Summer of Tournaments - Day 14

Summer of Tournaments – Day 14

It’s moving day once again and this time I’m just doing a one-nighter at the Suncoast and then it’s back to Laughlin for the next tournament. After checking out, I drove down to Sam’s Town to play their poker tournament once again. I got there about a half hour early, so I played some 9/6 Jacks and was up $52 and then started to slide, so I decided I’d stop at $23, which would cover my buy in. Once again, I played carefully and it was just before the break that I lost when the guy behind me caught a 5 on the river for trips—just not having much luck at this tournament, but I still enjoy playing and will continue to do so when I return.


A reader requested that I take a picture at night at the fountains from my room—here ya go.

I drove out to the Suncoast. They give me one free night per month (in the hopes I’ll buy another and I never do), and it just so happened that my schedule had this blank day in it. But truth be told, I really like this hotel and would be a top choice to stay if I didn’t get all the free rooms at the Caesars properties. If and when I stop my 7 Star status; I’d give all my play at these Boyd properties. They have decent rooms, good comps, and reasonable games.


The Suncoast Hotel in Summerlin


My room at Suncoast

The rooms are quite large and very nice with a refrigerator and a coffee maker. The casino has full pay games and they always have excellent promotions. For example, like Sam’s Town (also a bconnected slot card hotel), they are offering the 7X/11X/15X multiple points on Fridays and Saturdays. In addition to this, on Friday and Saturdays, they offer a $25 bonus on any quads in 5s thru 9s in quarters as well as a $100 bonus for any royals. Even though I’ll need to drive to Laughlin tomorrow, I’m going to play here all morning before I leave.

I did very little today considering I want to do my gambling tomorrow to take advantage of the promotions, so after checking in, I picked up a couple of hot dogs (75-cents each) and watched the soccer game and the Padres on TV in the Sportsbook pretty much the whole afternoon (ahh, my poor Padres…that’s another story).

I had dinner at the Suncoast Oyster bar and of course, I ordered the Manhattan clam chowder. After I finished that, I ordered the New England clam chowder as well. The Manhattan was very good with a slight spicy zing aftertaste. They do something different here in preparation. They take the already prepared broth and then put it a sauce pan and then adds the veggies and clams, so that the veggies are still crisp and the clams fresh. This was an excellent bowl of Manhattan clam chowder. I thought it’s just a tad under the Palace Station chowder in quality and taste but certainly a favorite. The New England chowder was good, but a little heavy for my taste. At only $5.50 for a good size bowl that comes with hot bread and butter, both of these are great choices.

Speaking of food, I honestly have no idea how all these eating establishments make it in this one hotel. There’s a steakhouse, a Mexican Restaurant, Mike’s Bagels and Deli, a full service coffee shop, a buffet, TGIFriday’s, a Best of Seattle Coffee outlet, a Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream shop, a snack bar in the bowling alley upstairs, and the Oyster bar. It’s pretty amazing to me but they seem to be busy and do a good business.

So, another tournament, another loss. It’s time I reach a another cash spot soon.

More tomorrow

Totals:

Tournaments: 9 Cost: $138 Won: $1000 Balance: $862

Thanks again for another good report. I like the clam chowder reviews. I wish very hotel had an oyster bar. The one I don't understand though, is Palace Station. I used to stay there when they first opened the OB, and it was a success from day one. Of course it doesn't take too many patrons to fill it. I just don't understand why it's never been expanded to any degree. Giving it 8-10 tables would be good for guests and the bottom line. Who knows.

Your question about the number of food options and the ability to fill them is one I've considered for years. The hotels of course, have two sources of clientele, tourists and locals. I think most visitors have the bulk of their meals where they stay. There are a certain number of Westies and Mrs. Westies, but I think most fall into the former category. This will add a number of covers to the day's bottom line.

This brings us back to the locals that receive coupons from everywhere. My friends get coups for casinos they haven't been in for years. Most are 241s, but some even better. Promos from their active casinos are also usually 241s, but they'll pay for the second meal with points, so it's free at half the points spent. The casino looks for liquor sales to help the bottom line and course hopes you'll throw $20 or more into a machine on the way to your car. This is what I see at locals joints. The strip I'm sure follows another route.

Good Luck!
Ric at Joes

Joe,

some excellent points!