Another April Update

Busy month here at blog headquarters (live from DeWitt!) as I added another 4 chips to the collection.  My parents drove out to Tucson for a couple of weeks in March (joke's on them - there's still snow in the UP now that they've returned) to visit my Aunt and Uncle, past contributors to the blog.  The chips:

1.  Hard Rock - Tulsa.  My mom and dad got this one on their drive back, stopping here to hit the Toby Keith restaurant.  I've been past it a handful of times, but never during a time when I had an opportunity to run and grab a chip.  So I'll probably have hours of time to kill the next time I'm in Tulsa and no chip to collect.  Also, you've probably been in Tulsa and felt the locals there feel all high and mighty because they have a Toby Keith restaurant and the un-cultured town you live in does not.  Well Tulsans, cross Lansing off your list of places you are better than.  The Lansing Mall is getting a Toby Keith eatery as well.  Boom.

2.  Desert Diamond Casino - Tucson.  One of two Desert Diamond locations in Arizona, with the other being in Sahuarita.

3.  Casino of the Sun - Tucson.  Pretty cool looking chip, as the reverse side says "Casino Del Sol."  Which, if my variety packs of Mexican beer from Sam's Club has taught me anything, means Casino of the Sun.

4.  Gila River Casinos.   There are three properties under the Gila River name; Lone Butte, Vee Quiva and Wild Horse Pass.  There are no Mexican beers that I know of that contain Vee or Quiva in their names, so I have no idea what that stands for.

Opening Day 2014

Hitting Greektown on Opening Day is turning into sort of a semi-tradition.  There was the 2009 visit.  The 2010 visit.  Nothing in '11, '12 or '13.  And then a return visit this year.

First things first, the Tigers won.  As they usually do.  I think everyone envisioned new shortstop Alex Gonzalez coming up with the big hits down the stretch.  No surprises there.

Afterwards, while we "waited for traffic to clear" we dined at Fishbone's.  Rob had some alligator.  For real.  And then we hit the casino.  It took a good 15 minutes and a stop for new beers to find the ATM.  I'm no casino designer, but you'd think they'd make those damn things a little easier to find.

Once Rob and I loaded up on cash, it was off to the craps tables.  We played for maybe an hour and did pretty well.  Big Mike, the stickman, was really good at keeping the bets straight, which wasn't easy on an extremely packed and drunk table.  The same could not be said for his counterpart who continually "forgot" to pay winning bets.  Had to keep an eye on that one.

No singing and dancing at the table ala Nitro... but still, a great time on Opening Day.  And while playing craps, I came across 7 special chips Greektown has that were new to me.  They are:

1.  Memorial Day 2003

2.  Memorial Day 2004

3.  Labor Day 2001

4.  Labor Day 2002

5.  Labor Day 2003

6.  Columbus Day

7.  President's Day

April Update - Vegas

It's been a while since I have been to Las Vegas myself, but the blog is always very appreciative of others who go and bring back a chip or four.  Aunt Winnie recently completed a stay out there and brought me back these four wonderful chips:

1.  Max Casino
2.  Max Casino Grand Opening

The Max Casino is the new name of the Westin Causarina, a slightly off-strip casino that was once named the Maxim Hotel and Casino.  Tupac was shot in front of the Maxim in 1996.

3.  Downtown Grand

The Downtown Grand opened in October of 2013 and is the former Lady Luck Casino.

4.  Planet Hollywood - Britney Spears

Brit Brit is performing a show at the PH called "Piece of Me."  She's got about 1.5 years left on her two year deal, so there's still time to get your tickets.