Visitreno

ErininSD · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 265

Flew out of San Diego on Saturday afternoon on a Harrahs charter (Allegiant). I sat next to two nice older ladies (in their 70’s) who were originally from England, but have lived in San Diego for around 50 years. Talking to them the whole time made the flight seem much shorter than 1 hr 20 minutes. I love the direct charter flights to Reno, everyone’s in a good mood and there’s no layovers!!!

I was sitting in the 2nd row, so was one of the first few people off the plane. I left all the older people in the dust, found the Harrahs people, picked up my room keys then headed over to Alamo to pick up my rental car.

I’d reserved a compact SUV and ended up w/a Saturn Outlook. I’d asked the girl at the counter if she had anything else and she said no. I wasn’t too stoked about getting a Saturn, but once I got out to the car I was kind of impressed. IMO it was hardly a “compact” SUV, It had 3 rows of seats in it…LOL. I really liked the car and would consider it when I decide to upgrade my sporty car to an SUV. It had nice pick up and was a nice ride.

Headed over to Harrahs and went up to my room. I’d contacted my host about an upgrade and ended up w/a mini suite on the eleventh floor. It’s basically a larger than normal corner room, with windows facing South and West. That night I had a small gift box w/cheese, nuts, crackers and a couple of cookies left for me.

I freshened up, went downstairs to grab a drink before meeting my dad for dinner. I stopped at the bar back near Ichiban and put some money in a VP machine to get my “free” beer…LOL. I didn’t hit anything big, finished my drink and headed out to BJ’s Brewery to meet up w/my dad.

BJ’s is out at the mall near Mt. Rose Highway. It was crowded, but has a fun atmosphere and a great place if you want to eat and watch sports. Had a nice meal there, then headed back to Harrahs. I played a little bit more, then headed up to bed.

The next day I met my mom back at the mall near Mt. Rose Highway and had lunch at the Italian place right across from the Brewery…LOL. The food was pretty good, then we did some shopping.

We parted ways and I headed over to the Peppermill. I hadn’t been there in a year or two, since they started construction on the parking garage. WOW, what a change. The sports book area is nice! I went to pick up a new card since the one I had expired in 2006. I’m still Gold, even though I hadn’t played there in awhile.

I played all different slots and couldn’t hit a thing. I finally moved to the Let It Ride table. Bought in for $100 and left with $300 or $400, I can’t remember now…LOL. I’d hit a couple of straights. I had fun playing LIR there as they aren’t very strict in their rules. You can use two hands with the cards and they don’t mind if you flash your cards to other players, plus if you play the 3 card bonus and win, you need to show it up front, which allows everyone else to see your cards. This is different from any other casino I’ve played in.

Headed back to Harrahs and played more slots. I went to my favorite Geisha slot (Cash Express) back near Ichiban. I’d intended to play there for a bit, then grab some dinner. Well the machine turned into a cash cow! I couldn’t lose. I was playing $5/spin and kept getting the bonus round and hitting stuff when not in the bonus round. I was there for at least a couple hours and the cocktail waitress kept coming by, probably because I was tipping her $5/round. I constantly had $900-$1000 in the machine, so if I’d hit the bonus round and went over $1k, it would automatically spit out a ticket. I finally decided to leave because I was pretty drunk and the machine had started to turn on me. I left with $2k!

I was going to head up to the coffee shop, but stopped by the LIR table for more fun. I had a good time playing there and kidding around w/everyone, I’m pretty friendly when I’m drunk…LOL.

After awhile I decided I needed to get some food and sleep. I headed to the coffee shop and got a grilled cheese sandwich and fries. The service was horrible. There were probably 10 tables and 1 waitress!

Got up to the room and into bed around 2 am!

Monday morning I was not feeling good. I had a friend flying in and he was due to arrive around 11. I dragged my ass outta bed and got ready but felt pretty nauseous. I ordered a continental breakfast from room service, but didn’t eat much of it.

I picked him up and took him out to Western Village because for some reason I love that place. Well, I still wasn’t feeling good, so wasn’t in the mood to play, plus it’s really smokey in there. Played a couple slots and a little VP and we decided to have lunch in their coffee shop. You can’t beat the prices out there, it was cheap! I think my Spanish omelet w/hashbrowns and toast was around $5.25.

We left there and headed back to Harrahs. We ended up hanging around and playing there, where I got a bit of a 2nd wind. Had dinner in Ichiban and it was ok.

I went to bed early and my friend stayed up and played LIR and Blackjack switch.

Tuesday we woke up and met my dad at the Peppermill food court. I had the Veggie Chow Mein which is always good! We spent an hour or two talking w/him. He left and we decided to play. Got my friend signed up for a new card and the promo. He ended up winning so didn’t get any cash back…LOL I guess that’s a good thing! I should’ve had him go play some slots instead of VP!!

I started playing slots and was doing pretty well. There’s one machine I did well on that has a mining theme and dynamite…I can’t remember the name of it though. The second spin in I think I hit for a little over $100. Messed around playing slots here and there and decided to play LIR…ugh, what a mistake! I think I lost $400-$500 pretty quickly. I couldn’t hit a thing!

I met up w/Ryders host as he’d arranged a comp for us in the steakhouse. We were meeting my mom, so he was nice enough to give us a comp for 3 people. We had a nice meal and the bill came to $200. I think my mom had lobster and I had a petite filet which was very good.

She left and we played a little more, then headed back to Harrahs. We played a little more LIR, slots and VP there, then headed to bed.

Got up on Wednesday, early, and headed to the aiport around 9 am. Dropped the car off and caught a flight to Las Vegas…LOL.

My friend and I spent Wed-Sunday in LV and stayed at Caesars Palace.

So much for a short TR…LOL, but that’s about it.

I played Florida’s 10X machines a couple of times and never hit a thing. Oh well, you can’t win ‘em all…LOL.

I got a Peppermill offer in the mail yesterday. It looks like they’ve replaced the little booklets and are mailing out coupons. It had the usual $50 free dining credit, 2 nights comped S-Thurs, $25 matchplay and drawing tickets.

Overall I left Reno down, I'm not sure how much, but I would guess around $3k.

- Erin

stan_allen · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 1129

See, this is a great TR, even if you left down - thanks!

I didn't realize you could get your room key at the airport these days; what'll they think of next?!

Thanks again!

Let-it-ride · Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 57

ErininSD · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 265

stan_allen · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 1129

"Charter flight"?

These words are foreign to me, and I ain't no foreigner.

But even handing out cards on the bus seems way advanced...closest I got to that was the "Lucky Tours" bus trips, where you'd find a little paper envelope on your seat containing your oversized room key for The Sundowner...ah, the glorious '90's!

Let-it-ride · Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 57

Mammothgambler · Joined: 25 Dec 2005 Posts: 619

Hey ErinInSD,

Thanks for posting the TR, sounds like you had a blast even if you weren't feeling well or ahead in the end. Glad you enjoyed the Pep and they kept your gold level and it sounds like you rocked on that Geisha machine at Harrahs. Jumping on a plane and going to Vegas after all that must've been something...I've only done it the other way around!

Sounds like the food was good all around too with the exception of that one coffee shop visit.

Sorry the 10 Times Pay wasn't good to you...I guess I was just really lucky these past few times over there.

Hope your next trip puts you way ahead...go back soon!

mammothgambler

Ryder · Joined: 05 Feb 2006 Posts: 222

Shit Women, you used $200 bucks of my comps......no wonder why the pep is no longer sending me any offers

I am glad you and your mom enjoyed it, although I think that friend of yours should have eaten at McDonalds instead...LOL

ErininSD · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 265

JD · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 956

A similar situation happened to me several years ago .... way back WHEN I WAS CONSIDERED A GOOD CUSTOMER OF THE SIENA.

I had a high level contact and the running joke at the bar was, " J.D. rocks, in a bucket". Get it? Jack Daniels & ME! (Ok, it's an old joke).

So I go to check in and my contact has upgraded my free event comped room to a suite. Cool.

As I'm exploring....there's a bottle of Black Jack Daniels, full ice bucket and large glasses... Even a Host's note, " JD for JD" Too funny!

But who the hell needs to fix drinks in the room when there's five bars downstairs? Still, I give the bottle a few tugs & tuck the doggie bag... well, in my bag when I check out.

My comp account was charged $ 95 for that damn bottle !!!

And I'm no longer on their favorite list.

And Erin: How did I get the idea you were from South Dakota? Oh, maybe BECAUSE SD is postal for SOUTH DAKOTA !! SAN DIEGO is abbreviated : "TJ Norte"

Edited to add: Oh ya, I should make clear I never asked for that bottle (silly me, I thought it was a gift) ...JD Black can be bought at the nearest store for $ 17. It's kinda like sending a lady flowers, and putting them on HER charge card, don't ya think?

jerry · Joined: 11 Jan 2006 Posts: 759

"San DIEGO is abbreviated : "TJ Norte"

Clever, jD, I like it.

ErininSD · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 265