(also posted on LVA forum)
Chris and I finally found a way to use those pesky Delta miles that
never seem to be available when we wanted to use them. We've never
done a quick weekend trip to Reno as we live in the midwest and
cannot get there on a direct flight. So we left CVG early Saturday
morning and arrived (through SLC) RNO about noon. No issues with
the flights which is remarkable considering all of the cancelled
flights this week with the snowstorms. The limo driver greeted us
on time in the baggage claim area.
Arrival and check-in was easy at the VIP lounge, although
construction on the entryway and painting on the skybridge to the
parking garage made for a slight delay. The construction on the
tuscany tower is currently up to the third floor. We asked for a
standard room since on this trip we wouldn;t be spending much time
other than crashing, and were assigned to a room on the 14th floor
facing downtown. I have said before that the rooms are adequate but
the bathrooms were in desperate need of renovation, and that is
still true. The only improvement is that they seem to have
abandoned the power flush toilets that never seemed to work.
After reading the downgrading of DB, I was concerned that the tables
on the Spinpokers (NSUD and 9/7 DB) were also affected, but to our
relief they were still intact. This was where we spent virtually
all our time playing. I did some spot surveying of some of the
other machine and found nothing that contradicts the recent posts of
downgrading. I will say (and I know this is not popular) that 9/7
DB and NSUD is still available throughout the casino, including in
the expanded area near the new sportsbook. The DB Super times Pay
25c near the Oceano is 10/6.
With $225 of Freeplay, $25 birthday credit and the $50 dining
coupon, after settling in to our room, we attacked the Spinpoker
machines. Unfortunately they were ready for us.
The highlights and lowlights:
Once was dealt pat deuces for $360, and Chris drew a RF on one line
for $400. that was pretty much it for the highlights until the end
of the trip.
Between us, we had about 40 hours of play on Spin at the 10c level
resulted in about $1100 down on Saturday, about the same on Sunday,
and on monday morning I had about $800 sunk into the machine before
I was dealt 6c Qh Jh 10h Ah. I hit the draw and got Kh in the top
position for $1200 and my first W2G. Yay, but I was still way down
for the trip. But it was a good way to end it.
Restaurants:
Oceano for lunch: Clam Chowder and Pacifica sandwich. Excellent as
always
Steak House for dinner ($50 dining credit): Split plate Prime Rib,
end cut. Outstandning flavor and service, and filled us up
quickly. I also liked the Tomato Parmesan soup.
Coffee Shop for dinner (2 for 1 coupon). Standard fare turkey and
dressing, and Chicken fried steak. Very tasty and generous portions.
Fireside Lounge: always a great respite from the noise and bright
lights.
Other observations: I really like the plasma TVs all over that
display the scenes from all over the world. Has a soothing affect.
I also like the "fish" channel on the room TV's (Channel 28). That
relaxes me too.
Checkout was no problem, our host Kevin had already comped our RFB,
no issue with the return flight to CVG on Delta, which was lucky
because that was the day the Jet Blue cancelled all their flights
(we were on Skywest).
Summary: Coin-In (combined) ~$50K. Points earned: 1023, Roughly
$49/point. Almost exclusively VP.
Combined loss: $1800, would have been much worse were not for the
RF. Return: 96.4%, not one of our better trips.
Next trip is Jun during the Rodeo.
Regards,
A&C