Summer of Cal/Nev – Day 8
I’m guessing the old body was telling me I was tired because I fell asleep last night watching the BIG BANG THEORY at 6:30; then woke up around midnight, turned the TV off and end up sleeping nearly ten hours. I never sleep that long. I’m a six to eight hours guy. However, it did feel good though it took a while to clear the cob webs.
I had breakfast once again at the buffet using my reward points. The help are all getting to know me. I order an omelet, cover it with salsa, get some fruit, order coffee and iced tea and read the newspaper I had just bought at the gift shop…Mr. Routine. I’m anxious to get an update on my car. The parts are supposed to come in today and hopefully, I might be able to drive it back to the hotel this evening.
As promised, my agenda today was another movie and then a report on the casinos I missed yesterday. Once again, I took the water taxi. It occurred to me that many of you don’t know what the water taxis look like, so here’s a pic. They’re about as simple as a transit water vehicle can get, but they do the job.
One of the Water Taxi's on the Colorado River in Laughlin
They dropped me off at the Colorado Belle, and though I reported on this yesterday, I did decide to play my $5 keno game here. I read a comment that I didn’t explain this bet very well. I don’t place one $5 bet. It’s a nickel per game, and I play four games at a time for a total bet of twenty cents per deal. So, each individual game is only five cents. Well, all that putting the game down yesterday came back at me as I hit a 6/6 for an $80 win.
A rare 6 for 6 in Keno at the Colorado Belle
That was a nice surprise. I continued to play until there was $80 left and cashed out. I walked across the street to the Outlet Mall where the other set of movie theaters are located. I was just in time to see Monster’s University, which was just released today. I went in fifteen minutes early figuring the place would be filled with kids…I was so wrong. I was the only one in the theater until about two minutes before it began when about six more people (and only two children) came in. The movie was good, it wasn’t great or remarkable, but the movie is intended for kids, not old farts like me. Overall, I liked it.
I next walked across the street to the Tropicana Express. This place was once known as the Ramada Inn Express. The first time I ever stayed in Laughlin, it was at the Ramada Inn Express. Now the Tropicana, it really hasn’t changed much over the years.
The Tropicana Express in Laughlin
Most casinos change over machines every month or so, and then many move the machines around for no other reason than to make it appear newer. The Tropicana’s interior looks exactly the same as when Martin and I used to play poker here almost every day we were in town years ago. The only playable video poker is in the high limit area where you’ll find plenty of dollar and up 8/5 Bonus Poker, but that’s about it. I sat down with a five at another Four Card Keno nickel game, ordered a Diet Pepsi and began to play. Would you believe it? I hit another 6/6.
Amazingly, another 6/6 hit at the Tropicana
Gosh! Maybe I should completely reconsider playing video poker and stick to Keno for now on!—never gonna happen. Lucky is lucky and I know this. Keno has always been and continues to be the worst game you can play in a casino as the house’s edge is the highest of all the other games. But, darn glad I hit a couple of nice ones along the way. Before I left, I took a picture of the gigantic Sports Book here at the Tropicana (just kidding, a few small screens and very bored guy behind the desk, who gave me a glare when I took the pic).
The gigantic sports book at the Tropicana
I jaywalked across Casino Dr in order to get to the Pioneer. I’ve spoken of this place before. It’s old school Vegas. The place smells like an ash tray. The ceilings are low and everything is red, the carpets, the walls, the ceiling, and the chairs. Many of the machines are still coin droppers, but it does appear that they are finally getting around to putting in Ticket In/Out adapters. All the machines are short pay. The hotel here is really a motel where you park in front of your room. The one good thing I know about this place is their little deli, which sells a terrific quarter pounder hot dog for under three bucks. It’s a good one.
The Pioneer in Laughlin, NV
Next door to the Pioneer is the Golden Nugget. I’ve stayed here once a few years ago, and the room was okay. They have a beautiful pool area. The Golden Nugget has all the latest penny games but unfortunately, they’ve taken out my favorite game here, the 5-play Multi-Strike for pennies with full pay bonus poker. They’re gone—damn!
The Golden Nugget in Laughlin, NV
The Atrium in the Golden Nugget...one of the prettiest spots in Laughlin
I looked and looked and finally found a bank of machines that had the Four Card Keno for nickels. They were hidden away over by the deli. It was here that I noticed that the payouts were much shorter than the Colorado Belle. The 6 for6 only paid 1500. They also shorted you the 5 for 6 from 72 coins to 55 coins. Wow, so they have different schedules just like video poker. When you consider the house edge on this game, shame on the casino to make it even harder to make a profit. My $5 didn’t last very long and I headed next door to the River Palms.
The River Palms Hotel and Casino in Laughlin
As I was making my up the hill to the River Palms (in three digit temperatures), I noticed it was after 3:00 PM and still no call about my car. I called over there and no one was available in service. I left my name and number and asked them to call as soon as possible. Of all the major casinos in Laughlin, this one has fallen on the most difficult times. The paint on the outside is pealing, the bottom floor, which used to be bustling with activity with all sorts of machines, a poker room, and a sports bar are all gone. It’s now completely empty. All that’s left is the buffet (no one was in it and the help were all just standing around), and a Denny’s. It’s kind of sad as a few years back, this was a nice place to hang out. There is a glint of hope for the Royal Palms as they’ve just been bought by a new company to Laughlin. Perhaps they’ll sink some money into place and bring it back to its former glory.
I found a Four Card Keno game in nickels against the far wall, and after I started playing the phone rang. It was Mike from the service department. His news was not good. All the parts didn’t come in. They got some, but not all. He’s hoping the rest will come in tomorrow. I told him he needs to call me as soon as he knows, because I have to leave on Sunday, which means, if the car isn’t ready, I have to rent a car. I’ll be back in Laughlin on Tuesday (as luck would have it) and I can pick up the car then, but I need to know as there’s a small window to rent a car on Saturday at the Laughlin airport—or I’m screwed! He assured me he would call. So, bad news on the car and bad news on the Keno as another five dollar bill bit the dust.
I walked down to the pier to catch the water taxi back to Harrahs. I need to be there between 5 and 6 to pick up my table number and seat for the Poker Tournament (the reason I’m still here). The ride back was fine and I managed to get into the tournament at 10 AM. This will be good as I expect to hear from Mike around noon.
That concludes the casino tour, and yes, I know I left out The Regency.
The Regency...at least the sign of the Regency
This little, tiny joint is just that…a joint. I’ve reported on it before. All there is inside are a few machines against the wall with a pool table in the middle. There’s a small café in the back and a bar that doles cheap beer to the many regulars who sit there hour after hour after hour.
I went over to the Harrahs café and got a club sandwich to go and took it up to my room, so I could get this report hammered out and online before my Internet time runs out. Harrahs charges, $10.99 per 24-hour period for the Internet (I use my reward points). I used to be able to get free Internet at the Library (but it’s insanely slow) or the Starbucks at the Aquarius; however, that has closed down and an in-house coffee outlet in under construction—no word yet if they will be offering a free hot spot. How does a Starbucks go “out of business”? With the mark up they get for their coffee and other foo-foo drinks, I can’t imagine any of them going out of business. I’m sure the Aquarius simply didn’t renew their lease, so THEY could get all those profits.
More tomorrow.
I’m guessing the old body was telling me I was tired because I fell asleep last night watching the BIG BANG THEORY at 6:30; then woke up around midnight, turned the TV off and end up sleeping nearly ten hours. I never sleep that long. I’m a six to eight hours guy. However, it did feel good though it took a while to clear the cob webs.
I had breakfast once again at the buffet using my reward points. The help are all getting to know me. I order an omelet, cover it with salsa, get some fruit, order coffee and iced tea and read the newspaper I had just bought at the gift shop…Mr. Routine. I’m anxious to get an update on my car. The parts are supposed to come in today and hopefully, I might be able to drive it back to the hotel this evening.
As promised, my agenda today was another movie and then a report on the casinos I missed yesterday. Once again, I took the water taxi. It occurred to me that many of you don’t know what the water taxis look like, so here’s a pic. They’re about as simple as a transit water vehicle can get, but they do the job.
One of the Water Taxi's on the Colorado River in Laughlin
They dropped me off at the Colorado Belle, and though I reported on this yesterday, I did decide to play my $5 keno game here. I read a comment that I didn’t explain this bet very well. I don’t place one $5 bet. It’s a nickel per game, and I play four games at a time for a total bet of twenty cents per deal. So, each individual game is only five cents. Well, all that putting the game down yesterday came back at me as I hit a 6/6 for an $80 win.
A rare 6 for 6 in Keno at the Colorado Belle
That was a nice surprise. I continued to play until there was $80 left and cashed out. I walked across the street to the Outlet Mall where the other set of movie theaters are located. I was just in time to see Monster’s University, which was just released today. I went in fifteen minutes early figuring the place would be filled with kids…I was so wrong. I was the only one in the theater until about two minutes before it began when about six more people (and only two children) came in. The movie was good, it wasn’t great or remarkable, but the movie is intended for kids, not old farts like me. Overall, I liked it.
I next walked across the street to the Tropicana Express. This place was once known as the Ramada Inn Express. The first time I ever stayed in Laughlin, it was at the Ramada Inn Express. Now the Tropicana, it really hasn’t changed much over the years.
The Tropicana Express in Laughlin
Most casinos change over machines every month or so, and then many move the machines around for no other reason than to make it appear newer. The Tropicana’s interior looks exactly the same as when Martin and I used to play poker here almost every day we were in town years ago. The only playable video poker is in the high limit area where you’ll find plenty of dollar and up 8/5 Bonus Poker, but that’s about it. I sat down with a five at another Four Card Keno nickel game, ordered a Diet Pepsi and began to play. Would you believe it? I hit another 6/6.
Amazingly, another 6/6 hit at the Tropicana
Gosh! Maybe I should completely reconsider playing video poker and stick to Keno for now on!—never gonna happen. Lucky is lucky and I know this. Keno has always been and continues to be the worst game you can play in a casino as the house’s edge is the highest of all the other games. But, darn glad I hit a couple of nice ones along the way. Before I left, I took a picture of the gigantic Sports Book here at the Tropicana (just kidding, a few small screens and very bored guy behind the desk, who gave me a glare when I took the pic).
The gigantic sports book at the Tropicana
I jaywalked across Casino Dr in order to get to the Pioneer. I’ve spoken of this place before. It’s old school Vegas. The place smells like an ash tray. The ceilings are low and everything is red, the carpets, the walls, the ceiling, and the chairs. Many of the machines are still coin droppers, but it does appear that they are finally getting around to putting in Ticket In/Out adapters. All the machines are short pay. The hotel here is really a motel where you park in front of your room. The one good thing I know about this place is their little deli, which sells a terrific quarter pounder hot dog for under three bucks. It’s a good one.
The Pioneer in Laughlin, NV
Next door to the Pioneer is the Golden Nugget. I’ve stayed here once a few years ago, and the room was okay. They have a beautiful pool area. The Golden Nugget has all the latest penny games but unfortunately, they’ve taken out my favorite game here, the 5-play Multi-Strike for pennies with full pay bonus poker. They’re gone—damn!
The Golden Nugget in Laughlin, NV
The Atrium in the Golden Nugget...one of the prettiest spots in Laughlin
I looked and looked and finally found a bank of machines that had the Four Card Keno for nickels. They were hidden away over by the deli. It was here that I noticed that the payouts were much shorter than the Colorado Belle. The 6 for6 only paid 1500. They also shorted you the 5 for 6 from 72 coins to 55 coins. Wow, so they have different schedules just like video poker. When you consider the house edge on this game, shame on the casino to make it even harder to make a profit. My $5 didn’t last very long and I headed next door to the River Palms.
The River Palms Hotel and Casino in Laughlin
As I was making my up the hill to the River Palms (in three digit temperatures), I noticed it was after 3:00 PM and still no call about my car. I called over there and no one was available in service. I left my name and number and asked them to call as soon as possible. Of all the major casinos in Laughlin, this one has fallen on the most difficult times. The paint on the outside is pealing, the bottom floor, which used to be bustling with activity with all sorts of machines, a poker room, and a sports bar are all gone. It’s now completely empty. All that’s left is the buffet (no one was in it and the help were all just standing around), and a Denny’s. It’s kind of sad as a few years back, this was a nice place to hang out. There is a glint of hope for the Royal Palms as they’ve just been bought by a new company to Laughlin. Perhaps they’ll sink some money into place and bring it back to its former glory.
I found a Four Card Keno game in nickels against the far wall, and after I started playing the phone rang. It was Mike from the service department. His news was not good. All the parts didn’t come in. They got some, but not all. He’s hoping the rest will come in tomorrow. I told him he needs to call me as soon as he knows, because I have to leave on Sunday, which means, if the car isn’t ready, I have to rent a car. I’ll be back in Laughlin on Tuesday (as luck would have it) and I can pick up the car then, but I need to know as there’s a small window to rent a car on Saturday at the Laughlin airport—or I’m screwed! He assured me he would call. So, bad news on the car and bad news on the Keno as another five dollar bill bit the dust.
I walked down to the pier to catch the water taxi back to Harrahs. I need to be there between 5 and 6 to pick up my table number and seat for the Poker Tournament (the reason I’m still here). The ride back was fine and I managed to get into the tournament at 10 AM. This will be good as I expect to hear from Mike around noon.
That concludes the casino tour, and yes, I know I left out The Regency.
The Regency...at least the sign of the Regency
This little, tiny joint is just that…a joint. I’ve reported on it before. All there is inside are a few machines against the wall with a pool table in the middle. There’s a small café in the back and a bar that doles cheap beer to the many regulars who sit there hour after hour after hour.
I went over to the Harrahs café and got a club sandwich to go and took it up to my room, so I could get this report hammered out and online before my Internet time runs out. Harrahs charges, $10.99 per 24-hour period for the Internet (I use my reward points). I used to be able to get free Internet at the Library (but it’s insanely slow) or the Starbucks at the Aquarius; however, that has closed down and an in-house coffee outlet in under construction—no word yet if they will be offering a free hot spot. How does a Starbucks go “out of business”? With the mark up they get for their coffee and other foo-foo drinks, I can’t imagine any of them going out of business. I’m sure the Aquarius simply didn’t renew their lease, so THEY could get all those profits.
More tomorrow.
