From: jacobs@cs.utah.edu (Steven R Jacobs)
Subject: Re: elko, nevada
In-reply-to: mbn@fps.com's message of 17 Apr 92 15:21:15 GMT
Organization: University of Utah CS Dept
Distribution: na
Date: 17 Apr 92 13:06:19

In article <MBN.92Apr17082115@hw1.fps.com> mbn@fps.com (Mike Northam) writes:
> >>>>> "mike" == Mike Bearden <mike@banana.fedex.com> writes:
>
>mike>   there are some cheap weekend junkets into elko, nevada.  before i
>mike> heard of these ads, i had never heard of the place.  can someone
>mike> please tell me about the casinos/gambling there?  I am particularly
>mike> interested in blackjack, i.e. # of decks, do they offer any single
>mike> deck games, minimum bets, etc.
>
> This is probably a FAQ candidate (Steve?).  It's been a while since I've
> been to Elko, and if anyone has any updates on this, let me know.

I wouldn't really call this a _frequent_ question, but I'll save a copy
of your reply and possibly add it to a future FAQ.

> Casino Express (800) 258-8800 or (800) 654-0888 in Canada, owned by the
> people who run the Elko Red Lion Inn, runs numerous junkets to Elko, NV.
> They own at least one Boeing 737 aircraft, and charter several others on
> weekends.  They fly from several western cities (Seattle, Bellingham,
> Spokane, Portland, Eugene, Salem, San Jose, Fresno, Modesto, Santa Maria,
> Ontario, Denver, Salt Lake City, etc.) and have multiple-day junkets from
> Canadian and midwest cities (Minneapolis, Mason City, etc.)

It has been a long time since they came to Salt Lake, they probably get
too much competition from Wendover to fill up their plane.

> The casino has BJ, single and double deck, Northern Nevada rules (H17, DD
> 10/11 only).  $5 minimum for single deck.  Penetration varies with the
> dealer, so there apparently isn't a house rule.

They have some lower limits, but the $3 tables are always crowded.

They also have a poker table, usually playing Hold'em ($2-$10 spread limit,
$2 and $4 blinds).  I played in this game last fall, and came out ahead.
This is a juicy game, because a lot of junket people see the game, watch
for a while, and decide they just *must* play "big time poker" in a real
casino.  Of course, most of them leave 20 minutes/$100 later, and the next
victim sits down.  The locals mostly play a loose game, so a careful
player can profit from this game just by waiting for quality cards (not
that a novice like me would know quality cards -- right Hal?).

They have this funny little rule when it comes to junket players, though.
The "junkies" :-) have to wear numbered badges so the casino employees
can spot them easily.  But, if they try to sit down at the poker table,
they are told by the dealer that they have to remove their junket badge
while playing poker.  I'd really like to know what that is all about.

> There is no heat
> whatsoever, so 10:1 spreads are no problem.  During the 'gambling frenzy'
> of the last few moments before the airport bus departs, *massive* spreads
> are possible--I've gone from $5 to $200 (40:1) no problem.  All the
> tables are *always* full, so two rounds of seven is all you'll see on the
> single deck.  There's also craps, roulette, and a small sports book.
> Keno for the truly adventuresome :-).

Thursday night is "hat night" at the Red Lion.  The give away caps and
coupons that night, and some prizes.  Some of the coupons are pretty
interesting.  One fun coupon is an "Ace in the hole".  Unfortunately,
it isn't accepted at the poker table, but if you use this coupon at
the BJ table, you get only _one_ card from the dealer, and the coupon
acts as an ace for your other card.  This is obviously an huge advantage
for the player.  Unfortunately, you are limited to a $5 bet.

Other than the junkets and the poker table, I'd avoid the Red Lion.
Room rate is $70, even during the week.  Not a bargain.
--
Steve Jacobs  ({bellcore,hplabs,uunet}!utah-cs!jacobs, jacobs@cs.utah.edu)
"Limit congressmen to two terms.  One in office.  One in jail."