Day 1
I suppose I should put up my schedule. I'm still missing one day, but I've no doubt, I'll book that. Other than that...and away we go...
June 14-16 - Laughlin (Jeff Dunham concert)
> June 16-18 - (Stratosphere)
> June 18-21 - Laughlin (Glassware giveaway)
> June 21-23 - Laughlin (Poker Tournament)
> June 23-25 - Sam's Town
> June 25-28 - Laughlin (Mystery Scratch offs)
> June 28-30 - Holiday Inn Express, Cathedral City
> June 30-July 2 - (Suncoast)
> July 2-5 - Orleans
> July 5-7 - Cottonwood Suites
> July 7-8 - Main Street Station
> July 8-11 - (Silverton)
> July 11-12 - (Gold Coast)
> July 12-15 - Laughlin (Slot Tournament)
> July 15-17 - Riverside, Laughlin
> July 17-19 - Laughlin (Poker Tournament)
> July 19-21 - Freemont
> July 21-23 - Orleans
> July 22-25 - Ballys (double booked)
> July 23-25 - Sam's Town
> July 25-28 – Riverside, Laughlin
> July 28-29 –
> July 29-Aug 1 – Orleans (Slot Tournament)
> Aug 1-2 – Bishop, CA (Vagabond Inn)
> Aug 2-3 – Lexington Inn (Reno)
> Aug 3-7 – Harrah’s, Reno
> Aug 7-9 – Oroville, CA
> Aug 9-10 – Holiday Inn Express (Fortuna, CA)
> Aug 10-11- Holiday Inn (Santa Maria, CA)
> Aug 11 to San Diego
Summer of Cal/Nev – Day 1
Routines…they’re my friend, and they’re my enemy as well. When I drive to Laughlin from home, I like to leave around 3 or 4 AM (especially in the summer) as there isn’t much traffic and times simply seems go by faster. So, as is my routine, I had everything packed and ready to go before going to bed at 6 PM. That’s where things went wrong. I tried and tried to fall asleep and finally at 9 o’clock, I turned on the TV and watched a little MLB. I then tried again. Now it’s 11 PM when before I knew it, I woke up and looked at the clock to see it was 5 AM. After a quick shower, and a double check to see that everything was locked at the house, I headed out.
My first stop was a casino about 20 miles east of my place called the Golden Acorn. As you can see the pic it was still dark. I rarely come here and haven’t been in the place since last summer when I was doing that trip report. Those of you who visit casinos regularly know that they tend to change over machines after a while, and sometimes move machines for no other reason than to give the impression that things change. The inside of this place looks exactly like it did a year ago. There were none of the newer machines that I could see anywhere. There were about five people playing machines. The café was closed and everything else just seemed dead.
[URL=https://s266.photobucket.com/user/sionow/media/Cal%20Nev_Run_Around/DSCN1568.jpg.html]
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[URL=https://s266.photobucket.com/user/sionow/media/Cal%20Nev_Run_Around/DSCN1569.jpg.html]
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I headed down the mountain into Imperial County passing huge windmills recently erected along the base of the mountains as the sun began to rise in the east. My next stop is at the Quechan Casino, which is in the small town of Winterheaven. It sits on the California/Arizona border with Yuma, AZ just across the train track and the Mexican border not far to the south.
[URL=https://s266.photobucket.com/user/sionow/media/Cal%20Nev_Run_Around/DSCN1570.jpg.html]
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It’s a nice looking casino and though it’s still early in the morning, I was surprised to see all the blackjack tables were open with dealers standing behind them waiting for someone to step up and play…there was hardly anyone in the casino. I went to the slot club and interrupted the girl, who was reading a book to sign up for a card (I plan to do this at all the California casinos) and asked if there were any specials going on. She said that new club members receive $10 free play. I found a Spartacus machine and played the ten dollars and walked away with $5 of it in cash.
A could things to note. I was intrigued to see their “Father’s Day” special. A steak dinner for $50 a plate? This is such an amazing deal you advertise it on your marquee and floor posters?
[URL=https://s266.photobucket.com/user/sionow/media/Cal%20Nev_Run_Around/DSCN1572.jpg.html]
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The last thing of note about Quechen is their VP schedules. I took a picture of it because it’s just amazing to see a Jacks or Better 6/5 game. Are you kidding me?
[URL=https://s266.photobucket.com/user/sionow/media/Cal%20Nev_Run_Around/DSCN1573.jpg.html]
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The rest of the drive to Laughlin was uneventful with the usual stop in Blythe, CA to get some gas. A lot of people love the desert. The vast openness spanning for as far as the eye can see allures hikers, campers, and nature lovers. I’m not a fan. It’s just something to have to cross to get somewhere else.
I arrived in Laughlin at about 10:30 (very late by my standards) and drove into the Riverside where I’m going to check in for three nights (though I’m not staying three nights and I’m not staying at the Riverside). Every month I get a mailer with a free three-night offer that comes along with two Prime Rib dinners and two breakfast buffets. I like to take advantage of this but I prefer to stay at Harrahs where I also get free rooms. So, book the Riverside for the free food and try to find a friend or family member who’d like to the have the room. This time I called Martin (Martimus) if he’d like it and he agreed to get the time off from work and meet me there. Many of you who have been reading my trip reports for the past many years will recognize Martin. I met Martin over ten years ago through the LVA. He was a video poker guru who knew all the percentages and correct holds. I learned a lot from him. We became trip buddies (he also lived in San Diego) and for years would drive together to the many weekend tournaments and other free offers from Vegas and Laughlin. During one of those trips along with my son, just when the poker craze was beginning to take hold, I took Martin to the Excalibur to try out hold ‘em. He was hooked and poker became his new passion. Martin was always a recurring character in my yearly trip reports up until a couple of years ago when he took a new job that didn’t allow him the time off his old one did. So now, we meet up every year or so for a couple of days when I have a free offer like this.
I got the room at the Riverside, which turned out to be a nice river view room on the 5th floor. Martin arrived at around 1 PM (a happy guy having hit a dime royal at Viejas on his driver here) and we caught up a little before I had to head over to Harrahs to check into my room. I got a room also with a river view. The Harrahs offer for this trip along with the comp room came with two tickets to the Jeff Dunham show, a ventriloquist who I find hilarious. I’m not a big concert goer, but this one I wanted to see.
[URL=https://s266.photobucket.com/user/sionow/media/Cal%20Nev_Run_Around/DSCN1575.jpg.html]
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View this time from my room in Laughlin
After checking into my room, I took an hour to relax. Martin called and wanted to know if I wanted to meet him at the Colorado Belle for some 2/4 poker. The only time I play live poker anymore is when there’s a cheap or free tournament or when I’m with a friend, so I agreed. I went down to the Total Rewards center and bought for rides for the Water Taxi, which only cost $8 in reward credits (half the regular cash price) and took the boat to the Belle. The boothling reminded me that I still haven’t used my $100 dining credit, which they give everyone who renews their Diamond status, which I did back in January. I’m waiting to use mine when I get to Reno where I’m meeting up with Cindy, Terry, and Louise.
Live poker can be a lot of fun and at the 2/4 table, you’re never going to win or lose much. Knowing the house makes off with their rake, you play for the fun of it and the hopes of catching one of the many bonuses hands they offer here. We played for a couple of hours and though I took down about seven pots, they were all very small and I lost $40 for the session.
Martin and I then headed back to Harrahs using the water taxi and had dinner at the café again using my reward credits (I have plenty). He had the salmon and I had a turkey wrap, both were excellent. There are a lot of things I can nag about Harrahs, Laughlin, but I have to admit their food outlets are excellent and the service is great.
I’m not going to put any play in this time around at Harrahs, and I do feel a bit guilt about stiffing them this time around, but I’m spending a total of 19 days in Laughlin this trip, so there will be plenty of time to give them some decent play and considering that Martin and my parents (who arrived this afternoon) are here this time around, I’m going to be spending most of my time with them.
More tomorrow
I suppose I should put up my schedule. I'm still missing one day, but I've no doubt, I'll book that. Other than that...and away we go...
June 14-16 - Laughlin (Jeff Dunham concert)
> June 16-18 - (Stratosphere)
> June 18-21 - Laughlin (Glassware giveaway)
> June 21-23 - Laughlin (Poker Tournament)
> June 23-25 - Sam's Town
> June 25-28 - Laughlin (Mystery Scratch offs)
> June 28-30 - Holiday Inn Express, Cathedral City
> June 30-July 2 - (Suncoast)
> July 2-5 - Orleans
> July 5-7 - Cottonwood Suites
> July 7-8 - Main Street Station
> July 8-11 - (Silverton)
> July 11-12 - (Gold Coast)
> July 12-15 - Laughlin (Slot Tournament)
> July 15-17 - Riverside, Laughlin
> July 17-19 - Laughlin (Poker Tournament)
> July 19-21 - Freemont
> July 21-23 - Orleans
> July 22-25 - Ballys (double booked)
> July 23-25 - Sam's Town
> July 25-28 – Riverside, Laughlin
> July 28-29 –
> July 29-Aug 1 – Orleans (Slot Tournament)
> Aug 1-2 – Bishop, CA (Vagabond Inn)
> Aug 2-3 – Lexington Inn (Reno)
> Aug 3-7 – Harrah’s, Reno
> Aug 7-9 – Oroville, CA
> Aug 9-10 – Holiday Inn Express (Fortuna, CA)
> Aug 10-11- Holiday Inn (Santa Maria, CA)
> Aug 11 to San Diego
Summer of Cal/Nev – Day 1
Routines…they’re my friend, and they’re my enemy as well. When I drive to Laughlin from home, I like to leave around 3 or 4 AM (especially in the summer) as there isn’t much traffic and times simply seems go by faster. So, as is my routine, I had everything packed and ready to go before going to bed at 6 PM. That’s where things went wrong. I tried and tried to fall asleep and finally at 9 o’clock, I turned on the TV and watched a little MLB. I then tried again. Now it’s 11 PM when before I knew it, I woke up and looked at the clock to see it was 5 AM. After a quick shower, and a double check to see that everything was locked at the house, I headed out.
My first stop was a casino about 20 miles east of my place called the Golden Acorn. As you can see the pic it was still dark. I rarely come here and haven’t been in the place since last summer when I was doing that trip report. Those of you who visit casinos regularly know that they tend to change over machines after a while, and sometimes move machines for no other reason than to give the impression that things change. The inside of this place looks exactly like it did a year ago. There were none of the newer machines that I could see anywhere. There were about five people playing machines. The café was closed and everything else just seemed dead.
[URL=https://s266.photobucket.com/user/sionow/media/Cal%20Nev_Run_Around/DSCN1568.jpg.html]
[/URL][URL=https://s266.photobucket.com/user/sionow/media/Cal%20Nev_Run_Around/DSCN1569.jpg.html]
[/URL]I headed down the mountain into Imperial County passing huge windmills recently erected along the base of the mountains as the sun began to rise in the east. My next stop is at the Quechan Casino, which is in the small town of Winterheaven. It sits on the California/Arizona border with Yuma, AZ just across the train track and the Mexican border not far to the south.
[URL=https://s266.photobucket.com/user/sionow/media/Cal%20Nev_Run_Around/DSCN1570.jpg.html]
[/URL]It’s a nice looking casino and though it’s still early in the morning, I was surprised to see all the blackjack tables were open with dealers standing behind them waiting for someone to step up and play…there was hardly anyone in the casino. I went to the slot club and interrupted the girl, who was reading a book to sign up for a card (I plan to do this at all the California casinos) and asked if there were any specials going on. She said that new club members receive $10 free play. I found a Spartacus machine and played the ten dollars and walked away with $5 of it in cash.
A could things to note. I was intrigued to see their “Father’s Day” special. A steak dinner for $50 a plate? This is such an amazing deal you advertise it on your marquee and floor posters?
[URL=https://s266.photobucket.com/user/sionow/media/Cal%20Nev_Run_Around/DSCN1572.jpg.html]
[/URL]The last thing of note about Quechen is their VP schedules. I took a picture of it because it’s just amazing to see a Jacks or Better 6/5 game. Are you kidding me?
[URL=https://s266.photobucket.com/user/sionow/media/Cal%20Nev_Run_Around/DSCN1573.jpg.html]
[/URL]The rest of the drive to Laughlin was uneventful with the usual stop in Blythe, CA to get some gas. A lot of people love the desert. The vast openness spanning for as far as the eye can see allures hikers, campers, and nature lovers. I’m not a fan. It’s just something to have to cross to get somewhere else.
I arrived in Laughlin at about 10:30 (very late by my standards) and drove into the Riverside where I’m going to check in for three nights (though I’m not staying three nights and I’m not staying at the Riverside). Every month I get a mailer with a free three-night offer that comes along with two Prime Rib dinners and two breakfast buffets. I like to take advantage of this but I prefer to stay at Harrahs where I also get free rooms. So, book the Riverside for the free food and try to find a friend or family member who’d like to the have the room. This time I called Martin (Martimus) if he’d like it and he agreed to get the time off from work and meet me there. Many of you who have been reading my trip reports for the past many years will recognize Martin. I met Martin over ten years ago through the LVA. He was a video poker guru who knew all the percentages and correct holds. I learned a lot from him. We became trip buddies (he also lived in San Diego) and for years would drive together to the many weekend tournaments and other free offers from Vegas and Laughlin. During one of those trips along with my son, just when the poker craze was beginning to take hold, I took Martin to the Excalibur to try out hold ‘em. He was hooked and poker became his new passion. Martin was always a recurring character in my yearly trip reports up until a couple of years ago when he took a new job that didn’t allow him the time off his old one did. So now, we meet up every year or so for a couple of days when I have a free offer like this.
I got the room at the Riverside, which turned out to be a nice river view room on the 5th floor. Martin arrived at around 1 PM (a happy guy having hit a dime royal at Viejas on his driver here) and we caught up a little before I had to head over to Harrahs to check into my room. I got a room also with a river view. The Harrahs offer for this trip along with the comp room came with two tickets to the Jeff Dunham show, a ventriloquist who I find hilarious. I’m not a big concert goer, but this one I wanted to see.
[URL=https://s266.photobucket.com/user/sionow/media/Cal%20Nev_Run_Around/DSCN1575.jpg.html]
[/URL]View this time from my room in Laughlin
After checking into my room, I took an hour to relax. Martin called and wanted to know if I wanted to meet him at the Colorado Belle for some 2/4 poker. The only time I play live poker anymore is when there’s a cheap or free tournament or when I’m with a friend, so I agreed. I went down to the Total Rewards center and bought for rides for the Water Taxi, which only cost $8 in reward credits (half the regular cash price) and took the boat to the Belle. The boothling reminded me that I still haven’t used my $100 dining credit, which they give everyone who renews their Diamond status, which I did back in January. I’m waiting to use mine when I get to Reno where I’m meeting up with Cindy, Terry, and Louise.
Live poker can be a lot of fun and at the 2/4 table, you’re never going to win or lose much. Knowing the house makes off with their rake, you play for the fun of it and the hopes of catching one of the many bonuses hands they offer here. We played for a couple of hours and though I took down about seven pots, they were all very small and I lost $40 for the session.
Martin and I then headed back to Harrahs using the water taxi and had dinner at the café again using my reward credits (I have plenty). He had the salmon and I had a turkey wrap, both were excellent. There are a lot of things I can nag about Harrahs, Laughlin, but I have to admit their food outlets are excellent and the service is great.
I’m not going to put any play in this time around at Harrahs, and I do feel a bit guilt about stiffing them this time around, but I’m spending a total of 19 days in Laughlin this trip, so there will be plenty of time to give them some decent play and considering that Martin and my parents (who arrived this afternoon) are here this time around, I’m going to be spending most of my time with them.
More tomorrow
