Just as we sat down the stewardess approached and said "Good Morning Mr Perks
would you like a drink before we take off? Orange Juice or Champagne?"
This was just the start of a memorable 8 hour flight to Chicago.
When we arrived I didn't want to get off :-)
After the Customs and Immigration formalities we had to sit in the 'Cattle Shed'
at the back of the plane for the next 3 1/2 hours to Sin City, shame -(
After arriving we picked up a car and headed out to the Tropicana and checked in.
Due to a late arrival (6:30 pm) the Casino Tower was full so they gave us a
suite in the older Island Tower right at the rear of the casino.
Suite?? What a disappointment. The rooms at the IP were much better. Don't get
me wrong, it was very clean but just 'Basic' no fridge, no hairdryer etc.
Double bed and a sofa pull out. Mirrors everywhere around the bed.
I was that tired I could have slept on a washing line, but I had to have
'Just one hand of BJ'
An hour later I was dead beat, $50 up and a breakfast comp. All for $10-$15 a hand.
After checking in and sorting out we hit the 'Money Making Trail' and went on
over at the Mandalay Bay, or is it the New Monte Carlo.
Upon entering the first impression it gave me was that it was the Monte Carlo
with a different colour scheme, same patterns with different colours.
It looked sort of nice but everything was cheap and plastic, even some of the
plastic hand rails were bent and the place had been open for a month, what will
it be like after a year.
We made our way back to NYNY for dinner stopping briefly in Excalibur for a look,
this place is now starting to show its age a little.
After dinner we left Brenda to meet with our travelling friends and some serious
VP & BJ which didn't quite be a 'serious loss' and about even at the end of the
night, and a breakfast comp of course :-)
During this we did the Bellagio shops, Forum, IP cars and other touristy things for
our first time visitor friends.
We finished up at the MGM then back to the Trop to get changed for our
"Invited for a meal and pay for what you have" dinner at Smith & Wollensky's
We met up with SkipfromLA and The Gamesmaster at the bar then went to our private
room where Ted, Mike & LauraLeigh and Jim came to join us.
After a nice meal the bill arrived, $1200 for 10 $35 steaks, 1 $21 lobster and
1 bowl of soup.
It wasn't itemised, but we found that the 'free flowing water' we were constantly
given, was in fact $8.50 a bottle! No "This is $8.50 a bottle would you like some"
Just more water and your glass was filled before you could say no.
After our good-bye's we walked back to the Trop,
unlike some who HAD to take a car ride {BIG GRIN}
Every one who had to, went to bed and I went to try my luck on a craps table with
Skip, no chance, it was packed, so we played some BJ making a tidy profit and a
breakfast comp.
We leave early to get changed for our comped tickets for the Folle's.
Third time for us, great show, a lot better than the last time.
While getting changed the phone rang, "Who is this I thought?"
"Hi Bob, Mike here how are you??"
I was overjoyed! Due to problems he told us that he couldn't make it, but here he
is on the phone telling us he will meet us by the Check In desk at 10pm in a couple
of days!!
Unfortunately he would be arriving an hour after Brenda had left for home :-(
After leaving the show we said our good bye's to Skip, and thanked him for his
great company, he had to get back to L.A. that night.
I then played BJ for 3 hours or so.
I was sitting next to a woman who was absolutely "Rat Arsed" drunk. It was only the
table stopping her falling over.
Anyway after a while she (Tried) talking to me, pointing at her chips, but no one
could understand her :-) Eventually we worked it out that she was asking where the
rest room was as she had to go really bad and could I play her cards for her.
Well, she sat there squirming and moving about on her stool obviously desperate,,,,,
but she didn't go.
I was thinking that she was going to wet herself soon! She just sat there drinking
Jack Daniels.
The movement stopped (and no wet mistakes!) and she hadn't got a clue what she was
doing. Making one bet of $5 for her and $25 for the dealer. The dealer put the chips
back in the bet circle and she took it out again. Words were said and she yelled at
the dealer "Shut your face" where upon the cards were dealt, this woman had
something silly and doubled down on a 12 or 13 with the dealer showing a 6.
Unbelievably she won, and got paid out 2 red chips and 2 green ones. She picked up
the $20 and was so pleased. The dealer picked up the $100 and dropped it into the tips
box, more pleased!
I got my breakfast comp and went to bed, again making a nice profit.
Decided to get the bus back as I didn't feel to good, too much sun :-(
I had a little lie down on the bed at 8:15 then woke up a 3am feeling a little better,
took my shoes off, got undressed and got inside.
After dinner we rushed back to get changed for the early Jubilee show at Ballys.
As we wouldn't see Brenda & Jerry again we had some hugs and kisses and thanked each
other for the hospitality and said our good byes.
We arrived at Ballys a couple of minutes late and missed the opening slightly.
When it finished our friends were absolutely overjoyed with it saying they thought
it was well worth the money!
Hey I've seen Jubilee 3 times now and I am STILL
impressed with the show.
We rush back to the Trop and wait 5 mins then meet up with Mike. We have a chat then
hit the BJ table.
Starting at 10pm we went on for hours.
Laugh? You Bet!
I showed Mike how to get maximum 'Points' for the minimum of time. Taking a 5 min
toilet break, 5 min stretch your legs break etc, while still being rated.
I told him all the trick's and tips so he could get his first Comp.
We used Lucky Neds system to it's fullest advantage, having a great time along the
way.
Next thing it was several beers later and it was 4:30 in the morning. We debated on
staying up all night, eventually deciding to sleep (Good Choice!)
Mike got his comp and was so pleased, I got mine, and we were both well over $400 in
profit.
The end of a super day.
Leaving day.
When we checked out and after our room comps it worked out that it cost me a little
over $100 for the week, and I took over $2000 profit home with me.
What another great time.
The flight home was uneventful as I slept most of the way, dreaming of the next trip.
This had to be planed as quick as possible due to another forthcoming operation on
my hand. All I'll say is, "Watch out on August the 30th"
Finally personal thanks to all the nice kind people we met over the week,
to numerous to mention but especially to Brenda, Skip and Mike.
More to follow in future updates.
If you visit then please send me Mail telling me what you think?
