I awakened for the day at 6:30 am and, a few minutes later, enjoyed some relaxation in the whirlpool tub. Although I wanted Starbucks coffee and a breakfast sandwich, the line at 8 am was already beyond the point whereat I would voluntarily choose to plant my feet. As such, I headed to the lobby gift shop for a Rock Star Zero and a protein cookie. Nestled comfortably back in my room, I did some work and then headed to play some blackjack.
I found a $25 min. table in Caesars Palace that was paying 3:2, once again with the penalty that the dealer must hit soft 17.
I was playing $50/hand and by midway through the uneventful shoe I had gained five green chips.
Trip is now +775
As I had yet to visit the Bellagio conservatory, I made my way across the pedestrian bridge, the sun beating down upon all those brave enough to make the trek thereon.
The conservatory was decorated beautifully:
I just played half a shoe at a table with one other gentleman. I began to realize that he would not hit any hands where he had a 13-16 regardless of what the dealer had. I asked him if that was his strategy and he proceeded to inform me that that is what “the book” says to do. I immediately removed myself from the table, leaving $175 behind.
Trip is now +600
Moved across the casino floor to another game where there was already one player. At first, things were going swimmingly and then, out of nowhere, the woman at the table stopped doubling, splitting and refused to hit any two card 15 or 16 against a dealer 9, 10 or Ace. I wondered whether or not she knew surrender was available as that would have been the more prudent play. Just as at the previous table, I did not come out ahead.
Trip is now +300.
After a brief respite, I sat down at another table. This time I was playing head’s up until, halfway through the shoe, a guy sits down and buys in for $25 — one chip. He puts it up and is dealt a 16 versus a dealer 6 and I am dealt a King, Jack for 20. The new guy proceeds, inexplicably, to hit his 16 versus the dealer 6 and immediately busts. You do not have to be Miss Cleo to predict what happened next — dealer drew a 5 for 21.
There are two things that annoyed me about this scenario: 1-that someone felt that $25 burning such a hole in their pocket that they just had to buy-in at a table for one hand; and 2-that anyone would hit a 16 versus a dealer 6. I just do not get it.
Trip is still +300.
In the “you don’t see that every day” file: a man at a roulette table wearing a wrestling singlet.
After the above sessions, I headed up to the room to relax before a couple of friends I know in Vegas took me out for a belated birthday dinner to the Golden Steer, a very cool and old school Vegas steakhouse:
The warm biscuits set out on the table prior to the meal were delicious. I order a filet mignon and we had all ordered creamed corn and lyonnaise potatoes for the table as side courses. The creamed corn actually tasted like rice pudding — not sure how they did that but it was delicious. The filet mignon was tender and tasty. At the end of the meal, the waiter brought out a piece of cheesecake with chocolate sauce for my birthday, which we all shared. Yummy!
Thereafter, we headed to Wynn as they are now running a tier matching promotion for their player’s card. As I am a Diamond member at Caesars, I qualified to become a platinum member at Wynn - nothing wrong with that.
After obtaining our new Wynn players’ cards, we headed back to Caesars Palace.
I sat down at a $25 min. blackjack table but, after a few hands, I became impatient as there was a group of four women who were all communally playing two hands. The game moved so slowly because they deliberated amongst themselves on how to play every hand. After a few hands like this, I switched to a $50 min. table and bought in for $300 (which is how much I was still ahead at that time).
On the first hand, I was dealt a 7, 4 versus a dealer 7. I doubled and was dealt a 2 for 13; the dealer turned over a 10.
On the second hand I was dealt a 5, 5 versus a dealer 9, I doubled and was dealt a 4 for 14; the dealer turned over a 10 for 19.
On the third hand I was dealt another 5, 5, this time against a dealer 3. I doubled and was dealt a 7 for 17; the dealer turned over a 7 then drew an 8 for 18.
The dealer, who had the personality of a handball, did not even feign sympathy. One of the women at the table told me she is a local and that this dealer is known for her disinterest in engaging with the players — great way to earn tips, right?
After leaving the table, my friends and I headed to the Vista bar where my friends played video poker and I just hung out and had a good time chatting with them and other patrons in the lounge. Although the blackjack gods did not treat me nicely, I had a great time seeing friends and chatting with other random people in the casino.
Let’s see what happens tomorrow.
Trip is now Even Steven, which is cool with me.