This was the last part of my journey to Reno. I still have to tell you folks about my Peppermill adventures... in the next installment. Anyway, It costs $10 for a taxi from the Peppermill to the El-Dorado. I went into the "gold room" to check in around 12PM. As usual , my room was ready. It was a deluxe Players club suite - the most comfortable of all my hotels for the trip. The Eldo is Carrano family owned business , and don't offer much in cash back but always offer good room and food comps and treat you well with offers. Their rooms and food are some of the best in Reno, and the central downtown location cant be beat. This is a good place to play if you like 9/6 jacks, 10/7 DB, and 15/8 loose deuce. Tons of bars, and entertainment. They have always managed to pick up my entire bill for years here, and are quite generous with the comps.
Food: Ate at "The Prime Rib" - not a bad meal, but the 16oz prime rib only had 3 ounces of actual meat -the rest was all fat. Mind you , it was tasty , but left
you crying for the desert cart.
Tivoli Gardens is a great coffee shop. I recommend the Giant Burrito.
El Dorado Coffee Company - The best Java in Reno with fresh donuts.
Gold Room - Hey its a free players lounge with great coffee , video poker, and donuts from the El Dorado coffee company.
Promotion: 6X a day, you can enter the "treasures of the El Dorado". Its one of the stupidest promos in the history of Reno, and you get drawing tickets and if your lucky, a deck of cards from it.
Security: El Dorado has the best security in Reno - 24/7 no key to room - no elevator ! very simple
Transportation:
They have a shuttle to/from airport and a driver who meets you at the registration desk lobby every half hour on the 0/30 minute marks. The driver explained to me that they meet in the lobby instead of on the street to discourage "migrant workers and Fitzgerald people ( they don't have a shuttle ) from taking the bus." He also added that all can be "forgiven" if they would "grease his hand" and stop being so cheap!
Gambling Inventory that I played:
25C 10/7 double bonus upstairs - these games are un-playable for more than 20 minutes because of the 100 watt glare from above track lighting, burning a hole in your retina. +$100
25C bartop 15/8 loose deuce. These machines are 1 - 20 coins. I was playing 9 coins at a time , so that the ducks would pay $1125. As it turned out , I had horrible luck on these and never got ducks: -$1000
50C bartop 10/7 double bonus. These are 1-20 coin machines, and I was playing 14 coins at a time. This was in case I should get quad Aces the pay off would be $1120 ( thus avoiding taxes). Again bad luck: -$400
25C 9/6 Bonus Deluxe Multi-strike: These are a real roller coaster ride - Managed to get a quad on the top line for a $800 score: +$300
9/6 Jacks progressive ( avg royal $1180 ): +$300
9/6 DDB progressive ( avg royal $1200) : -$100
Clint East wood slots : -$80 ( These are fun, but avoid...they are ice cold )
$1 9/6 Jacks ( $4500 royal progressive ): Even
Silver Legacy:
$ 8/5 bonus poker progressive ( jackpot was $4500 ): +$100 ( note - I always beat these machines ! )
5C 9/6/90 100 play jacks - I played 25/50 hands for about 1 hour and lost $20 total: -$20 - darn, no straight flushes !
9/5 triple bonus plus 25C 1-50 coin machines: -$200
8/5 bonus poker progressive with 40,000 coin reversible royal and $1300 jackpot: -$100
Airport Slots: The selection and pay tables are horrible - but got lucky on a $1 wheel of fortune and beat them for $75: +$75
Bottom Line: Had a great time at these places. I'm still lifetime ahead at the Eldo , despite the loss. You got to be careful at their bartop games. The keys are sticky, dirty, bouncy and if your too fast - your out of luck...play slower than usual..you have been warned !
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