New Orleans Gambling Report
Made very nice denero on this trip. Played about 10 hours of blackjack over six sessions. Won money on five of the six sessions and the one looser was only $125. Paid for the trip, all of the SU's shopping, the side trip to Gulfport-Biloxi to shop and dine with a friend, and the rent car to bring home all the stuff we bought and still had some change left over. The wife gave some of it back on the slot machines, but not enough to matter. Harrah's is okay, but quirky. Long lines to cash in chips really were annoying. Played some two deck, but did not like not being able to double on splits.
Stayed at the Crowne Plaza (Bourbon @ Canal) the first two nights. It is an old hotel, but was okay. Staff was nice and the Brennan's restaurant had wonderful food. We were comped, but I would not have minded paying the ~$60 to $80 they normally charge. Only down side was that they had no King Size beds left when we checked in.
The last night we stayed at the Wyndham. It was very nice. Very upscale. Wonderful view of the river and 50% larger room with nice amenities such as the in room bar with reasonably priced stuff (soft drinks were only $1.25). It is also much closer to the casino -- right across the street. Again, it was comped, but it was easy to understand why it runs $140+.
We again dined at our favorite restaurant -- Cafe Orleans on Decatur, one block off of Canal. We went early (5:00 p.m.) and got spectacular service and food. We ate nothing from the menu -- all specials or specially made at our request.
Since we drove back to Houston, we stopped at the Harrah's in Lake Charles for a 45 minute driving break. Dropped $500 in the first 20 minutes and then spent the next 20 minutes treading water. Ended four nice hands in a row - the only such run -- to get back to within $25 of even and walked away.
Troy
Those who shoot from the hip usually end up just shooting themselves.
Plan the grub and grub the plan.
Where is the party tonight? Who is bringng the drinks?
