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Thunder valley in Lincoln ca

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Trip Reports' started by firstkill, Oct 14, 2014.

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  1. firstkill

    firstkill High-Roller

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    My Trip Report

    I haven't been here for years. This was the first Indian casino in the Sacramento area that made it easier than driving to Reno or nv.

    My gambling carrer started when I was in grade school. Parents would drop me off with 5 bucks at the arcades, I loved SAMs town, they had unlimited motion theatre, mini gollf, but I would always want to play blackjack.

    During college I would go and play 1-2 dollar min blackjack and really score on the buffets.

    It wasn't until thunder valley opened in early 2000s and I went on my streak that hooked me for life. I was right out of college and would visit my parents that lived a few miles from thunder valley. My bank roll was 200, and for 7 days straight I'd walk out with over 500 profit. I quickly thought I was going to switch jobs. Good thing I was young and due to a short attention span I got busy with other things

    Fast forward to today. I'm in town since moving away for a work conference. This casino is PACKED, multiple tour bus companies from many surrounding cities come in. Ventilation is poor for being a large casino, I'd say Paris size.

    High limit had black jack. 6 deck shoe or double deck, 3:2, no surrender and hit soft 17, the double rules are fine. Bacarrat, but I didn't see anyone peel cards.

    Outside had either double deck 21, or cont shufflers 15 min, most tables busy Tons of paigow with fortune bet, tons of mini baccarat. I feel they have a lot of bj switch at least 6 tables. 2-3 fake roulette and one California craps.

    I played a variety in 1hr. Ran up 500 into 1400, but gave back 200 in gimmick games playing nickels.
    It was nice to scratch an itch while on a work trip and it brings back fond memories of my early gambling days.

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  2. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    You are SO correct... I'm guessing about 10+ years ago I drove my kids down from here in N. Nevada to visit my folks who live a couple hours north of Sacramento. My Dad said we should meet at Thunder Valley. I was VERY impressed at the overall quality and vibe of the place and knew if that's an example of the Indian joints being built, there's little reason to drive past 'em for a Reno whose best days were in the 50's and 60's.
     
  3. KnotGillty

    KnotGillty High-Roller

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    I live within 15 minutes of Thunder Valley Casino and have gambled there many many times since it opened. The rooms are nice and the wife and I stay there on free room offers once or twice a year to get away from the kids for a night or two. Thunder Valley casino has over 100 table games. I may be wrong, but I don't think there is a single casino in Vegas that has that many tables.

    Reno NV casinos have taken a big hit because of Thunder Valley. Bay area & Sacramento gamblers often drive up I-80 and stop at Thunder Valley instead of continuing for another 90+ minutes up the hill to Reno. Every Friday & Saturday night they have big drawings (you earn tickets on your players card as you gamble throughout the month). My dad (RIP) won a new car there a few years back in one of their drawings. The steakhouse there is good and the cafe has really good meals for cheap. I've yet to try the buffet but have heard decent things about it. One downside is you have to pay for your alcohol while gambling. Non-alcoholic beverages are free however.

    Congrats on your win firstkill
     
  4. TIMSPEED

    TIMSPEED Money’s on the way, with CashNetUSA

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    Haha, im shocked anyone remembers Sams Town there in Cameron Park, I went there a few times as a youngster (with my family, on the way up to Tahoe)
     
  5. smartone

    smartone VIP Whale

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    I remember Sam's Town well at that location, as it was next to a pizza parlor (Rico's Pizza) that I was affiliated with for some time back in my earlier days!
     
  6. firstkill

    firstkill High-Roller

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    I think it was 20 bucks for a wristband for unlimited mini golf and motion theater. I watched all the roller coaster rides multiple times a day.

    Yeah, dice and roulette are the only reasons to drive past thunder valley on i80.

    I wish they placed the blackjack shoe games back instead of continuous shufflers.
     
  7. TIMSPEED

    TIMSPEED Money’s on the way, with CashNetUSA

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    Among free booze and better comps (For a low roller).
     
  8. firstkill

    firstkill High-Roller

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    I didn't even consider comps. As it's nice to go home.

    As the 60 bucks in gas driving to Nevada plus wear and tear on the car would cancel out the drinks

    It's nice to have variety!
     
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