vpFREE2 Forums

A grand tour of the luxurious Club Cal-Neva

#1

Peppermill and Atlantis are great and I highly recommend them. But
there is great value at the Cal-Neva. Some years ago they used to
say that the Cal-Neva made more money per square foot than any other
casino in the state. I don't know if that is true anymore but they
still have lots of business. The joke is "if they ever remodel the
joint it would probably go bankrupt."

Not so long ago it was my gravy train. I lived two blocks away at
the Hustlers Hilton (El Cortez, not affiliated with El Cortez/Las
Vegas. They had the scratchers then and I played the nickel 10/7
ten-plays two at a time. You got a scratcher for 4K (only one per
screen). My scratchers were worth $1.47 and I ran twelve per hour.
You had to wait a minute or two for them so I bounced back and forth
between two machines. They also had 2 hundred-plays with 10/7 but
you spent most of your time waiting on the scratchers so I avoided
them. The play was worth $22 an hour (the card was .125%
cashback, .125% comp) with very low money swings and was available
24/7. I played it 4 to five hours a day.

They also had 3 bartop multi-game progressives, two banks with 1
1/2% meters, one bank with 2% meter. The best game was 9/6 Jacks.
The sharpsters would start gathering up as the meter approached
$2300. The "team" played these progressives but had better sense
than to try and lock up all the machines, so it was not hard to get
a seat. I actually liked the team being there as I didn't like
getting tied up on a marathon quest for a royal.

The scratchers, 10/7 multi-line and 9/6 in the bartops are gone now
but there is still good value at the Cal-Neva. So let's get
started.

You are standing on the corner of 2nd and Virginia and walk in that
door. Congratulation! You are now standing in the Virginai Street
side of the casino. Walk by the bar on your left to the slot club
booth. You need a card. Once you get the card make a 180 degree
turn and walk straight back until you get to the base of the
escalator. Look over to your lef and you will see a bank of 6
uprights. You will see the progressive meters above the machines.
There are 6 meters total all running at .5%. The game is 9/6 double
double with meters on everything, RF, SF, 4A/with kicker, 4A, small
quads with kicker, small qualds.

Now walk around to the other side of this bank and you will find one
of the best low-roller plays in the state. Ten coin nickel 10/7
double bonus with meters: RF .2%. 4A .2%, Small Quads .2%, Generic
Quads .2%.

Now turn around and walk out the plate glass doors to the alley
(don't worry, you won't get mugged), then walk in the plate glass
doors to the other side of the casino. Once you are in,
Congraulations! You are now in the Center Street side of the
casino. Look over to your left and you will see some uprights with
meters above. This is a ten-coin nickel triple play with
progressive royal. The best games are Ugly Ducks and 7/5 Super
Aces. I personally bang on this bank when the royals total $2700 or
higher. My personal best is $1400 royal.

Now we are going to backtrack through the alley to the Virginai
Street side and board the escalator. At the top is the mezzanine,
do a 180 and board the escalator again. When you get to the top
look 90 degrees to your left and you will see the sports bar with
the sports book behind. The sports bar has 9/7 double bonus with a
1% royal meter. No number there so we are going to go to our right
heading to the stairs down to the "Top Deck." Along the way we are
going to check out the 9/7 double bonus uprights with 1% royal meter
sitting in the middle of this landing. No number so let's walk down
the stairs. Welconme to the Top Deck. On your left will be the
Poker Room, on your right, the Top Deck Bar. The bartops are multi-
game progressive with 1.5% royal meter. Best game is 9/7 double
bonus.

Now, let's walk past the bar, past the blackjack pit, then do a left
and walk past the Top Deck Restaurant (best chow this side of the
Rescue Mission). Keep walking and Voila! You are now in the
Skywalk. The bar will be over to your right. Multi-game
progressive with 2% royal meter. Best game is 9/7 double bonus.
The Skywalk is my favorite place in the casino. They have almost-
floor to ceiling plate glass windows, tinted so as not to be
blinding. So while I'm banging away on a big number I get to see
the blue sky, buildings of downtown, traffic passing by, and of
course, the people on the street, especially the girls (I admit it,
I'm a leche). But, I also love to play here in the winter when it
is snowing.

Here are some hints: The "team" likes $2700 on the 9/7 double
bonus. Remember, don't throw your beer bottle into the wall or you
will be asked to leave for the day.

#2

About 6 or 7 years ago, I was staying at the Peppermill, in Reno, on
a 5 night comped stay. At that time the PEPP had everything that a
knowledgable, recreational player could possibly want in FP VP. This
inventory included both FPKBJW & FPDW from .25c - $1.00.

Due to my very early waking time (usually prior to 4:00am) I was
always able to play these great machines early in the AM, before the
local pros arrived.

If I was having a nice run, I would munch on cookies from my purse,
forgo breakfast, and keep pounding away as the AP's drifted in to
claim their machines, where they worked the $1.00 FPDW all day.

Many times I continued to sit there as they delibrately blew smoke
my way to hasten my departure. I am of small stature, but not
always easily moved! (-:

One morning I was losing my derriere' on these great machines. By
8:30am, I was already down over $500, at quarter play. Being too
stubborn to leave, because a particularly obnoxious young woman was
sending poisonous glances my way, I continued to fruitlessly bang
away at JW, as the Bennies skittered out of my wallet.

A cocktail waitress who had been generously tipped while serving me
3 cups of coffee to accompany my chocolate chip breakfast, noticed
my plight. She suggested that I leave the Peppermill and take a ride
over to the Cal-Neva. She said that she stopped there for a little
play prior to starting work that morning and had noticed that
the .25c JOB prog. on the 2nd floor, was way over $2700. She hadn't
had time to play it, but thought that I might want to give it a
try.

I decided that my bankroll couldn't deplete at a faster rate than
was happening at the PEPP, so I grabbed a cab, and headed downtown
to the Cal-Neva.

While driving over I was mentally berating myself for A) listening
to the VP advice of a CW, B) not knowing if a scored RF had already
set the meter back to $1000, C) wondering if I would able to get a
seat at the positive bank or D) hoping that the C-N actually was NOT
grundgier than my beloved El Cortez!

As luck would have it, the RF meter was flashing $2805, and there
was one open seat at the circular bank. I decided that the C-N
and it's inhabitants weren't MUCH worse looking than those found at
the EC. I did, however, wrap my purse strap securely around my arm
and wrist before sitting on the end of it.

I played the prog. for about three hours on the first $20 bill.
Each time I thought I was destined to go broke, I would score a
quad. I was congratulating myself on how much slower I was losing,
when I finally lost the last $1.25. At the same time I realized
that I was starving. I had skipped breakfast and it was now about
1:00PM. I decided to go to the C-N Sport's Bar, for one of their
filling and frugal $1.00 hotdogs.

Before my tired butt was completely off the seat, an unpleasant
looking, scowling woman was firmly planted in my place. "Good
luck", I wished her, in my most friendly voice. "Hrrmpph', she
growled back.

I enjoyed my hot dog, watched some baseball on the SB screen, had a
leisurely visit to the Lady's Room, called my office, whined at
length to EH about how rotten I was playing, and finally walked back
to the bank of progs. that I had been playing earlier.

I noticed that the machine next to the one I had played earlier was
now open. As I headed for the vacant seat, the haridan playing my
former machine, scooted onto the open seat mumbling, "Take back this
rotten machine. It's cost me $60.00!"

I shrugged, sat down, and inserted a fresh $20 bill. On my FIRST
hand, drawing to the AQ of hearts, the rest of the lovely royal
family popped up, the machine locked up and I jumped up, yelling, "I
got it!"

At that time, the $2850 jackpot, was my largest to date. I was
absolutely thrilled.

My neighbor, who truly looked as if she was about to have Apoplexy,
scurried away, cursing under her breath. I was hoping that she
wasn't a REAL witch, or I was afraid I was a goner.

The suits arrived soon, and, for the only time this has ever
happened after a WG2 event, I was escorted to the slot office
to complete the necessary paperwork, rather than having this done
right at the machine.

My picture was then taken, developed on the spot, and put into a Cal-
Neva logo frame. The date and amount of the royal were printed out
and pasted on the back of the frame. To this day, I treasure that
tacky souvenir.

I immediately had Security walk me outside to find a cab back to the
PEPP, where I quickly deposited my fortune in my safe deposit Box.

I looked for my cocktail waitress buddy, so that I could reward her,
both that day and the next, but I never saw her again prior to
leaving for home.

I have not played at the C-N since that day, though after reading
Mickey's review, EH & I may be inspired to take a walk over there,
from the Silver Legacy, on our August visit.

~Babe~

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "mickeycrimm" <mickeycrimm@...> wrote:

..........They also had 3 bartop multi-game progressives, two banks
with 1 1/2% meters, one bank with 2% meter. The best game was 9/6
Jacks. The sharpsters would start gathering up as the meter
approached
$2300. The "team" played these progressives but had better sense
than
to try and lock up all the machines, so it was not hard to get a
seat................

#3

I wouldn't know about the rescue mission, but Mickey's right. Their food is good -- and I haven't gotten mugged there either. Whenever I stay at Harrah's Reno, I walk over to the Cal-Neva for their great breakfast specials. The food in their coffee shop is much better than Harrah's, and it's much, much, much cheaper. It's absolutely worth the walk.
   
  Lainie

···

mickeycrimm <mickeycrimm@yahoo.com> wrote:
   
  Now, let's walk past the bar, past the blackjack pit, then do a left
and walk past the Top Deck Restaurant (best chow this side of the
Rescue Mission).

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#4

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "jackessiebabe" <jackessiebabe@...>
wrote

I have not played at the C-N since that day, though after reading
Mickey's review, EH & I may be inspired to take a walk over there,
from the Silver Legacy, on our August visit.

~Babe

Great story, Babe. If the woman in question is who I think it is she
is not well liked by the locals either. She moved to Oregon a couple
of years ago, so the coast is clear.

#5

I wouldn't know about the rescue mission, but Mickey's right. Their

food is good -- and I haven't gotten mugged there either. Whenever I
stay at Harrah's Reno, I walk over to the Cal-Neva for their great
breakfast specials. The food in their coffee shop is much better than
Harrah's, and it's much, much, much cheaper. It's absolutely worth
the walk.

   
  Lainie

The Copper Ledge in the Cal-Neva has $9.95 16 oz. prime rib every day
of the week. Opens at 5:00PM

···

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, Lainie Wolf <lainiewolf702@...> wrote:

#6

I got some history at Cal-Neva myself. I never used the word luxurious with Cal Neva.
Maybe 10 yrs ago, maybe more, before I figured out that there were strategy sheets
for VP and that comps even existed, I would spend my trips to Nevada in the poker
rooms. Hold'em was just one of the games the poker rooms spread, not the
dominating players' choice game of today. I would join the slowpoke rocks at the low
limit 7-stud tables. I could sit there for 8 hrs, even pull all-niters. Cal Neva poker
room was The Choice because of the low rake (5%, $3 max.) low card brought it in for
50c. On weekdays you were NOT allowed to check and raise ! Really! I found this out
the expensive way, when my monster hand rope-a-dope tactic was stifled by the
dealer. Playing two days later on the weekend, another schlep checked and raised me
- dealer wouldn't help - different Rule on the weekend sonny. Classic. The locals got
their one chuckle per hour at me.

I remember that the C-N poker room manager brought in free pastries for the players
& dealers about 7AM. It became a goal for goin the extra couple hours to pull the all-
nighter and get your pastry. I'm sure some of them pastries cost me $20 or $40 of
sloppy, tired losses. We were always intimidated by the huge stacks of chips the
Omaha Hi/Lo players had - so we stuck to 7 stud - even tho' we knew how to play
Omaha, it just seemed that EVERY hand of Omaha H/L we watched went bet/raise/
raise/raise: $12 per round of betting. Hence the towers of $1 and $5 chips that
players hid behind.

When we went to Las Vegas, the Imperial Palace cardroom had the same musty
carpets and low rake as C-N in Reno, so that's where we played 7 stud. The I-P had
about 3 tables, crammed just off the aisle on the 3rd floor I think. Just an
afterthought- not really a room. Lot of pedestrian traffic walking close by, up and
down them stairs. It was tight quarters - azzholes to elbows. I'm sure I played about
70% of my hands at least to 5th street, I swore I'd never be as tight as the old fart
"rocks". I never admired their patience nor their willingness to waste time waiting for
a monster hand. I figured they had nothing better to do. Some retirement!

Anyhow, me & my pals started our VP hobby at the Cal-Neva on the bank of 25c 8/5
bonus poker progressive upright coin-droppers which had separate suited Royal prog
meters. These were located along the wall across from the upstairs steakhouse,
South and East of the poker room. This was before they put in the east annex
walkway. Change of pace from slow live poker. We never hit a Royal, my general
memory is were happy to make a $20 last more than an hour.

The few times I have returned to C-N in the last 5 yrs I didn't stay long at all, my
general impression was poor upkeep, poor service, many closed cashier cage stations
and only a few playable VP games. The annex has lots of windows, view to the street.
Some of those JoB machines were playable. Like any good storyteller, Mickey's
description brought back those memories. Thanks!

~MARK in Seattle

---babe wrote:

About 6 or 7 years ago,

<snipped Pepps part of the story>

As luck would have it, the RF meter was flashing $2805, and there
was one open seat at the circular bank.
I shrugged, sat down, and inserted a fresh $20 bill. On my FIRST
hand, drawing to the AQ of hearts, the rest of the lovely royal
family popped up, the machine locked up and I jumped up, yelling, "I
got it!"

<snip>

···

I have not played at the C-N since that day, though after reading
Mickey's review, EH & I may be inspired to take a walk over there,
from the Silver Legacy, on our August visit.

~Babe~

#7

=== message truncated ===
ummm! where is the cal-neva? and is that the hotel
behind the golden gate,on main street,heading towards
the strat? and if not, what is that hotel? I've never
ventured beyond south of the plaza. after a play at
the plaza,i walk across to the Fremont street.

···

--- jackessiebabe <jackessiebabe@yahoo.com> wrote:

About 6 or 7 years ago, I was staying at the
Peppermill, in Reno, on
a 5 night comped stay. At that time the PEPP had
everything that a
knowledgable, recreational player could possibly
want in FP VP. This
inventory included both FPKBJW & FPDW from .25c -
$1.00.

Due to my very early waking time (usually prior to
4:00am) I was
always able to play these great machines early in
the AM, before the
local pros arrived.

If I was having a nice run, I would munch on cookies
from my purse,
forgo breakfast, and keep pounding away as the AP's
drifted in to
claim their machines, where they worked the $1.00
FPDW all day.

Many times I continued to sit there as they
delibrately blew smoke
my way to hasten my departure. I am of small
stature, but not
always easily moved! (-:

One morning I was losing my derriere' on these great
machines. By
8:30am, I was already down over $500, at quarter
play. Being too
stubborn to leave, because a particularly obnoxious
young woman was
sending poisonous glances my way, I continued to
fruitlessly bang
away at JW, as the Bennies skittered out of my
wallet.

A cocktail waitress who had been generously tipped
while serving me
3 cups of coffee to accompany my chocolate chip
breakfast, noticed
my plight. She suggested that I leave the Peppermill
and take a ride
over to the Cal-Neva. She said that she stopped
there for a little
play prior to starting work that morning and had
noticed that
the .25c JOB prog. on the 2nd floor, was way over
$2700. She hadn't
had time to play it, but thought that I might want
to give it a
try.

I decided that my bankroll couldn't deplete at a
faster rate than
was happening at the PEPP, so I grabbed a cab, and
headed downtown
to the Cal-Neva.

While driving over I was mentally berating myself
for A) listening
to the VP advice of a CW, B) not knowing if a scored
RF had already
set the meter back to $1000, C) wondering if I would
able to get a
seat at the positive bank or D) hoping that the C-N
actually was NOT
grundgier than my beloved El Cortez!

As luck would have it, the RF meter was flashing
$2805, and there
was one open seat at the circular bank. I decided
that the C-N
and it's inhabitants weren't MUCH worse looking than
those found at
the EC. I did, however, wrap my purse strap securely
around my arm
and wrist before sitting on the end of it.

I played the prog. for about three hours on the
first $20 bill.
Each time I thought I was destined to go broke, I
would score a
quad. I was congratulating myself on how much
slower I was losing,
when I finally lost the last $1.25. At the same
time I realized
that I was starving. I had skipped breakfast and it
was now about
1:00PM. I decided to go to the C-N Sport's Bar, for
one of their
filling and frugal $1.00 hotdogs.

Before my tired butt was completely off the seat, an
unpleasant
looking, scowling woman was firmly planted in my
place. "Good
luck", I wished her, in my most friendly voice.
"Hrrmpph', she
growled back.

I enjoyed my hot dog, watched some baseball on the
SB screen, had a
leisurely visit to the Lady's Room, called my
office, whined at
length to EH about how rotten I was playing, and
finally walked back
to the bank of progs. that I had been playing
earlier.

I noticed that the machine next to the one I had
played earlier was
now open. As I headed for the vacant seat, the
haridan playing my
former machine, scooted onto the open seat mumbling,
"Take back this
rotten machine. It's cost me $60.00!"

I shrugged, sat down, and inserted a fresh $20 bill.
On my FIRST
hand, drawing to the AQ of hearts, the rest of the
lovely royal
family popped up, the machine locked up and I jumped
up, yelling, "I
got it!"

At that time, the $2850 jackpot, was my largest to
date. I was
absolutely thrilled.

My neighbor, who truly looked as if she was about to
have Apoplexy,
scurried away, cursing under her breath. I was
hoping that she
wasn't a REAL witch, or I was afraid I was a goner.

The suits arrived soon, and, for the only time this
has ever
happened after a WG2 event, I was escorted to the
slot office
to complete the necessary paperwork, rather than
having this done
right at the machine.

My picture was then taken, developed on the spot,
and put into a Cal-
Neva logo frame. The date and amount of the royal
were printed out
and pasted on the back of the frame. To this day, I
treasure that
tacky souvenir.

I immediately had Security walk me outside to find a
cab back to the
PEPP, where I quickly deposited my fortune in my
safe deposit Box.

I looked for my cocktail waitress buddy, so that I
could reward her,
both that day and the next, but I never saw her
again prior to
leaving for home.

I have not played at the C-N since that day, though
after reading
Mickey's review, EH & I may be inspired to take a
walk over there,
from the Silver Legacy, on our August visit.

~Babe~

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, "mickeycrimm"
<mickeycrimm@...> wrote:

..........They also had 3 bartop multi-game
progressives, two banks
with 1 1/2% meters, one bank with 2% meter. The
best game was 9/6
Jacks. The sharpsters would start gathering up as
the meter
approached
$2300. The "team" played these progressives but had
better sense
than
to try and lock up all the machines, so it was not
hard to get a
seat................

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#8

It's in Reno.

ale j <beaverjoe277@yahoo.com> wrote: === message truncated ===
ummm! where is the cal-neva? and is that the hotel
behind the golden gate,on main street,heading towards
the strat? and if not, what is that hotel? I've never
ventured beyond south of the plaza. after a play at
the plaza,i walk across to the Fremont street.

···

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

#9

Actually, the Cal-Neva is quite a bit NORTH of the Plaza. An
invigorating walk if you're in good shape........but well worth it!
(-:

~Babe~

···

=========================================
--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, Lainie Wolf <lainiewolf702@...> wrote:

It's in Reno.

ale j <beaverjoe277@...> wrote:
ummm! where is the cal-neva? and is that the hotel behind the
goldengate,on main street,heading towards the strat? and if not, what
is that hotel? I've never ventured beyond south of the plaza. after a
play at the plaza,i walk across to the Fremont street.

#10

why is it that its hardly mention? and what is that
hotel behind the golden gate? its nevada.....sumthin!
thanks babe. i wont be walkin that far. just walk
around from my base,which is main st. station or the cal.

···

--- jackessiebabe <jackessiebabe@yahoo.com> wrote:

Actually, the Cal-Neva is quite a bit NORTH of the
Plaza. An
invigorating walk if you're in good shape........but
well worth it!
(-:

~Babe~

--- In vpFREE@yahoogroups.com, Lainie Wolf
<lainiewolf702@...> wrote:

It's in Reno.

ale j <beaverjoe277@...> wrote:
ummm! where is the cal-neva? and is that the hotel
behind the
goldengate,on main street,heading towards the
strat? and if not, what
is that hotel? I've never ventured beyond south of
the plaza. after a
play at the plaza,i walk across to the Fremont
street.

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