Elizabeth and I spent an hour or so at Del Lago casino near Cayuga Lake. We attended a Memorial service for Jacky Corey Smith, an old college friend in King Ferry, and we went up and got a hotel for the night before.
It was a losing trip. I dropped more than $500 over the three days I played. Well, they can't all be winning trips.
I left home about ten in the morning in pouring rain, but that lightened up along the way and later the sun came out. It was not hard driving. The GPS got me close to the Super 8, cut I did not have the full address and just guessed at a crossroad.
ROOM AT SUPER 8
This was quite a bargain at $60 a night, including tax. I paid more for the nearby Wyndom Micro hotel just down from the casino last time, and that was not nearly as comfortable. That used to be a great place, but it has changed and isn't worth the money.
I asked for a quiet room at the Super 8 and they gave me the last on the first floor hallway, so I only had one neighbor and it was quiet. Some noise from the door there which was not the main entrance, but a popular side entrance. And some street noise of passing cars that did not bother me.
However for my late morning nap there was lots of noise from one of those beeping trucks doing some nearby construction and other equipment.
Luckily, I had brought my noise reduction earphones and although they were a bit awkward at first for sleeping, I got the pillows arranged and dozed off for a good long nap.
The hotel was very clean. I had a king bed that was huge. The bed was very comfortable.
However, on two days they had trouble keeping the internet working and the TV is also on that.
On the third morning the waffle dough holder and dispenser was broken. The orange juice was out. There were very few pastries in packages. The last day they replaced the waffle dough dispenser. But the Microwave was out of order with a broken revolving glass plate . I had a leftover piece of pepper steak to warm up. So I used my $1.25 plate in the microwave and that worked to warm up the meat. There was always coffee
I would not count on the breakfast here.
My key failed twice and needed a reswipe. I had kept it separate from any other keys, so I don't understand what caused the problem.
There were many stations on the television. They were a bit hard to navigate, but once I figured it out, I could get something I liked. No TCM however.
I watched old Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
The television is not a huge screen. Big enough and clear.
One day I had to go for fresh remote batteries, but the desk had them. That was an easy fix.
There is no room phone. That is a bit disconcerting as I like to have access to the front desk in an emergency, but I do have my phone. I picked up a manager's card with the front desk number as well.
Going on the internet to find front desks in hotels is very hard these days. The numbers are for booking services and they know nothing about the property.
I often use one of my old printed American Casino Guides for front desk numbers for casinos. Generally, they have not changed over the years.
The driving route to the casino is pretty easy. Just get on route 12 and follow it until you get to the left turn off for the Mohegan Sun. My GPS wanted me to go a more confused route, but I just stuck to the advice of the desk clerk the first day, taking a guess at when to turn left. That worked fine. Then I used the GPS the second day with highways off and that got I-95 out of the picture, but the GPS still took me winding through a town. More direct is just route 12 to the left turn, but I find it hard to find that turn.
I do have trouble finding my way even with the new GPS. I use it so seldom that I have not really explored all the choices.
My last night I was coming home in the dark and had inadvertently erased the history, so I did not have the Super 8 to easily click.
I got lost.
I stopped once at a grocery and some young fellows helped me on my way.
But I was still lost and stopped at a truck stop on the highway. A man talked me through how I should get to the motel, and that worked. I made it home.
I should have brought the address up on my phone and then typed it in the GPS.
My phone does not work with the car radio as a GPS. It won't talk to me. Getting lost like this is what sent me home early from the last Mohegan trip.
Now I just stay with it until I figure it out. And I don't usually drive at night. This was my last night and the time got away from me.
Partly that was because I got lost trying to find the Bank of America which was just 2 miles away. It took me a long time to finally understand where to go from the hotel.
At home is seems the phone Gps will talk to me if the sound on the radio is OFF. Very odd. Usually, they program it so the GPS voice breaks in on music.
This may be the issue I had last time.
I'll use the GPS on trips around here and see if that works.
WADSWORTH ATHENUM in Hartfort.
On the way down, I had managed to easily find the Wadsworth Athenum in Hartford and had a fine tour of the place, free with my Clark membership.
Parking was free on Sunday and I got a spot very near the museum. People there were very welcoming and friendly.
I did not expect to find a Goya, nor do I remember this one of two women gossiping, although the face of the woman facing us was very familiar, being much like the faces in the tapestry paintings.
I was also impressed with all the ceramics, many from the 1700's.
When I left there and headed to the Super 8, I did not have a clear destination in my GPS and it was a bit annoying not to really know where I was. As it turned out, I had picked a cross street that was very close to the Super 8. I also talked to Elizabeth and she told me where I would find the Super 8 from where I was.
I misplaced the Chartok-Seeger interviews, so I listened for the most part to Kep Mo, the Suitcases album. Most of the numbers were new to me. I do love him.
I was down to almost no gas and stopped and filled up for almost $50.
The traffic was heavy in some places and light in others. It was not as deserted as I thought a rainy Sunday might be, but it was not too hard either.
Once again I was wrestling with my steering wheel and wondering what was up. As it turned out, there must be a setting where the car keeps itself centered between the lines. Once I figured that out, I let the car do its thing. But I think I'll find out how to turn that off. I like to ride just a bit more over to the right of the lane.
FOOD
I brought a good bit of food from home, but that was not necessary. In the hotel is the free breakfast with waffle. Not much, but enough with some carry out nutrition bars to snack on during the day. Unfortunately, someone broke the waffle dispenser of dough. And getting things fixed here seems to be no one's job. However, the refrigerator held my left overs and the microwave in the lounge heated them up.
I got lost again finding the Mirch Masala Indian restaurant I wanted to try. It took me a while
I had a rolled lamb with a very spicy sauce on the side. I loved it. I had some garlic nan and a mango yogurt milkshake that was just grand.
I liked the ambiance of the restaurant with India music playing and quite a few Indian guests.
However, they took longer to serve me than I ever remember it taking in years.
I was worried that I might have to drive in the dark, but I made it out just in time and it was only a couple minutes to the Super 8.
If I returned to this restaurant, I'd go for the buffet where the eating could start right after the sitting.
And the price is less.
I brought some back and put it in the refrigerator and had it for breakfast when the waffle dispenser broke.
I also went to the Groton Townhouse restaurant just a couple blocks down from the hotel. I got a great grilled prime rib, mashed potatoes, broccoli, a wonderful chicken tortellini soup and a slice of pie for dessert, all for about $30. It could easily have bed two people. The cut of meat was very large and very tasty.
Also, I could go there for supper and not have a long drive back to the hotel in the dark.
Unlike the Indian place, the meal came in record time.They don't charge an extra fee on credit cards.
The second day I was going to search out the Lobster in the Rough place, but I ran out of energy and went again to the Groton Family restaurant for a second good meal.
This time I had the steak au pouve. I knew it would not be the French version because there would be no brandy in the sauce. It was rich in sauce, however, and tasty, but not as good as the grilled prime rib. Same good service and this time I had baklava for desert made fresh that day. Very good.
I ordered medium rare the first time. It was a bit too medium.
I explained that, but the next time it was a bit too rare. Well, the left overs cooked up a bit to medium rare.
I had stopped earlier for some juice at a dollar store and some more seltzer at Job Lots. And I bought combs and a ceramic plate.
I'm half tempted to go to the Groton Townhouse place for a nice breakfast. I looked at the menu and it looked good.
My last night I used up my Mohegan Sun points at a place called Bobby's Burger Palace
https://mohegansun.com/poi/dining/bobby-s-burger-palace.html
GAMBLING
I played 1-2 NL and a bit of 3-6 limit when a table opened up.
Games varied from very hard to extremely easy.
However, I am making mistakes more often now.
There is a large bad beat, but no other high hand awards on the days I was here. Sometimes there is one, perhaps a couple times a month. Foxwoods had the bad beat hit just before I arrived.
One hand I remember was 4 kings. No high hand awards here. I need this hand in Florida.
Another hand I thought I had pocket queens that went to trips. I bet $50 on the river. My opponent had pocket kings. He folded and showed, so I showed my Q-8, surprised as my opponent. These are cards I don't play. I must have just read them wrong in the pocket.
By luck that was a good bluff.
But it also tells me that I make some really stupid mistakes. Age is a factor, I guess, as I'm more confused with everything.
I was up and down.
For VP I played at the bar Harvest Moon. I had to be careful not to play too many coins. I decided to play JOB this trip because the volatility is less than the DDB and the payback was a bit higher overall for JOB. I think Rivers in Schenectady has a higher DDB. But there, if I lose quickly, I just go home. Here I wanted to play.
The bar served cans of one of my favorite NA beers, Sam Adams Just the Haze. They have dropped Adirondack. Nice to get the Sam when out for just a dollar tip. They opened the cold can and I could pour it in a frosted glass.
I liked this spot and played there last trip, so I did not search out any other VPFree suggestions. I don't think this bar is mentioned in the VP free notes.
A fellow hit a royal while playing next to me. He was thrilled. He hit it playing dollars, so it was quite a payout.
SECOND DAY
Now down $450, a real tough day.
I lost $220 in the 1-2 NL. It was a great table with a couple beginners. But I did not get cards. One player, Jay, liked to bet big and push people out. Annoying. He also found fault with every way the games were run. When I joined, I asked for the blinds to come around before I played my first hand, and Jay grumbled and complained.
In the end, I lost to a young fellow who I thought was bluffing as I had seen him do often against others. I have to remember that when I play tight for a long while, the other players give my bets respect. I tried to push him out of a pot with an all-in and he had trip Queens. No chance of that.
I lost $230 in VP. I tried a DDB in nickle triple play and it just took most of my money. I did hit 4 Aces with kicker but it was too late. I quit and went back to my game at the Harvest Moon bar. There I lost $150 on JOB.
Still, it was a long day of playing and I had some fun. The bartenders at that bar are just grand.
Leaving the poker room and turning left on the circular pathway, I had to walk quite a ways and pass two other bars. I still don't have a good way of finding it.
Wednesday was a bit better but still a losing day. I won at NL, but not much. I won a bit at Ultimate X VP but it would not give me the multipliers, so I quit.
It did deal me four Deuces with Ace kicker.
I was dealt a straight flush in diamonds, the wheel at the Harvest Moon, but it does not pay much.
One other quad came my way.
Comp was $21 for free hamburger at Bobby's Burger Palace. I had a burger with cheese and bacon and crumpled potato chips. Potato chips can be added to any burger at no cost. I also had some buttermilk onion rings which were perfect. They gave me a free drink as well.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT MOHEGAN SUN
It is very easy to navigate by following the circular pathway. Bathrooms are well marked and frequent.
Everything is rich in decoration. Nothing is dull. I love the look of it, very Indian looking. Even the poker room is decorated.
Bathrooms are in the poker room and easy to find.
Parking at the Summer garage makes finding the poker room very easy.
Sam Adams Just the Haze is perhaps my favorite NA beer. I can't get it in the poker room and the NA I can get there comes in a very tiny draft size glass. But at the Harvest Moon bar it is easy to get. Same dollar tip.
I can usually find my way to the casino and back again. The driving is generally not on buys highway roads. Once I am on route 12, the driving is easy.
Poker room players are varied. Some are not very good. Most tables the bets are reasonable until some asshole comes who wants to bully out the other players. Then I get up and leave. Leaving is easy because there is the VP where the odds stay the same.
COMING HOME
I went to Mark Twain's House and museum in Hartford on my way home. Again this gave me a good driving break.
The GPS took me perfectly until it delivered me a few blocks away, announcing this was my destination. A fellow doing lawns was nice enough to look up the Mark Twain house and gave me good verbal directions. Every once in a while this GPS is just wrong.
The fellow at the ticket counter knew nothing about my membership at the Clark getting me free admission. It took a while for him to understand. I've gotten so that I just keep insisting. Finally, he arranged for a ticket, which I never actually got. But he was the tour guide and I went on the tour and through the little museum rooms with interesting displays.
I took notes at the Twain museum and forgot them.
I remember that Twain came in 1871 to be close to his publisher in Hartford, and he had the house built in 1874.
It was very ornate with dark wooden walls in many places and an intricate bed of cupids, and a wonderful wooden bed that would not fit in the room, so he had the top mounted above the door.
Twain did a good bit of writing in the billiard room. Strange, but there he did not feel distracted.
The GPS took me home without a glitch.
I left home about ten in the morning in pouring rain, but that lightened up along the way and later the sun came out. It was not hard driving. The GPS got me close to the Super 8, cut I did not have the full address and just guessed at a crossroad.
ROOM AT SUPER 8
This was quite a bargain at $60 a night, including tax. I paid more for the nearby Wyndom Micro hotel just down from the casino last time, and that was not nearly as comfortable. That used to be a great place, but it has changed and isn't worth the money.
I asked for a quiet room at the Super 8 and they gave me the last on the first floor hallway, so I only had one neighbor and it was quiet. Some noise from the door there which was not the main entrance, but a popular side entrance. And some street noise of passing cars that did not bother me.
However for my late morning nap there was lots of noise from one of those beeping trucks doing some nearby construction and other equipment.
Luckily, I had brought my noise reduction earphones and although they were a bit awkward at first for sleeping, I got the pillows arranged and dozed off for a good long nap.
The hotel was very clean. I had a king bed that was huge. The bed was very comfortable.
e, a mild blend. However, I would not count on the breakfast here.
My key failed twice and needed a reswipe. I had kept it separate from any other keys, so I don't undertand what caused the problem.
There were many stations on the television. They were a bit hard to navigate, but once I figured it out, I could get something I liked. No TCM however.
I watched old Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
The television is not a huge screen. Big enough and clear.
One day I had to go for fresh remote batteries, but the desk had them. That was an easy fix.
There is no room phone. That is a bit disconcerting as I like to have access to the front desk in an emergency, but I do have my phone. I picked up a manager's card with the front desk number as well.
Going on the internet to find front desks in hotels is very hard these days. The numbers are for booking services and they know nothing about the property.
I often use one of my old printed American Casino Guides for front desk numbers for casinos. Generally, they have not changed over the years.
The driving route to the casino is pretty easy. Just get on route 12 and follow it until you get to the left turn off for the Mohegan Sun. My GPS wanted me to go a more confused route, but I just stuck to the advice of the desk clerk the first day, taking a guess at when to turn left. That worked fine. Then I used the GPS the second day with highways off and that got I-95 out of the picture, but the GPS still took me winding through a town. More direct is just route 12 to the left turn, but I find it hard to find that turn.
I do have trouble finding my way even with the new GPS. I use it so seldom that I have not really explored all the choices.
My last night I was coming home in the dark and had inadvertently erased the history, so I did not have the Super 8 to easily click.
I got lost.
I stopped once at a grocery and some young fellows helped me on my way.
But I was still lost and stopped at a truck stop on the highway. A man talked me through how I should get to the motel, and that worked. I made it home.
I should have brought the address up on my phone and then typed it in the GPS.
My phone does not work with the car radio as a GPS. It won't talk to me. Getting lost like this is what sent me home early from the last Mohegan trip.
Now I just stay with it until I figure it out. And I don't usually drive at night. This was my last night and the time got away from me.
Partly that was because I got lost trying to find the Bank of America which was just 2 miles away. It took me a long time to finally understand where to go from the hotel.
At home is seems the phone Gps will talk to me if the sound on the radio is OFF. Very odd. Usually, they program it so the GPS voice breaks in on music.
This may be the issue I had last time.
I'll use the GPS on trips around here and see if that works.
WADSWORTH ATHENUM in Hartfort.
On the way down, I had managed to easily find the Wadsworth Athenum in Hartford and had a fine tour of the place, free with my Clark membership.
Parking was free on Sunday and I got a spot very near the museum. People there were very welcoming and friendly.
I did not expect to find a Goya, nor do I remember this one of two women gossiping, although the face of the woman facing us was very familiar, being much like the faces in the tapestry paintings.
I was also impressed with all the ceramics, many from the 1700's.
When I left there and headed to the Super 8, I did not have a clear destination in my GPS and it was a bit annoying not to really know where I was. As it turned out, I had picked a cross street that was very close to the Super 8. I also talked to Elizabeth and she told me where I would find the Super 8 from where I was.
I misplaced the Chartok-Seeger interviews, so I listened for the most part to Kep Mo, the Suitcases album. Most of the numbers were new to me. I do love him.
I was down to almost no gas and stopped and filled up for almost $50.
The traffic was heavy in some places and light in others. It was not as deserted as I thought a rainy Sunday might be, but it was not too hard either.
Once again I was wrestling with my steering wheel and wondering what was up. As it turned out, there must be a setting where the car keeps itself centered between the lines. Once I figured that out, I let the car do its thing. But I think I'll find out how to turn that off. I like to ride just a bit more over to the right of the lane.
My room was quiet and on the end of the first floor corridor. Very nice. The AC is quiet. The refrigerator works fine and is the larger size so left overs fit in it and there is a microwave in the lounge for use at any time. Everything is very clean. It is a King bed and must be a Deluxe King as it is huge.
All of the people were friendly. One Asian woman did not speak English well enough for any detailed questions.
I left the “Do not disturb” on the door and no one cleaned the room. I always feel safer with no one entering the room when I am away.
Towels were a bit scant. I must remember to bring washcloths or ask for them.
FOOD
I brought a good bit of food from home, but that was not necessary. In the hotel is the free breakfast with waffle. Not much, but enough with some carry out nutrition bars to snack on during the day. Unfortunately, someone broke the waffle dispenser of dough. And getting things fixed here seems to be no one's job. However, the refrigerator held my left overs and the microwave in the lounge heated them up.
I got lost again finding the Mirch Masala Indian restaurant I wanted to try. It took me a while
I had a rolled lamb with a very spicy sauce on the side. I loved it. I had some garlic nan and a mango yogurt milkshake that was just grand.
I liked the ambiance of the restaurant with India music playing and quite a few Indian guests.
However, they took longer to serve me than I ever remember it taking in years.
I was worried that I might have to drive in the dark, but I made it out just in time and it was only a couple minutes to the Super 8.
If I returned to this restaurant, I'd go for the buffet where the eating could start right after the sitting. And the price is less.
I brought some back and put it in the refrigerator and had it for breakfast when the waffle dispenser broke.
I also went to the Groton family restaurant just a couple blocks down from the hotel. I got a great grilled prime rib, mashed potatoes, broccoli, a wonderful chicken tortellini soup and a slice of pie for dessert, all for about $30. It could easily have bed two people. The cut of meat was very large and very tasty.
Also, I could go there for supper and not have a long drive back to the hotel in the dark.
Unlike the Indian place, the meal came in record time.
They don't charge an extra fee on credit cards. At least yet.
The second day I was going to search out the Lobster in the Rough place, but I ran out of energy and went again to the Groton Family restaurant.
This time I had the steak au pouve. I knew it would not be the French version because there would be no brandy in the sauce. It was rich in sauce, however, and tasty, but not as good as the grilled prime rib. Same good service and this time I had baklava for desert made fresh that day. Very good.
I had stopped earlier for some juice at a dollar store and some more seltzer at Job Lots. So, I'll have a good drink of juice tomorrow even if the hotel is out of orange as they were today.
I'm half tempted to go to the Groton Townhouse place for a nice breakfast. I looked at the menu and it looked good.
My last night I used up my Mohegan Sun points at a place called Bobby's Burger Palace
GAMBLING
I played 1-2 NL and a bit of 3-6 limit when a table opened up.
Games varied from very hard to extremely easy.
However, I am making mistakes more often now.
There is a large bad beat, but no other high hand awards on the days I was here. Sometimes there is one, perhaps a couple times a month.
One hand I remember was 4 kings.
Another hand I thought I had pocket queens that went to trips. I bet $50 on the river. My opponent had pocket kings. He folded and showed, so I showed my Q-8, surprised as my opponent. These are cards I don't play. I must have just read them wrong in the pocket.
By luck that was a good bluff.
I was up and down.
For VP I played at the bar Harvest Moon. I had to be careful not to play too many coins. I decided to play JOB this trip because the volatility is less than the DDB and the payback was a bit higher overall for JOB. I think Rivers in Schenectady has a higher DDB. But there, if I lose quickly, I just go home. Here I wanted to play.
The bar served cans of one of my favorite NA beers, Sam Adams Just the Haze. They have dropped Adirondack. Nice to get the Sam when out for just a dollar tip.
I liked this spot and played there last trip, so I did not search out any other VPFree suggestions.?? I don't think this bar is mentioned in the VP free notes.
SCORES
FIRST DAY
Down $100, most of it NL poker. I did not keep good records dividing the numbers between games.
SECOND DAY
Now down $450, a real tough day.
I lost $220 in the 1-2 NL. It was a great table with a couple beginners. But I did not get cards. One player, Jay, liked to bet big and push people out. Annoying. He also found fault with every way the games were run. When I joined, I asked for the blinds to come around before I played my first hand, and Jay grumbled and complained.
In the end, I lost to a young fellow who I thought was bluffing as I had seen him do often against others. I have to remember that when I play tight for a long while, the other players give my bets respect. I tried to push him out of a pot with an all-in and he had trip Queens. No chance of that.
I lost $230 in VP. I tried a DDB in nickle triple play and it just took most of my money. I did hit 4 Aces with kicker but it was too late. I quit and went back to my game at the bar. There I lost $150 on JOB.
Still, it was a long day of playing and I had some fun. The bartenders at that bar are just grand.
It is called Harvest Moon bar.
Leaving the poker room and turning left on the circular pathway, I had to walk quite a ways and pass two other bars. I still don't have a good way of finding it.
Wednesday was a bit better but still a losing day. I won at NL, but not much. I won a bit at Ultimate X VP but it would not give me the multipliers, so I quit.
It did deal me four Deuces with Ace kicker.
I was dealt a straight flush in diamonds, the wheel at the Harvest Moon, but it does not pay much.
One other quad.
SCORE WEDNESDAY
Won $49 at NL poker.
Won $20 at video poker nickles
Lost $220 at JOB at Harvest Moon bar/
$450 plus $220 equals $670 minus $60 minus $9 means the trip cost $610.
Comp was $21 for free hamburger at Bobby's Burger Palace. I had a burger with cheese and bacon and crumpled potato chips. Potato chips can be added to any burger at no cost. I also had some buttermilk onion rings which were perfect.
COMING HOME
I went to Mark Twain's House and museum in Hartford on my way home. Again this gave me a good driving break.
The GPS took me perfectly until it delivered me a few blocks away, announcing this was my destination. A fellow doing lawns was nice enough to look up the Mark Twain house and gave me good verbal directions. Every once in a while this GPS is just wrong.
The fellow at the ticket counter knew nothing about my membership at the Clark getting me free admission. It took a while for him to understand. I've gotten so that I just keep insisting. Finally, he arranged for a ticket, which I never actually got. But he was the tour guide and I went on the tour and through the little museum rooms with interesting displays.
I took notes at the Twain museum and forgot them.
I remember that Twain came in 1871 to be close to his publisher in Hartford, and he had the house built in 1874.
It was very ornate with dark wooden walls in many places and an intricate bed of cupids, and a wonderful wooden bed that would not fit in the room, so he had the top mounted above the door.
The GPS took me home without a glitch.
I played 1-3 NL again after not playing for quite a few visits.
I thought a Saturday afternoon might offer a softer game, and perhaps it did, but I still had issues with playing underchipped.
I put just $100 on the table in a 1-3 game. My second hand I had pocket kings, and after the flop, my bully opponent bet half my bankroll.
So, I went All In.
The turn was a Queen
The river was an Ace.
I thought certainly I had lost, but I won and doubled up. So strange!
I played for a couple hours, playing tight. I raised only once, again with pocket Kings, and given my tight reputation, everyone folded for just a $3 raise.
Perhaps I need to make a few bluff $3 raises and then show nothing after they fold.
Even when I knew I had the nut full house, I did not go all-in on the river, but settled for a value bet of $30 against one opponent. I felt lucky to get it.
In the end, I cashed out $108 ahead.
I liked playing, but I find it the most difficult poker. There is always at least one bully bettor who pushes every hand.
This time I moved my seat, so that I played directly after he played, and with that information, usually I could play a lower stakes game. Under the gun, I generally just folded.
I thought of going all the way to Turning Stone and playing the limit game there, but I would never win $108 in that game. However, I could play longer.
It adds a lot to the driving there and back.
++++++++++++++++++++++
My buddy advises me to just play VP because that is where I seem to be winning money.
Today was no exception.
I played a couple hours on DDB, hit two hands of Quad Aces with kicker and walked away with a profit of $700.
I only had one other quad, 8's. Full houses came at a good rate and that helps because this is a 10-6 game.
I guess skipping the live poker might be my best option in terms of winning money. But a live table has some pleasures that isolated gambling does not.
So, I'm thinking.
In the meantime, this was a grand visit and a great day.
*****************************
Here is a hint if you visit Rivers.
The live poker room is cold from too much AC. Bring an extra layer.
The casino is hot. Dress for summer.
I decided to get a room and stay overnight at Turning Stone to protect against Canadian smoke, to catch a Johnny Cash/Jerry Lee Lewis concert/ and to play the 3-6 limit poker there.
I arrived about noon on Saturday. There was no early check-in, not then and not an hour later, so I checked my luggage and went to start the 4 hours of poker that would bring the room rate down to $142 rather than the rack rate of over $400. I'm sure no one actually pays that price, but it looks good to those who get free rooms.
I had put my name on a list at the poker room, but by the time I got back, it was gone because the game started. Luckily, there were still seats.
Then I had one of the worst hours of poker in my life. For over an hour I won no hands, nor would the cards I folded ever won except one hand where 4-6 of hearts made a winning flush one the river.
I was so happy that I had picked the limit game, and not tried to play 4 hours of no limit.
Still the limit cost me almost $300 over 5 hours of play. That is a lot from limit. I had not been loose nor made any mistakes. I just got drained with no cards.
The fellow next to me was named Larry and was very friendly. He was happy when I finally took a pot as he noticed the money was just going out.
The weakest player was a woman who had been in the Army. I took three pots from her, and she stayed with me all the way on each one. Others made the pots smaller because I had played so tight that once I bet, they folded.
My 5-4 of diamonds in the big blind caught two pair on the flop and they held up. Three people followed me with many outs, but ending with just a high pair.
I should have showed the winner and announced that these were my favorite cards. It is a good ruse. I forgot table image.
In general, the table was full of regulars who knew each other, but in limit that is not the problem it is in no limit.
Twice I had tripped and won the pot, but did not draw a river card to make high hand. Once I bet with nines, two of the three dropped out, but Larry let me see the river. He just called to be nice.
He told me with just two in a hand he never would bet, unless his opponent bet. Then we would raise if he had a monster hand.
I don't usually agree to check it down with just two on the river, but I did this with Larry to thank him for calling me when I had nines.
The table was full of good humor and friendly. I'd go to play again.
Turning Stone poker room comps a fine orange juice, large and with little ice.
I was anxious about my being in the system and that information getting to the hotel counter. It seems the poker room calls each night, but if the system failed, I would not have another 4 hours to play with the concert taking up most of the night.
I kept asking if I was in the system.
I also went to the desk when I was done, and asked them to call the poker room to see if everything worked well.
It all worked. In the old days the brush just gave us a slip of paper and we carried it to the hotel desk. I like that better.
THE ROOM
Great room. Comfortable king bed. Nice in every way except no refrigerator. I could charge my phone through the clock.
THE CONCERT
Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis.
Jerry performed first. I can't judge how well he imitated because I have not seen much of the original Jerry Lee Lewis, but his act seemed close to what I see on Utube of the original.
He played a much older Jerry than the young man who played the character in the play I saw last week at the Berkshire Theater.
I enjoyed both.
What was anxiety producing was using my phone as my ticket. I paid $54 for very good seats on Ticketmaster (Turning Stone the same day wanted $100). Folks sitting next to me had paid $85.
However, I had to find my tickets on the phone and scan them into machines. It was not simple. It took three screens to finally find the tickets. One of the ushers at the event helped me. Also, I arrived as the doors opened at 7PM for a show at 8PM and once seated, I stayed seated..
They were fine seats about 13 rows back, just where the stage was at eye level. I was happy to not be any closer to the stage.
But I had great conversation with a young couple about Vegas and other casinos, and about traveling. They hoped to travel, but were not so far in a position to do that.
I usually don't have endurance to sit for three hours, but without certain meds that day and little to drink, I was comfortable.
Also, a woman with tickets to D25 thought I was in her seat. It took awhile before she got it that I was in the N row. I was happy not to have to wait for the phone to load and then try again to see the ticket.
I had some talkers next to me. That was annoying.
Still, I had a great time.
EVENING AT TURNING STONE
At home I am generally asleep by 10 AM, but it is rare I have the chance to walk about the casino late night.
I walk in a strange wooble, especially when I am tired. A worker came up to me, probably thinking I was drunk, and engaged me in conversation. I guess I sounded sober enough.
He asked me if I were winning and I shook my head "no" and oddly he said, "Well, save enough for gasoline" I guess I looked pretty rugged.
Part of that was my warm jacket. I had been cold in the casino and put on this grey jacket from my old Vegas days. It is probably 30 years old, but works great. It came from the Silverton Casino. With points I paid 18 cents for it. Those days are gone.
I had brought a shirt an tie to wear, but trying to get checked in and make the concert held me up. That would not have been visible anyway.
I lost $200 playing Ultimate X VP, first in quarters (3 play)and then in nickles(5 play). I just could not get away from that DDB. Great fun with multipliers. I won money last visit. Not this one.
I liked walking around and seeing all the gambling and the games and all the people full of celebration. It reminded me of being there with Mike and Robin, decades ago and wandering between coupons.
One very interesting looking waitress who was certainly at least 6.5 feet tall.
EMERALD CAFE
I had eaten breakfast before I left home, but only a handful of cashews since, so I went to get supper when the concert ended, at 10PM. at the Emerald Cafe.
I like this place.
I used my $5 poker.
The clam chowder was great.
The carrots were cut lengthwise and well displayed and tasty.
The meatloaf special was spiced with something that tasted just okay, but the whole deal did not sit well with me. I had indigestion all night.
I went to bet at 2AM, but only slept until 5AM, waking with the indigestion and a migraine I could not treat because the pills would further upset my stomach.
I don't mind losing at gambling, but waking up basically feeling hung over after drinking no alcohol seems a bit unfair. Well, the random universe doesn't give a damn about "fair" and gambling teaches me that each time I play poker.
So, I just decided to give it up.
I missed my pool swim and missed stopping at the Arkell art museum on my way home.
But I drove out of the weather and the headache lessened, so I stopped at Rivers to play some high pay table DDB.
I was up and down for a couple hours and finally hit 3333A for $200, and went home up $160, bringing my two day gambling losses down to $340.
I had driven out of the weather and the weather now had followed me and the head ache was back, so I headed home earlier than I had planned.
In spite of not feeling well in part, I really had a great time.
