DaiLun
R.C., L.C., and A.A.N.G.
TR Reno/Tahoe 12/24-12/26. I'm glad this is the last trip of 2016
Well, it started by getting up at 4:30AM on Saturday the 24th and straightening up the house. GGWU (FedEx) failed to deliver the Mastercard gift cards on Friday, so I was left with only "half" of the Christmas presents for my hosts. Oh well, something is better than nothing. Originally, I had intended on giving Mastercard gift cards with the box of Jinju chocolates, but I had such a horrible trip, that the box of chocolates and the dim sum would have to do. I'll cover them back at Chinese New Year . . . .
Of course, they arrived Saturday and I had to call and ask my neighbor to bring them in since FedEx just left them there.
Woke my son up at 6:45AM to get on the road. Stopped at a dim sum bakery in Sac to pick up stuff for my hosts. Dropped him and Christmas presents off at my ex-wife's, and then continued on to pick up the rental car. Got upgraded to an intermediate. All I cared about was "would my tire cables fit if needed?" Sure enough they would. Enterprise suggests "not" installing cables/chains because any damage would not be covered, even with LDW insurance.
Left Sacramento at 10:30AM, and a 120 mile drive took about 3 hours. There were issues on the roads, and when I got to the top of the summit, they told me that I needed to put on chains, and directed me off the exit.
While I was waiting there, the inspectors drove by and told me, you can go up without chains. Good! Saved $30.00
I got into Reno at 1:30PM, delivered the dim sum to my hosts, picked up my promo chips, took out a marker, and started playing.
About 1 hour into it, I had made 1000TC, with very little to be happy about, this was the limits of my success:
Wonder 4
Wonder 4 again
Tales of Hercules for $310
Red Dragon, Gold Dragon for $256
Otherwise, no luck anywhere.
Went up to the room, they had given me a suite. It was a big two room suite. Now, I don't complain with the type of room they give me in Reno, and the reason for that is my FBC is taken care of on the front end, and the play requirements are "lower". I have $60 in food in Tahoe, and $125 in Reno, all up front. The Tahoe comps have gone down because of the "short play" trips that I gave them in October. I'll build them back up starting in January.
Now, my original plan was to:
1) take a nap
2)drive to Tahoe for dinner buffet
3)collect the day's promo chips
4)See a movie (Rogue One or Passengers were on my short list)
5)Pick up the promo chips at Tahoe for the 25th
6)Drive back to Reno and sleep.
However, my plans went awry because I couldn't take a nap. Sometimes when I go to a gambling venue, it "effs" with my metabolism, and I can't take the afternoon nap like I usually do. So, sensing that was going to be the case this trip, I got up and drove to Tahoe at 5:15PM.
Made it to Tahoe by 6:30PM. I was supposed to be using chains or snow tires over Hwy 58 to Tahoe, but the roads were clear and dry. I just made sure to watch my speed.
Got to Tahoe, had them call my host, but she was escorting a group of Chinese guests to the Chinese concert in Reno, so I ended up leaving the gift in the VIP services room.
Picked up my promo chips, and got vouchers for the next days promo chips. Went to the HL slot booth and played Sassycat's favorite machine Triple Double Strike. No luck there, put in $400, and cashed out for $100.
Went to the Wonder 4 and did hit the tower jackpot, but it only paid about $100. Went over to play Dragon's Fire.. Hit the bonus for $600. That put me up about $100 at Tahoe. Decided that it was time to take a break and eat dinner.
Went upstairs to the buffet, the line was "hella long". 1.5 hour wait. However, I used my 7* privileges and cut to the front of the line.
The buffet was crowded, but I had a good meal. I asked to sit in my favorite waitresses section. Norma is her name, and she takes very good care of me when I eat at the buiffet. Prime Rib, crab, and a bottle of wine (to take home), since I had $28 left over from my $60 comp.
Note: Harrahs Tahoe doesn't have a "off site" liquor license, so they have to open a bottle of wine in order to serve it, so you can't get a "unopened" bottle of wine. No matter, I'll just use it for cooking.
AFter dinner, I was done gambling for the day, and was going to take in a movie. I got to the theater, and the next showing of Rogue One was at 9:30PM, which would have worked out perfectly if I had taken a nap.
Decided to skip and go back to Reno, since the Roads weren't going to get any better.
When I got back to Reno at about 9:30PM, I made a Steakhouse reservation for tomorrow, which was a good thing, since they were eventually "sold out", being one of the nicest restaurants in Reno.
Bought a small bottle of Seagrams 7 help me get to sleep, and started writing this TR. The Seagrams is starting to kick in, so I'm gonna turn in. Tomorrow's another day. Probably Breakfast at Atlantis.
Next day:
Well, that (sleep) didn't last long. Woke up at 4:30 and couldn't get back to sleep, so I went downstairs and ordered a pastrami on rye with swiss cheese and took it back to the room. Ate the sandwich and then got tired and went to sleep.
Woke up at 9:30AM, and decided to take a "break" from gambling, so I walked down to the multiplex and saw Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in 3D. The 10:20AM show was pretty empty. IMHO, the movie was very, very good. See it oif you can, but IMHO, 3D is not a necessity.
Went back to Harrahs and played some more, my dinner reservation was at 5:30PM, so I didn't eat lunch. The misery continued, only hit this one on Buffalo Stampede.
$540, unfortunately, that was the highlight of the day.
At 5PM, it was time to go to the room to get ready for dinner.
Now, if there's anything positive about Harrahs Reno (and Kevin, the GM is trying his hardest to improve the property), it's the Steak House. I first ate there 35 years ago, and it still maintains a high quality, excellent dining experience. So, since there wasn't any slot porn to provide, I wanted to take pictures of all the food that I had.
I had a $125 comp for one person, and since I didn't drink, the object was to bring home plenty of leftovers.
It's a good thing I made a reservation
Here's pictures of the Gingerbread House that they had made up:
Here's a picture of the dessert cart
For dinner
I had:
Appetizer (Filet mignon with Thai Chili, cilantro, and red pepper
1/2 dozen Oysters
Lobster Bisque
Spinach Salad
Raspberry Sorbet (palate cleanser) offered with chanpagne, which I declined
18 oz. Prime Rib Medium Rare
Asparagus
Black Rice
Egg Nog Creme Brulee
I even had enough left over for a box of truffles.
Total bill: $125.00 on the nose, and since it was a comp, taxes were not charged. I left a $45 tip, and brought home plenty of leftovers. Prime Rib dinner and lunch for at least two days.
At this point, it was time to take a nap. I had determined that my course of action was to:
1)Nap from 6PM until 10PM
2)Drive to Harrahs Tahoe
3)Get the two days promo chips (one for the 25th, and at 12:01AM, the one for the 26th
4)Drive back to Reno, and collect the promo chips from the 26th
5)Sleep until about 4:30AM
6)Drive back to Sacramento and drop off the rental car
Everything went according to plan. Had the same miserable luck that had been dogging me for 2016, but collected all of my promo chips
This (plus the 600 or so I'll be getting in January) is what I have to start 2017 with
Tahoe $2085
Reno $1680
My plan for the birthday trip is to "double dip" in Reno/Tahoe again, and play Blackjack to earn funds for the New Orleans trip.
Thanks for reading. I hope 2017 is a better year, or I'll be looking for a new hobby.
Well, it started by getting up at 4:30AM on Saturday the 24th and straightening up the house. GGWU (FedEx) failed to deliver the Mastercard gift cards on Friday, so I was left with only "half" of the Christmas presents for my hosts. Oh well, something is better than nothing. Originally, I had intended on giving Mastercard gift cards with the box of Jinju chocolates, but I had such a horrible trip, that the box of chocolates and the dim sum would have to do. I'll cover them back at Chinese New Year . . . .
Of course, they arrived Saturday and I had to call and ask my neighbor to bring them in since FedEx just left them there.
Woke my son up at 6:45AM to get on the road. Stopped at a dim sum bakery in Sac to pick up stuff for my hosts. Dropped him and Christmas presents off at my ex-wife's, and then continued on to pick up the rental car. Got upgraded to an intermediate. All I cared about was "would my tire cables fit if needed?" Sure enough they would. Enterprise suggests "not" installing cables/chains because any damage would not be covered, even with LDW insurance.
Left Sacramento at 10:30AM, and a 120 mile drive took about 3 hours. There were issues on the roads, and when I got to the top of the summit, they told me that I needed to put on chains, and directed me off the exit.
While I was waiting there, the inspectors drove by and told me, you can go up without chains. Good! Saved $30.00
I got into Reno at 1:30PM, delivered the dim sum to my hosts, picked up my promo chips, took out a marker, and started playing.
About 1 hour into it, I had made 1000TC, with very little to be happy about, this was the limits of my success:
Wonder 4
Wonder 4 again
Tales of Hercules for $310
Red Dragon, Gold Dragon for $256
Otherwise, no luck anywhere.
Went up to the room, they had given me a suite. It was a big two room suite. Now, I don't complain with the type of room they give me in Reno, and the reason for that is my FBC is taken care of on the front end, and the play requirements are "lower". I have $60 in food in Tahoe, and $125 in Reno, all up front. The Tahoe comps have gone down because of the "short play" trips that I gave them in October. I'll build them back up starting in January.
Now, my original plan was to:
1) take a nap
2)drive to Tahoe for dinner buffet
3)collect the day's promo chips
4)See a movie (Rogue One or Passengers were on my short list)
5)Pick up the promo chips at Tahoe for the 25th
6)Drive back to Reno and sleep.
However, my plans went awry because I couldn't take a nap. Sometimes when I go to a gambling venue, it "effs" with my metabolism, and I can't take the afternoon nap like I usually do. So, sensing that was going to be the case this trip, I got up and drove to Tahoe at 5:15PM.
Made it to Tahoe by 6:30PM. I was supposed to be using chains or snow tires over Hwy 58 to Tahoe, but the roads were clear and dry. I just made sure to watch my speed.
Got to Tahoe, had them call my host, but she was escorting a group of Chinese guests to the Chinese concert in Reno, so I ended up leaving the gift in the VIP services room.
Picked up my promo chips, and got vouchers for the next days promo chips. Went to the HL slot booth and played Sassycat's favorite machine Triple Double Strike. No luck there, put in $400, and cashed out for $100.
Went to the Wonder 4 and did hit the tower jackpot, but it only paid about $100. Went over to play Dragon's Fire.. Hit the bonus for $600. That put me up about $100 at Tahoe. Decided that it was time to take a break and eat dinner.
Went upstairs to the buffet, the line was "hella long". 1.5 hour wait. However, I used my 7* privileges and cut to the front of the line.
The buffet was crowded, but I had a good meal. I asked to sit in my favorite waitresses section. Norma is her name, and she takes very good care of me when I eat at the buiffet. Prime Rib, crab, and a bottle of wine (to take home), since I had $28 left over from my $60 comp.
Note: Harrahs Tahoe doesn't have a "off site" liquor license, so they have to open a bottle of wine in order to serve it, so you can't get a "unopened" bottle of wine. No matter, I'll just use it for cooking.
AFter dinner, I was done gambling for the day, and was going to take in a movie. I got to the theater, and the next showing of Rogue One was at 9:30PM, which would have worked out perfectly if I had taken a nap.
Decided to skip and go back to Reno, since the Roads weren't going to get any better.
When I got back to Reno at about 9:30PM, I made a Steakhouse reservation for tomorrow, which was a good thing, since they were eventually "sold out", being one of the nicest restaurants in Reno.
Bought a small bottle of Seagrams 7 help me get to sleep, and started writing this TR. The Seagrams is starting to kick in, so I'm gonna turn in. Tomorrow's another day. Probably Breakfast at Atlantis.
Next day:
Well, that (sleep) didn't last long. Woke up at 4:30 and couldn't get back to sleep, so I went downstairs and ordered a pastrami on rye with swiss cheese and took it back to the room. Ate the sandwich and then got tired and went to sleep.
Woke up at 9:30AM, and decided to take a "break" from gambling, so I walked down to the multiplex and saw Rogue One: A Star Wars Story in 3D. The 10:20AM show was pretty empty. IMHO, the movie was very, very good. See it oif you can, but IMHO, 3D is not a necessity.
Went back to Harrahs and played some more, my dinner reservation was at 5:30PM, so I didn't eat lunch. The misery continued, only hit this one on Buffalo Stampede.
$540, unfortunately, that was the highlight of the day.
At 5PM, it was time to go to the room to get ready for dinner.
Now, if there's anything positive about Harrahs Reno (and Kevin, the GM is trying his hardest to improve the property), it's the Steak House. I first ate there 35 years ago, and it still maintains a high quality, excellent dining experience. So, since there wasn't any slot porn to provide, I wanted to take pictures of all the food that I had.
I had a $125 comp for one person, and since I didn't drink, the object was to bring home plenty of leftovers.
It's a good thing I made a reservation
Here's pictures of the Gingerbread House that they had made up:
Here's a picture of the dessert cart
For dinner
I had:
Appetizer (Filet mignon with Thai Chili, cilantro, and red pepper
1/2 dozen Oysters
Lobster Bisque
Spinach Salad
Raspberry Sorbet (palate cleanser) offered with chanpagne, which I declined
18 oz. Prime Rib Medium Rare
Asparagus
Black Rice
Egg Nog Creme Brulee
I even had enough left over for a box of truffles.
Total bill: $125.00 on the nose, and since it was a comp, taxes were not charged. I left a $45 tip, and brought home plenty of leftovers. Prime Rib dinner and lunch for at least two days.
At this point, it was time to take a nap. I had determined that my course of action was to:
1)Nap from 6PM until 10PM
2)Drive to Harrahs Tahoe
3)Get the two days promo chips (one for the 25th, and at 12:01AM, the one for the 26th
4)Drive back to Reno, and collect the promo chips from the 26th
5)Sleep until about 4:30AM
6)Drive back to Sacramento and drop off the rental car
Everything went according to plan. Had the same miserable luck that had been dogging me for 2016, but collected all of my promo chips
This (plus the 600 or so I'll be getting in January) is what I have to start 2017 with
Tahoe $2085
Reno $1680
My plan for the birthday trip is to "double dip" in Reno/Tahoe again, and play Blackjack to earn funds for the New Orleans trip.
Thanks for reading. I hope 2017 is a better year, or I'll be looking for a new hobby.
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