You win some, then you leave

Who doesn't love to gamble, maybe just a little bit?

I'm not a big gambler at all but I do like to play the video slot machines at our local casino, especially the PENNY SLOTS! www.snocasino.com.

Last night, Jerill and I jumped into the Hybrid and headed off to gamble a little bit of dough at Snoqualmie Casino (it just opened in November 2008). We stopped by the bank and Jerill got $20 and I got $20 out - this was our allowance and budget for the evening. Basically, when you're playing the penny's, this means we had 2000 credits (sounds like a lot huh?!).

Jerill spent $8 on drinks to start - one red hook for him and one bud light for me. Then, we strolled along the slot-floor looking for the machine that was throwing off the right vibe, that is, that feeling that you will make a little bit of money tonight. We passed a row of 1/2 cent slots - yes, that's right; due to the economic downfall, the casinos are doing whatever they can to get people to part with their money, every one-half penny at a time if they have to.

We walked on by those 1/2 cent machines - even I'm not that cheap.

So, viola, I felt a draw toward a row of machines just past the cigar bar. The game: Cleopatra. The objective: to make money.

This game was awesome. You could hit bonus rounds where you touch the screen to win cash. I hit the bonus round 3 times! I won 600 pts, 1800 pts, and another 600 pts - each point being worth one penny. Then I won 20 free spins too that resulted in about 500 more points. So, in about 5-10 minutes of play at the same machine, I grew my Jackson to $55.45. Not too shabby I thought on penny slots.

I then got scared, thinking I would lose it all, so we went home. I will be using my extra $35 to pay for Pho lunches for the next few weeks - my coworkers and I go to Pho about once a week up in Mountlake Terrace / Shoreline (in fact, we just found a place that gives you the free cream puff for dessert! Okay, maybe I am that cheap!).

Jerill didn't fare as well. He spent his $8 on drinks, $1 on a tip, lost $5 at one machine in the high-roller section and pocketed the rest of the money (probably went to Starbucks today).

The secret, I've found, to slots is to play at lest 30-60 credits at a time. Wins will multiply by the variable of the credits you wagered. And, you can never win the adverised grand prize of $20K or more unless you bid the max, which is typically 100 to 150 credits (or more). Then those penny slots become a high roller type situation.

Here is the link to info about this particular machine that was quite fun to play. http://www.slotmachinefan.com/slot-machines/cleopatra/

Happy Gaming!

http://www.dshs.wa.gov/dasa/services/opplr/problemgamblingprgm.shtml

Dream Cars

Okay, not that my Hybrid isn't nice or anything, but I have to say I fell for a few cars at this year's Seattle Auto Show. Jerill and I went to the Show on Sunday with my parents, Carole and Arnold. I inherited my interest in cars from my parents who have probably had more cars that I care to count - some of which have been quite cool including a '67 Mustang, a Jag, an MG, and even a Model T. Here are some of the goodies from the show...

Okay, this is the Audi A8L - this is my dream car for commuting.
It's HUGE, comfortable and totally awesome. Quattro AWD, auto-everything.
And, it's really fast. MSRP around $87K to start.

Can't forget the new Aston Martin - same model as the one in the upcoming James Bond movie. This one will run you about $300K. This car is nice but I don't really WANT it like I want the Audi A8L or the other white one...

My Dad jumped into the 'fun' car they had at the show - the Flinstones Car. It was pretty plasticy but still pretty cute.
I believe it actually does run - although this one didn't appear to be powered by foot-power.

And, in my opinion, the creme de le creme of cars. The Porsche GT2. I've always loved the GT3 and this is their newest model into the line of Porsche Supercars. You can drive this as your every-day car, and then race it in Grand Prix events. Totally sexy, totally fast, totally Porsche. MSRP $197K



After the auto show, we decided to visit the new Snoqualmie Casino that just opened last Thursday. It was busy but bearable. We ate dinner in the Buffet as my parents are retired and LOVE buffets. This one is definitely better than the OCB (Old Country Buffet), and ALMOST as good as the Buffet in the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas. They offered a nice array of meats, seafood and Asian foods. Their desserts were pretty good (chocolate covered cream puffs and sundae bar). We didn't gamble one cent though. However, I will probably be back this week (Thurs?) to eat at the Sushi place in the Casino and try my luck at those 3 cent slot machines.