It's Just Money: I'm Back from Vegas, and a Bit Richer!

Heading out to Vegas last week, I said somewhat jokingly, "hopefully, I increase my net worth by Sunday!" What do you know, I did! What a roller coaster of funds it was, but I suppose that's Vegas for you. Here's my saga.

We drove to Vegas, leaving Thursday morning at around 11am. We spent just a few bucks on snacks for the road, planning to stop at the In N' Out in Barstow for lunch. A friend was flying in and scheduled to land around 4:30, so the plan was to get there at the same time to pick him up from from the airport on our way into Vegas.

Well, about ten miles from the Vegas strip, coming off a downhill slope, I let my speed get a little bit high, and wouldn't you know it? Flashing lights.

You would think that my trip would be soured by getting a ticket before we even get there, but it really wasn't. The cop was actually very nice. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, as I'm sure there are a lot of nice cops, but I guess expectations were otherwise. He clocked me at 92mph, which is accurate. He knocked the ticket down to 80mph in a 70mph speed limit zone. At 10mph over the speed limit it is only a $190 ticket and no traffic school requirement. Also, he told me that they will typically knock it down by half when I call the courthouse. If he's right, it's only a $95 ding. I can handle that. It's still cheaper than two plane tickets, even after the cost of gas.

So, at this point, I'm down $95.

Even despite the stop, we're too early to go to the airport, so we stop at the South Coast Hotel and Casino. I didn't do any gambling there, except to put down an $11 bet on Oregon State -7.5 versus Boise State. Oregon State promptly had their butts handed to them in a 42-14 drubbing.

Including the ticket, I'm down $106.

After picking my friend up from the airport we go to the California Hotel and Casino, where we were able to score a free room and food coupons. It was a light gambling night, losing about $40 at the new Texas Hold 'em table games they have at most of the casinos.

Status: Down $146.

On Friday, we were planning on playing Texas Hold 'em at the Plaza Hotel. They have a "sit n' go" in the Poker room. Here's how it works. You buy in for $35, no re-buys. When they have nine players, they start a table. You get $1000 worth of chips, and play no limit elimination style. The house takes a cut, and first and second get paid. Well, there were about seven in our group alone. We decided to take our poker action back up to one of the rooms instead of giving the house a cut. So, we played a $20 home game. I took second place, winning me $60. But $20 was my buy-in, so I was up $40.

Status: Down $106.

More gambling later that night included losing $20 in video poker, another $40 at a $3 blackjack table, and putting down $22 on Ohio State -2.5 over Texas. Another $20 in cab fares to go see Hooters (not worth it) and hang out on the strip.

At this point I'm out $208, but the Ohio State/Texas game still pending.

Saturday night, around midnight, we find my friends at the Golden Gate casino. They had virtually taken over a craps table. I haven't had a lot of success in craps in the past. If you play craps, you know that money moves pretty quickly. Well, I bought in at the right time. The table had been very cold, but shortly after I started playing, the table got hot! In fact, that was probably the hottest craps table that I have ever played. Shooters were hitting multiple points, plenty of numbers in between and a handful of hard ways and Yo-Elevens. I left the table up $360.

After collecting on my Ohio State winnings, I left Vegas up about $172. It's more like $100 after including some tips, gas money, saimin noodles and a few drinks. But the craps table paid for my trip, plus a little. Anytime you can do that, you're way ahead.

8 Comments

I wish I was brave enough to gamble. Of course I never win anything.

I never got the Hooters thing. Frankly I think the food sucks, although I hear the chocolate cake is good. I can get Portillo's chocolate cake though if I want it. So, this leaves the girls. I don't get it for you guys either - especially as these gals start getting younger and eventually = your daughters ages. It's just gross.

Posted by: D | September 11, 2006 at 03:15 PM

D,
I don't think courage has much to do with gambling. More like stupidity. It's never smart to enter a game for money in which the odds are predetermined to be against you. I enjoy it anyway, but if it's not your thing, don't start.

Hooters? Their wings really are good. And I'm not sure how I can justify why young, scantily clad women are attractive to look at. Some things just are.

Posted by: lamoneyguy | September 11, 2006 at 03:23 PM