Visitreno

Mammothgambler · Joined: 25 Dec 2005 Posts: 619

Alison and Ryder,

Yeah I'll definitely let you guys know! Keep in mind this is the same guy that literally had bullet wounds in a hospital one time and escaped to avoid paying the bill, knows every tax trick in the book, etc. I'm actually anxious to hear what he has to say if I don't laugh my ass off in the process...

My next trip to Reno is sometime next month, I'm shooting for the weekend of Mar 16 if I can get a room. Saw your other posts regarding calling VIP at the Pep but I'm not sure if I'm there yet...although I won I really didn't do alot of coin-thru. I'm still at Purple level. You guys must BANK there if you get free spa & penthouse suites and all that free slot play! Hopefully I'll be at that level one day...

RenoLady, best of luck on your upcoming trip (again). Sorry about the ordeal at Harrah's, it blows my mind that they have that many different accounts with you and still can't send you anything! Regarding the Hot Hot Penny machines, I always did the max, $3 per spin and always did the Hot Hot Super Jackpot bonus thing. I didn't think it could go into bonus round any other way but I'll have to look into it.

floridagambler

alison · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 1150

Floridagambler,
Yeah you do have to put quit a bit thru to get anything. I think my coin in there last year was $68,000. That was between two trips. Fortunately i have been going there for a few years now and have made friends w/ someone who works there. He hooks me up better then i would get from just the offers. I am fortunate for that. Cool

Alison

PEB · Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 97 Location: California

Renolady,
Thank you for your wonderful trip report....enjoyed reading it!
Our "home away from home" for the last two years has been the
Fitz, and we spoil ourselves with their mini-suite on each trip.

The more I keep reading about penny slots....the more I want to
give 'em a try. Any suggestions or tips for a first-timer on penny
slots?

Thanks!

RenoLady · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 316

I think the best penny slots are the ones that give you most return for the smallest investment. For instance, Cleopatra, has a "re-trigger" mechanism that allows a machine to literally keep you in a bonus round indefinitely. Super Cherry, Frog Prince and Turkey Shoot increase spins or multipliers that can result in crazy wins.

However there are games that have pretty much a standard range of low possibilites, these are games like Texas Tea, Risky Business or Antique Appraisal. You're just not going to hit it big on these types unless you bet big.

As a rule, I bet max lines at 2 or 3 coins a line. With the re-trigger and multiplier functions, it can pay you anything, regardless of bet.

Have you stayed in a suite at Fitz's? how does it compare with the mini-suite. We did like the nicer bed at the suite, though we didn't really appreciate the extra room.

alison · Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 1150

I never do good on the penny slots. I always seem to do better with the .05 slots. I wish i could do well with the pennys. I read all these stories about these wins on them but never happens for me.

RenoLady · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 316

As a rule we lose on pennies. This last weekend's wins were really mostly from video poker. But dam#, those pennies are fun!

Mammothgambler · Joined: 25 Dec 2005 Posts: 619

PEB, try the ones that have a lower total max bet (90-180 credits if you play max), these are good to familiarize yourself and from there you can move on to the bigger ones but be careful, on my last trip I saw this one called Betty the Yetti and it was a penny model - $15 per spin max bet! I couldn't get over it. If you stick to the 90-180 credits, the way I see it, it's basically the same as playing a 2 coin, $1 reel machine, only the additional paylines increase your chances. I always look for the ones that are over 200,000 max win because some of them only have a top prize of $150 and that's kind of pointless. It would be like playing a $1 reel machine with a top prize of $150.

I do agree with RenoLady that some are better than others and the part about the biggest return for the smallest investment. Those bonus rounds can really make it or break it. And one thing is for sure, only in Reno and Vegas have I seen these things hit! I gave up on them everywhere else (including our local cruise ship and the Indian casinos here).

I've also seen alot of controversy regarding if it's better to play all lines with less multiplier, or less lines with more multiplier. I've seen people win and lose doing it either way. It just seems like every time I've not done "max bet", I always get five in a row of something or hit what WOULD be a huge jackpot!

One thing you definitely DON'T want to do is just sit there and play 1 line, 1 credit (center payline only). It's been proven that this basically pointless and it kills me when I see people doing it!

Another thing too, if you ever are on a multi-denomination machine and you are doing well, switch it from pennies to nickels! (If your luck stops, just switch it back or move machines). Most importantly, always check the denomination. There's been more than once when I've stuck a $20 in only to have it gone in seconds because the machine was stuck in quarter mode. Some people actually play these things with dollars! I tried a quarter one once but was cringing because it was $58 per spin! Got $200 off of it but it was scary!

floridagambler

Barb · Joined: 17 Dec 2005 Posts: 82 Location: Portland, Or.

Reno Lady, I loved your trip report and all the details. I felt like I was right there at the Fitz with you. John is our favorite bartender on the
second floor bar. You had some really good luck and the only downer was the car problem. Let us know if you get back there soon. We hope to go in May. Barb Laughing

PEB · Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 97 Location: California

Thanks for the tips on playing the penny slots....can't wait to give them a try.

We've already made our reservations for our Spring mini-vacation in April and I'm counting the days! Three fun-filled days and nights at the Fitz (in a mini suite) and I'll also be playing in the slot tourney Smile

I do plan on giving the penny slots a try while we're there....anyone know which ones are the "hot" ones to play at the Fitz?

Thanks!

RenoLady · Joined: 23 Feb 2006 Posts: 316

Upstairs, the long row of machines facing the pit. It includes such gems as my nemesis, Super Cherry, Frog Prince, Unicorn, and Lobstermania. When R and I were there a few weeks ago, we saw two big hits on that row. The Unicorn in the middle hit for $420. She was playing 20 lines 2 credits a line, and lined up the three unicorns in the center. On the Unicorn on the end, about 1/2 hour later, a fellow lined up a different combination, playing 20 lines 1 credit a line, for $120. Those machines "seem" to run hot or cold, if they're not paying within a sensible (what is that?) amount, move on.

We also found the Hot Hot Penny's this time. They are also upstairs, but on the wall of the bar (handy). Make sure you play 30 lines (to get the extra bonus features) and then whatever per line. Gem Hunter, on the end, is the most popular.