An Almost Non-Gambling Trip

Jean · An Almost Non-Gambling Trip

Laughlin, NV Trip March 3-7

This was a charter trip that Harrah’s offered me and the thought of warm weather made the offer more than I could refuse. So on March 3rd I and a friend left Springfield for Laughlin. The flight was smooth and the check in was fast. Everything was already taken care of and they just handed you an envelope with room numbers and keys….Cool.

This was a different trip for me as I was with a non-gambler. She had never gambled before and I thought for sure once the bug bit, she’d enjoy it. Well that thinking was wrong! I think the problem was she never really hit anything until the 4th day there.

Tuesday
Not many hits, but got some play at times. More or less got the feel of the casino and what they had available. I found several VP JOB machines at 7/5 at the bar. Never found a 9/6 but of course many 6/5. This became my home away from home, as it was the only place in the casino that my friend could find me. I did get some good play many 4OAK and FH. I had one straight flush….sigh no royal this time. The good thing was that I did see some good play others were having….one royal also.

Wednesday
Ok those of you that have been to Laughlin know it’s on the beautiful Colorado River and they use river taxi’s. This is the fastest and most fun way to get around to the other casinos. So off we go to the Edgewater which is about center of Casino Drive. It’s also across from the mall there. My friend loves to shop so most of the day was spent shopping. I know many of you are saying, You shopping!!!! Shhhh…don’t tell anyone.
I did stop in the Edgewater (on the pretense that I needed to rest) and try a few machines. Actually I left there ahead, I was down a couple hundred and then hit red sevens on a Star Sevens machine for $280.

Thursday
Back on the river, this time to visit a few of the other casinos. Went to the far end to the Riverside Casino. This is the first casino built in Laughlin by Don Laughlin. They seem to have lightened it up some since the last time I was there. Lots of people and action so I was ready to find my own action….nada. She’s hungry! Okay so we go to the restaurant to eat. It was very, very good. Nice view of the river from the dinning room. Now! I can play. Well that lasted about 30 whole minutes, she‘s ready to go….back to Harrah’s.
So we return to Harrah’s, I stop and get a cup of coffee to take to the room. I sure miss having a coffee pot in the room. Get dressed to go to a show called, “Drinking, Singing and Swinging”. Pretty good impersonators of the Rat Pack, all three had good voices and the orchestra was very good.
Guess what I got to play for a couple hours…..of course I didn’t win, but hey, at this point just playing was a win!

Friday
Ok….last full day here and I’m thinking of only gambling. Wrong! Back on the river…..this time to the Edgewater and Colorado Belle. Ok….hehe…maybe, just maybe I‘ll get some play time? Nope just a walk through, walk the river walk and see the Coy Pond! Please don’t get me wrong, the weather was fabulous the sun was warm and the river beautiful. But…..I so wanted some time to just do some serious gambling!
Back to Harrah’s…..Ok, get the suitcases packed for the early pick-up in the morning. That done….now. Yep! Off to the casino and the first thing I have to do is find the Stinkin Rich machine. I have looked everywhere I thought, for it. I stop a security guard and ask him if he might know, well he was a doll…no he didn’t know but he sure knew how to find out. He calls a slot tech and sure enough it was hiding just off where I thought not to look…LOL. Ok Lynn, I stick a $20 in and hit 100 lines at 1cent a line. (big spender here) I was more than half way through the credits when I hit the bonus. 30 free spins! I was almost giddy…but then I remembered who was playing this machine and sure enough 30 spins later I had like 2700 (as close as I remember) credit win for 30 spins!!!! I just don’t have “Rocky’s” luck! So I took my money back and a $10 win and ran. LOL I find my friend and she is settled at a Blazing Sevens, good she’s playing max coin. So I try some dollar machines, I hit a few but couldn’t get any really good hits to keep it going. I did see many people hit some jackpots while here, I just wasn’t one of them. I find a Double Blazing Seven that I hit a couple decent hits on and cash out $280 then played a Double Black and White Seven…..hit a couple things and it played for a long time. I went on to a few others and then later I walked back there again, thinking okay I’ll play the Black and White some more…Crap! There sat the Black seven, double, double…$800! I hate people that don’t at least pull it off.
By now I’m starving, haven’t eaten anything since breakfast. So I find my friend and she wants ice cream. So she gets her ice cream and I hit McD’s for a sandwich. She’s ready for bed….so end of the story.

You may have noticed I didn’t say much about eating, just the restaurant at the Riverside Casino. Breakfast at Harrah’s buffet twice was very good. Their prices are a bit high compared to others but it was good. The rest of the meals were a Mc Donald’s sandwich when she had ice cream for dinner. I’m flexible with meals (as much as most people) but I can’t live on junk food and keep going, so I look forward to eating and gambling with my A-Team!

Saturday
Breakfast this morning at the Beach Café in Harrah’s which was very good. They have already pulled the luggage from the room and the bus will take us over to Bullhead, AZ to the airport. Good trip back, it was raining when we landed but not to cold.

The one thing I want to comment on is the friendly service from everyone at Harrah’s they really made you feel as if they appreciated you being there. The drink service was often and fast.
Even though I didn’t get to gamble much or the level I like, it was fun. Wonderful to get away from the dreary gray days of winter here.
I Love my friend and love to travel with her…..but now I’ve learned to not take a non-gambler on a gambling trip! April…..A-Team!!!!

WILynn

Jean, I'm glad you got to at least get away from the cold into the warmth. Too bad there wasn't more gambling, but at least you know now. This friend is GREAT for vacationing with on a non-gambling vacation. I guess the good news is at least there wasn't much of an opportunity to cut into your Tunica funds. Glad to hear the employees treated you well there.

Next month!!!!WooHoo!

GaPam

Jean, I enjoyed reading your trip report. Like you said, you got to enjoy some warm weather and have a little getaway. You can even look at it this way....a little gambling is better than no gambling at all. LOL

Now we can get serious planning our trip next month. I know I can't wait. Then you and your friend can plan a trip down here after that. lol

And I agree...Next Month!!!!! WooHoo!!

Jean

Thanks Lynn and Pam,
I did enjoy that nice weather and yeah, I guess the money I saved (not gambling) is safe for our Tunica trip. I will always wonder if I had the chance...would I have doubled it or more??? I know spoken like a true gambler...

LA

Jean, glad you had a nice time, but I am sad to hear you didn't get to fully indulge in the slots. Sounds like sort of a teaser trip for Tunica, or maybe just a nice warm-up exercise. Same goes for the food. Don't worry, you'll be eating well and playing till the cows come in, in just a few weeks!

However, it is good that you could get away and enjoy some pleasant weather with a good friend.