We started the trip after work Wednesday with a 7:30 flight out of KC. It was probably one of the most boring inbound Vegas flight on SWA that I've ever been on... Normally our SWA crew is awesome and the passengers are pretty loose.

When we landed, we grabbed a cab (haven't tried UBER from the airport yet) and the bastard long-hauled us. I made it well known that I wasn't happy and was going to "adjust" the fare, but a friend just paid the guy. First loss of the trip!!! Yes we used Uber the rest of the trip! Got to the hotel and checked in via Diamond lounge, both myself and our friends tried for an upgrade and were denied!

We played at Flamingo the first night and had a good time, with solid dealers on the $25 BJ tables. Ended the night up a bit.

On Thursday, my wife and I went to Bali Hai for breakfast and a round of golf. The course is preparing to over seed, so it wasn't in the best of shape aesthetically but still played nicely. This was my first time playing Bali Hai. Unless you get really off target with your tee shots, it's a fairly easy round - shot 78 without any real effort from the tips. Oh, breakfast was tasty!

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While we were playing golf, our friends took a helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon which landed under the rim and he proposed. Luckily she said yes, otherwise the rest of the trip would have been awkward. Once they got back, we hung out a while and then made our way to 3535 at Linq for Diamond Happy Hour. Great drinks and bar staff. After drinks, another couple showed up to surprise the newly engaged and we took a limo ride prior to dinner at BLT Steak (Bally's).

We purchased the Travelzoo coupon that provided $208 credit for $115. Dinner was very good! I had a Wedge Salad, Filet and my wife the Veal. We shared Mac and Cheese and Mashed Potatoes. I also had a couple of their specialty drinks.

After dinner, we went over to Chandelier Bar at Cosmo for some drinks, where I introduced the group to the Verbena. The group had mixed reviews, but I always think it's a fun drink in Vegas.
After drinks, we played some more at Planet Hollywood. The casino was pretty crowded and the games weren't that good. We left PHo to play at Cromwell for the rest of the night.

Friday was pool day, which is why we were at Flamingo but first we had to eat "breakfast" at Hash House! I love taking first timers to this place and seeing their faces when the food comes out.

The GO Pool was crazy busy by 11am and we couldn't find a spot anywhere, so we settled for the Beach Club which was ok - I guess. We were out there for a few hours, before I decided to stop by the Diamond lounge for a quick snack... Terrible!

Friday night we had reservations for Giada's at Cromwell. Two of us had our Diamond Celebration dinner which helped significantly with the bill. Dinner and service was great!

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The plan for Friday night was to head downtown for some low-key gaming and Freemont Street East. We started at The D where the boxman shorted me when I colored up and an argument ensued only to go to the cameras. Hell, even the idiot dealer was arguing with me even though all the players agreed. In the end they agreed and paid me the money.

Once that debacle was completed, we started to head towards the Eastside, but detoured to Downtown Grand. This place is a sad casino. However our wives won several hundred on slots so they were happy.

On to Fremont East and our first time to Container Park. Really cool in concept, just not sure how well executed. It was fairly dead, however we ran into the Vegas version of the Kansas City Royals Rally Mantis.

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We spent the rest of the night playing at El Cortez... It was fun playing at an old and historic casino, but this one is not on my return to list. Drink service was good and the Blackjack tables are favorable, but the dealers had zero personality. At one point, we were discussing whether or not the video blackjack dealer was more friendly?!?!

Saturday morning showed up and it's time to head back home.

Not a super exciting TR, but thought I would share anyways.

 

Thanks for sharing. We are going to stay at the Flamingo in November and I'm afraid the pool will be closed. I have had some good luck at $25 DDBJ there and my wife won at pai grow so she chose to stay there. We stayed at Paris in July and our gambling luck wasn't good.

 

I'm not a terrible fan of the place, but hey it's Vegas

 

Your last comment convinced me. First two nights at Flamingo to appeas the wife, then moving to Ceasars. I've never stayed there and pretty excited. We will see.
Reservations booked.

 

i agree with ur assessment of El Cortez. I played 25 dollar bj there. Unfucking friendly dealers. Literally attempt to fuck me out of my money. After further thought, thats their job to win my money, and i'm trying to get their money so I guess were on an even playing field. The shark type dealers bother me. But I can just as easily walk to another casino.

 

In all fairness, if you're rating a property on the friendliness of dealers, you could have an equally bad night at Bellagio or Wynn.

The El Cortez has oodles of history, but unfortunately the scourge of the earth among its clientele. I'll occasionally stop and play for the old school factor, but the homeless and the angry at the world oxygen tank crowd are what turn me back.

 

Nice write up. I know it's not contained to downtown dealers, but a few weeks ago Sarah and I had a dealer at the GG that was the MOST boring guy ever. Slow (which is fine), no expression, no interaction...nothing. But if for just a few hundred in reds and we cashed out after about 5 hands, which was about 4 too many.

 

Several years ago we were in Vegas with a large family contingent. We stopped into the TI to use the bathroom and my mom hit a handpay on a slot machine...while we were waiting for the handy to come i went over to an empty 3 card poker table and had the worst dealer i ever encountered. Maybe he had worked overnight or something but he was very tired and grouchy. At one point he even drug a box over to prop his foot up on while he raked in my chips...i lost $100 in about 10 minutes and he said exactly 3 words to me "thanks for playing"...

 

If I had to do that job all day, that's about what I would say as well. Of course, "thanks for playing" or "have a nice day" is dealer code for "Go fuck yourself".

 

Love the Rally Mantis. Go Royals.