Visitreno

[LilyJDragonfly]

We booked in for two comped nights at our beloved Cal-Neva and arrived about 10pm to check in. The room was, well, the standard CN room, though they now offer free WiFi! Neither of us brought our computers so no report on how fast it is.

After dropping our bag and adding an Eagle Security sticker to the door (I had some extras in my purse), we cruised down the storied carpets of the Cal-Neva. It always just feels good to be there.

We played some slots, we played the tables, we ate one of those amazing Philly Cheese Steaks from the Casino Grill. At some point, we decided to go to bed.

The next morning, we slept in a bit and then hit the Hash House for breakfast. We split the chicken hash (each of us with a side of bacon) and used comps to pay the bill. Harrah's is still Harrah's - not much has changed since our last visit. I played that crazy Penguin Machine by the VA St entrance and was up a few bucks, which didn't make up the previous night's losses, but hey, it's Reno!

Back to the Cal-Neva to pick up our $70 in action chips (the mailer said $75, but the computer showed $70 and I didn't feel like walking back up to the room) and for the 1030 slot tourney - seven minutes of banging and both of our scores were crap. We split up and I hit the SkyBar for some video poker with Bloody Marys on the side. A couple of 4OAKs and a whole bunch of nothing. I have yet to hit a progressive up there.... or anywhere within the past fifteen years.

By 1245, it was time for the second leg of the slot tourney and again, "meh" on the scores. We spent the afternoon playing off our action chips and taking a nap in the room and then decided to hit up the Steak 'n Pasta House at the Cal-Neva. We both got a ribeye (12.95/each) with a sauce - I had the Diane Sauce, The Dog had the mushroom sauce (1.95/upgrade). Most decent and we each got pasta on the side!

So we get the bill and we have comps at the CN so we figure we'll just pay with those. Except the waitress comes back and says I only had $8 in comps and The Dog has none. We pay the rest with Visa and head down to VIP Services (aka The Best Bet Club) and tell Tommy - one of the hosts on duty - our problem. He gets all worked up and immediately calls over a manager and says he'll get this right for us because we did have comps available. We step over to the machines to lose a couple bucks while they hash it out.

We come back and while they can't reverse the charge on our Visa, they can add $20 in free play for each of us to our players card. Cool by me!

The Dog promptly loses his $20 in FP and I turn mine in $20 real money, which I promptly lose in another machine.

We're definitely down at this point so we figure we'll go scope out SL and the Eldo. I stay kinda even at the SL and we decide to give it a go for the Pai Gow. I wind up losing half of what was left of my bankroll (ouch) and The Dog picks up a couple of bucks.

From here, we pick up a tasty brew at the Brew Brothers and ease back into the Eldo. The Dog gives Dr. Jackpot a couple of spins and gets nothing and the same happens for me. As we're walking out, I remember that I wanted to play this new machine that has this horse race thing on top - like the those Community Gaming machines. (It's near the poker room). ((Side note about Eldo - they now announce all the time "Another Jackpot Winner here at the El Dorado!" and they have the freeplay on these Power Pennies machines, which is practically all the video penny slots and there's this crappy bonus thing that you get to spin a wheel on the screen and get like $2 in free play.))

Back to the story. So we're playing this machine and all the sudden, it's time for a race. I get seven horses for some reason and The Dog gets two. I win $50. Nice. The Dog is down to his last twenty in the machine and debating whether or not to cash out. I say, "Screw it. Play it out." So he keeps spinning and about a minute later, it's time for another race! He gets seven horses this time and I only get two. One of his horses wins and WINGO - $450!!! WOO-HOO! "ANOTHER JACKPOT WINNER HERE AT THE ELDORADO!"

Feeling good about the win, we cash out and head back towards Harrah's. We check out these new Aladdin machines where the chair ROCKS during the Magic Carpet ride. It ate my Jackson in a quick three minutes but The Dog got the bonus and had the rocking chair for a few minutes.

I played the crazy penguin machine and made a few bucks at that. We decide to cash out and The Dog tries to cash out at the ticket redemption machine for $40.01. It cashes out the forty, but he gets jacked on the penny. We debate making a scene out of it, but decide to just head back to the Cal-Neva.

Time for craps! We were the only two at the table for a bit then some other folks showed up. Played for a bit and then Tommy The Host sees us - he's off work and loaded! It's his birthday and he's partying at, where else? The Club Cal-Neva... anyway, he says, "Hey, your account didn't show you for any table games; do you play the tables often?" We reply yes. He immediately says, "I need to get this fixed for you! Here's my card. You call me ANY TIME you need a room or anything else here at the Cal-Neva. Don't call anyone else. Just me. My cell number is on here." I mention that we do have a host already, Benjamin. Again, he says, "You call me. Only. I will take care of you!"

I freaking love the Cal-Neva. We have hosts fighting over us. It's a damn shame that The Dog got orders to North Dakota for October and this may well have been our last trip to Reno for a long, long time.

Anyway, we roll some more dice and Tommy goes to sing karaoke. I cash out down a bit and more slots for me at the CN and The Dog goes for some live poker. I was exhausted at this point so I head off to bed and he comes back much later in the night!

(Another side note or two: The Cal-Neva has done away with logo'ed notepads in the rooms and we meant to ride that "free ride to your downtown hotel" offer at the Cal-Neva... however, I suspect that the "ride" is just a CN employee escorting you over to the Sierra Spirit bus stop...also, they have the Party Pit rocking upstairs with dealertainers dressed in bras and panties and we see a guy sitting at a blackjack table playing TWO hands of blackjack for $200/hand with 6-5 odds!!!!)

Sunday morning, I wake up and decide to go burn off some comps for coffee at SL. I still didn't win the Mini Cooper, but I walk out up by $20, so that's good. My phone rings and it's The DealMaker - VAPA!! He's in town and we decide to meet up for lunch at The Top Deck.

I head back to CN to the SkyBar and turn $20 into $60 (well, actually more than $100, but I had to play it back down). The Dog is finally up and we hit the Casino Grill for a patty melt and a grilled for breakfast. We make arrangements for a late checkout and head back to the room for a quick nap before lunch.

VAPA arrives to The Top Deck and we order Ruebens and a mushroom cheeseburger. We had a great conversation about all sorts of stuff! If you're ever in town when VAPA is, I highly recommend a lunch/dinner/hang out time with him!

We part ways and as we're walking away, I realize I should have gotten a picture of all of us... I turn to go catch him, but he's gone like a ninja. Damn.

At this point, The Dog and I have pretty much decimated our bankrolls. We figure we'll give it a few more spins and then hit the road. I get up to $80 on Kitty Glitter and The Dog is at $40 or so.

It's getting late and we do have to get back home so we reluctantly leave those storied carpets and get our car out of valet to head back to California..........

[BC Dave]

Hey Lily, that sounds like a fun trip. And you got to meet the legendary VAPA too! I hope you're able to find some Reno deals from North Dakota. We'd miss your great reports.

[CaSwede]

Thanks for the report - well done as always. North Dakota? That does not sound good, but you will get there in time for the famous balmy weather.

[LilyJDragonfly]

No real casinos near Grand Forks, but they do have their own version of casinos that offer something called Pig Wheel. I think it's only available in North Dakota.

It doesn't seem fun or interesting and I know there ain't a place up there that offers it that can come even close to my beloved Cal-Neva....

http://thepigwheel.blogspot.com/

The Dog did mention that we'll probably have a lot more cash if there aren't any casinos nearby.... so I guess we'll be saving that up for trips back to Reno!!

[CaSwede]

<<<<< Sweetie Pie. She says the pig wheel sure looks like a fun to play. She would be in hog heaven.

[LilyJDragonfly]

I was also told this by a friend (who was truly filled with joy as she thought of it) "You can get lutefisk in the restaurants there!"

I'm an adventurous eater, but fish soaked in lye???? Hrm.

[JD]

Yummmy.....Herring & Lye + 2 weeks in a dark tub = Fish jello.


Yummy !!

No wonder they talk funny !

[CaSwede]

Lutfisk? Great stuff- if you can stand the smell. It is an old Swedish tradition for Christmas time. This will be you (don't forget your hat) preparing the Lutkisk for the dog this Christmas. You better write down the directions.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdP1vi8ehJo

[LilyJDragonfly]

Oy! The music was a lovely though.... <grin>

[remano]

If you eat lutefisk just remember, Wisconsin Statutes sec. 101.58 which defines "toxic substances" requires a special exemption for lutefisk.

And when the wind blows in your neighborhood next winter you will come to understand why they say there is nothing between North Dakota and the north pole but a barbed wire fence.

On the other hand, there must at least be some Indian casinos for you to visit, aren't there? I know there is gambling in Deadwood in South Dakota so maybe that would be a good weekend trip (just avoid Sturgis week)? Whatever happens, good luck and keep checking in at visitreno.

[Mammothgambler]

Thanks for the great TR, Lily! Definitely action packed as usual!

Best of luck with North Dakota. Hopefully you'll be able to find a close replacement there to the Cal Neva and your travels will still allow you to visit Reno.

Lurefisk? YUK! But that's just me : )

[dfens]

Orders to ND! You're TRs make up a third of the reports (and I'm sure you're action is keeping the casinos afloat)! Time to get those hosts to comp some airfare!

I can't believe you got hosts at the Neva fighting over you. Isn't there honor by hosts? If you do move and don't go back to the Neva in a year, can I put on a blonde wig and dress and pretend to be you for the comps? I'm sure they've seen worse at the Neva.

[stan_allen]

Still taking my sweet time getting caught up on these TRs - but I've got to stop and ask: What's an "Eagle Security Sticker"??

Great trip report, as usual!

[LilyJDragonfly]

Eagle Security is the big commercial security company that monitors the alarm system for the museum I run... yes, I do actually have a life outside of the Reno adventures!

And The Dog is planning on returning to NorCal for Christmas as I'm staying here for a while longer for the children to stay in their schools. So it looks like we'll be having another delightful Christmas in Reno adventure!!

Lastly, Dfens, heck yeah, wig it up! Let me recommend Wig World on Virginia Avenue there in Reno to get a quality set of locks to sport....