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Posted from the 27th floor of GSR
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JD



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 956

PostPosted: Aug Sun 25, 2013 7:35 am    Post subject: Posted from the 27th floor of GSR Reply with quote

Sorry, but I'm a couple of days late with chapter one.

I brought the van this time. But really dialed in the Eagle lake route. Portland City Limits to the Siena parking lot: 9 hours & 4 minutes of driving time & 12 minutes stopped for fuel & construction near the Hwy 58 tunnel: 526 miles (15 miles shorter than Alturas but not always faster).

I've spent a LOT of money in the Siena but all of my free room offers seem to be for a restricted period. No doubt when I get home, I'll have several that would have been good for right now. But I have to subtract a star or two from the Siena for attention to detail.

Worst luck EVER at the Siena but a sympathetic ear from the bartender. Not good enough.

JP, 18 year bartender at the Cal Neva "...no longer works here..." never heard the story. Replacement: "Vladimir" now is newest member of the $ 2 bill club.

Met Mammoth Gambler who is making plans on giving up on Reno & called the boss, John. Supervisor, John had no time to review our work and told us if he hears of any bad reports, he'll be in touch.

Mammoth has some massive comp points so he bought my favorite: The $ 5.99 prime rib dinner special. But lost anther couple hunskis at the Skyway bar.

At last I tried calling to use my "2 free nights" at GSR. "That offer is not valid for a Sat check in...." Go to the front desk...BAM! I'm in. BUT as I take my stuff to the TOP FLOOR (with the high roller suites) I see my paperwork has me booked for ONE NIGHT ONLY.

Mammoth warned me about check in hassles at GSR. Listen to him. Unwinding my one day comp and redoing it for TWO requires Congressional approval and takes about 20 minutes.

But what a room. Overlooking the pool and really deluxe. Get this: floor 17-27 have different channels and BIG screen HDTVs in the rooms.

Oh, did I mention I made $ 500 playing dbl/dbl bonus poker from my $ 80 of "FREE PLAY". My opinion of GSR is up as much as Siena is down.

It turns out "Mack" (day shift bartender at the Sports Bar) used to live one mile away from my house in Portland. Mack will remember the $ 2 bill guy from Portland.

Now if I can win another $500 today, I'll be halfway to even.

John has decided to avoid answering his phone... I'm worried about getting fired.

Time for church. More later.
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john
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Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 1181

PostPosted: Aug Sun 25, 2013 12:22 pm    Post subject: Re: Posted from the 27th floor of GSR Reply with quote

JD wrote:
John has decided to avoid answering his phone... I'm worried about getting fired.
Oh, thank goodness for caller ID.

Thanks for the call from you and MG last night. We'll get together soon. I promise Rolling Eyes

So, you're winning from the rich and giving to the poor? That's what keeps our economy like it is. If you don't win that $500 today, let me know and I'll write you a check that's good at any bank in Nigeria. I'll make the check out for $800 and you can wire me the $300 difference right away.

Keep up with the trip reports and I'll call you this week.
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JD



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 956

PostPosted: Aug Mon 26, 2013 9:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Gaming Report:

Siena: Nothing but losses.... well, for ME. John however, was walking around with a pocket full of cash out tickets.

GSR: Only ONE machine was worth a damn. Sports Bar third one in from closest to hotel check in. At least 5 4ok on dbl dbl bonus. As is the recent custom, 5 credits is no longer the "max bet" on VP. Hit the "Bet max" button, and that quarter machine just became a half dollar x 5 or $ 2.50/hand. And it now takes ten credits to be in on the progressive.

Atlantis: Sucked. But I plan on getting even by staying two free nights. Usually, Atlantis is a BOGO. But I just called reservations and "Brian" PROMISED "Both nights comped, NO RESORT FEE, and no charge to my CC unless I fail to show.

So, "SHOW UP, it's free. DON'T Show up, it'll be full boat, both nights."

Anyone think that's odd?

Sands: All I did was walk thru and swipe my card. $ 10 food credit. And yes, I am still pissed off at their bait & switch in March on the BOGO meal hoax.

Cal Neva: Nothing much for me. John wanders around while I stick close to the BAR. I feel so "normal " there.

More Later. Don't want to miss out 11 am checkout at GSR. Nice digs. Last night for the "ESCAPE" show. Not bad... hardly as cool as "Hello Hollywood" or "Splash", but visually a great FREE show. And an OK $ 10 one.
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stan_allen



Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 1129

PostPosted: Aug Mon 26, 2013 10:51 am    Post subject: Down & Out in Cal-Neva and Sands... Reply with quote

All the usual drama we've come to know and love...and you haven't yet hit Virginia City, I take it? I insist that you pop in on the "Bucket of Blood" saloon!
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JD



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 956

PostPosted: Aug Mon 26, 2013 2:22 pm    Post subject: From the 20th floor of the Atlantis Reply with quote

Cool... as long as I avoid even TOUCHING the mini bar, 2 nights FREE. Touch the tiny bottle of wine and you buy it. $ 70 and even the gal at check in told me she was charged for it and all she did was look at the label.

On the way over, I had to get my $ 20 free play and $ 10 food comp from Gold Dust West. I was up over $ 400 on the original free play and cashed out just under $ 300. Dbl Bonus Deluxe pays 400 x credits on ANY 4OK. And I got 3 of them.

Oh and steak and eggs at Gold Dust West = $ 9.89 with tax.

And another ex Oregonian tending bar in Reno.... both were lucky.

No VC YET. There will be a parade at noon on Labor Day(watch on the visitvirginiacitynv.com web cam). I might be in the Red Corvette. OR maybe in front of the red, white and blue bunting waving.

More later... I hear they have free drinks downstairs. Maybe I'd be better off PAYING for them.
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LilyJDragonfly



Joined: 03 Mar 2009
Posts: 425

PostPosted: Aug Mon 26, 2013 3:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

What? You're not the Parade Marshal of VC? Come on now... all that dedicated Testicle Festival going should earn you a position of honor!
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: Aug Mon 26, 2013 7:37 pm    Post subject: right on! Reply with quote

Thanks for the ongoing trip report JD. Great seeing you as always, and keep it coming. Congrats on the score on that free hoity-toity room upgrade as well! Just don't forget about us common folks now, ya hear? Very Happy Like I mentioned, regarding anything GSR related, just talk to 7 or 8 different people until you get the answer you wanna hear! Loved the comment about Congressional approval - or like I say, it's worse than checking into Alcatraz. Or an insane asylum!

Keep us posted on your continued travels!

Mammothgambler
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JD



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 956

PostPosted: Aug Tue 27, 2013 7:55 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I take back HALF of the bad things I said about the Atlantis. So I go down to the Cabaret Bar and proceed to turn another hundred into a Five.

Having NO luck with dbl/dbl bonus (but many four to a royal), I start to scroll thru the other games. And there is one I love to play at the Mark Twain Casino in VC which the Mark Twain calls, "FOUR PLAY". And at the Atlantis is called, "BONUS POKER DELUXE". And on a five coin bet (watch out for that "max bet" button), pays 400 credits for any 4OK.

So on quarters, a five coin bet hitting any 4OK pays an automatic $ 100. Bam..4ok. Another, so "max bet".... BAM another. After upping my bet a few times, I cash out for $ 500 and start with a new twenty. I now LOVE that "bet max button".

I was having my bowl of clam chowder with Tony the bartender (another member of the $ 2 bill club), when the earthquake (4.5 ) started the sky bridge rockin. The Japanese sushi chefs were halfway to the parking lot before they stopped. BAM another 4OK.

Back downstairs to the bar where a lounge cover band is playing in the cabaret. I asked them to play one of THEIR songs...they were stumped. All cover songs, all the time. All join the club.

At end of night, I am up (for today) about four hundski but man did I put a LOT of points on my card. I seem to recall one hit of $ 400 (so it must have been a $ 5 bet) but put half of it back in

I'm going back to bed now. My head hurts.

Oh... and there is a Labor Day parade this weekend AND a CAMEL PARADE the following weekend. Parades usually start at noon at 4th Ward School and hit the webcam about ten minutes later.

More later
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stan_allen



Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 1129

PostPosted: Aug Tue 27, 2013 11:54 am    Post subject: The dogs bark, and the camels pass Reply with quote

Now we're talkin'! Nice work.

Maybe you should have asked the cover band to cover another cover band's tune, where the tune is actually *by* the first cover band? That would technically be a "cover", thus closing the loophole.

What's your starting position in the camel race??

Keep it comin'....
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BC Dave
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Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 1592

PostPosted: Aug Tue 27, 2013 4:22 pm    Post subject: Multi Strike Super Times Pay Reply with quote

JD, last time I was there, 1.5 years ago, the Atlantis still had a couple of Multi Strike Super Times Pay machines. They're kinda rare and can be very rewarding or financially devastating. One was near the gift shop, on the other side of the aisle. Start with nickels (or pennies) to get the "lay of the land", if you decide to try. I've been lucky on them about half the time.

Sounds like you're having a super good time so maybe you don't need Super Times Pay.


Last edited by BC Dave on Sep Mon 02, 2013 10:29 pm; edited 1 time in total
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JD



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 956

PostPosted: Aug Wed 28, 2013 6:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Spectacular sun rises with the smoke in the air. The sun is a big red ball illuminating the eastern sky in red.

But I digress from the gaming.

I often find my bloody Marys end up costing from $ 40 - $ 80 each, a price that is fairly consistent. Since the cabaret bar doesn't open until noon, I plop into what I am soon told is "THE PERVERT CHAIR". This is the one at the bar, nearest the cocktail waitress station... hence the name.

Long story short, I am fairly well PAID for two bloody Marys (extra olives, thank you). Jamie joins the two dollar bill club.

Drove out towards Sparks where they are preparing for the Rib Cook off.

Put a few points on my A PLAY card (formerly used by Sands & Terribles), now used by Rail City only to hit $ 200 on my first twenty. No drink... cash out. (Cost/drink coming down)

I maneuver the party bus (156 inch wheelbase) into one of the tiny parking spots at the new BOURBON STREET CASINO (formerly Silver Club) and check out the joint. They are expecting 100,000 people starting TODAY thru the weekend and I fear, "They are not ready".

Workers are still on ladders on the casino floor, the cage is having trouble signing up new slot cards, this ship has not had it's shakedown cruise and guests are on their way. Parking is a real problem too.

Brad, the bartender slides a beer over to me between the brand new MANY, MANY game bar top machines... only to warn me only some of these machines are flush to the bar. If you don't watch it, a drink placed between machines WILL TIP OVER. And we all know what that means to the keys and screen don't we?

My preferred bar at the old Silver Club was upstairs. Upstairs used to have a great sports memorabilia display but is all walled off... maybe offices.

And the best part: They paid ME for that beer.

More later, gotta get going.
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: Aug Wed 28, 2013 10:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi JD,

Thanks for the updates. Keep in mind that Rail City is still honoring comps that were earned at the Sands on the A-Play card, and they honor them at the City Cafe as well as the Ale House. That buffet at the City Cafe is a pretty good deal at a whole whopping $7 and some change, and it's free entertainment to say the very least - everything's spread out with mismatched plates and bowls, some of which are styrofoam, but like I said in my Yelp review, it adds character to the place!

So, have you joined the "My Party" club at the Sands yet? Are you now a "Party Crasher," or have they already bumped you up to a "Top Dog?"

Talk soon!

Mammothgambler
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mycran



Joined: 18 Apr 2013
Posts: 38

PostPosted: Aug Wed 28, 2013 11:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

great trip update JD!! Keep em coming.
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JD



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 956

PostPosted: Aug Thu 29, 2013 9:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Note to self: Time trips to coincide with a local trying to burn up remaining comps.

Mammoth Gambler treated to an Eldo dinner buffet and he is an excellent cook. I have only had the breakfast or luch buffet before but midweek dinner is excellent.

I'm a little disappointed has yet to post my before and after winning ticket from the Peppermill yet.

Now at Sands. Time to take a nap at the pool.
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Mammothgambler



Joined: 25 Dec 2005
Posts: 619

PostPosted: Aug Thu 29, 2013 6:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Right on JD, so sorry for the delay...jumped on the bus and I'm back in Mammoth just for tonite. I keep forgetting how expensive this place is if you're a tourist...glad I got a chance to enjoy it as a resident while it lasted!

So here they are, before, and after. Like I said, at least with that 10 cent ticket, you'll never be broke! Very Happy Perhaps next time, go to the Cal Neva and play the rams! (Not that I have anything against the Peppermill, mind you...)

Mammothgambler



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