This trip was planned for my wife and I’s 15th anniversary and my 40th birthday

Day 1: Traveled from Atlanta to Vegas on Delta FF. Everything very normal and got into Vegas around 9:30. Grabbed the bags and a cab and off to the Monte Carlo. This was the first time for my wife and I to stay here. We usually stay at Paris. I liked it well enough and my wife liked the pool much better. As another poster put in their report “It smells nice when you walk in”!

Played 2-4 Texas Holdem at MC and won a little. I like the room here. Easy to get in a game and the jackpot hands are a nice bonus. Over the course of 3 days of playing there, there were 3 quads and one straight flush just at my table. (Jackpots range from $20 to 500 for quads)

Ate at the Noodle place in MC for dinner and didn’t particulary care for it. Nothing terrible but just not great. Walked the strip and took in the Friday night sights.

Day 2: Texas Holdem, craps, and small denomination slots. Nothing great one way or the other.

Day 3: Texas Holdem, craps, and small denomination slots. (See day 2)
Spent the morning at the pool and then walked the strip with the wife. Ate at La Provencal in the Paris. Casual, but we both enjoyed our meal.

Day 4: Played a Texas Holdem tournament ($40 buy-in) at the Aladdin. 100 started and I finished 40th) Oh well, I had fun playing even though I got terrible cards. Went to the 1/2 price ticket place nearly the Harley store and got tickets for V at the Aladdin. Went back for more Holdem until my wife came to get me for the show. We went to the 6pm show. It was very entertaining and was a good value for 1/2 price. I would recommend it as a great secondary show. After the show, we ate at Le Provencal again since we liked it so well. Tonight we just did appetizers for our dinner. (Soup, salad, and Calamari)

Day 5: Rented a car and drove downtown and then out to Red Rock Canyon. Very pretty. Returned to play more poker and slots. Over the years, we have become friends with the members of the Mark Otoole band. Actually my wife knows there life history and I know there names because I usually gamble why she listens and I just pop in and out for a song or two. Actually as it turns out, 3 members of the band grew up about 20 minutes away from me in Illinois. I grew up in Monticello and they grew up around Champaign. I even played sports against them! On Tuesday the band was playing at the Excalibur. I know, I know…. but if we wanted to see them, then we had to go slumming!!!!! (more…)

Day 1-left Cleveland Airport about an hour late due to plane issues on previous flight from Orlando. Arrived in Oz and swiftly walked to nearest taxi. Checked into Monte Carlo quickly and without problems. Very easy to navigate the MC due to the three separate elevators all within a few yards of each other. The hotel and casino had a very pleasant smell to it. Very perfume-like, but not too strong. Brother arrived an hour later from Philadelphia. Played video poker for the next 3-4 hours, although I did have some luck at the craps table.

Day 2-highlights included two royals playing double double bonus poker with multiple play (50 handed). Unfortunately, I was playing the one penny machine. Bummer, since these were my first royals ever (even on the computer). Still, very exciting. Got a 55 minute deep tissue massage in the morning, which was outstanding. Also, spent some time in the pool. Very nice. Not too many kids running around like you see at other places. By the way, what is it about European and Middle Eastern men and those tight speedos? Do they think that it is sexy or what? And, another thing, let’s start trimming back and chest hair that covers the entire body. Might be just me, but I can’t think that American women really go for all that hair. Ate at the Dragon Noodle. I had the Lemon Chicken with Chicken Fried Rice and a bowl of Wonton Soup. Way too much food. Price was more than fair. Food was a B+. Had some luck at Three Card Poker and Let It Ride. Got creamed at Roulette. (more…)