TR SNIPPET ARIA BUFFET

On Elizabeth's 2 for 1 for Aria we had a fine and wonderful lunch for $25.

I think I understand why this spot gets both wonderful and terrible reviews.

Folks who are meat and potatoes kind of people would rate this low.

Folks who want unusual tastes and healthy choice or seafood options would rate it high.

We were there on a Thursday, but there were still four kinds of mussels and these wonderfully tasty clams in a lemon and garlic cream sauce. The clams had interesting designed shells. I don't know where they come from.

There was delicious deep fried cod with a light batter and very juicy fish. I topped mine with a sauce from the Italian section and some Parmesan chees.

Meats included kielbasa and a tasty pork belly. When I said to the server, “kielbasa” he replied, “nada” pretending to hear “Que Pasa” Very cool! We don't have folks making Spanish puns at home.

There were also long pieces of deep fried shrimp, tasty and crunchy.

The miso soup was good. The brussels sprouts were good for the rest of America who eat them cooked right, however, I like mine well done. They were small and tender for rate sprouts.

My wife had taquita chicken, a deep friend crispy chicken that she loved.

I had tandori vegetables and while the color was interesting, I could not taste the tandori. Cauliflower tasted fine but was not spicy enough.

I can't say enough about the service. In this dry, hot place I always hit the buffet more thirsty than hungry, so I don't get food. I stand and wait for the drink server. Mine was off somewhere, but another fellow took care of me, and later a delightful Asian woman was very attentive.

I spilled drops of miso soup on the table when I was placing the bowl down and I wiped it with my napkin. I went for other tastes and by the time I was back, that napkin was gone and another one was in its place.

Often we were checked on to see how we were doing. Often plates were removed. I tend to take little tapa like plates and soup bowls, so I use a lot of them.

I love the blue cheese and the Italian olives on stems.

I had again the apple/grape/walnut salad. It was delightful. For dessert I had a creamed sugarfree bite with something red on top and one, very tasty blueberry.

There was plenty more there that I wanted to try, but I filled up.

We say for quite a while over our last drinks. No hurrying here.

ARIA SOLO

Through MyVegas I had a free Aria buffet when I stayed at Excalibur for my free MGM night. It was very good again. I went during the supper hours this time and there was more choices, but either would have been fine.

The number and kinds of mussels always amazes me and on my solo night I ate a couple plates of their multicolored clams.

I also had beef ribs that were delicious. I love beef ribs, but I rarely find them anywhere. They were done without sauce, too, the way I like them.

TR SNIPPET CRAPS WITH SON KEITH

Saturday morning about eleven there was plenty of room at the $5 craps tables. Frank, Keith and I played craps. Peter watched. Dana and Cory visited with their Mom at the buffet. Cory talked the woman into letting Elizabeth sit with them although that is against the rules. He was funny telling the story and he convinced the woman to break the rule for his Mom. He assured her that Elizabeth would not touch one morsel of food.

It worked.

The buffet did not do continuous serving. They stopped serving food by ten thirty and everyone had to be out by eleven. We were fine with that.

There were no huge runs of luck one way or another. I did the slow hedge while Keith and Frank bet straight.

Keith won $18. I lost $18 Frank lost $30.

It was a good bit of fun. I rarely gamble $200 but that is what it took to stay in the game early on.

The dealers were too often confused and that annoys me when I am tired.

One tall Black guy was very agitated and tough to be with. He finally left, blaming us for our erratic betting.

Craps is a strange world. The mathematics are very simple, but folks create all sorts of supernatural scenarios to explain what is happening in a random exercize.

Dice setting, however, is reported to be a very real phenomena. I asked John Growchoski and he told some amazing stories of being with The Terminator and seeing dice setting in action.

Bernie and cousin Chris played 3 card poker but did not make money.

It was a great session because we had fun playing together. It is rare we get that experience as father and sons.

TR SNIPPET VIDEO POKER

There were of course some incredible oddities playing video poker.

Playing with sons Peter and Frank at the Gold Coast, I was complaining about how many pairs of fives kept coming and coming. Then I hit the quad fives.

Once son Peter quit paying and watched my cards. He would call for the cards I needed. One time he called in a particularly distinctive way and I caught the fourth seven. So, we asked him to call again. He called “deuces” on a pair and I hit those quads. It got eirie. Then it didn't. The universe went back to the randomness it loves.

For the entire week when playing Double Bonus, I caught Aces just twice. Once was on a dime machine at the Palace Station. The second one was on a Four Queens quarter machine.

The strategy in Double Bonus means you very rarely throw away a hand. You can play three to the flush or an inside straight.

I got one of those rare throw away hands, and it dealt me back quad Aces. Amazing!

I played less video poker because I quit playing at the D based on their new policy of adding the resort fee to one night that is paid in a two for one. The odd thing is that while they insisted that as the policy, they did not add it to my bill. What is that about?

I also am phasing out the Four Queens as a place I pump in hundred dollar bills. They don't give three weekend nights anymore. They have blackout dates even on the 2 for 1 mailed offers. So, I'm seeding other places, starting with dimes at the Palace Station (mixed with some quarters) and in November I'm seeding the Fremont and playing the Pick Em.

I'm booked at the Four Queens for casino rate in November, but I've used up my Comp dollars, so unless they send me a two for one that works on my weekend night, I may well book another place.

I'll continue to play there for fun, but not put pressure on.

If Palace Station gives me anything, I'll like it. I can play dimes all day, everyday and the lower bet lets me absorb the volatility of a losing session and still have bankroll for other places. If I have to pay to stay, I'm happier to pay at Palace Station where the food is great and the pools are delightful, with one heated in November when I usually come.

I do lose on live poker. The best live poker is at the Golden Nugget and the best time is from midnight on. But if I find some other good downtown venue, I can access that game for some of my stay.

I don't think I can be a bus ride away and do what I do when I stay downtown. We'll see.

I did well playing a bit of JOB at the Gold Coast. Perhaps I'll get an offer from them. My wife was a new signup and she got a couple free nights in the mail right away. She did not gamble much at all, mostly penny slots and mostly pennies. She did play a bit of VP.

I think of the Gold Coast as the place I pay to stay and where I rarely gamble, but it was fun to play with my sons some of my visit. They like JOB rather than Double Bonus especially with me behind them with a strategy sheet.

I had just under an hour at Sam's Town before the Toast of the Town free show. I played a bit of full pay Deuces in nickels, well actually it is dimes because 10 in the Max bet. In just a short time I hit 4 Deuces and in the end was up about $100. I lost some of that back later in the day.

TR SNIPPET EXCALIBUR 2-6 POKER

I very much liked this game, although I still lost money. Most of the players did not know much about playing. When I first arrived, there were few full $6 raises preflop, but a young drunk showed up, sat to my right, and raised almost every pot to $6 or $8 preflop. He started with $300 and he made many at the table rich, but not me.

In some cases it was just putting too much money out and then not catching. I remember making a preflop bet up to $24 when I had A-K suited in clubs. I thought I could isolate the kid, but most of the table called. These players did not fold much.

So, I stopped betting and let them bet into me. I slow played everything and I got paid.

But there just was not enough of anything for me to play.

I was ahead for a time and then I lost a good bit of it back. I began to play very little unless I was in late position.

I only tried to steal one pot. I had one opponent, a good player. On the river I only had possibilities, but I'd made an early button raise. So I made the river raise and he folded based on my earlier raise and my tight play.

I won two hands with Ace high. They were not huge pots, but all the pots here were substantial.

I enjoyed the game, but I'd have enjoyed it more if I had not lost money. It was a game with great potential, but it did not produce for me.

Later there were better players. The young drunk left. A girl he knew played for a while because he husband went to look look for the young drunk and keep him safe. The game tightened up.

When the drunk came back, I left. I'd played from midnight until after 4 AM

In November I'll be at Excalibur for 3 nights and I expect I'll play this game again, perhaps with better results.

TR SNIPPET BINIONS GAMBLING

I had my photo taken with the million dollars at Binions.

I went to retrieve it and thought I needed a Player's card. That was not the case. There was no card required for the photo and there was a box of them available on the Player's Club counter just for the taking.

When I asked for a card, the clerk could not find me, so she set me up with a new card. That was odd because I'd had a card from this address before.

Along with that came a number of newbie benefits. One was a matchplay, which I lost. One was $10 freeplay with 10 points. I played a video poker bonus game with a 7/5 pay table to get the 10 points. No luck. It cost me $11. I could not play the freeplay in that machine. I tried a Buffalo machine and was up for a while, but I was too stupid and tired to quit $6 ahead and lost all that back as well. So, it was an expensive new card.

BINION'S POOL

As a Four Queens guest we get to use the Binion's pool. The pool at Binion's is nice except for two things:

It is hard to locate.

The music is piped in radio, including commercials.

I went only one day while I stayed at the Four Queens. There were a few sun bathers, but no one was in the water. It was a bit cool, but fine. Hot weather dominated September so even unheated pools were very comfortable.

I tolerated the music. Actually, this time the 97.5 station was not that modern nasal whine crap but a Black soul and R and B selection and most of it was not too bad. There were a few frantic raps, but there were some songs I liked.

What kills the mood, that drifting off while breast stroking in circles, was the loud and in you brain commercials where people shout out their product. Is there some market analysis that shows folks buy more if they hear about a product in a dramatic, in your face, shout? Why Binions can't get some sort of a tape of decent background music is a mystery. I think the radio station is the pick of the attendant.

There was a nice water fountain with cool water, one of the few working in Vegas. There were bathrooms. And the view is very nice although it can't be seen from the pool.

It is a fine place for sun. There is no shade.

It is generally uncrowded. Ask at the Four Queens desk before venturing over.

Finding it inside Binions can be a chore. Generally, I walk around the building and go in the back door by the place where they now have a blowout sale on shirts. However, this time I had to pass through five homeless and one ugly woman with really bad beaded hair apparently did not like my simple hello. She tossed a plastic water bottle so that I almost tripped and when I looked back she was doing a nine year old like mock of my walk.

Street people are more aggressive these days downtown. From that door and the shirt sale it is easier to find the right elevator to the Pool Deck, but I'll go through the casino next time. I came back through the casino. Remember that the Binion's is a horseshoe inside so go to the North part of the shoe.

No key required

30 minutes and it is at the Player's Club.

TR SNIPPET THE PLAZA POKER

With four sons I drove down to the Plaza to play the video poker and live poker on the Pro Poker machines.

We found the poker room still only doing tournaments, not cash. It was Friday night and the tournament seven had been canceled due to no players. The next was to be in an hour, but two of us decided not to play, and to play video poker there and at Main Street Station instead.

We did find full pay video poker and that kept us happy for the hour wait.

VP fives story. Complained about them all day and then they hit. Dana hit quad fours on the Double Bonus. He was quite happy. He said you never break up a made hand. I told him exceptions. I'm certain he does not play three to the flush with a high card, think about flush penalties when playing Aces big or consider the changes in strategy caused by a nine as a penalty card.

No one won much money. Dana and Frank passed on playing the tournament and walked down to play JOB at Main Street Station. They had a grand time with an old guy they met down there who ended up being a bit of a racist, especially where Asians were concerned. That shocked them. They enjoyed him as an odd character, however.

They then were hungry and went for a bite at the Triple Seven. Frank was disappointed in his hot dog, but Dana liked the pot stickers.

The attendant at the tournament was a great fellow, very friendly and easy going.

Drinks now are limited to one free drink and afterwards all drinks are two dollars. I wondered how long they could offer free drinks on such a low stakes game.

He tossed in some free coupons.

I was the first to be eliminated and that took over an hour. I just did not get cards to play.

I am always surprised that there are not more aggressive players at this game, players who go all in often and either get in a serious game or are eliminated and play something else. While it was a twenty dollar tournament, it was played as seriously as a much higher stakes game except there was much more talking.

The table did a good bit of banter. There was a long discussion on whether there was any food whatsoever that could not be combined with bacon. Some had seen bacon iced cream. Some had tasted bacon milk shakes.

Most were young players but one Veteran was there in his cart. He was in interesting guy. He had driven trucks for a living, but would not drive in Vegas. Too many crazy drivers. He mentioned the number of pedestrian deaths and how amazing that seemed. He also told a great story of getting fined for jaywalking on his little scooter. He laughed a lot. I liked him.

He lived in Vegas because he had decided to go to Hawaii and this was as far as he got. He liked it so much that he decided to stay and had been there two years that felt like just a few weeks. He still had not seen all he wanted to see. He was a happy man.

Before Vegas he had been living in Niagara Falls in an old house that was built before the turn of the century with fine and solid old wood. He sold the house for dollar to a homeless guy he knew who really needed it and he came West.

We did not talk about his service.

A bit after eleven we headed home. It was to be a very confusing and frustrating drive. I kept missing the turns.

The first part was great, full of amazing raucus banter. When three brothers get together, they are great fun. It is amazing how a blended family like this could so fully bond with each other, enjoy each other, support each other. There are very few tensions between these men and I think they will age together joyfully, although they seldom manage a reunion.

This was special too because there were no women with us and no children.

The birthday boy was missing, off playing 2-5 no limit poker. That was a shame, but he does not like low stakes.

SECOND VISIT

I also played at the Plaza in a $40 tournament. I did well and thought I had a chance, but was eliminated. This tournament had $5 bounties, so at least I got one of those and reduced the price. With ten players they had a guaranteed payout of $500. One winner. The competition is a bit tough. There are regulars and two of the poker room managers and one girlfriend play there as well. Still, I did not feel they were formidible, just good players.

I have yet to win one of these tournaments, but I like them. They are great to play on a short bankroll. However, they are not popular.

Soon they will start a cash game. It will be 1-1 no limit with quarter and fifty cent blinds. That should be interesting. If they get any players regularly, there should be a game that can be joined with no minimum.

TR SNIPPET LIVE POKER

ORLEANS

I have been avoiding the Orleans limit games since a trip two trips ago, but it was logistically wise to take my sons there from the Gold Coast, some for the live poker and others for the nickle 3 play.

We could then all go back to our Gold Coast beds or easily cab back to the Bellagio at different times based on our comfort.

I was still at the poker table with my local son Peter, sitting next to him, at almost 2 AM.

The Orleans game has changed.

They rake a maximum of $3 for the house. They take $2 for the bonuses and promotions. While we were there, the two high poker hands for that hour were paid a bonus. Of course, I caught my jack high straight flush at midnight. The promotion ran 9 am to 11 pm. Probably I was counterfeited on the river by a queen so that both my cards would not have played.

Both my sons made a pile of chips and then lost it back. It was a great game. Plenty of players paid off good cards. I made $82. Very nice.

Only one dealer was out of it. He did not know what current promotions were running. He did not answer me when I asked to slide down a seat until I said, “Hey, you with me?” and then he managed to say, “Yes, Okay,”

I still tipped him. But I wish now I had not.

All the rest of the dealers were just grand. They paid attention to questions. They called the game. They held up folks who were might bet out of turn.

One old woman would lean with her chips well over the line and seem to be betting out of turn. The dealer kept reminding her that the action was a long way in front of her. She took an attitude, annoyed at the dealer, and said she would lean like that everytime.

I told her that if she was going to signal her intention to bet, the dealer would be forced to remind her it was not yet her time. That was the dealer's job. The dealer looked directly into my eyes and her eyes said, “Thank you and , What part of, “Don't look like you are going to bet out of turn,” did this old bitty not understand?

But I think my comment changed her behavior. She restrained her impatience.

Son Cory joined the table and knowing nothing of that exchange, sat next to the old bitty, and he chatted her up and kidded with her and got her smiling.

That was nice.

One fellow with a heavy accent (maybe Greek) felt we all needed to be lectured in detail after every hand he won from us.

He caught a huge run of full houses and flushes on the river. Some of them took my son's money when his trips were beat.

Each one he felt he needed to recap the action, and if possible highlight his superior play.

I was not in very many hands, but I had my trips beat by him. The old guy had skillfully let me bet first, and then raised. It was good poker.

But lecturing about it was very poor etiquette. My answer,

“I know what happened. I was here for that hand.”

A few at the table laughed.

He was one of those guys who, after he has decided to fold, studies the cards a while, and talks to himself or to the cards or shows them to the dealerand shakes his head, all the while holding up the game.

Remember, this is 2-4 limit, so he is not playing to gather information on those acting behind him. He just thinks the game revolves around him.

He lost at first, but then he got good reinforcement on his ego by catching great hands.

A young Black man joined the table and verbally took the old guy on in friendly but intense banter.

He was just wonderfully entertaining.

He was a good player; he was doing mind games with the old guy, and rattling him, and I was enjoying it. He was funny and had us laughing while he took our money with good hits that he disguised with the banter.

Some players who do that are annoying, and some are entertaining.

He was pure stand up comedy.

My son Peter should have quit a hundred or so ahead as the table did change to very different and better players and when he bet into perceived weakness, he was trapped.

The first set of players could easily be read and showed weakness. The second set were not so easy to intimidate. They sometimes waited for him.

He plays once a week at our home game and takes money almost every week with aggressive betting. In fact, he brought money earned in one game to Vegas as his bankroll. He lost most of it, but he had a good time.

I had a grand time playing with two sons on the live poker and two more on the nickle three play.

Say, here is an Orleans question. If I let the casino know I am there in the poker room on days I don't bet VP, would that poker room play unbalance my daily average? Would it kill my two nights comped every six months?

I did not give my card, but they do pay some comps per hour. It is not a big sacrifice because I generally have more B Connected points than I can use on my solo adventures, but had I been sure I would not lose my free night offers, I'd have given my Player's Card at the poker.

I know not to go to the Orleans buffet on a day I am not gambling and use my Player's Card to save the price. That makes me look like a lower roller than I am.

Does earned poker comps on nights with no VP play affect free room offers.

I took the boys to play on a Sunday when the Orleans offered a grand promotion, high hands that paid very well each hour. I like playing when there is that bonus.

Contrast the bad beat jackpot. A hand that qualifies must be flopped. How absurd!

There are then local promotions, but they don't affect me. The Orleans takes $2 for promotions, but caps the rake at $3. They will tell you that they rake 10%, but if you just count money out of the pot, a $10 pot is raked $2 or 20%, a $20 pot is raked $3 or 15% and then the full money taken away goes down closer to 10%. So, playing 2-4 with local rocks and small pots tends to be a tough game to beat. And when the $2 is raked with a bad beat that must be flopped and no other bonus pays, it is just a rip off.

Of course, some casinos take a full $5 as the rake, and then a buck or two for the promotions. So, the Orleans can be a great place to play, especially on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday when the high hand awards are given.

The high hand awards stop at eleven. I hit a straight flush to the jack an hour later. However, the river counterfeited me with a queen, making my seven not part of both cards playing. So I would not have been paid a bonus anyway. Two cards in my hand had to play.

TUESDAY'S GAME

I had comped nights at the Orleans for Tuesday and Wednesday nights. I decided to keep my VP bankroll for just Wednesday because I would get a point multiplier that day. I was also tired after having family all week and wanted to just relax at a slow poker game for the first of my solo trip.

I played 7 hours and lost $1. So actually, I was a winner because I used my Player's card this session.

I was up and down. I lost $25 at the 2-4 game and realized that it was not giving large enough pots. I did meet a great fellow there who was into the boxing profession and very talkative.

I also pissed off an Asian fellow.

Here is how that happened.

I flopped trip sevens in early position with two in my hand and two diamonds on the board.

I checked.

The turn came another diamond and Asian guy's wife caught the Ace high flush and bet. I called. The river paired the board with a second 10.

I check raised my opponent and she reraised me my last $5.

It was such a surprise to her that she could lose that hand. She was mad. She quit and went over to sit behind her husband.

I engaged an older good natured fellow who looked Cuban to me and we talked about a few things, none of them poker.

Three hands went by that I folded.

The Asians were still steaming mad and Asian guy could not let it rest. He stared at me and said, “You Win!” I was confused and asked, “What?”

“Are you deaf,” he barbed. “I said, “You win!”

“I have not played the last three hands,” I said, “ And while I may be a little deaf, at least I am not rude.”

And so the exchanges started until the dealer said, “Enough,” and the Cuban fellow lectured the table on taking good care of the tourists because they fund the city.

I assured him that I was not offended.

I might have said, since it was the verb tense of the attack that had confused me, “I also am not inarticulate; I can speak English in more than just the present tense.” or, “You can't really expect success at this game if you reraise on fifth best hand or are surprised that a paired board might give your opponent a boat. “

It had been a large pot and part of a half kill so it was a 3-6 hand.

And still I left that table down money.

The 4-8 I next played was a grand game. There was good reason to raise to push out because folks would fold.

They would also bet into perceived weakness.

I check raised often.

Sometimes I did that on the turn when it might have been better for me to wait until the river.

I also did well on the button when I raised to see free cards. Folks would call the button raise, then defer to me on the on the flop or turn. I'd get a free card. So I did it when I had Ace little suited.

Once I even did it with K-9 suited and caught the flush. That was a poor play. I just got lucky.

As well as giving me free cards, that strategy misrepresents to the table my hand as a high pair or high cards. I did it with middle suited connectors.

That misrepresentation sometimes made it possible for me to bluff even when I had missed the draw. These folks remembered my raise, and if they checked to me on the river, after we had checked the turn, then I generally bet my pretend high pair. I was only once caught stealing the pot.

Even that was not a bad thing because it mixed the message that I was a tight player, and I got more callers when I had the goods.

We had one bulldog on the table and I can see how he did well with the strategy of continuing to bet once he was in the hand. I'm just not good at playing that way, and it could destroy a bankroll.

The bulldog did not always have a grand hand, but the confident intensity of his betting sent the message he had something wonderful, so he dominated this table where players would fold.

4-8 is often less a no foldem holdem.

PALACE STATION

This is a local's game especially at football time. Both the 2-4 with kill and the 2-6 spread were full of folks who all knew the dealers, the brush, and each other. At times the 2-4 was tight and small pots.

I basically lost money overall. This game is not a draw to get me back into the casino. Even the Orleans was easier.

The Golden Nugget downtown is much softer and a much better 2-4, perhaps the best in Vegas. Certainly it is the best from 2 AM until breakfast.

I had my Aces cracked and missed a good pot my first night with one fellow who persisted and caught the river. I thought I would lose my second night, but on the river I caught the nut diamond flush and took down a really large pot for this table.

My other wins were not great.

Some of the players are very surly. This is not the place to look to find people on vacation having fun and bantering. This is the place where folks face the randomness of life with disgruntled victim whines. They don't like it when the odds don't predetermine the individual outcomes. Truthfully, they don't like much of anything at all. It is an extreme contrast to the, “It's only money” folks at tourist games.

There was one old guy who chuckled because he had put a lit cigarette just outside the door of the casino and he would sneak out for a few puffs between hands.

A bit of the smell of it would waft into the poker room and there were complaints. He just kept quiet.

I'm not a fan of smoke, but I was enjoying the game of it.

Finally, someone heading out the bathroom noticed the cigarette.

“Who's cigarette is out here?” he asked.

But the old gent kept very still.

“They are not supposed to do that,” one woman remarked.

“Well, I'm putting it out.” the fellow said with annoyance.

And the old guy just smiled.

On his key fop he had a plastic piece that said, “Jesus is my driver.”

Now, I thought that was pretty ironic.

GOLDEN NUGGET

Drunk guy see notes

Morning guy from San Antonio. Had been stationed in Iceland. Another guy used to live in Saratoga years ago. His sister just packed up a car and drove to Vegas. They both have been there ever since.

Texas was an aeronautical engineer. Good fellow. Friendly. Not much in common. The rest were locals and all had to beat. I left a bit early because all the loose players were gone.

My raises for high hand did not work. On woman to my left bet into me after I raised preflop on the button.

Thursday night

I played a few ours and was up quite a bit and then I lost a few very good hands. So my profit was just $24 when I quit. No high hands. I did play a 2-3 of diamonds and caught the wheel straight. That made me some money. I check raised once on queens.

Gravel voiced guy sat next to me. He was very loose. We bet eight preflop and he had Q-10 and I had K-K. I'd have won but one player stayed and caught a straight.

Very friendly and nice Hawaiian woman played next to me. Not much conversation anywhere.

I quit at 3 when the table broke. I needed to get some sleep anyway

Friday night

Played poker all night and did not do so well. I started with $100 from the VP and bought in for $200 more. I cashed out for $155.

Had one talkative guy at the table who just would not shut up. A drunk came and he kept helping him play his hand by saying he should call or fold or whatever.

He started swearing and was 86ed from the table, but he was back in a couple hours.

I also sat next to a great Asian fellow and we hit it off quite well. I ended up giving him my Silver Strike ring for a coin protector. I did not bring so many rings this trip. He was delighted as he has a coin that will fit in the ring.

This was the most chaotic game I have played. When they let the motor mouth guy back in again, I left. I'd had more than enough. A couple grumpy men too playing just $20 and going home in a huff.

PLAZA

I played with two of my sons at the ProPoker electronic tables.

We were attracted to the low stakes tournaments at the Plaza, but when we arrived they had canceled the seven oclock tournament and the next was in an hour.

We played some video poker while we waited.

No one won much money. Dana and Frank passed on playing the tournament and walked down to play JOB at Main Street Station. They had a grand time with an old guy they met down there who ended up being a bit of a racist, especially where Asians were concerned. They enjoyed him as a character, however.

They then were hungry and went for a bite at the Brew place. Frank was disappointed in his hot dog, but Dana liked the pot stickers.

A bit after eleven we headed home. It was to be a very confusing and frustrating drive. I kept missing the turns.

The first part was great, full of amazing raucous banter. When three brothers get together, they are great fun. It is amazing how a blended family like this could so fully bond with each other, enjoy each other, support each other. There are very few tensions between these men and I think they will age together joyfully, although they seldom manage a reunion.

This was special too because there were no women with us and no children. The birthday boy was missing, off playing 2-5 no limit poker. That was a shame, but he does not like low stakes.

I went to the Plaza for the $40 poker tournament on my solo part. They got enough to guarantee $500 for the winner. There were just ten of us in the tournament. Each person had a $5 bounty. It is the most frugal poker in town.

And folks play poker. They don't come and and because it is cheap play a game that is more like bingo. It is nicely run.

I see the same people there.

Two of the managers of the room played with us and a very pleasant young Black man I've seen before and like very much. One of the dealer's blond girlfriend was there as she was before when I played. They gave us two free drinks this time.

I took one bounty, so I lost $35

ARIA

I don't play no limit poker because I don't have the bankroll to sustain bluffing. I'd be playing with scared money.

I have always wanted to play at Aria and on this trip I had just enough time for a short game, low chipped, quitting broke or a bit ahead.

I played very tight and felt that my opponents were very good. I had Mr. Loose guy two to my right.

There were few free flops. Someone generally tossed in a $15 bet to take the blinds and see the flop.

Another reason to play tight.

I did limp in once with 10-Q and then bet a bit when the flop was 10-small-small. I checked and folded on the turn when the A came and was called. Of course, the Q showed on the river. Both other players had A-8 and just the Aces. I'd have won.

My second playable hand was just before I needed to leave for my buffet and show. I had 5-6 on the large blind suited clubs. The guy to my left bet the $15 and there were some callers. I could see the flop for $13 more, so I did.

J-7-8. Now would have been a good time for me to push in early position. Playing low chipped gives early position an advantage for semi bluffing.

I did not and it was checked around.

The turn was a 9.

I go all-in on my small straight.

My opponent calls with his Q-10 and higher straight caught inside.

Q-10 was not good to me no matter who held those cards.

TR SNIPPET COMPS AND COUPONS

THE RIO SEAFOOD BUFFET

Nine of us gathered for this birthday meal. Two American casino guides and just two Harrah's cards gave us an eighty dollar discount. The ninth fellow had a ten dollar coupon as well.

MY VEGAS :

Elizabeth does not play, but I played a bit for her just before we left. She used a 2 for 1 at Aria. You don't have to stay in an Mlife hotel for a 2 for 1.

I love that buffet and we had a fine meal, just the two of us, and some good talk.

She tried to use a 2 for 1 at Bellagio with son Dana, but it was not honored because it was Mexican Independence Day. I guess we have to call and see for every buffet. That is a ridiculous blackout day!

She also bought some Hexx candy and used the free pound coupon. It was overpriced candy, so in the end we were not sure about the real value. $16 is what she “saved.”

My Rewards

In my solo section, I stayed one night at Excalibur for the $22 resort fee and found the room fine. That qualified me to use a free evening buffet voucher at Aria. Yummy. I used my third Mlife to see the show Fantasy at Luxor. I did not need to stay at Excalibur for that, but it was very handy to walk down to Aria for my supper and then grab a bus back to Excalibur and the free shuttle to Luxor and back. It was a crowded in that area of the strip that night.

I also had three free nights at the Palace Station, tower rooms and no resort fee. I thought that gave me space to redeem a meal a day as well. Nope. The first day I redeemed all three nights and that counted as two redemptions for that day and one for the next. Even on the next day, at first they were not giving me a second redemption.

Finally, I got one on the third day and I called my wife and had her buy me a shirt voucher and got that as well.

They don't let us pay to get a better shirt anymore, but they did have a XXL with just “Vegas” on it that was good for my son.

What is nice is we just have to redeem the points and go to the Player's Club. It is not like Eastside Cannery where we have to have a printed voucher.

I took my nieces and nephews out for a meal at the buffet. The Palace Station sent up someone to sign up the others for Player's cards. Otherwise the cost of the buffet goes up about $7. Two people can be on one Player's Card. I was not alert enough to remember to use my American Casino Guide coupon that night.

By the way, the ACG coupon can be used for 50% when going solo.

The Player's Club said this was not true of the 2 for 1 My Vegas vouchers, but the buffet folks said they do it all the time. So who knows??

I got a really bad clerk twice at the Player's Club. Finally, I got Tim who knew how to override and give me my second reward. The next clerk would not override anything. So, the My Vegas system at Palace Station is a bit rusty. And I'll ask for Tim and wait until he is on duty.

Now that we can only get one room per trip in each Station casino, that snafu probably will not happen because the one night will be just one redemption.

This also tells me that in November, when I go to Red Rock, my first day there will count as two redemptions just for my room. After than perhaps I'll have a voucher for food.

It is not a huge issue. These Station casinos have inexpensive buffets.

YOUNG AT HEART

Elizabeth and I were at the Gold Coast on Young at Heart day, so she got a card and played enough for a free lunch buffet and I did also. She went to bed, but I went back for a free supper buffet and a $10 voucher for the next morning.

I don't think I swiped at the right time, nor do I think I deposited my tickets. I did not handle that well. Elizabeth was not interested in the ticket drawing. We were swimming and I just stepped in from the pool and watched the drawing. I probably had no chance.

My first two solo nights were at the Orleans on a mailed comp. No resort fees. My second day was Wednesday and I caught just 5 X multiplier, but got the free breakfast buffet, went to hear my name not called in the drawing, heard a couple sets of the Nite Kings, and got a free supper buffet. I did not see the movie. No dancing this time. I love Wednesday at the Orleans.

A few hints for the Orleans. I you want breakfast, get in the line early, before they open. The line gets huge later on. I don't know about supper, but I suspect that is true as well. If I have breakfast, I don't go to supper until about 8:15 PM and the supper lines are down then.

Also, if you have played and created drawing tickets, go the the kiosk and put them in the drum a good while before the deadline. You can go back again and try to get a few more in. I did, but the line was long and the drum was closed. I was glad to get in most of my tickets, well, until they did not call my name.

The promotion is much better now. They pull one name for $500 ( 3 minutes to get there) and then they pull ten names for $100 each. If no one claims the prize in 3 minutes, another name is drawn. It is all electronic and quick. I like being right there because I can't hear the announcements on the scratchy PA.

Finally, be certain to swipe BEFORE you play and swipe again for the evening session. Otherwise there is no multiplier applied to the play.

EASTSIDE CANNERY

I took a ride out to Eastside Cannery with a whole handful of freebie vouchers from their Webpass site. Well, now we can redeem only one voucher a day. So the rest were a waste of points.

Since vouchers must be redeemed within seven days of printing, this means that for every trip I can use just one voucher.

It is now just a local's deal.

Well, I got my free buffet, but I never used it because it must be used in 7 days, and I never got back in time.

However, I stopped at the Bankof America across the street for money and Walmarts for a few things, including the shower shoes that would be so important later when I once again developed blisters, so the trip was not wasted.

If I run into a trip where I actually start my stay at the Eastside Cannery (say on a Monday to see Claudine Castro) then I may be able to upgrade using a voucher from the Webpass program.

Otherwise, I won't bother much with it. It is geared to locals.

Next trip for example, I am downtown on Halloween and then on a road trip for almost a week. So, no Eastside Cannery deals will work for me.

Or perhaps if I meet up with my relatives at their houses, I can print a voucher there.

I played a bit of live poker, won a $25 freeplay by catching quads in the live poker game for two tickets and then getting my name drawn. I could not use my freeplay for full pay, so I played Double Double Bonus and hit four Kings. I left with a profit of $46.

When I went to see the Claudine Castro lounge show, I did not play. I did spend about $17 on drinks (with tips). But the Eastside Cannery lost on me this trip even if they did get cheesy cheap on the coupons.

AMERICAN CASINO GUIDE

I actually misplaced my ID and so I missed opportunities to use the coupons. I have it now. I'll be able to use them in November. One I'll use to book the Fremont for three days at the price of two.

In some cases they don't ask, but in others they do.

Sometimes the table guys will send us to the Player's Club with matchplays. Other times they will just let us play it at the table.

I did lose a $5 matchplay at the Longhorn. It was the only blackjack hand I played all trip and I played it wrong. I stayed with Ace-three-three. However, it would not have mattered in the long run anyway as the cards that came would have busted me.

My points add up very quickly when I play the Boyd machines, especially if I have a 5X or more multiplier. I have a few buffets there for my next trip in November.

I try to use up my points each trip because I never know if I'll be back in a year.

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I pumped plenty in the Orleans machines, so my two free nights for next year should be set. I am almost Saphire level and may turn Saphire in November, but then by November 2016 my points will have been dropped.

Still, I am hoping to get a Saphire card that I can flash around. Sometimes it is helpful. Some Player's Card person took the last one I had when I asked for a duplicate card. I won't flash it there again. And once I make that level, I'll get a few extra cards.

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Every once in a while the Gold Coast sends me an offer out of the blue for free nights, and they generally always send me casino rate offers. That helped save me money this past trip as I had booked six nights at a B Connected rate that was higher than the mailed offer by $100, and they adjusted my booking for a great savings.

I might also get an offer from Sam's Town because my Toast of the Town visit this trip was the same day as my play. Usually, I end up going out there for the show on a day I am not playing there. I have had scattered free days before from them, but generally when I add up the cost of the other days and the resort fee, I can beat their price. And if the cost ends up being anywhere near the Eastside Cannery cost, I'll pick the Cannery because the rooms are nicer.

 

Golden Nugget  has a new comp policy for live poker.  We now play on a Player's card and we get $2 an hour for our time that can be used anywhere in the casino.  There was some debate about whether those points remain indefinitely or not.  However, since the owner of the GN also owns Lawry's restaurants, the comps can be used across the county in those restaurants, a comp like no other I know of in Vegas.

Room comps are discussed in the various sections.  The hardest decision I have is what to do about the Four Queens.  Comp policy seems to be more generous for November than it was before.

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TR SNIPPET EAST SIDE CANNERY

I took a ride out to Eastside Cannery with a whole handful of freebie vouchers from their Webpass site. Well, now we can redeem only one voucher a day.

Since vouchers must be redeemed within seven days of printing, this means that for every trip I can use just one voucher.

It is now just a local's deal.

Well, I got my buffet, but I never used it.

However, I stopped at the Bank for money and Walmarts for some things, so the trip was not wasted.

I also decided to play just a half hour of poker.

I hit four of a kind twice and this put me in a drawing for $25 in freeplay. I won the drawing, played the freeplay and hit quad kings on a double double bonus game. I had lost money on the poker (too tight a game) and this brought me up to a profit of $46. So the ride wasn't wasted.

I like this 2-4-6 poker, but not when it is just the old regulars. I had to leave when two loose players joined the table.

I did enjoy taking one of the old regulars. I had a K-4 in the blind and the flop came 4-4-4. I checked and this one old fellow bet his Ace. The turn game him the full house. I just kept checking and calling until the river when I checked raised. He called the $6 but he was fairly sure I had the 4. I felt good. I'd played him well.

The other quad came on the river to complete my losing trips. That opponent did not have the money to pay much on the river.

It is a hard game to win. The rake just eats up the profits. Folks do tip a quarter or a half dollar on smaller hands, but until some loose players join, the rake I hard to overcome.

I played well. I stole two hands because the river $6 can be enough to bluff with especially after they saw me slow play a flopped quad.

I was lucky too.

However, I don't think I'll be moving my play to this place.

I have a love/hate relationship with the Eastside Cannery.

They also have ruled out using freeplay on the full pay video poker. Once places do that I'm pretty much done with them for any play.

It does open this place up for a couple paid nights or for a 2 for 1 if I get one in the mail, however. I noticed that one of the benefits in the Webpass is a voucher for a room upgrade. I'd use that as my one freebie, and if I started a Vegas trip at Eastside Cannery, and was staying there, I'd get most of the voucher benefits. I sure like those corner rooms.

However, that won't happen in November because I am downtown for Halloween and then on a rental car road trip to Red Rock and Laughlin and Oatman and Chloride and the Dam for six days.

TR SNIPPET THE SWIMMING POOLS

I like the Gold Coast pool in November because it has a heated pool. We did not need that this trip because every day it was 100 degrees.

Generally, I am okay in that kind of weather if there is no humidity, but this time the heat got to me for the first two days. After that I seemed to adjust pretty well.

Still, the dry air means that coming out of the pool wet and not using a towel will cool off the body quickly, and there was shade when we swam and where we sat along edge of the pool.

One day the whole pool was Germans speaking German. I enjoyed the sounds. In college I might have followed the drift of the conversation but now I only catch a word or two. There were some pretty bikinis, however, and somehow they communicate well across all languages.

The next day there was a luscious young blond rubbing herself with suntan lotion. No, I did not offer to do her back for her.

In the pool there was some good conversation with folks who are old and migrate North or South based on the season. So we shared lake stories and boat and dock frustrations that come with aging.

Another woman thought she was an expert on video poker and on the local casinos. She lived not far away. However, her information was just wrong. If you don't start with the premise that VP is played using a virtual 52 card deck and that the random number generator creates a pretty good randomness, then I can't really learn much from you. She was all about the change of machines. They took out the ones she won on. And luck. And she kept telling us that many years ago her mother had taught her how to play. Well, when I was first learning I listened to my buddy's mother who told me that I should watch and see what a machine was dealing and if there were a lot of jacks, that would be the luckier card to hold. I'm very thankful that these folks exist and that they are local as they give enough to the casinos for them to still want to attract players.

She also told me that all Emerald card holders have their resort fees on any paid nights waived. If that is true, I learned that from her.

And she had good experience with hosts at the Orleans and talked about one who is a comp nazi. She regularly plays at the Fremont but she does not play pickem poker. She was a double double, triple double player but she had nothing much to say about strategy. She was very annoyed with Bob Dancer because he is arrogant. Well, what else is new. He also has some good points to make. I did not bother her with Grochowski, Paymar, or Linda Boyd. Why bother? I just don't get how someone can have video poker as their passion and not actually study the game enough to check pay tables. I'm not an expert and I don't have a good mind for learning the games, but I still understand that the EV is in the mathematics of the game and the comps added. And I have Dancer's tutor right here on my Vegas computer to check questions. And I have a strategy card in my pocket. Although I have to admit, I don't look up as much as I should.

On another visit we found the pool area much more comfortable in spite of the temperature being 106. I had a nice conversation with a young Latino mother while her husband swam with their cute 8 year old boy. She was delightful.

We swam and talked and joked and napped. I think we have tomorrow planned out with Red Rock in the morning and then a trip to the Orleans in the afternoon for both some live poker and some video poker and a meal at the Irish Pub behind the Orleans.

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BINION'S POOL

The pool at Binion's is nice except for two things:

It is hard to locate.

The music is piped in radio, including commercials.

I went only one day while I stayed at the Four Queens. There were a few sun bathers, but no one was in the water. It was a bit cool, but fine. Hot weather dominated September so even unheated pools were very comfortable.

I tolerated the music. Actually, this time the 97.5 station was not that modern nasal whine crap but a Black soul and R and B selection and most of it was not too bad. There were a few frantic raps, but there were some songs I liked.

What kills the mood, that drifting off while breast stroking in circles, was the loud and in you brain commercials where people shout out their product. Is there some market analysis that shows folks buy more if they hear about a product in a dramatic, in your face, shout? Why Binions can't get some sort of a tape of decent background music is a mystery. I think the radio station is the pick of the attendant.

There was a nice water fountain with cool water, one of the few working in Vegas. There were bathrooms. And the view is very nice although it can't be seen from the pool.

It is a fine place for sun. There is no shade.

It is generally uncrowded. Ask at the Four Queens desk before venturing over.

Finding it inside Binions can be a chore. Generally, I walk around the building and go in the back door by the place where they now have a blowout sale on shirts. However, this time I had to pass through five homeless and one ugly woman with really bad beaded hair apparently did not like my simple hello. She tossed a plastic water bottle so that I almost tripped and when I looked back she was doing a nine year old like mock of my walk.

Street people are more aggressive these days downtown. From that door and the shirt sale it is easier to find the right elevator to the Pool Deck, but I'll go through the casino next time. I came back through the casino. Remember that the Binion's is a horseshoe inside so go to the North part of the shoe.

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AIR B AND B POOL

I rented a bed and bathroom near Maryland and Flamingo as a way to do laundry. The pool was adjacent to the laundromat, so all the while it washed and dried I swam. I was alone and it was cool but very nice. There was not music. There were no people. I hate waiting for laundry. This worked just great.

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PALACE STATION POOLS

I really liked these pools. There are two right near one another but separated by rooms. Each has a jazuzzi. One will be heated in November.

The only downside was there was no bathroom.

I used the one in the fitness center, but it was a bit stange walking in there dripping.

In spite of the bad reviews of Courtyard rooms, I may book some if I don't get better offers. That would put me close to my own room for a bathroom break.

The pool opened very early in the morning. Good hours.

THE ORLEANS POOL

I always enjoy the Orleans pool, and this was no exception. However, one day it did not open until 10 AM because the cleaner had not finished getting out the leaves and the chemical guys needed time to do their jobs.

It was frustrating that I had to wait.

However, there was compensation. They did a photo shoot for one of the Ms. Olympia women. I don't know here name, but she was very attractive, more so than most. Here she is in 2012, the one on the far left.

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That morning she was dressed in a sparkle outfit with very attractive black anklets which matched her long black hair. She took these off and did poses around the pool in her ivory bikini. It was nice entertainment for a morning swim.

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