Four of the IGT slant-tops (red glass) have returned with 9/6 quarter Jacks. They are backing up the four remaining 8/5 Rapid Royals, right next to the stand alone change booth. That is it for quarter 9/6 Jacks. I will give 12 as the number of DDJ quarters left. They all hang out now in the same area south of Keno...maybe 12 of 28? Something completely new to add- There are four rows of Game Kings, all with matching markings, when walking in the front door. The foyer still is a trip with the waterfalls and real plants mixed in with the fake...pause and enjoy. Steve Wynn had something to do with this feature. Anyway, the first two rows have quarters as a base denomination...they suck. Rows three and four are nickel based. These 20+ GK have 12/8 (99.2%) Loose Deuces to play in nickels and dimes. It is probably a mistake since no LD exists at quarters. GNL has continued the same style mail for three owner incarnations.

*** MIA - *** (6) 25c Sigma 8/5 DJ uprights by slot club. (1) 25c Sigma 8/5 DJ upright mid-casino. (1) 25c Sigma 8/5 DJ slant-top by Cheetah's bar.

First, Cheetah's bar is gone man...along with my bartenders. GNL now has matching Game Kings in all three bars (Reef, Sand, Tarzans). So sad, 7/5 Bonus is the best play. You might get a beer in Tarzans that you can't get on the floor, like SN Pale Ale. On the floor-Kill all Sigma DJ.

All .25 9/6 JOB removed. Only one $1 9/6 JOB remains. Only one .25 wrap a royal left. Counted (12) .25 9/6/5 DDJ, but machines being moved a lot. Also need to report (1) .25 9/5 SDB (99.7%) located on back of row by center change booth. Could not find any .25 8/5 DJ - location and game details are unknown.

Bounceback mailers resumed in September ... about 0.5% total. Landrys has plans to add more rooms and their brand restaurants.

*** MIA - *** (4) 25c 9/6 JoB uprights (red glass) next to change booth/redemtion - location and game details are unknown. (2) 25c 9/6 JoB bartops at Cheetah's Bar in front of north most TV. (2) $1 9/6 JoB bartops at Cheetah's Bar in front of north most TV.

FWIW, some of the DDJ machines at the GN in Laughlin have been downgraded. ( I didn't realize it was out of date until I got back, so this is from memory.) The first three quarter machines,overlooking the escalator, are still 9/6; the fifth one down (exactly in the middle) is also 9/6. The other 5 at this bank are either 8/6 or 8/5 (they were creative). Some of the former quarter 9/6 DDJ were changed to $.50 and $1, all short-pay versions. (Variety of 9/5, 8/6 and 8/5; important to look before playing.)

The (2) .25 NSUD is history replaced with 9/5 DDB. The $1 Jacks in the Reef bartops is gone along with the $1 Bonus 7/5 progressives (not in DB now). The slot club day has reverted to 4am-4am. This is posted on the double point redemtion box at the slot club. The double point coupons also state this info. The bounceback postcards continue. I have received one for slots and another one for table play. Maybe adds .5% if I can cash all the coupons.

*** MIA - *** (1) $1 9/6 JoB bartop at Reef Bar in front of north most TV. (2) 25c NSUD Slant-tops overlooking escalator.

Barrick buying Golden Nugget

The reference of 4 .25 DDJ by Cheetahs bar is incorrect. They were moved by the other DDJ. GNL is changing slot cards/readers again. The point countdowns have stabilized. You still earn $2 in comps for every $1 in CB.

The inventory looks right. I am anticipating the bartops that are being installed in Tarzans/New Sportsbar. New cashback - Countdown on quarter VP is now 105 instead of 90, so a point is $26.25 coin-in. Dollars - the Jacks games had a 35/2 countdown, $17.50/point. But the bartop $1 Bonus 7/5 progressives were 45/2, or $22.50/point. A new postcard monthly promo with a bounceback feature started in February, about .5% total to cash the coupons. A couple of restaurant coupons complete the requirements. They stamp your postcard upon redemption. A completed postcard gets an entry into a $1k drawing and a cheap gift.

Golden Nugget, Laughlin: Only two (out of 8) .25 NSUD left around the top of the escalator but both have bad screens. Replaced by alternating 9/5 JB and Ugly Deuces. Not many .25 9/6 JB left in the whole place. Maybe 3 or 4. And those have exceptionally hard to read - whacked out screens as well.

Here are some games to add that have been on the floor for awhile. Everything else is stable. 4 - .25 IGT single game uprights (red glass), Jacks 9/6. Next to the Craps table/Change 6 - old Gamemakers with .25 Jacks 9/6. East-central windows overlooking the river. New owners, you still have MGM/Mirage Upgraded the beds. Bellagio hand-me-downs...Serta Pillow-top Perfect Sleepers, says so right on the tag.

when they got downgraded along with so many more machines. They didn't have such a hard fall as other plays. Who remembers that purge?