Last week, February 10--12, I tried my first slot tournament. It was at the Venetian Hotel. The total prize package was $25,000.00, with first place winning $7,500.00. I did not have the good luck fortunate enough to win first place or any consolation prizes. But the tournament was fun, and it did not take too much time.

The tournament ran in three playing sessions. One session on Wednesday morning, then again in the afternoon. The final session was Thursday morning. Each session you had ten minutes to sit at your slot machine and attempt to earn as many points as you could get. Then total of your three sessions determined your final score and rank.

I finished about 1,000 points brief of the cutoff line for the final payouts. But it is all luck. Being at the right machine at the right time.

But the tournament was well worth it. The Venetian comped my three nights at the hotel. My option to stay at either the Venetian or Palazzo. I chose the Venetian because I paid for an extra night and the Venetian was a little less. The suites at both are very similar, just the Palazzo is newer.

I think I will attempt do to use more of the slot tournament offers I receive. It did not take up very much of my time. Your room is comped for the days of the tournament, and you have a chance to win money without putting any money in the machine!

If you have not participated in a slot tournament yet, give it a try.

Have fun and good luck!!!

I arrived at the Venetian on Monday, the 15th of December. I flight out was a little longer than usual. But when I arrived at the baggage carousel I only waited a couple minutes for my bag. Much better than usual. I rode the shuttle bus to my hotel. Did not take too long, as the Venetian was the first stop.

My room was alert when I checked in a little after 11:30am. So it was nice so unpack and rest a bit before heading down to the fun. Went to the Venetian restaurant area for the rapid foods. Had a "Johnny Rocket" burger and fries. It is a good place for a rapid meal to eat there or take away. I thought the pizza place was too expensive, $4.99 for one slice of pepperoni pizza, and not a enormous slice.

It rained all day, so I only played at the Venetian and Palazzo casinos. Not much luck on the slots. Tuesday I went to the Fashion show Mall and walked and walked some more. It is such a enormous shopping mall!! Did not purchase anything, was looking for the Apple store, but never found it. So I went to the Apple store at the Forum Shops in Caesars Palace. I bought an Apple Ipod Touch to take on the trip with me. Just needed a little advice about WiFi and how to set up some services. I listened to songs on the Touch on both flights, good sound with the Bose earphones.

Not much luck on the slots Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. Did not get very many bonus games at all. But did have some luck again playing video poker. At the Palazzo playing triple double bonus poker. I was dealt a pair of threes and kept them. Then hit the discount button and the magic words appeared, call the attendant!! I picked up the other two thees and four for the kicker card for a $2,000 win!! Was quite a astonishment on hit in a pair of threes!!

Thursday i went to see the Beatles Love show again at the Mirage. This time with a half price ticket at the 10pm show. A little different than the last time I saw the show. but I still think they should remove the "Blackbird" song, not funny, and many more songs that are much better.

The new and improved volcano at the Mirage. Ho hum, not much different. Not worth the millions they spent on it. Did not care for the dance beat music with it. Much prefer the the jungle sounds and volcano rumble of the old volcano. Don't waste your time making a special walk down just to view it.

And of course, I was there doing the big Vegas snow storm! I was just out walking about, so was not a bother to me. Was different seeing the snow falling on the bright neon lights of the strip. But you could only see about half mile during the early evening when the snow was falling heavy. Here is a link to use if you want to view some photos and video of the snowstorm: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/snow/2008/


It was a good trip, nice being away from work!!

Merry Christmas and good luck to everyone!!!!

Back from my most recent vacation in Las Vegas, September 20--27. I stayed three nights at the Flamingo and four nights at the Palazzo. Flight was no problem. I used the airport shuttle bus to the Flamingo. I think a good discount at $6.00 a ticket. Check in was fine. Had a room available for me at 11am. The room at the Flamingo was the basic deluxe room. Strip view right across from Caesars Palace. Good enough for sleeping and storing my luggage.

I don't eat my meals at the Flamingo. Usually go to Bellagio, Mirage, Planet Hollywood or Paris to dine. The gambling at the Flamingo was ok. Not too much in the loss column and did get some good play on the slots. Casino was crowded every night. Nice to stroll and relax in the Flamingo gardens and view the pink flamingos!

Tuesday took the taxi down to the Palazzo. My third visit too the Palazzo this year. They also had a room available at check in. I was checked in and unpacked again by 11am. Up on the 21st floor and the end of the hall. But the walk was not too bad. Had a good view of the Mirage volcano, unfortunatly it is still being renovated.

Went to the Bellagio Tuesday for some slot play. Usually have some good luck there. Did hit on the Bonus Frenzy slot for $1,000.00 hit. That was a big help in making up for some losses! I like the new dollar Deal or No Deal slots. Played at Bellagio, Planet Hollywood, Mirage and Venetian. A little luck, nothing great.

Thursday night playing at the Palazzo i hit my largest jackpot so far. I was playing a dollar triple double bonus video poker machine. Put in $100.00, on fourth hand I was dealt three aces! Kept them and hoped for the fourth!! I got it!! And a four for the kicker card!!! A nice payout of $4000.00!!! Made my night and trip!!!


Bellagio, Venetian and Palazzo were good to me on this trip!!! Not much good from Caesars, not done well there lately. So this was a very fun trip, always better when you go home with extra money!!!! I highly reccomend you visit the Palazzo. Great place to stay and the casino has a nice layout. Time to start thinking about that next trip!!!

During my last visit to Las Vegas I stayed the first three nights at the new Palazzo. The second three night of my stay were at the MGM Grand in the Grand Tower rooms. I arrived a bit early so my room was not available when I checked in. I used the invited guest line which was not very long to wait for service. I checked my luggage till my room was ready. The bell desk is close to the check in desks, so all very easy and quick. A couple hours later my room was ready. The elevator for the Grand Tower rooms is just acircular the corner from the front lobby or thcoarse the area where the MGM Lion progressive slots are located. I have heard from other people about how large the MGM is and the long walks to your room. But mine walk was not too far. But I can see how it would be a long walk if your located at the far ends of the towers.

My room in the Grand Tower was very nice. Nice, not luxurious like my suite at the Palazzo. The room had one king size bed and was more than enough room. The mattress on the bed was very comfortable. Something many people have commented on in Las Vegas forums. The bathroom was very nice, everything in good condition. Had an excellent view from my room of the NYNY hotel, the Mandalay Bay, Luxor and Tropicana. And the mountains in the distance with the rain clouds. Yes, it did rain a couple days on this trip.

No luck gambling at the MGM. The slots were not being kind, taking my money a bit too quickly. I do like the variety of slots at the MGM. A very large casino with different types of slots and table games in the different areas of the casino. But at night, early evening till acircular 11pm it was very crowded. Too crowded for me, people everywhere, hard to find a path to get though the casino.

The MGM has a good location for the south end of the strip. Easy to walk too the NYNY, Luxor, Mandalay Bay and Tropicana. Also Hooters, which as of this posting is about to be sold and redone as a more upscale hotel and casino. See if those plans actually happen. The NYNY and Luxor where both remodeling their casinos. So expect some noise and closed off areas. I did not gamble in either of them. I did gamble at the Mandalay Bay and had a little luck. But not enough to make me a winner.

The MGM was a very nice place to stay for a few nights. I enjoyed my stays at both MGM and the Palazzo. Hopefully will see them again!!!