Greetings, Campers:
Flew on Southwest, arrived Reno airport 7:10PM. No Limo! What?
Called up the Peppermill, patched me thru to the bell desk, the guy
said he'd be right over. 15min, time for a stogie. Driver said he
found the slip of paper from the Host, but no one had entered it in
the schedule book. No problem. No other hitches, I had a nice
comped corner Suite, ate well and felt stylin'.
DAY 1: Thurs, March 3
So, I still beat my self-imposed 1 hour maximum from touch-down
on the runway to slippin' in that first bill in a VP machine. The
.25/.50 Full pay Deuces Wild (DW) were in a low ceilinged alcove,
near the Fish bar. All the MG machines out near Oceano are NSUD
that I saw. These FPDW did NOT have the free-play sticker on them,
so I had to <gasp>, use my own money. Dropped 100. Then I used
my $620 free-playon .25 JW (18/7), $1 JW & $1 DDB (dbl dbl bonus).
I hit a SF on the $1 DDB, aswell as dealt quad Ks, + 250 ea. So,
I've got $650 extra in my pocket at this point.
I head back to the DW, and play these at the ten coin level, (.50
coin effectively) every time I play them for the rest of the trip.
I drop 250 this time. I looked around and never found the .25
DDB 10/6. But I decided to play some 3-line (Triple Play - TP)
DDB which is the 9/6 variety. I hit quad 2's twice (100 ea) and
moved on, up 200 on that machine.
I tried a game new to me: Super Times Pay. It's multi-line, and I
gave it some play to try to catch the thrill, which comes if you get
dealt a high handwith a big multiplier. But after dropping 300,
I decide I don't like this game. It was only .10 per cred, but I
wasn't getting anything on the deal, much less the draw. Bring me
back my Five Aces! Now that game I liked, but it's gone from Pepps.
I dropped another 200 total on .25 JW, .25 spin poker (another game I
just don't "GET") and .50 DW. They have these coupons you get by
sliding yourslot card thru a reader near the promo desk. Daily.
Thurs and Fri the coupon says I get to go over to a touchscreen and
pick one of the ten icons (with hidden creditsbehind) in each row.
You could quit anytime and take your winnings or you risked a loss if
you picked a<BUZZZ> loser. Anyhow, I picked 5 rows successfully
each time andgot another $80 freeplay for each day. So, back to the
story.
Thursday it's after midnight, so it's my birthday. Gettin' tired,
haven't eaten. I look for machines as I head slowly back towards
the room. Only the 24 hr coffee shop is open, I decide not to try
their meals. I play .25 TriplPlay DDB. I getthe age-old
controversial AQT hearts + another Q + 4. I hold the 3RF, which
is what I usually do and am rewarded with ...... a 4000 cred
birthday Royal. I take the ticket out, cash it for $1100 and call
it a night. Yay!
There's a gift basket in my room, a present from my host, Chris. Some
exotic foodstuffs. I pig out a little, watch some TV, asleep by
2:30AM.
DAY 2 Friday March 4th
I'm playin again at noon. I'm +/- 100 on each of these games: .25 TP
DDB, .50 DW, $1 BP and .25 Triple Dbl Bonus (TDB). I hit a SF on the
BP for +250, but it just kept me a little ahead. Then, on the .25
TDB,
I got quad As WITH a kicker, for 4000 creds. That's another $1000
jackpot, on my birthday. Yay!
Time to eat. It's about 2:30, so I catch the lunch menu at Oceano.
Yoshi Roll sushi and an Atlantic salmon/wild rice/baby spinach dish
that is heavenly. Sign check to the room, and overtip $6.
Kept me fueled for the evening.
My nemesis $1 10/6 DDB in the high limit area is calling. I'd
already hit it for a dandy profit on Day 1. This time, I'm 300 into
it when I score quad 3s with a Kicker for 800, leave with 500
profit. I play some $1 BP, which, I consider a nice settling game,
if I need to counteract not hitting enough quads on DDB. Two pair:
1-1 on DDB; 2-1 on BP. Quads (5-thru-K) pay 25-1 on BP, 50-1 on
DDB. So the 1-1 for 2pr on DDB kills you until you make it up by
hitting a quad. The 2-1 on BP is regular nourishment,
and can actually build your stake up slowly. I hit quad Js on $1
BP, even money session.
The $1 JW prog is up to $4986. I drop a 100 now, 200 more later on
it. Down 200 on 3 and 5-play .25 DDB. This game can eat you up,
the dealt hand is key. I switched machines often when I played this.
A concession to the notion of juju. I hit Quad 4s with a kicker on
.25 TDB for a neat 200, up only 100 here. I score two quads on $1
BP for 125 ea, up $200 on that session. 7PM: Time for a 1 hr room
break. TV, change socks and some anecdotes overheard on the
gaming floor:
P.A. voice: "Clem to the poker room..ahhh, Clem." Loud older guy
sitting near me, talkin' to his pals: "What's Clem doin'? I know Clem-
he's probablywalking around the block smokin' a joint!! Ha ha ha.."
<name changed to protect the innocent>
Grizzled big old guy playing a nickel slot nearby. The sexy voice in
the bonus round implores him to "Shake your booty! C'mon, shake it!
Shake it! Shake your moneymaker." I can't & don't want to look
over to see his reaction.
Couple walking by: snippet of conversation: She: "I'm about even from
yesterday and today.." He: "...Gooo...oood."
Song from yesteryear lyric: "...cop says, you gotta pay the
Alligator.."
After break, I counted 1300 UP for the day. I piddle away 800 of
this on .50 DW, $1 BP, $1 DDB and .25 TP DDB. That is, despite
2 x 125 for 2 quad 5s on $1 BP and 3 quads on DDB for +250 ea.
Next, on .25 TP DDB, I'm dealt quad 3s. I draw one hoping to snag
kickers. no dice, but a tidy $100 profit per line. This is why you
play this TP game. Another quad 3 for 100 later, finish up 200. I
attack the $1 JW with the prog Royal up to 5020 now. Long session,
remember I've played this game for many hours on prior trips. As long
as the quads keep coming (+90 ea) I hit a SF for $250, but drop 500
over the session. I find a .25 JW with a Royal Prog at 1863. I drop
$100 onit, but make a note to hit it hard tomorrow. I taper down with
a +150 in high limit DDB $1 with early on quad 10s and then a
nightcap dabble on 10c per cred Multistrike. I hit quad 7s on line
4: 2000 creds, 10c per, I take the $200 and head for snooze-a-roo.
It's about 4:30AM. Up $300 on the day, +200 free play in pocket.
+1300 for the trip. 15 hours gaming today - whoo. Zzzzzz.
Day 3 Sat.
I'm sure usin' the kleenex a lot, making them heavy. A cold has
made me weak, but a shower wakes me up. I take some Robitussin
and I'm ready for gamin' by 11:30AM. Happy to get to it before noon.
Less crowded. So, this .25 JW upright, with the individual prog
at $1887: let's just say I make it my HOME for the next 6 1/2 hrs.
A lot of locals are itchin' for me to leave. I'm tipping an
attendant
to watch my machine when I restroom break. One guy even sits at the
machine next to me and asks <jokingly, sorta> "hey, you done with
that machine?.. ha ha, just kidding..." I put one 100 in to start,
& had to put in a 2nd hundred at some point, but I close out
at 6PM down $70. I hit no 5-of-kinds (+250) nor wild royals (+125),
but a steady stream of quads(+22) and SFs (+62). I got dealt quads
probably 10 times, always a thrill drawing for the 5th of a kind.
And 4 part natural RFs - OY!- a few on the deal and maybe 10 more
after the draw. Exciting... But the jackpot was safe.
Oh yeah - another big guy was playin' the "shake your money makers"
nickel slots nearby. He hits the progressive jackpot... FOR $11,000
<!!! > He immediately calls the wife over, she gets on the cellphone
to
blab to family and friends. He's somewhat dazed. She's hugging him
a lot. I don't wonder long if he'll get his new 4 X 4 or if she'll
the
kitchen remodel. Poor rich guy.
That actually took a bit of the wind out of my sails: here I am using
my brain and my dexterity sweatin' for $2000, which I don't get,
and this guy is "shakin' his booty" for nickels and scores $11000.
Ah well. But I have to leave the scene. The wife is askin' dumb
questions about tax implications.
I make a reso at the Steakhouse for 7:30. I toss 150 into 3 and
5-play DDB and cash out for 0. I putz on some slots for down 50,
take a brief room break and get seated right at 7:30. I order up
right away. My waitress has those weird big eyes like a
Malamute, but pleasant, petite and something a bit british about
her. My filet mignon is a bit delayed in getting served, so, I dunno
if you've dined solo, but you end up writing on the cards to look
busy: "slight delay in meal.." just to make it look like you
have something to do besides eat. No readers digests laying around
here. I overhear waitress chatting with a lady nearby about their
pregnancies and isn't it something when the baby's elbow jabs your
stomach and how she used to weigh 185 lbs and now she's
like a size 2... Luckily I'm done eating. The other lady says, "Oh
good for you!" but I wonder if she pulled $5 back off the tip out of
jealousy. I don't have a glass of wine with dinner, this blowin' my
nose has got me drained enough, don't want any other "influences".
My other scrawlings are that my count is 42 on 4-part RFs, about
5 of them on the deal. Maybe this is moot, as I already got a Royal.
Maybe I shouldn't count anymore. Meal is $41, charge to room,
tip $10 cash.
I like to relax after dinner, I think BP is relaxing. I have a
cigar, a Macanudo ascot, & am done relaxing after my 5th 100 bill
disappears. No quads, no SFs, barely a 4RF or two. I regroup on
the $1 DDB, hit two quads 2X250, leave up 200. Up 100 on .50
DW. I try the $2 JoB. The last old coindroppers got replaced, now
there are about 12 machines linked on a shared progressive that
starts at $9400. They feel good, but I don't stay long, down 100.
even on .25 TDB despite a quad 4 for 100. I play 5-play
DDB and NSUD down 100. another 100 down on $1 BP.
So, time to play the $1 JW hard. the prog is at 5060. $700 into it,
and no hands over $100 payback to report. not good. Any loss
over 500 on one machine in one session and my brain is screaming
"runaway!" The ugly thing here is the last 100 or so, I'm
starting into My OWN money! Nooooo! I take some breathing time
on .25 JW, but down 50, I gots to do somethin'. Even tho' it's
after midnight, and I'm a little tired, I decide to play high limt
area.
Up the denom to $2. I play BP, then DDB and come out moping,
down another 500. I drop 100 more each on .25 TDB and .25 TP
deuces and call it a night. It's 1:30AM. 12 hrs gaming today. Down
2250 on the day. Ouch! Only 2 x 100 and 2 x 250 jackpots all day.
Ooof.
Day 4. Sunday.
I'd arranged for a late (2PM) checkout and I use it. I do NOT set my
alarm on these trips. I often cancel housekeeping as I don't even use
up the towels and they just rush me out of the room. I'm down
about 900 to here. Drop off room cards, bagsto the bell desk and
make my limo reso for 7:10PM. Flight departs at 8:30PM.
2PM, and I play 3/5-play, down 100. a session of DW, down a bit then
a nice comeback, so I quit it even. Then, another ATTACK on the
$1 JW. down and up and down, I quit down 500. Grrr! I limp over to
the multi-game/Multi-denoms near the Oceano doors to the parking
lot. There's a nice refreshing breeze when the outside doors open.
I sit next a nice L.o.L. little ol' lady. She's pleasantly chatty,
says she and hubby moved here from NY 4 yrs ago. I'm 50 into the
machine when I draw TQ clubs to hit my Royal. Takes me a few
seconds to realize I am very, very happy at this turn of events.
$4000.
I SHOULD be able to hang onto it for a winning visit. Attendants
show up quick, take my license, back with a W-2G tax form for me
to sign, I get my copy of course, and oh yeah, the cash. 40 beat up
100s. But I'll take 'em. A frugal $25 tip. No tax advice needed. I
cash
out down 50, not counting my big handpay. I drift around now, even
try a newish game "Pick a pair". You are dealt 2 cards. Then
there
are two stacks of 3 cards, with the top cards exposed. Pick one stack,
the two unseen cards are revealed, and you are paid off per a weird
paytable. Pair of 9s or higher paysoff. Dumb game. Really dumb.
One of those games where you don't want to be seen playing it. Sorry!
I'm up 100 at .50 DW. I pull even sessions on .25 JW, $2 JoB. $1
BP, .25 pick-a pair (shudder) and $1 DDB, with one quad +250
dribbled away. I'm playing $1 coin triple play DDB in the high limit
area. It looks like I'll be stuck a few hundred when a quad Q
hits, so I cash out even. I drift back to the $2 coin BP, drop 500.
$1 DDB -200. No quads.
I note now that I have only the 4000 royal money in my pocket now.
That's a nice round number, my goal to hang onto it for +1500 for
the duration of the trip.
A +100 quad 3 on .25 TDB keeps me even. Up 100 on .50 DW. now
back on $1 JW, down 200, down another 100 when I hit a nice SF for
250 and close outthe session even. Back to high limit on $2 BP. I
just wanna hit a quad on this game. 300 invested says NO.
No quads for you. OK, I'm in 200 to the 4000 bundle. I try NSU
Deuces 5-play. Dealt 3 deuces. this is good. draw 2 on each line,
and... top hand HITS the 4th duck for +$250. A few other minor
ups and downs. But I got my $4K bundle intact! Yay! I head for the
bell desk and take off early, a little before 7PM in the limo.
At the airport, I play .50 ACE$ Bonus, with a gyp paytable on the
trips only. Should pay 3-1, airport pays 2-1. I can live with
that. I get the machine up $100, while the helpless couple next
to me is rummaging thru handbags looking for money to play.
Pitiful. But I've been there. I milk that up 100 for about 25
min.,
eventually crap out, down 40.
Patch on a kid's hooded sweatshirt on the airplane:
AKADEMIKS JEANIUS
It's very official looking. Somebody is serious. E-bonics?
During the flight, I tally up the trip summaries on Index cards. I
manage to balance the books. <sorry if the columns don't line up>
Summary:
Day 1 2 3 4 total
···
---------------------------------------
HRs: 6 15 12 5 38 hrs
W/L
.10 -300 +200 - - -100
.25 +750 +1050 -600 +100 +1300
.50 -350 -550 +100 +150 -650
$1 +100 -400 -1100 +3200 +1800
$2 - - -650 -800 -1450
Free +600 +200 - - +800
----------------------------------------
Total +800 +500 -2250 +2650 +1700
Tips 25 35 45 65 -170
Jackpots: 1 2 3 4 total
.25 2x100 4 x 100 2 x 100 1 x 100 9 x 100
.25 2 x 200 1 x 250 2 x 200
.25 1x1000 1 x1000 1 x 250
2 x 1000
$1 5 x 125 5 x 125
$1 2x 250 6 x 250 2 x 250 3 x 250 13 x 250
$1 1x 800 1 x 4000 1 x 800
1 x 4000
--------------------------------------------
5 19 4 6 34 Jackpots> 100
That's all folks.
Oh yeah, no Live hold'em for me. They had a lot of tournaments
there this weekend, they moved the card room to the 2nd floor.
Supposedly temporary to handle the extra tables. I never even
explored the set-up.
~~MARK