Golden Gate "The Night Starts Here" free play and happy hour results

I had the chance to stop in 2x during the last trip.  The first night I got $5 freeplay and ran it through video poker (which is no longer allowed).  

The last night of our trip we had 5 of us that stopped in, we pulled 3 $10 and 2 $50.  Our original intention was to pool the free play and run it through bubble craps, but it was excluded from the promo.  So I chose a random Buffalo slot and we put in the tickets.  We managed to miraculously hit a stampede bonus at $5 spins and ended up with about $370.  We printed the ticket and still had $3 free play....hit the button and hit 3 coins for another bonus!  We pulled out a small win and after combining the two bonuses we ended up with $85 cash each!

Thanks Derek Stevens! 

Getting a drink was pretty rediculous, there were 3 lines to the bar and they had 30+ people in each.  Pro tip, skip the line, play a slot and tip the waitress a couple of bucks.  You'll get a drink much faster.

You can line up any time between 4-6pm to get your free play and wristband for drinks.  Then you have to wait until 6-8 to use the ticket.  

It's a pretty good promo, so I wouldn't miss it if you are on Fremont.  And should you decide to wait in the drink line, you can get 2 at a time.  

Thanks for the info, Inigo.

Haven't heard the exclusion of Video Poker machines before this.  Aside from the bar and the ones in high limit, there are only about 6 other machines with VP in the entire place.   Do they have a sign saying the machines won't accept them?

I was able to play VP on the first day (Wednesday) but when we all showed up on Sunday and tried to play the craps, the pit boss said electronic craps, roulette and video poker were excluded from the promotional play.  I didn't go try the VP obviously but maybe he was mistaken or they've updated the games playable.

I did the promo last night -I got a $5 TITO that would not work for video poker - I gave my TITO to a man and left the casino. The promo has evolved into a joke.

Went to the GG last Saturday night.  The line an hour ahead was long.  8 of us got $5 and 2 of us got a $10 free play.  They did seem to have enough bartenders.  Two drinks at a time was nice.  Loud and crazy during the 6-7 "The Night Starts Here".  But like my brother said it should say "The Night Ends Here."  A couple of us went back later on and it was dead. During the day, the GG was a ghost town. Like the previous blogger stated it has "evolved into a joke."  Its only a one hour stop. I don't see how this promo will draw a steady flow of gamblers.  Will not stay at the GG as we have in past.  Bring back the live tables. Bring back the vintage fun of the Golden Gate.

Well, said "previous blogger" showed up for some free play, for which he had to do absolutely nothing, then sneered because it wasn't enough, and came here to whine about it. 

Casino giveaways just for showing up are nearly extinct. I applaud Derek for trying to pump a little life back into the GG. As you note, this won't bring in a flood of new habitues, but he's observing Rule 1 of the casino industry: get people in the door. Vegas casinos seem to have forgotten that and think that their charisma, or something, will be enough to attract customers.

If given a $5 slot ticket, I would play it in a slot machine and see what happens. I'd have a drink, too. Or, I could punch out the employee who gave it to me and leave in a huff.

Thanks for the report. I like the fact that our man Derek is doing something to counteract the disappoinment that many have expressed re the removal of table games. And heck, five bucks and a drink or two just for showing up--that's more than the other joints will do for you.

Everything about that place is "cramped".   People love it because its been there forever and has nostalgic value.   But honestly its never been a fun place.    Whenever it got busy - It always felt like 10 people squeezing into a phone booth.    I felt bad for the cocktail waitresses who had to weave through the crowd like a running back through the defensive line.

Golden Gate needs to go the way of Vegas Club and start over.

I wonder if these changes are a prelude to just that. The Stevens Bro's just bought all the land underneath Golden Gate. Could build another new casino aka Circa Jr.

I am however bummed about the changes. I loved throwing dice and playing blackjack there pre COVID. Had a great vibe with the old dealers/pit bosses. It was still a little gritty back then.