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Old 12-09-2013, 09:40 AM   #1
Teach
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Everyone Remembers Their First Time!

Some people do "it" when they're still in their teens. Others wait until they're in their 20s. Still others abstain until they've reached the age of 30. I waited until I was 50. Yes, the ripe old age of 50...and with my 23-year-old daughter...no less! Shocking! Incestual! No, I'm not a "dirty old man". Then again. Well, it's not what you're thinking. It's not that "it". I'm talking about the first time that I visited "Sin City," Vegas.

On this cold, icy morning here in eastern Massachusetts, I thought I'd share with you an account of my first Las Vegas trip. it took place slightly over twenty years ago. It was at a time before they had built the Bellagio, Paris, Wynn, Venetian, or a even had a canopy over Fremont Street. My visit took place over the Columbus Day weekend: Oct. 8 through 11, 1993.

It all got started over the dinner table: "You want to go where!" my wife asked. "Vegas," I said. "Are you out of your mind?" she added. "Do you want to come?" I asked. "No way!" my wife replied. But then my daughter chimed in, "I'll go with you, Dad." I might mention at this juncture that my daughter loves to travel. She's been to just about every continent, except Antarctica.

Well, the next day, I call a travel agent to book a Vegas trip. Because of the late date (it was already October), the agent said that the best she could do was a non-stop from BOS to LAX...and then a backtrack over the desert to LAS. She did say she could get me into the Flamingo. I thought for a moment...and then I said, "Book it."

About a week later, my daughter (a college senior) and I (a high school teacher) rode over to where we'd pick up the Logan Airport shuttle bus. We were bussed into Logan where we boarded our AA flight to the West Coast. I remember that we left about 5:30 PM and arrived at LAX at about 8:30 PM (PST). We then had to endure a two-hour layover before boarding a puddle-jumping prop-jet hour's flight over the desert.

As we again became airborne, the excitement was beginning to build. We were less than an hour away from "The Gambling Mecca of the World." About three-quarters of the way to Vegas, I begin to notice these bright lights. At first I thought it might be the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights); however, it seemed that we were too far south for us to view that phenomenon. Then...it dawned on me: "We're approaching Vegas." Those bright lights are emanating from all those Strip properties. We're almost there.

As we headed closer and closer to McCarran, I could feel my excitement building to a climactic crescendo. Soon, I began to make out some of the individual hotel/casinos: the Tropicana, Bally's, the Flamingo, the Excalibur, Caesars and a host of others. In a word: spectacular! The colors were so vivid. So vibrant.

Minutes later, we landed. It was now around 11:30 PM. My daughter and I made our way to the baggage carousel and retrieved our luggage. We then caught a shuttle to the Flamingo. It was a little after midnight when we arrived at "Bugsy's Place." What immediately caught my attention was the Flamingo's bright-orange floral neon display. There seemed to be lights just about everywhere...even in the stairwells.

Seconds later, I was in front of the registration desk. I was quickly assigned a room and given a key. My daughter (now totally exhausted) and I made it up to our room. I open the door. Shock of shocks! It's occupied...at least there was luggage on the bed. I quickly shut the door. As we rode the elevator back down to the registration desk, I was fuming. What if a couple was engaging in some carnal activity? Who knows what could have happened? I gave the clerk who assigned me the room a piece of my mind. She was apologetic. We were given another room. I was told it was an upgrade.

My daughter quickly went to bed. I, on the other hand, headed for the elevators and the casino, below. I recall being like a kid in a candy store, but instead of strips of "buttons," licorice, caramels and bubble gum, there were slots and VP machines, plus an array of table games. It was, in a word: titillating. I ended up sampling a little bit of everything. Hey, as my former Latin teacher used to say: "Vita celebratio est." (Life's a ball!")

About 3 AM I headed next door to the Barbary Coast (Bill's Drinking Saloon) Although smaller, its casino was equally enjoyable. In fact, I remember that the minimums were lower. I recall playing roulette and then walking over to the BC's sports book to chat up the weekend's football games. I remember tauting the New England Patriots over the Arizona Cardinals.

A couple hours later and I'm back at The Flamingo. All the while, both at the Flamingo and the BC, I'm downing several Bloody Marys. If you take into account the fact that I haven't slept in over 24 hours and that I haven't eaten, except a bag of peanuts, in over 12 hours, those Bloody Marys are going to my head faster than a fast-acting painkiller.

It was back at the Flamingo that I spotted this mechanical horse-racing game (anything that has to do with horse racing is going to catch my attention, even in the wee hours of the morning). I'm a sucker for the horses, even the mechanical kind. Initially, I watched as race after race took place. Soon, I'd begin to call the races (I had been a harness racing announcer at a MA track in the mid-1980s) and a member of the New England Turf Writers. "Now they're all in," I said. "The flag is up...and they're off! That's Citation (I used thoroughbred stars from an earlier era) moving ahead quickly on the rail. But now Whirlaway's found his best stride. And now it's Seabiscuit moving quickly into contention. And, at the wire, it's...Beetlebaum" (with a tip of the hat to Spike Jones).

Well, I did this for three or four more races when I notice these two guys off to the side are looking at me like I just escaped from a nearby mental institution. At first, I thinks they may be house "dicks," but when one of them comes up to me to ask me where I'm from, I realize they're just tourists. One of the guys asks, "Are you from Boston?" I reply, "I was originally from Boston, but I now live in Framingham." Under the category: "It's a small world (it would be the first of three on this trip)," both of the guys (I later learn they're pharmacists) grew up in the Boston area. In fact, one guy lived just a half-mile from me in my old Boston neighborhood. He even graduated from the same high school as I did, albeit almost twenty years later.

After a little more "renewing old acquaintances," the three of us leave the Flamingo and head across the street to Bally's. It's there that we sit down to play some $5 blackjack. Not one of us is having any luck. I end up losing $50 in about fifteen minutes. It's then that one of my "back home" friends suggests we go upstairs to Bally's "Big Kitchen" breakfast buffet. As the rickety escalator's taking us upstairs, I don't know what to expect. This would be my first Vegas buffet.

It was now close to 7 AM. The buffet was just about to open. A few minutes later, we walked in. The only analogy that I could think of at the time was when the movie, "The Wiizard of Oz," suddenly turns from black & white cinematography to technicolor. "Viva la difference!" As I looked at all the breakfast treats, I began to salivate like one of those Pavlovian dogs. Hash browns, eggs, sausage, bacon, muffins, rolls, cereal, yogurt, Danish and even strawberries. Oh, of course, coffee and juice.

All I could think of were the lyrics from the musical "Oliver." "Food, glorious food!" This whole spread was quite a treat for a guy whose morning fare usually consisted of a cup of coffee and a doughnut. I must say that up to this point --- despite my early-morning forays into the gambling world --- this was the highlight of my trip.

After breakfast, I split with my newfound Boston friends (I told them I'd hook up with them again at The Mirage sports-book shortly before 9 AM) to check on my daughter back at The Flamingo. It was now after 8 AM when I reached our room. My daughter was already up. She asked if I had had breakfast. I told her I had an outstanding breakfast at Bally's. My daughter then told me that she was going to grab breakfast downstairs at the Flamingo and then spend the morning at the Flamingo's health spa. I indicated to her that I was going to The Mirage to make some sports bets on football games. We both agreed to meet back at the room around 1 PM.

By 8:30 AM, I arrived up the street at The Mirage. I quickly found my Boston "friends." The sports-book was a beehive of activity. I had never seen so many wide-screened TVs. The whole thing reminded me of the betting parlor scenes from the movie "The Sting." As I'm standing there eyeing all the spreads and the over-unders, I hear this voice call out "Walter." It was not my newfound Boston chums (they were on the other side of the room). I heard the voice again: "Walter." I thought for a moment: maybe it's some other "Walter," or maybe I'm hallucinating (I did have several Bloody Marys). But then I recognize a familiar face. It's my next-door neighbor, Frank. He'd been at a teachers' convention in Denver, but he flew into Vegas for the college football games. All I can say is: "Unbelieveable!"

I decide to bet on Rutgers, getting three points, in their game against Boston College at The Meadowlands. The Scarlet Knights start off very well and are leading at halftime. However, the Eagles roar back in the second half and cover the spread. I lose a couple hundred dollars.

By now it's nearly 1 PM. I head back to my room at The Flamingo to hook up with my daughter. My daughter's waiting for me. "How'd you do on your sports bet, Dad?" "Not well," I replied. "I lost two 'yards' betting against Boston College," I added. "Yards," my daughter said with a quizzical look. I then said 'a yard' is $100. "Hey," I added, "We're in Vegas."

My daughter and I take the elevator downstairs and have some lunch at one of the Flamingo's cafes. After lunch, I head back upstairs. Frankly, I'm "bushed." It's been nearly 24 hours since I last caught some zzz's. I'm going back up to the room to take a nap. My daughter tells me she's going to walk around the hotel and then take a look at some of the shops and boutiques. I tell her to meet me back at the room about 4:30 or 5 PM. I tell her we've got a big night ahead of us.

Well, I'm up a little over two hours later (who can sleep in Vegas). I take the elevator downstairs to look at the college football results from around the country. As I'm looking at the boards with all the scores, a guy comes up to me to ask the time. I tell him it's about 3:30 PM. The guy who asks for the time then says, "Your accent sounds familar." I tell the man that I'm from the Boston area...actually the town of Framingham. He then says, "Small world. I'm originally from Framingham myself." He went on to tell me that he had moved out to the West Coast about fifteen years earlier. He then mentioned the names of people he knew who lived in Framingham I told him that I knew some of those same people. The man went on to tell me that he was in Vegas with his Chinese wife. He added that many of her relatives and friends from all over the country are here to celebrate her 50th birthday. Apparently, it's a Chinese custom to make a big deal over decade birthday and anniversary observance. Thus, the celebration.

Minutes later, I leave my "Framingham connection" and head back to my room. My daughter arrives a few minutes later. I go ahead and shower and get dressed. It now about 4:30 PM. I've got two tickets to see Howie Mandell as Caesars' Circus Maximus Theater. My daughter and I head across the Blvd. to Caesars. I remember that we got something to eat and then walked to where the Forum Shops are located. What blew me away was the faux sky overhead. It was absolutely surrealistic. I recall that we browsed in some of the shops and then headed over to the Circus Maximus.

We had great seats...right on the floor. Howie Mandell (with hair) was quite funny. I don't think I laughed so hard in months. His routine touched on many themes. He used some of "the voices" from his earlier voice-over days. He also touched on his Canadian roots. Yet, I think the funniest theme was his dialogue about Monistat. It was hilarious. After the show, my daughter and I headed back to our room at The Flamingo. It was nearing midnight. Time to get some shut-eye for our last full day in Vegas.

My daughter and I were up early that Sunday morning. My daughter wanted to hit the health spa again; I was going to do some gambling at The Flamingo and Barbary Coast. I again tried my luck at a variety of games. I don't recall losing a lot, but, then again, I wasn't winning much, either. In any event, my morning session could be labeled "a push." I subsequently met up with my daughter a little before 10 AM She wanted to make a pro football bet I recall the game she wanted to bet on was the Dolphins vs. the Browns (this is the game that Dan Marino suffered a torn Achilles tendon). My daughter wanted to bet the Dolphins, but I discouraged her. As it turns out, the Dolphins won...that despite Marino missing most of the game (if I had allowed my daughter to make that bet, it would have been the only football bet we would win all weekend; I would later lose my bet on the Patriots vs. the Arizona Cardinals).

I remember that we played a little father-daughter roulette at Caesars for awhile before deciding to have Caesars Sunday Champagne Brunch. It was expensive, but well worth it. I recall that it came with a split of champagne. Yet, what really blew my mind were the variety of offerings: shrimp, piled eye-high, steamship round of beef, rack of lamb, carving stations and an omelet station. Just about anything you could image. A culinary delight. And, the desserts were scrumptious. So much for the diet.

After the brunch, we both went back to the room. My daughter wanted to nap; I decided to watch the Patriots game (with the sound off). Not only did my Patriots not cover the spread (I believe they were favored by 10), but they lost the game outright. Ouch!! That evening my daughter and I had something to eat at the Flamingo before heading across the street to see Donn Arden's Jubilee! at the Jubillee Theater in Bally's. I recall that we were seated at a table with three other people, one guy was from Baltimore (he was talking about Johnny Unitas), and a couple from the Miami area.

The show itself was enjoyable. It reminded me of a lavish Broadway musical production. It was all glitz and glamor. The only thing I didn't realize (how gauche of me) is that there were topless women. I wasn't quite sure how my daughter would react. She took it quite well. After the show, my daughter and I played some side-by-side slots. We didn't win, but we had a lot of fun. We left Bally's around 11 PM and headed back to the Flamingo where we both called it a night.

The next morning, Monday, was our last hurrah. We had a morning flight from McCarran to LAX, and then a cross-country flight back to Boston. I recall we tried the Flamingo's breakfast buffet. It was adequate, but I didn't find it nearly as satisfying as Bally's buffet that first morning. We then gathered our luggage, settled our bill and checked out. We then caught a cab to McCarran. A short time later we were again on our "Piper Cub" (actually Saab-engined prop-jet) back across the desert to Los Angeles. Our jumbo jet was there waiting for us. No sooner did we board and fasten our seat belts then we were again airborne.

Several hours later, about 8:30 PM, we arrived back in Boston. My wife and one of her friends were there at Logan to meet us. I recall my wife asking, "Was it worth it?" I said, "Yes!" I then said, " I did 'it'. I'm no longer a virgin. I'm no longer a virgin," I repeated. I then paused and said, "A Vegas virgin."
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"Walt, make a 'mental bet' and lose your mind." R.N.S.

"The important thing is what I think of myself."
"David and Lisa" (1962)












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Old 12-09-2013, 10:18 AM   #2
Greyfox
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Good stuff Teach.
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Old 12-09-2013, 12:33 PM   #3
FantasticDan
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How the heck does one remember those sorts of details 20 years later? Do you have an eidetic memory?
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Old 12-09-2013, 01:35 PM   #4
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Great story Teach! Any return trip's in the future planned?

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Old 12-09-2013, 05:33 PM   #5
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bobbyb asked if I planned any trips to Vegas. I have not taken a trip to Vegas in recent years. Do not plan any. Too much action, locally: Twin Rivers (RI); Foxwoods (CT); Mohegan Sun (CT)

However, this is a chronicling of my fourth Vegas trip with my friend, Bobby Z. I call it: Bob & Walter's "Excellent Adventure"

Day 1: Wednesday, April 21, 1999

4:45 a.m. This day --- long awaited --- has finally arrived. My friend, Bob and I are about to embark on what we hope will be Bob & Walter's "Excellent Adventure," a four-day, three-night stay in the most exciting place on earth --- Las Vegas!

It's 5:15 a.m. I'm heading to Bob's house to pick him up for the drive over to Framingham's Shoppers World (20 miles west of Boston). That's where we'll catch the Logan Express for the bus ride into Logan Airport. We're flying America West (or was it, more appropriately, "America Least". Our non-stop flight leaves at 8 AM and arrives in Vegas at 10:45 AM.

As we board the 6 AM bus, I can't help but think of how this all came about. This will be my fourth trip to Vegas; yet, it will be my first in which all expenses --- except food and gambling --- will have already been paid for. No, I'm not a high roller, nor am I a "whale" who gets comped for just about everything. To make a long story short, I won a contest --- a handicapping
contest --- at Boston's Suffolk Downs racetrack. First prize: a trip for two to Las Vegas.

It's now 6:45 a.m. . We arrive at Logan Airport. The bus drops us off at Terminal B, America West. We ask if it's a full flight. The attendant tells us that it is not and that there is seat availability in the first row of coach (those seats provide more leg room). We jump at the chance for a bit more comfort. We then have a leisurely breakfast.

Afterwards, we head over to the boarding area. As we enter the plane, I think to myself, too bad they don't have an in-flight craps game (maybe some day). I usually skip the in-flight movie, unless, of course --- it's Richard Dreyfuss in "Let It Ride!"

It's now after 8 a.m. We're moments away from takeoff. Our plane taxies over to the runway and seconds later we're airborne. Next stop ---Las Vegas! I can't wait! Bob andI are already making plans for when we arrive. We're staying at the Strat. I keep staring at my watch. I know once I get to Vegas time will be meaningless.

It's 10:50 a.m. We've landed. We exit the plane and head downstairs to retrieve our luggage. As part of the contest, a limo driver from the hotel is waiting for us. He's carrying a sign with our names on it. Do I feel like a "high roller"! Let Bob & Walter's "Excellent Adventure" begin.

Bob and I are directed to this stretch limo. We look at each other and start to chuckle. In reality, we're two degenerate gamblers masquerading as proper, upright citizens. Neither of us had been in a stretch limo before. We're finding it hard to stifle our grins.. Our driver, Dave, fills us in on the latest goings on in Vegas.

We eventually reach the Stratosphere shortly after 11:30 AM. The
Stratosphere is humungous. I was told it's the tallest building west of the Mississippi River.

We check in, get our comp cards and head for our room (they let us into our room early).

We're on the 14th floor facing south toward the Sahara, Stardust, Circus Circus, and the Bellagio. The room is nice (nothing special). However, it's more than adequate for our needs. We just need to sleep a few hours each night.

After getting unpacked and washed up, we head downstairs to inspect our new surroundings. The casino itself is eerily quiet. I know it's midweek, but I would have expected more activity. Bob remarks that's he's seen more action at Foxwoods in Connecticut at 3 a.m.

As Bob's a big keno player, he insists we check out the keno lounge as he wants to get in his keno action. Bob decides to play several games (multi-race keno).

We then walk about the casino to check out the table games. I like to play Caribbean Stud. Bob joins me. I start out very well with early hands that feature two pair and three-of-a-kind. I'm quickly up about $60 or $70. Meanwhile, Bob's having no luck. Later, the worm turns; Bob's making a comeback and I'm giving back some of my winnings. We
stop play after about an hour. I finish up about $25, Bob's close to even.

By now, it's approaching mid-afternoon. We decide to catch the Strip bus for the ride downtown. It's a warm afternoon with temps in the 80s. Several minutes later we get off at Fremont Street and walk toward the casinos. Bob remarks how much new construction is going on.

We decide to stop at Fitzgerald's (we stayed there last year). We then go up the escalator to the second floor to visit their keno lounge. Bob plays some more multi-race keno. Bob's philosophy has always been to put as many oars in the water as possible. He even bought several daily
lottery tickets back home before leaving on this trip.

A few minutes later, we stop at the McDonald's that's located in the Fitz for a little lunch. We haven't eaten since we had peanuts and a Sprite on the plane.

After lunch, we walk up Fremont Street to Binion's. It is one of our favorite haunts...for two reasons: the race book and craps. We walk through the casino to the race book. We're looking to renew acquaintances with some of the folks we met there last year, principally a man named Tony Vega who treated us very well. We learn that Tony has moved on and is working elsewhere. We introduce ourselves to the new race book bosses.

At that time, Bob says he'll meet me back at the race book. First, he's going over to Binion's keno lounge. He then says he's going to shoot some craps. Bob particularly likes Binion's because of the extra free odds you can take on pass line bets; it takes away from the house edge.

Meanwhile, it's about 4 p.m. in Vegas, but 7 p.m. in New York...time for harness racing action. That means the Meadowlands and Yonkers. I buy the form and beginning my handicapping. I'm off to a good start. I hit a small Pik-3 at the Meadowlands.

Later, I nail a couple of small exactas; however, it turns out to be a losing session. About two hours later, Bob returns from shooting craps. He says the dice were as cold as a witch's...

It's approaching 7 p.m. Bob asks me to see if I can get a comp for supper (we were generously comped last year at Binion's). I talk with the race book boss. He says we have to fill out these blue cards that document our play. I say to myself, you've got to be kidding me! You mean I gotta handicap the horses, make my bets, and then fill out these cards. As Tony Soprano mighta said: "Fuhgettaboutit!" I go round and round with the race book boss. I tell him nicely that I've already churned several hundred dollars worth of action. I indicate that Bob and I would likely be betting much more in the course of the next few days. We'd just like a meal for our action.

Well, the race book guy tells me that there has been a change in management and a tighter policy with regards to comps. I tell him that we should get some meal comps for all the action we've been putting through the windows. He finally relents and gives us two $10 comps for the coffee shop (a mini-restaurant) downstairs. We finish our gambling and have a late dinner. Bob has the Veal Parmesan. I have a deluxe burger and
some chili. The meals are OK. Nothing to write home about.

After supper, we walk over to Fitzgerald's to check Bob's keno action. No luck. We take the bus back to the Strat. It's now 10 PM. We're both exhausted, but there's still time for one last gambling session. Bob shoots some craps; I play some Pai Gow and quaff down a couple Coronas. Neither of us do much. We're each down more than C-Note for the day. Not bad all things considered. End of Day #1


Day 2: Thursday, April 22, 1999

It's 3 a.m.. I went to sleep a little over three hours ago. The alarm clock in my mind says it's 6 a.m. in Boston. Time to get up. In the other bed, Bob is impersonating the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I decide to
get up. As quietly as possible, I do the three S's: shower, shave, and... I get dressed and head down to the casino. I decide to start slowly. It's gonna be a long day. I buy $10 worth of nickels (big spender) and play some nickel machines. I'm playing the five-way machines. I make a couple small hits but eventually lose the entire $10. I decide to walk over to the table games to play some Caribbean Stud. I run into a buzz saw. I drop about $50
in less than 10 minutes. That's enough for me.

Next, I play Pai Gow. It's a choppy session. Every win means I pay the house a 5% commission...that's their vig. I like to play the dealer one-on-one. In Pai Gow, that means that every other hand you can be the banker (house). It takes away the house's advantage if there's a "copy" hand.

Well, I'm playing against a middle-aged woman who's been
dealing since the 1970s. Between hands, she laments how indifferently the casinos treat their employees. She says that at least when the mob controlled the Las Vegas casinos,
they treated their help with more dignity. She adds that in the old days the help was often given sizeable bonuses, particularly at Christmas. For all my action, I end up losing $10 at Pai Gow.

By now, it's after 6:30 a.m.. I go back to the room where by this time Bob has already showered and is watching TV. It's hard to believe that the stock market has aleady opened in New York. We go downstairs and head for the keno lounge. We find it's not open, yet; so we decide to shoot some craps. I put a nice hand together but eventually seven out. I'm
quickly up over $60, but I give it all back.

Now, we head back to the keno lounge. Still not open, so we head for the breakfast buffet. I put the tab on my room bill; it comes to about $11 for both of us. The buffet is very good. Bob says that both the biscuits and corned beef hash are excellent. Our only complaint is that the juice is made from concentrate. Remember: "Where's the beef?" Where's the pulp?
Yet, all in all, the breakfast was well worth it.

It's now after 8 a.m. and the keno lounge has finally opened. Bob has his ticket checked; he ends up losing a few dollars. We then exit the Stratosphere and walk up a couple of blocks to the Sahara. The outside of the building is very stylish. Inside, I'm not that impressed. The race and sports book seem extremely small for a casino of this size
(the same is actually true for the Stratosphere). Bob is looking to make a bet for one of his co-workers. He wants to get the best possible odds on the Cleveland Indians winning the World Series. We end up playing a few slots and sitting down for a few games of keno.

It's now close to 10 a.m. We walk over to the bus stop for the ride downtown. While we're waiting we're approached by this man who's looking for a dollar. He tells us that he was DUI and that he had his car has been impounded. His car is in Anaheim, CA. We tell him we can't help him. He walks away. This is our second panhandling incident since we've
arrived. We eventually arrive downtown and stop at Fitzgerald's to check Bob's keno ticket that he had played yesterday. Again, a losing effort. Bob says he wants to shoot craps at Fitzgerald's and tells me that he'll meet me at Binion's.

Moments later, I arrive at Binion's. I hurry over to the race book. I'm playing Aqueduct, Pimlico, Hialeah and Freehold harness. I can do nothing right. I'm quickly down $200. About an hour later, Bob comes back from Fitzgerald's; he drops $50 playing craps. This is not starting out as a promising day.

We continue playing the ponies throughout the afternoon. Pretty much "a push". I'm able to get us comps at the nearby deli. My day is not going well. Bob takes a break from the racing action to shoot some more craps. I continue plugging away at the races. Still no luck. It's now late
afternoon. I'm swilling down some Tecates.

By now, I'm now betting the evening harness programs and Garden State flats. Still no luck.

Bob returns about 6 PM. He hasn't had much luck, either. I'm again able to get us two $10 comps for the coffee shop downstairs(that's the only thing I've been good at). After dinner, Bob decides to head back to the
Stratosphere. I head over to Fitzgerald's. I play Pai Gow against a dealer named Tim - a woman- from Thailand. It's a "choppy" session.

It's now close to 9 p.m.. I take the Strip bus (302) back to the Stratosphere. I catch up with Bob who's shooting craps. He says he's down "a few dollars". I decide to try my luck with both some
25-cent slots and 25-cent VP. Again, no luck. I tell Bob I've had it for the evening. I've been up since 3 a.m.; it's now well after 10 pm.. I head up to the room; Bob says he's going to shoot craps for a while longer. When I get to the room, I check my funds. I figure I lost between $300 and $350 for the day. Bob finally gets back to the room about 11:30 p.m. I'm half- asleep. I tell him what I lost. He tells me that he lost that and more.
We both nod off. Let the concert begin. End of Day #2.
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Walt (Teach)

"Walt, make a 'mental bet' and lose your mind." R.N.S.

"The important thing is what I think of myself."
"David and Lisa" (1962)












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Old 12-09-2013, 06:08 PM   #6
lamboguy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FantasticDan
How the heck does one remember those sorts of details 20 years later? Do you have an eidetic memory?
i remember the first time i was in that town back in 1970 and the spot where the hotel that Teach stayed in was a place if i remember right called the Bonanza Motel soon to become the MGM hotel. the MGM had a horrific fire that claimed lots of lives. i knew someone that worked in that place when the fire started and the first thing they did was lock up the chips, before everyone ran out of the place.
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Old 12-09-2013, 06:55 PM   #7
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""It was back at the Flamingo that I spotted this mechanical horse-racing game (anything that has to do with horse racing is going to catch my attention, even in the wee hours of the morning).""

GD...thought nobody played those but me and buddy of mine named Sammy the Snake..( )...another story...

actually made a killing on those...just had to be patient and play FOR hours...which back in those days the house didn't expect anybody to do..
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Old 12-09-2013, 07:04 PM   #8
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1972, I walk into the Hilton, find the closest table and lay a 100 dollar bill on the pass line. The dealer acknowledges the bet, the shooter rolls a seven, I get paid, the guy next to me picks up my chips and leaves.
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Old 12-09-2013, 08:12 PM   #9
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true story...

I was in Vegas for the very first time, and had never played craps before. I had read books about the game, knew all the bets and their payouts, and had memorized a betting strategy that I intended to use...but I was too intimidated to actually take part in the game...and was only watching during my first two days there.

Finally -- on the third day -- I decided to participate in the game. I bought in for a moderate amount, and I started making some bets on the place numbers...starting with the 6 and 8, and then branching out to the other numbers whenever one of my numbers hit. I would pass the dice whenever they came to me, however...because I noticed that evil stares and even outright insults were directed at those who could not keep the dice for any length of time. Time after time the dice came to me, and I passed on them each time...deathly afraid that I would cost the table money were I to suddenly pick them up and throw them.

Hours passed, and the dice got to me one more time. The stickman gave me a look as he was gathering the dice with his stick...and suddenly pushed the dice right to me. "Go ahead and throw them"...he told me..."you might be lucky and not know it".

I was overcome by a feeling of confidence...indestructibility even. What a fool I had been. I was playing my own money just like everybody else...and I had every right to throw those dice. So what if I cost the table money! The rest of the table was costing ME money too...and I never complained. What right did those other guys have to complain to me...if I sevened-out right away?

I reached for the dice with full confidence...and placed my pass line bet. And then something happened...which I have not been able to fully understand in 30 years:

A man walked by the craps table while carrying his luggage...obviously heading for the elevator so he could get to his room. As he was passing by the table where I was playing, he paused and looked at me right in the face, as I was getting ready to toss the dice. He looked at my face for a few seconds...and then...he abandoned his luggage right where he stood...and he rushed to my table while searching frantically in his pockets. He took seven black chips out of his pocket...and bet $700 on "don't pass".

I sevened-out two rolls hence, and the man picked up his $1,400 and went on his way...leaving me in a state of shock and disbelief.

What had he seen in my face to cause him to run to my table with such urgency?

It's been 30 years...and that memory still torments me...
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Old 12-09-2013, 08:55 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FantasticDan
How the heck does one remember those sorts of details 20 years later? Do you have an eidetic memory?
Only 20? Thats a piece of cake. My first time was 58 1/2 years ago, and I recall all of the major details.
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Old 12-10-2013, 07:05 AM   #11
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Fantastic Dan and others asked: "How the heck does one remember those sorts of details 20 years later? Do you have an eidetic memory?"

After that trip in 1993, I wrote a trip report for a Las Vegas website. I save all my submissions. Thus, I used it as a framework for my post here.
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Old 12-10-2013, 11:14 AM   #12
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I actually do not remember much about my first time in LV. It was a long time ago and me and a couple of guys were bouncing around the strip and downtown. We were all in our very early twenties. We probably spent most of our time on Fremont if I recall. I seem to remember that there were more hookers in the lounges than customers just about everywhere as I recall. I don't remember what casino it was but I was playing blackjack and all of a sudden I had a pretty bad nose bleed. Sahara? Anyway, we stayed at the El Cortez. We did not have much money but we drank and gambled some and I must have enjoyed it because I started going back regularly some years later.
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Old 12-10-2013, 12:27 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Teach
After that trip in 1993, I wrote a trip report for a Las Vegas website. I save all my submissions. Thus, I used it as a framework for my post here.
I figured there had to be a journal in there somewhere..
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Old 12-10-2013, 07:43 PM   #14
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what happened on the last two days of the trip with bob?
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Old 12-10-2013, 10:00 PM   #15
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My first trip to Vegas was 27 years ago, a few days after visiting the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park. I've been lucky enough to visit 49 states and nearly every major city in the country, and I'm probably gonna get grief for this, but Vegas is one of my least favorite places I've even been. Take away all the glitz of the strip, and all the casinos are exactly alike. I did like the sports book in the LVH though. But if I want hedonism, I'll take the culture and unparalleled food choices of New Orleans anytime.
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