Spring Break 2011 (part 2)
Thursday, April 21
Though the rooms at the Silverton are very standard with sub-sized bathrooms (tiny, really), they do a very good job of keeping them clean and in good order. Their beds are still very comfortable. Complaints are few. I don’t like the box of overpriced snacks that tempt you sitting on the desk—discipline, discipline!
I got up early and first headed over to the fitness center, which is located on the far eastern side of the building. Though it’s small, it has all the things necessary including clean towels and cold drinking water. The TVs overhead are circa 1975 but it does the job.
Starbucks (located inside the casino) didn’t open until 6 AM and I was finished with my run at 5:30, so I walked around the casino, which was pretty empty aside from the few gamblers at some machines and the four or five all-nighters still playing blackjack. There was one guy shooting craps while the obviously bored pitman and stickman looked on. Carpets were being cleaned, floors were being mopped, and security was gathering he money boxes out of the slot machines. I try to imagine working this shift and what it must be like going through the daily routine working inside a casino cleaning up after the previous night’s party people, smokers who use the coin drops for ashtrays, and the dried vomit in the bathrooms. But somehow, by 9:00 AM, the machines all sparkle, the carpet looks fresh and new, and there’s an atmosphere of excitement that maybe, just maybe this day will bring the next jackpot.
Finally, Starbucks opened and I picked up my juice to take my vitamins and a bowl of fruit (note to self: pick up small juices at market the night before and keep on ice). I sat down to type out yesterday’s trip report, which when it reached page 5, even I was surprised at how much I can just rattle on.
I finished and headed out to the car but not before stopping at a Spin Poker machine. For nickels, this is a favorite of mine and at $2.25 a spin (45 coins at a time), I enjoy the action as long as the pay schedules are at least tolerable and this machine does offer Ugly Deuces—for nickels—acceptable. I played for a good hour and cashed out after finally catching the fourth deuce holding three (missed this once as well as a four-to-the-royal opportunity) for a solid $150 profit. Nice, the day is starting out on a high note.
Silverton Deuces times 3
I should mention that the weather today is a perfect 83 degrees with a slight wind. If every day was like this, the country would move here. But we all know what’s approaching in about three months. But for today, I’m just going to enjoy it.
It’s already noon and today I want to see a movie (flicks are always a priority for my Vegas trips). I chose HANNA, which is showing at the Green Valley Resort. I had an hour before the show, so I parked at the Green Valley District and took my computer into a coffee house only to find that the Internet was down, so I couldn’t send in my report. I walked over to the GVR and played a little, breaking even. The movie HANNA was very different, a little confusing at times, yet I enjoyed it a lot. The young girl was simply amazing and you can never go wrong with a Cate Blanchet movie.
I walked into the casino again and found a new set of machines that included a ZEUS III machine. It was occupied, so I sat down to another similar machine next to it, I think was called Shoot Out. It was pretty much the same set up as ZEUS III but a western theme. It took me a bit to figure out how it paid; however, with my minimum fifty cent bet I hit a BIG WIN, which turned into a SUPER BIG WIN (first time I had seen those words flash on a machine), and after it was all done, I was up $80. I played another $20 and eventually lost that. I then played one of the newer Monopoly games (they keep coming out with new games on this one), and hit a bonus for a $40 win and cashed out.
So, now I’m up $60 for my entire trip (now one full week long). Considering the losses at the beginning, this is all a very pleasant surprise. I finally stopped at a Starbucks off of Eastern and sent in yesterday’s report. I then drove back to the Silverton after a fast stop at Target to get some necessities (including some orange juice).
I played some more Spin Poker but this time I went for the 7/5 Bonus poker (yes, short pay, but I was “feeling it”). I played for almost two hours going up and down but pretty much staying in my $100 initial investment when I was dealt four 7s. I cashed out and then dropped $40 on a couple of stupid penny games (I’ll never learn).
I picked up a turkey sandwich from the Sundance Café and took it to my room to catch Sportscenter and call it a night. For those of you who might be wondering just why I’m not “hitting Vegas” during this short trip, it’s simply that I’ve pretty much seen it all, done all of that. There’s not a lot that I’m up for this time around and considering that in a couple of months I’ll be walking into every single casino here, I see no need to go any further.
It was a GOOD day. I didn’t hit any jackpots (though the three set of deuces might qualify), but I had a good steady bit of cashouts, which mean a small profit. In my view, breaking even in Vegas is a winning trip, so I’m pleased. Add to that the room is free, the food is free (used points on all my food purchases), and I simply couldn’t ask for more—well—that’s not entirely true, but you get my meaning.
More tomorrow.
Thursday, April 21
Though the rooms at the Silverton are very standard with sub-sized bathrooms (tiny, really), they do a very good job of keeping them clean and in good order. Their beds are still very comfortable. Complaints are few. I don’t like the box of overpriced snacks that tempt you sitting on the desk—discipline, discipline!
I got up early and first headed over to the fitness center, which is located on the far eastern side of the building. Though it’s small, it has all the things necessary including clean towels and cold drinking water. The TVs overhead are circa 1975 but it does the job.
Starbucks (located inside the casino) didn’t open until 6 AM and I was finished with my run at 5:30, so I walked around the casino, which was pretty empty aside from the few gamblers at some machines and the four or five all-nighters still playing blackjack. There was one guy shooting craps while the obviously bored pitman and stickman looked on. Carpets were being cleaned, floors were being mopped, and security was gathering he money boxes out of the slot machines. I try to imagine working this shift and what it must be like going through the daily routine working inside a casino cleaning up after the previous night’s party people, smokers who use the coin drops for ashtrays, and the dried vomit in the bathrooms. But somehow, by 9:00 AM, the machines all sparkle, the carpet looks fresh and new, and there’s an atmosphere of excitement that maybe, just maybe this day will bring the next jackpot.
Finally, Starbucks opened and I picked up my juice to take my vitamins and a bowl of fruit (note to self: pick up small juices at market the night before and keep on ice). I sat down to type out yesterday’s trip report, which when it reached page 5, even I was surprised at how much I can just rattle on.
I finished and headed out to the car but not before stopping at a Spin Poker machine. For nickels, this is a favorite of mine and at $2.25 a spin (45 coins at a time), I enjoy the action as long as the pay schedules are at least tolerable and this machine does offer Ugly Deuces—for nickels—acceptable. I played for a good hour and cashed out after finally catching the fourth deuce holding three (missed this once as well as a four-to-the-royal opportunity) for a solid $150 profit. Nice, the day is starting out on a high note.
Silverton Deuces times 3
I should mention that the weather today is a perfect 83 degrees with a slight wind. If every day was like this, the country would move here. But we all know what’s approaching in about three months. But for today, I’m just going to enjoy it.
It’s already noon and today I want to see a movie (flicks are always a priority for my Vegas trips). I chose HANNA, which is showing at the Green Valley Resort. I had an hour before the show, so I parked at the Green Valley District and took my computer into a coffee house only to find that the Internet was down, so I couldn’t send in my report. I walked over to the GVR and played a little, breaking even. The movie HANNA was very different, a little confusing at times, yet I enjoyed it a lot. The young girl was simply amazing and you can never go wrong with a Cate Blanchet movie.
I walked into the casino again and found a new set of machines that included a ZEUS III machine. It was occupied, so I sat down to another similar machine next to it, I think was called Shoot Out. It was pretty much the same set up as ZEUS III but a western theme. It took me a bit to figure out how it paid; however, with my minimum fifty cent bet I hit a BIG WIN, which turned into a SUPER BIG WIN (first time I had seen those words flash on a machine), and after it was all done, I was up $80. I played another $20 and eventually lost that. I then played one of the newer Monopoly games (they keep coming out with new games on this one), and hit a bonus for a $40 win and cashed out.
So, now I’m up $60 for my entire trip (now one full week long). Considering the losses at the beginning, this is all a very pleasant surprise. I finally stopped at a Starbucks off of Eastern and sent in yesterday’s report. I then drove back to the Silverton after a fast stop at Target to get some necessities (including some orange juice).
I played some more Spin Poker but this time I went for the 7/5 Bonus poker (yes, short pay, but I was “feeling it”). I played for almost two hours going up and down but pretty much staying in my $100 initial investment when I was dealt four 7s. I cashed out and then dropped $40 on a couple of stupid penny games (I’ll never learn).
I picked up a turkey sandwich from the Sundance Café and took it to my room to catch Sportscenter and call it a night. For those of you who might be wondering just why I’m not “hitting Vegas” during this short trip, it’s simply that I’ve pretty much seen it all, done all of that. There’s not a lot that I’m up for this time around and considering that in a couple of months I’ll be walking into every single casino here, I see no need to go any further.
It was a GOOD day. I didn’t hit any jackpots (though the three set of deuces might qualify), but I had a good steady bit of cashouts, which mean a small profit. In my view, breaking even in Vegas is a winning trip, so I’m pleased. Add to that the room is free, the food is free (used points on all my food purchases), and I simply couldn’t ask for more—well—that’s not entirely true, but you get my meaning.
More tomorrow.
