Bon Jour Ken,
No, Palms didnot have a anniversary strike, this year.

I donot know the mints of the strikes this year.

No, NCV freebys strikes was given out this year, at the convention.

"Toughest" casino to get clubstrikes. That is a very hard question to answer. Because, the casino that was the toughest for some. Was easiest for others. You know how the strike machines can be.
The 4-Queens was the easiest for me. Followed closely by the El Cortez. Now, I heard that others was having trouble with these same casino's.
I am sure some other strikers have stories of their own to tell.
Dan