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salemgambler
Joined: 12 Aug 2015 Posts: 35
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Posted: Sep Fri 11, 2015 9:05 pm Post subject: 5 nights at El D |
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Just got back from Reno. Much different than Vegas but wife and I really enjoyed it. Came to eat, drink and gamble and that's exactly what we did. Came home just a few $100 short which is a HUGE accomplishment than what we've experienced in Vegas. Perhaps we were somewhat lucky but maybe the slots in Reno are looser than Vegas. Hard to gage. Played enough for several free meals and waiting for the offers via mail.
Thanks guys for the suggestions on where to play. |
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BC Dave Site Admin
Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 1598
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Posted: Sep Sun 13, 2015 1:33 pm Post subject: More details? |
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Hi Salem Gambler,
Now that you've put Reno on your map, perhaps you could share some of your positive or negative experiences as far as gambling, restaurants, bars, etc. What did you think of the Cal Neva, Eldorado - Silver Legacy - Circus Circus complex? Did you venture out of the downtown core to the Peppermill, Atlantis, Grand Sierra or the Nugget out in Sparks?
We would love to hear your thoughts on our favourite Little City, especially since you really enjoyed yourselves. |
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salemgambler
Joined: 12 Aug 2015 Posts: 35
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Posted: Sep Sun 13, 2015 3:35 pm Post subject: Trip report |
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Ok Dave.....here it goes.
First, let me day that we have been to Reno a lot in years past. So most of the casinos are not foreign to us. On Sunday ( Sept 6th) night I was very lucky to book a room at the La Quinta ( Gold card holder with 40K points). There were virtually NO rooms available in Reno, Virginia City, Carson City and Sparks for the price I thought I could live with. The average cost room for that night ( Sunday, day before Labor Day) was around $175 plus. Reason for this........."Burning Man" ( estimated crowd that attended was 70K) the BBQ/ Ribs Cook Off in Sparks and also the fact it was Labor Day weekend. None of the casinos offered rooms less than around $200 for that Sunday night. The ones that were less ( $175 and less) were of the Motel 6 variety.
Ok....stayed at the Eldorado Monday ( 7th) thru Thursday ( 10th). Always a nice stay. Clean, quiet and comfortable. Casino floor was not really "smokey" and that is always good......sorry if I offended anyone. Also played at Silver Legacy and Circus, Cal Neva, Sands and Gold West. It seemed like our dollars went further playing the slots in Reno than in Vegas. It's hard to judge because at the end of the day ( trip) we have always come back losing more than winning. But someone posted earlier that Nevada slots are tighter and I REALLY believe that. I just seemed like my dollars 10-20 years ago went much, much farther gambling that it is today.
Did go to Virginia City. Once you've seen it, you're good for another 10 yrs.
Took a movie in and also bought crap from antique stores downtown ( Wife thing..........to me it's all crap that people buy at garage sales )
Ate buffets ( guessed we gambled enough) free at Eldorado, Sands, Gold West. Thought that Pho restaurant inside El D was excellent.
Unlike Vegas, Reno offers little night entertainment to old people like us. I would not have wanted to go to any shows even if the tickets were free.
Overall......it was a nice trip. It was exactly what we expected........lots of gambling, drinks and eating.
However.....my only complaint was the extremely SLOW alcohol service from cocktail servers. Almost had to find one or flag one down. In Vegas, I always stay off strip and a good tip routine will always keep the CW coming around. Not so much in Reno. At nights at the El D, there were perhaps, ONE CW covering the entire slot section we played at. Not good. |
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spdmrcht
Joined: 12 Oct 2012 Posts: 498
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Posted: Sep Sun 13, 2015 7:15 pm Post subject: Yah I here the CW problem. |
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I always push the service button when I set down at a Machine, and get a floor person to send a CW. and I Tip the CW very Good on the first time.
and That seams to keep them coming back. Funny how that works. |
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salemgambler
Joined: 12 Aug 2015 Posts: 35
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Posted: Sep Sun 13, 2015 8:27 pm Post subject: Service button? |
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I must say that in all my trips to Vegas and Reno, I have NEVER push the service button for a CW. NEVER and would probably be hesitant to do that. I guess everyone has a different mode of obtaining "service". Yours just happens to be more abrupt than I'm used to. I also never seen anyone attract a CW that way. I choose the subtle approach to garner attention. But It's just me. |
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stan_allen
Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 1129
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Posted: Sep Mon 14, 2015 8:35 am Post subject: You're a winner, even when you come back short... |
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Thanks for sharing! We're always delighted to hear of people burnt out on Vegas and discovering that Reno generally offers a much better deal on our beloved gaming.
As a certified cheapskate, I don't expect much from drink service, but it generally does seem to be true that good tipping keeps 'em coming.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for your trip report, and keep coming back! |
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spdmrcht
Joined: 12 Oct 2012 Posts: 498
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Posted: Sep Mon 14, 2015 8:44 am Post subject: Re: Service button? |
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salemgambler wrote: | I must say that in all my trips to Vegas and Reno, I have NEVER push the service button for a CW. NEVER and would probably be hesitant to do that. I guess everyone has a different mode of obtaining "service". Yours just happens to be more abrupt than I'm used to. I also never seen anyone attract a CW that way. I choose the subtle approach to garner attention. But It's just me. |
In Tahoe Harrah's there are signs tell you for drinks push the button, or you can just set and wait and wait. |
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BC Dave Site Admin
Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 1598
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Posted: Sep Mon 14, 2015 9:19 am Post subject: Thanks Salem |
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Thanks for the additional details, Salem. Despite my smoking avatar, I appreciate clean air in casinos. (The avatar is primarily a attempt at being politically incorrect).
I enjoy Reno's buffets despite the stigma they seem to "enjoy". I haven't tried the Sands buffet. How did you find it?
I haven't ventured out to the Gold Dust West for years. It seemed to be a friendly place, kinda smokey, but had it's own charm.
My solution to spotty drink service is to play Video Poker at the bar. I enjoy VP, it's usually pretty easy on my budget and the bartenders are always very attentive. |
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salemgambler
Joined: 12 Aug 2015 Posts: 35
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Posted: Sep Mon 14, 2015 9:58 am Post subject: Gold West |
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The primary reason we played at Gold West on that Sunday night ( 7th) was because we could not find any parking spaces near or inside the Eldorado. Completely full. I drove around the parking structure for 45 mins. and finally gave up. We drove a few blocks past the Eldorado and saw the Gold West and decided to play there.
Sands buffet was average at best. HOWEVER............it served steamed clams and I probably ate about a $100 worth of those things. And prime roast too! |
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alison
Joined: 09 Jan 2006 Posts: 1152
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Posted: Sep Mon 14, 2015 3:15 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the report. Glad you had a good time. FYi- I dont think you can really offend anyone on this board. I too dont like cigarette smoke. i hate playing next to a smoker and often will avoid a mahine if theres a smoker there. Thats my one complaint....smokey casinos. I tend to spend alot of time in the casino and often by the end of the night my eyes are burning and watering like crazy from the smoke.
I head to reno tomorrow! Cant wait! |
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