[misterKeno]

Will do my best to share my trip with you... got back home (late) last night.

THE CAST: just me, a fella in his 30's

Three weeks ago i booked the RIO for two nites ($49/nite). I went to double-check my reservation on their website two days before departure, but noticed my name was spelled wrong, my address was incorrect, my phone number was incorrect, and my non smoking preference was marked as SMOKING. So i gave them a call (direct call to the Rio, not 800-harrahs)... and a kind lady made the corrections and set i'm good to go.

TUE April 11
I needed to get some sleep on account of i'd be leaving the next morning at about 4am or so. But, i ended up watching t.v. .... jumping on vegas forums and packing. And, well, with the excitement inside me... i think i fell asleep at 1:30am.

WED April 12
My alarm goes off at 2:45am. I'm up and showered, finished packing, dressed, and truck warming up on driveway shortly thereafter. It's 3:45am and i'm now leaving Sacramento. The weather is (what else?) rain. I was looking forward to this mini-trip more & more as i kept checking the LV weather predictions (of sun & high 80's). Down 99 i go, and its smooth sailing (except for the rain), didnt even see a highway patrol vehicle til i was in Primm. Got into Bakersfield, had a super fancy mcdonalds breakfast, and topped off the tank. The rain has now stopped. Yay!!! Over the Tehachapi, by Edwards AFB, into Barstow & jump on the I-15. There was little traffic... speeds were 75 to 95, but i kept it around 75.

Listened to that Toni "what's her name" on the radio station (you folks from LA know what i'm talking about) called THE HIGHWAY 98.1. Every 16 minutes was her goofy timeshare ad. Otherwise, i just wanted some tunes & traffic updates... all was good.

Got into Primm by about 11:30, was thirsty.. so i just figured i'd pull into the Chevron / Snack shop. But, no i had to run into Buffalo Bills & try my luck!! I made it a point to leave my wallet in the glove box & only take $25 with me (win or lose, HIT THE ROAD). Ran in & they had a dice table open $2 min with 2x odds. Lost my dough in about 9 minutes. Left. Went to the chevron mini-mart & got my soda, back on I-15.

At this point I-15 had a lane closed & the orange warning signs "traffic fines doubled blah blah". Saw three NHP pull-overs shortly after, then a 4th 'in progress'.

It's now a little after noon. On my way into mecca i see the numerous billboards for the SOUTHCOAST, and i was intending on seeing it at some time or another this trip... so i exited at EXIT 27 (that's what the billboard instructed motorists to do). Well, crap after you exit, you still have to go 3 or miles, lol. Finally get there & self park. Go inside to the club coast booth and update my address. Lady gives me two new cards (which were blue). My old red ones i guess are the extinct ones.

The SOUTHCOAST will prove to be the place that let me down (twice actually). If any of you know me... i dont 'play for' comps. But, i figure if im there -- i'll give them some small action & maybe something will come in the mail. If it doesnt, im not mad in the least. I put $5 into a video keno machine & that kept me going for 15 minutes. Then bought in at craps. They had two tables going (one was $3, one was $5) with double odds. I lost $60 very quickly betting $5 & taking odds. I should have left. Hmmm, or i should have left my wallet in the glove box again!! LOL. I bought in for $100... had a high of $115 & a low of $0. Time to go.

My impression of the SOUTHCOAST was... hmm, let me think (shush stop laughing!). It's big, spread out. I mean really spread out. If they had an aerobics class going on in the casino, no one would get hit in the face or have their legs tripped-up by swinging limbs. I can really see folks getting a workout by the amount of walking one would have to do by staying here. But, it's very clean (well it should be, it's NEW). I dont really 'get' the theme though. I think it will take some time before the joint gets a 'feel' or a 'vibe' to it.

I continue up strip & it takes me 25 minutes to get to Flamingo Road & make the left over the bump & into RIO. Self park & in i go. Walk up to registration, there is no one in line at 2pm. I think of doing an attempt to upgrade, but then pass. I'm traveling alone & just need a room for the most part. Okay, "go thru the casino into masquerade village & you'll see the elevators". Was a bit of a walk, but not too bad. If i had a 2nd suitcase i think i would have let one of the guys take my luggage.

Room #22011. Each 'bank' of elevators went to Floor 22, so that came in handy when it got busy.

"floors 3 thru 22"
"floors 22 thru 51"

Got up to the room, only the 3rd door from the elevator & close to ice & soda machine, was happy about that. Went inside dropped off my suitcase & took a look around quickly as i have never stayed at the Rio. The room was indeed pretty big, but most of it was this ordinary sectional sofa & a mega-size glass top table. I flipped thru the channels on the t.v. for a few minutes... noticed they had a 'sportsbook' channel (i think you call it), it had the betting lines for that days games.

Went downstairs to have some fun. Headed to the dice tables (they had 3 open.. $5, $10, $10). Bought in for $60 and forty minutes later i still had about $60. The offering of drinks seemed to be pretty minimal at the RIO i would find out for the rest of my little trip.

Walked over to the sportsbook & wagered $15 on the Blazers vs. Clippers game. Put the fifteen clams on the Blazers plus 13 points. I know they are a crummy team, but not 'that' bad.

I went out the side door (by the shuttle drop off) & crossed Valley View & thru the GOLD COAST parking garage and into the GOLD COAST. I played $5 of 25-cent vp & then remembered i forgot to insert my Coast Card. This is something that i'd end up doing at least 3 more times during the trip. Played another $10 of VP, then walked over to their sportsbook. I wanted to check their spread on the NBA game i just wagered on & it was the same @ +13pts.

I was hungry so it was going to be the buffet for $8.02. The GOLD COAST buffet was really really good!! It was 2-something in the afternoon & i had another hour b4 they switched on over to dinner. Started off in the chinese-section. Beef with brocoli was good (and it was 70% beef, not brocoli woohoo!!)... and the other stir fry was a sweet n sour pork (but they called it some other fancy name), and it was outstanding, spicy too. Mexican was make your own tacos, then chile rellenos, enchiladas & garnish thingy with lots of salsas, gauc, etc. They werent carving any meat other than sausage, but oh well. The chie rellenos were very good -- much better than you'd expect for a buffet. At the italian section i just did a few slices of pizza (was good stuff, they had an actual brick oven) & it was a popular item. Desserts were plentiful, i opted for the strawberry cheesecake & it was excellent... dare i say nearlyy as good as cheesecake factory cheesecake?!?!?

I walked out of there full (very full). While exiting i heard someone ask the cashier if you're allowed to stay 'thru til dinner'.

The sign read:

lunch 11-330
dinner 4-10

And, she responded "yes, you can stay all the way til the end of dinner if you want, but you wont be allowed to eat any of the dinner items". So, who knows, lol!!

Time for some dice, they had two tables open at the time (both $3). Bought in for $40 and within an hour i had $90 and within fifteen minutes i had $70, so i decided to head out. Oh, when i bought in for craps i gave the dealer my coast card... not real sure if they get upset at you for buying in for just $40 & wanting your play tracked???

Went outside. Man oh man, it must have been at least 80... felt sooooooooo good (especially after the rainy weather in calif). Boarded the GC --> BC shuttle along with 10 others.

Arrived at the BC, there was a huge huge crowd around that wheel of fortune machine, people just praying a seat would open up. I sat down @ the bar and ordered a drink (meanwhile getting out some dough & my coast card), and had my drink & receipt & golf pencil & receipt in front of me quickly b4 i even put any $$ in & the bartender went about his business. Played $10 of VP & worked it up to $21 in a few minutes. Woohoo.

At this point i decided on a casino-crawl. $20/each place. Bought in at the BC craps table (they had two tables going... one $10, one $5). Guy next to me was on a good roll. I worked the $20 up to $55, then the next point was '8'. I had $15 on the front line & decided to back it up with $40 odds. Table had a good vibe u n t i l

u n t i l

this lady at the other end walks up and (just as they guy throws em) reaches her arm out and points to her husband "see, this is the Field" ... ricochet off her wrist and 7-out. ** sigh **

Over to the Flaming-O ... (two dice tables open, both were $10). Put my $20 on the COME. Next roll was '5'..two rolls later was '7'.

Who's suggestion was it for this casino-crawl, dammit !! LOL

Over to the Imperial Palace, (one craps table open) could NOT squeeze in. Over to Harrah's (three craps tables open, one $25 & two $10). But, all three were nearly empty. Put $10 on the front line & '4' was established... Next 7 rolls were: 3,5,5,3,5,3,5 .... ooookay you've got it SURROUNDED, now nail it !! Seven out. Dang, i really thought she had a chance. I was at the Harrah's dice table for only a few minutes but WAS asked 2x if i wanted a drink, so that's not too bad.

I was thinking of going over to the CASINO ROYALE, but didnt (felt my luck was at a louzy juncture). No respect at all, i tell ya. LOL!!!

Walked over to the pick-up area for the RIO shuttle bus. Had to wait for a second one as there were nearly 40 people in line. But, they did indeed come exactly 30 min later. I boarded & was on my way back to the RIO. As we pulled out the line had about 60 people in it.

Back to the RIO and i go into the sportsbook to check on my NBA wager, the game is just underway. As i walked back to the 'village' i notice these little clusters of slots with a mini-stage in the center of them & a pullout staircase. They do these little dance (or singing) skits from time to time. I guess it's a clever little thing, but on this nite most folks just walked on by... kind of felt sorry for this one girl singing her heart out & having the most glee-full smile & trying to be upbeat as NO ONE even noticed.

It's about 8pm & im back upstairs. Took a 30 minute nap then watched some tube. I didnt care for the TV console to be over by the window, it blocks your view & you have to experience neck-strain if you're layin in bed trying to watch. Oh, my room had a pool & strip view. Was able to see DT, STRAT, WYNN, STARDUST, TI, MIRAGE.

Relaxed for a bit & recounted my wins/losses. Watched sportscenter & my NBA wager was indeed going to win!! Looked out the window for a while @ the neon & helicopters going up/down the strip as well as inbound flights.

Slightly hungry... called room service. Ordered Bambi-Ballet-Rambo Nachos. (( well, whatever the name is of their mexican restaurant )) Nachos. Will be up there in 35 to 40 minutes she said. Twenty-one minutes later, food is here. I sign the receipt and zero-out the gratuity & total it & hand the guy three $1 chips instead. I guess i must have done something that's tabboo... he responds 'i dont gamble, so these chips have NO VALUE to me' in a firm voice. So, i get the friggin receipt and write-in a $2 gratuity.

I eat my nachos. Bad nachos, really bad nachos. Chips didnt seem all that fresh & the cheese wasnt melted jack & cheddar like you think a mexican restaurant would use.... no, it was that canned nuclear cheese. The type of nachos that would barely pass @ a high school football game. I ate about 1/3. Oh well.

Watches some more TV, asleep soon after. End day one.

Is this TR too long thus far???? LOL.

---

I woke up at 7:00. Had a wake-up call for 8:30, phoned downstairs to say i'm awake & still alive & all that jazz. Showered, dressed, and out the door within 25 minutes. Went downstairs & observed the craps table, it looked really choppy... it had more ice-cubes than a voodoo bartender. So, what did i do? I bought in & lost my $20 instantly. Time to hit the road.

My plans for today were to check out the SUNSET STATION for a second time. I had some luck there a year ago... and, i heard the buffet there had been upgraded to the likings of several folks. Not sure if i took the best of routes, but i got there. Went Flamingo over the 15, right on the strip, left on Tropicana, and then some other turns, lol. Took me 25 minutes with minor traffic.

Went inside and wsnt horribly hungry, so i decided on some budget gambling. I even considered playing some bingo, but didnt. I kind of wish i did though. I'm not a big fan of bingo... but i can live with it & its cheap!! The clientel in the entire place was 85% seniors... and wasnt to my suprise as the marquee out front had in HUGE letters some kind of promo going on. Well, i played some Triple 7 slot machine for a short while ending up about even... then ended up at the craps table (where else!). I bought in for $100. (( they had 2 tables open, both were $5)). Figured i'd just play $50 and if i lost.. i'd go eat. The box immediately asked me if i had a 'card', i said no... and 3 minutes later i HAD ONE with my name on it. After an hour of play i was still even so i colored up.

Walked over to the buffet, the line had about 25 folks waiting. I did my 'walk thru'... I like to walk thru a buffet & see the offerings before i go in. And, the lady said 'of course, come on in'. I walked thru & i gotta tell ya, i wasnt really impressed. I know it was breakfast - but i really didnt see anything that stood out. With hesitation i passed on it.

Before i left i went over to their sportsbook & relaxed for a little bit. They had this huge spread of free donuts and coffee, so i opted for a jumbo bear claw (very fresh).

On the road again... i found the Boulder Hwy from there with the assistance of my fold up map. ((i'm sure you locals are probably laughing at me.... but i soon realized i was only 1 mile from the Hwy)).
Embarassed

Came upon Sam's Town & entered but couldnt find a parking spot close, this was the only time i had bad luck finding parking... so i decided to get back on the Boulder Hwy. I wasnt really NEEDING TO go into Sam's Town, on account of ive been there 5x (the last being 6 years ago), just wanted to peek in & see what has changed.

So i just kept driving on the Hwy then i came upon "Oakey", or "Oakley"... cant remember, but i remember someone saying there's a custard shop that's top notch. Only thing we have in our town is the boring soft-serve vanilla ice cream, and i wanted to see what the rave was about! Turned left & made my way thru a residential area... i was practically under the strat tower then finally saw it. It was 12:15 & it was closed. Grrrrrr.

The traffic on the strip was bad, i ended up getting behind the Deuce Bus for the next 3 blocks... oh well. I pulled into the Stardust cause i wanted to tip my hat in case i dont make it back anytime soon. Parked, went inside & looked for their food court... i thought they had one, maybe not, or just got lost, lol, heck if i know... but i swore they had a Panda Xpress. Well, i'm soon at a craps table & i buy in. Six guys in hawaiin shirts & they all looked like they WERE INDEED from hawaii. The stardust had 4 tables open (two @ $5, two @ $10). I bought in & was on my way.

Each guy seemed to hit 2 points, then 7 out. Once i got the dice, i had them for about 40 minutes. I hit very few naturals on the come-out.. just nailing points & a good amount of place numbers on the way. I stayed with the front line rather than venturing too heavily on the PLACE BETS. Had i known, my eventual winnings could have been quadrupled. Well towards the end i had many new friends. My $60 buy-in netted me $704 when it was all over. The fella next to me was made about $7000 as he colored up the same time i did. Before he left he shook my hand one last time & i was certain my hand was fractured. Okay, not fractured!! But this guy looked like a tank, lol.

Overhead i heard 'immediate seating for 3-6 holdem', so i went over and bought in... i knew i wanted to play some poker this trip. And, this would have been the only time. I played only 30 minutes... i got crap for cards & was soon bored. The guy next to me bought $20 of my chips twice, and i had no problem with that & pocketed the paper money & left. Hope that poor guy did better on the river.

Back to my truck... it was hot out, and i loved it. This was the first time i ran the A/C in months, lol.

Over to the Frontier (i had a matchplay i wanted to use). I signed up for their 'card' & they validated my matchplay, which was just a cut-out coupon from a magazine. The place was dreary... it had no vibe. I played my hand of BJ. Was dealt 16 vs dealers up card of 6. Of course he got $20. I wanted OUT OF THERE, back into my truck & back onto the strip.. traffic was bad... i was back behind my Deuce Bus, lol.

Ive never been to the Fashion Show Mall, but went in just for the purpose of getting my 1/2 price ticket for Carrot Top. Parked underground (free) and found the booth. There were about 15 folks in line & no one in line (at the MVP side) so i'm glad i printed out that turkey before i left for my trip. Very nice staff (i tip my hat to them)... got my ticket for $32 & was back to my truck. I was thinking of doing some shopping with my winnings but for some reason decided not to.

OF NOTE: very very popular at the mall were the massage set-ups they had. I think they had $8 for neck, $17 for back & neck, then one more option. Guess shopping is a stressful thing, lol.

It's now 3:20, i'm hungry!! Drove back to the GOLD COAST cause i enjoyed their buffet the previous day so much. Traffic bad. Got to the GC at 3:50 & a line of about 25 people had formed already for the 4pm opening. Since it was thursday, it was steak-night. Sounded good!!! While in line i talked to a fella who proclaimed he was a local and is ALWAYS there each thursday night for the crab legs. Then i talked to him about various shows going on etc..then within 25 seconds i realized it WAS NOT steak night, lol... it was SEAFOOD NIGHT. And, myself, i'm not much of a seafood eater (except for maybe fish n chips, or scampi), lol. Oh well, i was hungry & i'm sure i could find something. And, that i did.. including a caesar salad -- didnt even notice their salad bar the day before... they had a seafood ravioli that was dynamite! Anyhow, $17 and 3 hunks of cheesecake later i stumbled out. It was now 5pm and the line to get in was actually very minimal.

Played craps for only 20 minutes as i wanted to get my butt over to Luxor to exchange the voucher for an actual ticket for the carrot top show. Placed $60 on the '8' and hit it 3x, then 7-out, and i left.

Got to the Luxor at 6pm, and got my ticket... was row H (centered). As i would find out, the theater is pretty small & i dont think any seat would be bad. The Luxor was crowded for a thursday nite... all the tables were $10 or $25. The Pai Gow tables were especially busy. I went into their sports book and bet on the (if i remember) REDS vs CUBS under 13 runs. Played some vp at the bar, got a soda... i would have 'drank' drank, but i was driving. Walked around for a bit & played some BJ... well, no i didnt play any BJ. Figured i would give you a scare, lol. I dont play BJ much anymore -- find it kind of boring. So i played (you guessed it). At this point every craps table was open, so you could actually find a spot to belly up to the rail. Bought in for $50 & just bet the pass-line for ten clams a roll, choppy table. One fella comes up and takes out $3600 cash and bets 1800 (each) on the 6 & 8. Gets one hit, then walks. Then he comes back 15 minutes later... same thing, one hit, then walks. Meanwhile, i finally get the dice and nailed some points of '10' and '4' so i'm up a few hundred.

It's now 7:40 so i go upstairs to the showroom & find my seat. They had a warm-up comedian.. she was 'okay'. The show was sold out. A few late-comers came in while she was finishing her schtick, so a whole row would have to stand as they got to their seats (somewhat cramped)... i think the seats were designed to be juuuuuust comfortable enough so you'd feel alright for about 60 - 90 min, after that you'd (well u know -- kind of like the seats at the stardust poker room). Carrot Top was really great, had a ton of props... the sound effects & such were done really nice. There's a few suprises in the show (i wont tell you em), but i was very happy i chose this show. He had a bit of a sore throat so you could tell some 'rasp' in his voice... but he kept going non-stop. The show just had a lot of energy. He did this one Nascar joke that just plain MISSED, and he goes 'you know ive got your $$, **ck this, i'll just leave' jokingly. Everyone nearly fell out of their seat laughing!! He was a good sport & got a standing ovation at the end for his efforts.

Got out of the theater & went back downstairs to check my baseball wager, it fell thru. Oh well, on my way out of the casino, i found a black luxor chip in my right pocket, woohoo! It's nice to forget about stuff, lol. The casino was still very busy & rocking.

I got lost... ended up getting on the tram to the CASTLE... my gosh this place looks really really bad. The carpet looked faded... the people working there didnt want to smile it looked like. Saw this one lady by the elevators crying to her guy 'why did you pick this hotel to stay at?'. After $10 of double bonus vp & 20 min of walking around i left!!!

Trammed it BACK to the Luxor & got my truck and drove back to the Rio. The rio was really jumping, the 20-something crowd was in full force & they had a SHOW 'in the sky' going on... took me 10 minutes to elbow my way thru and board the elevator. I wish they put me in the 'other' tower. Oh, had to show my room key to security.

I was really tired and just wanted to lay down (and probably fall asleep instantly). I flipped on the t.v. and Conan was doing his monolague on NBC. I grabbed the room service tray and set it out front by the door and i

oh no
oh nooo

The door shuts. Dammit !!!!!!!!!

So, i walk over to a house phone & they tell me security will be right up. Security is there in (im not joking) 40 seconds. So, he gets on his two-radio and asks me my full name & what day did i check in, blah blah. Then wants to see my ID. Now - here's where i freak out, cause my wallet & ID are in my truck in the parking garage. Inside the room on the little table are my truck keys & tidy pile of $$. So, after about two minutes of him telling the Captain (of security) 'no, he believes his wallet & ID are in his vehicle, but his car keys are in the room'... he finally instructs me to tell him EXACTLY what's in the room, lol. So i say there's one suitcase hardsided & i proclaimed 'you dont even find hard-sided luggage these days', an empty mountain dew bottle by the sink, the closet has a red-colored shirt hanging up, and th (he interupted me & let me in...and confirmed what i said).... and 'that' was 'that'.

::: whew :::

I went to sleep. End day 2.

----

I wake up at 730 & with the curtains wide-open, there's no glare of morning sun as its pretty cloudy out. I rub the sand out of my eyes.. i didnt sleep all that well. The beds at the RIO arent the best (IMHO). I watch an hour of the morning news, then try to fall back asleep for a few more winks, but nothin doin - just dont like that mattress. I get up & pack my stuff & shower. I must say the RIO, however, does have great water pressure and a high shower head... something that this 6 foot fella likes. While showering, i notice something that i missed from the day before, there is a little cut-out in the shower wall with a piece of glass. Yea, actually lets you LOOK into the bedroom part of the room. Sort of weird. Okay, its 9:00, i'm all packed.

I click on the check-out 'thing' of the TV. The turkey says 'unavailable at this time'... i call downstairs 'hi, i'm checking out' -- 'bye' -- 'bye'.

Go downstairs, the casino is (masquerade side) empty. Out to my truck and my plan is breakfast buffet at the Orleans. Drive over there & the line is 45 people deep with just one cashier, so i opt for their coffee shop. Seated quickly, food is mighty fine, and i'm out of the coffee shop for $8 food, $10 keno, $2 tip, and 30 min time.

I play some 25-cent VP at the Orlenas for a little bit and my 2nd hand i am dealt...

A clubs
K clubs
Q clubs
J clubs
10 spades

so, i dump the 10 & up pops a Deuce for the ROYAL (or a fake royal i guess you would call it). So i cash out for $55 or so. Oh, and i had my COAST card in there, woohoo.

I walk around for a bit, then play some roulette (they had 2 tables opne, both were $1 chips). Bought in for $80, first few spins i hit a few 'corners' and 'splits' etc.... nothing big, then i start to get a few hits where they need to pay me:

one black & 70 chips
one black & 42 chips
one black & 70 chips

So, in an hour ive got a $300 roulette profit, woohoo. I tip the dealer well, and its time for some craps before i leave. Two tables open (both $3 minimum). Buy in for $100, lose this within 20 minutes.

For the next 90 minutes there will be just 2 players.. me at one end, this guy at the other end. Each time i had the dice, i would make 5 or 6 points then 7-out. He would make 1 point, then 7-out. So after all this i'm up $440 betting conservatively all the while. I made at least ten $2 pass-line wagers for the boys & they appreciated it..... as did i (each time i heard "8 hard front line winner !!!!!") from the stick.

OF NOTE: The drink service at the Orleans was GREAT... this was about noon on a friday. Was just drinking cranberry & such. But, it would seem every 7 or 8 mins (if not sooner) you were offered.

At this point i want to hit the road. For some stupid reason i get this brilliant idea to take the strip rather than just jump on I-15... so i take Tropicana over the bump & right on the Strip... traffic just crawls. For those of you who are locals... i'd feel very sorry for you if you had to shop at that Frye's Electronics, gridlock comin & goin around there. Well, of course i come upon the South Coast, and what do i do?

Yea, i go in... $220 of craps in 25 minutes gone. Back on the road. I catch I-15 @ Rose Rd (i think that's the name of the road). And i'm headed back home.

Dont worry, i didnt even stop in Primm this time. I-15 from LV to Baker was very very windy... saw plenty of 'sway' in those motorhomes. The skies were 'spotty' with gray clouds. By the time i got up to around Fresno, it was rain the whole way back to Sacramento.

Folks, that's about it. If room rates werent so crazy (for FRI), i would have loved to stay another nite. Oh well.

Stuff:

GC lunch buffet is awesome.

Gas was between $2.70 & $3.21 depending where i was on my trip (mental note: fill up when you're in a city, NOT between cities).

The South Coast is nice & clean & big, but i think it's going to take a while before it catches on... it has the 'vibe' of a sterile operating room. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

RIO mattresses, c'mon--u can do better.

Stardust (craps).. had a LOT of fun.

Dont leave your hotel room (not for 4 seconds) w/o your key.

Warm weather is just wonderful.

WISH I WOULD HAVE:
stayed one more night
made it to Ellis Island
bought swim trunks

Thanks for reading, hope it wasnt too long!!!