Summer 2012 - Day 14

Summer 2012 – Day 14

Got up around 6 AM but didn’t get out of the room until 10. I’m still not sure why. Writing yesterday’s report, reading a couple chapters from my book, and all the other morning routines seem to take longer and longer. The promotions booth was open and I scratched my next square—shock of shock—I scratched off $25 this time. They gave me the free play coupons and I headed off to the 50-play machine, which was finally available.

Things started off well and I managed to double my money. Then, as these things do, the machine went into a cold slump. This game is so dependent on getting three-of-a-kinds dealt (I play super double bonus) and I went through a stretch of 240 dealt hands without a three-of-a-kind. That hurt, but I did manage to cash out even after having played over 4K. I used my free play on Spartacus and won $30 (going through a small winning streak on this machine). I didn’t play any single line video poker today thinking I needed to give it a bit of a rest and perhaps that elusive Royal will show up.

It was time to leave Harrahs for a while as I wanted to go to Bullhead to the Target store for some things. I took the back route and stopped at the AVI Hotel and Casino. This is the only Indian casino in the entire state of Nevada and sits right along the California/Arizona/Nevada border on the Colorado River about 20 miles from Laughlin. I played a couple of penny games to keep my slot card active and hit a couple of nice hits on some wild machine about four dragons and left the AVI with $20 more than I walked in with.


The entrance to the AVI Hotel and Casino

I drove across the River into Arizona and down to Target. The temperature is going back up and is 105 by the time I go into the store. I hate leaving my car out in a parking lot when it gets this hot. So I picked up a few things and next drove down to the Dollar store to get a couple new tooth brushes and some snacks for the room. When I returned to Laughlin, I thought I’d take a moment and take a couple of pics of the entrance. Recently, on the corner where the Riverside is there was an Avenue of the Flags honoring serviceman in foreign wars.


The Avenue of Flags on the corner of Casino Drive


The plaque at the Avenue of Flags

Across the street a statue of Don Laughlin, who in 1964 opened the first Riverside that had only eight motel rooms in an unincorporated South Pointe. That was the beginning of what we now is Laughlin.


This statue of Don Laughlin greets people as they arrive

As I was heading back to Harrahs, I decided to stop in another hotel that doesn’t get a lot of notice here in Laughlin and that’s the Golden Nugget. Management doesn’t comp rooms to mid-level players, so most of don’t usually stay here thought a couple of years ago they offered me one night for $35 and I stayed out of curiosity. I found the room well acquainted but small. The Golden Nugget has one of the nicest entrances and the casino keeps up on all the latest machines. The one drawback is that it has a short ceiling and can feel a little more claustrophobic than some of the other places. I found one of the new Lord of the Ring machines here and played for a while. I end up losing a little bit this time around and then played a penny Multi-Strike Five Play machine for pennies. They have two of these that have full pay 8/5 Bonus. Unfortunately, another disappointing final here as well.


The Golden Nugget in Laughlin


The entrance to the Golden Nugget casino

So, this report is pretty much on the short side. I spent most of the day gambling and end up the day just a couple of dollars down. It’s back to Sin City tomorrow.

More tommorow


Sionow,

I'm just curious if you know how may players cards you have from all of the casinos you visit?
From wikipedia :

"Donald J. "Don" Laughlin (born May 4, 1931) is an American gambling entrepreneur, hotelier and rancher for whom the town of Laughlin, Nevada, is named."
<fast forward>
"Laughlin spends his time shuttling in his private helicopter between his penthouse suite atop the Riverside and his cattle ranch in nearby Kingman. He also uses his helicopter in travels back to his hometown of Owatonna, Minnesota, for the Steele County Free Fair, parking it in a vacant lot behind the Owatonna Country Inn & Suites before it was replaced by a cinema's parking lot. A self-confessed workaholic, Laughlin generally conducts the day-to-day affairs of running his businesses in the evening hours. Despite his fortune and fame, Laughlin is a very open individual towards his guests and can be seen frequenting the casino floor at night and chatting with them."
Jon: When Jim & I were in Laughlin two years ago he had a golf game at 6:04 am across the road

from the Avi Casino. While he golfed I ended up over at the Avi & played. I quite enjoyed my time

there but did end up leaving a deposit there. I still get invites from them.

Diane

I go to Laughlin about once a year from Ohio,Harrah's has flown me & give me total comps.I was in the Riverside years ago & a lady was raising hell about the buffet,she asked to talk to some one, Don Laughlin came & told her, " lady what ever it takes to make you happy I will do " He's one hell of a man.
Hey glad you took some time to gamble and have a good time, thanks for taking a minute to update us.
Jon - enjoy your daily itineraries so much!!! However, I was very anxious to hear what you had to say about the price of gas being $1.31 in Bullhead City!!!! Was that a typo by any chance???? I doubt very much it was that cheap. If it is, then I think I will move there.
So what's up with Don Laughlin? Is he still alive? Golden Nugget seems to copy the entrance of the Mirage and I think it is still the nicest hotel in Laughlin...although I haven't seen the remodeled Aquarius yet. Is the Aquarius as nice as they say?
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