TR SNIPPET CLUB FORTUNE

I have had this casino on my list for three trips now and finally I decided to give it a go.  I left Sam’s Town, hopped on the BHX, switched to the HDX at the Tropicana stop and took the ride to Henderson.  The bus circles through downtown Henderson and passes through downtown Henderson where I might have gotten off and visited the Eldorado or Emerald Island Casinos (see page 227 of the American Casino Guide) but I was bound for the poker room of Club Fortune.  It stops just a short walk away on Racetrack Road and Boulder.

I still had blisters, but I wore my hard soled slip on shoes that left my toes away from any rubbing.  It was a short walk with a bit of desert mountains in the distance.

They offer a 1-1 NL game where the buy-in is $20-$60 and the game is reported to be a low roller’s dream game with no maniacs who sometimes dominate low stakes games, and a mix of players.  The game then breaks up for a tournament costing $30 with one add on of $10 in the first hour. 

I got a late start and was there just in time to play the tournament.   I was one of the first out.  It would be a couple hours before I could play a cash game, and I was down on my VP bankroll and did not want to seed the machines there, so I decided to just head back and have some early dinner.

I liked the tournament and would have enjoyed the game.  The folks were friendly and while conversation did seem to be mostly among regulars who play often with each other, I did not feel any hostility.  Players were happy to explain the bonus offerings to me. The brush was very helpful and friendly. I’ll go back another time.

The most unique bonus offering was that high hand awards were paid in the tournaments as well as in the cash games.  This is something I have not seen in any other casino.

 

http://clubfortunecasino.com/

 

 

TR SNIPPET PHOTOGRAPHS I MISSED POSTING

 

 

Rather interesting juxtaposition downtown

 

Sam's Town outdoor wagon wheel.

Main Street station window

MIRAGE

The Silver Strike machine at the Four Queens. 

TR SNIPPET - LOSING MY LICENSE

Along with losing my bankroll in Las Vegas, I also lost my driver's license in the airport between repacking my bag and checking it.  It was a mystery how it disappeared out of my hand and why it was not right there on the ground to be found.  I even suspect some foul play by some swift acting thief because I have the license with the chip in it.

I was worried about going through security, but that was  a breeze because I had other ID, including a Visa with my photo on it.  That settled the matter for the fellow checking me out.

When I went to get a replacement (just $17) I met a guy who told me about losing his entire wallet when coming back from Mexico.  They let him out of Mexico, but in Miami he was arrested, handcuffed, and detained for 8 hours before some smart investigator asked him if he had ever been finger printed.  Well, he had been for a weapons permit and so they ran his prints, found his photo, and let him go.

That teaches me a lesson. 

His wallet had been snatched while in the custody of the Mexican authorities who put it down and then could not find it.  That did not make me feel very safe about traveling to Mexico. 

I also want to think about taking some alternate ID with me in a place other than my wallet in case I were to lose my wallet in Vegas.

But for now I have my interim and the replacement will come in the mail.

What if I could not walk at all?

A question was asked on Blonde’s board if we would still go to Vegas if we were unable to walk.  So I thought I'd add my reply to my blog.

I'll still go. I always thought Vegas was one of the easiest places to visit when old age or debility  made traveling difficult.  There are plenty of people to help and the bathrooms are everywhere.  There are always places to find inexpensive and good food.

They make easy room for folks who can't walk at the live poker tables.  Bob Reynolds joined the Sam's Town game I played in this past trip.  I knew him when he was walking with difficulty  and playing at El Cortez.  Now he has a scooter.  He was trying to figure out if he could play the 125 hours that month in order to qualify for the $599 promotion or if his life just too busy to commit that much time to poker that month.

I see folks come in my favorite show "Toast of the Town" at Sam's Town  in all stages of old age debility.  In that venue old folks rule.  There is a special section there for wheel chairs and folks with walkers, so they get a good view of the show.

The city bus lifts the folks in scooters up and the bus drivers strap them in  a special section with their chairs.  Sometimes, if there are two folks with scooters, one has to wait for the next bus.  One fellow told the driver he rides the same route everyday and has the parking down to a science and even latched and unlatched his own front strap.  I guess he works somewhere and rides the bus to work.

Pools now are mandated to have a machine that lowers people into the water.  I saw one at the Gold Coast and one at the Orleans.  At the Gold Coast my new talking buddy was interested because he is in pretty bad shape now and expects someday to be unable to shuffle in to swim every day.  He likes the Gold Coast because it has easy pool access from the rooms.

I think I'd stay downtown.  It is easier to have a good variety of places to go. 

I just had a small taste of debility  this past trip.  I rubbed toe blisters and I had only packed one pair of sneakers.  It was painful to walk until I hobbled into Walmarts and bought some open toed black slipper like footware with hard outdoor soles and thin black socks to match.  That took the blisters out of the rubbing area and I could shuffle along most places, the shuffle keeping the blistered toes extended beyond the strap that held the shoe on my foot.  Some old woman yelled at me, "Can't you pick up your feet," but actually I looked less strange than I at first imagined I would.  I started noticing what other people wore on their feet and found that plenty of folks wore little nothing shoes or flip flops and I fit in better than I first imagined.

I used them to take off the blister rubbing pressure off the tender spots  on days between between lugging suitcases from hotel to hotel.  Then I had to put on the sneakers back on.  Two pair of socks helped on those days and it helped that the days I rested my toes allowed enough healing to manage the days I needed better food protection.

However, my fairly sedentary winter softened my skin and reduced my stamina and with a muscle I pulled just a week before going to vegas,  it was a bit of a marathon iron man experience to go from hotel to hotel  with my 85 pound suitcase and lifting it up bus stairs. 
Downtown is  a fine answer to that as well. Hotel changes only require rolling.  And there is always the taxi cab.

I did  give up plans to go to Red Rock and to walk the campus to see the cactus gardens and the newly renovated museum as well as other exploratory hike plans, although were I in a scooter I could do the campus and Red Rock if I skipped the hiking trails. 

It was triple digit temperatures and terrible pollen coughs that contributed to shortening what I had planned this trip as well as blistered feet and pulled muscle.

The blisters healed fine so that I could still go dancing at the Latin Show at Eastside Cannery the last week of my trip.  So, blisters were a good bit different than permanent chair life.  However, I have danced with women in my life  who were in wheel chairs and figured ways to match the beat with body and wheel motions. 

When I was a teenager one of my teenage friends was a girl permanently in a wheel chair.  We used to pick her up and wheel her to weekly dances at the church.  She gave nothing up just modified to meet her debility.  We could stop traffic on a busy city street and cross where we wanted just by signaling the cars to stop while pushing her across. 
She got a great kick out of that power over traffic. 

This past trip I did go out to Club Fortune in Henderson, as far out as the bus would take me, and there was a bit of a walk to that casino from Boulder Highway, a fine open airy walk with the mountains clear and looking close in the distance.  It was a cheap game and a cheap tournament and when Bob and I talked, I told him about it.  He decided he would  give it a try. 
"The sidewalks from where the bus drops you off are wide and smooth,"  I said, "I think you could manage fine in your scooter."  He had very little doubt of that.

So I'd keep going and doing, just modifying where I needed to modify.  I'd probably take someone along with me, maybe some cute and sexy bit of stuff who needed a free outing.  It would cost more to go.  I'd have to greatly improve my game, but downtown is still the frugal place to stay, the most mobile, and has the better gambling anyway.

 

I so think it makes a difference if the debility is permanent or temporary.  Temporary loss of mobility might make me stay home until I healed up.  But permanent loss would mean I’d have to learn to compensate.

Someone at ACG asked if the closings will affect my trips

I do see this changing my trips, but only in that I will have to substitute other places for the Gold Spike.
With very moderate play, I can usually
patch together 25 nights for an average under $20 a night. In fact, the last
three such planned trips ran $13, $14 and $16 average a night (fees and taxes
included) So, I don't think the little guy is hurting yet, especially downtown.

Four Queens is often advertised at about $25 a night and is a great giver of
comps.

The D on very little play gives me 2 for 1 offers and often that
means $15 a night.
And the El Cortez low room rates hits the top
ten values of Vegas by one measure, that is the best value in all of Vegas on anything. And that decision doesn't take into account the coupon deal in the American Casino Guide or the willingess of the El Cortez to offer free nights in the American Casino Guide contest this week
April 7 - April 13, 2013 Free Casino Contest
and a few weeks ago as well.
I'm hoping that they build their pool soon.


I am sorry to see the Gold Spike go, whether it transforms itself into an upscale
joint (as I've read is the intention of the new owner ) or is used for something other than a casino.
A renovated Gold Spike may well price itself out of my frugal planning.
However, the idea that there could be a boutique casino there drove the last purchase and renovation.
Review this piece of history:
Steve Siegel: Yes, That Dust-Coated Guy at Gold Spike Really Is The Owner
It did not happen.

The plaza thought it could renovate and get huge prices for rooms. That did not happen.
And the Plaza is located central to the Fremont Experience.

Location, for the Spike, may be as important as what the place looks like. Many people don't want to be that far from the Canopy and sometimes walking there raised some street smart hackles.

I very much liked this spot for everything except gambling. Even the resort fee did not affect their low prices, and I always got a quiet, comfortable room with a heated pool that opened early in the morning, good wifi, and Turner Classic Movies on the television.
As well as great blueberry pancakes.
Also while location was poor for many, I liked it as good access to the El Cortez poker game with Jackie and the Boulder Highway buses for Sam's Town.

The Las Vegas Club is less of a loss to me although I have stayed there often. It was really rundown.

But perhaps the closing of these two places will
give the Four Queens more opportunity to stay afloat. They have been suffering
during this recession.

I did not gamble much in either place. Never at the Gold Spike. It had nothing that attracted me and the hand pay system was just silly. I actually never signed up for a card there, waiting for a good promotion, so I've lost that one for my collection.
However, the argument that somehow great gambling
odds would magically transform these places seems flawed. There are a few
folks who do the math of the gambling, but the majority of visitors who buy the
food, see the shows, etc. .... the folks who make the profits for casinos....are
not checking to see if the blackjack pays out well or the roulette wheel has one
zero, and they don't know squat about VP paytables.
Local advantage players
may understand good gambling, but the casino doesn't want them anyway. The
mathematical advantage gambler was always someone who fell between the cracks
and got the deals, not the person who paid the light bills.
Look at the Orleans. It took its signature Double Bonus 10/7 game and downgraded it to 9/6
Double Bonus and it did not miss a beat. It still is popular and doing well. In fact, folks are
playing those unplayable Double Bonus machines even when they sit right next to a 9/6
Double Double Bonus that gives them a much better value.
If good gambling odds would have attracted crowds, the
old Las Vegas Club, when it really offered the most liberal blackjack anywhere,
would have filled up with people.
It failed years ago. And a few times in
between.
And gambling mentality has gotten even more casino friendly over
those years.
Local joints in State after State offer terrible VP odds and
still attract customers and get folks into the games, who then may go to Vegas
on a vacation and play the same games there.
The States are scrambling to
get on the gravy train, and none worry about offering good mathematical gambling
choices. In NY state it is actually against the law to offer a game that
pays back over 100% and the VP is all fake anyway, just a Class II bingo lottery disguised
as VP.
Yet the casinos are packed with players and the state can't wait to
expand venues.

And I don't see anyone talking about VP pay tables when they discuss renovation. It is usually about attracting the upscale gambler (and perhaps discouraging me)

Probably the one thing that will make the biggest change
for me and for the little guy gambler or the frugal visitor is the surge in the economy as
it comes out of recession.
If there are more folks working, there will be
more with money for Vegas, and that will drive room prices up. Already we can
see the surge in profits due to the recovery although these percentages maybe a bit inflated due to when the Chinese New Year hit the calendar this year.
http://www.reviewjournal.com/busines...os-312-percent

Still, they are impressive numbers. Most indications around the country tell us that the recession is over. Nevada house prices are soaring. Zappos is pouring money into Downtown development and that should drive up prices over time. But there are more rooms to put out there coming soon. The Downtown Grand will open and add more rooms than the Las Vegas Club or the Gold Spike takes out. Binions is there for reopening if the Four Queens can manage that.

Ironically, the end of recovery is perhaps not personal good financial news for old frugal guys like me on a fixed income. On the other hand, money isn't everything.

Poker waning?

It is off in these articles that the rise of poker is attributed to online poker and wane to Black Friday, but the expected emergence of legal online poker in America is not mentioned.  Perhaps that will cause a rise in popularity.
Disturbing trend even with that hope.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2013/mar/01/trend-wanes-las-vegas-casinos-fold-poker-rooms/

How I Pack for Vegas

23 days in Vegas means I pack carefully. I want what I want and that includes a very small coffee/tea maker and a ceramic cup unless my first stay is downtown where cups are just a dollar.
I bring the largest suitcase allowed on Southwest, packed just to under 50 pounds and include a soft extra bag that is empty on the outward trip but may be full on the way back.
On the airplane I'll have a very small carryon, my sleep apnea machine and my computer in case.

Now I have to think about buses and rolling from casino to casino.
So at arrival after weight is no longer an issue, all or most of my carryons go into the large bag to make for an easy roll. However, it is heavy getting into the bus.

Sometimes I collect some things to bring home, especially decks of cards for home poker games. Or I might win some prize. These add weight. So then the soft bag works to divide up the stuff on the way home and keep the weight of the large bag under 50 pounds. It also is protection against overpacking on the way out where I don't have a scale right in my hotel room as I do at home.
I weigh at the airport and if my large bag is over 50 pounds, I repack.

Whereas in Vegas I needed to get down to just one suitcase, at my home airport with help from whomever picks me up, I can easily manage two.

I'm looking at Eastside Cannery next trip as a middle stay for a good wash of laundry, but I pack very light shirts that dry easily and I wash in the room every couple days. I like jeans, but light shirts or shorts are more practical as they dry efficiently. I bring as many socks as I can manage. I hate socks washed in the room. Socks fit in all the little spaces and actually are good protection in the computer bag or sleep apnea bag

New notes on Eastside Cannery

They now offer free wifi in all the rooms.
There is also a coin operated laundry for guests.  This is a rare amenity in Vegas hotels and a real convenience for me when I travel for 23 days as it cuts into the need to do daily washing in the sink if I position the Eastside Cannery booking in the middle of my trip.
The rates are very competitive.  There is NO RESORT FEE  so already I am on their side just as a moral issue.  Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday are $40 a night; however, seniors can get $10 off that rate.  There is a pool.
The 202 Flamingo bus drops off right at their parking lot, so even a late night return from the strip means a safe drop off and walk to the casino, just like parking the car would.  It waits a while too, so one could catch that bus to the strip by waiting to see it actually at the stop.  It is a long ride, about 50 minutes, but without the crowds that are on strip buses, and there are plenty of things to do along Flamingo, including plenty of casinos.  Terribles, Tuscany, Ellis Island, Rio, Gold Coast, Palms are all right on the route. 
They do have a part of their website with some freebies, but most have such a short life you have to redeem them close to the time of your trip.  Webpass is the name.

PS  This ended up being a dysfunctional and confusing program.  See this post

http://vegasbirthdaybash.blogspot.com/2013/05/eastside-cannery-webpass-disappointment.html

 

eastside cannery promotion

The newest promotion is a section on  the website where we can earn points toward coupons, freeplay, free nights.  Pretty neat idea.  Some of the points are earned by playing games and those are a good bit of fun.  A few of the spots don't work for me or Lucky Pete, but most do.  Clicking every day builds up points.  I hope by my next trip to have some deals.

http://www.eastsidecannery.com/webPass


PS   This ended up being a dysfunctional and disappointing promotion.  See this post
http://vegasbirthdaybash.blogspot.com/2013/05/eastside-cannery-webpass-disappointment.html

 

Sam's Town tidbits

* great VP including full pay deuces and 10/7 DB.
* American Casino guide coupon gets a free buffet with 200 points of play once a year.
* Sam's is one of the few places left with Silver Strike machines although the new coins are not made of real silver.
* Boyd card means points earned here can be used at Orleans, Gold Coast, etc. and vise versa.
* Young at Heart promos do point multiplication and cheap movies once a week for seniors.
*  Easy and quick bus ride from downtown.  Start across from the Gold Spike and take the HDX.  The BHX is slower and the one you need late night/early morning to return downtown. But getting there takes about 16 minutes as do early trips back on the HDX Check bus schedules to see when it runs. 
* There are also free shuttles from Sam's Town to the strip and to downtown at certain times of the day. 
[URL="http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/referenceguide-transportationdetail.cfm?transportid=2&map=shuttlemap.cfm?showmap=SamsTown.jpg"]http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/referenceguide-transportationdetail.cfm?transportid=2&map=shuttlemap.cfm?showmap=SamsTown.jpg[/URL]
As you can see there is a bit of service to the airport as well, but flights have to match the couple of shuttle times.
If I stay up there on Boulder at the end of a trip I am more likely to take the 202 from Eastside Cannery to Terribles, roll my luggage into the buffet and sit with coffee and food and my journal until I need to head to the airport, taking the 108 from there at Terribles.   But I don't like hanging about in the airport.  Terribles positions me so that there is a predictable time in riding to the airport.
* Any free nights earned at Sam's Town can be piggy backed with paid nights at Eastside Cannery where there is no resort fee, free room wifi, nice views in quiet rooms, and (for seniors) $10 off the rack rate making these nice rooms as low as $30 with no play.  Then check in check out from or to Sam's  is just a luggage roll.
*  I better like staying at Eastside Cannery and playing at Sam's.  The 202 ends up right in their parking lot and waits while the driver has a smoke.  I like that at night time because it puts me at a stop that is safe and well lighted and uncrowded.  I can watch for the bus from the casino circle at Eastside Cannery and have time to get to it long before it leaves for the strip or I can come back from the strip and be dropped off in a safe and worry free spot.
*bus rides to the strip are long, about 45 minutes, but there are plenty of things to do on Flamingo as well along the way.  During the day, dropping at Terribles and walking to Tuscany, Ellis Island and then to the strip is nice.  Also, no second bus is needed to go to the Gold Coast area for that casino, the Rio and the Palms.
Here are eateries I listed along Flamingo, accessible on the 202.  Here are eaties I listed a year ago on a trip:
Weiner Schnitzel
Panda Express
Zoba's Mexican Grill
Chill n yogurt
REd Lobster
Buffet Asian
McDonald's classic
Olive Garden
Blueberry Hill Dine
Long John Silver
Raising Cane
jack in the Box
Mint india Bistro (Swenson)
Bucadi Beppo
Ghandi
Mortan Steak House
Bahama Breeze
Hamap of Japan
Fogo de Chao
McCormic and Shmick (across from Tuscany)
lawry's Prime Rib
Tuscany Cantina
Flamingo is fast becoming my new strip as the upscale renovations on the strip push me out of my $  comfort zone.
* I can envision a cash trip that starts downtown at the Gold Spike (WAX from airport and luggage roll) heads to Sam's Town (HDX from Gold Spike) heads to Eastside Cannery (luggage roll) Takes a night or two at Terribles (202)  to see the newly renovated rooms and then uses their free shuttle ride to the airport after checkout and breakfast.  Such a trip even with no comps should put average room prices at about $30 with anything above that depending on higher weekend rates. Cover the weekend with a comp somewhere and it makes a cheap trip.
* I've stayed at the Orleans a few days, rolled luggage down Arville to Flamingo (30 minutes- that day skip the treadmill) or taken the 104, and taken that 202 bus out to stay at Sam's Town.  Stays near Flamingo or downtown can be easily followed with stays at Sam's because both the Boulder Highway buses and the 202 Flamingo buses are easy to ride with luggage, unlike stip buses which are more crowded and not as easily to negotiate with luggage.
* A large popcorn taken to the Sam's town movies can be refilled on the way out and taken to the room for a snack later.
*  The pool at Sam's Town is open from 8 am to 10 pm all year around, and some report it is heated while LAA advisor says it is not.  It plays fairly decent music and opens in the morning for early swims.
* Best free show in Vegas and different every week.  Toast of the Town at 2pm on Thursdays.  Geared to an older audience and selecting the second string talent of Vegas, but they are often very good.  Comedy, dance, song, a live band, puppets...you never know. Also free drawings for small prizes.
*  Rooms were basic but checking for bedbugs was difficult because the mattresses are wrapped and rewrapped and then wrapped again.  Forget looking at the seams.
*  I don't eat this anymore but the McDonald's had a dollar menu and the quarter candy machines dispensed those wonderful Jelly Belly jelly beans
*  Walmarts is just across the street as is a Bank of America drive up ATM.  So retrieving room snacks and money is cheap.
*  Fine, cheap morning poker tournaments that are not hard to win. However, the cash games afterwards seemed to have too tough competition and a dull and boring mix of surly locals with nothing much of interest to say.  For cash poker Eastside Cannery has a 2-4 limit I like better.
* Nice place to start a bus journey to Sunset Station (BHX) or a visit to Henderson (HDX)  I like the Sunset bus stop on Boulder as a place to switch from one bus to another for different itineraries after that.
* Itinerary might look like this on Thursday:  Sleep at Gold Spike.  Eat breakfast, perhaps the great blueberry pancakes but perhaps not on the new strict diet. Walk across the street and take the bus to Sam's for the morning poker tournament.  After the tournament play Deuces or 10/7 DB earn free Sam's town buffet. See Toast of the Town show.  Walk down to Eastside Cannery for 4 hours of poker which earns a free supper buffet, or take the bus to Tropicana and the 201 to the Orleans for Comedy at Big Al's and a bit of play there.  Take that Orleans free shuttle to Bill's and walk over to play poker at Flamingo until early morning and then ride the Deuce back to downtown.  Walk up Fremont to the El Cortez and check the poker game there.  Then walk  out the back door to the Gold Spike to sleep. Note that getting around Vegas with Sam's Town in the mix is not that hard on buses.

Luxury in Vegas is relative

At home I go to gamble at Turning Stone Casino in upstate New York.
http://thelandingcampground.com/
I throw a mattress in the back of the van, cover it with my favorite bedding and a fine soft pillow.
I hook up my homemade curtains for the side windows.
To block any light from the rear window, I bring a bit of masking tape and a black piece of plastic trash bag.
For $25 dollars even on weekend nights, I can park my room in a campsite where I can fish bass in the morning, get wifi on the picnic table where I cook my breakfast, get hot showers in the outside bathroom just a few steps away.
I have electric to plug in my computer or my sleep apnea machine.
Real camping luxury.

I am treated quite well by the "staff" (one woman who owns it and her husband who maintains it,)  and no one minds if I roll in as late as 2 AM after a night of poker. I come in as quietly as I can on low headlights and minimize the sound of closing my car doors.
In the cooler months when I best like to go, the place is uncrowded.
I don't usually sleep in too long, but I never sleep in too long in the morning, and I may come back for a nap in the afternoon if it not too hot out. 

I have discovered in Vegas that there is hot water as well as heat or air conditioning right inside the room, and I don't need to bring my own bed or towels or my own soap or shampoo. In fact, there is so much shampoo and soap that I often can bring enough home for my next few camping trips. At the Gold Spike I can get wifi and a heated pool for a morning swim, and Turner Classic Movies is on the television. When I take a nap, I can shut out much more daylight than I can camping.
Vegas is livin' in luxury.
Any Vegas bed without bedbugs is an improvement on my van.

And when I can get that luxury for $25 a night or free, I have more money left over for gambling.
On my last 23 day trip my rooms averaged out under $15 a night, so compared with the camping that gave me another $230, enough for three nights of poker, even if I lose money on all three nights.
My entire gambling budget for the trip would be lost with no chance of winning were I to pay just $30 more a night for a Vegas room as some Vegas visitors like to do. 
In the campground I have to bring my own liquor. I never do in Vegas and I get the luxury of variety, following a Myer's rum with a taste of nuts and berries or a rusty nail. 

I like the luxury of Vegas. I don't often miss the camping except perhaps some of those early mornings when I can't seem to sleep and wonder what the bass are hitting on the peninsula of the campground. I sometimes miss being able to cook my own breakfast in the fresh, pine scented outside air, but I can get by with that sacrifice, especially since often in Vegas, my breakfast is free, and there are no dishes and no need to replenish the ice in a cooler for a cold morning drink but unlimited cold water with lemon served in every buffet as well as juices.
I know that Vegas could offer me even more luxury, but since I'm accustomed to camping out near Turning Stone, why would I need more luxury than the Gold Spike offers at a bargain price?

A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone. Henry David Thoreau ...

Drink in these photos

Above are views of the Four Queen beer possibilities

This is a new brand of whiskey from the Sin City Brewery

http://www.sincitybeer.com/sincity/lasvegasbrewery.html

Buffet line strategies

I have low tolerance for lines, but sometimes I will wait in them. I waited in the Caesar's buffet line before it became the newest wonder of the buffet world because the all day line pass was free to Veterans on Veterans day. There had been no line at Paris for breakfast where I showed up super early and arranged for the pass with my DD214. But I wanted to try Caesar's, as I had never been there. 
It is all changed now, renovated into a fancy new "in" eatery and getting about fifty bucks for supper.  I guess I won't be going.
I remember well the family just behind me on that day in November, a middle aged black woman and her three grown sons, all from Alabama. It was great! With a few compliments on her fine sons, and comments on how fine it must be to be traveling with all her children, (some were in the military and she rarely saw them) I managed to lead them into discussing how it was to grow up together and how much sibling rivalry. The banter then began and the animated stories showing how "Mom always loved you best...like the time when.." never ended. As well as entertaining personal stories I also got a fine look at what it was like to grow up in Alabama. I got lucky that day. I could have doubled my line time.
Well, here is my list of strategies:

*  Apparently in large groups there is a possibility of reservations.  I'll check it out if I ever am in Vegas with a large group.
* Skip the buffet and make a reservation at a restaurant.
* Playing poker in some places will allow us to score a line pass. We can then walk into the buffet in the VIP line with those people who have earned the appropriate gem color of cards reserved for royalty in that particular casino. I did this years ago at Cravings, but I don't know if it still holds. The Golden Nugget after 4 hours of play, gives a line pass. The comp and pass can be taken late at night for the next day by asking for the date to be one day later.
* Some, (not CET I think) all day eating passes come with line privileges. Orleans is one. There for $24 a day we can just walk in anytime without anyone ahead of us other than a few in the VIP line and just show a rubber bracelet at we pass the cashier.
*Gamble enough to get one of those royalty cards in better gem colors than the low roller cards I carry.
* Ellis Island best strategy is to eat the steak special at 2 AM. Another is not to disappear, but just hover as they will put you ahead of the established numbers sometimes. A third is to take someone who is over 90. I went once with such a guest in the party. We drew attention to that by asking for a seat so she could "rest" while waiting even though she had her sneakers and had exhausted us walking everywhere on every day of the trip. In reality, I was the one who needed a rest. They seated us quickly at a table. Finally, go with the intention of playing video poker for a while and take a number.That is why Ellis Island has a line at the cafe, to capture a few more coins.
* Go to Vegas in August or early December. When there are fewer people, there are fewer lines.
* Search out buffets off the strip. I rarely find a line at Terribles.I suspect that the Station Casinos, as well as being very cheap, rarely have lines. I'm going out to them more this next trip.
* Go to the buffet at times when lines are much less. Weekdays are better than weekend days, hours between standard meals are better than routine times. I do this best at Foxwoods in Connecticutt where I have a free buffet pass with my bus ride. I have kept track of the best times to use it and I wait to go at that time. About 1:30 seems to work. Spice Market works that way too. Going just as the supper price will be imposed costs more, but will skip lines. Going to breakfast before they open will put you up front in most buffets and the time to wait is much less than once the place opens.
* Sit at the counter. This works well at the California Market Street Cafe and I once did it with 6 people. We cut a 30-45 minute wait just by going up and asking permission to eat at the counter. Solo it is very easy. My wife and I do it all the time. We saved 20 minutes here at our local Grannies breakfast place just last week where the line went out into the parking lot.  At Grannies we just hovered inside the diner until one of the counter eaters was leaving so two seats were in a row and then we asked if we could take those seats. Be ready to move immediately when you ask for a counter seat before the folks ahead of you realize that they missed the opportunity.

"Oh, would you have liked to have sat at the counter had it been offered? Well, it ain't ever gonna be offered, and since you could not think outside the box, Sparky, we rake in this pot. Just suck it up and stand in line. "

I used to do it at El Cortez and Golden Gate but I don't think there are counters there anymore. I did it at Cravings in the Mirage, but again a long while ago. I think it is a great solo strategy because it is entertaining as well as line breaking and you get great service because the waitress is right there all the time in front of you filling up your coffee cup and bringing the better hot sauce. I do it at the eatery at the Gold Spike although there is no line. I get better service.
* Line frustration can be aleviated by engaging folks around you in conversation. Just make some easy joke and then follow it with opening questions like, "Are we winning?" and before long you can collect some fine stories by asking the kind of questions folks ask here on the board to get conversation going, like the one that started this thread. In fact, just skim down the list of opening questions here on the board offered by bored folks who are at home "waiting in line" to get to travel to Vegas. Note the ones of interest, and use them in your next line.
Avoid politics and religion, although I have had great conversations on those topics as long as I remember to interview and not give any opinion unless asked and then just give it without any supportive argument.
(Believe me, you won't be asked! Or if you are you won't be asked to explain why you feel that way unless you are in line with me. Everyone who will talk about religion knows God personally and has a perfect sense of God's plan for the country and their insight is the only true insight. Also everyone knows exactly what Congress or the President should do about everything, and it always is something they are not doing, and it is always something very simple.)
And if anyone is Lutheran, I always ask about Prarie Home Companion as I love that show.
I recommend not saying or asking anything about health as those long descriptions of every operation or malady are deadly in a buffet line unless you like hearing effects of anesthetic on bowel movements just before you sit down to a bowl of chili. Sometimes it seems old people have nothing else to talk about except their operations, the operations of their friends, their medicine... well you get the idea.
But if you do get caught, ask about the far past. Old people were young once and they can remember that. Sports is great for men. Every man knows exactly how sports teams should be managed.
Since I don't like sports much, talking recipes works for me.
*Ask locals where there is a place to eat without lines and ask tourists where they get the bet food in their hometowns.
* At Disney, with kids. the lines were incredible. We developed an entire group of line games and that worked perfectly. In one game, each person offers a letter and the letters in that order must spell a word in their mind. The person who has to admit they can no longer come up with a word loses that round providing the person before them actually had a word in mind and spelled it correctly. The person who manages to finish a word gets an extra point. Bring a pocket full of dollars to substitute for points and the game can get really interesting. Collected money can be used to pay for the buffet or divided up evenly among the players when the game ends.
* Of course, the modern solution is just to bring a smart phone and move mentally out of the line and into the world of angry birds or email insults, or additions to this thread, or having conversations with long distance friends. In college I always brought a pocket paperback for the registration lines.
*In Vegas I often bring the American Casino Guide as dining reading, skimming possible coupon destination or reading about casinos in other parts of the county where I might have actually won money, and this will be interesting to most people in line. Just open the book and point to one casino and ask, "Would you go here?" and they will soon want to see the book. They will then share their sources of coupons. If they rant about how ridiculous coupons are, just excuse yourself and get into another place in line. It is a proven fact that folks who treat coupons with distain are apt to be latent mass murders.
* Nap. Yes, it is possible to sleep while standing up.
* Draw straws and have one of your party do the line standing. Maybe s/he eats for free for the service. Maybe it is just the default prize for being the first to run through the day's bankroll. In some places the line standing person can pay for people who are not there, get a seat, and late comers can just join later by coming in the exit. So, one good strategy is always come late. Tell the seating waitress that there are two more in your party but they had to go to the bathroom.Then call them and tell them that the table is ready, reminding them that they will be the ones expected to leave the tips.

 

Comparing Plaza gambling

I posted this on the Vegas Message board in answer to a question on Plaza gambling.  So I thought it worth saving here as boilerplate on that issue

I can't rate the blackjack games. To do that accurately requires a complete analysis of each of the rules and figuring the mathematics of EV that each rule variation adds or subtracts. Most players comment on the payout on blackjacks as that makes a huge difference. However, the number of decks, the rules on doubling, when you can split, surrender options all play a mathematical role in defining the best blackjack and then there are other considerations for card counters including how much spread they can get away with, how deep in the deck the dealer will go before reshuffling, and how much heat they get from the casino.
Most blackjack players also consider valuable the friendliness of dealers and the ease of the game as well as the collection of other players at the table. What I've read does not give the Plaza good points for customer service or having many people at the tables or in the casino.
Generally, nothing much competes mathematically with the El Cortez single deck five dollar blackjack. Once the best game was the Las Vegas Club liberal game with odd and unusual rules, but those days are long gone and that game is old history.

There are conflicting reports about what VP is offered. I can comment on only the quarter offerings. If the 10/6 DDB is there as one poster reported, that is a good play. Even when offering full pay in other sorts of VP, the Plaza can't compete with competitors downtown.

For example, the full pay JOB a MSS offers an added bonus scratch off card for every quad. That increases the EV. Also, it is one of the few places in Vegas where full pay JOB can be found at a bar. That adds to the pleasure of many. And to top things off the Board Head bar comps microbrews like the delicious black chip porter. And if it is your first visit in a while, running a bit of money through the machine can get you a free buffet at the Player's club booth with no point reduction. And the buffet is a great one.Tough to beat that offering for JOB.

I have conflicting reports on whether 10/7 DB is offered at the Plaza. Again, the scatch off bonus applies to MSS games but the absolute best of this sort of VP in the world is located in the back of the Four Queens. That full pay has a progressive royal. Also we can earn cash back on our play, it will generate weekend mailed comps of three nights in a row along with generous freeplay, and using the American Casino Guide coupon 500 points can be doubled once a year which in cashback is $12.50 just for handing in a piece of paper on the day of play. The freeplay can also be used on the DB machines. Tough to find a better play anywhere in Vegas.

There is not a full pay deuces game, but I don't think that there is one in downtown other than that nickle coin dropper at the D.

The 8/5 Bonus in the Veu Bar at the D (if that has not been renovated away) is still the best in downtown or anywhere in Vegas of that variety of game, having three progressive lines in the full pay table. I generally play if the quad bonus line is up high until it is hit, but last trip I was just trying to get enough play for five dollars in cashback before I moved on to other places when I hit both the royal and the straight flush bonus and each time was paid more than I would be paid had I hit the same cards at the Plaza.

In the old Plaza there used to be a live poker room that was good fun for limit players with good bonuses and fewer local regulars with a generous food comp. That is gone. Golden Nugget has a live poker room and with the ACG coupon offered by them, we can get ten extra dollars on our buy in. Playing live poker at Binions can get a poker rate for rooms at the Four Queens. Playing live poker at CET places on the strip can get free and reduced rate offers at CET casinos. No poker room at the plaza limits all those opportunities. So the Plaza really sucks as a live poker alternative.

The American Casino Guide does have a coupon at the Plaza for a matchplay bet, but the value of that is used up after one bet.

Most craps games are evaluated by how much free odds are allowed, table minimums, the field bet payouts, and what it costs in vigorish to buy certain numbers. It has been a while since I've paid much attention to the craps details, but it looks to me like the Plaza has decent rules, including downtown odds, except that there are not times when table minimums are below $5. For mathematical players it is to their advantage to make a $3 minimum bet and be free to put up more in free odds. Again El Cortez is mentioned as a good frugal spot to play craps as long as you watch the dealers who in many cases are learning. Main Street Station is hard to beat for ambiance. Some seem to like the loud and vibrant tables at the Four Queens and others here hate those tables. But if the Plaza is dead it will hardly be a place to play craps because much of the attraction of the game for most people is the rush that comes from a fast and furious community game. Here is a good review of craps tables, but again I don't know how current this information is
http://www.nextshooter.com/downtownVSstrip


For the full thread discussion, a pretty lively one, check the full thread
http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86412

Some Orleans boilerplate

I wrote this up on the Orleans on a post recently and thought it worth saving so I could use it next time without rewriting.  Farther along there is a post comparing the Orleans to the Rio.  Linking to these two should actually cover just about everything I know about the Orleans.

Remember to add the $6 resort fee to each night in estimating, comparing and reporting hotel rates at the Orleans.
I like to stay around $30 a night so the offers of 3 nights and a slot tournament for $99 appealed to me. However, what looks like $33 a night is actually after fees and taxes $43 a night.
To add to the confusion, each time I've booked Orleans, Gold Coast, or Sam's Town on the B Connected site, I've been warned in fine print of the added resort fee, but in the end it was not charged and not due to any excessive play, just not on the bill.
I've asked where it was, but no one can give me an answer.

While most resort fees are a deal breaker, the Boyd fees have stayed relatively low and I consider them more on the side of places that have none, since so many casinos are now up to the whopping level of $28 a night.
However, "doing the math" as the resort fee apologists suggest is difficult at Boyd.
I find myself constantly in a brain glitch.
Lately all the Boyd casinos have had these $29 deals, but what that advertised special means at the Orleans compared to what it means at the California is a difference of over 20% on rooms advertised at the same price in the same sort of advertisement.

I can't comment much on the gambling, expecially slots. I had not read it had changed.
The 10/7 Double Bonus signature VP is gone and replaced with 9/6 DB. Don't play it!
How they manage to keep players at those machines is beyond me when 9/6 DDB is offered and generally just a couple machines away. Most of those I know who play VP there have moved to the 8/5 bonus offered now as the typical bar VP.
It is just too low pay for my bankroll.
The one I play and like is the nickle three play. 75 cents a pull for three hands. 9/7 DB with three royal progressives. Not bad.
I don't earn many comps with my low level play, but I get a couple nights free each trip which this next time includes weekend nights. I'm always conflicted whether to book the weekend or book the senior Tuesday.
I read that senior drawing money that is not claimed during the month all rolls into the final drawing on the last Tuesday of the month when they keep drawing until they give it away, so that is a great day to go for added senior value.
My buddy WildBill hit that drawing once for a few hundred dollars.
I also read the the live poker player's card is now the B connected card and integrated with all of it. Perhaps that will count a bit for some mailings.
And you will notice a huge improvement in the hottub. It is one of my favorites in Vegas. I am not sure about the winter months, but in the cold Aprils and Novembers it is a heated way to get some water experience. The pool is icy. Gold Coast is usually heated.

I agree that Boulder puts us out of the main action of the strip. However, I'm leaning more toward Eastside Cannery lately because with no resort fee and a great senior discount of $10 off rack rate just for asking, I get wifi in the room and a laundry for mid trip washing and directly across the street a Bank of America ATM with no fees. I don't play much there except live poker. For VP I go next door to Sam's Town. But for strip action, it is a 40 minute bus ride. I like that fine because for me Flamingo is becoming my new strip. I stop along there more than I do along Las Vegas Blvd and the bus is uncrowded and the easiest bus to catch as it stops for a driver break right there at the Eastside Cannery parking lot.
I like the lounge music at Eastside Cannery too. Free or cheap and if I have to buy a drink to sit, I can get a dollar and a half Eastside Cannery brewed beer.
I was not impressed with Sam's Town rooms. I'm not fussy, but they were not anything special. I'll stay for free if they send me a few nights. I"d like it if they sent some weekend nights that I could then tag on to weekdays at Eastside Cannery for a long stay in the same location, just as I do downtown with the Four Queens and the D or Gold Spike.
I do like the Orleans for location. There is the free shuttle and there is also a direct RTC bus, the 201 for easily getting to the Tropicana section of the strip.

If you like comedy, you may enjoy Big Al's club which has opened since you were at the Orleans

The rooms are just as you remember them. Larger and cleaner than anything in that price range in Vegas. Even when I move out furniture for bed bug inspections or to set up plug systems that include my sleep apnea machine I find the hidden places, behind the side tables, perfectly clean on a consistent basis.
It is also quiet. No rock bands, no train or car noises, no nearby motel parties, nothing. Sleeping is easy day or night.
The food is debated often here on the boards, but I find it fairly consistent.
I especially like the $24 full day buffet deal that comes with a bracelet for skipping the buffet line. With that I can just pop in and out for a bite of fruit, salad, coffee at anytime during the day as a break from playing live poker. I don't have to overeat once but can do a more healthy grazing.
And Al's oyster place does not have chowder on the menu, but they will make oyster chowder if we ask them.

Competition in live poker games is tough, but if I am staying there, I can sleep from 5 until midnight and play the late night and early hour games when the old local regulars are home and just tourists are playing.

That calling with your card seemed to work well for one poster, but try also joining the B connected site. Is is much easier to navigate than Total Rewards and both rates and offers are posted there. It is also a fine way to start the gambling at the time of the booking. You could win $6 a night if for some obscure and unknown reason booking on that site eliminates the resort fee.

Finally, although the Orleans is isolated from most things and walking very far from there at night is not advised, this pub is a great break from casinos with good beer, good food, and very comfortable old wooden nooks and crannies for sitting.http://www.mcmullansirishpub.com/index.shtml


Potato chips are just decadently wonderful there

Going to Vegas solo

This thread seemed to sum up the reasons for going to Vegas solo and I outlined some ways to create community that seemed to strike a good chord, so I"ll link to it here.

http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?p=721623#post721623

Free Coupons

http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=74144&highlight=fremont+experience+coupons

A good discussion of free coupons as well as a list of links.  Watch out for the Rio buffet for locals as you need local ID.
The 24/7 magazine on line is a very good deal.  Solo tip is that the V show coupon gives 50% on the Vegas Review rather than just 2 for 1.  Always in the V give plenty of time for purchase and for finding the theater.  It is a long and confusing walk.
Currently I also like the Divinci exhibit coupon but I think it will be gone before I have a chance at booking a trip.

Cancellation Fees

In general, when booking hotels we expect free cancellation up until a few days before arrival and even late cancellation usually only forfeits one night's fee. However, taking that for granted without seeing it in writing may bring a surprise. Take the Easyclick travel site. Here is their policy:
Q. What is your
hotel cancellation policy?
Change or cancellation requests received by our
Customer Support 3 days prior to check in time (noon local hotel time)?
will be subject to 1 night's fee

Change or cancellation requests received by our
Customer Support 1 day prior to check in time (noon local hotel time) will
receive no refund

No-shows will not be refunded
I don't quite see the difference between telling them a couple days ahead or just not showing up, but they must want to spell out both scenarios, at least in the fine print. They probably know that their policies are rare.

Also, if looking at good deals at Terribles, even on the booking.com site which has no regular cancellation fee policy itself, I see that the best deals in price come with no refunds on cancellation. This is new to me. I saw these no refund options on the Super 8 Koval site, but did not encounter them before when pricing Terribles.

Many of us get last minute free rooms from places like the Four Queens. And all of us might have an emergency and need cancellation or make an initial mistake in a booking. It is always best to book directly with hotels, but even most discount bookings have come with generous cancellation (although rigid modification) policies.
Keep reading that fine print.

***********************************************

I think this is more a marketing tool of the discounter EasyClick and the cancellation fees are paid to them, not to the hotels in question. I see the same pattern in offers for El Cortez, cheap deals secured with cancellation fees.
If that is the case, it may just be a case of boilerplate posting where both possibilities are offered by the software they use to post deals.
So Easyclick might be a good deal a few days before we take possession of the rooms, maybe a good last minute deal once we are already in Vegas and cancellation fees are less of an issue because cancellation is less likely. Until then, when booking in Vegas, flexibility is essential as deals emerge all the time.
I'd be glad to hear from folks of other details on cancellation fees that apply even with early changes. Anyone know of any others?
The other downside of using discounters is they don't allow easy modification. So if you want to drop a day in a reservation, you need to cancel the entire reservation and rebook, usually at a higher rate than you found months before. Some casinos offer to match the price of the discounter, so it is good to call and do that whenever possible. That way you pick up the modification advantages.
Gold Spike on line bookings at their site that need to be modified can be, but the clerk won't always be willing to do it. If told no, wait and call again. Also stress that you would like to go there, but if you have to rebook, you can find cheaper deals. They can drop a day and still keep other days at the rate you booked.
I did hear from one clerk that the hotel will match other discount booking rates. I have not tried that yet.
Generally, I book in sets of 3 or 4 days even if I am going to stay six or seven. Two overlapping reservations can be blended usually very easily at hotels, but also one can be cancelled easily, leaving the other completely in tact. I have to plan flexibility because at the last minute I'll get the Four Queen mailings for 3 free nights, but I won't wait that long to book my backups. I leave the weekends as 3 day weekends and hope the Four Queens deals will match those. If not, wherever I book the Friday and Saturday I can add the third day usually cheaply as well. I don't like staying shorter than three days at any one place. Too much check in and check out.

Lately, I am feeling quite supportive of the way that Eastside Cannery is marketing and renting rooms. As well as all the free amenities: pool, wifi in the room, 202 bus service to the edge of the parking lot, no fee Bank of America ATM across the street, Claudine Castro Latin music late Monday night with Cannery beer at about a buck and a half so that sitting in the lounge is not an expensive night out, the most friendly live poker room management and an easy 4 hour play for free buffet, a $10 senior discount on rack room rates, I see that for the most part the rates over time change less than they do at other casinos, especially the Tues-Wed-Thurs $30 senior rates. So I am appreciative of their offers, although I wish the few full pay VP machines they have ( in the coin dropper room) would also disburse some points.

On another fee note. I've learned two new bits on resort fees. One is that although most of the bookings at the Orleans of comped rooms come with no resort fees, they do have some, usually those first timer promotions, that require a resort fee. And the clerk also told me that resort fees are required after booking on B Connected, although that has not been my experience at Gold Coast, Orleans, Sam's town. My cash bookings on B Connected for those places, while promising a resort fee, did not charge it. I'd appreciate any experience with this as well. (B Connected is the site you join using your player's card number that keeps track of Boyd casino offers and promotions.)

The second bit of news is that there is an "access fee" now for folks who have comped rooms with Station casinos, (or at least at Boulder station,) but want the free internet that usually comes only with a resort fee that is not charged on comped rooms. The access fee is just over $5.
It is this nickle and dime crap that keeps me from Boulder Station, compared with Eastside Cannery. The Eastside Cannery comes out cheaper if I am making a cash reservation, and were I to play enough for a comped room, there would be no wifi access fee to jump up and bite off a bit of my comp. I feel the same about airlines. Southwest is a simple booking and I don't have to worry about how I'll pack. And there is no cancellation fee their either, just a requirement to use the money on another ticket wintin a year.

Rio and Orleans compared

I'd go for the Orleans. My stay at the Rio included the sounds of those drums around the pool, two sets competing with each other. And one night they tested them at 2 AM just loud enough so the base kept me awake. The Orleans is uniformly quiet, especially the upper rooms.

The 202 running along Flamingo leaves from in front of the Palms and will take you to the strip from the Rio after the free shuttle to Harrah's or Bally's is done for the day. Coming back it is a hike to get into the casino, but the 202 drops right off in front of the Rio. You can also ride to Ellis Island, Tuscany or Terribles on the bus and skip the walk to whose places from Bill's after the shuttle. In fact, you can ride all the way to Eastside Cannery if you want. I think there may be a bus stop farther East than the Palms stop, but once I exited Rio and walked East and found that there were none East of the Rio. I walked all the way to the strip that morning.



The 201 running along Tropicana leaves from across the street from the Orleans and will get you to the strip at the NYNY MGM corner. The shuttle will drop you at Bill's on the Flamingo and strip corner. That flexibility is a decent plus as it allows you to access two highly desirable locations on the strip directly with no crowded buses or long walks along the strip itself. That 201 will also go out to the Pinball Hall of Fame, a popular side amusement.

If you just take these or other residential routes, a 24 hour fare is just $5 purchased with exact change from the driver upon boarding and stamped at the time of purchase so it is good for 24 hours. Technically, those passes are not valid on the Deuce or the SDX without a local ID. Some here say that they are never checked for local ID on strip buses. Also, early in the morning the buses might only come along Flamingo or Tropicana once an hour, so a schedule of the two routes printed and taken along is helpful and avoids a long wait at the bus stop. These buses also offer an inexpensive way to get out to the strip earlier than the free shuttles run, and the buses then come about every 15 to 20 minutes.

Also, a cab is very cheap to Orleans if picked up in the NYNY circle as it just has to go down an uncrowded Tropicana so you can't be long hauled. Be certain the cabby uses the meter. It has been a few years since I did that when it was $7, but I can't imagine it being more than $10. The expense of that one cab ride home late each night is usually covered by the savings on the rooms at the Orleans over other prices. If you have a B connected card look at the cost of the Orleans on their site after logging in. Prices are very good.

Parking is much easier at the Orleans than the Rio. My favorite spots are outside and to the left as you face the main entrance. It is a short walk then to the casino. All driving in that area is easy and free of traffic holdups. Using Arville to Flamingo to access Bill's for parking on the strip avoids strip traffic and gives great location and convenience. Bill's is small and access to the strip fast.

There is a fine laudromat on Arville as well.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/wizard-of-suds-las-vegas
I would not walk from the Orleans to the strip, especially after dark. Plenty of hookers and Wild Wild West is a place to avoid after dark. Often characters. In fact, I would not walk that in daylight. That being said I did go to Denny's at the WWW by car at 2 AM for a build your own breakfast. Tables were full of hookers on a break and having a late night snack. They were the more unattractive hookers I have even seen, but cheerful. I was with my grown nephew, however, so I did not have to deal with solicitation as did solo slot players in the Wild Wild West. This Denny's replaced what was once a wonderful diner with the best hamburgers in Vegas.

The walk along Arville to the Gold Coast during the day has always been easy and full of people and businesses. I have rolled my luggage along that route and stayed at the Gold Coast after the Orleans or caught the Flamingo bus to other casinos. There is an Arville bus, the 104, but walking is faster than waiting; I did take it one trip when my luggage was large and the day warm.

I have not tried that walk after dark. Since it is after dark, after midnight, that the shuttles do not run, that is the time you might feel isolated at the Orleans. I would not walk after dark from the Rio to the strip either. I don't like being confined on walkways where there is no escape were someone to accost me. But I go solo and I'm too old to fend off trouble. The same shuttle that takes you to Bill's will continue on to the Gold Coast, so before midnight you have a good bit of flexibility.

The room quality is very dependable at the Orleans. I would not expect to need to be moved for any reason and quiet is uniform. They clean in areas other places skip. When I do my initial bedbug inspections, moving furniture and such, I don't find old socks or Mike and Ike boxes and balled up tissues behind side tables or chairs at the Orleans. They keep the place very clean.
I find it easier to navigate and certainly the machine gambling has better odds there. The poker room deals good games, but difficult games. At the Rio there are only no-limit games. At the Orleans there are limit games and Omaha. But the Orleans competition is tough.

Also, I think the rewards system is more generous at the Orleans and much easier to understand than Total Rewards, although I use both. Orleans, Gold Coast, Sam's Town, Main Street Station and Fremont and Suncoast all share the same card and room offers are generous even on a small amount of play.

There is a $6 resort fee at the Orleans, so figure that in the math.
Seniors particularly like Tuesdays as the Orleans features point multiplication, cheap buffet, cheap movies, and for very little play a drawing for cash. Check on the website for Young at Heart.
I like Big Al's, the comedy club and it is usually not crowded and easy to get tickets even at the last minute. The American Casino Guide has a 2 for 1.
Al's Oyster House will make Oyster chowder if you ask (not on menu) and it is very good. A fine way to use up points. Al is a popular name at the Orleans.
There is free wifi at the coffee place and even plug ins if you get there when there is a spot.

The buffet is basic, but decent. And they did have a full day's pass that included a VIP line pass (bracelet) for very little money
http://www.orleanscasino.com/dining/...buffet/pricing

This is especially a good bargain on those days when the buffet prices go up for some special, and since I like to graze rather than overeat at one sitting, having the bracelet meant I could, without lines, nip in for coffee and fruit between poker hands as often as I liked during the hours it is open. It is a great deal if you are going to spend a day at the Orleans and fine insurance for a time when you might get sick and want to just hang around rather than travel all over town.

Across the street from the Orleans is a fine little Irish Pub. Mostly locals The gambling there is not that great, but the potato chips with assorted dips is great as is a pint of Smithwick's. There are happy hour specials. The ambiance includes old fashioned nooks all in nice wood where you can have some sense of privacy. Sometimes restautant.com has a voucher. Over a dozen of us ate Christmas dinner there one year and had fine food and a room all to ourselves for not much money. At times there is music. The people are all friendly.
http://www.mcmullansirishpub.com/index.shtml

I also think the Orleans has one of the best nickle gambling games in Vegas. They are banks of these in two places, one is not far from the buffet, heading right as you exit and on the other side of the casino corridor. They are nickle triple play with progressive royals and a 9/7 Double Bonus pay schedule. Lots of fun. My free room offers come from that play, for the most part. 75 cents a spin, with three hands each time is a great frugal game.

If you buy an American Casino Guide the Orleans coupons will pay for the book
$10 matchplay at Orleans
2-for-1 show tickets at Orleans
2-for-1 tickets to Big Al's Comedy Club at Orleans

Tickets to live events can usually be had even at the last minute with this coupon.

Why you should buy an American Casino Guide

Perhaps it helps to see a frugal guy's coupon itinerary.
I start out at a disadvantage because I don't rent a car and I go solo.
Still, I get my money's worth. The bus gets me out to the deals. Many places give me a solo deal as well.

The first coupon to use is the Ellis Island free play coupon. I don't always manage it, but I'll try to play so that my qualifying play also qualifies me for free bingo one morning. This is a tricky coupon because the redemption requires a wait after the qualifying play so I'll want to do this early in my trip. They have 9/6 JOB so I'm not playing short pay.
This year they did drop 4 free drinks, but they also have a matchplay coupon. Overall I'll make out because as Turtleman noted the drinks are free for players and I'm just not drinking much these days.

The entree coupon is good for a solo eater like me. And afterwards a short walk East on Flamingo lets me play the Tuscany matchplay.

The El Cortez $10 freeplay paid for the book last time.
It meant 4 free Myer's rums which I could not get at their poker table, but I could get playing penny slots.
http://vegasbirthdaybash.blogspot.co...n-nothing.html

Also, downtown I take a morning walk to play off matchplays and freeplay. So this year I'll hit both the Plaza and the Las Vegas Club, put a matchplay on the craps table for one roll and play the $5 freeplay in each place.
I'll walk through the Golden Gate to see if I want to earn 200 points. Usually I don't.

At the Four Queens I'll double my points one day, getting 500 more. It took me a while to get the idea of what that was worth, but actually 500 points is worth $12.50 in cashback. Here is how I found out.
http://vegasbirthdaybash.blogspot.co...ueens-hat.html

I'll use the Golden Nugget $60 for $50 coupon at the live poker room. Last year I used it and played a few hours and left with a profit of $10. That I had earned with the coupon. I also left with $10 to use at the buffet. (ask after 4 hours of play. Late at night ask for it to be postdated)

I may use the El Cortez 2 for 1 room coupon. It can, by the way be upgraded to a 2 for 1 on Cabana as well. Just ask. I used to always use it to catch the nice free shuttle back to the airplane as it is a half hour and very predictable. However, I feel obligated to tip $5 so it is really not free and the WAX requires no tip and I'll already have a pass, so that will be really free. On the other hand, the El Cortez shuttle is convenient because I can leave my bags with the bellman at checkout and play poker right up until 15 minutes before I leave. Of course, that is another tip.

I'll use the MacKing coupon. Sometimes these can be had by just looking around the area of the show, but it is nice to save that hassle.
However, the best entertainment coupon for me is the Riviera comedy, 2 free tickets. I felt bad last time as I could not seem to give away the other one and it went to waste. The comics were great and it was not crowded. I think this is the best deal in the book.

I'll be at the Orleans for at least one senior day, getting the half priced buffet and the cheap movie and taking a chance on the drawing. Tuesday is Young at Heart day. While I'm there I'll use the $10 freeplay. If anyone is with me who is interested I'll use the Big Al's 2 for 1 at the comedy.

I'll be at the Gold Coast one day and play the JOB 9/6 until I get to 200 points for the free buffet. After I eat I'll play the matchplay there. I'll walk over and play the Palms $10 matchplay. I'll have to see what the buffet deal is there. I could play the fullpay deuces one day if I don't need too many points to use their buffet coupon.

When I head out to Sam's Town for the free show there on Thursday afternoons, I'll play the full pay deuces for 200 points and a free buffet. I'll walk across to the Longhorn and play that

When figuring the worth of a matchplay coupon, divide it in half and that will be very close. So a $10 matchplay over the course of many trips will average to be worth $5. There is the one bet where you have the mathematical advantage over the casino and that advantage is huge. So for frugal travelers who will play one session of the dice, it is a wonderful way to gamble. The one bet pattern also means very little bankroll is required, so even a terrible losing streak will not put you back much. It is a fine way to wander from one casino to another.
And the play 200 points for a free buffet also works to set a limit on bankroll. Once the comp is earned, I quit whether I am up or down. That limits my play.

I'll eat a few times at the Spice Market buffet. I think their lunch price is a bargain for a somewhat upscale buffet. So I'll use the 25% off coupon. Last time they let me pay with points as well.

I hope to take the WAX out to the Suncoast for a bit of poker one day and I'll grab the 50% off and eat their buffet.

There are other coupons I might use depending on who I might meet or who might decide to come while I am there. I like the 2 for 1 Human Nature deal.
If I get really broke, which is possible this trip, I'll ride out to where I can get to the Lucky Club and play that matchplay. I liked that little place.
http://vegasbirthdaybash.blogspot.co...ucky-club.html

But that trip I had free food as well and a local friend with a car.



So there is the my strategy. For me one book is easily paid for. Not two. Some of the deals go away when one person has a second book. The Gold coast deal and the Sam's Town deals can be used only once a year. If I went with my wife, I'd buy and easily get the benefit from, two books. When I go with my buddies we each have a book.

cOULD uSE sOME hELP

I am going to let this thread be a call to anyone reading the blog to also gather information on the changes in rates and rules to be effective on October 1.

http://www.vegasmessageboard.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83456

Note also in this thread the story of one rider who was put off the bus because he forgot to validate his pass before boarding. It was in a bit of a sketchy area and disconcerting, but actually the validation was quick and allowed him to reboard without waiting for the next bus.

It is a good reminder to validate passes before boarding. I forgot my last trip, but I wasn't caught.