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Yes, free play truly can make wheels spin and 7s blaze!

 
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: May Wed 02, 2012 4:02 pm    Post subject: Yes, free play truly can make wheels spin and 7s blaze! Reply with quote

What's up, hope everyone is doing good. Just back from my overnighter to Tahoe with a stop off downtown along the way. I gotta say first and foremost that this trip was my first true experience with utilizing ONLY free play, and winning big off of it! Good knowing those coupons can be good for something else besides my normal $1, $2, $10, $20 and $40 hits.

A neighbor was supposed to go along on this trip, but wound up having to work at the last minute, so I jumped on the bus for Reno yesterday morning. This trip was kind of like an experiment for me, as I've never gone gambling depending solely on free play. Just to see what would happen, I took $150 in cash with me (bus fare alone was $130, so I allocated the rest for drink tips), and left all the cash and debit cards at home, except the one that's had $50 loaded onto it that I've been using just for hotel incidental deposits. I had $200 of free play at Harrah's Tahoe divided among 4 express play coupons, in addition to $25 at Harrah's Reno. I was kind of wondering what I had gotten myself into, not bringing anything else with me.

Arrived at the airport at noon, and hung out for a few minutes to wait for the Harrah's Reno courtesy shuttle. Once there, I swiped my card at the Total Rewards kiosk to activate the 4x multiplier. After a few minutes of looking around, I decided to use my $25 express play coupon on a $1 Wheel of Fortune - I figured using a 2 coin vs. a 3 might up my chances a bit with those few extra spins. Got a few small hits and a wheel bonus spin, wound up with about $28, and it was back off to the airport. Yup, that was it for the Reno portion of the trip - a whole whopping 27 minutes!

Back to the airport, and back on the bus. The Reno airport is in a shambles right now with all the construction/remodeling, but it's supposed to be completed at the end of the month. It appears they closed the entire food court area, kinda bummin' about that, as the Mexican restaurant there was awesome. Got to Stateline at about 2:30 in the afternoon, and was comped an executive room at Harrah's Tahoe on the 15th floor overlooking the lake.



One thing I noticed during my last Tahoe trip is that Harrah's has appeared to have taken out a few kiosks of the Blazing 7s. Two kiosks of the $1 Double models were gone last trip, and this time around, I noticed they got rid of another $1 kiosk in addition to another $0.25 kiosk. I'm hoping they're all either getting repaired or replaced soon - they didn't shift any other machines around, so there's a few big open areas in the casino now where they once stood.

I started out with my first coupon on a $1 Blazing 7s. Nothing major during that first coupon play session - a couple of blanks and a 3 single bars hit for a total of $2, $2, and $10. I forgot to hit the Print Ticket button on one of the $2 wins and it accidentally got put back in as free spins instead of coming out as cash - I gotta watch out for that! On the very last spin, it appeared that those couple of blank hits had only left me with 2 credits instead of 3, so I stuck a dollar in. Good thing I did, because it decided to give me a $300 red 7s hit. I'm a firm believer in always playing all lines, credits, and coins or nothing at all - been burned too many times not doing so, and the biggest eye opener of all on this topic was that about an hour beforehand, I witnessed a lady hit what would've been a 2.5 million dollar MegaBucks jackpot on one of the new multiline Wheel of Fortunes - but she got a whopping $12 because she was only playing one line and one penny! DUUUUHHHHHHHHH!! I would've died!



Hit up the Forest Buffet, and it was great as usual. I think this was my first trip in there where they gave me a lake view table. Tahoe sure is awesome this time of year.

Back downstairs for a few random spins before activating free play coupon #2. I inserted a $98 ticket into another $1 Blazing 7s machine. Talk about anything and everything being able to happen - on the second spin in, I hit the progressive for $1001!







I have to admit, it's been a while since I've played the "Under $1500 progressive" Blazing 7s, but it seems this is all that Tahoe is offering at this time. Seemed a little weird not getting a W2G, but at the same time, nothing's better than not having to pay taxes. Although I had no qualms whatsoever, this particular machine had no sound, and kind of took away a bit of the flair of the jackpot - the bell didn't ring, the little song didn't come on, nothing! It was completely silent, but no complaints regardless. A jackpot attendant arrived within seconds, so I couldn't snap any photos until he left, and I didn't think about it until later, but I forgot to do the single verification spin after I got the hand pay - I just cashed out my remaining credits and left. Oops! But in reality, there's no sense in wasting a spin if I can avoid it. I've heard of a few machines doubling up and hitting again over the years during that verification spin, but for the most part, I usually get nothing. From there, it was off to 7-Eleven to load the money onto one of my prepaid debit cards - one of the ones I intentionally left at home, actually - so as not to play anything back.

My two remaining free play coupons weren't valid until after midnight, so I hung out in my room for a bit and played my virtual casino computer programs. Not sure if anyone's checked them out, but the titles produced by Masque Gaming www.masque.com are the real deal - they have direct contracts with IGT, Bally and WMS, so the graphics are identical to the real thing. I think they're offering online downloads now too. I've never investigated playing any computer-based or online game with real money, but this company is the real deal for sure! Bally is now offering a few different game apps for iPhone and iPad users. I downloaded the Cash Spin, since most of those machines I've bumped into are $0.02, $4 per pull, so I think I'm much better off with the app.

After midnight, it was back downstairs. Throughout the evening, I noticed one particular Blazing 7s machine with a jackpot that was about $200 higher than the rest. I know anything can happen, and it's all down to that random number generator, but I do know that these machines reset to either $1000 or $1500 (like the ones at Harrah's Reno and the Silver Legacy) every time a progressive jackpot is hit depending on the machine for the single models, and $5000 for the Double models, so seeing something like this might be an indication the machine hasn't hit in a while, but not necessarily due for a jackpot. I gave it a whirl, and minutes later, I had another $200 and another $300 hit.





I was sitting on the fence about playing it through with my last coupon to see if I could get anything else, but wound up switching machines. Not even an hour later (and nobody was playing on it during that hour!), I saw a lady hit the progressive. Damn! Should've stuck with it! Oh well…

The rest of the evening (morning?) was up-down, but I managed to hit these along the way. I was wandering around Harveys at about 4 am and found a small area to the left of the entrance at the Heavenly Bar I swear I'd never been in before. Had a few small wins on the $1 Wheel of Fortunes along the wall, and although I didn't play any at the time, I found another kiosk of $1 Blazing 7s in that area. Good to know where they're all at for upcoming trips.









Truly another awesome trip! Tahoe's been a pain in the butt to get to without a car, as it involves two bus rides and about 1 1/2 hours of backtracking each way, but these past couple of trips have been completely worth it - I'm just hoping I'll get more of the same offers for Reno. I have to admit, not having any extra funding other than free play to work with was kind of interesting, but it kept the adrenaline going for sure. Next trip will probably be at the end of next week. I just got comp offers for spa suites at the Silver Legacy and am going to check it out - anyone stayed there? Is it nicer or dumpier than Harrah's? No biggie either way, just looking for a little variety downtown. Hopefully the luck will keep rolling in!

Mammothgambler
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mjames1229



Joined: 23 Dec 2009
Posts: 406

PostPosted: May Wed 02, 2012 7:42 pm    Post subject: Re: Yes, free play truly can make wheels spin and 7s blaze! Reply with quote

Great report. I am glad you include photos, as I wouldn't believe it if you wouldn't show it. I have zero luck on slots, never won more than $600 on one... regardless of denomination.

Mammothgambler wrote:
about an hour beforehand, I witnessed a lady hit what would've been a 2.5 million dollar MegaBucks jackpot on one of the new multiline Wheel of Fortunes - but she got a whopping $12 because she was only playing one line and one penny! DUUUUHHHHHHHHH!! I would've died.


I disagree with this completely. Although I do wholeheartedly endorse full credits, I am remarkably confident that if the lady had full credits in, she would not have had a winning spin.

At one line and one penny, when the SPIN button is pushed, the computer instantly knows the winning amount. It then chooses a reel combination (or screen display) that will offer that amount. If the three JACKPOT symbols (or whatever the winning combination is) was worth $12 on that spin, that is what it showed.
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: May Wed 02, 2012 8:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

not sure, but from what I got out of it, me and about 20 others ran over to congratulate her because she had actually lined up 5 wheel of fortune symbols on the highest payline! Then, all of a sudden, there was a lot of cussing going on...

Mammothgambler
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CaSwede



Joined: 28 Feb 2006
Posts: 866

PostPosted: May Thu 03, 2012 8:47 am    Post subject: Again??? Reply with quote

Mammoth- Your the Man.

I don't know how you do it, but lady luck is your partner. I have tried those blazing 7's before, and never got anything. I got to give it another try.

I was at Harrah's Tahoe a couple of days before your trip. They also gave me and Executive room, but mine was on the 13th floor- Yes they actually have a 13th floor. Your view was much better than mine.

I see that the old Bill's place is almost completed. CVS will open in a couple of days.
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: May Thu 03, 2012 10:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

CaSwede - thanks so much and sorry I missed you! And oh yeah, forgot to mention the CVS plaza or whatever they're calling it. Looks like they're maybe adding space for a couple of shops as well. I think it will be a good addition to the casino corridor. As we know, most of the casino gift shops, and those couple of little convenient stores, are really expensive, so hopefully this will be a good alternative - although on the other hand, it just occurred to me that the CVS and Walgreens on the Strip in Vegas all have triple markup on products, just because they're on the Strip. Oh well, we'll see! I usually get stuck walking down to Raley's or 7-Eleven on Pioneer Trail so having something closer by will be awesome.

Yes, I too really like the executive rooms at Harrah's. Been in just about every room type and casino in Tahoe and those are by far the best - they only recently started comping them to me about 6 months ago. In my eye, they're even nicer than the newest luxury rooms at Harveys. Just always be sure to always ask for a high floor and lake view and nine times out of ten they'll pull through.

Consider giving the Blazing 7s another try! It seems like I really didn't start playing them until I moved out here but the simplicity factor is what keeps me attached. I usually tell people to find a kiosk (round or square, and not lined up against a wall - and I usually avoid the ones that are not in a kiosk, i.e. a single machine mixed in a sea of others.) If you can find a kiosk that advertises 90 something percent payback like the ones at Harrahs Reno and the Silver Legacy do, even better! Based on my own experiences and from what other gamers have said, part of the design concept of these is to keep a bunch of machines together to keep the player moving around and upping the chances of hitting a jackpot more frequently by doing so - I've hardly ever just picked one machine and stuck with it. Follow the "3 spins max or get up rule" at each machine in the kiosk, avoid any machines that have winning combinations already on the board, and watch out for those that have been playing for a while and losing so you can jump in behind them and see if you can win any of their money back. At 3 dollars a spin, it's a fast game!

Mammothgambler
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BC Dave
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Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 1592

PostPosted: May Thu 03, 2012 2:56 pm    Post subject: Great Balls (OK, Sevens) of Fire! Reply with quote

Mammoth, that's truly a unique trip report. I don't think any of our message board group has ever done a trip entirely on free play. Not to mention one as successful as that! The casino owners must cringe when their computers detect your slot card. Way to go!
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LilyJDragonfly



Joined: 03 Mar 2009
Posts: 425

PostPosted: May Fri 04, 2012 5:50 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm with mjames - if there weren't pics, I'd never believe it....

And Silver Legacy's common chump rooms are on par with Harrah's - no ice bucket at SL though. I don't know about the suites, but I would imagine slightly better than Harrah's...
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BC Dave
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Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 1592

PostPosted: May Fri 04, 2012 1:22 pm    Post subject: Photoshopped - Not Us! Reply with quote

Of course you can never tell with photographs these days. Things may not be what they seem. There are many hacks out here photoshopping images.

I'm definitely not suggesting Mammoth would ever do such a thing. But then there's me....... Look what I got the other day!

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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: May Sat 05, 2012 9:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

what a riot - and nice work BC Dave, I'm speaking as a graphic artist of 17 years and an Adobe Certified Expert as well - I took a quick look at this and at first thought it was one of the four reel models (which I've never seen or played), but six is much better. Patent that thing, you could get rich!

Mammothgambler
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BC Dave
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Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 1592

PostPosted: May Sat 05, 2012 10:45 am    Post subject: Thanks Mammoth Reply with quote

Thanks Mammoth,

I'm probably not eligible for a patent since I'm just expanding on an already developed idea. But your qualified praise means a lot to me. I'm still working on older versions of Paint Shop Pro from Corel - originally developed by Jasc.

Speaking of machines with too many reels. I remember hearing about big wins on old style nickel machines with 5 reels. I think they would take five nickels at a time and might pay a jackpot every 20 years or so.

Something like this http://www.google.ca/imgres?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&biw=1280&bih=655&tbm=isch&tbnid=O5FrG6Gu7CocDM:&imgrefurl=http://azoony.com/hattrips/slot-tops.html&docid=_kEPymL46aN70M&imgurl=http://azoony.com/hattrips/slot-tops/payday-nickel-jackpot-sm.jpg&w=421&h=327&ei=y3OlT9n5Bofi2QW3-MCmAg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=303&sig=115349569125446080416&page=1&tbnh=146&tbnw=188&start=0&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0,i:71&tx=54&ty=60

But with jackpots as high as $250,000. At the Eldo and maybe others.
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: May Sat 05, 2012 11:20 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi BC, right on, I almost forgot about Paint Shop Pro - back in the day I remember using it as a stepping stone before I got started with the Adobe products. Looks like it's still widely being used today.

Interesting web page you provided! I've never seen that actual Payday slot model but it reminds me of that kiosk of what I believe are 9 line nickel Triple Diamond progressives that are located by the entrance at the Eldorado closest to the Silver Legacy. I remember seeing them on my very first Reno trip back in 2004, and it looks like somebody finally hit the progressive - last trip, it was about $385, but before that, it was over $3000. Not sure why, but when seeing these machines, I had a flashback of my days living in Florida where all we had was the casino cruise ship - they were very popular there.

It sounds kind of crazy, but since I'm a designer, got laid off and I've been having all this good luck, all of my friends and neighbors are telling me I should design/invent the graphics for a new machine. I did find out that the IGT branch in Reno is looking for game developers and thought about applying, but I specialize in still print, photography and web work, and my skills in the animation department aren't really there - usually work of this type requires a separate degree in gaming or motion graphics.

Maybe all of us board members can help you market your idea - something like "Play VisitReno's ReelClass. It's the only way out when you lose your ass!"

Mammothgambler
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BC Dave
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Joined: 18 Dec 2005
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PostPosted: May Sat 05, 2012 11:37 am    Post subject: Sounds good! Reply with quote

I can do some simple animations but I ain't got me one of them deeegrees.
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