was just there this past weekend (June 6). VP selection is horrible, with one exception, but not worth the trip. I found one upright machine in the non-smoking area with the following: 5 cents denomination with 9/6 JoB, 9/7 DB, 16/10 deuces

*** MIA - *** $1 MG 9/6 JoB, 8/5 BP & 9/6 DDB in the non-smoking area. $1 MG 9/6 JoB, 8/5 BP & 9/6 DDB bank on the left as you first enter the casino.

The data base at the Black Oak Casino is way out of date, so I made a trip there today to check it out. First off, the $1 JOB etc. that is listed by the front door, was from the old building and I think I gave that information maybe 6 or 7 years ago.Here is what I found: 9/6 JOB and 8/5 BP in $.50 and $1 in a bank of 6 (3 back to back) triple play to the west of the table games. Another bank of 6 with the same games also west of table games, but closer and also in triple/five/ten play machines. $.25 and below on these machines are all short play. For the quarter player, I could not find much of anything. Everything was 6/5 ACES, 8/5 DDB and 9/6DB etc. . There are also two 17/7 Kings or better Joker games near the main entrance. Black Oak Casino was full of seniors, and I found out Wednesday was "senior day" with food discounts and a free slot tournament. This place is full of video slots, and vp is a little hard to find.

Black Oak is really a nice atmosphere, but you are right about there being few VP machines. My last stop a few months ago found the $1 FP machines all downgraded. I could not find any full pay mahinces in the place. They used to have some quarter triple play 8/5 BP, but they paid even money on two pair. ouch. They changed it to a 7/5 BP with 2 on 2 pair, so a bit of an improvement. Their market seems to be the slot player with a lot of bus loads of seniors.

Black Oak Casino phase 2 is now open. It is a very nice looking place inside, and very spacious. They have added a non smoking casino completly enclosed in glass with good ventilation. They have a small bar inside serving liquor after 10 AM daily. The last time I visited, they only had a few beers. Comp drinks for soft drinks and coffee. They now have two eating places, and a bowling alley, but it was not open when I was there. Gambling? This place caters to the slot players. They have very few VP machines. There were lots of busses bringing senior citizens from the valley, and I guess that is what they like. There are a few plays for the $1 player. I found 8/5 BP and 9/6 DDB in the non smoking area. You will find a bank of dollar VP machines east of the main bar. Two 9/6 JOB and a few 9/6 DDB. Quarter player? I thought I found a bank of 3 and 5 play machines with 8/5 BP, but after a few hands, I found it was a rip-off 8/5 paying only even money on two pairs. I am gone. The best play I found for the quarter player is a bank of VP near the front door. They had a few kings Joker Poker 17/7 (98.09%). They had added a slot club, but I don't know what the details are on the benefits. They were playing live entertainment, even on a Thursday morning. Nice set up for a lounge act. They have plans for a hotel next. I think it will take over the old casino.

Black Oak Casino now has player's club. One point = $1 and it looks like cash back is 10 basis points (0.10%).

This is a relatively new casino that is in the midst of an expansion. For phase II, the casino is adding a bowling alley, new resturants, gift center, a kid's acarde to provide "family" fun. This casino is located off E17, 10 minutes east of Sonora (highway 49). BO is about 15 minutes from Chicken Ranch. This upscale casino has about 800 machines with about 90% being IGT slots. All the slots are the ones you would see in Las Vegas or Reno. It's an amazing reno-styled casino if you have money to burn. The service is great. I don't have enough experience to opine on the promotions. There is no slot club so I gave it a "0" for comp dollars and Cashback. My ratings are*: VP Game inventory**: 4 Comp dollars: 0 Cashback: 0 Service: 7.5 Promotions: N/A TiTo: Yes Other Info: Restuarant offers a good value. * 1-10 scale where a "10" is I'm parked there 24/7, a "7" is on my playlist, and a "5" is average. ** I gave a "4" because 9/6 JOBs are available only in dollars. It's 8/5 at the 0.25 level.

I just returned from a trip to the Black Oak Casino in Tuolumne Ca. Best machines: $1. They have a bank of 10 back to back on the left as you first enter the casino. In that bank are 9/6 JOB (2) 8/5 BP and 9/6 DB. The .25 8/5 JOB machines are to the left of the bar.