Summer of Cal/Nev – Day 26
First of all, today is July 10th which means that it’s my big sister’s birthday—Happy Birthday Sis! Of course, this report is about yesterday and it’s nice to report that things are beginning to slowly turn around—finally. After taking care of all the morning routines, I had breakfast at the Sundance Café here at the Silverton. I’ve written about this place before as have others. The food here is terrific. Though I only had a veggie omelet, the lady next to me ordered the ham and eggs. When they brought it, I was taken back to the days when Whiskey Pete’s used serve these where the ham steak covered an entire dinner plate so that the eggs were served on a different dish. Back then, it was only $1.99 and I’m sure it’s more here, but it certainly took me back. I understand that the local joint Irene’s on Spring Mountain Rd. also serves this monster breakfast.
It was time to play for my next pull-tab, so I sat down at the 100-play machine in the High Limit area and played 8/5 BP at ten games at a time. I was soon dealt quad 2s, and a little after that dealt quad 8s (why can’t these hands come when I’m playing my 50-plays in Laughlin?)
I soon had my required 500 points and cashed out with a tidy $50 profit. I went to the booth to get my tab and told the boothling, as I was fishing around the bowl of tabs, I certainly hope I don’t win another t-shirt. She said it I wasn’t the first to make that remark. I pulled out a $20 free play tab. So, it was back to the 100-play and again at 10 games at a time, I managed a few quad Aces and a straight flush and cashed out an $80 profit. The day’s beginning to look a little better.
I was soon back in my Saturn and heading back to the Rio. The WSOP Main Event is now in progress. An interesting side note, as I pull into the Rio and headed to the Masquerade parking garage, there’s a sign with an arrow that says “Event Parking.” Almost everyone followed that sign which will send you to park in the back lot out in the open. I pulled into the parking garage, which is covered, and it was only about a quarter full. “Lead the sheep…”
The Rio today (it’s just after noon) was quite different from last week week I was here. With the Main Event going on, the place was jammed. This year’s event attracted once again over 6000 players. Today was day two and the place was buzzing with activity. It’s a long trek to the Convention area where it’s taking place. Along the halls is every kind of poker themed booth you could imagine. With the field still almost at full strength, the players are scattered among three different rooms. What’s fascinating is that with all these rooms completely packed with tables, dealers, and players, while play going on there’s an odd sound as you approach which sounds like thousands of crickets—as you enter the room, all you hear are the hundreds of players playing with their chips—almost no one talks or if they do, it’s in hushed tones. Outside of the occasional loudspeaker announcement, it’s oddly quiet except for the constant chip clacking. I could certainly understand way so many players wear ear phones and listen to music…the low drone of constant chip stacking could really get on your nerves after a while.
Tables begin the next round of play
Workers preparing the feature table for TV
If you come there looking for poker celebrities or TV or sports stars, it’s really quite easy. Simply look for the cameras. Follow the large video cameras and you’ll find the celebrities. I saw many of the players that are well-known in the poker world, but the biggest surprise was Doyle Brunson (known as the Godfather of Poker), who had announced that he wasn’t going to participate. I did manage a picture, but as the table was far away I had to use my zoom so it’s really blurred…sorry. There are three distinct categories of players: The fatties, the jocks, and the nerds. The group that far outpaces everyone are the poker nerds—guys that must play online in their basements all year because they’re skinny, almost albino-like. It’s funny to see the “attitude” all these people perform while playing. Guys with hoodies and sunglasses, others with sports jerseys, and everyone hunched over as if they’ve never been so bored in their lives.
The legendary Doyle Brunson making yet another run at a third title
I headed over to the video poker area and considered playing a little bit, but thought about my Caesar’s daily average would get screwed up (stupid system they use), so I didn’t play. However, I found a machine that I’d never seen before. I ran it on my Win-Poker software, and I must be doing something wrong. I’m hoping someone who reads this who’s better than I am at this sort of thing will figure out what the payback percentage is on this game.
Note the Aces or better, but any quad Aces 4000 and St. flush 500 and three-of-kind 15. What's the %?
I drove across the street to the Palms because I thought I’d take another shot at the 9/6 50-plays (I play at the 2-cent level, which is $5 per dealt hand). Things started out wonderfully and I was up $65 but as these machines often do, mine went cold and I cashed out after about an hour of play with just a couple of dollars profit. I considered a movie, but that would put me too late and I’d have to rush back to the Silverton as Tuesday nights are reserved for SYTYCD. I can’t miss that!
On my way back from the Palms, I made a stop at Johnny Rockets, which is bar and grill on the Frontage road that runs parallel with I-15. I’ve gone by here many times at night, and there were lots of cars. I dropped in and the first thing I noticed was how DARK it is in here. It was hard to walk around. It was pretty much a standard bar, but there was a sign over the restroom proclaiming, “Voted Best Industrial Bar in Las Vegas!” First of all, who did the voting and secondly, who ever knew there was the category “Industrial Bar”? The bartender, a girl, who’s arms were completely covered in tattoos, after giving me my Coors light, told me that the food here is amazing—and not just because she works here—but truly amazing. I finished my beer and headed back out into the 110 degree oven.
The advertise Happy Hour Coors light for only $3. How's that a come on?
As I traced my way back to the Silverton, I made a stop at a popular TA Truck Stop that has been here for a very long time dating back when the Silverton was still called Boomtown. Along with the mini-mart, Burger King, and a Subway, there’s a small casino in the back. There are about 50 machines and three blackjack tables. One of the tables was working and I wondered how a place like this gets their dealers—perhaps right out of Dealer school looking to get experience. I put a $20 in a Spartacus machine and promptly lost it (I’ve GOT to stop playing these). I headed back to the Silverton and thought I’d try to extend my winnings a bit. I sat down at the faux-NSUD spin poker for nickels. I was down fifty bucks in no time and cashed out. It was back to the 100-plays 8/5 BP (it really is the only playable game I can find here). I had some good hits and was almost up the original hundred, so I cashed out.
The casino at the TA Truck stop across from the Silverton Hotel on Blue Diamond
The inside of the TA Truck Stop casino
I was about to head back to my room, but there was just enough time to put $10 into the nickel Keno machine. There’s been a little misunderstand as a few people have asked what my lucky 6 numbers are. I play Four Play, which means that I play four games at time (a nickel per game means 20-cents per deal), so in reality I’m playing 24 numbers at a time. The 6 for 6 has hit on three different games, two of them twice. Well, I was down to about $4 when, dang if I didn’t hit ANOTHER 6 for 6.
I think this is the sixth time I've hit this...weird.
Okay, so maybe I’m on to something here. I’ll up my bet to dimes for the next couple of times and see what happens. We all know the odds at Keno are the best for the casino there are, so my hitting this now so many times may very well be just an oddity. I’ve always contended that the worst thing that can happen to a new player to video poker is to hit a Royal on the first day because they will no doubt think this game is easy. I’m cautious that this is the same situation.
A couple of things to correct: It was BAGIANT that wrote about New Jersey Mikes. My old friend form the Silverton in right—my bad. RecVPPlayer also pointed out the 4500 royal on the 9/6 jacks does not make it a 100% game—just closer to it. Also a note to those of you who have seen KA and are aware of the young performer who fell to her death a couple of weeks ago. They’re going to remove the final fight scene in the show and they will revamp other safety features. The show is scheduled to re-open July 19. Also, the fire on Mt. Charleston went for 15% contained down to 10% contained. They’re having a tough time on this one with high temps and winds.
So the day ended with a profit of a couple hundred dollars—still a long way to catching up, but certainly a move in the right direction.
More tomorrow
First of all, today is July 10th which means that it’s my big sister’s birthday—Happy Birthday Sis! Of course, this report is about yesterday and it’s nice to report that things are beginning to slowly turn around—finally. After taking care of all the morning routines, I had breakfast at the Sundance Café here at the Silverton. I’ve written about this place before as have others. The food here is terrific. Though I only had a veggie omelet, the lady next to me ordered the ham and eggs. When they brought it, I was taken back to the days when Whiskey Pete’s used serve these where the ham steak covered an entire dinner plate so that the eggs were served on a different dish. Back then, it was only $1.99 and I’m sure it’s more here, but it certainly took me back. I understand that the local joint Irene’s on Spring Mountain Rd. also serves this monster breakfast.
It was time to play for my next pull-tab, so I sat down at the 100-play machine in the High Limit area and played 8/5 BP at ten games at a time. I was soon dealt quad 2s, and a little after that dealt quad 8s (why can’t these hands come when I’m playing my 50-plays in Laughlin?)
I soon had my required 500 points and cashed out with a tidy $50 profit. I went to the booth to get my tab and told the boothling, as I was fishing around the bowl of tabs, I certainly hope I don’t win another t-shirt. She said it I wasn’t the first to make that remark. I pulled out a $20 free play tab. So, it was back to the 100-play and again at 10 games at a time, I managed a few quad Aces and a straight flush and cashed out an $80 profit. The day’s beginning to look a little better.
I was soon back in my Saturn and heading back to the Rio. The WSOP Main Event is now in progress. An interesting side note, as I pull into the Rio and headed to the Masquerade parking garage, there’s a sign with an arrow that says “Event Parking.” Almost everyone followed that sign which will send you to park in the back lot out in the open. I pulled into the parking garage, which is covered, and it was only about a quarter full. “Lead the sheep…”
The Rio today (it’s just after noon) was quite different from last week week I was here. With the Main Event going on, the place was jammed. This year’s event attracted once again over 6000 players. Today was day two and the place was buzzing with activity. It’s a long trek to the Convention area where it’s taking place. Along the halls is every kind of poker themed booth you could imagine. With the field still almost at full strength, the players are scattered among three different rooms. What’s fascinating is that with all these rooms completely packed with tables, dealers, and players, while play going on there’s an odd sound as you approach which sounds like thousands of crickets—as you enter the room, all you hear are the hundreds of players playing with their chips—almost no one talks or if they do, it’s in hushed tones. Outside of the occasional loudspeaker announcement, it’s oddly quiet except for the constant chip clacking. I could certainly understand way so many players wear ear phones and listen to music…the low drone of constant chip stacking could really get on your nerves after a while.
Tables begin the next round of play
Workers preparing the feature table for TV
If you come there looking for poker celebrities or TV or sports stars, it’s really quite easy. Simply look for the cameras. Follow the large video cameras and you’ll find the celebrities. I saw many of the players that are well-known in the poker world, but the biggest surprise was Doyle Brunson (known as the Godfather of Poker), who had announced that he wasn’t going to participate. I did manage a picture, but as the table was far away I had to use my zoom so it’s really blurred…sorry. There are three distinct categories of players: The fatties, the jocks, and the nerds. The group that far outpaces everyone are the poker nerds—guys that must play online in their basements all year because they’re skinny, almost albino-like. It’s funny to see the “attitude” all these people perform while playing. Guys with hoodies and sunglasses, others with sports jerseys, and everyone hunched over as if they’ve never been so bored in their lives.
The legendary Doyle Brunson making yet another run at a third title
I headed over to the video poker area and considered playing a little bit, but thought about my Caesar’s daily average would get screwed up (stupid system they use), so I didn’t play. However, I found a machine that I’d never seen before. I ran it on my Win-Poker software, and I must be doing something wrong. I’m hoping someone who reads this who’s better than I am at this sort of thing will figure out what the payback percentage is on this game.
Note the Aces or better, but any quad Aces 4000 and St. flush 500 and three-of-kind 15. What's the %?
I drove across the street to the Palms because I thought I’d take another shot at the 9/6 50-plays (I play at the 2-cent level, which is $5 per dealt hand). Things started out wonderfully and I was up $65 but as these machines often do, mine went cold and I cashed out after about an hour of play with just a couple of dollars profit. I considered a movie, but that would put me too late and I’d have to rush back to the Silverton as Tuesday nights are reserved for SYTYCD. I can’t miss that!
On my way back from the Palms, I made a stop at Johnny Rockets, which is bar and grill on the Frontage road that runs parallel with I-15. I’ve gone by here many times at night, and there were lots of cars. I dropped in and the first thing I noticed was how DARK it is in here. It was hard to walk around. It was pretty much a standard bar, but there was a sign over the restroom proclaiming, “Voted Best Industrial Bar in Las Vegas!” First of all, who did the voting and secondly, who ever knew there was the category “Industrial Bar”? The bartender, a girl, who’s arms were completely covered in tattoos, after giving me my Coors light, told me that the food here is amazing—and not just because she works here—but truly amazing. I finished my beer and headed back out into the 110 degree oven.
The advertise Happy Hour Coors light for only $3. How's that a come on?
As I traced my way back to the Silverton, I made a stop at a popular TA Truck Stop that has been here for a very long time dating back when the Silverton was still called Boomtown. Along with the mini-mart, Burger King, and a Subway, there’s a small casino in the back. There are about 50 machines and three blackjack tables. One of the tables was working and I wondered how a place like this gets their dealers—perhaps right out of Dealer school looking to get experience. I put a $20 in a Spartacus machine and promptly lost it (I’ve GOT to stop playing these). I headed back to the Silverton and thought I’d try to extend my winnings a bit. I sat down at the faux-NSUD spin poker for nickels. I was down fifty bucks in no time and cashed out. It was back to the 100-plays 8/5 BP (it really is the only playable game I can find here). I had some good hits and was almost up the original hundred, so I cashed out.
The casino at the TA Truck stop across from the Silverton Hotel on Blue Diamond
The inside of the TA Truck Stop casino
I was about to head back to my room, but there was just enough time to put $10 into the nickel Keno machine. There’s been a little misunderstand as a few people have asked what my lucky 6 numbers are. I play Four Play, which means that I play four games at time (a nickel per game means 20-cents per deal), so in reality I’m playing 24 numbers at a time. The 6 for 6 has hit on three different games, two of them twice. Well, I was down to about $4 when, dang if I didn’t hit ANOTHER 6 for 6.
I think this is the sixth time I've hit this...weird.
Okay, so maybe I’m on to something here. I’ll up my bet to dimes for the next couple of times and see what happens. We all know the odds at Keno are the best for the casino there are, so my hitting this now so many times may very well be just an oddity. I’ve always contended that the worst thing that can happen to a new player to video poker is to hit a Royal on the first day because they will no doubt think this game is easy. I’m cautious that this is the same situation.
A couple of things to correct: It was BAGIANT that wrote about New Jersey Mikes. My old friend form the Silverton in right—my bad. RecVPPlayer also pointed out the 4500 royal on the 9/6 jacks does not make it a 100% game—just closer to it. Also a note to those of you who have seen KA and are aware of the young performer who fell to her death a couple of weeks ago. They’re going to remove the final fight scene in the show and they will revamp other safety features. The show is scheduled to re-open July 19. Also, the fire on Mt. Charleston went for 15% contained down to 10% contained. They’re having a tough time on this one with high temps and winds.
So the day ended with a profit of a couple hundred dollars—still a long way to catching up, but certainly a move in the right direction.
More tomorrow
