Friday at Red Rock, Saturday on the Strip

Spent much of Friday close to home at the Red Rock Casino where  I played some blackjack, winning $220 and video blackjack, winning another $31. No major hands, no interesting characters encountered, just a couple of fun sessions stacking chips. So it was another profitable day of $251.

I'd been wanting to get some UNLV t-shirts or a cap, and finally found a place that sells the stuff in Summerlin, near the Red Rock. Sports Town is devoted to selling all types of uniforms, t-shirts, caps and jackets of both college and pro sports teams. I found a corner devoted to UNLV and selected four t-shirts and a cap. They were having a huge holiday sale, so the great shirts were two for $23 and the fitted cap was marked down from $25 to $15. Total cost for four t-shirts and a cap was only $63, including Nevada's 8% state sales tax.

For dinner, I stopped at Panda Express and got a take out order of orange chicken, fried rice and steamed veggies. Chinese food is not Helen's favorite, but we both enjoyed this.

On Saturday, I decided to make a trip to the Strip. I parked at Bally's about 9:30 and made the trek from the parking deck down to the casino. Found a $10 blackjack table that was empty and began playing heads up against the dealer. After about an hour, I was up about $100 and decided to take a break. I walked over the The Cromwell and sat down at another blackjack table where I played for about 45 minutes and won another $250.

Decided to just walk the Strip and see the sights, so I headed north, past the Flamingo, The Linq and Harrahs. When I got to the Venetian, I decided to turn around and head back toward Planet Hollywood where I planned to grab lunch at The Earl of Sandwich. They make a great roast beef and cheddar sandwich, which I got and took over to the PH sports book where I ate lunch and watched part of the Las Vegas Bowl, Utah vs. BYU. I have Utah in one of my fb teaser bets. The Utes built a 35-0 lead, then held on for a 35-28 win.

After lunch I headed back to Ballys and played some more blackjack, notching another $250 win over two hours. Another session of grinding out small bets and winning. I hit more than my share of double downs, including one big hand where I bet $20 and got a hand of 9-9 against the dealer's 6. Split the nines and got a 2 on the first and had to double down. Got a King for 21 and on the second hand I got an Ace for 20. Dealer flipped a 5, then hit an 8 for 19. I won both hands - a $60 profit. That was the best hand that I recall.

After blackjack, I walked over to the Paris sports book and watched as Ohio State took down Kentucky in hoops and the end of the Las Vegas Bowl. All the strip walking has raised a blister on my right foot, so I decided it was time to head home. En route in bumper-to-bumper traffic, I called my niece Katie, who had sent me a text asking to call. Haven't talked to her since we got to Vegas and it was great to catch up.

While I was on the Strip, Helen spent the day watching some Lifetime movies, relaxing and talking with relatives. Dinner was another meal of orange chicken, fried rice and veggies. Just as good as leftovers!

Today I plan to visit Red Rock for the early football games, which begin at 10 a.m. here. I already have some teasers - Chiefs-3, Cardinals+2 and Panthers Pick in one, Patriots-7, Bowling Green Pick and MSU +18 in another, After they end, about 1 or so, I'll head home to spend the afternoon with Helen.

And so our adventure continues...