Her name is Rio...

  Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Saturday, August 23, 2008

Miss Rio

Late start to the day...I woke up around 9 in the morning with a massive headache.  I was able to clear my head a little by downing several bottles of water...anytime the waitress/dancer passed the table I grabbed a bottle.  The day started good with two positive sessions of blackjack.  Next, I wanted to try my luck on the Craps table.  There were no $5 Craps table to be found at the Rio...the lowest table were $10 minimum.  I need to come on the table with a grand to properly bankroll a session of $10 craps, if I wanted to bet with the roll.  Since I was positive for the day, I had the required bankroll; however I did not want to risk my daily spending budget on one session of Craps.  For this session, I played the Don't bets...betting against the roll I would only need $500 bankroll for a $10 minimum table.  I ran into two decent rollers, so I lost a little money on their dice.  My biggest loss occurred when I rolled the dice.  Betting with my roll, I established one pass-line point backed with maximum odds, two come points backed with maximum odds and then promptly seven-ed out.  For my betting scheme, this is the worst scenario because I have the most money on the table without winning any money back.  My roll cost me $160 of my total loss for the session, $265.  Another good session on the blackjack table made up for this loss, so I am still in the black for today.

Sara at the microphone

My brother met me for dinner at the Gold Coast...he had a comped meal for two at their Noddle Bar.  At 6:30 the Miss Rio contest began at the Rio's Show in the Sky stage.  As part of the promotion, I received two bracelets to the "reserved" area to view.  I was not impressed with the viewpoint, so Bill and I went down to the casino floor to watch the competition.  The show began with the contestants parading in bikinis and being introduced by the MC.  I spotted Sara and took her picture...she was looking hot in her swim suit.  Next, they announced the semi-finalists from the voting at last night's cocktail party.  Sara was one of the semi-finalist.  The next round of judging was performed by a select panel seated in the front...they are probably the Seven Star members. 

Show in the Sky performers

As the judges deliberate, the dancers from the Show in the Sky performed on stage.  If I knew we were going to view the show from the casino floor, I would have suggested that my brother bring my mom along for the night.  The show/contest ended with the announcement of the two runner-ups and the winner.  Sara did not win.  BTW they also held 20 drawings for $500 for the Total Reward members who participated in this promotion.  I did not win.

...and the winner is

Another bonus with the promotion was free drinks at the various Masquerade Village bars until 8 and free entry into the the Voo Doo Lounge on top of the Rio for an after party.  Bill had to collect of some cash back promotion at the Fiesta, so I played blackjack until he came back...broke even on this session.  By the time we went to the Voo Doo Lounge there was only one contestant left at the after party...and she was with her boyfriend.  Bill and I downed some expensive drinks and enjoyed the view of the Vegas strip for the top of the Rio.  Today it was not that winding so it was a good night to be there.  The night was young so the crowd was light when we first showed up but it gradually increased through out the night.  By 11:30 the place was hopping...inside was a decent cover band and outside the DJ was playing techno.  Also beginning around that time, the go-go dancers started performing on the patio stairwells.  They always had two dancers gyrating at one time and the dancers were swapping out every half hour.  Some of the clubbers were getting into the music and were providing amateur entertain at one of the pole benches conveniently provided for this purpose.

Amateur show

Go-go dancer #1

After we saw the full rotation of go-go dancers, Bill and I were ready to call it a night.  Against Bill's advice, I decided to play one more session of blackjack.  I wiped out my winnings for the day and went a little in the hole.  I blame the Chinese guys who were playing at my table.  An example of their stupid plays...the dealer shows a 4 and he was dealt two 4s...the idiot splits his 4s...he gets a 10 on the first 4 for a total of 14 and decides to take a hit and busts...he gets a second 4 and splits again...gets another 10 and takes a hit and busts...on the final 4 he gets two more cards to a total of 14...this time he stays.  I was a little buzzed but I know that is not the correct play.  Oh well...a fool and his money is easily parted.  I was the fool for playing another session...I should have been happy with the positive day and called it a night.