Visitreno

Shooty · Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 182

I'll be returning from a business trip in early May. More often than not, I spend the weekend at the end of the trip having fun. Often Vegas, but I like Reno a lot too, so sometimes (maybe a third of the time) I go there instead.

I was in Reno in November, but I haven't been to Vegas since September, so I thought I'd hit Sin City for this trip.

But then I priced the Vegas hotel rooms for the May 2 weekend. Wow, are they expensive! Downtown places I'm used to getting for $60 a night are going for $400! Apparently, the city's expected to be jammed for the big Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, the Kentucky Derby, and Cinco de Mayo (though that's not until Tuesday).

No such problem in Reno though. Harrah's still sells its rooms cheap, so Reno it is! I should get there on Thursday, April 30, then fly out on Sunday, May 3.

Can't wait!

mjames1229 · Joined: 23 Dec 2009 Posts: 407

Consider a non-casino property.

In 2007 I went the same weekend with Cinco de Mayo, the Derby and the Mayweather / de la Hoya fight. We ended up about a mile east of the strip on Tropicana. It was still about $100 a night, but since we had a car we could still get to any casino in which we wanted to play.

JD · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 956

I am reminded of an extended camping trip (20 years ago) I took with my then, 11 year old nephew. After camping at Moab & Grand Canyon and Zion, we came out of Utah headed for Vegas.. he was convinced we needed to stay at Circus Circus Vegas and their indoor theme park and water rides.

Being used to Reno, I figured there would be no problem. i was wrong.

I was unaware there was a big prize fight THAT weekend and while I did score a parking spot in their garage...Circus had "NO VACANCY"...at any price.

I gave Nick a roll of quarters and set him up in the arcade and went directly to a dead craps table. Three guys at parade rest and a lurking pit boss.

"If I get your game going and load up the table can you guys score me a room"? (Repeat to the pit boss).

Flip my players card on the table and "BUY IN $ 500" (They will NOT see $ 500 in action...no way).

Every roll, I scream and hoot. Within a few minutes, I'm buying change, hoppin one dollar bets "for the boys..." And crackin wise. ALL very loudly. Every roll I'm swapping chips breaking down, coloring up. Even the pit boss is laughing his ass off.

OH....I nearly forgot....THIS is where I first learned to stop the pit action while I called for a Keno runner, made a big production out marking a 21 game, 4 spot ticket and out of all proper proportion, stop and check my numbers during & after each game. With everyone nearby eavesdropping...and my Wooo Hooos (at my ONE dollar wins) ....the whole pit crew is in stitches.

"Do you boys have to split tips with THAT GUY?" (Pointing at the boss)
"Where's a good prime rib?"
"Winnnner winner, chicken dinner" (table minimums with max odds....ONLY)

Bigger crowd... A few more players.... Maybe $ 50 in play....maybe up $ 20 or $ 30 bucks tops.

30 minutes...the table is full....
"Hey boss..... did we have a deal or not?"

He makes a call..... "Your room will be ready in 10 minutes..."

"Color me up".... "Black in....$ 488"

Free Room....with a view and it was WAY up...not a suite, but nice view.
Oh... AND two comped prime rib dinner chits....Excellent trip.

I know what you're thinking, Shooty.
"Do I feel lucky?"
"Well do you?"

You call yourself a gambler? I'll bet you can get a room....maybe not free anymore....but you can do this. Just don''t do it at Circus...well unless you have an 11 year old with you.

Shooty · Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 182

stan_allen · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 1129

Great story and advice as usual, J.D. - question: when the heck are you going to write your memoirs?! I want to hear ALL these stories!

JD · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 956

A lot of them are back in the unlabeled archives, Stan. 10 years or so ago, John lost the dates and poster names, so ya gotta look... sometimes look hard.

Most old timers here know I was a high roller at the old Comstock before it folded....and going drinking with the craps crew and even the pit bosses is now highly discouraged. But those were the glory days. AND it didn't take THAT much action to be a high roller there.

If you're ever at a used book store, try to find a book called, "Comp City"...some mighty good reading there. Let me see if I can find a link....BRB:

http://www.amazon.com/Comp-City-Casino-Vacations-Edition/dp/0929712366

stan_allen · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 1129

Thanks, JD, good stuff! I will indeed go look at our archives; I keep forgetting what a treasure trove they are to be savored....

spdmrcht · Joined: 12 Oct 2012 Posts: 498

That's how the system works! They blow the prices out of the park
on the days they can! They have to keep the doors open! But the rest of
the time us low rollers score free rooms! We go to Reno 8 - 10 times a
year in free rooms. I can live with that. It's all in the planning!

JD · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 956

They can ASK $ 300/night, but askin ain't gettin.

I remember staying at Harvey's Tahoe just a year or so after the Harrah's buyout and a lot of long time employees were getting let go.

My 3 night FREE room had that sign on the inside of the door that says, "The maximum nightly rate for this room is...... " $ 1,200 per night"

So I get $ 3,600 worth of free room? No...but they probably hold a few rooms for New Year's Eve... just in case. But I'd bet that room MIGHT have fetched over $ 500 MAYBE one night in the previous four years.... to someone with a company credit card.

I don't remember seeing one of those signs recently... but I've not looked recently, either.

BC Dave · Site Admin Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 1599

$1200 a night is considered too much? I've got to talk to my travel agent!

spdmrcht · Joined: 12 Oct 2012 Posts: 498

A few years ago I went to GSR on that weekend for a Let It Ride tourn.
not paying any attention to what day it was. I first knew I as in trouble when
I came up to Mill street off ramp on 395. It was bumper to bumper
clear up on the freeway with Tour Buses. When I finely got in the parking lot it was full of nothing but Buses. When I got in side to reg. for the
tourn. the joint was packed clear out all the doors. I waded thru people and
suit cases for an hr. before I got to the tourn. desk. Now I pay attention to
the Date!

stan_allen · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 1129

That's a sobering encounter, there - though it's almost encouraging, in a way - if the ol' Grand Sierra can generate that kind of attendance, then there must be hope for the region as a whole...

JD · Joined: 18 Dec 2005 Posts: 956

IF I may be allowed to take this thread even further off the rails....

Maybe two years ago, Mammoth Gambler treated John and I to a GSM buffet (with wine) and failed attempt to hit a big "BLAZING SEVENS" jackpot.

Well, apparently I got enough action that one night to get a "two comped nights" at GSM . This put me very near a day before BURNING MAN was to begin. Needless to say this was a "no discount" rooms period.

Keeping with GSM's reputation for screwing up room reservations... they could not find any record....but I HAD THE super secret confirmation number, date, time and FULL NAME of who gave me the reservation and confirmation number.....written on the postcard with the offer!

Well while those wealthy German tourists (and their drop dead beautiful women) were checking in at rates of $250/night.... I did get TWO nights with the Burners for free. I was not worthy. And it was one of the newly remodeled up high rooms.

I'm not sure what that room would have rented for that night, but hangin with the Burners was kinda fun. AND CHEAP... at least for ME.

Shooty · Joined: 22 Jan 2006 Posts: 182

I'm really looking forward to my Reno trip. I'm there for four nights, flying in late on Wednesday the 29th, flying out at noon on Sunday the 3rd.

I'm staying at Siena. Haven't stayed there in years. Back when the former owners were running the place into the ground, it was far too nice for the rates they were charging. Now it's less nice and less cheap, but still very affordable. I'm not a comp chaser, I find it too expensive, so I don't mind paying for rooms, especially at Reno rates.

I'll have a car for the first 24 hours. I'll do a little shopping at Scheel's out in Sparks and lay in a few groceries for the room.

Definitely going to hit up the Peppermill's Fireside Lounge happy hour on Thursday or Friday. I've written about it before here. They have excellent bartop VP, comp fancy tropical drinks, serve free apps, and play really cool live performance music videos on the screens.

I'll probably drink too much. Picon punch at Louie's Basque Corner

beer and a burger at Ryan's Saloon

and cheap whiskey at Davidson's Distillery

followed by lots and lots of craps and VP at Cal Neva and Eldorado. Oh, and lots of sports bets on MLB, Stanley Cup, and NBA playoffs.

Can't wait!

stan_allen · Joined: 19 Dec 2005 Posts: 1129

That is indeed what we like to hear - and those look like some pretty exotic off-the-beaten-track places for grubbing and such.

Go get 'em!

And make sure to compose a painfully detailed trip report upon your return....