Visitreno

[Mammothgambler]

Just got back from another Reno run. Unfortunately, my lucky streak ended on this trip (hopefully not for long) but we still had alot of fun.

I started out on Sunday 3/9 from Mammoth Lakes with some neighbors. We've had snow meltdown for the past couple of weeks, and now it's almost warm outside. Roads were totally clear so we made pretty good timing.

My neighbors responded to a comp offer for 2 free nights at Harrah's Reno and wanted to check in early so we went there first. I hadn't been to Harrah's in a few years (or anywhere downtown for that matter) and it looks like they're keeping it up pretty nice. We ate dinner at the Carvings Buffet and everything was great, although we got stuck with one of those overly-annoying waitresses who asks you how everything is every five seconds. We had never seen a buffet where they make you pay for beers as you consume them. I'm used to having someone keep a tab until the end or getting drink vouchers when you go in, but this was almost like being in a bar! None of us were complaining though, everything was really good.

Next, it was off to the Peppermill. Believe it or not, it turned out to be kind of a disappointing trip there this time.

Over a month ago I had responded to a mailer offer for a heavily discounted tower room with an option to upgrade to an Imperial Suite for $39. I booked it without a problem and they charged me the first night + tax for an advanced deposit when I made the reservation. Earlier last week, I got a call saying that they weren't going to have any available because a Diamond Player moved in! I called back several times to check on further availability only to get a "no" every time. Strange, because the whole entire time, they had them available at full price on their website, I even checked a couple of others like Expedia and Gotorenotahoe.com, and they were showing as being available there as well. I was guessing that maybe they want to keep them available for those who want to pay full price and that's why I kept getting denied with the availability. After making the last call right before we hit the road, I opted for the $19 per night Tower Room. Bummer! I wanted to get one last session in the jacuzzi and steam shower before they rip them all out, but it didn't work out this trip.

Dropped about $30 with no payback in the dollar area before I headed to the front desk. When they pulled up my reservation, something weird happened. They had me down for 2 tower rooms, 2 nights. One was $19 per night and the other one was free! He asked me which one I wanted (duh) and I told him I'd take the free one. I also asked about the advance deposit I put down when I made the reservation, and he said that would be waived and credited back to my debit card (we'll see how long that takes, if it happens at all) He then said that a $100 deposit was required (last time it was $50, the time before it was $75, and on my trip last July there was no deposit...it's never been the same thing twice over there). Since I don't want to play back my winnings from previous trips, I budgeted my bankroll to $200 this trip...and that was half of it. Paid for it in cash, but what killed me was that after I paid it, they told me that I still couldn't charge anything to the room. So in reality, I put down a $140 deposit on a room that was comped for 2 nights and still had no TV, no phone, no room charges, nothing. They even said they were sending somebody up to lock the Robo-Bar. By that time I almost felt like I was being treated like a crook. Although the room turned out to be free, this wasn't cool!

What happened next was not good when I opened the door to room 424. It was pink/burgundy, with 2 queen beds, and NASTY! I guess I've just been lucky as all my past stays at the Pep have been in Spa & Imperial Suites. I can definitely see why people complain about the tower rooms now. They most definitely aren't in as good shape as the suites are. I'm not sure if they are all totally run down but this one was pretty bad off. I was laughing because all 4 of the lamps were glued to the nightstands (like someone's gonna swipe one?) and all the furniture was pretty beat up. The black lacquer stuff was so bad off it had been painted over several times. The phone did not work at all, the toilet ran constantly, the carpet was badly stained, and there was some kind of steam chimney right outside the window as it was even with the roofline of the Montego Bay wing. At least it was free. I can't believe these rooms are $59 full price during the week...pretty scary! I'm sure they'll be lots better after the remodel. But I have to admit, it was cool seeing all the old decor one last time in the event I don't make it back beforehand.

Back down to the casino. I brought my neighbor the the Passport Club so he could get a card and the $100 free slot play offer. I can also see now why so many people complain about this offer...in my eye, it was free but it wasn't. You have to spend $100 out of pocket within an hour (in this case, he only lasted about 15 minutes, not one single hit!) then go back and get that money loaded onto your card as free slot play. So it's almost like you're still paying...I'm used to just having free slot play loaded onto my card and that's it. The fact you had to pay out of pocket first seemed kind of deceiving. Oh well, my friend got the full $100 back no problem, but STILL didn't have any luck anywhere. Not one single hit! I will say this though, I signed up at the Pep back in 2005 when they didn't have anything like this. Not only did he get $100 free slot play, but my friend also got about 20 of the 2 for 1 Coffee Shop, Island Buffet, Steak House, Romanza and Biscotti's coupons just for signing up. Fortunately nobody's name is on them so it looks like I'm going to get hooked up on future visits - I took about half the stack, good until the end of June!

I hit all the machines I've played and had good luck on in the past, but with the exception of the 3 coin model Double Ten Times Pay which gave me a $90 win, I had absolutely no luck. Not one single hit, it seemed. I guess you can't win 'em all. I witnessed a woman 10 feet away win a $5900 progressive on a $1 2x3x4x Pay machine.

By 4 am, I was so over the place (and still bummed about the room and security deposit), I decided to check out. I figured I'd either try to get into Harrah's with the rest of my neighbors (I had the same comp offer they did) or at least grab a little floor space in the event they didn't have any rooms left. Ultimately I had been back and forth between Harrah's and the Pep about 6 times that night so I just wanted to stay put for a while. The front desk staff at the time barely even spoke 5 words on the way out. Got my cash deposit back and asked about what they were going to do about refunding the original $40 I had put down. I just got a blank stare, that was it. I've mentioned it in the past, but that reservations and front desk staff are a real piece of work! I was going to hit the Coffee Shop on the way out, but went to the Passport Club only to discover that another 75 points were missing off my card from the last visit. Last July, I was supposed to have Bronze status, but it almost seems to have gone backwards since then. The Passport rep even mentioned that the Pep has gotten notorious for doing stuff like that lately, not only with the points, but comps as well...I had checked on my comps 2 hours previous and they were at about $25. But after I checked out of my already-comped room, they somehow went all the way down to $4! I've had many good wins there but after this trip, I'm starting to wonder if it's worth going back or not.

I decided to go down to the Atlantis, as I missed going there on my last visit and needed to update the address on my players card. I played nickel Double Diamonds until about 7 am and actually did pretty good (for nickels!), about $15 ahead. All the slot card readers were flashing "Happy Birthday" while I was playing, pretty cool. A slot host came up and handed me a $10 voucher for the cafe at about 6 am. Got a huge plate of steak and eggs. I'll definitely be back there!

Went outside and the sun was coming up. Time to go snowboarding! We hit Mt. Rose and were able to get full day lift tickets for $32, they have a promo where the only thing you need to show is a season pass from another resort. For being so warm in the area, the conditions were pretty awesome.

After we were done riding for the day, I went back to Harrah's with my neighbors to see about getting a room. I stopped by the Total Rewards center and explained I had 9 online offers but hadn't received the paper mailer coupons necessary to check in for some reason, so they let it slide. I even got a free upgrade to the West Tower. Both room types seemed about equal in size but the West Tower appeared to have better furniture, a closet, and what seemed to be an oriental-style decor. I was on the 8th floor and had a great view of the the strip and the arch. The East Tower rooms my neighbors were in didn't seem bad either, I was wondering because I had heard some negative comments about them in the past.

Next up was Ichiban, the Japanese steakhouse. The steak and chicken teriyaki were great, in addition to the grill being right at the table. I got 2 free bottles of Kirin and a free dessert since it was my birthday. The chef definitely put on quite a show, I still can't figure out how they throw those knives and utensils and stuff without chopping a hand off...I'd be dead for sure.

After a few Jack & Cokes, we decided to walk around downtown and check out the scene, I hadn't been in so long. We saw a slot promotion sign at the Cal-Neva that read: "Sign Up. Get $200 Free Play. Win or Lose!" I picked up a card there about 4 years ago but pretended like I didn't have one. Turns out they've done a little updating to their system and I wasn't even in their system anymore. After we got our cards, we noticed that the slot promo there was BOGUS...there was no $200. You get $5 of free play for every 100 points, up to $200. I guess each casino has their own way of advertising these things to lure people in. I did get a big kick out of some of the Cal-Neva specific slot machines in there though. They had this one $1 machine that had some little trains and cactus plants on it but the top prize was only about $40 or so. We couldn't figure that one out, who'd even bother, except maybe it hit very frequently? Tried to get the $2.75 Taco and Beer special but the Sports Book had already closed.

Next up was Fitzgerald's. We played some of the 5 cent older model machines that were right by the front entrance. They still dispense actual coins! The attendent let me keep a couple of the coin cups for my machine at home - seeing coins anywhere these days is a rarity.

I saw a sign for the famous Awful Awful burger at the Nugget, but we didn't get a chance to go in.

From there we took a quick trip through the Eldorado and the Silver Legacy. All of downtown looks like it's improved a bit since I was last there. The Circus Circus, however, needs a little work. Their casino smelled like a nursing home and I had never been in there...trying to figure out which was worse, the one there or the one in Vegas?

Next up...SHOOTER'S! Yup, I finally got a chance to go inside. I really liked the big sofa they have by the front door. The place wasn't too packed and our bartender was actually pretty hot! She gave us everything in pint glasses which is pretty rare for liquor. I can see how it can get crazy in there. Cool little place though. Hooked up the panhandlers outside with a few coins and we were on our way.

Finally called it quits at about 4 this morning. Checked out of Harrah's at 11 and it was back to Mammoth.

Well, that's about it for this trip. Hopefully the Pep will improve after all their remodeling is done, or at least be a little more consistent, and going downtown for a night was a nice change. Even though there were no major winnings, it was still a good time.

Mammothgambler

[hawk]

Enjoyed the TR, Mammary Gander.
BTW, the Awful Awful is now at $5.50. Just 2 years after the owner said it would never go higher than 2 somehting or other, whatever it was and had been for years.
I'd as soon go to Tivoli and get the half pounder on the gold card for 4.25.
The Tivoli atmosphere is a shade better than the Nugget.

[RenoLady]

Wow you really got around!

I used to work at both the Pep and Atlantis in the 90's, and during that time, I only went downtown on Monday's and "empty" the machines that were filled by the Californian's over the weekend. Though there is nothing technical or even logical about that concept, it worked for us.

Now that we live in California, we like staying downtown and occasionally visiting the outlying casinos. Walking between the properies is easy, the food specials are plentiful, and each one has a favorite machine of ours.

If you haven't done it, get a Fitz card, comps/mailers come fast and it will be another option for a free or discounted stay for you.

You really stretched your money on this trip, regardless of the win/loss, making it a "winning" trip, I'd say. Hopefully the Pep comes through with your deposit. Sounds like a letter might be in order for all the crap they put you through....

[alison]

Thanks for posting the report. Very detailed as usuall.

Sorry to hear about the chaos at the Pep. You need to book through VIP so you can check in/out with them.

Thanks for the heads up on the 2 for 1's When we head down this summer, my husband and a friend of ours is heading down. He has never signed up for a card. I hope they give him a bunch of those coupons for the meals. That would be nice.

[Dave]

Great report as always Mammoth. You just keep moving around. I love it.
Heck I was getting tired for you. Thanks again for taking the time to write about your trip. It is always a good read.
Take care,

Dave

[JD]

MG:

If I was just starting to snowboard, I'd be thankful for advice from an advanced snowboarder like you.

So I hope you'll take this....my SECOND try to give you some money advice that may just save your butt.

Get rid of that phoney, fake piece of trash VISA debit card and do it NOW.

Sooner or later you will be more than just inconvenienced....you will be screwed big time. Despite what the banks tell you, you DO NOT have the same protections as a real credit card. You would have had NONE of those multiple hassles with debits coming OUT NOW, but credits "...in a few days". The debit cards are a scam and are like carrying gasoline in a glass jar.

There are a hundred reasons why the banks love debit cards (and an equal number why they endanger your bank account), but you will be much better off if you ask your bank for TWO cards. A REAL CREDIT CARD, and AN ATM CARD.

ATM cards require the use of your pin and should be used to get cash from YOUR bank's ATM only.

You will continue to have debit card hassles until you wise up.

Don't believe me? How about nationally syndicated radio host Clark Howard?

http://clarkhoward.com/shownotes/category/7/40/

Oh....about that snowboarding advice.

DON'T

[Mammothgambler]

Hey everyone, thanks for all the replies.

Hawk - so, the Awful Awful now has an awful price too? Never tried one but that $5.50 seems like quite a jump if the owner said it would never be higher than 2-something. Some friends of mine have told me about Tivoli Gardens so I might give that a whirl on my next trip. We also found some chili dogs in the food court at Silver Legacy at about 3 in the morning so that was another good discovery.

RenoLady - Yes, it was definitely a nice change being downtown for a night. I did pick up a Fitz card a few years back and was able to give them my updated address in addition to all the other places I have cards with downtown. I may try playing there a little more next trip, I honestly haven't played any more than $20 there since I've had that card.

Alison - yeah VIP check in is the way to go there, maybe if I get bumped up someday I'll be able to utilize them instead of the main reservations # and the front desk! Even after calling the 5555 number, I still couldn't get that suite. Still have a looooong ways to go though, especially since my Passport point balance has been rolling backward instead of forward these past couple of trips. However, those coupons are a good thing. They are buy one get one frees for all the restaurants and the Island Buffet ones are buy one get one free breakfast or lunch, or up to $5 off dinner or brunch for up to 4 people. The Coffee Shop ones say that the entree can't be over $14 but that's the only rule I saw.

JD - thanks for all the debit card advice, but I actually smartened up some time ago and invested in one of those prepaid debit cards that I got through doing my taxes with H & R Block. You can load money on them by buying a load card at places like Rite Aid and Wal Mart. After all the trouble I had with debit cards that were actually linked (and endangering!) to my bank accounts, I decided to go this route. They are what they are and fortunately I've had far less trouble than I have in the past with normal ones. So this is the card I use particularly for the casinos/hotels. I only keep/deposit on what they are going to charge on it and that's it! I had another one last year that wouldn't let you use one in a casino for some reason but the H&R Block one is 1000% times better. Fortunately when the Peppermill charged the $40 advance deposit when making the reservation and it later turned out the be a comped stay in a different room type, the telephone number to the accounting dept. is printed right beside the transaction. I got in touch with them today (knowing that I gotta keep the ball rolling on this one because they won't!) and the lady I spoke with acknowledged it, said "oh yeah it looks like you did get charged," but then said she would call me back tomorrow with the outcome. That means, I'm calling them back tomorrow haha!

Mammothgambler

[alison]

Mamoth,
Maybe i will have to contact my connection for you the next time you need to book.

I hope they have those coupons again during my next stay. Thats a great deal.

Did you happen to notice a sign by the food court that says whats going to be replacing it?

Ali

[remano]

[alison]

Thanks Remano!

Have you heard anything about when they are expanding the buffet and moving Romanza?

[Mammothgambler]

Hey Alison, thanks I might have to take you up on that next time I go back. I unfortunately didn't go over by the old food court to see what was going on, I think that was the one section I didn't hit. Also forgot to check out that indoor walkway in the new tower. More stuff to do on the next trip I guess!

Mammothgambler

[alison]

Yes, i think you should take me up on that.

[Mammothgambler]

Right on I will. The good news now is, I called the accounting dept. back. At first the lady had no clue what I was talking about but then remembered talking to me yesterday. Good thing I called them back. Anyway I got another call from them a few minutes later and they got management to credit the deposit. Since it it turned into a comp, that's $40 more for next time!

Mammothgambler