TR to Mecca.

[bakergolf]

Posted my last TR from another site I belong to. And in true 2 + 2 form, received a couple of fold pre flop and your really cheap replies.

But here is another. I am ready for the cheap shots to come. BTW I am frugal, so it does not bother me at all.

Eventhough I just came back from my trip two weeks ago. I decided to take the Silverton up on Hot Summer Offer. And since all of my other offers are drying up, I decided to make a play at Circus-Circus.


TRANSPORTATION
KC to Vegas on Southwest. Purchased first leg on Ding ($50) used RR ticket for flight home.

The flight back from Vegas to KC is $100 so I have booked the first leg on Ding then use RR for the flight back. To maximize the best value of the ticket.

Everything was fine, the trip back was two days after the orange alert. No problem heading thru security. I used Silverton airport shuttle on the way home. Left the hotel at 11AM and was at the gate at 11:40 AM.

HOTELS
Silverton. I really like to Silverton nice comfy beds, simple pool and they send great marketing offers. Plus I use the shuttle to the airport when going home.

Circus-Circus. This is the worst dump I have ever stayed in. But I knew going in. Just did not realize how bad it was going to be. 1.5 hours at check in. Oh the humanity.....children freaking everywhere and most were out of control.

After checking in, you have to trek thru this dump only to wait at the elevator with about oh...20 other people. And the elevators are slower than my old apartment building here in KC, which was built in 1923.

I guess I could go on, but I dont want to waste anymore time.


GAMBLING

For those who dont know, I play poker part time here in KC and go to Vegas once a month to play. However, I need to play VP to get my marketing offers. And since my offers are drying up. I needed to make a play.

After reading Stungazed TR and learned what he received from Circus-Circus. This would be my play. On Wednesday Slot-o-Fun offers double points. And they have .25JOB 3 play. With .50 CB and .25 comps this is a very good play.

The only problem is that I hate VP. Practiced a couple of days on Bob Dancer program before heading out. Brought my stategy card, for the blood bath I planned on taking. I hoped that I would only lose $500 and hopefully put in 30,000 coin-in(since it was double point day)

Well, I lost $665 - $61 CB and put in 26,500 coin in. I really hate VP. I just wish the casino would do a simulation for me on the Bob Dancer program, I would take to result what ever it is. Pay the bill if I lost. Or they would give me money if I won. All done in about 5 minutes.

I figured my return was around 95% on the coin-in I put thru.

BLACKJACK: Played at the 'Dust before they level it. Still have a good DD game. And some dealers are generous at when to shuffle. Boy my skills are very rusty here. But I did have very rich deck once, and made my hands.

After being down for about 5 hours, the last shoe came in. Finished up $140. I need to stay away from this game. My skills are not good enough to risk my bankroll.

POKA!!!

Only played 10 hours this trip. VP and BJ wore me out. And on Friday night I just took it easy. Not gambling at all.

10 hours of chip throwing at Binions. The 4/8 game here is just super. Finished up $265 in ten hours. I have around 80 hours of play at Binions, and I am killing it around at 22/hr. Way above my 15/hr average overall.

Once again, I hardly ever played a hand. But when I did, they were monster pots. Three pots of +15 BB. Three of largest came out the BB. In true Binions form, 8 to flop. Once had KQ sooooooted, the other AJ soooooted.

Top two hit in both pots. And after 10 hours of poker, just one flush, and zero straights. The one flush was out of BB with QQ. Went runner-runner to scoop the pot. The last two trips, all my winning have come from the blinds.

Overall I was pleased with BJ and poker. But VP was not kind to me at all.


COMPS

Silverton marketing offers are great. $200 ABC credits, and $50 in food. Played the ABC credits thru on .50 JOB finished with $207.50.

Circus-Circus. Part of the One club from MGM. And when asking the little boothling after my play how much my comp was. She told me that I could get 4 buffets (insert joke here). So what is my balance I inquired. She would not tell.

My guess is that it is around .25 for comps.

When checking out of Circus, I went to player club and asked to speak to a host and review my play. The boothling told me that she could take care of it. So I let here try. I was told my rooms could be taken care of. After she called the host.

I asked about my room charges of about $60 at the cafe and mexican place. Your over comped she told me. May I speak to a host? I asked. Well she called back. And the host took care of charges. And the players club made a big production out of it. I mean come on.

Knowing what kind on of coin-in will get at comparable joints. What I was asking here was way below what I have received elsewhere. But I am done with the host/player club here. Just burning and churning marketing offers from now on.

ENTERTAINMENT

No golf or shows. Just a gamlbing trip.


FOOD

The pink pony at Circus three times and the Mexican place once. Standard fare. Silverton once at the buffet. Good solid buffet nothing fancy. Twice at Sundace Grill. And takeout order for the airplane.

Next time I will try the Steakhouse at both places if food comps are offered in the marketing offers.


THE WRAP

Gambling Income
Poker 10hrs $265
BJ 5hrs $140
VP 8hrs (605)
BB Cash $208

Total Income $8

Expenses
Airplane ticket $50
LT park in KC $20
Bus & Shuttle $10
Food Tips $18
Maid Tips $5

Total Expenses $103


Overall it was losing trip, but I expected it to be. Hopefully my next trip in a couple of weeks over Labor Day will be a good one.


Mark in Kansas City

-------------------------

[bonuspokergod]

Forget the strategy cards & Bob Dancer crap for VP. That stuff is geared for the long term, which obviously isn't attained on once a month trips, nor is it really ever attained, even for the truly addicted.

Play for the $$, NOT THE POINTS! If you play for points, they'll get you every time!

You obviously have a decent bankroll judging from your play. Use Rob Singer's strategies next time out. You will get the same amount of room offers, and you have a very real chance of winning nearly every time out if you have discipline and stick to the goals. Hell I have not been in Vegas for going on 2 years now, and I'm still getting offers from Caesars, Monte Carlo, TI, Harrahs, NYNY, MGM, etc. These are 3 night offers, from very little play, all winning sessions on so-called negative machines, and I've never put nearly as much $$ through as you do. I progress from quarters thru $5 level. Trust me. You won't ever stay in a dump like Circus ever again, and you won't ever play video poker EXPECTING to lose ever again. Nor will you ever have to deal with those complete idiot Hosts again. You'll be brought in on marketing dept. offers as you say you plan to, not by a host, and won't have to even PLAY at the casino you stay in if you don't want to.

Last time out there, I was in at TI for 3 nights, played VP literally 20 minutes there, won $3,800, and never played again the entire trip.

[miajag]

I thought this was going to be about circling the Kaaba 7 times.