Hit 'em All Nevada - Day 10

Hit ‘em All Nevada – Day 10

Last night was one of “those.” Having not gotten to sleep until midnight and then waking up at 5:30 AM and not able to go back to sleep, I know I’m in for a rough day. Fortunately, I’m ahead of my schedule of hitting the casinos as I’ve finished with the east of Strip group. So, I thought today I’d run out to the ones on the far outskirts and get them out of the way.

First though, along with my comped rooms, I was also given a $10 food credit, which I used for breakfast TGIF. I had a skillet ham and egg dish, which was good. It occurred to me that with all the running around I did yesterday, I never made my $10 bet at the place I’m staying, Sam’s Town. I waited patiently at the table for the dealer to shuffle the cards and played. I won—a good start to the day. I sat down for a good hour playing some 8/5 Bonus Poker. It occurred to me that I should have taken the room upgrade for the $60 because I have almost $200 in comp points here, and I rarely ever use them. Next time if the same situation presents itself, I’ll do just that.

I broke even playing video poker and headed out to the car to drive over to the Cannery, North. Rather than get on the freeway, I chose to take Nellis Blvd all the way. It takes a little longer with the lights and speed limit, but many times on these trips, I like to just look at the neighborhoods, the businesses along the way, and get a feeling for the area. When I got to Craig St, I turned left and across the I-15 bridge, which for years and years was perpetually under construction. Now that they’re done, I can see why. The bridge is now 10 lanes across with a median. I suppose they’re expecting this area to really grow.

Like a lot of the casinos in Las Vegas, this one, too, has a personal connection. I remember when Martin (mmoy) and I would drive out here when it first opened. At the time, it was just about on the only building in the area. They used to have all kinds of promotions, from free play, to free food, to t-shirts, to jackets—anything to get people into the place and to sign up for their slot card. They’d have a poker tournament that was really cheap, and their poker room was really just six tables in the middle of the casino. If memory serves, Martin won one these and I won one as well. All their hard work paid off as it wasn’t long before they expanded with theaters and a new, beautiful poker room—the promotions were no longer necessary and are pretty much gone. As I walked in today and walked around, the poker room has already closed and has become a non-smoking slot area. Once again their poker room consists of about six tables in the middle of the casino.

I walked up to a blackjack table with a shoe. You don’t have to wait for a shuffle if it’s a shoe. I was dealt a ten and the dealer had a six up. This is my first double down situation since this trip has started. I grabbed another ten dollars from my wallet and put it down. She dealt me a 2—damn! She turned over her down card which was a 4 (oh-oh). However, the blackjack gods were with the players this day as her next card was 2 and then a face card. She busted, we all win—a $20 win for me.

I wanted to put a few points on my slot card, so I put a twenty in a Lord of the Rings machine and went on a wicked roll and end up cashing out for a $100+ profit.


The size of the pic here is an experiment on my camera. Better? Worse?

I next drove out to the Aliante Hotel and Casino, which is on the very northern part of the county. This is LVA member Sue Casey’s joint having moved to Las Vegas and getting a job as a boothling here. I went to the booth to ask for her and was told she had already left for the day. Sue, if you read this, I was there at 2:30—sorry I missed you (Saturday). I found a blackjack table and again I came away with a win. I was heading for the cashier to get cash for the chips, but there was another Lord of the Rings machine—could lightning strike twice? It never does. I lost $18 and walked around the place. The Aliante is just a beautiful casino. I’m sure that if the recession hadn’t hit Vegas so badly and the area was to have continued to grow, this place would be doing just great. I had an LVA coupon for a free drink, so I had a beer and sat in the Sportsbook to relax and watch the Padres play the Dodgers for a good hour. (Padres lost after giving up a no-hitter with two out in the 9th and lost 1-0. The Padres have never had a no-hitter in their history). I will be returning to the Aliante when I come back at the end of the month. Why? Because as I pulled into the Red Rock Casino 25 miles away, I realized I still had the $20 in chips in my pocket from the Aliante.



The Red Rock Hotel and Casino is one of the most popular LVA member casinos. Not only is it beautiful, it has full pay video poker games, great rooms, restaurants, a bowling alley, and a 16 theater complex. It’s one of Station Casino’s most successful properties. I headed directly to the blackjack table (obviously now my game of choice), and I put down my $10 bet, and I won again. That’s 4-0 for the day. Very nice!



When I left Red Rock, it was getting late, and I need to get to sleep early tonight as I want to check out and leave VERY early tomorrow. I am not looking forward to the next day and have been dreading it since I began planning this trip. The drive from Las Vegas to Reno is the most boring monotonous drive there can be. Last year, of the 11,000+ miles driving, it was this route I hated the most. There simply is nothing there but mile after mile of empty desert. I won’t be coming back this way as I’ll be on the eastern part of the state when I come back the southern route. But, I’ve loaded up my ipad with a lot of my favorite NPR shows “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me.” This will keep me distracted and laughing all the way along with some gourmet lemon drops.

Trip totals: Casinos visited 95; Bets Balance $+96

More tomorrow.


Just a quick note...you can usually cash in chips from any casino at most cages. Although there are exceptions to the rule, Red Rock would have surely taken chips from Aliante or you could take them to Boulder before you head out tomorrow (if Sams Town won't cash for them for you....although they likely will). Glad to hear you had a great day gaming today and you complete the trip up north tomorrow with no problems.
Thanks Jon.Always enjoy the pics.Goodluck in Reno.
Have a safe trip tomorrow. Can't wait to read the Reno notes!

Jon, I'm so sorry I missed you today. I had a short shift -- just 10 a.m.-2 p.m. I hope I'll see you when you come back through the area later in your trip.

Safe travels to Reno!

Edited to add: Maybe you'll run into Mindbender when you get to the Tahoe area. He's an interesting guy. If you'd like to get in touch with him, let me know.
Loving your TR. The right side of the sentences are still cut off for me. Glad your up on your bets for the trip.

Please let us know about the sign in for the great race at Reno and Tahoe.
We are so enjoying these reports. Especially since we wanted to check out a new place or two when we are there the end of this month! Thanks for going to GVR though you didn't say much good stuff about it! It really is a great and "very lucky" place. We so loved the Laughlin stuff. Spent many many years going to that place too! It was fun to see all the casinos again. It costs a zillion dollars to get there now, we so had to give up going, but man we loved it there!
Jon - the ride from Las Vegas to Reno can be boring but there is a neat stop (restaurant and store) on the way where they have big bags of candy and nuts. Be sure to stop here and stock up on some goodies.
It is very reasonable and very, very good!! Hope you read this before you drive by!!!

Hope you are staying at the Peppermill - it is our favorite!!!
A good night sleep is harder to get, the older you get.Second guessing happens to all of us.Reno to Vegas is 436 miles apart, correct ? Waiting for your report from Reno,I'm going Lake Tahoe in Aug.wanting to hear what you have to say about Harrahs and Harveys in Tahoe.Interesting report as usual.Jon, you have much better luck gambling than I do,keep up the good work.
Jon:

Enjoying your reports and pictures for sure. Have a safe journey to Reno and beyond.


Diane
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