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March Madness!
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NealDeal



Joined: 09 Jan 2009
Posts: 24

PostPosted: Jan Mon 12, 2009 5:42 pm    Post subject: March Madness! Reply with quote

Is it to early for everyone to start talking about March Madness in the Biggest Little! I know my buddies and I have been talking quite a bit in the last month. It would be fun to hear other peoples excitement about the upcoming madness. Maybe other plans and past stories. I'm getting pumped already!
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mustangmike



Joined: 21 Dec 2005
Posts: 76

PostPosted: Jan Mon 12, 2009 7:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

No great stories, but always a good time. A freind and I have been making the March Madness trek to Reno for 11 years now. We leave Fresno, Ca at midnight Wed, and arrive in Reno around 5am, just in time to eat breakfast, and go over our picks. We've had some scary drives over the mountains in snow storms, but always have made it. Once we crashed into the center barrier on I80 in a near white out, luckily no real damage except knocking my truck's alignment out of wack.
In the past, we have watched the games at the Cal Neva. Each year I have gotten a less and less impressed with Cal Neva, but it has become sort of a tradition, and traditions sre hard to break. The main reason we go there is the drink tickets they give for smaller bets. We can usually sweet talk the bet taker in to 2 drink tickets for a $20 bet, plus the last 2 years, they have had a "free Throw" challange. For every $10 you bet, you get a ticket for a free throw. If you make your free throw, they enter your ticket into a drawing for $$$, if you miss, you can turn in your ticket for a free draft beer. I usually just turn the ticket in for the beer ( I believe a beer in the hand, is better than $$'s in ther bush) My freind usaully tries to make the free throw, but has not ever won any $$.

As for betting, I don't pay much attention to NCAA basketball until the tourney, so my bets are more guesses that anything. The year before last, I some how went 13 for 15 bets, with one 4 game parley, but I only bet $10 or $20 a bet, so I didn't break the bank, but it sure felt good.

If your thinking about watching the games at the Cal Neva, here's some tips. Get there early, the place will be full by the morning tip off. Don't expect to hear the TV commentary, they aways have the volume too low. Don't sit too close to walk ways, there is a lot of foot traffic, and it gets distracting having people constantly blocking you veiw. Bring a extra jacket to put on the back of your chair, so you can leave your seat, and not worry about someone taking your chair. I always try to make my bets wth the same window person and tip them a couple bucks when I win, they seem to be more generous with the drink tickets if the recongnize you. Lastly, and the best, you have to go to the Nugget Casino down the street and have a "Aweful Aweful" burger for lunch, dinner, or both. By far one of the best burgers I have had, and more fries than you could ever hope to eat.

My fingers are tired, so I will stop here but will answer any question you have.

Mike
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NealDeal



Joined: 09 Jan 2009
Posts: 24

PostPosted: Jan Mon 12, 2009 7:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Your trips sound like a lot of fun, they actually sound a lot like ours. We have been going down for three years now and we spend all of our Tourney time at Cal Neva, I had to laugh when you said that you don't bother with shooting the free throw cause the exact same thing my friends and I do. And trust me we hit up the Awful Awful a couple times a day! Can't get enough of that place. We usually bet on the games all day and then go out to the bars until about 5 or 6 in the morning. Then we get up around 8 eat breakfast and start the whole thing over again. We usually go to Brews Brothers, West 2nd, and Rum Buillions. But after reading on here Shooter's sounds pretty fun, you think my crew could handle it? Were all a bunch of guys ages 21 to 29 that are pretty laid back but know how to party!
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Bama



Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 89

PostPosted: Jan Tue 13, 2009 11:11 am    Post subject: March Madness! Reply with quote

Excellent to hear from another March Madness regular. We have been going for 6 years with missing once in 2007. We also watch at CalNeva but agree it has gone downhill. Sound used to be better and drink tickets easier. I do the same as Mike and end up with more tickets than i can use( and i drink tons of beer ) by tipping and going to same couple people. Have arranged to meat Mustang Mike a couple times but gets so crowded and drunk never have.
We should meet up for a beer.
I agree with Awful Awful and also go to Rum Bullions and Brews Brothers.
We usually fly in Wed afternoon and go home Sunday but will be leaving on Saturday this year to save $$'s. At least will get whole first round in.
Very much look forward to the yearly trip. Doesnt look like my teams will make it in this year Alabama, Washington and Washington State - but fun nonetheless.

Roll Tide!
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Bama



Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 89

PostPosted: Jan Tue 13, 2009 11:13 am    Post subject: March Madness! Reply with quote

What is west 2nd's? I have not heard of that place.
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remano



Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 717

PostPosted: Jan Tue 13, 2009 2:37 pm    Post subject: Re: March Madness! Reply with quote

Bama wrote:
What is west 2nd's? I have not heard of that place.


Bama, Second Street is the street that crosses Virginia between the Cal Neva and Harrah's. Go west about a block and a half and the bar will be on your left, across from the Montage. I've only been there once. It seemed clean and comfortable. They have a sign that advertises karaoke every night. I've never been there when that's going on so I don't know what kind of talent participates.

If you want to get away from the casino scene other bars in the area that are fairly lively without being scary would include the Imperial Lounge about a block north of the river on Arlington, Silver Peak Brewery at First and Sierra, Amendment 21, a sports bar on S. Virginia across from the federal courthouse, Ceol, an Irish themed bar about a block farther south and on the same side of Virginia as the courthouse, and St. James Infirmary, a new place on California just east of Arlington. All should be walkable from downtown, although late at night you might want to drive or take a taxi.

For those staying downtown the Cal Neva might be the best place to watch the game because it is the biggest sports book with the largest screens. It is a bit more run-down and smoky than other places, however, and some of the other casinos might have special large screens set up in some of their lounges for watching the games. Away from downtown I think Peppermill has the best sports book. Atlantis also just finished their new and expanded sports book, but for some reason that I can't explain I have never felt too excited about the Atlantis.

Have a great time all.
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NealDeal



Joined: 09 Jan 2009
Posts: 24

PostPosted: Jan Tue 13, 2009 2:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

West 2nd is a bar it a bolck and half away from the cal neva going west. It is always packed and we just seem to end up there after Brew brothers start to wind down. I usually don't even remember going there, but I'm told we have a good time!

We drive down from Oregon, we leave at about 5 am and get there with enough time to make our picks for the first games.
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NealDeal



Joined: 09 Jan 2009
Posts: 24

PostPosted: Jan Tue 13, 2009 9:13 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

My crew and I stepped up our trip this year. We just ordered custom t-shirts for everyone in our group to wear!!
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Bama



Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 89

PostPosted: Jan Wed 14, 2009 2:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Exclellent - you will be easy to spot.

Thanks for the heads up on the West 2nd bar!
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mustangmike



Joined: 21 Dec 2005
Posts: 76

PostPosted: Jan Thu 15, 2009 5:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Are either of you with the group that always dresses up for the tournament. One year, there was a guy dressed like priest, one guy dressed like a goofy basketball player (I forget the players name), and another, if a remember right, wore a 70's leisure suit. They are there every year, and I seemed to remember one of them saying they were from Oregon.
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NealDeal



Joined: 09 Jan 2009
Posts: 24

PostPosted: Jan Thu 15, 2009 5:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

No were not part of that crew. But I remember seeing them, I believe the one guy dressed up like Kurt Rambis! You will for sure see us this year we're all gonna being wearing black shirts that say Get Rick'd Tour 2009 on them with our nicknames and numbers on the back!!
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Dave



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 212

PostPosted: Jan Mon 19, 2009 5:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Man I am Jealous! What a great time. The Cal Neva is always a good time. We usually like to break it up a bit and spend some time in the Elodrado where they have the Cabaret set up and 3 games going or head to the Silver Legacy. The drink deals aren't anything compared to the Cal Neva but usually at that point I am NOT needing another drink. The stadium food specials are set right up there near the Sportsbook and they are great. I guess even though I have been doing it for 15 years I am not yet hardcore enough to just plant myself at the Cal Neva. Watching the people there is worth it alone! Lot's of GREAT games.
Sure sorry I missed you last year Ben as we went even though the last day was Easter. That was a dicey one but we still made it. Last year we decided to give Overseas teaching a try and are now teaching in Singapore. Tough to justify making that trip to Reno for the weekend. So I'll be missing it this year but the rest of the gang is going for sure. Sure hate to miss it and hope that Reno is still there when we get back!
Best of luck and don't be so sure the Huskies won't make it this year. Plus there is always the Zags! Smile
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hawk



Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 508

PostPosted: Jan Mon 19, 2009 10:31 am    Post subject: Singapore, Semaphor, Pinafores, and a Semper Fi to JD Reply with quote

Hey, Dave, you have been out of touch. Enjoy Singapore. What a great opportunity for you.

Don't they have a hotshot "pro" team called the Singapore Slings? Very Happy
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Bama



Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 89

PostPosted: Jan Tue 20, 2009 7:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good to hear from you Dave.

You are right Huskies seem to be making a push!

Reno will miss you.
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Dave



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 212

PostPosted: Jan Wed 21, 2009 7:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks guys. Yeah Hawk I still love to check in on one of my favorite sites.
Now I don't know that they have a hotshot team here but they do have one heck of a drink. It is definitely been an experience of a lifetime but hard to be so far away from home.
Bama will definitely miss the tourney and hope you have a great time. It is going to make it that much more fun when I get to go again. I really think the Huskies can make that push. Granted I haven't seen but a couple of games when we were home for Christmas.
You have fun pal and put back one of those Cold Taps at the Cal Neva for me!

Cool
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