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Free rooms, Free money, Free tournament, I gotta go!

 
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RenoLady



Joined: 23 Feb 2006
Posts: 316

PostPosted: Feb Tue 24, 2009 4:30 pm    Post subject: Free rooms, Free money, Free tournament, I gotta go! Reply with quote

For most of the past 10 years or so, we’ve gone to Reno over President’s weekend; for the past 10 years or so, we’ve lost our a$$ on this weekend. Oh, and we did it with crowds, higher rates and bad traveling conditions. So this year, we put it off a week, and went this last weekend. There was also a slot tournament at Harrah’s Reno on Sunday, so we stayed for three days Friday-Monday.

We left early afternoon on Friday, driving in sunshine, blue sky and snow on the side of the roads. Beautiful. 2 ½ hours later we pulled into Harrah’s Reno. We were booked in the East Tower, and were kinda looking forward to seeing why it was considered the “lesser” tower of their two. Unfortunately, she “upgraded” our comped rooms to the West, so it is still a mystery to me. Upon inquiry, the reservationist said they were sold out. Really? It was never busy. Maybe they were sold out of the West tower, keeping the East closed as they do through the week….

Harrah’s is doing a marketing experiment where in addition to the free play they send monthly, they also send another bonus check that is good on only one day of the month. It’s a test to see if it gets you up there on that one day. It worked for us. In free play we had $50 at Harrah’s Reno anytime during the month EXCEPT the 20th; we had $60 good at Harrah’s Reno ONLY on the 20th; and $50 more anytime in the month for Harrah’s Tahoe. That’s $160 for the weekend, and in addition to some free play at other places, $200 waiting. We had to go and get it, right?

I turned the $60 slot play into $40 cash, and went across the street to Cal Neva where we do better. We did not do better tonight, and lost $100 in short order. We did see a Fitz cocktail waitress, and she chatted with us a bit. She was happy to be working at Cal Neva, (really?), but saddened that after 16 years at the Fitz, it closed with its delusions of grandeur, only to go back to the bank. Back to the bank? Did we hear that right? I know Montage did, but I guess Fitz went too. Maybe they’ll let Atlantis buy it this time and reopen. Dreaming probably, Atlantis probably won’t want it in this economy. Back to Harrah’s, we played a few hours, ending up $33 there.

The next morning we head into Carson City to Fandango’s. I love their coffee shop there. Most of the time we have a mailed comp in hand, today we only had a birthday mailer for R. It got us $10 in slot play and a cute little birthday cake to go. But the breakfast is so good, we didn’t mind paying for a meal. Last time we were in here, the squawking bird that flies overhead (on the rail) dropping money, dropped about six ones on me. A lady from ACROSS the restaurant, saw the thing coming my way (I was ordering so didn’t see it coming) and ran for me, knocking me out of the way, and grabbing the money. Two of the singles actually landed on my table, so she let them be. I was embarrassed for her, she looked a fool for a couple bucks. I hope they don’t put any real money in that bird’s possession, someone is going to die. We did our usual hour play after breakfast, and cruised into Tahoe.

I hope I never get used to seeing the blue of that lake as you come over the summit. We had Annie Lennox singing to us, a full tummy, slot play coming, and not a care in the world. I like these little pilgrimage’s for slot play that get us out of one casino and sightseeing. Thanks Harrah’s! Our first stop was Mountbleu; we only get $5 each in slot play, but they have this cool bar with a fire pit in the middle, Sam Adam’s on tap, and prompt bartenders. What else do you need? Well, about $40 more in gambling money, or your butt is going to be outta there real quick, but that’s okay, I found this hysterical new penny game. It’s a spaceship cow thing.

It’s in the style of Da Vinci diamonds, or Glitter or any of those that drop replacement things when you match up. Only if you get 4 screens of winners, you get the bonus, more screens? More bonus spins. The cows moo with attitude, and it cracks me up. See, that’s really all those dumb penny machines have to do, is entertain me and I’m dumb enough to stay and lose, oh, and give me beer.

Next was Harrah’s, I put the free play through and out with no cocktail service. Same as the last time we were there, so we left with the S40 cash. Take that Harrah’s Tahoe! If you would staff a little better, you’d make more. Harrah’s Reno seems to know that, so we headed back that way. We decided on a side trip to Bonanza and were glad we did.

Their bar has Sierra Pale ale on tap, and is nickel video poker. The service is grateful and prompt. However, another new game was calling out to us: Kitty Glitter. It’s one of those new games that you only find in a few spots, and win more than you lose at first. Once the casinos figure the new games out, a reset seems to follow. This is anecdotal, and I don’t need to hear about the random generator and difficulty of reset/gaming commission chatter. I lived there, I knew of some IGT personnel and I say HA! ‘nuff said. Anyway, Kitty Glitter was good to us again, and we left $90 up.

A return to Harrah’s cost us $210, and with the loss, we still went to bed pretty even for gambling overall, but with a continued wonder at why we can’t win here? However, the next morning was the tournament, so we stuck around Harrah’s.

We didn’t have time to eat before my session, but enough time to play a little. We found a new VP game. It was on a multi-game selection, and called double double with 5 aces. I’ve never seen it before. Same as double double, but they had this 5th non-suit ace. Aces’ were coming up all the time. R even got dealt 4 aces on two lines played (quarter a line) for a $125 win. Sweet! We can win at Harrah’s!

Now it’s time for the tournament. We get these invites every few weeks, and ignore them, but this one fit into our timing. They make the whole process painless here, no Q’s or anything, and you’re soon pounding away at the feeder bar, I mean spin button. I won money at one of these things last year at Fitz’s so was pretty cocky about my chances, ESPECIALLY since I was about 30 years younger than most of the other contestants. There were two sessions of 10 minutes each. I’d seen some of the scores of the previous rounds, and knew I needed over 10,000 to even stick around for the second round. I saw a man who looked in his 90’s hit 14,000 on the round before mine. The worker’s claimed he now had 24,000. Okay, I know what I’m up against.

R is standing behind me, cheering me on, hopeful and all. As the 10 minutes pass, I can tell from his voice I don’t have a chance in hell. Then-n-n-n… his voice gets a little quieter, he’s embarrassed for me! With one minute left, the old guy leaning on his machine, next to me, hitting it every once in a while, has 6000 points, I have 5000. Finally it’s over, out for a 10 minute break, then back in for 10 minutes more of futile pounding and this time, laughing. I actually got a lower score on this round, no one had only 4000 like me, finishing for grand total of 9000. R and I chatted and laughed through it, what else ya gonna do? The usual cheery/bubbly mc that took my score couldn’t even look me in the eye as they wrote it down. Well, at least I don’t need to return for the results!

Now that we’re free to go, we decide we’re hungry and I remember there is a Pollo Loco down the road. I’ve only eaten at this brand of restaurants a few times, but it is my favorite. My area doesn’t have one, so I have to be on the road to get one. R doesn’t like them, but I cajole him into it and we’re there. You have to know how to eat here, you don’t order like KFC or something (R’s favorite). You peel the chicken pieces, add rice and beans to the corn/flour tortillas, make use of the wonderful salsa bar. Heaven! R, he hates it. Sigh. We head to JC Penney Outlet, and do really well. 4 pair of Jeans for R, 4 for me and 3 shirts, under $100. Unbelievable. Next we check out Scheels in Sparks.

It was the busiest place in town. I can see why, every department had some kind of gimmick. Rides, looky-loo’s, and some nice goods. Like a lot of folks though, we didn’t but anything. Okay, enough of this non-gambling stuff, back to Harrah’s!

It’s our last night, so we do what we usually do on our last night, chase the win. Up to this point we were pretty even on gambling, only down a hundred or so that could be counted back to tips and one meal. We put in about 3 hours, moving around, achieving nothing but tier points, and remembered the Oscars were on. After a stop at the noodle bar for dinner, (I wanted to like this place, but it confused me), we called it a night and ended with the Oscars.

The next morning, chains are still required. We think we’re going to be at work in a few hours and wonder what to do. Stay another night? Check out, hang out, until the chain requirement is lifted? Which usually happens around 10 AM. We choose checking out and waiting. It works; they lift the chain requirement by 10, and we’re heading down the hill. Back at work by 12:30, and this trip a memory waiting to be put on paper.

We can repeat this every month. So far, everyone is offering the same free play monthly. Free rooms, cheap/free food, $200 slot play, and we add about $300 to it for a long weekend. How can you pass that kind of entertainment up? Next month the date would be the last weekend of March. I haven’t booked yet because we have a co-worker who wants to take the kiddos up to sled, can I combine the trips? Do I want to? Maybe two trips instead. I better choose quick with March Madness and all….
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remano



Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 717

PostPosted: Feb Wed 25, 2009 8:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the entertaining TR. Really enjoyed it.

Regarding this part: "Fitz, it closed with its delusions of grandeur, only to go back to the bank. Back to the bank? Did we hear that right? I know Montage did, but I guess Fitz went too."

I don't have the definitive answer, but I haven't heard that the Fitz went back to the bank. In fact, Fernando Leal, the guy behind L3 Corp. that bought it has appeared at recent city council meetings advocating for the area to be made eligible for STAR development bonds, so he apparently still has some plans. Also, the person he put in charge of managing the Fitz (Cashell, the mayor's son) has been listed on city coucil agendas as the applicant for a new liquor license for the address of the former Golden Phoenix store front next to the Fitz, so he must have some plans as well. OTOH, all plans are probably contingent on the economy turning around, which might take a while.

I've also noticed TV ads in the last few days offering Montage condo's for sale, featuring "market adjusted new prices," so hopefully that is on the move again.
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john
Site Admin


Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 1181

PostPosted: Feb Wed 25, 2009 9:25 am    Post subject: Ain't free play grand? Reply with quote

Thanks for the detailed trip report, RL. Sounds like you had a really fun time. With the casinos supporting some of your gaming, just think of all the time you can spend in our fair city.
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alison



Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 1150

PostPosted: Feb Wed 25, 2009 9:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

As always, thanks for posting. Sounds like you had a good time. Way to take advantage of the free play.

I am bummed you could not report back on the West Tower Rooms for me though. Sad Oh well.
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RenoLady



Joined: 23 Feb 2006
Posts: 316

PostPosted: Feb Fri 27, 2009 9:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Alison,

It is the West Tower we get, still don't know about the East. Though I did ask the front desk about the differences, she said, none really, except the East have the big TV. Doesn't make sense, because they charge more for the West, and are really pleased with themselves when they "upgrade" you to the West. Maybe there are trolls living in the East or something.
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hawk



Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 508

PostPosted: Feb Fri 27, 2009 1:07 pm    Post subject: TROLLS, HUNH???? Reply with quote

"Maybe there are trolls living in the East or something."

John and Jerry have frequently been sighted "trolling" this area.
But, on the positive side, they both displayed big smiles at the times.
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remano



Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 717

PostPosted: Feb Fri 27, 2009 1:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

RenoLady wrote:
Alison,

Doesn't make sense, because they charge more for the West, and are really pleased with themselves when they "upgrade" you to the West. Maybe there are trolls living in the East or something.


I don't care for Harrah's so don't have any inside information, but it could be because the West tower has more convenient access to the casino.
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stan_allen



Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 1129

PostPosted: Mar Mon 02, 2009 10:45 am    Post subject: Has John seen this bird??? Reply with quote

What a whirlwind tour, and such good use of the great values in the area...I salute your cheap skating!

That's some wacky stuff, with the cash bird droppings, though - guess we shouldn't be surprised that people shed all their dignity in the face of such things, though it is a bit sad.

But overall, excellent work on your part; I look forward to your March report!
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john
Site Admin


Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 1181

PostPosted: Mar Mon 02, 2009 1:00 pm    Post subject: You want bird droppings? Reply with quote

Stop on by my house on your next trip to experience some real bird droppings.
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RenoLady



Joined: 23 Feb 2006
Posts: 316

PostPosted: Mar Tue 03, 2009 8:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You guys crack me up! I swear I'm going to get busted LOL at my desk.
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