My Trip To Reno

Doing the legwork and the research is my thing, and most of my exceptional opportunities have come from being dutiful and diligent, and finding opportunities others have missed. You know, like Curious George.

So I took a road trip up to Reno. I hadn't been there in over 6 years so I figured there would be a lot to see. And I was delighted to see that it looked just like it did in 2000, except bombed out by the RAF. That one end of Virginia Street was all bought up by Caesar's. The Circle Jerkus, the Eldorado, and the Silver Legacy. On the other end of Virginia the abominable Cal-Neva remains. It has always been an edgy and risky place, but you could also get some kind of a game there. And it's still just as nasty, but you can't get a game. Slots on top of slots, one pit with carnival games and a few crowded, unimpressive BJ tables.

OK, let's check out Harrah's. I remember it was right over there, near that... pile of rubble. The Sands Regency, at least? Now it's called the "J", which coincidentally rhymes with "nothing to play." Oh no, now what am I going to do? I made sure I took all my notes and went to the motel to get some sleep.

The next morning I drove around to the off-Virginia resorts- Atlantis, Peppermill, Grand Sierra. etc. Bringing back memories- I believe I have been asked to leave every casino in this town at some time or another. I remember emptying out a tray and their running out of money at the cage at the Alamo truckstop. Doing similar at Boomtown when you could get RO7 pen. None of that is left- all the same weak, cookie-cutter games.

So what to do? I did see one thing I can do, something I hadn't done since the last time I was here. It's blackjack, but with a little something extra, something I know how to do. Something to dispel the sadness of this town. Where is it- it's at the store named after an album. And I'm really going to sing at the table!

Here it comes, another lonely day
Playing the game
I'll sail away, on a voyage of no return to see...

Now the opening of this album evokes images of a furious, vengeful attack on an unprepared enemy who is deserving of all the wrath you can muster. Wait no- can't do that here! Got to skip that part. So not too much spread, and thanks to sidecounts I can decouple the main bet from the sidebet a bit. They seem quite tolerant, a lot more than they used to be. And I'm singing! It's good cover, makes me look like I'm just there to have fun instead of to make money. And sometimes I even trick myself and actually have fun, instead of my usual dourness when playing for keeps.

The painted ladies of the avalon, play in the sun
Take to the road, to the north there lies the chills of cold
To the south there lies the tales untold...

That's perfect for Reno, isn't it? Usual up-and-down, but variance was good, good enough to make it a mildly profitable trip. Now for the finale- how many syllables does "stay" have? As many as 9, when you're a prog head. Yes I actually can hit that note, but only in full voice and I better not do that in here.

So I will sta-aa-aa-aaaay...
I'll not be back...

Oh I might be back, maybe. But there has to be a few other things worthwhile for me to do in addition to that game. The only thing I saw of note that others might be interested in was a few older slot titles that I haven't seen in a long time or that I can't recall having seen at all. Might be of interest to some.

For a true Reno adventure, you need to visit Diamond's Casino. But take heed, intrepid traveler, it is for only the bravest of hearts!

Though it looks as if they updated their slot machines recently: https://youtu.be/vIIs7usEwYU

Reno is a dump compared to south Lake Tahoe and should be a mere arrival point before going on to south lake.

Quote: MDawg

Reno is a dump compared to south Lake Tahoe and should be a mere arrival point before going on to south lake.
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Reno reminds me of Downtown Las Vegas. Why arrive into Reno? TVL airport is only about 10 minutes from the Lake Tahoe casinos. I have a flown into TVL a couple of times.

How many years ago was that? The last time TVL allowed commercial flights was 2000.

Downtown Vegas at least has the Golden Nugget and Circa and somehow seems to have more going for it than Reno.

Quote: MDawg

How many years ago was that? The last time TVL allowed commercial flights was 2000.

My last trip to that airport was about 5 years ago. It was not commercial.

Not long ago have gone on family member's jet to different locations, but hasn't so far flown to Tahoe.