TR SNIPPET VIDEO POKER

There were of course some incredible oddities playing video poker.

Playing with sons Peter and Frank at the Gold Coast, I was complaining about how many pairs of fives kept coming and coming. Then I hit the quad fives.

Once son Peter quit paying and watched my cards. He would call for the cards I needed. One time he called in a particularly distinctive way and I caught the fourth seven. So, we asked him to call again. He called “deuces” on a pair and I hit those quads. It got eirie. Then it didn't. The universe went back to the randomness it loves.

For the entire week when playing Double Bonus, I caught Aces just twice. Once was on a dime machine at the Palace Station. The second one was on a Four Queens quarter machine.

The strategy in Double Bonus means you very rarely throw away a hand. You can play three to the flush or an inside straight.

I got one of those rare throw away hands, and it dealt me back quad Aces. Amazing!

I played less video poker because I quit playing at the D based on their new policy of adding the resort fee to one night that is paid in a two for one. The odd thing is that while they insisted that as the policy, they did not add it to my bill. What is that about?

I also am phasing out the Four Queens as a place I pump in hundred dollar bills. They don't give three weekend nights anymore. They have blackout dates even on the 2 for 1 mailed offers. So, I'm seeding other places, starting with dimes at the Palace Station (mixed with some quarters) and in November I'm seeding the Fremont and playing the Pick Em.

I'm booked at the Four Queens for casino rate in November, but I've used up my Comp dollars, so unless they send me a two for one that works on my weekend night, I may well book another place.

I'll continue to play there for fun, but not put pressure on.

If Palace Station gives me anything, I'll like it. I can play dimes all day, everyday and the lower bet lets me absorb the volatility of a losing session and still have bankroll for other places. If I have to pay to stay, I'm happier to pay at Palace Station where the food is great and the pools are delightful, with one heated in November when I usually come.

I do lose on live poker. The best live poker is at the Golden Nugget and the best time is from midnight on. But if I find some other good downtown venue, I can access that game for some of my stay.

I don't think I can be a bus ride away and do what I do when I stay downtown. We'll see.

I did well playing a bit of JOB at the Gold Coast. Perhaps I'll get an offer from them. My wife was a new signup and she got a couple free nights in the mail right away. She did not gamble much at all, mostly penny slots and mostly pennies. She did play a bit of VP.

I think of the Gold Coast as the place I pay to stay and where I rarely gamble, but it was fun to play with my sons some of my visit. They like JOB rather than Double Bonus especially with me behind them with a strategy sheet.

I had just under an hour at Sam's Town before the Toast of the Town free show. I played a bit of full pay Deuces in nickels, well actually it is dimes because 10 in the Max bet. In just a short time I hit 4 Deuces and in the end was up about $100. I lost some of that back later in the day.