Woke up, got outta bed
Dragged a comb across my head
The car service arrived a few minutes before my scheduled pickup time of 6:30am and, once I double-checked that I had indeed not forgotten to pack anything of import, I opened my door to the cold New York morning and was on my way to JFK. I drifted in and out of consciousness on the ride to JFk, having only gotten a few hours sleep prior thereto. However, once I arrived at the airport, I became fully awakened by the site of the terminal, packed to the gills with people waiting to check-in for their flights. It looked like a scene from the floor of the stock exchange, people hustling and bustling trying to figure out how they might bypass the extraordinary check-in line. Having booked a first class ticket, I was able to bypass the insanity of the main check-in line and head to the priority line - which allowed me to check-in in approximately 30 minutes rather than what seemed to be a 2-hour wait on the main line.
Once I was checked-in, I head for the TSA security line, which, shockingly, was running smoothly and without issue - or so I thought. Upon placing my laptop, carry-on, phone and shoes on the conveyor belt, I waited my turn to be scanned and irradiated. I stood behind a woman in line, hand sin my pocket, minding my own business when I heard a woman yelling for me to take my hands out of my pockets. I looked at her quizzically and said, “Oh, ok I didn’t realize having my hands in my pockets was a security risk.” She did not take kindly to that and gave me a sideways glance. Moments later, while still waited to enter the scanner, the female TSA agent opened up the lowly metal detector and started motioning for people to pass through rather than waiting for the scanner. As I took a step towards the metal detector she castigated me, stating “People who don’t know how to remove their hands from their pockets do not get to go through the metal detector, stay where you are!” Power trip much??? As I entered the scanner, I saw the TSA agent motion to another TSA agent just beyond the scanner. I stepped into the machine, and, upon exiting, was told I was selected for a full body pat-down (of course I was, merely because I had my hands in my pockets) — the TSA makes me feel 10000000% safe LOL
Mildly annoyed, I made my way through the terminal to my gate, which, without exaggeration, was a half-mile walk from the security checkpoint. It was not long until the flight boarded and I made my way down the ramp , onto the plane and into my seat.
The seat was comfortable and it appeared as if, at least in first class, that they had only sold one seat per row. A few moments after takeoff, I asked the flight attendant if he had any Diet Coke — he informed me that they would not be offering food or drinks, just water and a small packet of Goldfish crackers. Moreover, the headphone jack required a 2-prong adaptor but, luckily, they provided headphones. I put on some classical music and slept most of the way.
After getting settled in we all went to Bootlegger’s for dinner - I had the beef ravioli with meat sauce - delicious!
Upon heading back to The Cromwell, my buddy and I sat down to play some blackjack at a $50min., 2D table — the cards in the first shuffle were not in my favor:
The first hand dealt an 8,8 v dealer King - I split them out, got a 2 on the first 8 but realized that doubling after a split was not allowed as it was a 2D game - however, this works din my favor as I then drew a 7 for 17 — on the second 8 I was dealt a Queen for 18 — the dealer, with a King showing, casually flipped over a Jack for 20.
The second through fifth hands of the shuffle did not produce one winner and I was quickly down 300.
Onwards and upwards through the second shuffle when the gentleman sitting at second base proceeded to play the “Oh, I’m gonna add another hand in to change up the cards” — naturally, the dealer’s first hand after this addition was a blackjack - the guy at second base certainly “changed the cards” - in favor of the dealer lol
After about 4 shuffles, I had somehow made my way back to even and called it an evening.
Having been up for almost 24 hours at that point, I climbed into the über comfortable bed at the Cromwell and drifted off to sleep.
Trip is Even.
New Year’s Eve - we all finally made to the end of the proverbial yellow brick road to the end of 2020 I wanted to take a moment to reflect on this year. I began 2020 with a positive outlook and ambition - then, just 2 ½ months into 2020, the world basically came to a halt. A pandemic arose, changing all of our lives, challenging us to live a life we have never had to previously. I think, for the most part, we have all come through this as best we can, our relationships with family and friends limited to the virtual world - but, we made it through - we are strong and will persevere.
I also wanted to take a moment to give a virtual shout out to everyone on social media who has made this year more bearable by bringing some Vegas into our lives: @tippingoddslv @530Ace @danielocean316 @hogand2cent @pennys4vegas @vegasbestideas @aceofvegas1 @detroit1051 and last, but certainly never least, @luckyslasvegas .
I took a walk over to the Bellagio to check out the conservatory - the line was long so I stood around the periphery to take some photos:
Thereafter, I walked towards the tram waiting area, only to be greeted by a sign, similar to the one the Griswold’s were met with upon getting to Wally World, informing me that tram was closed. As such, I took the walkway over to Vdara and headed around the bend into Aria:
After a nice walk, I headed back to the Cromwell and played my $300 free slot play through a Blazing 7’s machine — the outcome being +160 in my favor. I then headed up to the room to shower and relax before heading to Ruth’s Chris for their prix fixe New Year’s Eve dinner (I would be using most of my $200 food/beverage credit there). The menu consisted of a choice of appetizer (shrimp cocktail or fried calamari) - so, that was a nonstarter for me as I was struck with really bad food poisoning many years ago after eating seafood and, from that day onward, I have not touched seafood. The next course was a choice of lobster bisque (no) or a garden salad — I had a bite or two of the salad (I’m not big on veggies). The saving grace was the warm bread they brought out. The next course was the entree, for which I chose a 9 ounce filet. It was satisfactory but nothing to write home (or blog about). Finally, the dessert was a cheesecake - which I took to go. By the time I headed back onto Las Vegas Boulevard, the temperature had dropped to 35˚F, which made me feel as if I was back in the northeast.
Upon returning to the Cromwell, some friends I know (the ones with the adjoining suite), had returned to the Cromwell and we ended up just hanging out watching the New Year’s Eve festivities on television. A few moments later, I called it a night.
Trip is +160
Day 3
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! May you all have a happy, healthy and prosperous 2021 and beyond!
I was feeling pangs of hunger that could only be quelled by the amazing pancakes at Dupar’s. I summoned a Lyft and made my way over to the Suncoast where I ordered the Vegas Stack (3 pancakes), which resulted in my only eating about half of them (I should have ordered the short stack). But, the pancakes did not disappoint, their buttery goodness melting in my mouth. Mmmmmm.
Calling for a Lyft from Suncoast was a much more difficult task than it was when calling for a Lyft to Suncoast. The first Lyft I called for gave me an arrival time of 20 minutes. With only 2 minutes left before the driver arrived at Suncoast, the ride was canceled. I then called for another Lyft and, although this one was 30 minutes away, the driver actually showed up and I was soon back at the Cromwell.
With reservations for the evening’s dinner for Delmonico’s, I figured I had time to play some blackjack. So, I headed into the high limit pit at the Cromwell and bought in for 1500 at a 6D, 100min. table. Variance remained steady and there were really no good hands or bad hands, just “hands” — after 4 shuffles, I was actually dead even!
Trip remains +160
I hung out with some friends and we all got ready to head over to Delmonico’s, perhaps my all-time favorite restaurant. Sticking with tradition, we ordered the Parmesan Truffle Chips, the taste of which is one of pure decadence.
For my main course I ordered the 9 ounce filet with a side of fingerling potatoes - deliciousness personified.
After dinner, I relaxed with my friends and basically just enjoyed some good conversation and fun with them.
Trip remains +160
Day 4
I figured today would be a good day as I had dinner reservations for Javier’s this evening.
I headed down for some iced coffee to get my blood pumping and decided to play some slots to get it pumping even more. I put in my $160 TITO from my free slot play winnings and proceeded to play a few penny slot machines betting $1.20/spin. I could not tell you the names of each machine but they all seemed to use Chinese characters on their displays. Despite my best efforts, I only hit one bonus -= for a big $6 win. After playing for about an hour, I had $124 remaining - not too bad at all.
Trip is +124
As I am wont to do in Vegas, I decided to relax and watch tv - as usual, this turned into an impromptu nap and, upon waking up, I showered and took a walk down over to the Line promenade to take a ride on the High Roller before heading down the Strip towards Aria so I could enjoy the superb food at Javier’s.
I was a bit early for my dinner reservation but Javier’s was able to accommodate me. The chips with salsa served with every meal were delicious, as was my grilled chicken breast quesadilla with sour cream, guacamole, yellow rice and refrained beans. However the pièce de résistance was the dessert, fried ice cream - a truly decadent dessert. Feeling fully satiated, I made my way back to the Cromwell, stopping to take a photo at the Chandelier Bar inside the Cosmopolitan.
As I walked back to the Cromwell, I noticed a heavy police presence on the Strip, which included watching them arrest three different people, two of whom seemed to be meth-heads, one with bright bleach blonde and hair, the other with blue hair. Both were wearing the official shirt of meth-heads, stained white tank-tops.
After dinner, I ended up heading to my friend’s house and we hung out there for a bit, checking out his car collection, which is a nice segue into Day 5.
Day 5
My friend picked me up in his rare Camaro ZL1 and we headed to the speedway where he drove me around the track. I had never been in a car driving so fast, reaching over 175mph. CRAZY!
Thereafter, we headed back to the Cromwell and I put in a 3-team parlay on some NFL games.
I took the Giants +1 ½; the Jets +3; and the Eagles +5 ½. The Giants won outright but the Jets, naturally, lost by 14 — that ended my chance at winning the parlay but hey, the Giants can still win the NFC East if the Eagles win tonight. What a horrible division - I am not sure any team in the NFC East deserves to make it to the playoffs but, rules are rules.
I then headed over to the blackjack tables and bought information $1k at a 2D, 25min. table. I started betting at the table minimum as the dealer and I traded wins and losses. Starting in the second shuffle, I raised my bet to $50/hand and won three in a row, including a blackjack. I then lost a couple and, as there were plenty of low cards out on the table, I upped my bet to $100 and was rewarded with another blackjack, followed by being dealt a 7,3 versus a dealer 6. I doubled and was dealt an 8 for 18 — ok, I have a chance. The dealer turned over an Ace for 17 but, this table required the dealer to hit soft 17, which she did, quickly dealing herself a Queen for a hard 17. WOOHOO!!! I played through another shuffle and, by the time I got up from the table, I had secured $725.
Trip is +749 after losing $100 on my NFL parlay
After the Giants game, I headed over to the Balky’s Bazaar shops to try out a Dirt Dog - I got the patty melt - it was really good - my first hot dog in years
I headed back to the Cromwell and watched some of the 4pm games in the sports book and then, at halftime of the Washington/Philadelphia game, feeling like the Giants still had a chance to make the playoffs, I headed to the Flamingo before the second half of a close game for some quick Chinese food at the Flamingo. Little did I realize that I should have ordered a double entree - the serving size was way too small on their one entree order - echoes of Mitch from Tipping the Odds Las Vegas at Lotus of Siam.
NFL rant: Well, after wolfing down the orange chicken and chow mein, I settled in for a close game, still hopeful that the Eagles would pull it out so the Giants would win the NFC East and host a playoff game against Tampa Bay next week. Entering the 4th quarter, the game was still close when, all of a sudden, out of nowhere, the Eagles’ coach, Doug Pederson, decides he is going to audition the 3rd string QB. Yes, I know the Giants controlled their own destiny this season but, they did not win a couple of close games, leaving Giants fans to rely on the Eagles to beat Washington on this night. What Doug Pederson did was a disgrace to the NFL “shield” - he basically, in prime time, tanked the game — there is no other word for it and it was disrespectful to the players on his team who showed up to play the game. Oh well, there is always next year.
Time to hit the casino floor
I sat down to a 2D, 25min game and bought in for $500. As she was dealing the first hand, the dealer told me that the guy who was sitting in my seat a few minutes ago “couldn’t lose” and was winning every double and split. I should have left the table right then and there as I knew the jinx was now in play.
First shuffle: I lost the first 6 hands before finally pushing one and winning the last hand of the shuffle;
Second shuffle: I lost or pushed every hand in the shuffle;
New dealer
Third shuffle: Firs hand I doubled an 8,3 v dealer 9 — they deal the double down card face down on the 2D games — the dealer turned over an Ace for 20 — my faced, naturally, was an 8 for 19; the next few hands were uneventful until I was dealt a 9, 3 v dealer 7 — I hit and was dealt a 9 for 21 — the dealer turned over a 4 then a King for 21 — I cannot even win a hand with 21
Fourth shuffle: I lost 3 double downs in this shuffle, got dealt one blackjack to the dealer’s two and, by the end of the fourth shuffle, my $500 buy-in had disappeared
Trip is now +249
Well, if you have been asking yourself - “WOW! The seems to have been a relaxing vacation. Wasn’t there any controversy at the blackjack tables.” - prepare to have your question answered.
I took a break after the last session then headed back to the casino floor. I bought in for $300 at a 2D, 25 min. game that had two other gentlemen already sitting at 2nd and 3rd bases. I told the dealer I would wait for him to finish the shuffle - the other players gave me a nod and a few moments later, the shuffle ended and the next shuffle was afoot.
Leaving off where I started last session, I lost all 6 hands in the first shuffle, with of the other two gentleman winning 4 of their 6 hands. Session -150
I treaded water in the second shuffle, remaining at -150. Onto the third shuffle, before which the player at 3rd base left the game.
On the last hand of the third shuffle, I was dealt a 9,9 v dealer 8 - I split the 9’s:
First 9: dealt a 2 for an 11
I then asked the dealer if this table allowed doubling down after a split — the dealer said “Of course” - so, I doubled and was dealt a 5 for 14;
Second 9: dealt an 6 for 15
The dealer, already having an 8, turned over a 10 for 18.
A new dealer tapped in and, while the dealer was shuffling I looked over at the monitor stating the table rules - the sign stated “No double after split.” — I told the dealer that I just doubled on a hand and if I had not doubled, I would have hit the 14 and been dealt a 6 (the card atop my second split 9) and, thereafter, my second 9 would have received an unknown card (there was no way to back the cards up at this point (aside from video). He called the pit boss over, who was hip to the scene. The pit boss told me he would call the shift manager and see what they could do. After conferring regarding the situation, the pit boss and shift manager informed me that they will give me a green chip back, to replace the one I lost by doubling. I calmly listened and stated that my entire hand would have been played differently had I not doubled — he shook his head in agreement and said he argued that point to his shift manager (whether he did or not, your guess is as good as mine) but, rather than attempt to escalate the issue over $50, I graciously accepted the green chip.
Oh, in case you were wondering, I told the dealer to not wait for me to deal the next shuffle. The player at second base thanked me and they proceeded to play while I awaited the above-detailed resolution.
I then continued for a few more shuffles, getting back to my original buy-in of $300.
Trip is +249
I headed back up to the room at the perfect time, the beginning of the next episode of Las Vegas - a “classic” television show starring James Caan as Ed Deline — wait -wait- wait — my apologies: BIG Ed Deline — who runs the “Montecito” - a fictional casino on the Las Vegas Strip that has a seemingly endless supply of storylines where BIG Ed Deline is called away from his duties running the Montecito to go on international mission for the CIA. There are other characters on the show too but really, how much more do you need to know other than James Caan, known to his friends as “Calm Caan”, plays an ex-CIA casino president with the nickname, “Big”.
So that is how the evening ended, binge-watching Las Vegas while in Las Vegas.
Waking up this morning and realizing it is time to go home always makes me feel contemplative - thinking about leaving Sin City and heading home - back to reality. However, Vegas, in whatever form it evolves into, will always be there. Until next time…