Considering Reno is the epicenter of slot machine production in the U.S. (IGT, the largest American slot manufacturer, is based there), it’s no wonder Northern California is home to some of the most exciting slot experiences around. I’m not about individual machines; for me, it’s all about the overall vibe. With that in mind, here are my favorite regional places to pull the reels. Read full article »

Casino resorts aren’t just casinos anymore. These days, the gambling meccas offer top-notch amenities from luxurious spas to killer golf courses. Another popular feature: upscale restaurants. While not every casino eatery is worthy of focused attention, some establishments deserve the spotlight and are among my favorites around Northern California. Read full article »

If you’re like me, you probably remember playing bingo with your grandmothers using marker daubers on paper boards. Well, folks, the game of bingo has come a long way since those glory days.

Nowadays, many casinos have fancy netbook-size Traveler machines from a company called GameTech that actually play your boards for you and beep at you when you’re about to win. It cost us nothing extra to play with the machines, and they can do the job of daubing as many as 60 or 70 boards at once.

The technology keeps tabs on which balls are being called via wireless network—a central computer near the front of the bingo hall reads balls as they come out of the hopper and sends the signal to Traveler machines all over the room. Read full article »

The notion of playing live cash poker games against total strangers might intimidate you, but getting started involves the same steps for everyone, whether you’re a card-room novice or a card-room regular.

The steps? Checking in and buying chips.

Everyone’s visits must begin at a host station. There, players are required to check in with a host, who’s usually sitting behind a computer screen. If there’s an open seat at a game in progress, the host will slot you in and instruct you where to go. If there are no open seats, the host puts you on a waiting list. Read full article »