Day 9 Sunday December 22, 2002

I started to off by going over to the Sahara. I don’t give them heavy play but their members only coupon book has some great deals in it including 100 match points on slot play ($1,000 coin in). This brings cash back on your first 100 points up to 1%.

They don’t have any deuces wild so I play jacks or better or bonus here. Today I chose 8/5 bonus right near the slot club. The machine I was at gobbled up a $20 in no time at all so I popped in a $100. It wasn’t long before this one was gone either. Other than 1 full house and flush I didn’t get a hand better than a straight. I was going to quit and just forget about getting the 100 points matched but figured I would only go somewhere else and play more anyway so put in another $100. Things got a little better but the credits were starting to disappear again. It was like a roller coaster ride. Hitting flushes and full houses but then hitting nothing for 10-15 hands. At this point I’m getting aggravated but then I hit a flush, and then 2 full houses back to back. This helped bring the meter up a little. Those weren’t really enough to do anything but they were followed by holding 3 to a royal an actually filling it out for $1,000. I also had a coupon good for $50 on any top award on slots and it was good on video poker too. Then they gave me a T-shirt on top of the win.

I figured I’d keep playing until what was left of my credits was gone. Then about 10 hands later I popped 4 aces for another $100. The meter was up and down for a while and I eventually quit cashing out $150. The only reason I really quit was because I had to meet someone at another casino.

Before I left I had to get some chips. Since there was space at the craps table I bought in. I actually lost $6 here though. I also had a coupon good for a free ace up to a $5 bet. I jumped into a blackjack game to play the ace. I didn’t get blackjack with it but did win the hand for $5 and left. This probably pissed everyone off at the table. Too bad though, I've had it done to me countless times. NOTE: This was the first hand of blackjack I’ve played since I got to town over a week ago.

I left the Sahara and went down to the Silverton. I had plans to meet up with Yahtzee there although he wasn’t sure if he would make it or not. They are running the 12 days of Christmas for bonus points. Today is 11X points. Yes, that says eleven (2.2% in comps).

When I got there I didn’t see Yahtzee so I went to the Fireside Café for lunch. I had the hot open prime rib sandwich and a bowl of chicken noodle soup. The service was fast and the food was good. I’ve got a ton of comps here so as usual, this meal was comped.

I took another look around for Yahtzee without seeing him and then it was time to play. I thought since I was up I’d take a shot at dollar video poker. I also had a coupon good for a 50 coin bonus for any quad so the best way to maximize the coupon would be on dollars. I went to the machine I hit a royal on a few trips ago. This didn’t work out too well though. I dropped $400 into his vacuum and only got about an hour of play. On top of that I didn’t even hit a quad.

I took a break from video poker with some Price is Right slots. I got to the bonus round twice but didn’t do well either time. My next move was over to the craps table. This was a nightmare. I lost $100 in 3 shooters. Every one of them established a point; hit another number and then 7’d out. Aggravated I left and headed back to the Hilton for a break from gambling. Losing half of that royal wasn’t what I had planned so a break was well needed.

After taking a break and getting a snack I went downstairs to the casino here at the Hilton. I went to the craps table and bought in for $300. The table was up and down. One shooter would make me money and the next would lose it. I was down another $200 and was about to quit but it was my turn to shoot. I didn’t know it at the time but this would be my greatest roll ever. I was hitting number after number and making point after point. There was a ton of money on the table. I figured that at any time I’d seven out but didn’t. The dealer I was next to went to break and when she came back I was still shooting. She couldn’t believe it (and neither could I). My roll continued for about 10 more minutes before I finally went out. All my reds were turning into greens and the rack in front of me was full of chips. The $100 I had left when I shot was now over $900. I was actually cheered (although no one threw money!). Now there was probably a reason I shot so well. Based on my history you might know. Yes, there was a guy on the other side of the table betting the don’t. If I’ve said it once I’ve said it 100 times. NEVER bet against me. Most people cashed out after my roll was done but I stuck around for 2 more shooters. They both did pretty good but I decided to take the money and run and colored up $830 for a $530 profit at this table.

After I cashed in I went over to the Paradise Café. This is the coffee shop at the Hilton. They have a late night special for $4.95 that consists of 2 eggs, toast, home fries, and a T-bone steak. This is actually one of the better late night deals around. I think it’s odd that it’s at a mega resort like the Hilton. The steak was cooked perfect and was very tender. The service was a little weak but not terrible. After I ate I came back up to the room. I packed up some of my stuff since tomorrow is moving day. This is where we are in the report right now. It’s about 2am and time for bed.

Total win/loss for the day $1050
Total comps for the day $49