Best ways to Seven Stars or "Diamond in a Day" for Caesars properties around the US

[Dan Druff]

Lake Tahoe (updated December 28, 2022)

Lake Tahoe was long of the best options you had to earn Diamond or Seven Stars at Caesars. Unfortunately, they removed the good machines (99.54% return and above) in December 2022, and this market is now just mediocre.

In case you're wondering, semi-nearby Harrah's Northern California (Ione) has no machines which are even semi-decent, so don't bother with that property.



Harrah's Lake Tahoe

25-15-9-4-4 Deuces Wild ("LV Airport Deuces") $1/credit 1-play (98.91% return). Will take you 10 hours or so to earn 2500 tier credits -- maybe more if you're not that familiar with Deuces. At the California Bar.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $545
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5450



Harvey's Lake Tahoe

8-5 Bonus Poker 1-play, $1 per credit (99.17% return). There are six $1 progressive machines near the poker room (they are slant tops). There are four upright $1/$2/$5 machines (1 play) near the elevators. This is a 99.17% theoretical return, and is the best machine in Tahoe, but the $1/credit thing will make earning very slow.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $415
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4150

9-6 Double Double Bonus, $1/$2/$5 per credit (98.98% return). There are some of these near the poker room, and others by the elevator. This is the best option if you want to earn Diamond relatively quickly (will take about 2 hours at $5/credit).
Average loss getting to Diamond: $510
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5100

9-5 Jacks or Better 3 play, $0.25/$0.50/$1 per credit (98.45% return). Located by elevators. This will take you about 3.5 hours if you triple play at the $1 level, but this isn't a very good return. Still better than Double Double Bonus if you don't have that much tougher strategy memorized.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $775
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $7750

[Dan Druff]

Laughlin (Updated December 29, 2022)

Harrah's Laughlin still has a few playable machines. Laughlin is located 95 miles southeast of Las Vegas, and is kind of like a mini-Vegas aimed at working class people. There's also the Colorado River there. It gets brutally hot in the summer, sometimes topping 120.

8-5 Bonus Poker $5/$10 per credit, 1-play (99.17% return). There are only two of these in the high limit room. The rest of the machines on property pay below 98.5%.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $415
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4150




Tropicana Laughlin is now a Caesars property.

8-5 Bonus Poker $1/$2/$5 per credit, 1-play (99.17% return). You can find that machine in the Grand Junction high-end area surrounding the bar. The rest of the machines on property pay below 98.5%.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $415
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4150

[Dan Druff]

Reno

(Added December 28. 2022)

Caesars increased its presence in Reno by their merger with Eldorado Gaming. They closed Harrah's Reno, but now have Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Reno, and Silver Legacy. Circus Circus is useless for video poker, but Eldorado is the best option in the country right now.


El Dorado

8-5 Super Aces, $1 per credit, 5-25 coins (99.94% return). This is a great game. It has almost 100% return, relatively intuitive strategy (a little harder than regular bonus poker), and you can do 25 coins, meaning you can effectively play $25 per hand (same as $5/credit). Super Aces is a form of bonus poker which rewards quad aces extra -- half of a royal flush payout! Located near Starbucks. You do not need a kicker to get a big payout. However, don't get too excited by the extremely low "average losses" below. The quad aces comprises a whopping 9.5% of the game's return, so it becomes a horrible 90.5% payout average if you don't hit quad aces! And if you don't hit a royal or quad aces, your return will average 88.5%
Average loss getting to Diamond: $30
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $300

Joker Poker 2 Pair or Better, $1 per credit, 5-25 coins (99.92% return). This is a tough game to master, so you should probably avoid it. If you want to give it a shot, learn ALL of the strategy listed in this link. Similar to above, you can play 25 coins, which is effectively a $5/credit game. Located near the "Treasures of the El Dorado" area, and also some bartops.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $40
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $400

9-5 White Hot Aces, $5/$10 per credit (99.80% return). Good alternative to Super Aces. Also gives bonus for certain kinds of quads, mainly aces. The strategy can be found here. Located in high limit room. If you fail to hit 4 aces, your return will be reduced by 5.6%, and failing to hit quad 2s-4s will reduce your payout by another 6.3%, so the variance can be fairly high on this game.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $100
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $1000

9-5 Triple Bonus Plus, $5/$10 per credit (99.80% return). Due to the identical paytable, this is the identical game to the above 9-5 White Hot Aces. See the entry above for the info and strategy. These can be found in the high limit room. There are also some 25-coin 25c/50c/$1 machines located near the "Treasures of the El Dorado" area, and on some bartops.

25-16-10-4-4 Deuces Wild ("Not So Ugly Deuces") $1/$5/$10 per credit (99.73% return): Lots of these machines around, some being 25c/50c/$1 machines with 25 or 50 coin options. You will find these at bartops, near the poker room, near the players club, and in high limit. Strategy for this game is here. Good game for lower variance and high returns.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $135
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $1350

9-6 Bonus Deluxe $5/$10 per credit (99.64% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. Located in high limit room.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $180
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $1800

9-6 Royal Aces Bonus $5/$10 per credit (99.58% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. Located in high limit room.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $220
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2200

9-6 Jacks or Better, $1-$10 per credit (99.54% return): Tons of these around, including high limit room.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $230
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2300



Silver Legacy

9-5 Triple Bonus Plus, $1 per credit (99.80% return). The best returning machine, but it's only $1, so it will be slow. Gives bonus for certain kinds of quads, mainly aces. The strategy can be found here. Located near the escalator to Circus Circus. If you fail to hit 4 aces, your return will be reduced by 5.6%, and failing to hit quad 2s-4s will reduce your payout by another 6.3%, so the variance can be fairly high on this game.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $100
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $1000

25-16-10-4-4 Deuces Wild ("Not So Ugly Deuces") $1 per credit (99.73% return): You will find these just outside the high limit area. Strategy for this game is here. Low variance but slow due to $1/credit.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $135
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $1350

9-6 Bonus Deluxe 25c/50c/$1 per credit (99.64% return): Plays up to 25 coins, so it's like $5/credit at the $1 level. Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. Located between craps tables and the men's room.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $180
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $1800

9-6 Jacks or Better, $1 3-5 play, $0.10 100-play, $0.25 50-play (99.54% return): Located just outside high limit room. The 10c machine isn't low limit, as you can 100-play it, which ends up $50/hand (equivalent to playing $10/credit single play). This is the one to play if you want a simple strategy and high return.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $230
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2300

[Dan Druff]

Southern California (Updated November 24, 2023)

It's hard to believe that the state of California, with its extensive list of casinos (second only to Nevada), has only two Caesars properties, and only one in the southern part of the state.

Harrah's Resort Southern California, formerly known as Harrah's Rincon, is located in northern San Diego County.

Unfortunately, all of the good video poker is gone from this property. The other Caesars property in the state, Harrah's Northern California, also has nothing playable.

Bottom line: Don't try to earn Diamond or Seven Stars at either California property!

[Dan Druff]

Phoenix Area (updated December 29, 2022)

Harrah's Ak-Chin isn't a very good place to earn tier credits cheaply. It's not even in Phoenix -- it's somewhat south, in the middle of nowhere. But if you really don't want to leave Arizona...


25-15-9-4-4 Deuces Wild ("LV Airport Deuces") $1/credit 1-play (98.91% return). Will take you 10 hours or so to earn 2500 tier credits -- maybe more if you're not that familiar with Deuces. Not a very good option.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $545
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5450

[Dan Druff]

Atlantic City (Updated January 1, 2020)

The good games at Caesars properties Atlantic City all have $20 per tier credit or worse, which will take twice as long to earn tier credits. I will list the $20/tier games, as some are good enough to justify playing for tiers if you're not going to be in a better market.


Bally's Atlantic City

9-6 Jacks or Better 1 play & 3 play, $1/$2/$5 per credit (99.54% return), 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. There's 3-play in Diamond Pointe immediately to the left after entering (three slant top machines). The single play machines are all upright -- seven Game Kings in section BB near steps to Tower elevators, four Game Kings in section HF, and two machines in section BI.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $460
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4600

9-7-4 Triple Double Bonus, 1-play, $1/$2/$5 credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered, (99.58% return). On its face, this would appear to be the best option, as it has the highest return. Don't be fooled. It's a very volatile game and the strategy, which you can find here, isn't all that intuitive. There's also just 1 machine, located in high limit.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $420
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4200

9-6 Double Double Bonus Aces and Faces, 1-play, $1/$2/$5 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.46% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. There are seven Game Kings in section BB near steps to Tower elevators, and four Game Kings in section HF -- the same machines housing the 9-6 Jacks or Better.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $540
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5400

18-7-5 Joker Wild (Kings or Better), 1-play, $1/$2/$5 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.29% return): Strategy is here. There are seven Game Kings in section BB near steps to Tower elevators, and four Game Kings in section HF -- the same machines housing the 9-6 Jacks or Better.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $710
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $7100

8-5 Bonus Aces and Faces, 1-play, $1/$2/$5 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.26% return): Same strategy as Bonus Poker. There are seven Game Kings in section BB near steps to Tower elevators, and four Game Kings in section HF -- the same machines housing the 9-6 Jacks or Better.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $740
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $7400

9-7-5 Double Bonus Aces and Faces, 1-play, $1/$2/$5 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.24% return): Same strategy as Double Bonus Poker. There are seven Game Kings in section BB near steps to Tower elevators, and four Game Kings in section HF -- the same machines housing the 9-6 Jacks or Better.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $740
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $7400



Caesars Atlantic City

9-6 Jacks or Better 1-play, $1/$2/$5 per credit (99.54% return), 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. Three slant top machines are located in section CP. There's also three slant-top Game Kings in the high limit room which are $2 only.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $460
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4600

8-5 Bonus Aces and Faces, 1-play, $1/$2/$5 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.26% return): Same strategy as Bonus Poker. Three slant top machines are located in section CP -- same machines housing Jacks or Better.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $740
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $7400



Harrah's Atlantic City

9-6 Jacks or Better 1-play, $1/$2 per credit, $5/10 per credit (99.54% return), 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. There's 8 slant tops in Diamond Cove, three slant tops in triangular formation in section DD, and 12 machines located near Brigantine entrance (all $1/$2 credits). For the $5/$10 machines, look for 6 slant top machines in Diamond Cove.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $460
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4600

9-7-4 Triple Double Bonus, 1-play, $1/$2 per credit, $5/10 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered, (99.58% return). On its face, this would appear to be the best option, as it has the highest return. Don't be fooled. It's a very volatile game and the strategy, which you can find here, isn't all that intuitive. Same machines as Jacks or Better above.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $420
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4200

9-6 Double Double Bonus Aces and Faces, 1-play, $1/$2 per credit, $5/10 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.46% return): Same strategy as Double Double Bonus Poker. Same machines as Jacks or Better above.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $540
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5400

18-7-5 Joker Wild (Kings or Better), 1-play, $1/$2 per credit, $5/10 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.29% return): Strategy is here. Same machines as Jacks or Better above.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $710
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $7100

8-5 Bonus Aces and Faces, 1-play, $1/$2 per credit, $5/10 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.26% return): Same strategy as Bonus Poker. Same machines as Jacks or Better above.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $740
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $7400

9-7-5 Double Bonus Aces and Faces, 1-play, $1/$2 per credit, $5/10 per credit, 1 tier credit per $20 wagered. (99.24% return): Same strategy as Double Bonus Poker. Same machines as Jacks or Better above.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $740
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $7400

[Dan Druff]

Mississippi (updated January 14, 2020)

Mississippi has seen some downgrading.


Harrah's Gulf Coast in Biloxi features a high-limit 9-6 Jacks or Better game, if you don't mind variance and you can take the fact that it's $25 per tier earned.

9-6 Jacks or Better $5/$10/$25 per credit, 3/5/10 play (minimum $75 per hand), 1 tier earned per $25 wagered, (99.54% return).
Average loss getting to Diamond: $575
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5750



Horseshoe Tunica is a little bit more reasonable, though not great:

9-7-5 Double Bonus Poker: $1 or $5 per credit, 1 play. 99.11% return. You'll probably want to play the $5/credit version, or it will take 10 hours to earn 2500 tiers. Note that this is Double Bonus Poker, not Double Double Bonus. These are located in "Game King" machines, in front of the buffet. The paytable is 9 for a full house, 7 for a flush, 5 for a straight, quads at 50/80/160, and 55 for a straight flush. Verify these payouts before playing.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $445
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4450

9-6 Double Double Bonus, $1 or $5 per credit, 1-play (98.98% return). You'll probably want to play the $5/credit version, or it will take 10 hours to earn 2500 tiers. These are located in "Game King" machines, in front of the buffet. There are also some bartop versions of this game.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $510
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $5100

[EasyGame]

Atlantic City

Harrah's Atlantic City
9/7/4 Triple Double Bonus Deal/Draw, 25c/50c/$1/$2/$5 per credit 1-play (approximate return 99.20%). 10 credits per play, so this will cost double per hand than you're used to, but also rack up tiers twice as fast. Near emergency exit in high limit area. This is a weird "double pay" machine, where you get paid more for hands made when dealt than ones you make from drawing. Here is the strategy for this game.
The return here is less than usual 9/7 Triple Double, because of the Deal/Draw thing. If you are lucky enough to be dealt a Royal, you will win 15x as much as usual!

Average loss getting to Diamond: $400
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4000

so why even bother playing the Deal/draw option?
why not just play the normal 5 coin-in for 9/7 tdb?

[EasyGame]

Atlantic City

Caesars properties in Atlantic City aren't very good for earning tier credits, with two exceptions:

Bally's Atlantic City (updated April 2017)
Double Bonus Poker: $5/$10 per credit, 1 play. 99.11% return. Note that this is Double Bonus Poker, not Double Double Bonus. These are located in the high limit room. The paytable is 9 for a full house, 7 for a flush, 5 for a straight, quads at 50/80/160, and 55 for a straight flush. Verify these payouts before playing. You will run up tier credits fairly quickly at this machine, due to the high limits -- about 2500 tiers in 2 hours at the $5 level, and about 5000 tiers in 2 hours at the $10 level.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $445
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4450

when I was there in feb, the denominations were $5/10/25.
$25 is best because even at $5 denomination, all quads and above will require a W2-G tax form. the hand below quads is a full house. the full house pays $1125 which won't generate a tax form.

yes, that's $125 a spin but imagine a Royal. $100k! cha-ching $$$. Also, since you're putting in $50k coin-in for Diamond, it doesn't matter how you reach that amount, whether it's $10 at a time or $125.

[EasyGame]

Atlantic City

Caesars properties in Atlantic City aren't very good for earning tier credits, with two exceptions:

Bally's Atlantic City (updated April 2017)
Double Bonus Poker: $5/$10 per credit, 1 play. 99.11% return. Note that this is Double Bonus Poker, not Double Double Bonus. These are located in the high limit room. The paytable is 9 for a full house, 7 for a flush, 5 for a straight, quads at 50/80/160, and 55 for a straight flush. Verify these payouts before playing. You will run up tier credits fairly quickly at this machine, due to the high limits -- about 2500 tiers in 2 hours at the $5 level, and about 5000 tiers in 2 hours at the $10 level.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $445
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $4450

Anyone know what the Theo these 99.11% games are set to?

i played them several times over the weekend but never saw a host at the desk in front of the high limit room so i couldn't ask what my theo loss was on that machine.
i also walked past there many more times throughout the weekend and still never saw anyone sit there.

[tahoediamond]

Lake Tahoe

Harrah's Lake Tahoe

9-6 Jacks or Better $1 or $2 per credit, 3/5 play (minimum $15 per hand (99.54% return). Boring, yet efficient. I suggest these machines unless you want to get adventurous with the very slightly "better" machines listed below. If you do 5-play at $1/credit, you can earn 5000 tiers in just 4 hours or so. Even with 3-play, it will only take you about 6 1/2 hours. Make sure the paytables are 9-6, and not 9-5, as some machines in high limit are 9-5 (that is, 5 for the flush instead of 6).
Average loss getting to Diamond: $230
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2300


9-6 Jacks or Better $0.25/$0.50/$1 per credit, 50 play (minimum $62.50 per hand, 99.54% return). If you like multiplay machines, this one is for you. Variance is similar to the 3/5 play game listed above. Despite the seemingly cheap $0.25/credit minimum, this machine racks up tier credits QUICKLY due to the mandatory 50-play. You can knock out 5000 tiers in about 2 hours. Located in high limit area.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $230
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2300


9-6 Jacks or Better $5 per credit, 1 play (99.54% return). If you don't like multiplay, there is a simple 1-play $5 machine located at the Highlander Bar on the 18th floor. This is a different atmosphere than the casino, as you'll be playing at an out-of-the-way bar with about 10 machines total (even though there are only 2 of this type), and it will feel more like you're hanging out at a neighborhood bar, rather than playing at a large casino. One advantage of playing up here is that they serve a $5 late-night breakfast until 6am, right at the machine. You can also order a few non-breakfast items, such as chicken strips. The downside is that you may run into distracting and drunk bar people next to you, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $230
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2300

Harrah's Reno has downgraded its paytables recently. Do not play there. Drive the hour to Tahoe to play these.

I just got back from a trip to Harrah's Tahoe. I was already well on my way to Diamond (the wrong way -- just from spending money in Vegas), but wanted to try and get the final 4000 tier credits at Harrah's before my next trip to Vegas. My boyfriend was a little apprehensive about the hotel based off the exterior look, but the Executive room (which have 2 bathrooms) was quite nice.

The 50 play machine towards the back of the High Roller area (on the right of the cashier) is a ton of fun! I unfortunately didn't find it until after losing a few hundred at one of the machines closer to the front which didn't seem to have the right pay table, but as soon as I hit a Royal on the 50 play, I was back in the green.

I ended up earning 1000 tier credits twice (on 2 separate days, so I got the 1000 bonus tier credits each time) after playing the 50 play machine with minimum bets for around an hour. Ended up getting 4000 total tier credits (pushing me to Diamond) and I actually made $100. I'll definitely go back as soon as my Diamond expires to do Diamond in a Day.

Thanks for the tips! Quick questions -- my Total Rewards account says Diamond will expire on January 31st, 2018. Can I assume that it'll actually be 2019 considering I just earned it? Also, does anyone know the hours for the Diamond check-in in Vegas? I recall seeing it was open only on certain days...

[Dan Druff]

Lake Tahoe

Harrah's Lake Tahoe

9-6 Jacks or Better $1 or $2 per credit, 3/5 play (minimum $15 per hand (99.54% return). Boring, yet efficient. I suggest these machines unless you want to get adventurous with the very slightly "better" machines listed below. If you do 5-play at $1/credit, you can earn 5000 tiers in just 4 hours or so. Even with 3-play, it will only take you about 6 1/2 hours. Make sure the paytables are 9-6, and not 9-5, as some machines in high limit are 9-5 (that is, 5 for the flush instead of 6).
Average loss getting to Diamond: $230
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2300


9-6 Jacks or Better $0.25/$0.50/$1 per credit, 50 play (minimum $62.50 per hand, 99.54% return). If you like multiplay machines, this one is for you. Variance is similar to the 3/5 play game listed above. Despite the seemingly cheap $0.25/credit minimum, this machine racks up tier credits QUICKLY due to the mandatory 50-play. You can knock out 5000 tiers in about 2 hours. Located in high limit area.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $230
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2300


9-6 Jacks or Better $5 per credit, 1 play (99.54% return). If you don't like multiplay, there is a simple 1-play $5 machine located at the Highlander Bar on the 18th floor. This is a different atmosphere than the casino, as you'll be playing at an out-of-the-way bar with about 10 machines total (even though there are only 2 of this type), and it will feel more like you're hanging out at a neighborhood bar, rather than playing at a large casino. One advantage of playing up here is that they serve a $5 late-night breakfast until 6am, right at the machine. You can also order a few non-breakfast items, such as chicken strips. The downside is that you may run into distracting and drunk bar people next to you, especially on Friday and Saturday nights.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $230
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2300

Harrah's Reno has downgraded its paytables recently. Do not play there. Drive the hour to Tahoe to play these.

I just got back from a trip to Harrah's Tahoe. I was already well on my way to Diamond (the wrong way -- just from spending money in Vegas), but wanted to try and get the final 4000 tier credits at Harrah's before my next trip to Vegas. My boyfriend was a little apprehensive about the hotel based off the exterior look, but the Executive room (which have 2 bathrooms) was quite nice.

The 50 play machine towards the back of the High Roller area (on the right of the cashier) is a ton of fun! I unfortunately didn't find it until after losing a few hundred at one of the machines closer to the front which didn't seem to have the right pay table, but as soon as I hit a Royal on the 50 play, I was back in the green.

I ended up earning 1000 tier credits twice (on 2 separate days, so I got the 1000 bonus tier credits each time) after playing the 50 play machine with minimum bets for around an hour. Ended up getting 4000 total tier credits (pushing me to Diamond) and I actually made $100. I'll definitely go back as soon as my Diamond expires to do Diamond in a Day.

Thanks for the tips! Quick questions -- my Total Rewards account says Diamond will expire on January 31st, 2018. Can I assume that it'll actually be 2019 considering I just earned it? Also, does anyone know the hours for the Diamond check-in in Vegas? I recall seeing it was open only on certain days...

Hi.

Welcome to the site.

Yes, your Diamond will last until January 31, 2019. It will renew automatically on Feb 1, 2018. You won't need to do anything.

Your Total Rewards card/account only lists the following year, presumably to encourage people to keep earning. But if you're at 15,000 or more tier credits at any point in 2017, then you will have Diamond until 1/31/19.

Glad you hit that Royal.

I ran 150,000 tier credits (50,000 base tiers) during my January trip and didn't hit a single royal, despite doing it primarily on $1 5-play.

Needless to say, I lost.

I have a problem hitting royals. I hit 6 in one trip to Harrah's Rincon in 2015. I've hit zero royals in all other sessions combined in my lifetime.

All rooms in Harrah's Lake Tahoe have 2 bathrooms. I really like that. Bill Harrah was obsessed with that at the time he built it. I've never seen any other property like that.

Unfortunately, the dining options are pretty lousy there, especially late at night and early in the day. The American River Cafe is decent, but the hours are very short. The steakhouse is way too expensive. And yeah, you can get a cheap breakfast or snack at the Highlander Bar from 11pm-6am. But for the most part, the options are pretty lame and sparse.

[nerakil]

Unfortunately, the dining options are pretty lousy there, especially late at night and early in the day. The American River Cafe is decent, but the hours are very short. The steakhouse is way too expensive. And yeah, you can get a cheap breakfast or snack at the Highlander Bar from 11pm-6am. But for the most part, the options are pretty lame and sparse.

According to several bartenders (Tony, Mike) at Harrah's Lake Tahoe, American River Café will revert back to 24 hours starting Memorial Day weekend. The Highlander Bar's late night menu (11PM-6AM), including the popular $4.99 traditional breakfast, will be eliminated.

[EasyGame]

I ran 150,000 tier credits (50,000 base tiers) during my January trip and didn't hit a single royal, despite doing it primarily on $1 5-play.

Needless to say, I lost.

whoa.. $500k coin-in through $1 5play 9/6 JoB w/o a Royal?
100k hands (aka 20k screens of 5play) is about 2.5 Royal cycles. ouch...

why did you play this instead of $5 nsud at Cherokee?
lower variance?
or you prefer not risk driving an hr on icy roads from the airport to Cherokee?

[Marasma]

Northern California, Reno, and Lake Tahoe (updated January 10, 2020)

Harrah's Lake Tahoe

9-6 Jacks or Better $0.25/$0.50/$1 per credit, 8-50 play (minimum $10 per hand, 99.54% return). If you like multiplay machines, this one is for you. Variance is similar to the 3/5 play game listed above. Despite the seemingly cheap $0.25/credit minimum, this machine racks up tier credits QUICKLY. Minimum 8-play ($10/hand), maximum 50-play ($62.50 play) . You can knock out 5000 tiers in about 2 hours. You will find four of these machines, all in the high limit room. Two are upright machines against a wall in kind of the center of the room. The other two are "slant tops" machines where you sit lower, and are located near the high limit cashier's area.
Average loss getting to Diamond: $230
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2300

9-6 Jacks or Better 3/5/10 play, $1/$2 per credit (99.54% return). These are also multiplay machines, but fewer hands at a time. There are two of these located in the high limit area against the far wall nearest the walkway. There are five machines which look identical, but only two of them (the second and the fourth) have this paytable. Make sure to verify the 9/6 paytable before playing!
Average loss getting to Diamond: $230
Average loss getting to Seven Stars: $2300

Long time lurker, but I have used this thread to diamond in a day for a awhile; Thanks everyone! Figure I would contribute after my latest trip to Tahoe. I was kind of crunched for time but I spent awhile wandering around trying to find the 9-6 3/5/10 play machines and believe these machines have been moved out of the HL pit and placed in the corner near hotel check-in with worse payouts . The 50 Play machine and 100$ min 9-6 machines still exist but the smaller variance multi play machines appear to be gone.

Interestingly though, there are now two combo machines facing the walkway near where the 3/5/10 play machines used to be that are pretty good for slightly smaller stakes and much lower variance than the 50-play. Both are single hand versions of the Rio/Planet Hollywood 9-5 JoB Double Super Times Pay 7 coin payout 2$ a token, if playing regular Super times Pay JoB its 5$ tokens 5 per game.

After doing some quick napkin math, I ended up playing the 9-6 job 50-play machine in spite of the radically higher variance since since at 14$ a pull for double super times pay even playing at a very fast pace would take something like 5 hours to get the 5000 TCs. If I had more time, next time I might do that approach after re-verifying all the math the multiplier for DSTP is just more fun .

[tigerpiper]

https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndha...s/status-match

I think Wyndham and Caesars still match each other.

[Dan Druff]

https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/wyndha...s/status-match

I think Wyndham and Caesars still match each other.

No, this doesn't work unless you "earned" your Wyndham Diamond in some way that wasn't from a status match.

This means you need to have become Wyndham Diamond by either getting their business credit card or by staying the required number of nights at Wyndham properties.

[DrSayre]

This means you need to have become Wyndham Diamond by either getting their business credit card or by staying the required number of nights at Wyndham properties.

Do you need to do anything special to get the business credit card? I think I read you can put anything for business name and it'll work. Never had Diamond before.. but thinking of getting it through this way, since the $95 annual fee would essentially be reimbursed with the $100 celebration dinner.

[Dan Druff]

This means you need to have become Wyndham Diamond by either getting their business credit card or by staying the required number of nights at Wyndham properties.

Do you need to do anything special to get the business credit card? I think I read you can put anything for business name and it'll work. Never had Diamond before.. but thinking of getting it through this way, since the $95 annual fee would essentially be reimbursed with the $100 celebration dinner.

The $95 is indeed a great deal. In fact, just two nights of hotel stays would pay for it, due to the resort fees being waived.

Unfortunately, you need a business TIN in order to do it. You can't just invent a business name in your head and put it down, nor can you use a legitimate business you have if it hasn't been assigned a TIN.

They put me through absolute hell to get this card, even though all of the information I put was truthful and accurate. The only reason I tolerated all of this bullshit is because of how beneficial it was to get.

[Dan Druff]

Bad news about the Tahoe market.

They have removed the 99.54% Jacks or Better games, aside from one in the high limit room at $100/credit (way beyond most people's budgets, including me!) This change occurred in early-mid December.


Tahoe is now a mediocre market for video poker. I knew this would eventually happen.