1st Place winner Suncoast Pentagon Strike

How I came to my New Year’s Resolution: Last week Ann and I spent four fun filled very expensive days in Las Vegas getting all the new strikes. I received a call on Saturday night informing me that the new Caesars Palace strike (the shiny strike which was replacing the pewter looking one) was going in the machine. Great! we could stop at Caesars Palace on our way out of town and pick up the latest strike, matter of fact I could pick up 5 or 6 of them so all my local friends here in San Diego wouldn’t give me the old “Hey, why didn’t you get one for me?” plus it was Christmas. As we walked into Caesars I noticed that a lot of the remodeling/construction projects had been completed and things were really changed around. However, we soon spotted two strike machines in a new location, looked in the display case and said yep it’s the shiny one, let’s play. As Ann set down to play I popped in twenty. (first twenty - no strikes, second twenty – no strikes, third twenty – no strikes) Now, being observant as I am I noticed that a fellow playing the other machine had gotten a couple strikes to fall and was walking away so I hurried over to that machine, just after I put the fourth twenty in Ann’s machine. I put twenty in the other machine – no strikes. But all was not for naught; on the fourth twenty in Ann’s machine she got a strike. We were on a roll now. Some lady sat down at the machine I had tried and she could not empty the tray fast enough. So, to get ahead of the system I bought four strikes from her and we departed the area the proud owners of five new Shiny strikes all for only $140.00 (don’t stop, the story is not finished). Ann wanted to go play a video poker machine she had had good luck on before and being the good sport I am I said “go for it, I’ll wait”. As we rounded the corner by the main casher’s cage I spotted the $10 strike machine over in that area and a dim light began to flash in my head. A quick call to a trusted friend in San Diego confirmed my worst fears. I think the whole room heard my” OH SHIT!” as I found out that the five $28 Strikes (5 for $140) I had just gotten were the wrong ones. The new strike is the Winged Victory and I had gotten the Winged Goddess, an old current one still in play. The story goes on but it is too painful to continue so I’ll go straight to my New Years Resolution: Next time I’ll buy the strike from Norm on Jackpot Auctions and donate my savings to the building fund. (As embarrassed as I am, this is a true story) PS: I did get some of the correct strikes prior to leaving.

2nd Place winner Suncoast Twin Towers Strike

MY NEW YEARS RESOLUTION
I PROMISE TO WIN THE CALIFORNIA LOTTERY IN THE YEAR 2003 AND USE THE WINNINGS TO FURTHER MY SILVER STRIKE ENDEAVORS IN THE FOLLOWING WAYS:
1) I PROMISE TO TRADE ALL STRIKES I NEED AT A TWO TO ONE TRADE VALUE;
2) I PROMISE TO PAY 50% MORE THAN ASKING PRICE FOR ALL STRIKES I BUY, INCLUDING THOSE I BUY AT AUCTION IF THE SELLER IS A CLUB MEMBER… NATIONAL OR CHARTER. I WILL ALSO PAY DOUBLE THE SHIPPING CHARGES;3) I PROMISE TO SELL ANY STRIKE I HAVE FOR SALE AT 50% LESS THAN OTHER COLLECTORS SELLING PRICES;
4) I PROMISE THAT ANY STRIKES I AUCTION WILL BE AT JACKPOT AUCTIONS AND I WILL PAY DOUBLE THEIR LISTING AND SELLING FEES, THE EXCESS TO BE PAID INTO THE CLUB BUILDING FUND;
5) I PROMISE TO GIVE TO THE BUILDING FUND WHATEVER THEY ARE SHORT OF THEIR GOAL AT THE END OF 2003;
6) I PROMISE TO TAKE THE PERSON I DO THE MOST BUSINESS WITH EACH WEEK TO LUNCH OR DINNER;
7) I PROMISE THAT THE PERSON I DO THE MOST BUSINESS WITH, UP TO JUNE 1, 2003, WILL RECEIVE A ONE-WEEK ALL EXPENSES PAID TRIP TO LAS VEGAS DURING THE NATIONAL CONVENTION;
8) LET’S SEE…..I WILL KISS ALL BABIES…..9) AND I WILL…UH….SEE THAT ALL COLLECTORS HAVE TWO STRIKES IN EVERY GARAGE….

3rd Place Winner Suncoast Twin Towers Strike

Norm, I made a resolution way back and still hold to it. I make as many trades as possible and help out as many collectors as I can. The last few years I have added a strike to a trade to a new collector when I know they really want it but have nothing to trade. This year I helped a gal (Tammy) in Los Angeles get some of the strikes she wanted. Sort taught her the ropes in finding strikes and where I like to look to get the old no longer in the casinos or not on many dup lists.
It is alot of fun helping others out. And if I am lucky enough to win I would like you to send the strike to my new strike friend Tammy.