Graton Casino Sept. 2026
September 20th, 2026 at 10:42:55 AM
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The Mrs. yesterday took me to experience my favorite childhood band: Chicago. I listened to my brother’s LP of their Greatest Hits album (Chicago IX, the one with the comedic cover of them trying to paint their logo) the most of all his albums. I’ve always loved the horn section on songs like “Just You ’N' Me” and “Saturday in the Park.” The Mrs. loves their ‘80s ballads led by Peter Cetera.
I hadn’t thought too much about Chicago in recent years. Trumpeter Lee Loughnane is now the only original band member still on tour (which they’ve been on for 59 consecutive years!). He sang “Colour My World” and got plenty of love throughout the show. I loved it!
The Graton Casino event venue feels relatively small—basically a medium-sized convention hall. A Coke cost $7.
Afterward, it was video poker time, and the quad train continues to pull into the station. Four kings on DB, and I finished ahead $25.
Then, $4-$8 limit Hold’em. Fantastically lucky as I got pocket 10s from the small blind and people were raising it up pre-flop. I flopped a 10, checked, and got a bet and raise in front of me. I re-raised. I checked again on the turn and it checked all around. No help to me on the river, but someone with A-K could have made a straight. With all the pre-flop betting, I just checked. There was a bet, and I called. He showed pocket sixes for a lower set than mine. I finished ahead $117.
The Mrs. got me a gourmet donut (Vietnamese Coffee Time—espresso glaze, condensed milk
drizzle, coffee crystals), some donut holes, and coffee ($15) from SoCo Dough Co. for the drive home. Casino fun the way we enjoy it!
I hadn’t thought too much about Chicago in recent years. Trumpeter Lee Loughnane is now the only original band member still on tour (which they’ve been on for 59 consecutive years!). He sang “Colour My World” and got plenty of love throughout the show. I loved it!
The Graton Casino event venue feels relatively small—basically a medium-sized convention hall. A Coke cost $7.
Afterward, it was video poker time, and the quad train continues to pull into the station. Four kings on DB, and I finished ahead $25.
Then, $4-$8 limit Hold’em. Fantastically lucky as I got pocket 10s from the small blind and people were raising it up pre-flop. I flopped a 10, checked, and got a bet and raise in front of me. I re-raised. I checked again on the turn and it checked all around. No help to me on the river, but someone with A-K could have made a straight. With all the pre-flop betting, I just checked. There was a bet, and I called. He showed pocket sixes for a lower set than mine. I finished ahead $117.
The Mrs. got me a gourmet donut (Vietnamese Coffee Time—espresso glaze, condensed milk
drizzle, coffee crystals), some donut holes, and coffee ($15) from SoCo Dough Co. for the drive home. Casino fun the way we enjoy it!
Last edited by: smoothgrh on Sep 20, 2026
