continuation from Part 1 Peppermill.
Check in in the VIP room: I get the executive Suite (3600) on the 36th floor.
This is my favorite: it’s an incredible suite. There are 8 windows with a combined 180 degree view of the eastern half of the Reno plateau. I can watch the weather, snow on the rooftops and in the mountains. The blinds remain open so when my eyes half-open around dawn, the sunrise view that greets me is something that stays with me all day. It’s good for my soul and feels better than my first sip of Baileys coffee.
This time, my name is not imprinted on the matchbooks. I only gave my host a few weeks advance on my reso request - maybe that’s why. That’s OK - I got about 20 of them in my drawer at home.
I’m gaming at 3:00.
I piddle away about 700 on a scouting tour of games that I’ll be playing and machine banks I like, sticking buttons and bum displays to avoid and of course, an eye out for new video poker or a change to the paytables.
I parked at the bank of 8 with the Dbl Dbl glass near the center bar. The prog RF meter was only at 4077. But three quads plus a bonus 4444 for 400 netted me a +700 run. And all the machines are in top shape. Little things like squashed display or narrow cards, or sound muted or cranked too loud- make a difference between machines- like personalities of friends. Not objectional issues. On this bank, on this trip anyhow.
Discovery! Last trip I posted a couple photos of dealt quads on nickel 100-play DDB. The machines near high limit at Silver contained 9/5 shortpay DDB.
I found a 100-play machine near the $1 DDB bank that has nickel and dime 9/6 full-pay DDB.
Of course still better to play the 9/6 JoB, but I like my short runs on DDB 100-line, next to a RF, getting dealt quads is pretty dang exciting. 100-play even makes dealt trips fun, knowing you’ll snag at least a few quads and kickers typically.
Lost 1000 on a few different games and headed for dinner at Hussongs cantina. I went for the double order or Baja fish tacos. Yum. Urp.
I had read on vpFree that Silver has fullpay (99.98%) One-Eyed Jacks. On the same bank of 8 as the DDB prog. So, I verified the paytable and tossed 200 at it. I have never seen a strategy for OEJ. Never tried it on tutorial software. How hard can it be?
Answer: hard. I think vpFree posters have said as much the few times the game is mentioned. my logic from other game strategies seemed useless. The Jack is a key part of a lot of hands (unlike wild deuces) such that you take two of them away, turn 'em into wild cards and a whole bunch of strategy changes. I couldn’t intuit squiddly-doosh, the pay table seemed too low compared to deuces and joker games I play. So, I watched my 200 head to zero and vowed to learn more about it before I try it again.
Back to normal on $1 DDB, a long even session with a quad every 15-20 minutes. On my way for a suite break, I stopped by the promo desk to collect a bottle of wine from my holiday gift card. The lad on duty is host’s step-son!
Back from room break about 11PM, I tank 3000 in four hours on my usual machines.
My best jackpot came from the top 777 on a $1 x 5 line old reel slot for 600. sheesh.
Day 5
slept IN per usual. slow start due to late night daily report e-mail missives to my friends and great view in suite each morning causing me to loiter and enjoy it.
It’s great being retired: less urgency to cram video poker into every waking hour.
No more “zoom-zoom”.
1:30 costs me 700 to wake up today - on $1 DDB after 3 baileys coffee. I don’t have to order “no whip” this trip: there was an explosion at the whipped cream factory and the hotel/casino is out of spray can whipped cream. this, from a waitress. my reply: sounds too “Willy Wonka-ish” to me. “Yeah, and then the fat kid fell into the river of chocolate…” By the way, the Willy Wonka slot machine here on the smoking half of the mezzanine has great music. Triple screen and surround sound. I had two OOmpa LOOmpa bonus sessions and took it for $100.
Sessionwise this morning:
Down (despite a 5c RF on 9/6 DDB 100-line for 200),
UP (quad 4444 on $1 TB+ for 600),
UP (Quad 2222 on $1 NSUD for 1000),
Down
UP ($1 JW Quint 3 for 1000)
I take a break for Sterlings dinner, up 300 on the day.
Avocado stuffed with cold crab meat is very good. Tresor F-C (bordeaux type) wine is complex & syrupy: I bought a bottle at the Carriage house last trip. But the swordfish Entree was really dry, probably overcooked this time.
Long room break.
One hand of interest after dinner: a SF for 250 on $1 DDB.
Generally a losing evening,
I quit about 2:30, down 700 for the day’s 7 hours of not-so hard work.
Day 6
still at SIlver Legacy. Still enjoying the 36th floor view every morning.
gaming from 12:30-4:30.
6 small losing sessions, mostly $1 single line stuff, Down 1500
three even sessions, 4 x 250 quads, one 400 bonus quad: Even
One winning session thanks to a bunch of quads on $1 JW: Plus 500
Total at dinner break: -1000
Dinner at hussongs, single order fish tacos + margarita. I was reminded two days ago that overeating makes it uncomfortable to sit a long time gaming.
Dropped another 1000 and took a room break.
11:PM came out psyched, hit a 2222A on $1 DDB for 800, but lost another 400 after room break and quit about 12:45. 9 hrs play, down 2400 on the day.
Day 7
12:45 Gaming on $1 JW (NW quadrant of main floor) SF: 250, SF: 250. UP 200.
Somebody hit the $1 DDB Royal prog: it’s back near reset at 4002.00 No quads for me: I donate 600 to the meter growth.
I give $2 ACE$BP a try. Quad 6666 for 250 which doesn’t last long: Down 400.
For the first (and only) time this trip, I give Pai Gow a chance. They have a side bet $1 button for a shot at their mega jackpot for a 7-card Straight Flush. It’s usually VERY high $200,000 is what I remember but I’m sure it’s been higher when I’ve played. It got hit in the early morning and it is near reset at 10,900. I drop 200 in less than an hour and jus plain don’t have that much fun.
Near the CASHIER cage, there’s a bank of four $1 multi-games, all short pay with decent prog meters. But I decide my greed and imagination that I’ll hit a RF doesn’t overcome the $5 the casino is skimming from one of the lower hands (like $5 per flush in 9/5 DDB) which you hit many times per hour.
So, I play the adjacent bank of four $1 8/5 fullpay Bonus pokers, with the RF near 4500. Up 100 after hitting another of those rare SFs for 250.
I’ve soured on the mezzanine no-smoking multi-lines bank of two. I used to play them for many hours, 25c x3, x 5, 50c x 3 & x 5 mostly DDB. They now seem ancient compared to the newest WMS and the trove of newer IGT multi-lines at Peppermill.
Plus the settings are screwy with an annoying monotone chime every time you touch any button. Plus I lost big bucks on them in very short sessions. Where’s my QUADS?! Down 300.
Break for dinnertime breakfast at the Cafe - california omelette + bagel on the side dish.
$1 JW - a dealt SF for 250 but also, Down 300.
Room break! Like a timeout in basketball when the team is losing.
I remind myself - I’m here to WIN. and to nap whenever I want.
8:30PM -1:15AM - Hilight sessions:
$1 JW SF for 250 and WildRF for 500. Session is +700
$1 DDB two quads, one Dealt, for 250 each session +400.
Otherwise down sessions, but not a lot.
Quit after 9 hrs on the day, Down 1400.
I stay up way too late, packing and putzing, tomorrow I check out and fly home on the last flight out of town.
Day 8:
I sleep well until a sudden lower leg cramp makes me scream out in pain and flings me out of bed as if my calf muscle is a strong rubberband. I stretch it out OK, but what a way to start the day. Luckily I don’t have that sensation that it could happen again at any time that sometimes accompanies leg cramps when you are sleeping. Bags to bell, check out, and I’m gaming at 10:00AM. Last chance to make up a big shortfall and my stake is 2200 with a 1500 ATM backup fund.
I try out $2 JW to see how it’s variance “feels”.
I’ve come to like playing JW at Silver.
Many machines have 4700/18/7 - 99.29% EV.
They had 20/7 in quarters a while back, which is what got me to liking JW in the old days.
To play higher than $1 coin x 5 creds - I have to play on a bank of 4 on the mezzanine near keno - up to 50 MAX credits. The main floor with 4700/18/7 in NW quadrant is $1 max and 5 cred max. The DDB prog bank has joker and $1-thru $10 coin, but the pay table is 17/7. One of the 4 mezz machines can only take $400 or less and if a hand put your creds ove 400, it spits out a ticket. Very Annoying distraction. Especially like me if it’s your last day and you are trying to cram in a lot of fast play to increase the odds of hitting big jackpots.
$2 JW: tracking quads ($180) - got one - DOWN 700
$1 BP w/prog RF: -300
$1 JW: QUINT 2 for 1000: +900
$1 BP: couple of quads: even
$2 ACE$BP: Quad 2222 for 400: +200
$2 JW: five quads @ 180 per: +200
$2 ACE$BP: four quads @ 250 per, long session: +200
100 x 5c DDB AAAA2 for 100: Minus 300.
$1 x 3 line 8/5 BP: two $125 quads: Minus 300
$2 JW only one quad: Down 600.
Break for fuel: Belgian waffle & sausage links at cafe. Down 700 to here.
$1 JW +200
$2 DDB plus got one quad K for 500, but LOST 700
$2 JW three quads, +400
$2 DDB+ : -300
$2 JW SF/500 3 quads 1/2 hr session -100
$2 DDB+ down 500.
···
=================
Bumping bottom on my bankroll. I’m getting close to my last hour.
Time to UP the stakes. Even if it means going to the secret compartment in my BAT Utility Belt for the ATM emergency bankroll booster Wad. Five dollar coin time.
$5 ACE$BP - main floor near center bar bank of 8. I decide to count FullHouses as they pay 200. I score 15 of them when I’m in a few hundred into the ATM bankroll.
DEALT quad 6666 for $625 and a few hands later: DEALT quad 7777 for $625 more.
I play on, quit the session up 200. Saw a few 4 part RFs. missed $20,000 by “that much” <to Don Adams’ Maxwell Smart voice>
I take the remnanats of my bankroll up to the mezzanine.
$5 JW. Quads are worth 450 each. I’m ready to count them, but I get none.
$25 per hand goes quick. DOWN 1100 and it’s time to go to my limo reso.
But, turns out my flight is delayed 40 minutes. What to do?
I only had $1100 in hand. I go gamble, I’m in a casino. Duh.
I play $2 JW . three quads for 180 each, but DOWN 600
and it’s time for my limo to the airport.
$40 tip to my fave driver.
My checked bag weighs in at exactly 50.0 LBS. Toting three free bottles o’ booze:
Ferrari-Carano Cab & Merlot and a 1.75L of Baileys from my host at Peppermill.
AIrport is near deserted so no lines and I plunk down at the crazy short-pay video poker machines near my gate. I slip in 100 for $1 6/5 DDB. Five minutes in, I hold one Ace and draw three more plus a two kicker for (Ding! Ding! Ding!) JAckpot!!! $2000
Attendant is fun and heads off for paperwork. W-2G is a letter from IGT promising to mail me a W-2G. ! ? $30 tip, and, as I play off the $90 in the machine, I hit another Quad, this one 5555 for $250. I cashout the ticket for $300 and my bankroll is refreshed slightly with a $2200 airport profit for ten minutes of button pushing.
Saturday night flight is bumpy. Sunday morning there is a winter storm warning for AAReno & area: 3-6" snow expected. I slipped out of town just in time and narrowly avoided Dr. M.T. Pockets as well.
thanks for reading…
~MARK