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Reno Trip Report 4/12/06 - 4/16/06
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PEB



Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 97
Location: California

PostPosted: Apr Tue 18, 2006 9:33 pm    Post subject: Reno Trip Report 4/12/06 - 4/16/06 Reply with quote

We left Wed. morning after calling for road conditions...carry chains (which we already had in the car). We decided to take I-80 instead of our favorite route, hwy 49 & up hwy 88 as there were chain requirements that way. We lucked out and didn't have to chain up on the way to Reno (we were not so lucky Sun. when it was time to head for home).

We arrived at the Fitz around noon, checked in....our room was ready even though we were early. After taking our luggage to the room we headed down to see our favorite bartender Smile We had a couple of drinks and then found our favorite slot machine....played well over 2 hours on a $20 bill (not bad), cashed out $55 and decided to have an early dinner at the Brew Bros. Hubby was disappointed with the beer (said it had changed somehow) as well as the fish 'n chips.

Back to the Fitz to have a couple of drinks and listen to the live entertainment of George Pickard. If you haven't heard George sing yet....stop by and listen sometime, he's very talented and funny Smile We brought him a surprise....a 2lb box of French Chocolate Truffles and in return, he sang a little truffle song....lol

Took some time the next day to get out and enjoy the sunshine, was a nice warm day. Did a little shopping before returning to the casino. Gaming on the slots was just "ok" this trip....won a little....played it back. Couldn't hit all of my keno numbers, they would all come up when I wasn't playing, but isn't that the way it goes Smile

Friday morning, I still had my lucky feeling. Went to check out of our room and check into the mini suite for the slot tourney. To our surprise our mini suite was ready (was only 9 am) so the switch over was quick Smile Our mini suite was on the 8th floor (we'd never stayed in one there before), opened the door and was pleasantly surprised at how nice it was, and large too. We loved the room so much that we plan on booking a mini suite for the next trip.

2 pm....check in & registration for the slot tourney, the theme was Outdoor Safari, we all got cute safari hats and the decorations were cute Smile This tourney was a little short on sign-ups, instead of 125 to 150 players.....there were only 101, so the entry fee was reduced as well as the payouts, but the payouts were still good ones. I drew for my rounds....got the last one so I wasn't due for my round until 7:15 pm. First
round for me....it was a fight to get blue 7's but I managed to score pretty good towards the end of the round.

We picked Molly's Garden for dinner, hubby had the prime rib which he says is way better than Limerick's and I had the fried chicken....dinner was very good and the waitress was the best. More slots and a few drinks and off to our room for the night.

Saturday morning, breakfast at Lord Fitzgeralds, they had a cook behind the counter making eggs / omlettes to order (this was very cool), they also have the best coffee. My second round wasn't until 11:15 am, so we played our slot machine again, lasted another 2 hours on $20....cashed out $45. My 2nd round was better than the first and I was very pleased with my score (even tho I watched a man rack up over 16,000 points in the round before mine). I met some really nice people this time, lots of
excitement Smile I even won one of the raffle prizes....a very red, feathery fan Smile

My final round was at 3:30 pm and my score was better than I expected. The awards party wasn't until 5:30 so we waited at the bar and listened to George sing somemore. Got to the awards party, found a seat and waited for things to get started. When they passed out the winners list (lists winners from 11th on down), I looked for my name while hubby went to get another drink....my name wasn't on the list! My heart jumped!
He sat down and I told him I wasn't on the list....that means I was in the top 10! Woohooo!!

They called winners names, 6th through 10th and asked them to come up on stage to get their winnings.....my name wasn't called...OMG! I looked at my hubby and said....I'm in the top 5 ! Then they called the winners taking 4th and 5th places, still my name wasn't called! This time, my hands started shaking...I was in the top 3 !! I couldn't believe it! The announcer then said, "we have something thats never happened
before in any of our tournaments, we have a tie for 2nd place"....then my name and another lady's was called! They had some machines left up and we were going to have a tie-breaker round....a 5 min. round.....highest score will take 2nd place and the other will take 3rd.

I was so nervous and my hands were still shaking! We drew for machines, I drew #5. 5....4....3....2....1 Go! I was afraid to even look at what the other lady was doing, I just kept pushing that spin button as fast as I could. I could faintly hear people cheering and shouting...and someone to my right was taking pictures but all I could concentrate on was that spin button. When the 5 min. was up....I couldn't move, I
was afraid to look at the scores (no blue 7's for either of us). Then I heard someone say my name....2nd place!! I scored 1320 points, she 1200. I thought I was gonna faint....I've never won anything like that before....$2,000 for 2nd place!

It was one of the most exciting moments I've ever had and I don't think I will forget it anytime soon! My hubby was so happy he celebrated for both of us...lol I look forward to another tourney sometime this year......win or lose they are a blast! A very nice lady took first place for $7,500 Smile Photos were taken, money handed out and we were off to enjoy dinner and our last night in town. This was one of the best, most fun trips we've had to Reno, our mini suite was great as were all the people at the Fitz, can't wait to go back!

I won't go into the trip back home....but what a mess it was on I-80,
our 4 hour trip home turned into 12 1/2 hours! Hope summer gets here
soon!
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Ryder



Joined: 05 Feb 2006
Posts: 222

PostPosted: Apr Tue 18, 2006 10:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Congrats!!! on the 2nd place in the slot tournament. What are you going to buy me with the $2,000.00
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jimc



Joined: 21 Dec 2005
Posts: 12
Location: manhattan, kansas

PostPosted: Apr Wed 19, 2006 8:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Very Happy for your 2nd place finish. I have never made it out of the first round because I hold my mouth wrong or something like that.

Did they make you sign a tax form for the money? Just wondering, since I have never won anything over $600.00 in my life. Crying or Very sad

78 days to go. Yes, everyone, you are going to see this countdown almost every day now. The only thing standing between me and Reno is a spring football game, 4 golf tournaments and the inside of the house to paint before Monther-in-law shows up on July 1. This waiting should go quickly.
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Marian



Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 29

PostPosted: Apr Wed 19, 2006 2:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm Canadian and when I win over $1200 on the slots they take the 30% right there and then. We can apply to receive it back though and I've done it a few times and had no trouble getting it all back.
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PEB



Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 97
Location: California

PostPosted: Apr Wed 19, 2006 5:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks all!

Yes, they had me sign a tax form.....paid me in cash and I will have
to file the form when I do my taxes. Any jackpots $1200 or higher
ya have to pay taxes on. I don't think its fair though...they take taxes
outta my paycheck before I get paid...so I'm risking my money that
I've already paid taxes on. Can't write off my losses as you have to
be a professionsal gambler to do that. Confused
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VP4Fun



Joined: 23 Mar 2006
Posts: 22

PostPosted: Apr Wed 19, 2006 6:25 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the TR and congrats on the slot tourney win. I hope to see more trip reports from you in the future and good luck!!
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Barb



Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 82
Location: Portland, Or.

PostPosted: Apr Wed 19, 2006 7:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Super win for you!!How exciting. Very Happy How much do you have to pay extra for a mini suite? We always stay at the Fitz but have never stayed in a suite. I thought you could deduct your losses up to your winnings on income tax? Anyhow, congratulations to you. Barb
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jerry



Joined: 11 Jan 2006
Posts: 759

PostPosted: Apr Wed 19, 2006 9:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

PEB, I am very happy for you. congratulations.

Do it again next trip.
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Ryder



Joined: 05 Feb 2006
Posts: 222

PostPosted: Apr Wed 19, 2006 11:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I may be wrong, but your $2000.00 that you won will be treated as reported income and not gambling income (where you can deduct your losses from)

This $2000 would be treated just like if you had won a raffle or prize drawing, and anything over $600.00, you are required to fill out a W2 and not a W2G (the one used for gambling wins)

for your sake, I hope I am wrong and then you can easily deduct $2,000 in gambling losses against your win to show a net of zero next tax season.
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stan_allen



Joined: 19 Dec 2005
Posts: 1129

PostPosted: Apr Thu 20, 2006 8:50 am    Post subject: Congrats - second comes right after first! Reply with quote

Congratulations! This will serve as excellent practice for a first-place win, and is indeed an event of auspicious portent!
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PEB



Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 97
Location: California

PostPosted: Apr Thu 20, 2006 6:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Barb...
The mini suite was really nice (first time for us to stay in one), the
room was large, had nice furnishings, a large armoire with a 20" tv,
a mini frig and dresser drawers on the bottom, a table with 2 chairs,
large sitting chair, small sitting area with loveseat and coffee table
and two windows (instead of one like in the reg. rooms). Oh, and the
towels in the bathroom were thick, soft and fluffy!

When you enter the slot tourney your room is included in the fee but
to upgrade to the mini suite it cost an extra $26 per nite, which wasn't
bad at all. We may opt to stay in a mini suite again for the next tourney
we go to. Smile
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kevin



Joined: 18 Dec 2005
Posts: 43

PostPosted: Apr Fri 21, 2006 11:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Way to go peb, cant wait for the may tournament, i really feel lucky. Very Happy
We got the mini suite last time, this time we got the 2 room suite, as we are taking our girls with us. had to pay for it though, more than i expected, but we will do it anyway. I must say i was surprised to hear the tournament wasnt full, maybe the weather.?
kevin
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PEB



Joined: 26 Dec 2005
Posts: 97
Location: California

PostPosted: Apr Fri 21, 2006 5:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Kevin,

I wish you lots of luck for the tourney! I don't know why there wasn't a full crowd for this one except maybe they sent the invitations out a little later than usual (4 weeks before tourney). Last time we received the invitation for Oct. in late Aug.

The weather wasn't bad until the day we left...what a nightmare! We left Reno at 9 am and it started snowing just past Boomtown, chains had to be put on around Verdi. Then, it took 2 hours to get to Truckee where they made everyone get off I-80 as it was closed in both directions....ugh!
We sat in a parking lot in Truckee for a few hours waiting for the road to open. It was a wet, heavy snow and we saw lots of spinouts. Top speed over the summit was 10 to 15 MPH. It was scary driving to say the least.

I heard later on the news that 3 ft. of snow came out of that storm...wow!
I wonder if it snowed in Reno too that day? Anyway, can't wait to read your trip report when you return....let us know how the 2 room suite was.
Good luck!
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$$4me



Joined: 20 Dec 2005
Posts: 19
Location: Bay area

PostPosted: Apr Wed 26, 2006 10:33 am    Post subject: trip 4/15-17 Reply with quote

Drove up on saturday April 15, beat the snow storm, Snow came down in Reno saturday night and sunday night. Left Monday April 17 at about 10:30 am, Highway 80 was lined up with Semi trucks all putting chains on. I decided to pull over to Boomtown for brunch and a little play of slot machine, no winnings, just a full stomach. got back on the road, no more chain control over summit. Sun was shining!!!!!!!!
No winning at all this trip, stay at Silver Lecacy, played machines at Eldorado and Circus Circus. This should have been a good weekend for me. one year anniversary for retirement April 14, Federal taxs due on april 15 or 17th and wedding aniversary on April 16 (18yrs) what more can I ask for.
John, thanks for resetting my user name. Rolling Eyes
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john
Site Admin


Joined: 17 Dec 2005
Posts: 1181

PostPosted: Apr Wed 26, 2006 11:28 am    Post subject: Re: trip 4/15-17 Reply with quote

$$4me wrote:
John, thanks for resetting my user name. Rolling Eyes

That's what I'm here for. I'd do it for anyone except Jerry. Laughing
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