Never give up.

WHile I had a taste of that "bad luck" last trip, it's still fun to play and some days, as some have noted, you hit the lucky streak and things seem to come back.

Last time in Reno I played and played at Atlantis (old machines) it became a war of me against the machine. At that, I got all the same cummy, really common strikes, many had cracked cases.

Off to Sid's where I set a limit and decided I'd win whatever I could for $40. Wouldn't you know it, the machines were smiling that day. I came out with more than I started with when I cashed out.

Went to Lake Tahoe, and played each place, h377 or high water (even went in a snow storm which was threatening to close the roads) I stunk! I'd agree that it was about $15 a strike, but nice trip?

Downtown Reno, hit a few places, not what I'd call "luck" but I did get some strikes.

Trip is over and I'm at the airport, looking for a soda and a rest room, after going to the boarding area. Look there, a strike machine. I decided to drop in a five and hit for three strikes before all the credits were gone.

There are good days and bad days.

One way around the gamble is just buy the strikes, because most of the time, the people who buy and sell them or get extras, are actually pretty fair. If you can buy one for $11 and a couple bucks shipping, you know what it's going to cost up front.

Only benefit is you miss the risk of taking a bath, but miss the chance that you will hit a lucky streak and clean house.

Better luck next time.

Collecting is fun, but winning strikes yourself, coming out ahead, is even better. I'm not so sure about the new machines, but overall I was very happy with the old machines over the long run.