Hello! I want to apologize in advance for the long report. It was a very interesting trip and I want to remember each detail - the good, and the not so good.
I left for Biloxi on Saturday evening, with a planned pit stop in LA for the night to see my grandparents. My other half was supposed to be with me but he caught the flu that I've had, so he had to stay behind and rest. I was disapointed to say the least, but I knew my friends would be driving in on Monday so I would only have to spend one night by myself which I think I can handle
Sunday: I leave for IP at 1:00 after attending church with my grandparents. I had a smooth ride, stopped twice and pulled into the IP at 5:20. At 5:30 I was IN my (free) room, which was very nice - just as it always is. I don't always need a fancy suite, just a nice quiet room with a comfy bed. Exactly what I got. I should note that check-in is always fast at IP, or it has been for me. I really love this place. Anyway, I grab some cash and head downstairs for some play. I notice right away that the casino is kinda busy. My first stop in any casino (as of late) has been Wizard of Oz. Of course with all the people everywhere the machines were full and had (what appeared to be) a wait. So I walk around some upstairs and then decide to go back down and get on a Top Dollar I saw near the escalators. I finally sat down, ready to battle the machines and my money gets stuck... About 30 minutes later a nice lady comes and opens the machine and gives my money back. I should have taken it and ran but my superstision got the best of me so I played, and played, and lost, and lost. I went back upstairs to check on my WOZ machines, again full. I play some wild cherry machine, win a little. I move on to Monopoly which I have never played. I sat down and started betting the minimum which I never do but was unsure how the game worked. The players next to me had low credits so I wasn't willing to bet too much. After a few spins I hit a bonus game. It happened really fast but I can remember picking a plane and then this "BIG WIN" sign comes down and Monopoly money starts flying everywhere. My "BIG WIN" turned out to be $11, hahahaha! I was too entertained to care. I left that machine and glanced at my WOZ machines - again they are full (they were paying very well I came to learn later on...) So it's back downstairs I go, I put in a $20 at Stinkin Rich and cash out a $70 TITO. I then move to a triple seven something machine - I instantly hit white seven, triple, triple - that paid out OK... I found a different Stinkin Rich machine after moving - couldn't get anything going on that. I spot a bank of Platinum Quick Hits, and I take a seat. I put in some cash, ordered a drink and started messing with the cell phone while digging out tip money. Without realizing it, I hit spin without hitting MAX BET... Now here comes my first "oops" of the night. While chatting on the phone and taking my drink I look up to see 8 QUICK HITS POP UP. Had I been on MAX I would have won the mini for $1600, instead I was rewarded with thirty something. Such is life I guess, we have all made this mistake at some point, right?? Disgusted I go back upstairs to check my WOZ machines - AGAIN, full. I've had enough of this, I'm calling it a night. 11:30 I head up to my room. I was exhausted after the long drive and needed a shower, etc... I was asleep by 12:15. Somewhere around 2am I hear something loud (like a gun or car crashing) so I look out the window (I had a wonderful view, better than the parking lot I stared at last time, lol) and see nothing. I hear it again but this time I realize it's in the hallway. Curious yet not I open my door to see a couple fighting, each of them taking turns slamming the door telling one another to leave. Greaaat... Second time I've had a noise issue at IP. I've stayed in Vegas over 20 times and never had a noise issue except the one time I stayed at Bally's. Anyway - I call the front desk, they come, but they bring the police. Problem solved. I'm back to sleep and up at 9 answering the door - it's housekeeping. They are so attentive here. Asking if I need service, would I like more towels, etc... I decline then get back in bed hoping to drift off to sleep, but it was not to be. I drag myself up and turn on the television and start getting myself ready for the day. I heard from the bathroom "Houston flooding", GREAT... I have four friends driving in from home today, I hope they missed the rain. About that time my cell phone rings - it's my best friend. I think she's calling to tell me they are delayed due to the bad weather, NOT. They aren't coming either!!!!!!!!!!!! They all got a late start (was supposed to leave at 5am, but didn't get it together until much later) and told me there were some road closures, etc... WOW... So here I am all alone in Biloxi, D isn't with me, friends aren't coming and I still have two full days before I am scheduled to check out...
I gather up some money and head downstairs, very depressed to be honest. I was really looking forward to getting away from everything back home and show my friends (and D) around Biloxi which is my "new Vegas", haha. (I'm so over Vegas, I think I mentioned that in my last post). My first thought was just to pack up and head back to LA and play the casinos there, where I have family and friends - but the thought of making that 4.5 hour drive AGAIN made me nauseous so I get some cash from the safe and head down.
I sit at a WOF machine (I never hit anything on those machines), played for a few minutes and cashed out $100, that's a first for me... I walk upstairs not expecting to find an empty seat at WOZ, but ALL FOUR were finally empty. I take a seat at the 3rd machine. I put in some money and here comes my precious Glinda =) . She was very good to me turning 4 reels wild. That gave me lots of play, and perked me up a little. I sat there for several hours, fed the machine close to $500 (I was so entertained I did not even care) and had no other large wins to speak of. I hear a soft voice say "hello there", I look up and it's an older Asian lady, she needed me to help her get in the chair (you know those captain chairs you kinda have to turn it out a bit to sit down), we chatted for a bit then started playing. What happened over the next few hours was sheer excitement. I swear this lady was my good luck charm, and I hers! I would hit, then she would hit, this continued for a while. We eventually had a crowd around us and all seats were occupied. I cashed out several TITO's, most of them $200 ish and one for $360. She was having the same luck as well. The machines were HOT. The other two sitting with us were hitting good too, but not near as good as the two of us. After a while the wins came less frequently and before I realized it, I had put all my TITO's back in and a little of my cash as well. I then say goodbye to my Asian friend and go upstairs to rest. I called the front desk once I got back to my room and asked them if I could cancel my 3rd reserved night. They were very nice about it and said they would not charge me for the short notice. Again, I love IP. I had such a good run with WOZ, even though I lost pretty good - I had some good wins too, which makes me really happy. I ordered some room service, had a very early dinner and started to get that nagging feeling of being alone and realizing how horribly awful my vacation had turned out... I'm accustomed to having a lot of people around me. I rarely get alone time and when I do I appreciate it but this type of "alone time" was not something I was well for. I decide to get out of the hotel and drive over to Island View.
I make it to the IV, early evening. Not too many people in the casino, which I like. I get a players card and they double my play from IP, plus I win $25 more in the new member bonus game. I had a good bit to play on and they had tons of penny slots which is all I play anymore. I did play one $5 machine and hit pretty good on it but put it all back later on. I never did find a WOZ machine here, I may have missed it - does anyone know if they have them?? I would really like to stay there next time at least one night.
I make it back to the IP around 7pm. I run up to the room to freshen up and make a few phone calls. I count my cash and realize I'm running kinda low. See, I have a "gambling fund". I stash away a little from each pay check and put it in a savings account, separate from our joint account and my personal account. When I get ready to go gamble, I pull out what's there and that is that... I only had a few hundred left which depressed me even more. I have NO control when D isn't around. I decide I will take $200 down to the casino and play on that for the night then go back up and pack and get ready to head out early in the morning.
Funny how my plans this trip never work out quite like I had imagined. I went straight to WOZ, right as I was approaching I saw a lady get up from the 4th machine on the right. I sit down, put in some cash and start playing. The 3 next to me were doing OK, so I thought maybe I could make my money last. After my first few spins, Glinda visits me, she gives me some big money. My luck seemed to be changing!! I get bonus after bonus (the Monkey Bonus). One round the little monkeys took all but 3 symbols, THAT was exciting, for me - and the huge crowd standing behind us. I cashed that out and stuck it in my pocket. This continued for a few hours. I had 6 TITO's totaling $1340!! I was very happy. I had recovered most of my loses and had a GREAT time with this machine. I've never hit like this before. Glinda turned 4 reels wild for me twice and gave me THREE "BIG WINS" over $120. I haven't been gambling "for years", but this was probably the most exciting trip I've ever had (as far as the wins go). I've had a 14K handpay once that happened by SHEER ACCIDENT/LUCK - and while that was very exciting, I had more fun on those WOZ machines than any other experience in any casino. I finally kissed Glinda goodnight and went upstairs at 12:30.
Tuesday I woke up early and packed my things. I loaded everything into my car and went back upstairs to call the host office. I do not have a host, I do not spend enough to have a host but the last time I stayed here they were very kind to me, checked my play and comp'd all charges (my reservationist suggested I do this). This time a man came to the phone and told me my room service, resort fee's (apparently when you get a free room you pay $5 a night, a "resort fee"??) and two phone calls would all be taken care of. I was happy though I'm sure it would have only put me back at best $50. Last time they comp'd over $300 in charges to the room for food/buffet/drinks. Again, this made me really happy with the IP. I turned in my keys and decided to go play WOZ one last time. I proceeded to chase last nights WINNINGS like a FOOL and lost more than half of what I won. I got one good hit before I finally left for $237 and I took it and ran. It's odd how machines will pay REALLY WELL for an extened period of time and then all of a sudden give nothing. On one of the monkey bonuses that morning, I won a whole $1.20 which was my BET! Anyway - I had a great time with those machines so I really do not care too much.
I made it back to LA mid evening and almost stopped in Lake Charles to play some more but decided to go on and hold out for our anual Thanksgiving trip. All in all I had an OK trip, had some fabulous wins, WOZ was the highlight of my trip!! I was really upset that I didn't go visit the Beau and Hard Rock... I had planned on doing that w/ our friends but maybe next time. I walked away with a few hundred left from my bankroll and did not touch any debit cards, credit cards or write any checks, so to me I left a winner. I was sad to leave Biloxi, I was hoping to have some good fun (which I did) but it would have been so much better with friends and/or family.
My next trip will be Thanksgiving as I mentioned above. We've been going to the casinos after Thanksgiving for the past six years, it's become a tradition almost. This year we have family coming in from out-of-town, two of whom I've never met (only talked to on the phone) - so I'm really excited. We'll be taking them to L'Auberge Du Lac, Coushatta and maybe Delta Downs...
I do have a question for those of you that have played WOZ. Have any of you ever gotten all four symbols in the Emerald City Bonus and if so, what happens. We were all curious and I managed to get 3 of them but could not get the 4th. Someone told me it gives you the progressive win but that can't be. That progressive by the way was over 3 million!! These are the bank of 4 machines on the 2nd floor, against the wall, right by the bathrooms. They aren't the ones located right as you come off the escalator, I didn't care for those too much. I've never seen more than 2 at any casino around here. I can hardly wait til' November, hopefully I will get lucky enough to grab a machine!!
Thanks for reading and again I apologize for the length.
Jason
I left for Biloxi on Saturday evening, with a planned pit stop in LA for the night to see my grandparents. My other half was supposed to be with me but he caught the flu that I've had, so he had to stay behind and rest. I was disapointed to say the least, but I knew my friends would be driving in on Monday so I would only have to spend one night by myself which I think I can handle
Sunday: I leave for IP at 1:00 after attending church with my grandparents. I had a smooth ride, stopped twice and pulled into the IP at 5:20. At 5:30 I was IN my (free) room, which was very nice - just as it always is. I don't always need a fancy suite, just a nice quiet room with a comfy bed. Exactly what I got. I should note that check-in is always fast at IP, or it has been for me. I really love this place. Anyway, I grab some cash and head downstairs for some play. I notice right away that the casino is kinda busy. My first stop in any casino (as of late) has been Wizard of Oz. Of course with all the people everywhere the machines were full and had (what appeared to be) a wait. So I walk around some upstairs and then decide to go back down and get on a Top Dollar I saw near the escalators. I finally sat down, ready to battle the machines and my money gets stuck... About 30 minutes later a nice lady comes and opens the machine and gives my money back. I should have taken it and ran but my superstision got the best of me so I played, and played, and lost, and lost. I went back upstairs to check on my WOZ machines, again full. I play some wild cherry machine, win a little. I move on to Monopoly which I have never played. I sat down and started betting the minimum which I never do but was unsure how the game worked. The players next to me had low credits so I wasn't willing to bet too much. After a few spins I hit a bonus game. It happened really fast but I can remember picking a plane and then this "BIG WIN" sign comes down and Monopoly money starts flying everywhere. My "BIG WIN" turned out to be $11, hahahaha! I was too entertained to care. I left that machine and glanced at my WOZ machines - again they are full (they were paying very well I came to learn later on...) So it's back downstairs I go, I put in a $20 at Stinkin Rich and cash out a $70 TITO. I then move to a triple seven something machine - I instantly hit white seven, triple, triple - that paid out OK... I found a different Stinkin Rich machine after moving - couldn't get anything going on that. I spot a bank of Platinum Quick Hits, and I take a seat. I put in some cash, ordered a drink and started messing with the cell phone while digging out tip money. Without realizing it, I hit spin without hitting MAX BET... Now here comes my first "oops" of the night. While chatting on the phone and taking my drink I look up to see 8 QUICK HITS POP UP. Had I been on MAX I would have won the mini for $1600, instead I was rewarded with thirty something. Such is life I guess, we have all made this mistake at some point, right?? Disgusted I go back upstairs to check my WOZ machines - AGAIN, full. I've had enough of this, I'm calling it a night. 11:30 I head up to my room. I was exhausted after the long drive and needed a shower, etc... I was asleep by 12:15. Somewhere around 2am I hear something loud (like a gun or car crashing) so I look out the window (I had a wonderful view, better than the parking lot I stared at last time, lol) and see nothing. I hear it again but this time I realize it's in the hallway. Curious yet not I open my door to see a couple fighting, each of them taking turns slamming the door telling one another to leave. Greaaat... Second time I've had a noise issue at IP. I've stayed in Vegas over 20 times and never had a noise issue except the one time I stayed at Bally's. Anyway - I call the front desk, they come, but they bring the police. Problem solved. I'm back to sleep and up at 9 answering the door - it's housekeeping. They are so attentive here. Asking if I need service, would I like more towels, etc... I decline then get back in bed hoping to drift off to sleep, but it was not to be. I drag myself up and turn on the television and start getting myself ready for the day. I heard from the bathroom "Houston flooding", GREAT... I have four friends driving in from home today, I hope they missed the rain. About that time my cell phone rings - it's my best friend. I think she's calling to tell me they are delayed due to the bad weather, NOT. They aren't coming either!!!!!!!!!!!! They all got a late start (was supposed to leave at 5am, but didn't get it together until much later) and told me there were some road closures, etc... WOW... So here I am all alone in Biloxi, D isn't with me, friends aren't coming and I still have two full days before I am scheduled to check out...
I gather up some money and head downstairs, very depressed to be honest. I was really looking forward to getting away from everything back home and show my friends (and D) around Biloxi which is my "new Vegas", haha. (I'm so over Vegas, I think I mentioned that in my last post). My first thought was just to pack up and head back to LA and play the casinos there, where I have family and friends - but the thought of making that 4.5 hour drive AGAIN made me nauseous so I get some cash from the safe and head down.
I sit at a WOF machine (I never hit anything on those machines), played for a few minutes and cashed out $100, that's a first for me... I walk upstairs not expecting to find an empty seat at WOZ, but ALL FOUR were finally empty. I take a seat at the 3rd machine. I put in some money and here comes my precious Glinda =) . She was very good to me turning 4 reels wild. That gave me lots of play, and perked me up a little. I sat there for several hours, fed the machine close to $500 (I was so entertained I did not even care) and had no other large wins to speak of. I hear a soft voice say "hello there", I look up and it's an older Asian lady, she needed me to help her get in the chair (you know those captain chairs you kinda have to turn it out a bit to sit down), we chatted for a bit then started playing. What happened over the next few hours was sheer excitement. I swear this lady was my good luck charm, and I hers! I would hit, then she would hit, this continued for a while. We eventually had a crowd around us and all seats were occupied. I cashed out several TITO's, most of them $200 ish and one for $360. She was having the same luck as well. The machines were HOT. The other two sitting with us were hitting good too, but not near as good as the two of us. After a while the wins came less frequently and before I realized it, I had put all my TITO's back in and a little of my cash as well. I then say goodbye to my Asian friend and go upstairs to rest. I called the front desk once I got back to my room and asked them if I could cancel my 3rd reserved night. They were very nice about it and said they would not charge me for the short notice. Again, I love IP. I had such a good run with WOZ, even though I lost pretty good - I had some good wins too, which makes me really happy. I ordered some room service, had a very early dinner and started to get that nagging feeling of being alone and realizing how horribly awful my vacation had turned out... I'm accustomed to having a lot of people around me. I rarely get alone time and when I do I appreciate it but this type of "alone time" was not something I was well for. I decide to get out of the hotel and drive over to Island View.
I make it to the IV, early evening. Not too many people in the casino, which I like. I get a players card and they double my play from IP, plus I win $25 more in the new member bonus game. I had a good bit to play on and they had tons of penny slots which is all I play anymore. I did play one $5 machine and hit pretty good on it but put it all back later on. I never did find a WOZ machine here, I may have missed it - does anyone know if they have them?? I would really like to stay there next time at least one night.
I make it back to the IP around 7pm. I run up to the room to freshen up and make a few phone calls. I count my cash and realize I'm running kinda low. See, I have a "gambling fund". I stash away a little from each pay check and put it in a savings account, separate from our joint account and my personal account. When I get ready to go gamble, I pull out what's there and that is that... I only had a few hundred left which depressed me even more. I have NO control when D isn't around. I decide I will take $200 down to the casino and play on that for the night then go back up and pack and get ready to head out early in the morning.
Funny how my plans this trip never work out quite like I had imagined. I went straight to WOZ, right as I was approaching I saw a lady get up from the 4th machine on the right. I sit down, put in some cash and start playing. The 3 next to me were doing OK, so I thought maybe I could make my money last. After my first few spins, Glinda visits me, she gives me some big money. My luck seemed to be changing!! I get bonus after bonus (the Monkey Bonus). One round the little monkeys took all but 3 symbols, THAT was exciting, for me - and the huge crowd standing behind us. I cashed that out and stuck it in my pocket. This continued for a few hours. I had 6 TITO's totaling $1340!! I was very happy. I had recovered most of my loses and had a GREAT time with this machine. I've never hit like this before. Glinda turned 4 reels wild for me twice and gave me THREE "BIG WINS" over $120. I haven't been gambling "for years", but this was probably the most exciting trip I've ever had (as far as the wins go). I've had a 14K handpay once that happened by SHEER ACCIDENT/LUCK - and while that was very exciting, I had more fun on those WOZ machines than any other experience in any casino. I finally kissed Glinda goodnight and went upstairs at 12:30.
Tuesday I woke up early and packed my things. I loaded everything into my car and went back upstairs to call the host office. I do not have a host, I do not spend enough to have a host but the last time I stayed here they were very kind to me, checked my play and comp'd all charges (my reservationist suggested I do this). This time a man came to the phone and told me my room service, resort fee's (apparently when you get a free room you pay $5 a night, a "resort fee"??) and two phone calls would all be taken care of. I was happy though I'm sure it would have only put me back at best $50. Last time they comp'd over $300 in charges to the room for food/buffet/drinks. Again, this made me really happy with the IP. I turned in my keys and decided to go play WOZ one last time. I proceeded to chase last nights WINNINGS like a FOOL and lost more than half of what I won. I got one good hit before I finally left for $237 and I took it and ran. It's odd how machines will pay REALLY WELL for an extened period of time and then all of a sudden give nothing. On one of the monkey bonuses that morning, I won a whole $1.20 which was my BET! Anyway - I had a great time with those machines so I really do not care too much.
I made it back to LA mid evening and almost stopped in Lake Charles to play some more but decided to go on and hold out for our anual Thanksgiving trip. All in all I had an OK trip, had some fabulous wins, WOZ was the highlight of my trip!! I was really upset that I didn't go visit the Beau and Hard Rock... I had planned on doing that w/ our friends but maybe next time. I walked away with a few hundred left from my bankroll and did not touch any debit cards, credit cards or write any checks, so to me I left a winner. I was sad to leave Biloxi, I was hoping to have some good fun (which I did) but it would have been so much better with friends and/or family.
My next trip will be Thanksgiving as I mentioned above. We've been going to the casinos after Thanksgiving for the past six years, it's become a tradition almost. This year we have family coming in from out-of-town, two of whom I've never met (only talked to on the phone) - so I'm really excited. We'll be taking them to L'Auberge Du Lac, Coushatta and maybe Delta Downs...
I do have a question for those of you that have played WOZ. Have any of you ever gotten all four symbols in the Emerald City Bonus and if so, what happens. We were all curious and I managed to get 3 of them but could not get the 4th. Someone told me it gives you the progressive win but that can't be. That progressive by the way was over 3 million!! These are the bank of 4 machines on the 2nd floor, against the wall, right by the bathrooms. They aren't the ones located right as you come off the escalator, I didn't care for those too much. I've never seen more than 2 at any casino around here. I can hardly wait til' November, hopefully I will get lucky enough to grab a machine!!
Thanks for reading and again I apologize for the length.
Jason
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