GOLDEN ACORN - 12/29/05 date of visit:
I hadn't been out there in a while (about 27 miles
further EAST of Viejas- so about 50+ miles from central San Diego).
Still one of the higher paying slot clubs (Valley View is the other),
at $1 cb per $400 coin-in for straight .25% cb. (Available in $5
increments). .50c/$1 NSUD, 8-5BP, and 9/7 DB are best games to play,
on uprights IGT GameKings (in 2 separate banks of 6 and 4).
You might have to fight with the keno/video BJ players to get an open
machine.
ONGOING promo is a $2 voucher good at their minimart/gas
station (with slightly inflated gas prices). Earned for 125 pts (so
$500 coin in), and NO PTS deducted. I usually just get $5 gas (for
$3) on the way out. (Pick up at Slot club after 125 pts earned).
Other playable games include (at $1 and higher only):
(All 3-5 or 10 play vp slanttops)
NSUD, 9/6 JB, 8/5 BP, and 9/7 DB in 10-plays (there are two slant-top
banks of 4 + 4 for 8 total machines). There are still 4 near BJ
tables, and other 4 are at end of the rows below (3/5 plays - all
slanttops).
Also there are 2 rows of (5 + 5) slanttop 3/5 plays.
ONE side is high denom. $1-2-5. Other side is multi-denom from .05c-
$1, only fullpay at $1 levels. Same games as the 10-plays.
Live poker now available in their small table games area, along with
some other new 'poker' variants (similar to Big Raise Hold'em), and a
game I never saw before that uses only Aces-Kings-Queens. Still
playing against the house though.
Valley View - (12/26/-5):
I found 4 Hundred Play uprights for .01c-.05c denom. (in non-
smoking 'tent', just beyond the main Slot Club counters) -
that have 9/7 SDB (Super DB) in them. Other games are ugly 2s (15-9)
and worse. I think BP was available.
VView has a random 'Colossal Coin' jackpot, similar to the STATIONS
Jumbo Jackpot. Must have slot card activated while playing any
machine.
NOTE: Their .25% slot bonus is returned as 'freeplay' (called
MorePlay/OverTime play), so not quite direct cb (as you must play
thru any machine at least once before cashing out). It is more like a
rebate/bonus, similar to how the Fiesta Stations freeplay/Hard Rock
freeplay work.
Play a hand of vp and win or lose, you get the amt. bet added to your
credits. You have to play until all the bonus 'freeplay' is
completed, in order to fulfil your total bonus amts (in even amounts
of $5 increments).
Viejas - Future expansion planned. Most stand-alone mgmd GKs (multi-
denom. IGT gameKings) have 9/6 JB with .2% cb ($5 coin-in per pt).
ONLY the 3/5 plays and the (2) Multi-strikes are set at .1% cb
($10/pt). (and possibly the high denom $1+ machines).
Live poker continues to have daily morning AND evening tournaments
and drawing bonuses (I won $250 for the first time, just for being a
tournament player who stayed afterward to play in live games!).
Free dinner weekend buffet for any 2 hours live during the week.
Check their website for current info. (under poker
calendar/promotions).
Martin
Note on BOUNCEBACK bonuses:
Viejas sends me $10 voucher after any 10 visits in a month.
Free swipe promotions usually are 1 in 3 to 1 in 4 as winners ($5
minimum to larger prizes).
Sycuan has been a steady $10/monthly on about 16 hours/mo live poker
play ($8 earned in slot pts).
Harrahs (for some reason) sends me $10 weekly coupons.
Valley View - ongoing 1 free buffet/month, in addition to $10-15
freeplay once/week; Usually give them 1-2k/visit.