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"Reduce Speed When Wet" (TR, Sep. 11 & 12)

 
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stan_allen



Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 1129

PostPosted: Sep Fri 14, 2007 12:35 pm    Post subject: "Reduce Speed When Wet" (TR, Sep. 11 & 12) Reply with quote

I always laugh when I see this sign way up in the mountains of route 80 on the approach to Reno, because no matter how lousy conditions are, I have always been safe and dry in my vehicle, so the sign never applies to me.

Another funny thing on this trip was the t.v. commercial I saw for the Gold Dust West casino, which portrayed the site as an upscale facility with happy, good-looking players, clean air, and attractive dining. For those of you who have been inside this joint, the contrast simply couldn't be more stark. Well, they tried.

Here's the meat of the matter, which is the gambling!

***************************************

What would you say if you had the chance to have one of those Reno trips you’ve always dreamed of, where you’re winning, no matter what you’re playing? Those of you who have read my trip reports in the past will already suspect that I’m talking about a pretty miserly bank, but I urge you to suspend judgment until you hear of the trajectory of winnings that took place.

First of all, if you don’t frequent the Fitzgerald, you should. This is primarily because they will give you free money to gamble with – five dollars for signing up, and a dollar every night if you’re staying elsewhere. Granted, a dollar isn’t a lot, but it’s free, so I include this spot on my local walkabout. On this trip, I played a twenty-five cent machine for 3 rounds or so, and won two dollars.

Left with three dollars of their money.

Continued on to Cal-Neva, and signed up for their card program, which boasted of cashback awards for action played within twenty-four hours of the card’s issuance. Got no points for that particular program, but played some random slot machine and won five dollars, then cashed out and went to some silly machine called “Frogs and Princesses” or something, and won another six dollars. Played another machine for an additional two dollars.

Left with twelve dollars of their money.

Returned to the Silver Legacy, and hit a few good hands of video poker, including a four-of-a-kind (Jacks-or-better), plus some machine blackjack, which is possibly the only game worse than the “Super Single Deck” 6:5 garbage on the tables downstairs. Put in two dollars, took out two cashout tickets, one for $12.75, and one for $3.50.


The next night, I took twelve dollars to a blackjack table at Cal-Neva, where I was finally able to get an empty table ($3 minimum, single deck, some limits on doubling and splitting), and had a session which grossed forty-five dollars. Let it also be said that this was a fascinating run – with only four hands to play, I lost the first three, and was about to be killed off at the outset. As any Blackjack player knows, it’s quite easy to lose ten hands in a row – so playing with only a handful of minimum-bet hands is a very high-risk situation.
But with termination looming, the situation turned around, and I started winning. I got two blackjacks in a row, plus two more elsewhere, and my doubling and splitting bets never lost (played, of course, within the recommended guidelines). The dealer almost always busted when I was standing with a small hand; in short, the session couldn’t have been much better. The only thing that stopped me from sitting around and continuing to bet with the house’s money – which is what you’re supposed to do – was the onslaught of time, as it was already getting late, and unfortunately, these are business trips. But what a session!

Left with thirty-three dollars of their money.

Used a drink coupon back at the hotel, played a dollar, and took out a cashout ticket for two-fifty.

Left with a dollar-fifty of their money.


In addition to all of the above, I got my requisite free drinks, downtown walkabout, and so forth. Even with such pittances to wager, who could argue with an outcome as profitable as mine?


Last edited by stan_allen on Sep Mon 17, 2007 8:52 am; edited 1 time in total
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remano



Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 717

PostPosted: Sep Fri 14, 2007 2:46 pm    Post subject: Re: "Reduce Speed When Wet" (Trip Report, Sep. 11 Reply with quote

stan_allen wrote:
* * *Left with thirty-three dollars of their money.* * *



Hey wait a minute. That was MY money. I was planning to win it back next time.<G>
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hawk



Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 508

PostPosted: Sep Sat 15, 2007 11:56 am    Post subject: stan is the man Reply with quote

wonderful news, Stan. i am glad for you.
Nice to hear some positive winning news for a change.
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RenoLady



Joined: 23 Feb 2006
Posts: 316

PostPosted: Sep Mon 17, 2007 7:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Stan, you give a new definition to the "frugal" gambler and make my small $100 daily bank roll seem unecessary!

You have succeeded in doing the impossible too, leaving a winner!

Keep the stories coming!
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stan_allen



Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 1129

PostPosted: Sep Mon 17, 2007 8:47 am    Post subject: Low-rollin', rollin', rollin'..... Reply with quote

Thanks, all - as long as the company - in its newfound wisdom - continues to send me out there, I'll carefully document all my low-roller play.

While it is clear that a tiny bankroll means significantly less action - that is, PLAY time - downtown Reno can allow you to enjoy a couple of hours of fun when you spread it out among the different joints, and try some different games.

Of course, it's always more fun when you're winning, but I can assure you that when you lose your bankroll, the impact is quite a bit less when it's a mere twenty dollars or so!

Renolady, your one-hundred dollars per diem sounds like a small fortune to me, and I'm sure that it will seem all the larger to you next time you're there - if you find yourself going downhill, just think of my purse, and all will be well!

Hawk, it's my pleasure - these winning reports are sorely needed on the board, so I exhort all our esteemed members to let us know when it happens, though at that point, you may be caught up in a frenzy of celebration, and may not think to communicate it back to us!

Remano, no worries, as I noticed that there's more where this came from! it's in the South Tower, first floor, on the southernmost table - go get 'em!
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PEB



Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 97
Location: California

PostPosted: Sep Fri 21, 2007 1:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sounds like you had fun...love to hear when people win!
Thanks for the trip report!

Smile
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: Sep Tue 25, 2007 5:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Stan, thanks for the report and glad you came out a winner! I gotta say that I admire your careful documentation of how much of THEIR money you left with at each place.

That's funny about the Gold Dust West commercial. I passed through the one in Dayton on my last trip and can you believe there's a bowling alley inside? Haven't been back to the Reno one since it's been "remodeled" but I couldn't picture it being any less seedy...good rooms though!

Looks like you got a good trip through downtown. Congratuations on your wins.

floridagambler
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remano



Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 717

PostPosted: Sep Wed 26, 2007 12:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

floridagambler wrote:
* **
That's funny about the Gold Dust West commercial. * * * Haven't been back to the Reno one since it's been "remodeled" but I couldn't picture it being any less seedy...good rooms though!* **floridagambler


I think the commercial shows the one in Carson City (Dayton). I haven't been there but from what I know it seems to be much nicer - 32 lane bowling alley, 3 restaurants instead of 1, etc.

The only "remodeling" I've noticed at the one in Reno is that they modernized the bathrooms and expanded the parking lot. I think they re-named the restaurant too, but no new carpet or paint. They did put in video 3 card poker and a video version of Texas Hold'em.
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