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Don't ever break down in the desert...

 
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: Aug Sat 04, 2012 1:14 am    Post subject: Don't ever break down in the desert... Reply with quote

OK, this one was a doozie for sure, but it goes to show how Lady Luck can sometimes help out, even when things don't go as planned!

Not even four days after I returned from my trip to the Peppermill, I got a call from a friend who was heading back the following Monday night and returning Wednesday afternoon. Since I had lost so bad on that last trip, and didn't have any free play at the time, I decided to bring $100 in cash, and no debit or credit cards. I called the Grand Sierra to redeem my 2 free night comp offer, and 15 minutes later, we hit the road. I gotta say that the Grand Sierra really showed its true colors on this trip - even though it's all been free for me, and they're trying, they've definitely got some organization and customer service issues.

My friend decided to take the back road around Topaz Lake vs. staying on the 395, which usually saves a little bit of time. Unfortunately, though, after just a few miles inside Nevada, his Jeep Cherokee started losing power. Almost like it was running out of gas or something. Then, there was a burning smell. Then, the whole entire thing shut down, including the battery going completely dead. The drivetrain was locked up right in the middle of the 2 lane, deserted highway, and couldn't be moved or pushed out of the road. The worst scenario one could possibly be in, it seemed at the moment.

Enter the Apple iPhone. Without it, we might still be out there. Turned on the Flashlight For Free app which includes an option to flash Morse Code and placed it on the roof of the jeep - we were mainly just trying to get a blinker up to be visible, because those semi rigs plow through there doing 80 MPH at times when there's nobody on the road. A bit stressed because neither one of us could get any cell phone reception, I pointed it east, north and west, and after a few minutes of moving around, I stood on the roof of the jeep and pointed south - and viola, 2 reception bars popped up! We were able to call AAA and give specific GPS coordinates thanks to the Map app, because the operator we spoke with was clueless about our location. Anyhow, about an hour and a half later, a tow truck finally showed up, all the way from Yerington, NV, which was about 55 miles down the road. Yup, worth every penny, those iPhones are! Hey, look, they even take pretty decent night shots!




After a bunch of madness, we were notified that since we were where we were, the tow truck driver could not leave the immediate area, as he was not only doing the normal route but also covering for the California Highway Patrol and a couple of others. He started out saying that he could dump us off in Gardnerville and arrange for a piggyback tow truck to Reno, but after a few more phone calls, that was out of the picture, and the only thing they could do was drop us off in Yerington at a motel and pick us up the next morning at 8 am to continue to Reno. So, for the next seven hours, we were stuck in what seemed to be a rather strange place.

I called the GSR to let them know of the dilemma. The person on the other end was a complete idiot - he spent a good 10 minutes or so asking questions about where we broke down, which motel we were staying at, etc. Followed by a MAYBE that I might or might not still be able to check in or alter my arrival and departure dates because they were supposedly sold out. On a comp offer during the week, at a place that couldn't have been any more than 1/8 occupied? Whatever!

Although things looked grim, immediately after leaving the motel office where we got stuck paying $78 for a room (with a $10 discount applied…in this little town out in the middle of nowhere…), I looked up and noticed that there was not one, but two casinos right across the street: Casino West and Dini's Lucky Club! These had to be the quirkiest casinos I've ever been in. It was awesome that many of the machines still dropped coins, and I had a little bit of luck on a Zorro machine, followed by 360 quarters on a Triple Red Hot.





We were out in the motel parking lot at 7:45 am sharp per the tow truck driver's instructions. By 8:15, there was still no tow truck, so my friend jumped on the phone with AAA and I jumped on the phone with the tow truck company. Don't ask how I even remembered the name - must've been all the stress! Long story short, something "fell through the cracks" and my friend had to wind up calling AAA back to file another incident. By 10 am, we were finally on the road.



In Reno, after dumping the jeep off at a AAA repair center just a few blocks down from the GSR, we finally made it in around 12 noon. I decided to phone VIP services at the Grand Sierra to see what was going on with my reservations and to let them know of the conversation I had with the front desk the night before. They came up with some story that the front desk CANCELLED my reservation, and the best they could do was let me stay that night and pay a discounted $35 rate for the second night. All that, and I didn't even cancel the reservation to begin with! So, I tried another approach. Usually VIP services are the people you can rely on, but not in this case. Miraculously, I explained the whole ordeal to another front desk agent, and 5 seconds later, she let me know that she made a couple of adjustments and I was able to get my original 2 nights comped. I'm guessing that the way to deal with the GSR is to ask 8 people the same question and go with the one who gives you the answer you want to hear!

The first room I was issued was still either occupied by previous tenants or hadn't been cleaned yet, so I had to go back to the front desk to get another room. Although it was clean, there was a strong pet urine odor in the closet. I was so over dealing with them at that point, I just let it go. On to the Beach! And bowling's always fun after a few Vodka and Red Bulls...







By this time, I had exhausted most of my bankroll the night before on that motel room, and only had about $15 on me. Had just enough comps for a lunch buffet at the Lodge. No wins to speak of that day or night.

Next day, my friend was getting a bit concerned because the repair center had not yet called him about the status of his jeep. Later on that afternoon, he found out was going to cost about $2300 and that the whole back axle and differential were in major trouble. They even recommended he take it to a junkyard. Unfortunately, he blew about $2300 in the craps machine right before he got that call. I don't know how some people do it! That craps machine is EVIL. Like, more evil than the tightest $100 a pull machine!

So, I was now in a situation where I had to take the bus back home the next day, which was another $46 I needed to come up with. I was down to about $3 at midnight, and decided to jump on the nickel Double Jackpots. Up and down, and 4 hours later, I had about $26. Still not enough!

So, if you are a housekeeper and see a Do Not Disturb sign on the door, do you make note of it? Not at the GSR, they'll ignore it! Long story short, I had requested a noon check out directly with the front desk, which was granted, and at 11:30 am, a housekeeper came barging in, without knocking, and upon seeing me in there, started yelling that I was supposed to be out half an hour ago. At the time, I could only yell back, and more importantly, grab a blanket, because I was buck naked! Just so you all know, this is the second time I've had a run-in with this housekeeper. She's a hispanic lady with dyed blond and red hair, and during my stay in May, she practically ripped my head off in the hallway when I told her I needed a Do Not Disturb sign as there wasn't one in the room. I guess she has issues with Do Not Disturb signs? I called the front desk and raised hell, and the only response I got was a meek "OK, sorry, we'll let housekeeping know." EVIL!

About 2 hours before the bus was supposed to leave, I was seriously wondering if I should swing downtown to get a cash loan - I think I still have an account with the Palace after that snowboard incident back in 2005! Probably not the smartest thing in the world not having a debit or credit card with me, but who would've guessed we were going to break down in the middle of the desert? I stuck a $5 in the quarter Blazing 7's, got a mixed 7's hit, and another $40. Right on! I made bus fare and was even able to get a couple of Big Macs on the way out!

By the time I made it home, I was sorry I even bothered going. Oh well, always an adventure...

Mammothgambler
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john
Site Admin


Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 1181

PostPosted: Aug Sat 04, 2012 6:08 am    Post subject: Reno, where your nightmares come true Reply with quote

Sorry to hear about your bad trip (no, not that one. The one to Reno). Car troubles on the road are the worst case scenario. Any time you're in that kind of bind, call me for help.
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mjames1229



Joined: 23 Dec 2009
Posts: 406

PostPosted: Aug Sat 04, 2012 9:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I am not passing judgement - NOT PASSING JUDGEMENT - but, was it wise of your friend (not knowing what the deal with his Jeep was) to piss away that much money gambling? I get the stress reliever that gambling can sometimes be, but sheesh.

With all that said, just move to Reno (or Carson City... they may have more employment opportunities, but just a short hop from Reno, Stateline and Virginia City.)
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: Aug Sat 04, 2012 10:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks everyone!

mjames1229-yes, I 100% agree-SHEESH! To each his own, I always say, but when I see people on the verge of getting in trouble I usually gotta at least say something. I know everybody's got their own take on what they want to get out of gambling - I myself play to win, and am constantly exercising discipline and self control and looking for ways to stay ahead - but I don't know too many people that have that kind of dinero to keep throwing around - the pattern's been that way for him all summer and we're not millionaires by any means. What got me on this trip is that the whole ordeal put me in a situation where I was stranded, and I actually needed to gamble to meet a financial obligation - ok, it was only $20 bucks or so for bus fare - but still, makes you wonder about those who do this day in and day out, for hundreds and thousands and not twenties. Unfortunately, I was just notified that he and a few others went back earlier this week to get the jeep, but the same thing wound up happening to him again - this week, about $1600 - so the jeep is still sitting in Reno. I already gave my advice about leaving all the plastic at home, getting someone to hold your money, not bringing alot of money to begin with, knowing limits, calling for help if need be, etc. We'll see. That craps machine, I've heard and seen, lets you do crazy stuff like place $100 bets in a single hand/round, and it's fixed up to give the player several smaller, frequent wins - thus making it much easier for them to get played back. One of my other friends was up $1200 on it and played all that back within seconds. Scary! Lots of people crack on me because I don't play tables, but this is exactly why, I'd be a wreck!

John - thanks so much! I do still have your # in my cell phone and if things work out for me with the move, I'll keep that in mind. Might need a bailout on the next visit to Shooters!

mammothgambler
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CaSwede



Joined: 28 Feb 2006
Posts: 866

PostPosted: Aug Sat 04, 2012 1:47 pm    Post subject: What a Doozie is right Reply with quote

You sure have the most interesting trips. It seems that something bad is always right around the corner. Yerington? Yes, I have played in those two casinos. They are like walking into 1980. How interesting about those apps for your Apple. What was the morse code sending out? Bring beer?

You were sure lucky to get enough money together to get out of town. I have a feeling your buddy was taped out too, looking at the major repair expense and really not concerned about you getting home.

I remember that craps machine at the GSR. The night I was there a large loud group was playing it for hours. Good luck to you.
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remano



Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 717

PostPosted: Aug Sun 05, 2012 4:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Another very interesting and entertaining trip report. Thanks for posting. But I would take issue with your "I play to win" statement. The only games in the casino that you can really "play to win" are the sports book and poker, and some would include blackjack if you count cards and can find good rules and table conditions. Everything else is rigged in favor of the casino, ESPECIALLY the slot machines. I'm not being critical, I still go to the casinos, but I play for entertainment and a few drinks. I have long since given up on the idea of" playing to win." I stick to my budget and every once in a while I actually do come out ahead!!! Then it's WHOOPEE! I'm a winner!! But that's just a bonus. Otherwise I expect to pay for my entertainment and the main goal is to keep everything in line - I don't want to spend thousands of dollars like your friend, but a hundred or so is what a lot of concert tickets are going for these days so that's a pretty reasonable comparison. Plus a couple free drinks, who can complain about that?
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JD



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 956

PostPosted: Aug Sun 05, 2012 5:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mammoth;

Have you ever thought about turning your trips into a movie script?

All it would take would be a tribal face tattoo and it'll be a hit !!

(Oh, it's been done?)
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