Golden Casino Group Promotions

Borrowing a great idea from http://www.thebadgambler.com/ I will start posting the flyers I get from the local casinos.

My first to post and comment about is from the Golden Casino Group. This encompasses 3 casino's in Black Hawk Colorado. Golden Gates, Golden Gulch, and Golden Mardi Gras Casinos.

This month's flyer is different than normal in one major way. Like always there are coupons for food, $3.00 off a Burrito and/or $5.00 off a Calzone. I be getting a Calzone myself.


The big change is with the money back portion. What normally reads "Get $5.00 Cash" now is "Get $5.00 in cash when you earn 200 points"



It was nice to just get free money but with the casino's posting continual loss, I can understand how they don't want to just give it away right now. 200 points is not that hard to achieve so I will go and play for a while and get my $5.oo, just to give it right back to them of course, but hey it was free money right.......

Have a Great Day and Happy Gaming
J

Keeping My Eye on Amendment 50

Today is the day. While most of the world is waiting for the results of one of the most important presidential races in our history, I will be watching the ticker at the bottom of the tv for local ammendments results.

Crossing my fingers that ammendment 50 will pass. I will update the results as they come in.

Have a great day and Happy Gaming
J

Colorado Votes to Expand Gaming Laws

Ok I’m not interested in politics. I don’t have the time to be an educated voter so I’m not even registered. I'm tired of all the ads on TV, radio, and in the mail but there is a bill on the Colorado ballet that I'm paying attention too.

Amendment 50: Limited Gaming in Central City, Black Hawk, and Cripple Creek

This amendment would allow the towns in Colorado where gambling is allow to vote on wither or not they want to expand gaming limits, games available, and gaming hours.

My first question was why are we voting to give the right to towns people to vote on an issue. Don’t they have that right in the first place?

My second question was when would this, if passed, be enacted?

With what I can find online it appears that no change could be made till July 09 per the tax regulations. I might be wrong.

Now the increased betting limits (going from $5 max to $100 max) wont effect a player like me, it will mainly affect the card players out there. I'm a penny player and hate betting more than the minimum anyway.

The new games such as roulette and craps might be a onetime adventure for me but I can see the draw for other players.

The one part of the new law which would be more beneficial to me would be the expanded gaming hours. Currently operating from 8 am to 2 am this law would allow for 24 hour gaming.

I have found these limited hours annoying on a few occasions but not many.

My first ever trip to Black Hawk I was so excited. I left from Littleton around 630 am as I was on a time crunch and had to be back in town by noon. I drove as fast as I could up the old mountain route 93 and got to Fortune Valley Casino a little after 730 am. I walked in from the parking garage to find the gates up blocking the casino entrance and all the machine were off. I then noticed the hours sign posted next to the gate. I have now learned to adjust both my sleep and driving styles on days I'm going to the casino.

The second time was during an overnight stay for my birthday with my wife. She doesn't gamble much but when we are staying at a casino the funniest thing happens. She wakes me up in the middle of the night and asks if I want to go down to the slots. Of course I do. While this time she walks me up and I had to say no, there not open yet.

If this bill passes I won’t have to worry about either of these issues again.

I have seen and heard the opponents objectives to the bill and understand their arguments. The main backing is speaking to the betting limits and that people will spend larger amounts of money. I agree completely. People are going to be dropping more money and some of them don’t have it but again that won’t be me.

Now as I said I will take advantage of the expanded hours but will I be driving home/or leaving to go up the mountain at 3 am, hopefully not. I like the Central City Parkway drive off of I-70 but at night that’s one heck of a road. It’s a long way to the bottom if you miss one of the those turns and I know the same thing could happen at 3pm in daylight but I just feel better getting to and from that road before the sun goes down or after it comes up, but that’s just me.

Either way November cant come soon enough. All these political issues out there and only one has sparked enough interest with me to really contemplate.

Here is a link to the local new stations coverage of the bill with all the legalize if you want to know the exacts of the bill. http://www.9news.com/news/elections/article.aspx?storyid=100868&catid=137

Have a great day and Happy Gaming,
J

The Mill Casino, Coos Bay Oregon

The Mill Casino, Coos Bay Oregon

While on vacation in Oregon I had the pleasure of visiting The Mill Casino. This was my first trip since 06 and boy has it changed.

1. The Mill Casino has added a new wing to there hotel.
2. The Casino Floor has been redesigned (more later)
3. Non Smoking Section (??????????)

The casino has added a 92 room tower to the property. With the existing 112 rooms in the original hotel this has now became a major draw for out-of- town gamblers. Both internal and external the hotel and reception area look amazing.

The casino floor has been completely redone since my last visit. The slot machines rows are now at a 45 degree angle and more room has been place between the isles for easier access throughout the casino.

What once was the bingo hall has now been completely transformed with the removal of the old walls that once held the doors going into the bingo hall.

With this comes my question on the non-smoking section. The old bingo hall area used to be the non-smoking. It had, in my estimate, close to 150-200 machines available and was very well ventilated being it did not have door separating it from the smoking section.

Now the new smoking section is completely enclosed but only houses around 40-50 machines. This area was very small and made me feel like I was playing in a glass box. I hate the smell of smoke in the air and on my clothing; I couldn’t stand playing in the non-smoking section for very long.

I found some new games and some old ones but nothing that was just amazing.

1. Wheel of Fortune® Video Slots - Las Vegas by IGT was a interesting new game. I’m not a fan of having to get symbols in all 5 columns to get into the bonus round so I didn’t spend a lot on this machine

2. Hee Haw by Bally. Win up to 30 free games by getting 3 sitting ducks in rows 1, 3, and 5. Also the corn bonus with progressive jackpot. My only complaint is because I’m a minimum bet player. If you are not playing the full max bet the corn bonus is worthless. I did see a lady get 7 ears of corn for a progressive of 137.00.

3. Indian Jones progressive by IGT. I didn’t have much luck or fun. I saw a good review and link on other gaming site I would recommend reading. http://www.thebadgambler.com/2008/07/how-indiana-jones-slot-machine-works.html

My last observation is an overall expression of my feelings for the new Mill Casino. The best thing I found in the casino was the new change machine. You put in a 20 and it gives you the option on how you would like your change, 10’s, 5’s 1’s. It’s really a sad visit when the best thing about it, is getting to choose what denomination of money you are about to put into a slot machine.

WMS Gaming Does It Again

Hey guys,

Just a quick update. I love that people are actually coming to this site so Im still trying to make it relevant and up-to-date. Keep coming back. I will hopefully have some more slot reviews in the next couple of weeks.

As for now. I just went to WMS Gamings website and found the have done it again. The have a really cool interactive view of 3 of there new games. Bruce Lee, Happy Days, and Bigger Bang Big Event.

On the main page for WMS Gaming select WMS Secret Head Quarters, (If your have your speakers on you may want to turn them down if you are in a quite location, like work) You are then guide through a 3 level world with each level representing one of the new games.

1st floor is Bigger Bang Big Event, 2nd floor is Bruce LEE, and 3rd floor is Happy Days.

On each floor has interactive views of the games and videos of slot play. Make sure to use you mouse to move around the room as there are Easter Eggs (hidden extras) in each room.

Im really excited to try the Bruce Lee game. It looks really fun.

The Happy Days game is one Im going to have to get my hands on before I make a snap judgement of it.

Well thats it for now. Please keep coming back to my site for update and drop me a line if you have any questions or comments.

Click Here for WMS Gaming's Site

Happy Gaming,
J

WMS Starts a new game room……..

No trips recently but I did get a great email the other day.

WMS Gaming has started a new website called “The Game Room,” Inside this virtual casino are box tops of WMS latest game release either about to hit casino floor or just released.

Currently featured as of April 23, 2008 are Lucky Meerkats, a second edition to the popular Lucky Lemmings game, Wizard of Oz, Press Your Luck, and few others.

How it Works….

When you enter the “Game Room” you can use you mouse/curser to scan over one of the box top games to select a game.

Once you have selected a game you are taken to a new window which features a short video presentation about the selected game, the video explains features of the game and shows pay lines and bonus features.

Also each game features an interactive game with characters from the game. This is my only complaint, if they took the time to create these interactive games; I wish they would have just posted an online version of the game or at lease a version of the bonus rounds.

All and all this is a great site and I hope they update it with new games in the future.

Check it out Here

Happy Gaming
J

Are IPOD's Allowed While Playing a Slot Machine?

I like to take notes while at the casino's so I can refer back to them when I writing a new blog or a slot machine review. Seems I always forget little details about the machines if I winning or mostly losing, other than how the game payed. So Ive been wondering about using my IPOD as a voice recording device while sitting at a slot machine to take notes.

I decided to call a couple casino's and see what kind of response I would get. Now I may not have provided enough information to the casino employees but I didn't want to scare them off.

My question was "Are you allowed to use an IPOD's while playing a Slot Machine?" I choose to not say anything about a recording device or recorder connected to an ipod because of the scare factor. You say recording device and I'm sure what answer I might get. Also most of the voice recorders for an IPOD are so small with no external wires that most people wouldn't notice, except it would just look like I was talking to myself. I asked direct for the security desk as this is where I felt was best to handle the question.

My first call was to the Isle of Capri Casino in Blackhawk Colorado. The agent said that IPOD were defiantly allowed while at a machine.

So my first call seemed to have been a success, a basic answer with no real question. Now some might think this is just silly because if you watch poker on TV, they all have IPOD's but my concern was the question of technology. It hasn't been that long since you would be yelled at by drink attendants for using you cell phones at the machines. (I know some still do but not as much as they used too)

My second call was to Spirit Mountain Casino in Grande Ronde Oregon, Ill be visiting in a few weeks.

The security agent was a little questioning, more of himself then me, but said that they were allowed. He also said that the only thing not allowed was photography on the gaming floor.

Second call a success. More so in the fact that it also clears up the question of cell phones and cameras.

I end with that call. Not the full investigative report with multiple sources some may like but I was 2 for 2, why mess with the odds.

My best guess is that IPOD's are allowed in most US situation, internationally is a whole other ball game.

Good Luck and Happy Gaming,
J

Double Dragon Frenzy Slot Machine

Bally Gamings Double Dragon Frenzy (click link for corporate site with photos and online video)

This is a 7 reel 50 line configuration machine. The pay table was very hard to understand but it was paying so I didn't mind much not knowing why I was winning. Symbols on the reels are ying-yang symbols, coat of arms, and exploding firecrackers. Every time the firecrackers match up they light up and explode a credit amount. Fun feature at first but just like fireworks, it can get annoying after a while.

The game has an interesting feature of having a bonus line in the middle of the line configuration. The bonus line 4 has either wild symbols, auto pays, or blanks. Most slot players are used to seeing this type of configuration on line 5, as with WMS Gamings Ring Quest.

It appeared to have only one "bonus round" which is a re spin-re trigger icon that would appear in the bonus line. It gives you any win credit on the entry spin, a multiple of times. I only had it retrigger for a total of 3 times but the demo video on Bally's website has it triggered 5 times???

Other "Bonuses" that appears on line 4 were a 2x pay, 10x pay, or 100 pay. It makes for some very dynamic pay outs and also some very small ones too.

One of the other things that made this game enjoyable was the cabinet, seating, and play area. This has a large screen, easy for viewing and a very large cabinet, making for a very comfortable play area and lots of elbow room.

I found this game at The Lodge Casino, in Black Hawk Colorado. It was located at the top of the escalator from the street level.

Good Luck and Happy Gaming,
J

3 Coffee Mugs and a Stuffed Animal Later

What a title to a blog, but believe me It has a purpose. Now the date of this trip has been debated by all parties but the story is the same either way.

It was the Summer of 1998. My parents and I did a road trip from Oregon to Texas, over to Las Vegas, down to San Diego, and the home to Oregon. Lots of driving but allot of fun, until Las Vegas that is.

I was 18 at the time. As you can tell by some of my previous post, gambling is in my blood. Most, if not all, of my family gamble. My mother's side are the Slot players and my fathers side is the Black Jack and Horse racing crowd.

In Las Vegas we met up with my Aunt and Uncle from San Diego. We spend most of our time in Circus Circus so I, the 18 year old, can have something to do. By now I've done the circuit of kiddy games, Ive knocked over milk bottles to get 3 Circus Circus coffee mugs and Ive won the roller ball horse race game to get a stuffed animal, Ive wasted about 50 bucks on games, owe well at least I had fun......

We leave Vegas for San Diego, Ive got my mugs and an animal to keep me company on the 5 hour drive, yeah.

We have been at my uncles house for maybe an hour. I'm at the table playing on a laptop, when my uncle asks if we want to go to the casino. I'm sitting at the table looking at him going, I just sat in Vegas and watched you guys play why would I want to do that here too.

My uncle replies "you only have to be 18 to gamble at the Indian Casinos in California."

Wait, hold on a minute, you only have to be 18 in Cali, I'm going nuts. You couldn't have filled me in on this little detail about 3 coffee mugs and a stuffed animal ago.....

30 minutes later were sitting at the Barona Casino and I'm playing. Nervous as all heck, thinking I'm breaking the law or something, but playing.

Needless to say on future trips to Vegas, I didn't play the midway games, I didn't play the pinball machines, I just stood by, leaned against the 2nd floor rail at the Rio, and watch my parents play the machines below. Knowing that in just a few hours we would cross that magical state line that kept me from doing what I love, gamble.

J

Slots and Technology

Hey guys,

My site is all about Casino's and Slot machines but without the newest and latest technology we would still be pulling on one-armed bandits looking for cherries and bells, boring.

I try to keep up with technology as much as possible. My favorite resource has always been CNET.com. I used to watch cnet TV every Saturday back in Jr. High and High School. I just liked all the new crazy stuff that I would most likely never be able to afford.

Sometime last year CNET ran a contest to do a tech review video for a chance to win a trip to Las Vegas for the CES conference. This is the largest tech show in the world where tech companies display all the new products (except for Apple, whom runs its own show)

I wanted to enter the contest but Technology is a hobby, unlike casinos and slots which are my passion. If Casino Player or Strictly Slots were to run a competition like this, I'm in.

Anyway, the point to this blog is to bring attention to a new link on my site for www.techsmesssage.com. This site is ran by one of the winners for that CNET contest, Nate Lanxon. After winning the contest, he was hired by CNET UK and now is there MP3 & Digital Music Reviewer.

His site now has an ongoing diary of life behind the scenes at CNET, with great prospective and information on Technology and life in general.

If you are interested in technology or just want to get a different prospective on things. (I'm starting to like CNET UK more than the US version now) Check it out on my side bar.

With all that said I'm still counting down the seconds till my next trip to the casino. As Ive said before, I will be leaving for a 7 day cruise in 15 days. Cant wait. We will just have to see what kind of machines ST. Maarteen has. I hope I didnt jinx myself and its all one-armed bandits with cherries and bells.

Till next time,
J

The "Big One"

As you can tell from my chip maps, Ive been to casino's all over the US and elsewhere. Ive hit the so called "big one" once and here's my story....

Now, what is the "Big One?" Well I deem it to be the highest paid line bet allowed by a machine. Not a win in a bonus round or mystery prize but 5 lined up symbols giving x amount of credits.

My "Big One" came in 2001 at Spirit Mountain Casino in Oregon. I was playing a .05¢ Monopoly Money Grab machine. 9 lines 1 coin total bet, so .45¢ a spin, ooh. I few spins and the the machine goes nutty. Money Bag wild symbols line up, 5 on line 9 Top right to Bottom Left. I'm watching the credits roll and excited as all heck. My mother is sitting about 15 machines away from me and I'm yelling at her, shes not paying any attention, finally I scream "Debbie", her head swings my way and she can see it in my face. She cashes out immediately.

The game is still just running off credits and I'm just taking in the sounds. I'm not touching the machine for nothing. My mother has finally made her way over and is excited for me as it finished rolling at around $750 or so. Now for a bet of .45¢ I'm just ecstatic.

The thing that I remember the most of the entire event though was the people around me, they were so mad and what I deemed to be just plain rude. Of course, I'm the only one in the whole bank of machines that's not playing at max bet. And wouldn't you know it, the lady right next to me, not happy for me at all, "You would have won $122,000 if you were playing max bet, like the rest of us." Owe, well thanks, glad to know that, Ill take my $700 and you have a good day.

Its funny. I see someone win $15 bucks on a machine and I'm happy for them. I'm wishing them the best. And the only person who seemed to be happy for me was my mom. Crazy! 21 year old kid, playing on a few bucks from a crap job, trying to have a good time, tears rolling down my face as I've already spent the money in my mind,(went to Massachusetts for two weeks and had a heck of a good time) and all this lady can say to me is "you would've." Whatever.

I guess it's because of this, that I wish everyone, especially those who have never hit the "Big One" the best, no matter how big or small the winning might be.

Are there any other penny players that have felt like this? Comments?

Until next time, Good Luck,
J
Colorado, USA

A working map

Just as I post the link to Flickr, I find a site to post my map to this page. At the bottom of my page is a new map with direct access to my photos.

I used trippermap.com it was very easy to set up and gives you the HTML coding to post directly. This is the free map but for a small fee there is a more advance map with better markers and mapping.

To access each of my photos just click the black icon on the map and it will bring them up.

Also, you can still go to my Flickr account for a more interactive view,

Enjoy,
J

Casino Blog ideas

So I spent time thinking about how and what I want to present. So far I have a few ideas and hopefully as time passes, this is the type of information and blogs you will find on casinoreview4fun.blogspot.com


1. Casino Reviews-Past and present reviews from a penny player prospective. Casino's that I have been to in the past and/or Casinos that are still on my play list.

2. New slot machines-either found on the casino floors or from the pages of Casino Player and Strictly Slots magazine, both great resources. I have been getting both of these magazines for about 3 years and love them. I was printed in the letters to editor section from an online question in Oct 2004 edition. Though I love these mag's, I also feel that they don't cover what I consider the common man casinos. I would love to go to the Casino covered from Vegas to AC, but I have my little Indian casinos in Oregon and my small yet satisfying gambling towns in Colorado, which get no coverage. Other than the weekly slot tournament at The Lodge Casino in BH at the back of the magazines.

3. $20 dollar review-This is the most fun for me. My thought is to give a play by play account (abbreviated of course) of my play at a certain casino and what I can accomplish on a $20 bank roll. Might not seem like much but if you playing those penny slots it could or might not last a long time. I figure if anything, you can live vicariously though my play or I can see how much money I waste in the same machines. After 5 different places it seems you always windup playing whatever machine hit for you last time, with the hope it will hit again.

4. Slot Machines: Behind the Bells and Whistles- This is one I really hope will happen. I want to interview anyone at a casino that is in charge of deciding what games end up on the floor and why. Most slot enthusiasts will read about all the new games being released during the Global Gaming Expo, but they don't end up on the floors, or you finally find the game you love and poof!!! Its gone. (Clue, based on the board game, is the one that got away for my wife. If anyone has seen a Clue Slot machine, please fill me in, That's a guaranteed trip for me!!!!!!!)

As time passes I hope more and more of you will read and enjoy my blogs. Please post any and all comments. blog ideas, questions on Colorado casinos. I will post and respond to as much as possible.

J