Summer of Cal/Nev – Day 21
Today being July 4th, I knew a few things to expect today: it’s going to be crowded wherever you go, it’s going to be another day of 113+ degrees, and I don’t have a clear plan of what to do with the day aside from a little cleanup work. I will explain.
After another good breakfast buffet here at the Orleans, I headed back to the Suncoast. After reading some of the replies from some seasoned LVA members, they were very surprised to read that there were 9/6 Jacks at the Suncoast, which I had reported on when I sat at the sports bar. When they speak, I listen. I must have made a mistake. So, off to Summerlin once again.
It was 10 AM and the place was already full. Like most local casinos, Boyd properties are offering multiple points for the holiday. I had to park on the third floor of the parking garage a long way from the elevator as, like me, most want their cars in the shade. I checked out the sports bar machines, and as I feared, I was wrong. Not only is there no 9/6 Jacks, there are no Jacks or Better games on any of them at all. I think what I probably did was I rushed through the schedules and saw 9/6 and made the assumption I was looking at a Jacks or Better game and I was most likely looking at the Bonus Deluxe game, which happens to be full pay for that game. So, a thumbs-up to you LVA members. I have learned long ago I can’t get away with a mistake. I stand corrected—nicely done.
Being that it was a multiple point day, I did wager a hundred at the sports bar (be aware that the machines at the sports bar do have full pay games, but the bar at the theater entrance do not). I’ve had such a rough time getting quads lately, that instead of the Bonus Deluxe, I went with 8/5 Bonus. And of course, I hit three quads during my session. So, instead of walking away with about $350, I walked away with $200. Hey, no complaints. It’s so nice to have a win, albeit a small one, but a win nonetheless under my belt. I went upstairs to get a picture of the bowling alley that someone had requested because it’s designed with back-to-back lanes (South Point has the same design). Unfortunately, the picture turned out blurred. My apologies.
Bowling alley at the Suncoast...sorry for the blurry pic...I need to remember to always take two
The bowling alley is on the second floor. If you haven’t been up there, it’s worth a look-see. Along with the lanes, there’s also a large snack bar, and a nice lounge area with pool tables and TV monitors. It’s a good place to catch the game, have a beer, and be away from the chaos downstairs. Also on the second floor is the Bingo Room and today, it too is packed. Outside the room is a group of machines and on one bank are nickel Keno. Okay, I admit I’m a little hooked on them, but I only play Four Card Keno for a nickel each, which is twenty cents a game and I only invest $5, win or lose. I’m almost embarrassed to admit it, but again I hit another 6 for 6 for an $80 win. Needless to say, I play the same numbers every time. This doesn’t mean I’m dropping video poker for Keno, but I will throw in a fiver every once in a while for now on.
By coming here it also gave me an opportunity to drive next door to the Marriott Hotel, which is where the Rampart Casino is located. This is an easy to miss casino and many people don’t even know about it.
The Marriott Hotel's Rampart Casino
What was so surprising was that as I entered the casino, it, too, was jammed. I don’t remember ever seeing this many people here. I went to the slot booth to get one of their new cards, as the one I had was changed a long time ago. Along with the card, she said I had $10 in free play. What did I use the free play on? Four Card Keno, of course. Here was a surprise. The payouts here were the best for the game I play (six spots) than anywhere else, even the Colorado Belle in Laughlin, which was previously the best. Though I hit a few 5 for 6 spots, I never hit a cash-out 6 for 6. But my free play for $10 managed to last for just over an hour and quite a few points—perhaps the mailings will pick up.
I was about to leave when I came across a sweet older lady playing one of those Mayan machines and she had just gotten 85 spins. I began watching and she began chatting with me about her “system.” She introduced herself as Eddie. She make of point of telling me that when she does hit a nice win, she never touches the Spin button to speed it up as it is bad luck. So, I sat with her and chatted through all 85 spins cheering when she hit something and scowling at the near misses. She only ended up with $48, but she said she’s had plenty of hits for over a hundred.
Time was just zipping by today as it was already after 4 PM. I started heading back to the hotel taking Decatur south. I’ve driven this way a few times before and I always noticed this huge building on the corner of Spring Mountain road. It was a corner strip mall, but this place dwarfed everything around it. It was a Harley Davidson dealer and service center, but oddly, no motorcycles were ever outside. I made a u-turn and stopped in to check it out. Inside were hundreds and hundreds of Harley Davidson’s motorcycles.
The Harley Davidson's Motorcycle Store
The interior of the motorcycle store...this is only a small portion of what's there
A Harley Davidson dealership isn’t anything all that unusual, but this one was completely indoors. They not only sold motorcycles, they were also a full service department; there was video room where you could sit through training films and also a rider school. It was very different. I’m not a motorcycle enthusiast, but I was impressed with this place.
As I was about to leave the strip mall, I noticed a small shop which I found a little odd. I drove over and sure enough, it was a store that was completely dedicated to selling skulls: skull jewelry, skull clothing, skull tattoos, skull key chains, skull lamps…you get the idea—skulls. What an odd niche to invest a business in.
"Honey, I want to own my own store, and I have a great idea for a business..."
I finally made it back to the Orleans. I was very tempted to play some more, but I had a winning day so far, and those have been so few and far between, I chose to stay away. I picked up a Subway for dinner, took it back to the room, watched some TV, fell asleep, woke up in time for the fireworks display at Caesars Palace. My vantage point was perfect, as I simply pulled my chair around, opened a Snapple and watched the show. Happy Birthday America.
More tomorrow.
Today being July 4th, I knew a few things to expect today: it’s going to be crowded wherever you go, it’s going to be another day of 113+ degrees, and I don’t have a clear plan of what to do with the day aside from a little cleanup work. I will explain.
After another good breakfast buffet here at the Orleans, I headed back to the Suncoast. After reading some of the replies from some seasoned LVA members, they were very surprised to read that there were 9/6 Jacks at the Suncoast, which I had reported on when I sat at the sports bar. When they speak, I listen. I must have made a mistake. So, off to Summerlin once again.
It was 10 AM and the place was already full. Like most local casinos, Boyd properties are offering multiple points for the holiday. I had to park on the third floor of the parking garage a long way from the elevator as, like me, most want their cars in the shade. I checked out the sports bar machines, and as I feared, I was wrong. Not only is there no 9/6 Jacks, there are no Jacks or Better games on any of them at all. I think what I probably did was I rushed through the schedules and saw 9/6 and made the assumption I was looking at a Jacks or Better game and I was most likely looking at the Bonus Deluxe game, which happens to be full pay for that game. So, a thumbs-up to you LVA members. I have learned long ago I can’t get away with a mistake. I stand corrected—nicely done.
Being that it was a multiple point day, I did wager a hundred at the sports bar (be aware that the machines at the sports bar do have full pay games, but the bar at the theater entrance do not). I’ve had such a rough time getting quads lately, that instead of the Bonus Deluxe, I went with 8/5 Bonus. And of course, I hit three quads during my session. So, instead of walking away with about $350, I walked away with $200. Hey, no complaints. It’s so nice to have a win, albeit a small one, but a win nonetheless under my belt. I went upstairs to get a picture of the bowling alley that someone had requested because it’s designed with back-to-back lanes (South Point has the same design). Unfortunately, the picture turned out blurred. My apologies.
Bowling alley at the Suncoast...sorry for the blurry pic...I need to remember to always take two
The bowling alley is on the second floor. If you haven’t been up there, it’s worth a look-see. Along with the lanes, there’s also a large snack bar, and a nice lounge area with pool tables and TV monitors. It’s a good place to catch the game, have a beer, and be away from the chaos downstairs. Also on the second floor is the Bingo Room and today, it too is packed. Outside the room is a group of machines and on one bank are nickel Keno. Okay, I admit I’m a little hooked on them, but I only play Four Card Keno for a nickel each, which is twenty cents a game and I only invest $5, win or lose. I’m almost embarrassed to admit it, but again I hit another 6 for 6 for an $80 win. Needless to say, I play the same numbers every time. This doesn’t mean I’m dropping video poker for Keno, but I will throw in a fiver every once in a while for now on.
By coming here it also gave me an opportunity to drive next door to the Marriott Hotel, which is where the Rampart Casino is located. This is an easy to miss casino and many people don’t even know about it.
The Marriott Hotel's Rampart Casino
What was so surprising was that as I entered the casino, it, too, was jammed. I don’t remember ever seeing this many people here. I went to the slot booth to get one of their new cards, as the one I had was changed a long time ago. Along with the card, she said I had $10 in free play. What did I use the free play on? Four Card Keno, of course. Here was a surprise. The payouts here were the best for the game I play (six spots) than anywhere else, even the Colorado Belle in Laughlin, which was previously the best. Though I hit a few 5 for 6 spots, I never hit a cash-out 6 for 6. But my free play for $10 managed to last for just over an hour and quite a few points—perhaps the mailings will pick up.
I was about to leave when I came across a sweet older lady playing one of those Mayan machines and she had just gotten 85 spins. I began watching and she began chatting with me about her “system.” She introduced herself as Eddie. She make of point of telling me that when she does hit a nice win, she never touches the Spin button to speed it up as it is bad luck. So, I sat with her and chatted through all 85 spins cheering when she hit something and scowling at the near misses. She only ended up with $48, but she said she’s had plenty of hits for over a hundred.
Time was just zipping by today as it was already after 4 PM. I started heading back to the hotel taking Decatur south. I’ve driven this way a few times before and I always noticed this huge building on the corner of Spring Mountain road. It was a corner strip mall, but this place dwarfed everything around it. It was a Harley Davidson dealer and service center, but oddly, no motorcycles were ever outside. I made a u-turn and stopped in to check it out. Inside were hundreds and hundreds of Harley Davidson’s motorcycles.
The Harley Davidson's Motorcycle Store
The interior of the motorcycle store...this is only a small portion of what's there
A Harley Davidson dealership isn’t anything all that unusual, but this one was completely indoors. They not only sold motorcycles, they were also a full service department; there was video room where you could sit through training films and also a rider school. It was very different. I’m not a motorcycle enthusiast, but I was impressed with this place.
As I was about to leave the strip mall, I noticed a small shop which I found a little odd. I drove over and sure enough, it was a store that was completely dedicated to selling skulls: skull jewelry, skull clothing, skull tattoos, skull key chains, skull lamps…you get the idea—skulls. What an odd niche to invest a business in.
"Honey, I want to own my own store, and I have a great idea for a business..."
I finally made it back to the Orleans. I was very tempted to play some more, but I had a winning day so far, and those have been so few and far between, I chose to stay away. I picked up a Subway for dinner, took it back to the room, watched some TV, fell asleep, woke up in time for the fireworks display at Caesars Palace. My vantage point was perfect, as I simply pulled my chair around, opened a Snapple and watched the show. Happy Birthday America.
More tomorrow.
