Tesla's Trip to MGM Springfield Sep 3 - Sep 6

Hello everyone!

As I've mentioned in a few other threads about the MGM Springfield, Mrs. Tesla and I got a three free nights offer and decided to take advantage. We live in the Boston metro area, and a local vacation sounded like a nice change of pace. The property has been in the local news quite a bit the last few weeks so we're curious to check it out.

This is going to be a very laid back trip since we're not planning to do much off property. We both really need to decompress. The Northeast has hot weather coming up this week and that's our excuse to relax by the pool, drinks in hand. The other highlights will be:

- Dinners at the three major restaurants: the Chandler Steakhouse, Cal Mare, and the sports bar.
- Time at the tables (blackjack and live poker, we'll see what else looks lucky)
- Mrs. Tesla has graciously offered to check out the spa and salon for everyone

The plan is to arrive early afternoon on Monday and leave "after breakfast" on the 6th.

Oh, and thanks to Kimsa for the warning about no reachable-from-the-bed lights in the rooms. We are packing his and hers mini flashlights.

 

Tapatalk test and some pregaming. We’ve visited this distillery and their whiskey is worth seeking out.

 

OMG we made it. Bad traffic but we got into our room early. Here’s some shots of the lobby and registration desk.





Books in a casino? Wow!

 

Pictures of the room. We got the second floor which is the same floor with pool and spa access.





That’s the shower not a jail cell. It’s a lot nicer than the picture makes it look.








The bed is very comfy. Firm mattress and squishy soft pillows.





We have one nightstand but at least there’s light.

One thing the pictures don’t show well is how tall the ceilings are. I think we have 12 foot ceilings. The room is not large for square feet but you get a lot of cubic feet. That was mrs Tesla’s line.

 

Oh hey the flat screen swings out so you can see it from the bed but it still stows flush against the wall!

 

Property map. It’s a high res photo so you can try zooming in.

 

Back In the room to relax. The casino is NUTS busy so I didn’t take any pictures just yet. We have dinner reservations at Cal Mare tonight so there will be some food pics coming at you.

Blackjack rules are good at $25 and up. 3:2 S17. Red chip action is basically unplayable with 6:5 H17 rules. All games are six deck shoes.

For you guys and gals who roll deep the high limit tables are $100/$10k max. Baccarat limits are $200/$20k max. Did not notice what craps was but if anyone is interested I can check tonight. No pai gow tiles (boo) but they have pai gow poker.

The overall feel is very unlike any other MGM casino. It’s not like Vegas, the beau rivage, or national harbor. Give MGM credit for trying something very different.

 

Drinks have been served.





Amalfi flip on the left. Acqua guiseppe on the right.

 

Time for the first courses.

Tuna tartare and beef carpaccio.






Next course. Sardinian octopus and meatballs.

 

Uh oh. Second round and the main course is still on its way.

 

Pasta time!

Saffron pasta with oxtail ragu. Classic amatriciana with rigatoni. All pasta is made in house which tipped the balance towards both entrees.

 

Yiiikes. Burned up $2k in about a dozen hands of BJ after dinner. Discretion is the better part of valor I think. Check in with you guys tomorrow.

 

Good morning from Springfield! Mrs Tesla decided to do her workout early so I sneaked downstairs for some early morning time at the tables.

Good news: the casino is nice and quiet
Bad news: Cold streak continues. Blackjack is still going rough (the poor dealer was so nervous he could hardly count to 21 and was close to exposing his hole card from fumbling with it as it came off the shoe). Pai gow poker wasn’t much better but at least the money lasted longer.
Good news: The pit boss wrote me a discretionary comp for $15 since the shuffler acted up.


The pai gow table was a little creepy. The computer built into the shuffler knows every card dealt to every player. It knows what the dealer has too and can tell him/her the house way to set the two top cards in their hand. Since I was heads up the dealer and I were messing around. He’d watch me set my hand and push the button before rolling over his cards. So if I had AT on top and the computer said KQ we’d both be like “hey you got a chance!” It’s fun but still creepy.


Pics coming up shortly.

 

Outside the property

 

Here are a few pictures of the casino.


That is some artwork in the hallway outside our room. Very steampunk influenced.


The bowling alley. Looks like a fun break from gambling!








The poker room. Decor is a little spartan but it’s comfy and well lit.


The food court.

 

Gambling update! Lost $100 playing live poker but had some fun doing it. I decided to get even the easy way and hit and run at a blackjack table. Good news! I won back what I lost this morning so maybe I’m off the schneid.

They are still working out some kinks in the poker room but all the dealers I had were experienced. Many defectors from Foxwoods and the Mohegan sun. The chairs are comfy and everything is nice and new so definitely a nice atmosphere for live poker if that’s your thing.

Slots are tight both physically and financially. You can hardly move around between the banks of machines and everyone is complaining about how much they’ve been losing. I’d guess it will stay that way through the holidays. They are going to want to fleece everyone going to The Big E in a couple of weeks then get all the holiday visitors.

We are really enjoying the whole casino being non smoking. There are plenty of exits so smokers can get outside; as long as the weather holds out that’s fine but good luck in January.


Oh one more thing:


Even money bets only so I went to roulette and bet red. Wrong guess lol.

 

The pool is really small but it’s getting the job done.



Talk to you at dinner.