weekend offers from the Four Queens and will still probably want to split my stay between the strip and downtown.

My nephew came with me for part of the trip this time.  He has some sleep issues, but he liked the beds there. I am not very discriminating.

I avoided the tough prime rib this time, but still had a nice meal of blueberry pancakes at the Gold Spike counter. Those are served 24/7.

I like eating at the counter and watching the frantic waitresses who are more like NYC waitresses than waitresses in Vegas.  The old woman seems totally overwhelmed with the whole job.  The young blond seems a bit stressed by all of life and bothered that she has to work. Their favorite expression is, “Just a minute.” Which means a few minutes if they remember.  Only the Latino woman seems efficiently happy to be working.   It is amazing to see her balance a row of plates on an extended arm from her finger tips to her shoulder.

If I am in a hurry, I don't like this place.  But if I want a show with my meal, it is just grand.

I don't like getting ice for the room at the end of the bar rather than in a machine, but it is not a terrible task.  The buckets are oversized and that might be just fine for some.

The pool is a treat.  No whining nasal indecipherable lyrics from some radio station. Just the fine and easy sounds of three fountains and falling water.  It is never very crowded, although I did encounter a fellow one day swimming laps who could not swim without splashing me.  I suppose I might have said something, but I just went along and did my brief thing that day.  Towels may be slim in the early morning.  The pool opens at 8.  Bring a room towel. It closes late so there is plenty of time to swim.

I got exhausted one day at the Gold Spike and spent a good portion of it in bed sleeping and watching old movies on TCM.  Those were great, especially “Tobacco Row.”  I love the way the television is set in a rectangle section of the wall.  Someone understands good viewing.

I did have a bedbug issue with a bottom mattress pad that looked like it might have dead, fried bugs imbedded in it.  They changed my room.  I did not see any evidence of live bedbugs, but I am conservative and don't like taking chances.  There was no question and I was registering very early.

TR Snippet Gold Coast Buffet Specials

I went up to the Gold Coast buffet on Memorial Day Monday.  They did not let me use the American Casino Guide coupon to play for 200 points and get a free buffet, but they did let me play for 10 points and get a senior 50% coupon and pay for the rest with points. 

I went again for lunch at 11AM on the next day.  The buffet closes from 10AM until 11AM and lunch starts at that time.

I was well fed both times, and I don't see much difference, except in price.

I liked the menudo Mexican soup except it was made with bits of tripe.  I had not had it that way before.  The flavor was fine;  I just set the bits of trip aside.  I love this spicy corn soup from Mexico.

There was also a spicy brown sauced Mexican chicken I liked.  I missed the name.

I was impressed with the ribs.  I do not use sauce and these were served with the sauce optional. 

The first day there were baked and stuffed oysters on the half shell.  They were a bit dry, but with lemon or orange tasted fine.  The second day they fried the oysters in a batter and these were very good with lemon and a dot of tabasco.

One time they served pea soup.  I ate two bowls.  It was very good. 

A mixed summer squash medley on the Mexican side was great.

I made a nice dessert the first night taking pound cake and adding blueberries and a bit of carmel topping with chopped nuts. 

Both times I had watermelon and pineapple, both good, but the second pineapple was a bit underripe.  I don't think they serve a Costa Rican pineapple.

Those pinapples are much better.

I broke even on my JOB play both times.  The second time I put 200 points on and was at 50 some dollars and prepared to quit at $50  before a fine run put me even at 444 points.  So the meals were really free, and I just barely avoided paying $50 for one of them.

Finding a 9/6 JOB was hard. I did not come with the VP free detailed information, and I found mostly 8/5, some 7/5, a bank of 9/5 before I found two machines of 9/6 together by themselves near where workers come out on the floor along the South wall.  9/6 used to be everywhere at the Gold Coast. 

What a shame! 

When the old Jazz Band played afternoons, I loved to listen to all their sets and play JOB in between, carrying a free beer back to the music, perhaps with a cheap sportsbook hotdog loaded with kraut.

Well, it still is a good coupon deal and a cheap buffet even when paying. 

However, I don't see much advantage in paying the added prices for supper. 

We do have to keep track of the nights as the prices go up on some nights and the coupon may not be good those time. 

Also, don't try to use two coupons in a single year.  They won't let you.

For some reason they booted me up to Saphire this year.  I did not play much at all, even skipped my usual days at the Orleans chasing the senior specials.  When I had a card made at Main Street Station just to manage to use my points on the buffet, it came out Saphire.

And right away Sam’s sent me 3 free nights instead of their 2 for 1 specials that are never a real bargain.

Odd.

TR SNIPPET GAMBLING STORE

Spinetti's Gambling Store

Retail Store Location

810 S. Commerce St

Las Vegas, NV 89106

702.362.8767

I went down to this store and picked up a few decks of cars for $1 each.  They had new decks at that price without the black marks on the sides common to the used playing cards available everywhere.  We look for cards with different colored backings as we play here at home with each player having his own deck so there is no waiting for the passing of the cards and the shuffling.

I also bought a few cut cards as some of the local guys are showing too much of the bottom of the deck.

I liked the store and liked looking around.  There is another store in front, so the two stores are in the same location.

TR Snippet 4 Queens coupon

I guess I had not actually figured the cash value of the ACG coupon that doubles points up to 500.  This is redeemed after play at the Four Queens.  It boosted my cash back by $12.50.  That one coupon almost pays for the entire book.

That is an amazing benefit in my opinion.  Even a $10 matchplay is only valued at a bit less than $5. 

The only other one I used that was valued higher was the Riviera 2 free comedy coupon.

TR Snippet - El Cortez - Playing on nothing

After I dropped five hundred of my own money and $100 freeplay chasing a progressive royal (up to $1145) on the 10/7 Double Bonus machines at the Four Queens, and another $300 at poker, I had to bring my gambling down to no loss gambling for a while, if I were to manage my bankroll over the remaining 15 nights of my 22 night stay. I did not know then that two royals would pull me out of my slump and into good profit. That would not happen for a couple weeks.


I decided to drift over to the El Cortez poker room and drink and visit into the early morning hours. I knew the losses would be small there.

The game is still there.
Jackie is still there.

However, the alcohol selection has been downgraded. No more Myer's rum; nothing but well drinks and bad ones at that. No more Corona with lime; nothing but those piss water beers.

The staff there at the poker room are wonderfully friendly and greet me by name. The brush seated me right next to Jackie, pulling up a stack of chips that had kept the seat next to him empty.

As he melts more into senility, Jackie's filters have fade, and the staff is careful who sits next to him. Also, he flashes his cards, so anyone who sits next to him has to look up to avoid taking unfair advantage.

I do that most of the time.

No one can do it all the time.

As I sit down, Jackie checks me out. He raises up in his seat and leans back, maybe to get the right angle of his glasses and gives me one of his intense direct looks.

"How ya doin' Jackie? Good to see ya again,"
I say to the welcoming stare.

He doesn't really remember anyone. If anyone asked, "Do you remember me?" he used to say, "Yeah, you're the guy who took all my money."

But then he used to say, "One for the money."

I don't hear any of those chestnuts tonight.

After they explain the new alcohol limitations, I order a hot chocolate while I think over my alcohol choices, or rather the lack of them.
And we play.
The pots are small. No "its-only-money" tourists are playing. Also, no one I know is playing. Sad.
At one point Jackie reaches over and lightly pats my tummy.
Although really I've been losing a little weight, I say, "Yeah, Jackie, I'm gaining weight."
The table laughs.
A while later he takes his hand, and just barely strokes my hair the way you might with a young son.
I'm not too sure I know what he means, but I say, "Yeah, Jackie, I need a haircut."
The dealer says, "Don't you want to touch his beard, Jackie," and he looks at me a minute while the dealer adds, "He looks like Santa Claus."
Jackie just ignores all that.
I'm not certain what it was all about. Perhaps with more of his verbal skills retreating, he finds some communication in touch.
In his light touch, I can get just what a sweet old man he was and is. I am sorry to see so much of him gone. They call him a living legend, but left now is more of the legend than the living.
Chris and Albert are dealing, and it is fine to get caught up on news. I hear about some of the old fellows who don't come anymore.
Action Jackson is out at Boulder now. I suspect that is because he can smoke there. I won't play there for the same reason. He is also dealing the World Series again this year.
The table is friendly, but I miss the old raucus table of characters. Here everyone plays a quiet game of cards without many stories or joking banter or dramatic posturing, and I am quickly a bit bored.
I decide to try their shelf whiskey on ice with a bit of lime. After all, I drink second rate whiskey often at home and often I can't tell this difference. I figured these well drinks can't be so bad.
But the whiskey was terrible. Really. Awful.
Whatever “well” this came out of was poisoned long ago.
It might be good for cleaning the shelf, but it would never be on even the bottom shelf. This stuff would have to be stored under the bottom shelf in the basement near the septic system
I know better than to try cheap rum; I know I don't like that. So I follow up with a cheap beer, and that is just okay.
I play a while and Jackie splashes the pot, chasing anything of any potential value and catching rivers, frustrating his opponents who hope to win. I can hold my own, but I won't be making money at this table unless the players change.
Also, I am really missing the smooth taste of my Myer's rum that I have associated with this spot for many years now. It had not been my intention to come and play serious poker, but to come and throw away hands and do some serious drinking.
Because the table is tight and quiet and the drinks are awful, I decide to quit and wait until the tourists come or in some way the game changes.
I'm irked anyway by the El Cortez and all the decisions of the new owners: $25 added fee for more than 7 calendar nights, all the complaints I have read by regulars on discussion boards about the cuts in comps, and now they've really spoiled this gem of a poker room for me.

What happens in Vegas, changes in Vegas.

So I get my American Casino Guide $10 freeplay coupon and decide to entertain myself with slots and get drunk on Myers rum.
While they don't give out the good stuff to the poker players anymore, a penny slot player still qualifies for Myer's rum.
So I am going to take my irk and make it work. For me, not for the bean counters.
To put the freeplay on my card, I push through the small crowd who are hoping to win in some drawing.
There are more and more drawings than comps all around Vegas. It is a cheap way to encourage play. No matter how many people play for chance tickets, the cost to the casino is the same. Mostly it is a local-focused game because tourists rarely can be around on the day of the drawing.
I put the free $10 on my card.
"Do you want your 5X points today?" the clerk asks.
"No, I don't think so," I answer.
"Well, they expire at the end of June," she warns me.
"Thanks."

I am not expecting to risk any real money. Just the freeplay.
I roll up to the Texas Tea slot just as the same drink person who informed me of the alcohol changes gets there, and I order Myer's Rum.
She apologizes again for not being able to serve me in the poker room.

"Hey, it is not your fault."
This particular waitress seems to take everything personally. She is too apologetic. When I tell her I'll be playing a while, meaning she can bring another, she warns me about how much of the casino she serves and that she won't be back for at least a half hour.
"I'll be here a long while," I tell her.
I don't like it that she is in constant apology mode. She must be taking crap for all the drink changes. Without me having to see her, she shows up with a Myers whenever she passes, and that is just wonderful, but she still imagines I am annoyed at her for something. So I tip her $2 instead of the $1, and then she gets that I am happy with her.
Whenever the EV of slots is compared to live poker or advantaged VP pay tables, the argument on the side of slots is that entertainment is the goal.
I get that.
I let this slot entertain me as I play just a penny a spin. That way I don't have to actually pay for the entertainment.
Often slot players think that slot play requires no thinking; however, that is totally incorrect.
Once entertainment is the goal rather than just winning, to get a full serving of entertainment, the mind must in some ways engage the multiplicity of the game, so that the player can perceive what is happening. There should be some delight in the characters, and some anticipation in the icons as they fall, as well as some disappointment when there is almost but not quite a win.
My inner child is perfectly able to delight in these little characters, but I can't follow more than three lines, and if I am going to drink rum which will come every half hour, one line is really plenty to entertain my inebriated mind as I stretch my freeplay out as long as possible.
Playing one line I can see the first icon snap into place and hope for a match as the others follow. I can see where a winning icon fell on the line below or above and groan.
Years ago I loved the video poker at the El Cortez because the cards were dealt slow enough for the mind to anticipate possibilities and be rewarded or disappointed.
This is just the opposite of what the professionals do, slapping out their advantage in fast as possible play. I think that is rather hard work and dull.
Anticipation accounts for some of the fun of Hold em as well. At each round of betting there are more or less possibilities, joys and disappointments.

As Nick the Greek put it,

“The next best thing to playing and winning is playing and losing.”

But to do that, I have to bring the lines down to something I can really watch.
Because the mind cannot see scatters as they hit, Texas Tea offers the snap of a whip for each owner icon. It also offers a clunk for the oil wells. I never get an oil well video. Perhaps there is minimum play for that, but the clunk is there, and I get plenty of owner scatters: 11 for 8 credits, 4 for 15 credits.
Oddly, not all the icons will come to pay me. For the most part, it is the armadillos that pay me.
I like that. The armadillos are my favorites and as the rum starts to work, I will sometimes just sip rum and watch the little buggers jump up and wiggle their tongues at me and sip more rum and laugh for quite a while after a lucky hit on my one penny line.
Perhaps the game is programmed to use the armadillo more often.
I notice that each time the oil well owner writes me a check, that there is an armadillo in one of the office chairs watching.
I imagine the armadillo has a role similar to the fool in Shakespeare, and it is an important part.
When the rum is working well enough for me to find comparisons to Shakespeare in a game of Texas Tea, then I know I am truly being entertained.
For a long while, I rooted for three flowers, but then when they came, they were so pathetic compared to the armadillo, that I was disappointed.
I could not get a cactus pay.
A few cows mooed their rewards, and the owner beeped his car horn a few times as well.
As I sipped the four rums I was to drink over the course of my freeplay and flowed, "into the zone" as they say, the short bits of music became clearer and my mind also could sort those bits from the music in The Parlour bar.

Nice.
I can't remember all the tunes, but Bobby Darin singing, "Somewhere Beyond the Sea" latched on to my inebriated emotions with flashbacks to being in 8th grade.
I also caught Elvis singing, "In the Ghetto."
However, I am not a full fan of that song. It is just too negative and sung from such an outsider position.
It grates on my love of good blues, because it should be blues, and it isn't.

Now, I don't want to leave the impression that I recklessly played through my free money as fast as I could at the extravagant rate of one penny per pull, or that I chugged the fine smooth taste of my free Myer's rum.
I sipped the rum slowly, ate the ice, and sometimes sucked the lime. I played slow.
Also, dealer Chris came over on his break and talked for a while, so I had a complete break in the play. Then Doug stopped to get a sense of the game from us, and he remembered my name. I was flattered.
I'd rather talk to Doug away from the table than play poker with him. He is the best player there. Sometimes I have played him for long hours, gone to bed, and found him there in the same seat in the morning with a fine chip stack when I woke up the next day.
He sees and knows things I don't.
My only defense against his expert play is to be unpredictable.
I did not feel I had the concentration to play him on this night.

And there were other purely imaginary visitors who added to the entertainment of the slots. One of my best friends, Jerry, recently moved from my home area to his new retirement home in South Carolina. I miss dropping in for breakfast. He is a great lover of Texas Tea and after two rums, I could feel him laughing over my shoulder.

I kept a running total of my freeplay score. That would insure that I played through all the pennies and did not waste any of them, but that once they were played through I took my profit. It would also give me a fine stopping place for the rum.
At three drinks I told the waitress, just one more and really it was one too many. I don't drink much at home. So my few nasty well drinks and beers set up the rum to push me over the top.
At first I stayed ahead in the gambling thanks to the funny armadillos, but gradually the negative EV asserted its grinding mathematical will, and I fell behind.

When the freeplay ran out, my score was $6.66 but I recklessly played it down to an even $6 and then I cashed out.
Myers Rum at the bar costs $4, so the value was $16 in rum. For a couple hours of entertainment at no risk whatsoever, I raked in $22 and the casino lost.
Had I drank the same rum at the poker table, I'd have contributed a lot more money when a winning pot was raked, so the casino lost in another way as well.

And I'm glad!
It is the best play I could make against the recent plays the El Cortez have established. I'll make it again if it is still possible.

And all this talk about the place now attracting the affluent young and restless, ready to whoop it up and spend….well…..each time I was there I saw the same old tired, lower middle class faces, and I never saw it packed even when the Fremont Experience was packed shoulder to shoulder with people, and the downstairs of the D and the Golden Nugget were packed with players.

After my free rum and freeplay, the El Cortez poker table still did not look inviting, and with Doug on the list, it was going to get harder still.

How I would love it if that game started to attract the young and party folks that some speculate are just waiting to lose their money at the El Cortez, and how fine it would be for those mythical youngsters to take the seats of a few of the tough, tight old regulars.

But this night the table looked unprofitable, and because the first strategy of limit poker is table selection, I waved good night to the dealers, and staggered down Fremont, had a hamburger and onion rings at Hennesy's and played until almost 2AM at the Golden Nugget.

There too the American Casino Guide coupon gave me my winnings. It was worth 10 dollars and in spite of being at a table of bad players, that is exactly what I left with as winnings when I quit, just $10.
The whole night was just great fun for no money, and that is exactly what I needed to stretch my bankroll over the rest of my 23 day trip, when the first week had me down $800.

TR snippet Swimming Pools

I am rarely in Vegas during really good pool weather. Generally, I am unwilling to give up the swimming and fishing on the lake at home.  However, this year I found myself there in good weather, that dates of the visit decided by a graduation in Denver and a wedding and a Memorial service in Vegas.

I had planned a trip to Sam's Town for the 10 am $23 tournament, the free buffet with 200 points played, and $3 movie followed with a ride into Henderson, but my wife called and told me I was to receive a surprise at 4 PM or later and to stay close to the Imperial Palace.

So I took the American Casino Guide free buffet with 200 points coupon, played off a matchplay there, played off another at the Palms.  (Both losers) Then I stopped by to see the new Palms poker room and chat with a local friend there before eating my free Gold Coast lunch.

And then I went to the Caesars' pool.  They told me here at Imperial Palace that I could use it just by showing a room key.  The truth is I could use it just by walking in.

I changed clothes in the bathroom and packed all my street things in my new Four Queens slot tournament  swim bag and had a fine swim in two of the pools in the pool area.

They are easily accessed by simply coming in the front door of the casino, heading right to the Palace Tower and keeping to the left until signs for the pool are visible.

No one guarded the door.  It was a contrast to what I heard about happening under the watch of the Pool Nazi at Flamingo.  No one checked my bag.

I first went in the upper rectangular pool and that was nice enough, only the shape seemed a bit too cliche.  I could easily put my bag near the lifeguard where I could see it.  I can't imagine a thief who is barefoot and in a swim suit grabbing my beach bag and making a run for it, but we can't be too careful.

I moved down the round pool with the fountainish waterfall effects and that was my favorite. 

Not only could I get a shower of cool water from the fountains, but I might also encounter a slight misting there.  And the water falling into the pool gave it a bit of slight current and some cool spurts and made it just slightly active.  So the swimming was more fun because the water did its part.
The work of the round pool to move water a bit, add misting spray, allow a cool waterfall dip reminds me of those long hot hikes in the woods when the waterfall would be so wonderfully refreshing,.

There is music in both places, but it is not loud enough to hear, but just a slight din of background base. 

The falling water created a wonderfully white noise that was both comforting and meditative.  I remembered long hikes in hot woods to refreshing waterfalls. 

It was really great.

At the far end there was in-the- water gambling so I could have played blackjack, but I suppose that might only work for folks with Caesars' room keys.

There were towels provided, but I skipped mine.  I did not change back in street clothes, but just slipped on my pool shoes and an overshirt and walked back to the hotel.
I did think it odd to see a lifeguard texting.  He would not have seen me slip below the surface.  I'm surprised he could keep his job.

In the casino I was a bit cold, but on the street it felt great, and I did not have to change back into street clothes.  Instead I just took a good nap when I got to the room and waited for my surprise.

POOL EXPERIENCE NUMBER 2

Thanks and kudos to Scio's advice on POOLS. It was very helpful this trip.
I was staying at the Four Queens, so I walked over to Binion’s to swim, but Binions pool was closed Memorial Sunday for a private function. I had not called ahead. It is supposed to be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday; I never thought to ask about Memorial Day Sunday. I wasted my walk over from the Four Queens in my swimsuit.
By the way, when you take that walk, go all the way down Fremont and around to the West side of Binions and down the block so you go in the door where they are selling shirts and such stuff. Walk straight to the elevators. One goes to the pool deck. If you grab the other, switch at the steakhouse floor to the one that goes to the pool deck. Have you key ready as you will be asked.

I was mentally primed for a swim and very down on my gambling budget, so I thought I'd take Scio’s advice and visit the Stratosphere pool.
I called first, and they told me that they welcomed anyone there and to come on ahead.
Compared to the story of the Pool Nazi at the Flamingo, this was a delightful experience. Had their limit poker room been running a game, I’d have played there as well, but the place was empty. I like the Stratosphere. I wish they would get a poker room going or come back with some of those long lost 9/7 JOB.
Had I been on the main strip on Memorial Sunday I would most likely have encountered crowds on the bus, but coming from downtown on the SDX was easy and fast. I guess it was a ten minute ride, winding through neighborhoods in an uncrowded bus and then I was there.

To access the pool go to the large bar just inside the main entrance and look South. You will see a huge sign and the Number 8.
8 is the name of the pool.
All things now in Vegas are being named by a letter or a number or three.
But at least 8 is easy to remember. It is not an acronym.
That door will take you to an elevator and you can enter the pool area. Pay attention to where you enter. Exiting at other places will put you into the hotel at other places.
The pool is really spacious. It is only 4 feet at its deepest, but there is so much space that folks can play volleyball, or toss the ball around and not be in the way.
I was there on Memorial Sunday. It was crowded, but comfortable.
For those of you who want to avoid kids, this is not the pool.
I enjoyed watching the kids play ball. In one place the ball could be bounced off the cement wall, like kiddy handball.
There was a bag toss game like horseshoes, only with small bean bags that are tossed into plywood holes.
Tented cabanas were available for various prices. I think $50 a weekday was the bare bones price. Another free section was shaded with tables that had menus on them. Folks sat there and did not eat.
No outside food or drink can be brought into the pool, but no one checked my bag for my water bottle. There are bathrooms that will work as changing areas and two water fountains.
I filled my bottle with nice cold water for the bus before I left.
While I was there, not one person was advised of any rule infringements or inspected for anything. Lounge chairs could be moved without penalty. A Life Guard just came around every little while and moved them back.
Because it was a holiday, the music was mixed by a professional DJ. Most of it was rap with a few older rock songs thrown in. It would not be my pick, but then I was one of two white haired old guys in the mix, and the professional mixing and equipment made a huge difference. I remember hearing a percussion instrument for the first time in a song I have heard often over the years. It is amazing to hear parts of songs that are very familiar but missed on the radio versions.
And some of the music was unique.
Take "It’s Time for the Perculator." In this song these words are the only lyrics and when the perculation does begin to play, it is like listening to a good percussion piece played on some city corner on plastic buckets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVTvzqIHiNk

And Musto and Bones, Dangerous on the Dance floor was pretty sexy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfqTrMhWOFY

I talked to the DJ and he said that sometimes he does mix in jazz and blues, but he did not take the hint that he could give himself permission to do it that day. He worked with a computer and a turn table and he was quite skillful.
He ended with a totally different sort of song that I'd like to own. It was called "Closing time"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGytDsqkQY8

as well as a Muppets ending song.
I think Closing Time is one of the best discoveries I have made this year. A soft rock sound that layers meanings rather than uses simple repetition. It is a sad song. It tries not to be, but it is very sad.
It is not overly nasal.
So with such expert handling of sounds and at least some eclectic mix, the music was not too loud and not annoying even for this old guy, but perhaps all the bikinis distracted me from listening. Had I brought my earplugs for swimming, I could have protected myself from water in the ear as well as turned the volume down.
Still, I really loved this day at the pool.
I am not certain that a weekday might not bring piped in radio music.

There was no place to lock anything up. I was there with my wallet. However, my free beach bag from the Four Queens slot tournament was a perfect place to pack all my street clothes and wallet and shoes. I could position it right where I was swimming, leaning it against the fake rocks, so I was never nervous. I just took it with me when I went in the bathroom, which was very dry for a swimming pool bathroom and very clean.
It made changing easy.
I had thought that the pool might attract more locals on a holiday, but I was the only one I saw changing clothes.
So I think this pool is a hidden gem, and along with the disappearing resort fee, the bus access for travel, the pool encourages me to think about booking there.
Unfortunately, the poker does not encourage me. The room was empty. The attendant said maybe a limit game around 8 PM. On a holiday this seemed a very bad sign.
The jacuzzi was full of people, but we all crowded in, me and the bikinis and the little ones paddling about. I liked it. I liked all of it, really. It was such a sensuous rejuvenating experience that soothed my heavy losses, like getting drunk, only without alcohol.

Bus tips if staying at the Stratosphere

Updated in June 2012

This was my answer to tourists who wanted to know about bus passes while staying about 4 days at the Stratosphere.

You save a dollar by buying a 3 day pass on the strip that will cover most of your days. A lot depends on your patterns and when you will be away from the Stratosphere. I would buy the 24 hour pass until I saw when I needed bus travel.

Also, in some cases two 24 hour passes can stretch to cover 3 days.
Let's suppose you are going to play at the Strat and then go downtown after 5 PM for the light show and gambling. You buy a 24 hour pass on the bus and ride down there on Day 1 and back that night.

On Day 2 you decide to spend all day and much of the night on the strip. You leave before 5PM using Day 1 pass, using it to get to where you are going and expecting to walk around while you are there. it expires while you are on the strip, but you don't care because you are walking or playing ten hours of live poker at the Flamingo.

You buy a new pass to return from somewhere on the strip at 2AM to your room at the Strat.

On Day 3 you can use the Day 2 pass up until 2 Am the next day. Three days of bus riding for $14.

The key is that in your planning there is a time where the end of the time on one pass got you to a place where you would stay for a long while before you bought the second pass.
Never buy a 24 hour pass just because the one you have is about to expire. Sometimes the bus driver will even give you a bit of grace period if you are just over time.
If you can use the expired pass time at your destination, you will extend the value of the next pass you buy.

Passes are not purchased in the hotel. They can be purchased in the machines at every SDX stop. If you leave the Strat and are going downtown, the machines are by Denny's. If you are going South, they are somewhere near the Stratosphere at the stop on Main.I cannot mentally visualize that one.
See this map to see where they are located.
http://www.rtcsouthernnevada.com/tra...(09-18-11).pdf
You need to buy the ticket before you board the SDX bus as no one sells them on the bus, they just check them.
I can't remember if the Deuce driver still sells them. It is just better to get them at one of these machines. Take the SDX when you can. It is much faster.

The ticket is validated when you buy it, so don't buy one and then spend 6 hours in the Stratosphere before you board the bus. Buy it just before you board the bus.
The $5 2 hour ticket for strip buses is just not worth it unless you actually know you are only going one way, once, in the next 24 hours. It sounds like that is not what you are doing but if you were say going to meet a buddy who just rented a car but doesn't want to pick you up, well, one way is enough.

If you want to take a bus from the airport, you can take the 108 and get a single ride for $2 from the driver at the airport (zero floor) . That is a residential bus route and cheaper, but the residential pass is technically not good for the Strip buses. However, it is great for the Strat because it will drop you at the Denny's stop across from the Stratosphere. Sometimes we just want to spend some time in our home casino and get settled and relax and eat and swim before we take any bus rides elsewhere. So that gives us more hours on the all access $7 24 hour pass we buy later.

The ride is about 25 minutes.They expect that you will have luggage on this route.
http://www.rtcsouthernnevada.com/tra...(09-18-11).pdf

Here is updated and detailed information on the bus stops around the Stratosphere.

http://vegasonthebus.blogspot.com/2012/06/buses-around-stratosphere.html

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