Since the Baltimore show is just a few days away, this will be an abbreviated show report. But I at least had to do a show report if only to commemorate my and Drunner’s “official” meeting – as you will see! As you all know, I love Las Vegas and having a coin show in Vegas makes me giddy! The show was held at the Riviera Casino – which we recently found out is being closed and will eventually be imploded. The show will be moved across the street to the Westgate Hotel Casino Set up went smoothly, and as soon as everything was just right, I opened a bottle of one of my favorite wines. I then headed out and checked into my room. After the last show at the Riviera, I had received a letter from a casino host letting me know they would comp my room during my next stay. So I went to the VIP office to check in and found out I had been upgraded to a huge suite, with a separate living room, kitchen, balcony, 2 bathrooms and a bedroom. My room even had a doorbell! And I had a lovely view of the city! That’s the Westgate Hotel Casino As I walked around the Riviera, there were lots of reminders of its Rat Pack past. Then I headed over to the casino to have some fun. I usually play poker when the show is over, but my friends convinced me to play the penny slots, including a 2 cent slot machine. I discovered they are quite fun, especially the interactive machines.
Friday - the lovely ladies at the registration table The list of speakers giving presentations during the show The show was active and busy. Amanda helping a customer Amanda's co-hort, Tyler and his beautiful wife Me Next door to the coin show was a billiards tournament. I’ve never seen so many pool tables in one room! The cue repair corner Friday after the show, we decided to check out the Westgate to see what it was like. On our way over to the Westgate, we ran across this “interesting” vehicle on the strip. We had a wonderful dinner at their steakhouse. Cindi and her dad, Logan McKechnie Me and Cindi Bruce Braga and Joe Wargo This Chandon Pinot was absolutely fantastic! After dinner, the maître d sent over this wonderful strawberry tree with delicious white and milk chocolate dipping sauces We played at the casino which was much more modern looking and had a lot more table games than the Riviera. I think we’re going to like the new show facility!
Saturday started out a little slow but soon business picked up – and died down pretty early. Then in the early afternoon, when he say that things had died down, Jeff/Drunner and I finally had our “official” meeting, with all the bells and whistles! Some of you may remember that a few years ago, Jeff and I bantered in an old thread about meeting. He had vowed to bring me a bottle of wine when we finally met, and that it would be when I was playing Stairway to Heaven on my little boom box. Jeff told me he happened past my tables several times over the years but didn’t have a bottle of wine, or Stairway to Heaven hadn’t been playing, so the timing just wasn’t right. Then those of you who read my Portland show report will recall that I accidentally came upon Jeff when I asked to look at one of his coins. He finally fessed up as to who he was, and he was embarrassed that he didn’t have a bottle of wine with him. So we made plans to have an official meeting, with the wine and music, at the Las Vegas show. Jeff brought this wonderful bottle of 1996 Clos Du Bois Marlston (Alexander Valley) wine. And I of course set up my iTunes to play all three versions of Stairway to Heaven (original, live, and Heart) while we dined on his superb wine, cheese and crackers. And what a memorable meeting it was! So, since I can’t top that, I’ll end my report here! But of course, I was so happy to be back home to my Irish hubby and my now-Irish little Penny! Next up, Baltimore in TWO days!!!
Everybody has to have a doorbell on their suite!!! It's a Vegas tradition. Vegas looks like a great city to go to for a coin show. Putting it on my list.
Thanks for the report, Charmy! I'm sad to see the old Riv go the way of so many of the famous casinos. I believe it opened in 1955. From 1996-2006, I played in the pool tournaments there for both the BCA and VNEA. My Mom and I stayed at the Riv for 2 weeks or so rather than go back and forth to Florida between events. After the 2nd year, we'd get our rooms and meals comped, and toward the end we'd even get our airfare comped. I got Mom hooked on the multi-line video slots, and she would start her day about 5am in the casino. My favorite was the American Original 5c multi-line video, and hardly a day would go by when I didn't hit it for $500+ Chris