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PokerGrinder
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April 11th, 2017 at 8:41:06 PM permalink
I am headed south tomorrow to meet up with everyone for Spring Fling in Las Vegas. On my way down I will be stopping a few different places to collect chips and then I will be driving around Southern California for 4 days collecting chips there before Spring Fling. I will try and post daily but sometimes that doesn't work. I will be playing a fairly large amount of poker in Las Vegas and anywhere else that I stop for the night that has a game. This is both a fun trip and a work trip, still have to pay the bills!
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
Ayecarumba
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April 11th, 2017 at 10:56:33 PM permalink
Safe travels PG! Looking forward to your trip report and COTD posts.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
coilman
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April 11th, 2017 at 10:57:58 PM permalink
Watch out for the road pirates..... they deal from the bottom of the deck
PokerGrinder
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April 12th, 2017 at 8:51:55 PM permalink
Today was a very long day. I didn't have a whole lot planned except driving for 12 hours from Winnipeg, MB to Billings, MT covering 769 miles. I was planning on leaving around 5 or 6 am but I couldn't sleep so I left home around 2 am.

Yesterday I stopped at Bulk Barn and bought raw almonds and chocolate covered pretzels for the trip. I also bought two cases of diet Mountain Dew. I know it's unhealthy but it's my favourite source of caffeine for long drives.

So I snacked and drank a ton of caffeine which meant that I stopped about 8 times to go to the bathroom. The drive wasn't too bad other than the fact that I was working on a hour of sleep. I got to Billings around 2:30 in the afternoon and took a nap for about 90 minutes.

I then went to Queen of Hearts Card Club and played 3/6 limit until the game broke a hour later. I lost $65, the players were really passive and basically calling stations but I couldn't make a hand to save my life. Oh well. I then went to The Poker Parlor and played for about a hour. Again I lost, this time $59. They served Shepards pie for dinner which was really tasty. I remember why I don't play limit poker... it's really boring!

Tomorrow I'm driving to Elko, NV.

Chips collected - 5 (2 for my collection)
Total miles - 769
Gas - $46.05
Hotel - $0
Food - $25.40
Shopping - N/A
Gambling - N/A
Poker -$124
FP - N/A
Match play - N/A
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
PokerGrinder
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April 13th, 2017 at 5:23:14 AM permalink
It's early but holy crap does it feel good to have slept. I was feeling delirious last night when I got back to the hotel. Let's see how bad this free breakfast is at Days Inn. I'd be happy with a non stale bagel.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
PokerGrinder
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April 13th, 2017 at 5:43:12 AM permalink
Make your own waffle machine + banana equals a major win!
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
Konbu
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April 13th, 2017 at 7:33:38 AM permalink
Uhh 769 mi.... I feel like dying after 550 in a day
I CD-ROM.
Doc
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April 13th, 2017 at 7:55:47 AM permalink
He's Canadian -- it was really km.



;-)
DRich
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April 13th, 2017 at 8:06:12 AM permalink
Quote: PokerGrinder

Make your own waffle machine + banana equals a major win!



The Waffle machine is now a staple at most of the two to three star hotels that I have stayed in the last five years. I actually give it consideration when determining where to stay.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
PokerGrinder
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April 13th, 2017 at 12:46:33 PM permalink
Quote: Doc

He's Canadian -- it was really km.



;-)


Well not really cause that would make it over 1200 kms lol
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
Doc
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April 13th, 2017 at 12:56:57 PM permalink
Nah. I figured it was a Canadian thing to have a trip odometer that reads in km, so you just stated the 769 that the car showed. I understand that you were conversing with us yokels from south of that border and expressed the trip in units with which we are accustomed (just forgot to convert the digits).
PokerGrinder
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April 13th, 2017 at 1:06:54 PM permalink
I'm also listing all money spent and won/lost in USD for you crazy people 😅
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
PokerGrinder
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April 13th, 2017 at 9:44:56 PM permalink
Today I drove 662 miles from Billings, MT to Elko, NV where it is snowing...

It was a pretty uneventful day that I broke up with random casino stops for no good reason. I came out ahead $46.75 from 5 casinos which is solid. I stopped at Fort Hall casino in Idaho and played some FP and random slots winning just over $70. I also visited three casinos in Jackpot because well... why not? I won at two and lost playing craps at the third for a total loss of fifty American dollars.

I then visited the Scoredboard Casino just outside of Elko, NV to collect a chip. I won $25 playing BJ for about 20 minutes.

I was craving Chipotle (yes I know what you all think of it) today but never found one. I did however find this mom and pop burrito place for lunch where I got a decent Cajun shrimp burrito that was enormous. I also ate at the Mexican restaurant at Horseshu Casino in Elko. I had a more conventional prime rib burrito with Spanish rice and refried beans. This was pretty decent and so filling. My two Mexican stops for the day only ran me $21, not too shabby.

Tomorrow I have a short (by my standards) drive to Reno to visit the Nugget, then I'm headed to Incline Village to get a new chip up there. Lastly I am staying in Carson City and I will be collecting two chips over two days there.

Chips collected - 9 (3 for my collection)
Total miles - 1431
Gas - $105.15
Hotel - $0
Food - $46.40
Shopping - N/A
Gambling +$46.75
Poker -$124
FP - $5 FP = $4
Match play - N/A
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
LuckyPhow
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April 14th, 2017 at 6:14:45 AM permalink
Quote: PokerGrinder

Hotel - $0



PG,

You have a special knack for posting fascinating trip reports. Sorry about the snow. (Did you leave the door open when you crossed the border from Canada? Always shut the door if you want to keep the snow in Canada.)

I have a question: Two nights on the road, playing "not a whole lot" at the casinos where you stop, and you have zero cost for hotel rooms. Are the casinos THAT generous with room comps? Or, do you have points that allow you to stay free at national hotel chains? Or, something else? (Ummm... I assume you're not "skipping out" because you don't seem like someone who would defraud an innkeeper.)
PokerGrinder
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April 14th, 2017 at 7:02:28 AM permalink
Lol we actually haven't had snow where I live in almost a month. It all melted and stayed away. It is actually 15 degrees warmer at home then here in northern Nevada.

I guess I should have explained the hotels. I got 6.5 free hotel nights using points from my local grocery store plus 3 of my Vegas nights are comped at GN. My total hotel costs for this trip will be very low.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
PokerGrinder
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April 14th, 2017 at 10:28:59 AM permalink
Well I made my traditional donation to the Red Lion Casino. I've been to Elko three times and I've now lost there three times. My pocket is $50 lighter but I can't break tradition now can I?

I'm sitting at the slot casino across the street having breakfast. I saw their sign for $4.99 breakfast and I couldn't say no. Have to be frugal right? Two eggs, bacon and French toast for $5 and they probably still make money on it. If I don't post ever again it means they killed me with their "special" breakfast. Wish me luck!
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
PokerGrinder
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April 14th, 2017 at 10:39:49 AM permalink
That was some of the best French toast I've ever had! So good. I'm very full now. Off to Reno.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
Keeneone
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April 14th, 2017 at 6:02:55 PM permalink
Quote: PokerGrinder

That was some of the best French toast I've ever had! So good. I'm very full now. Off to Reno.


No posts in 7+ hours, I guess the french toast did a number on PG...


When you stop at these various poker rooms on the road do most have some form of bonus/special hand payouts?
PokerGrinder
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April 14th, 2017 at 6:13:31 PM permalink
Some do. I don't play poker at a lot of the places. Some I stop in and play some sides to collect a chip. Most of my poker will occur at the end of days except in Vegas when I play whenever the games are good.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
PokerGrinder
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April 14th, 2017 at 6:15:44 PM permalink
Also the French toast caused me no issues. Except maybe wanting more lol.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
Keeneone
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April 15th, 2017 at 12:22:16 PM permalink
Quote: PokerGrinder

Also the French toast caused me no issues. Except maybe wanting more lol.


Good to hear. I hope you enjoyed Friday night in Reno Nevada. Please keep up the road trip TR postings.

PokerGrinder
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April 15th, 2017 at 8:06:06 PM permalink
Sorry yesterday's update didn't happen thanks to me degenning on VP until almost 2 am last night. It's funny I don't touch table games or slots when I'm grinding at home or when I'm on a purely poker trip but if I play any sides I tend to degen pretty hard lol.

I drove a much shorter distance yesterday, only 351 miles. I drove from Elko to Reno, Reno to Incline Village and then Incline Village to Carson City.

I already mentioned that I lost $50 at the Red Lion in Elko before breakfast. Next up was The Nugget in Sparks where I needed to stop for a new chip since they changed their name. Well it was a very expensive chip! I lost on craps with 7 out after 7 out and then just for good measure I left some money in their VP machines as well. All told I lost $164, oh well it's only money and the day was going to get worse before it got better.

My next stop was at the Grand Lodge Casino to get a new chip after their name change. (Sensing a pattern here?) I got a club card and the $10 FP and $10 MP plus I had a coupon from the American Casino Guide for another $10 FP. MP paid me $5 and the FP gave me $23.25. Then I proceeded to lose every hand playing BJ. I was down as much $150 before I won 4 hands in a row. My next bet was $50 because I add a unit ($10 table) to my bet with every win. I got 88 into a dealer A, shit. Dealer checks, no BJ. I split, first hand I get a 2 and double, I get an A. Other 8 I get a 3 and so I put some more money up and get a Q! Wow! Splits and doubles never work like that lol. Dealer flips a 9 for 20 and I realize I needed perfect cards to win. I tipped the dealer on the next hand which we both won and I cashed out. Left there up just over $200 altogether.

I then drove to Cactus Jack's Casino in Carson City. They don't have table games but they run a dealers choice 2-6 spread game. I sat with 3 60 year olds, an older women sat for about 30 minutes and a drugged up guy donated $95 to the table since he had no idea how to play Omaha Hi-LO which was what we all decided to play instead of DC. I felt bad that the dealers let him play, he thought it was BJ no matter what we said. He just kept calling every bet with no idea what he was trying to do. Eventually he ran out of money and left. I was up about $30 at one point but ended up down $6 after keeping 4 chips. It was actually a really fun game, good company and I don't play Omaha too often so it was a fun change.

The game died just before 10 and I went to Buffalo Wild Wings for dinner. I had Parmesan Garlic and Spicy Garlic boneless wings. I wasn't a huge fan of the Parmesan but the spicy ones were pretty good. After that I drove across the street and played VP at Casino Fandango for a few hours eventually losing $120. I couldn't find that elusive royal.

Chips collected - 21 (6 for my collection)
Total miles - 1782
Gas - $152.70
Hotel - $0
Food - $82.45
Shopping - N/A
Gambling -$79.15
Poker -$130
FP - $25 FP = $27.25
Match play - $10 = $5
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
PokerGrinder
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April 15th, 2017 at 8:57:49 PM permalink
Today was a bit boring since I had to kill a bunch of time (not much to do other than gamble in Carson City) until about 3 when I planned on going to Jackpot Crossing casino for the poker tournament and cash games after.

I went to the Carson Nugget after checking out of my hotel. I played some old VP machines and won $10. I still love playing those coin dispensing machines when I find them, I'm not really sure why but they amuse me. I then played $5 BJ and won every double... I repeat I WON EVERY DOUBLE! It's been a long time since I ran that good on doubles lol. I ended up winning $114 after tips. I cashed out and went to Red'a 395 which is a BBQ joint that I was told to check out.

I got there and sat at the bar. They have those table top games but I didn't want to play. I ordered a Thai chicken pizza, basically spicy peanut sauce with chicken, peanuts and grated carrots on a wood fire cooked pizza. I also got to watch them make it since the wood fire was attached to the bar. The waitress told me if I signed up for a club card I get $10 FP, well I'm a sucker for FP so I signed up. I played Black Rhino and hit 5 K's for $25. I played it down until my food came and then cashed out up $23, thanks for the free food Red's. I almost forgot, the pizza was amazing! One of the best pizzas I've ever had. I'm a sucker for a good peanut sauce.

I still had a few hours to kill so I went to Max casino and played penny slots. I got bored after about 20 minutes (I don't enjoy slots very much) and left up $8. I decided to go get some soft drinks at Walmart and on the way stopped at Bodines Casino. I've never been there because they have no tables but I figured what the hell lets check it out. I played a few really cheap poker games on the penny denomination and won $10. That's tough to do betting so little.

Diet Mountain Dew was on sale, 6 500 ml bottles for $2 so I picked up 3 sets. As I was leaving the parking lot I saw a Trader Joes and got excited. Trader Joes has the best snacks. I grabbed 2 bags of kettle corn and a bag of peanut butter stuffed pretzels and was on my way.

I got to Jackpot Crossing just before 3 and talked to the dealer who was dealing last night at Cactus Jacks. She said the cash games wouldn't run but they had a $18 tournament with one table. Blech not worth my time. I got the cage to sell me $1 chips and then I played VP so that I played at the casino. I hit quad fours (I have hit an insane amount of quads this week, why am I down so much on VP lol?) for $40 as I was betting 20 nickels which was a max bet for that denomination. I left there up $26 after buying the chips.

I then drove 132 miles to Hawthorne, NV where I am staying the night. My hotel is owned by the casino so I got $10 FP and 2 $2 off coupons for the restaurant. I visited El Capitan across the street from my hotel and won $19.25 off $15 FP ($5 FP for signing up for a card) and lost $40 playing BJ which is really technically $31 since I kept 4 $1 tokens and a $5 chip from my buy in.

I ate at the cafe for dinner and had the special, a roast beef stuffed burger wrapped in bacon. It was actually pretty solid for $10 minus one coupon. Not Gordon Ramsey quality but it sufficed.

Tomorrow I am visiting Paiute Palace in California, then Mizpah for the afternoon poker game before driving to Las Vegas.

Happy Easter everyone!

Chips collected - 30 (8 for my collection)
Total miles - 1914
Gas - $152.70
Hotel - $60.05
Food - $119.55
Shopping - N/And
Gambling +$92.35
Poker -$130
FP - $50 FP = $55.50
Match play - $10 = $5
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
PokerGrinder
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April 16th, 2017 at 7:35:10 AM permalink
Ok I might be on a French toast kick. I'm eating it again at El Capitan Casino for breakfast today. It was a lot better the other day though.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
PokerGrinder
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April 17th, 2017 at 9:30:19 AM permalink
I just want to start by saying I am extremely saddened to hear about Doc's tragedy. It puts everything we do on this forum in perspective and I think it's safe to say that all of our hearts go out to him and his wife during this tough time.

Yesterday I drove 445 miles stopping at 2 casinos on my way to Las Vegas. In the morning I drove to Paiute Palace Casino which is a California casino that is really out of the way to visit while collecting in California so I thought this made the most sense. I got to the casino too early for table games so I gassed up and then signed up for a club card. I got $10 FP plus another $10 FP for gassing up with them. They give you half up to $10 in FP. I turned that $20 FP into $34 playing nickel VP. I hit quad aces for $20, I'm amazed at how many quads I have hit lately.

Next I drove to the Mizpah Club in Tonopah to collect a chip. They hold a poker game on Sundays but because of Easter nobody showed up to play. I played nickel VP for about a hour while talking to the bartender and manager who were really kind. I won $4 which I used to buy chips since the game wasn't going to run. They told me to go to the BBQ restaurant for dinner so I did. I had the pulled pork sandwich and beans. The pork wasn't the tastiest but with sauce it was fine. I couldn't believe how much meat was on the sandwich though, easily enough for two people.

I then drove to Vegas. I stopped for gas and a stretch at the Stagecoach casino in Beatty and boy am I glad I did. I was watching the end of the Bulls/Celtics game when I hit a royal in quarters. I will upload a photo later as imgur won't let me right now. I won $1020 there and then drove the last two hours to Vegas.

I stayed at Arizona Charlie's last night and lost $101 in their casino. I then grabbed a chicken Caesar salad and went to my room for the night.

I'm currently having breakfast at Denny's before I head down to San Diego collecting chips at a bunch of places over the next couple days.

Chips collected - 38 (10 for my collection)
Total miles - 2359
Gas - $201.20
Hotel - $68.55
Food - $150.95
Shopping - N/A
Gambling +$1049.35
Poker -$130
FP - $70 FP = $89.50
Match play - $10 = $5
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
DRich
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April 17th, 2017 at 9:37:51 AM permalink
I didn't realize the Mizpah had gambling. I am guessing it is relatively a new thing because I stayed there two or three years ago and I don't remember it. I enjoyed sitting at the bar at Mizpah and having a few too many beverages. We stayed in the "haunted" room where the hooker was killed.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
PokerGrinder
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April 17th, 2017 at 9:41:56 AM permalink
It is a new thing. I've been to Tonapah a few times. Mizpah deals BJ Thursday to Saturday and poker on Sundays.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
PokerGrinder
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April 19th, 2017 at 12:20:31 AM permalink
Yesterday I drove 562 miles from Las Vegas to San Diego while stopping at 10 casinos in Arizona and California. The day started well gambling wise but ended on a bad steak of consecutive losses.

My first stop was at Havasu Landing casino where I played a couple hands of BJ and won $25. The dealer seemed confused that I was only playing 3 hands but I had a long way to drive and didn't want to get behind early.

My next four stops were at Bluewater, Cocopah, Quechan and Golden Acorn. I got lucky at Golden Acorn and Quechan as I almost lost my $100 buy in before spinning it back up to just above even and leaving instead of being down $100 at both. After these casinos and Havasu Landing I was down about $2 for the day. I was quite pleased and thought maybe I could keep that up for the rest of the day... I was wrong.

Sadly Golden Acorn was my last positive trip into a casino for the rest of the day. Viejas got me for $60 playing card craps. The game is basically the same since you still throw dice but I wasn't a fan of the card craps variation of the normal game. I then lost a couple bucks at Barona, almost fifty bucks at the BJ table at Sycuan and Pai Gow at Hollywood got me for $35 too. My last stop of the night was right next to my hotel at Seven Mile Casino in Chula Vista. I got down $100 quick but managed to leave down less than $50. The house pays the player fee to play but pays 6-5 BJ. I didn't realize this until I got a BJ and that was when I coloured up and left.

All told I stopped at 10 casinos and I was down $207 for the day. Not good but not terrible for how many places I stopped.

Chips collected - 78 (20 for my collection)
Total miles - 2921
Gas - $262.20
Hotel - $68.55
Food - $176.85
Shopping - N/A
Gambling +$841.95
Poker -$130
FP - $110 FP = $112.45
Match play - $10 = $5
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
PokerGrinder
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April 19th, 2017 at 12:45:25 AM permalink
Today was a short driving distance but with 9 casino stops it ends up being a long day. I drove 257 miles on a very indirect route from San Diego to Twentynine Palms near Palm Springs.

I started my driving up the coast to Ocean's Eleven Casino where I booked a small $20 win, but after the way that yesterday ended any win is a big win. I played a very up and down (more down as I was never up) BJ session at Saboba. I eventually called it quits down $60. Morongo was basically a brake even before the sister properties of Agua Caliente and Spa Casino beat me up for $130 between them. I made a little comeback at Augustine where I won $80 after again being down for most of my visit. It feels like I never just walk into a casino and have them hand me a giant sack of money. Why is that?

Spotlight 29 gave me FP and MP for signing up for a club card, along with winning both BJ hands I played I won $30 altogether. Fantasy Springs has an intersting sign up bonus where if you run through $20 on a slot machine (no keno or poker) they give you $60 FP. I figured even on a bad slot I should get 85% of the value. I didn't sadly as I only got a 67% payback on my $80 of play at 30 cents a spin. I still profited $33 from the sign up promo even if it should have been closer to $48. I then lost almost every hand of BJ leaving down $50 at tables but up on the slot promo.

My last stop for the night was Tortoise Rock Casino where I played Pai Gow and lost $45. The dealer's worst hand of 8 hands was JJ with AK up, tough to win if the dealer hand is always that strong.

Tomorrow I have 6 stops to make where hopefully I will win $1000 at each stop. Am I dreaming too big? 😅

Chips collected - 114 (29 for my collection)
Total miles - 3178
Gas - $282.20
Hotel - $71.55
Food - $206.90
Shopping - N/A
Gambling +$722.45
Poker -$130
FP - $190 FP = $173.45
Match play - $20 = $15
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
Ayecarumba
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April 19th, 2017 at 8:15:17 AM permalink
I think Seven Mile might be the most southern casino in California, as you are only a few minutes from the border with Mexico.

Thanks for keeping the log up PG. It's good that you hit a royal earlier so that you have some cushion. You mention stopping at Hollywood, so I'm surprised you didn't stop in at the "Larry Flynt's Lucky Lady" (which used to be the Normandie).
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
PokerGrinder
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April 19th, 2017 at 8:32:33 AM permalink
Quote: Ayecarumba

I think Seven Mile might be the most southern casino in California, as you are only a few minutes from the border with Mexico.

Thanks for keeping the log up PG. It's good that you hit a royal earlier so that you have some cushion. You mention stopping at Hollywood, so I'm surprised you didn't stop in at the "Larry Flynt's Lucky Lady" (which used to be the Normandie).



Yes the royal is a nice cushion to have for the trip since I'm losing an average of about $20 per casino I visit. I'd be thrilled to finish all the chip collecting in the positive.

I am visiting Larry Flynt's Lucky Lady today on my way to Atascadero. Thanks again for all your updates on that property.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
GWAE
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April 19th, 2017 at 4:49:38 PM permalink
You should go to.tijuana for a night. Is it an issue to drive from US to Mexico since you came from Canada? Probably the same question I asked when you wereceive in asia.
Expect the worst and you will never be disappointed. I AM NOT PART OF GWAE RADIO SHOW
PokerGrinder
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April 19th, 2017 at 5:02:53 PM permalink
Quote: GWAE

You should go to.tijuana for a night. Is it an issue to drive from US to Mexico since you came from Canada? Probably the same question I asked when you wereceive in asia.



Why would I want to go to Tijuana lol? Also Ive driven quite far north to go to Mexico now. I'm not sure what the procedure is for a Canadian crossing the border into Mexico.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
AxelWolf
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April 19th, 2017 at 9:16:49 PM permalink
I'm disappointed (not in you..well maybe) with all the places you have been stopping at that you haven't found anything good promotion wise. It used to be while making a trip like that you would almost certainly find something juicy.
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
PokerGrinder
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April 19th, 2017 at 10:33:02 PM permalink
Quote: AxelWolf

I'm disappointed (not in you..well maybe) with all the places you have been stopping at that you haven't found anything good promotion wise. It used to be while making a trip like that you would almost certainly find something juicy.


I found a few good things but nothing I would make a trip specifically for.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
PokerGrinder
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April 20th, 2017 at 10:43:37 AM permalink
Update coming when I get to Vegas tonight. I didn't get in until 2 am last night.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
AxelWolf
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April 20th, 2017 at 11:22:10 AM permalink
Quote: PokerGrinder

I found a few good things but nothing I would make a trip specifically for.

Look harder. (-;
♪♪Now you swear and kick and beg us That you're not a gamblin' man Then you find you're back in Vegas With a handle in your hand♪♪ Your black cards can make you money So you hide them when you're able In the land of casinos and money You must put them on the table♪♪ You go back Jack do it again roulette wheels turinin' 'round and 'round♪♪ You go back Jack do it again♪♪
PokerGrinder
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April 21st, 2017 at 11:02:00 AM permalink
Two days ago I drove 489 miles from Twentynine Palms to Atascadero stopping at six places.

My first stop of the day was at Diamond Jim's where I played poker for a hour. They play 1/2 with a $100 max, very weird! I felt like I was playing a tournament with how short the stacks were. Also in most California rooms (that I played in) 1/2 is played with all $1 chips which is insane lol. I lost a couple of pots, running 1010 into AA on a 6 high board and then 3betting kings and getting 3 callers to what would end up being a A high flop. I was the button and the action goes bet, all in and the next guy pushes too. I flashed my kings to the guy next to me and chuckled as I mucked them. I end up getting into a 5 way pot on the button with a suited K. Flop 10Q5 rainbow and it checks around. Turn is J of diamonds so we now have a flush draw and an open ended straight draw. It checks around to the preflop raiser who bets $12 into around $60. This is complete weakness. Two guys fold and it comes to us. Yes we can call but I end up jamming here for one main reason. Fold equity, we have K high and if the river blanks we are not going to win this pot very often. By turning our hand into a semi-bluff we get to realize our fold equity and the strength of our draw as well. The player tank folds and we scoop the pot. I left the game up $20.

I then drove into LA to visit the former Normandie Casino which is now Lucky Lady Casino. I had a comped meal of kung pao chicken which was good. I also signed up for a club card that after two hours of play they gave me $20 cash. I played 1/2 with a $100 max. This game was the greatest thing ever. (If you can get over how short the game was) I had two guys at the table shoving any amount of money with any two cards. The rest of the table consisted of passive old man stations. I lost a big 3 way pot with the two mega fish and had to reload a few times. I got it back in a spot where the fish to my right straddled and we open KK UTG. I flat the straddle knowing that the other fish is always raising his button. It goes as planned, a few callers then the button goes $21, the straddle calls and we get to jam $101 and we get called by both fish. I scoop the pot, and hated myself for leaving that game after two hours. If I didn't have a long way to drive still I would have sat that game until those two guys ran out of money. Romes I know you are going to yell at me for leaving that game but it had to be done. I end up winning $61 in the game.

A little bit about driving into LA and then driving out of LA... OMFG!!! How do people live in this place, I couldn't believe how bad the traffic was. It's funny I say this every time I end up in Los Angeles but I still keep going back. I did get my chipotle though which made me happy.

My next stop was Player's Casino where I played one hand of pai gow. I paid $1 to lose $10, I have no idea how pay to play casinos get players. It makes me so angry to pay to play.

Next up was Chumash where I won $16 off of FP and played one hand of pai gow where I had KK with QQ up and push when the dealer has AA with J6 up, that game is laughable sometimes.

Next I stopped and played poker for a hour at Central Coast poker room. I lost a few pots before flopping a set and getting it in for about $65 with the fish. By the way this fish was in a 4 way pot, $60 in the pot. Flop is J73 rainbow when the preflop raiser jams for $200 on the flop and the guy tank calls. Turn is a 10 and the caller says yes that's me and turns over 89... wtf lol. He cold called $200 into a $60 pot with a gutter and then makes it to boot. This is why I laugh when people say poker is dying, no it isn't lol. I won $46 here.

My last stop of the night at almost 2 am was at outlaws where I got there in time for the last BJ shoe of the night. I quickly won $20 and cashed out so I could go to sleep.

Overall a good gambling day, won at poker and sides and collected a bunch of chips.

Chips collected - 138 (35 for my collection)
Total miles - 3667
Gas - $332.45
Hotel - $71.55
Food - $229.60
Shopping - 2.10
Gambling +$743.45
Poker -$3
FP - $210 FP = $194.45
Match play - $20 = $15
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
Joeman
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April 22nd, 2017 at 4:43:03 AM permalink
Thanks for sharing your adventures, PG! Sounds like a fun trip so far.

Quote: PokerGrinder

My first stop of the day was at Diamond Jim's where I played poker for a hour. They play 1/2 with a $100 max, very weird!

Yeah, jurisdictional poker laws can be wacky sometimes. When they first spread poker in Florida card rooms (at established parimutuel venues only), it was very low stakes -- $10 max pot. Then, around 2003, they lifted the pot max limit, but still had a max bet of $2. All games were 1/2 or 2/2 limit.

They are all full no-limit now, but around 2007-2010, they had no-limit with $100 max buy-in, as you described. However, they spread games up to 5/10 NL! I never ventured to play it, but talk about an "all-in or fold" game!
"Dealer has 'rock'... Pay 'paper!'"
Johnzimbo
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April 22nd, 2017 at 6:38:25 AM permalink
In Southern California you really need to time your driving to avoid rush hours if possible.

You like Chipotle, have you ever had Qdoba? Worth searching for, it is better IMHO.
PokerGrinder
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April 22nd, 2017 at 2:04:28 PM permalink
Two days ago I drove 437 miles from Atascadero to Las Vegas stopping at 3 places to collect chips.

I drove 20 minutes to Paso Robles Casino and played 3/6 limit Omaha hi lo. I played for about a hour and lost $37. My next stop was Aviator Casino where I played a few hands of BJ and won $22. The entire place had about ten people in it including the restaurant. My last stop of the day was Golden West where I played pai gow and lost $14.

The 4.5 hour drive to Las Vegas was gruelling as I didn't want to drive anymore. I was happy when I arrived back in sin city. I checked into my hotel and played a little nickel VP, won $20 and then got a chicken Caesar salad before calling it a night.

Chips collected - 150 (38 for my collection)
Total miles - 4104
Gas - $362.45
Hotel - $80.05
Food - $261.50
Shopping - 3.25
Gambling +$771.45
Poker -$40
FP - $210 FP = $194.45
Match play - $20 = $15
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
mcallister3200
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April 22nd, 2017 at 2:15:07 PM permalink
Quote: Johnzimbo



You like Chipotle, have you ever had Qdoba? Worth searching for, it is better IMHO.



Not an opinion, a scientific fact
PokerGrinder
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April 22nd, 2017 at 2:19:10 PM permalink
Yesterday was a fun day. I went to Hot and Juicy Crawfish for lunch which was amazing. I will probably go back again early next week. I had the spicy peel shrimp with potatoes and andouille sausage, everything came in a plastic beg and they give you a bib and plastic gloves to use. Service was excellent. After lunch I was walking to my car when I saw a gelato shop and I stopped and got a scoop of cheesecake and a scoop of chocolate. Also very good.

I played a session at Wynn and was up a bit before I lost a pot where I make top set on a Q high board and the other guy goes runner runner straight. I then made a really bad river call against a reg when I knew my hand was no good. I was quite irritated at my bad play. I picked up and went to the outlet mall. Sadly they didn't have what I was looking for so I'm going to check out the other one today or tomorrow.

I met up with Keeneone, Billryan, Rdw4potus and RS for dinner at Nora's. I really enjoyed the company and the food was good but sadly not as good as before they moved to their new location. After dinner a couple of us went to Lucky Dragon to collect chips and play a little. I lost my buy in at UTH but I had fun. The pit boss gave us each a $20 comp which was quite funny trying to figure out what to use it for since we had just eaten dinner. I got 2 large cookies, 3 pieces of cake, 2 blueberry muffins and a banana. (I ate a muffin, a cookie and the banana for breakfast lol)

Looking forward to the WoV dinner tonight.

Chips collected - 154 (39 for my collection)
Total miles - 4104
Gas - $382.45
Hotel - $88.55
Food - $335.90
Shopping - 3.25
Gambling +$712.45
Poker -$155
FP - $218 FP = $199.20
Match play - $20 = $15
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
DRich
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April 22nd, 2017 at 3:18:13 PM permalink
Quote: PokerGrinder

Yesterday was a fun day. I went to Hot and Juicy Crawfish for lunch which was amazing. I will probably go back again early next week. I had the spicy peel shrimp with potatoes and andouille sausage, everything came in a plastic beg and they give you a bib and plastic gloves to use. Service was excellent.



Although I don't eat there often, I really enjoy their food. I usually can't go any hotter than their medium sauce, which I think is very spicy.

Thanks for the trip report, I am enjoying it.
At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.
Ayecarumba
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April 22nd, 2017 at 3:23:37 PM permalink
Was there a craps table at Lucky Dragon?

Did you find what you were looking for at the outlet? There's one in Primm that has some stuff that you won't find at the others.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
PokerGrinder
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April 26th, 2017 at 12:08:26 AM permalink
Drich I went with spicy both times that I went. The crawfish I got with my shrimp the second time wasn't worth it as they were some small ass crawfish. Overall great food though.

Aye there wasn't craps at Lucky Dragon. I visited both outlets but sadly didn't find what I was looking for. I am headed to Minneapolis about 5 days after I get home from Vegas so I will stop at Albertville Outlet mall which is better than the ones in Vegas.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
PokerGrinder
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April 27th, 2017 at 12:28:32 PM permalink
This past 6 days in Vegas was of my better Vegas trips even though the poker games were just average. The Friday dinner and gambling and Saturdays dinner and poker game were both really fun nights. I really enjoyed seeing everyone that I spend so much time talking to online. Sunday was both amazing and scary watching TomG destroy those McNuggets. Congrats again Tom.

I found one very good poker game while in town. I played the Bellagio 5/10 game with two really drunk business men who had my number until I got them back. I lost KK to AA for 1800 each and then lost QQ to A10s for 1000 each both hands all in pre. After 14 hours I cashed out $3803, up a whopping $3 lol. Overall I was up about $200 playing poker this week. Not what I was hoping for but it happens.

I got to spend a full night on Monday with a really close friend that lives in Las Vegas. I got to spend time with his 1 year old twins and then sit and talk with him and his wife after the babies bedtime.

Tuesday I had a really good dinner with Axel, MaxPen and RS and then we played pool after dinner. We went to Lotus of Siam which I always love. I was definitely the worst pool player of the four of us lol. Really enjoyable night.

Yesterday morning I went back to Lotus for lunch before driving to Hotel Nevada in Ely. I got there and found out that they changed their table hours and there would be no blackjack today. Well I guess I will have to wait on collecting a $1 chip from there. I was down about $70 playing VP when I won the $100 random draw. Easy game lol.

I then drove to Salt Lake City, Utah where they don't have a lot going on. Do you know they have none of those big buildings with playing cards and machines that make a lot of noise here? Weird state 😂

I'm currently in Wyoming on my way to Deadwood, SD.

Chips collected - 154 (39 for my collection)
Total miles - 4752
Gas - $418.60
Hotel - $339.00
Food - $518.10
Shopping - 3.25
Arcade - $2.00 (very cheap for how many arcades I usually visit)
Gambling +$743.65
Poker +$7 woot 😂
FP - $297 FP = $263.20
Match play - $160 = $65
$50 promo chips = $125
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
Ayecarumba
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April 27th, 2017 at 1:12:28 PM permalink
Glad to hear things are going well PG. Tough beats on KK and QQ, but what can you do?

I'm curious how the tipping is at the higher limit games. Do players tip less compared to the 1/2 since the smallest chip is a nickle? What about at 25/50 or more?
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
GWAE
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April 27th, 2017 at 1:49:04 PM permalink
You should visit mickey up there.
Expect the worst and you will never be disappointed. I AM NOT PART OF GWAE RADIO SHOW
PokerGrinder
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April 27th, 2017 at 2:50:30 PM permalink
Quote: Ayecarumba

Glad to hear things are going well PG. Tough beats on KK and QQ, but what can you do?

I'm curious how the tipping is at the higher limit games. Do players tip less compared to the 1/2 since the smallest chip is a nickle? What about at 25/50 or more?


Everyone has $1 chips because at those limits you pay time instead of rake and if you don't have dollars the dealer will break a $5 if you ask. I tip the same at 5/10 as I do at 2/5. Dealer is doing the exact same job in my opinion.
You can shear a sheep a hundred times, but you can skin it only once. — Amarillo Slim Preston
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