No room at the inn

I'm pure carry on so it is a quick jaunt from the airplane, to a no-wait taxi line, to the esteemed Hooters hotel and casino which is probably the closest large casino/hotel to McCarran. I had originally planned to play cards all night then check in for Sunday but I'm now on the fence about that plan since I hadn't gotten much quality time sleeping. I ask about an early check-in and the desk clerk told me I could check in but it would be another 109 for Saturday night. I think about it a little then pass.

I check my bag at the bell desk and head out into the world. The flight cabin announced that it was 95 degrees in LV when we left Seattle late Saturday and it feels like it. The arid desert heat is intense even after midnight. Head over to New York New York via MGM even though I am 99% sure that the smoothie shop is already closed...which it was. Track down some snackage at an all night food court. I have a hint of that "didn't get enough sleep before traveling" headache. I decide that it is better to go ahead and pony up the bucks to get the room after all so I head back over to the hotel. I inquire about checking in early but now there is no room at the inn. Waaa waaaah. I snooze, I lose. Well actually I don't snooze. The clerk tells me though to check back in a little while for when people start doing early checkout.

I come back a little while later and a different clerk says that on Sunday the chambermaids don't start until 10am so it won't be until even later to get in. Hang out a little more and there is an announcement that the "poker room" is going to open up a 1/2 table 50-200 buy in. My head is not straight but I figure I could head over and scope out the table at least. Maybe buy in for a bill and just play lock down poker. Slim pickings. One other interested player and a female poker n00b. Wait a while longer and no other interest. The n00bette wants a lesson so the dealer takes out a deck and goes over the rules and some strategy. I chime in with helpful hints and explaining terminology...because that's just the helpful kind of guy that I am. The lesson actually ends up taking an hour or so since everyone was just killing time. Head back over to the desk and finally get checked in around noon. Time for some sleep.

Side note: Backpack was scanned twice but I did not have to have chips hand inspected this time. A rarity.