You never count your money when you're sitting at the table...

Yesterday, redesigner and I decided to tour around some of the casinos, visit their shopping areas, and take in some of the sights. After enjoying a positively glorious buffet at the Wynn (no, it's the best one, I promise. I had no idea a brunch buffet could be so impressive), we looked around, occasionally putting some money into slot machines. (When in Rome...)

The Wynn was gorgeous, but proved to be unlucky (at least for me - I really didn't like the machines they had). We then toured the beautiful Palazzo at the Venetian, the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian, and the Paris. All on our way to our final destination of the Miracle Mile shops, and the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino.

I honestly wasn't really feeling it, in fact, when we were hanging out at the mall and redesigner suggested hitting the casino, I almost decided to go back to the room for a nap instead. For some reason, I did not do this, and we joined their player's club. I sat at a couple of slots and did okay, but decided what I really wanted to do is play a little more blackjack. I'd played some at the MGM, but didn't care for it (and lost. But that's besides the point). So I got $20 worth of chips and sat at a $10 minimum bet table in something called "the pleasure pit" (the tables were pink, the dealers scantily clad). I decided to sit there rather than at a standard table, because this particular dealer seemed friendly.

The dealer was a cheerful, bouncy woman who was apparently a third-generation dealer. The pit boss told us that he'd not only worked with her father, but her grandfather as well. (And apparently, her dad was working that night, too!) But I sat down, played for a bit, and I was up. I told myself that if I lost two hands in a row, I'd be out. If I made back my initial 20, then great. But if not, no more than 2 hands.

When I joined the player's club, I got a coupon book with a coupon for $25 in "match play," (it would turn at $25 bet into a $50 bet, for example). I was feeling saucy after 2 21s in a row (one blackjack, one lucky hit), so I went in for it. And won. After that, I wound up splitting and doubling down and winning. So I won a ton on that hand alone...and continued to win. I ended up losing two hands in a row eventually, so I cashed out, and after tipping my dealer (I had already tipped her after the amazing hand of amazing, but she was nice, so I tipped on my way out), I had ended up winning $110.

It's my best night in Vegas ever. Ever. There may have been some dancing and squeeing. redesigner found some coupons for Trader Vics, (2 for 1 mai tais and a free appetizer with purchase of two entrees), so I had a nice dinner there, my head still spinning over this. I really liked everything about Planet Hollywood, and I may just stay there next time, depending on the deal I can get. Then again, Planet Hollywood has been good to me over the years. Especially the Beverly Hills one.

I guess Facebook blackjack wasn't totally useless, eh?

The rest of the night was okay, but how can you top something like that?

The Las Vegas Philharmonic salute to the music of Star Trek was fun, but they were horribly under-rehearsed, and whomever was in charge of the video cues kept getting it wrong. Still, I loved the concept of it, and I would do it again if I had the chance (especially with a better rehearsed ensemble). Ron Jones, the composer who scored the first four seasons of TNG came and conducted two pieces, which was nice.

Today is the Voyager Reunion, a mini-play with Ethan Phillips and Robert Picardo (as Neelix and the Doctor), and Zachary Quinto with Leonard Nimoy, discussing Spock. Then we head to the airport, and my latest crazy adventure in Vegas comes to an end. But I am SO glad I decided to do this. I had no idea how much I needed a vacation until I got here.

And now, to get ready for the day. I'm all packed, but for a few toiletries and the pajamas I'm currently wearing. My next post will either be from the airport or from New York.

You never count your money when you're sitting at the table...

Yesterday, redesigner and I decided to tour around some of the casinos, visit their shopping areas, and take in some of the sights. After enjoying a positively glorious buffet at the Wynn (no, it's the best one, I promise. I had no idea a brunch buffet could be so impressive), we looked around, occasionally putting some money into slot machines. (When in Rome...)

The Wynn was gorgeous, but proved to be unlucky (at least for me - I really didn't like the machines they had). We then toured the beautiful Palazzo at the Venetian, the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian, and the Paris. All on our way to our final destination of the Miracle Mile shops, and the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino.

I honestly wasn't really feeling it, in fact, when we were hanging out at the mall and redesigner suggested hitting the casino, I almost decided to go back to the room for a nap instead. For some reason, I did not do this, and we joined their player's club. I sat at a couple of slots and did okay, but decided what I really wanted to do is play a little more blackjack. I'd played some at the MGM, but didn't care for it (and lost. But that's besides the point). So I got $20 worth of chips and sat at a $10 minimum bet table in something called "the pleasure pit" (the tables were pink, the dealers scantily clad). I decided to sit there rather than at a standard table, because this particular dealer seemed friendly.

The dealer was a cheerful, bouncy woman who was apparently a third-generation dealer. The pit boss told us that he'd not only worked with her father, but her grandfather as well. (And apparently, her dad was working that night, too!) But I sat down, played for a bit, and I was up. I told myself that if I lost two hands in a row, I'd be out. If I made back my initial 20, then great. But if not, no more than 2 hands.

When I joined the player's club, I got a coupon book with a coupon for $25 in "match play," (it would turn at $25 bet into a $50 bet, for example). I was feeling saucy after 2 21s in a row (one blackjack, one lucky hit), so I went in for it. And won. After that, I wound up splitting and doubling down and winning. So I won a ton on that hand alone...and continued to win. I ended up losing two hands in a row eventually, so I cashed out, and after tipping my dealer (I had already tipped her after the amazing hand of amazing, but she was nice, so I tipped on my way out), I had ended up winning $110.

It's my best night in Vegas ever. Ever. There may have been some dancing and squeeing. redesigner found some coupons for Trader Vics, (2 for 1 mai tais and a free appetizer with purchase of two entrees), so I had a nice dinner there, my head still spinning over this. I really liked everything about Planet Hollywood, and I may just stay there next time, depending on the deal I can get. Then again, Planet Hollywood has been good to me over the years. Especially the Beverly Hills one.

I guess Facebook blackjack wasn't totally useless, eh?

The rest of the night was okay, but how can you top something like that?

The Las Vegas Philharmonic salute to the music of Star Trek was fun, but they were horribly under-rehearsed, and whomever was in charge of the video cues kept getting it wrong. Still, I loved the concept of it, and I would do it again if I had the chance (especially with a better rehearsed ensemble). Ron Jones, the composer who scored the first four seasons of TNG came and conducted two pieces, which was nice.

Today is the Voyager Reunion, a mini-play with Ethan Phillips and Robert Picardo (as Neelix and the Doctor), and Zachary Quinto with Leonard Nimoy, discussing Spock. Then we head to the airport, and my latest crazy adventure in Vegas comes to an end. But I am SO glad I decided to do this. I had no idea how much I needed a vacation until I got here.

And now, to get ready for the day. I'm all packed, but for a few toiletries and the pajamas I'm currently wearing. My next post will either be from the airport or from New York.