Report your table minimums here (COVID Edition) part 3
Part 3 in the COVID series. To try and make this list more helpful, I have added Weekend Day and Weekend Night, as those can be vastly different than during the week. I'm trying to monitor Twitter and the Vegas Message Board to get some additional information. Keep sharing all that wonderful goodness. I'd like to update the wiki to talk about what sidebets casinos have, so if you know that info, I can add it to the table comments.
Vegas Strip Casino
Day Min
Night Min
Weekend Day
Weekend Night
Dividers
Comments
Aria
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
No
Updated 7/26
Ballys
10
15
10
Unknown
3 tables Updated 8/8
Bellagio
10
25
Unknown
Unknown
Yes, all tables
Caesars
15
25
Unknown
Unknown
No
Cosmo
15-25
50-100
Unknown
Unknown
Encore
10
10
10
10
Yes, on some tables
Updated 8/12
Excalibur
10-15
15
10
15
Updated 8/12
Flamingo
15
15-25
Unknown
25
Updated 8/8
Harrah's
15
25
25
25
No
Linq
15
15
Unknown
25
No
Updated 8/8
Luxor
10
10
15
15n
Updated 8/12
Mandalay Bay
15
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
MGM Grand
10
25
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
NY/NY
10
15-25
15
Unknown
Yes
Updated 8/8
Osheas
Unknown
15
Unknown
Unknown
Paris
15
15
Unknown
Unknown
No
Updated 8/8
Sahara
5
10
10
10
Updated 8/15
Strat
Day
10
Unknown
10
25
No
Treasure Island
5
15
Unknown
Unknown
Venetian
10-15
25
Unknown
Unknown
No
Wynn
10
10
10
10
Yes, on some tables
Updated 8/12
Downtown Casino
Day Min
Night Min
Weekend Day
Weekend Night
Dividers
Comments
Binions
5
10
Unknown
Unknown
Binions had $5 table several times (opens at noon) Updated 8/17
California
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
Tables open at 11AM Updated 8/10
The D
10
15
Unknown
Unknown
No glass
Downtown Grand
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
Table opens at noon. Updated 8/10.
El Cortez
10
10
10
10
Yes, some tables
2 tables Updated 8/15
Four Queens
10
10
10
10
No
Updated 8/15
Fremont
10
10
10
Unknown
Updated 8/10.
Golden Gate
10
15
Unknown
Unknown
Updated 8/18
Golden Nugget
10-15
10
Unknown
Unknown
$15 with one table open on 8/18
Plaza
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
Updated 7/30
Sams Town
15
15
Unknown
Unknown
1 table
Offstrip Casino
Day Min
Night Min
Weekend Day
Weekend Night
Dividers
Comments
Aliente
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
Boulder Station
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
Cannery
5
5
Unknown
Unknown
up to 2 tables - now allowing 4 per side
Ellis Island
5
5
5
5
1 table - Updated 8/17 - I just called the pit at Ellis. Craps table opens up at 10am and its 5 dollars 90% of the time
Gold Coast
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
Green Valley Ranch
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
2 tables open
The Orleans
10
25
Unknown
Unknown
up to 4 tables, I was asked to wear a mask
Palace Station
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Palms
N/A
N/A
Unknown
Unknown
No open date announced
Red Rock
10
15
15
Unknown
Updated 8/14
South Point
5
5
5
10
No
Updated 8/15
Strat
5
10
Unknown
Unknown
Sunset Station
5
5
Unknown
Unknown
Other NV Casinos
Day Min
Night Min
Weekend Day
Weekend Night
Dividers
Comments
Edgewater (Laughlin)
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
Harrahs (Laughlin)
10
15
Unknown
Unknown
no
Atlantis (Reno)
5/10
5/10
Unknown
Unknown
3 tables on weekends
Cal Neva (Reno)
5
5
Unknown
Unknown
Circus Circus (Reno)
Closed
Closed
Unknown
Unknown
Closed table game pit
Eldorado (Reno)
5
10
Unknown
Unknown
Grand Sierra (Reno)
15
15-25 Unknown
Unknown
Peppermill (Reno)
5
5
10
10
3 craps tables
Silver Legacy (Reno)
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
Hard Rock (Tahoe)
5
5
Unknown
Unknown
Harrahs (Tahoe)
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
Montbleu (Tahoe)
10
15
Unknown
Unknown
Nugget (Wendover)
5
5
5
5
Updated 7/31
Peppermill (Wendover)
5
5
10
10
Updated 7/31
Rainbow (Wendover)
5
5
10
10
Updated 7/31
Non/NV Casino
Day Min
Night Min
Weekend Day
Weekend Night
Dividers
Comments
Wind Creek (Wetumpka, AL)
15
25
Unknown
Unknown
4 to a table Updated 7/31
Sycuan (San Diego, CA)
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
Masks required
Barona (So Cal)
10
15
10
10-15
2 tables 2 per side, dealers managing bets for players. Updated 8/21 ($10 at times)
Harrahs (So Cal)
15-25
15-25
15-50
15-50
No
Updated 7/31
Viejas (So Cal)
N/A
N/A
Unknown
Unknown
No live tables
Foxwoods (CT)
15
25
Unknown
Unknown
Mohegan (CT)
15-25
25
Unknown
Unknown
2 were 10, 2
Harrington (DE)
15
15-25
Unknown
Unknown
Must wear mask and face shield
Rivers (Chicago, IL)
15
15
Blue Chip (Michigan City, IN)
5
10
Unknown
Unknown
5 minimum prop bets, 5 min ATS bet.
Caesars Southern IN
10
15
15
25
Updated 8/5
French Lick Resort (French Lick, IN)
15
15
25
25
Tables open at 11am and close at 3AM. Updated 8/5
Harrah's Hooiser Park (Anderson, IN)
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
Indiana Grand (IN)
10
15
Unknown
Unknown
No
Belle (Baton Rogue, LA)
5
10
Unknown
Unknown
one half sized table sometimes they open the big one. $5 small table and $10 big late at night
Hollywood (Baton Rogue, LA)
5
10
Unknown
15
Updated 7/24
L’auberge (Baton Rogue,LA)
15
15
Unknown
Unknown
No
L’auberge (Lake Charles,LA)
15
15
Unknown
Unknown
No
1 bubble craps $5 min
El Dorado (Shreveport, LA)
10
10
10
10
Updated 8/17
Horseshoe (Shreveport, LA) 15
15
15
15
Updated 8/17
Margaritaville (Shreveport, LA) 15
15
15
15
Updated 8/17
Ocean Downs (MD)
10
15
Unknown
Unknown
Maryland Live (MD)
25
50
50
Unknown
Yes
5 tables, 4 per side. Electronic craps 15 min
MGM @ National Harbor
50-100
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
4 craps tables 2 were $50 and 2 were $100 mins. Not bubble craps or low roller options.
Firekeepers (Battle Creek, MI)
10
15+
Unknown
Unknown
No dividers, only distancing
1-2 tables depending on demand, did see it at $15 during the day $25 on Fri/Sat night. Masks required, no smoking. $3 Bubble Craps.
Four Winds Casino
15
15
Unknown
Unknown
Digital craps table 5$ min Tuesday and Sunday night. Did not check bubble craps
Gun Lake (Wayland, MI)
10
15
Unknown
Unknown
No
Temp check, masks, usually the crapless table is open
Turtle Creek (Traverse City, MI)
5
Unknown
Unknown
Unknowned
2 tables, temp check, masks
Soaring Eagle (Mt Pleasant, MI)
10
15
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
5 players per side with glass. Tough to hear dealer.
Hollywood Casino, Maryland Heights (St Louis) MO
15
15
Unknown
Unknown
1 regular table & 1 no craps. 4 per side. No outside drinks.
River City (St. Louis, MS)
20
20
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
4 players per side. $20 min. You have to have at least a $20 bet for every throw to "hold your spot"
Beau Rivage (Biloxi, MS)
25
25
Unknown
Unknown
unknown
3 tables
Boomtown (Biloxi, MS)
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
1 table
IP (Biloxi, MS)
25
25
Unknown
Unknown
Scarlett Pearl (Biloxi, MS)
15
25
Unknown
Unknown
No
Masks required, temp check
The Palace Biloxi, MS)
10
15
Unknown
Unknown
Treasure Bay (Biloxi, MS)
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
Harrah’s Cherokee & Murphy
15
15
Unknown
Unknown
No
Harrahs River Valley (Murphy, NC)
25
25
Unknown
Unknown
Ballys (AC, NJ)
15
15
Unknown
10
Updated 7/29
Caesars (AC, NJ)
15
15
Unknown
15-25
Updated 7/29
Harrahs (AC, NJ)
15
15
Unknown
Unknown
Hard Rock (AC, NJ
15
25
Unknown
Unknown
2 tables - Updated 7-29
Resorts (AC, NJ)
15
25
Unknown
15
Yes
1 table - Updated 7-29
Ocean (AC, NJ)
10
15
15
25
Yes
4-6 tables
Buffalo Creek (NY)
15
25
Unknown
Unknown
Seneca Niagra (NY)
10
15
Unknown
Unknown
1 table, can go up to $25
Jack/Harrah's (Cincinnati, OH)
25
25
25
25
3 tables, $25 open to close
Hollywood (Columbus, OH)
10-15
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
2 tables, masks required
Hollywood (Grantville, PA)
15
25
Unknown Unknown
Unknown
2 tables, masks required
Harrah's Philly (PA)
Unknown
Unknown
15
25
Updated 8/10
Meadows (PA)
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
2-3 tables.
Mohegan Sun (PA)
Unknown
Unknown
25-50
Unknown
Windcreek (PA)
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
Mount airy (PA)
10
10
Unknown
Unknown
Valley Forge (PA)
10
Parx (Bensalem, PA)
15
25
Unknown
Unknown
15 but maintaining 25
Southland Casino Racing (West Memphis, TN)
N/A
N/A
Unknown
Unknown
Yes
4 tables all closed. Other pit games open with plexiglas dividers. Bubble craps $5 minimum.
Mardi Gras (Nitro, WV)
15
Usually open on weekends - Updated 7/28
*Last update 8/21 Part 1. It's getting buried so I figured we would make a new one. Part 2 Pulled additional info from here.
6/17 Edit: Great info guys. Keep it coming! If something changes, please let me know. I reached out to the mods asking about putting together a post to collect minimums for craps tables in Vegas and other places. If this post gains traction, it may get a sticky. It may also help cut down on the amount of posts asking for this info. I'll try to keep the body of the post updated. If information is correct, let me know. Update 6/18 - Nevada Gaming Board announced masks required at table games in Nevada. I haven't heard that this is being enforced yet. 6/30: Keep reporting, especially any of you heading to Vegas. We would love to hear what the mins are on the strip Let me know what casino, day or night and the minimums:
Vegas Strip Casino
Day Min
Night Min
Dividers
Comments
Aria
15
25
Unknown
Bellagio
10
25
Yes, all tables
Poker tables open
Caesars
15
25
No
Poker tables open
Casino Royale
N/A
N/A
N/A
Table Games not open
Cosmo
100
50-100
Encore
50
100
Yes, on some tables
Updated 6/16
Excalibur
10-15
Unknown
10 crapless, 15 regular
Flamingo
Rare (5) - 15
25
Harrah's
15
25
No
Confirmed no dividers per 6/16 Youtube video
Linq
15
25
No
Luxor
10
15
Mandalay Bay
N/A
N/A
MGM Grand
10
25
Yes, all tables
NY/NY
10
15
Yes, all tables
Osheas
Unknown
15
Paris
N/A
N/A
No
Opened 6/18 - Masks required at tables.
Planet Hollywood
N/A
N/A
No open date announced
Rio
N/A
N/A
No open date announced
Strat
Day
10
Unknown
Treasure Island
5
15
Venetian
Unknown
25
No
Wynn
25-50
50-100
Yes, on some tables
Updated 6/16
Downtown Casino
Day Min
Night Min
Dividers
Comments
Binions
10
10
California
10
10
The D
10
15
No glass
El Cortez
10
10
Yes, some tables
2 tables
Four Queens
5
5
No
Confirmed thru 6/14 Youtube video
Fremont
10
10
Golden Gate
5
5
From 6/9 on Vegas Message Board (no carnival games)
Sams Town
15
15
1 table
Offstrip Casino
Day Min
Night Min
Dividers
Comments
Aliente
10
10
Boulder Station
10
10
Cannery
5
5
up to 2 tables, a mask was provided but not required
Ellis Island
5
5
1 table
Gold Coast
5
5
Green Valley Ranch
10
10
2 tables open
The Orleans
10
25
up to 4 tables, I was asked to wear a mask
Palace Station
10
10
Unknown
Palms
N/A
N/A
No open date announced
South Point
5
5
2-3x tables w/ only one $5 buy in
Strat
5
10
Sunset Station
5
5
Other NV Casinos
Day Min
Night Min
Dividers
Comments
Edgewater (Laughlin)
10
10
Harrahs (Laughlin)
10
15
no
Atlantis (Reno)
5/10
5/10
2 tables with different mins
Cal Neva (Reno)
5
5
Circus Circus (Reno)
Closed
Closed
Closed table game pit
Eldorado (Reno)
10
10
Grand Sierra (Reno)
15
15-25
Peppermill (Reno)
10
10
3 craps tables
Silver Legacy (Reno)
10
10
Hard Rock (Tahoe)
Closed
Closed
Currently closed
Harrahs (Tahoe)
25
25
Montbleu (Tahoe)
10
15
Non/NV Casino
Day Min
Night Min
Dividers
Comments
Foxwoods (CT)
15
25
Mohegan (CT)
10-50
10-50
2 were 10, 2 $15, 1 $25, 1 $50. Plus a high rollers table
Harrington (DE)
10
15-25
Must wear mask and face shield
Blue Chip (Michigan City, IN)
5
10
5 minimum prop bets, 5 min ATS bet.
L’auberge (Lake Charles,LA)
25/50
25/50
2 $25 min and 2 $50 min tables. 1 bubble craps $5 min
Harrahs (Shreveport, LA)
15
25
Margaritaville (Shreveport, LA)
25
25
Ocean Downs (MD)
10
15
Maryland Live (MD)
25
50
Yes
5 tables, 4 per side. Electronic craps 15 min
MGM @ National Harbor
50-100
Yes
4 craps tables 2 were $50 and 2 were $100 mins. Not bubble craps or low roller options.
Firekeepers (Battle Creek, MI)
10
15+
No dividers, only distancing
1-2 tables depending on demand, did see it at $15 during the day $25 on Fri/Sat night. Masks required, no smoking. $3 Bubble Craps.
River City (St. Louis, MS)
20
20
Unknown
4 players per side. $20 min. You have to have at least a $20 bet for every throw to "hold your spot"
My tale of almost getting caught -- can anyone here top this?
One of the members here asked this question: Anyone wanna share stories of times SO’s spidey senses were tingling and you had to do damage control? This happened many many years ago, when I was new to the "being married" life. My wife and I went to South Lake Tahoe and we were sitting together playing roulette. It was decent occupancy...all the tables were full, but not so crowded that I could not get a view of people around and about. I caught sight of a blonde stunner walking past the craps table, and she turned the corner, the casino lane took her toward our table. I was trying very hard not to stare, but this woman was simply one of the most gorgeous babes I've ever seen. Imagine Tiffany Coyne from "Let's Make A Deal" (yes, I go gaga for skinny blonde Barbies!) 🔥❤️ As she approached our table, I wondered if she was an escort. Or maybe she was already with someone and was just browsing the scene alone while her man was gambling somewhere else. She casually gazed over our table and then kept walking at a slow but steady pace. And then she passed us and was out of sight. She never made eye contact with me, so I figured she wasn't looking for company. But with my wife sitting right next to me, maybe she didn't want to waste her time with me? I couldn't think about what numbers I wanted to bet anymore, lol...I was struck with a huge dose of sexual uneasiness...my mind was wandering and I began daydreaming about her. These lingering thoughts can be so pleasurable in and of itself, and I was shifting so much in my seat that my wife asked me if I needed to use the bathroom! I said no and we continued to play. 10 minutes later, I could see the blonde again...walking the same route as she did before. I was going to get to enjoy another chance of this eye candy, and as I looked around at the others, it boggled my mind how nobody else was really looking at her. When people are deeply in their gambling and smoking and drinking, I suppose sex isn't high on the list! But being the nymph that I am, I could not resist. This time, I made a conscious effort to stare. And this time she made eye contact with me! She gave a very quick and sweet smile, and proceeded to keep walking. Again, she went out of sight. At this point, I was 50% sure that she was a high-priced escort. But there were too many unknowns to be 100% for sure. I needed more clues. I was hoping that she would walk around a third time, so that I can stare at her again and perhaps give her some flirty or inviting gesture to indicate that I'm interested. But she never came by again. After about 20-30 minutes, I didn't see her so I figured she left...maybe with somebody else or went to play slots or her room. Who knows. But my wife wanted to play something else so we grabbed our chips and left the roulette table. She went to play slots and I went to cash in the chips. Near the cashier's cage, there was a hallway that led to the restrooms. And at a short distance, I saw the blonde...and she was looking my way. I took my cash and proceeded toward the bathroom...staring at this beauty all the way. She and I locked eyes and she just blurted it out, "Hey I saw you looking at me." I thought she was going to be mad for staring, but before I could say sorry, she asked me if I wanted company! I was like... JACKPOT!!!!!! She asked if I had a room, and I said yes. I gave her the room number and told me to meet me on that floor near the elevator. But first, I needed to go tell my wife that I will be playing in the slot area too, and I made up some bullshit thing like don't come look for me because I believe it's bad luck if I have someone next to me when I'm playing the slots. She said ok. I took the elevator to my floor and when the doors opened, there she was! Did I fucking die and go to heaven? She gave me this soft hug and her body felt so nice to hold. Whatever perfume she was wearing was smelling very nice! I gently squeezed the small of her back toward me...I made sure she could feel "my excitement" in her crotch area. She was wearing a tight thin dress, so I knew she felt me. I held her hand and led her to my room. When we got inside the room, she confessed that she and her husband had lost a lot of money at Harrahs, and she was very pissed off at him. And she asked me if I would be willing to help her out. Well, at least she wasn't an escort, but nothing was going to stop me now. This was a Tiffany Coyne lookalike...and I'm fucking this woman 👉👌💦come hell or high water! I don't want to go into details, but there was no clock watching or hastiness. We took out sweet time, and I enjoyed every inch of her body. I was so built-up that I couldn't hold my cum in anymore...and ended up shooting it deep down her throat when she was sucking. But I was still hard as a rock and we kept going. We did several positions for the next 30-40 minutes.....then she got on top of me to ride me...but after about 5 minutes into that, my worst nightmare looked like it was going to happen! Someone was trying to open my hotel door! The blonde suddenly stopped riding me...I pushed her off me and jumped toward the door to hold it closed! My wife was on the other side saying, "Hey! Why aren't you letting me in?" The blonde was hiding behind the side of the bed...naked and looking worried...and I motioned her to stay quiet. I cried to my wife, I can't let you in! She kept trying to use her electronic key to open the door and I kept pushing it closed again, and she shouted, "Why not?" I repeated, "I can't! Go back downstairs! I'll meet you there!" She replied, "No, I'm tired! I want to come in the room!" I was literally feeling like this is the end...I'm gonna get caught...it's over. But suddenly, the words just came out, "I can't let you in...it's embarrassing" She asked, "What's so embarrassing??!!" I told her, "I pooped all over the floor" She asked in disbelief, "WHAT?!" I told her that I think something I ate or drank gave me diarrhea and I ended up shitting my pants before getting to the toilet, and I just want to clean it all up before letting her in. I glanced over at my blonde friend, who was trying her best to control her laughing. "Can you please go downstairs and wait until I'm done?" My wife laughed and said, "Okay, I'll be at the roulette table" The blonde and I resumed our fucking...it seemed more special after that incident...I guess we bonded being partners in crime? I didn't want to risk my wife coming back up, so I told her let's finish this and fuck me in my favorite position... the reverse cowgirl. When I was about to cum, I pushed her off and splattered her face. We both laughed so hard about what had happened earlier, and soon thereafter, we kissed and parted ways. Wish I had asked for her number...ah, my one regret! Then, to cover my tracks, I did the unthinkable. I squatted and took a shit on the carpet by the hotel door! I rubbed the shit into the fibers and onto the tile leading to the toilet. I did a half-ass job with the cleaning, so as to prove to my wife that I did have uncontrollable diarrhea. Fuck, the room smelled awful! But it had to be done. I got a $150 cleaning fee from the hotel later, but that was one expense I was more than happy to pay! My wife never did suspect anything, and to this day, I still think that this was the closest I ever came to ruining it with her. Such are the dangers of this lifestyle 😬
A lot is going on in Tahoe during the summer, so here’s a continuously updated listing of events happening around the lake! Feel free to comment below with any updates, I will periodically edit the post with new events that folks send me. See revision notes at the bottom of this post. Things not included: shows that happen every week all year around (like the Improv at Harvey’s or the Magic Fusion at The Loft), free weekly shows at venues like the CBC and Alibi Truckee (check their event calendars for those!), and children’s camps/classes. I reserve the right to not include every event folks send; a truly comprehensive list would quickly become useless with too many items on it, so I will be a little selective.
Reno Philharmonic: Remember When Rock Was Young - The Elton John Tribute
Sand Harbor
17-18
The Infamous Stringdusters
Harrah’s
17-18
Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe
Montbleu
17-18
Phish
Harvey’s Outdoor Arena
19-22
Wanderlust Festival
Squaw Valley
20
Melissa Etheridge
Montbleu
21
Tainted Love
Crystal Bay Club
21-22
Keith Urban
Harvey’s Outdoor Arena
23
Sierra Nevada Ballet: A Midsummer Night’s Dream – The Ballet
Sand Harbor
25
Luke Bryan
Harvey’s Outdoor Arena
26
Chris Stapleton
Harvey’s Outdoor Arena
28
The Decemberists
Montbleu
28
Bikes & Brews
Kirkwood Mountain Resort
30
Reno Jazz Orchestra: New Orleans, A Night in the Big Easy
Sand Harbor
August
Date
Event
Location
3
ZoSo “The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience”
Crystal Bay Club
3
The Temptations
Montbleu
4
Matisyahu
Montbleu
4
Ice Cube
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
6
Reno Philharmonic: Bravo on The Beach: Best of Broadway
Sand Harbor
9
Florence and the Machine
Harvey’s Outdoor Arena
10
“Brews, Jazz and Funk Pre Party” ft. The Floozies w/ Big Sam’s Funky Nation
Crystal Bay Club
10
Janet Jackson
Harvey’s Outdoor Arena
11
Papa Roach
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
11-12
Brews, Jazz and Funk Fest
Squaw Valley
12
Bloody Mary Competition
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
12
Amy Schumer & Friends
Harvey’s Outdoor Arena
13
Super Diamond: The Neil Diamond Tribute
Sand Harbor
17
Steve Miller Band and Peter Frampton
Harvey’s Outdoor Arena
18
Petty Theft “Tribute to Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers”
Crystal Bay Club
18
Charlie Puth with Hailee Steinfeld
Harvey’s Outdoor Arena
18
BB King’s Blues Band
Montbleu
20
Mindi Abair & The Boneshakers: A Powerhouse Sax and Detroit Funk/Rock Concert
Sand Harbor
22
Nahko and Medicine for the People w/ Xiuhtezcatl
Crystal Bay Club
24
Evening with Donny & Marie
Harvey’s Outdoor Arena
31
Scorpions and Queensrÿche
Harvey’s Outdoor Arena
September
Date
Event
Location
1
Reno Jazz Orchestra: An Evening with Tierney Sutton
Sand Harbor
1
Foam Fest
Squaw Valley
2
Alpen Wine Fest
Squaw Valley
7
Dave Matthews Band
Harvey’s Outdoor Arena
7
Guitar Strings vs. Chicken Wings
Squaw Valley
13
Galactic
Crystal Bay Club
21-22
Thunder from Down Under
Harrah’s
22
Oktoberfest
Squaw Valley
29
Oktoberfest
Tahoe City
Revision History
2018-05-16 - Added Concerts at Commons Beach, Omg Fun Run!, Florence and the Machine, Tahoe City Oktoberfest, and League to Save Lake Tahoe (Keep Tahoe Blue) community events. Modified some of the column names and link formatting.
This was my first half, and I've been training for a little over 6 months! I signed up right after my first 10k in October 2018, and have worked hard to build a good base, and have started doing workouts and long runs. My longest run beforehand was 14 miles, a couple weeks ago. Most training plans I've seen stop have the longest run at 10-12, but I couldn't leave that much up to chance, I needed to know that I could do it. Both of my 13.1+ runs were just over two hours, with stops to open Gu, because my long runs were done in cold weather and I could never open the packet with cold hands while running. I really really wanted to run this whole race without stopping, since I got majorly sick in March and it's taken me until now to get my fitness/mental game back up to where it was. Walking would be tolerable, but no stopping!
Pre-race
I'm lucky enough to have access to a cabin in South Lake Tahoe near the race, and a bunch of friends and I made a weekend of it. I had two friends doing the walk/jog of this race, and we went to the expo, then made lovely carb-heavy tacos, and had a nice beer that I had been saving, did a high-altitude shakeout run, and went to bed early. I got up super early the morning of, ate the same thing I eat before every long run (banana + peanut butter, English muffin, protein bar), since my friends had a start time of 7 for walking, went to the Hard Rock Casino and caught the early shuttle (to simplify car pooling). I got to relax at the start line for about an hour and a half, drank some coffee, made sure I wouldn't have to take any bio breaks during the run, and hung out with some friends from local running groups.
Race
I made a conscious effort to not look at my Garmin while running, for as long as I could, and run by feel. Miles 1-3 were downhill from Spooner Summit on highway 50, and I had planned to push it a little and stick with the 1:50 pacer, but I felt great and looooove downhill, so I went ahead of him and was running mid-7 minute per mile. I had a giant smile on my face, especially when I rounded a corner and got the first stunning view of Lake Tahoe! Somewhere in the mile 4 or 5 area it starts becoming more rolling hills, with a few big climbs and big drops. The course went through Cave Rock, a tunnel in a giant rock formation, and that was AMAZING! I had a Gu around mile 7, just after a particularly rough hill. Rolling hills continued though the rest of the race, with one huge awful one called round hill at mile 9.5. I power walked up it in an effort to conserve some energy, since I'm hella tall and my power walk is pretty damn fast so it didn't cost me much time. Gu number two was while walking, I was starting to really feel this race. After that hill, the course left the highway and went on a nice paved path near a golf course, it was beautiful and mostly in trees, so it was nice and shady. Even though I'd been training pretty consistently, I was getting really tired around mile 11, and very ready to be done. At mile 12, the course left the path, and went uphill via some side streets and wound around until you run behind the Hard Rock. All I wanted was to see that damn finish line, and not run uphill anymore - the second it came into view, with the clock saying 1:49:24, I all out sprinted to the finish. The 1:50 pacer had passed me on the last hill but crossed right in front of me, and we high-fived right as I crossed, at 1:49:38. My husband was waiting for me right after I got my medal, and I burst into happy tears. He had brought me a bottle of my favorite electrolyte drink, and we checked out all the booths while waiting for our friends to finish.
Post-race
I drank some beer and barbecued a tritip and drank more beers. There was much gnashing of teeth because Strava fucked up and didn't record, and won't import it from my Garmin! Today I went and soaked my legs in freezing cold Lake Tahoe, and now I'm thinking about my Ragnar Trail Ultra next month and looking into training plans for CIM in December! This post was generated using the new race-reportr, powered by coachview, for making organized, easy-to-read, and beautiful race reports.
On This Date In California Weather History (July 20)
2014: Strong thunderstorms produced flash flooding in Yosemite National Park over the burn scar from the large Rim Fire that occurred during the summer of 2013. Debris flows were reported along Granite Creek with around 2" of rain falling in a period of two hours; in fact, over 1.5" fell during the first hour! 2008: Outflow from intense monsoon activity over Arizona ignited strong early morning thunderstorms over the Coachella Valley and desert slopes over the San Jacinto and San Bernardino Mountains. Rain rates with the most intensestorms exceeded 1.25 inches in 30 minutes. Intense runoff resulted in a flash flood thatraced down Eagle Canyon, across Highway 111 and into Cathedral City. Debris consisting of rocks, a fence, mud, and tree limbs caused the closure of Highway 111 and damaged 20 homes. 2006: A thunderstorm tracked across the southwestern portion of Yosemite National Park during the afternoon hours knocking down trees and power lines at El Portal and as well as downing trees along the Wawona Highway. In the Kern County desert, a thunderstorm trekked through in the late afternoon hours causing trees and power lines to fall and even blowing out car windows. 1998: An easterly wave moving over Southern California helped to initiate rare thunderstorms along the San Diego County coast. The storms developed near Vista and moved south to La Jolla and Point Loma. Urban flooding was reported at Mission Beach and Pacific Beach. In addition, lightning strikes set several trees ablaze, struck a Clairemont home and knocked out power to 21,000 homes and businesses in Clairemont and Point Loma. 1998: Severe thunderstorms moved into the Las Vegas Valley and nearby Lake Mead bringing wind gusts in excess of 60 mph and heavy showers which dumped between 1.50" and 2.25" of rain overnight. Several marinas on Lake Mead suffered extensive wind damage and numerous roads were washed out. In the Las Vegas Valley, heavy rain and flooding produced the majority of damage. Major flooding began in the early morning of July 20 and kept washes filled for several hours with numerous swift water rescues performed during the period. One man apparently died of a heart attack while rescue personnel were trying to remove him from his car. Rapidly accumulating water and a clogged drainage system caused the roof of the Palace Station Hotel and Casino to collapse, causing millions of dollars in damage. A few hours later, the same hotel and casino caught fire when it was struck by lightning. 1996: Ben Lomond had a high temperature of 107° F. 1988: A severe thunderstorm developed along the Elsinore Convergence Zone in the Inland Empire. The storm produced a microburst in Perris that damaged or destroyed 3 sailplanes and 31 ultralights. Total damages exceeded $500,000. 1987: A rare cold air mass for mid-summer descended on the region starting on 7.18 and ending on 7.21 and broke numerous low temperature records. It was 39° F in Palomar Mountain, the lowest temperature on record for July. This also occurred two days previous on 7.18 and on the next day 7.21. 1979: Thunderstorms hit Southern California, especially hard in the Coachella Valley and surrounding mountains. 1.92" of rain fell in Idyllwild and 1.29" fell in Borrego Springs, each the greatest daily amount on record for July. 2.5" of rain fell in Palm Springs, 1.1" fell in Palomar Mountain and 1.09" fell in Big Bear Lake. Around Palm Desert and Rancho Mirage a debris flow killed one and caused $7 million damage. Flash flooding hit hundreds of homes in Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and La Quinta. Some residents were swept out of their homes during the night. 1974: A tornado slammed into the southwest side of Hemet. Winds were estimated at over 100 mph. Three small planes and five gliders were destroyed. Several hangars sustained damage. One person was injured by flying glass from a shattered window. This same storm dropped 2.39" of rain on Hemet in one hour. . 1960: Paso Robles ties its all-time high of 115° F. 1956: A flash flood in northwest Reno, NV, destroyed homes and flooded businesses. 1931: Both Reno, NV, and Carson City, NV, recorded high temperatures of 106° F. Tahoe City registered its all-time record high temperature for the month of July with a reading of 93° F. 1915: An all-time high temperature of 115° F was recorded at Yosemite Valley at the National Park Headquarters (around 4,000 feet in elevation). This was the warmest day in a streak of 7 consecutive days of 110° F or better at Yosemite Valley that extended from July 19th through the 25th. Source: NWS San Francisco/Monterey, Hanford, Reno, Las Vegas, & San Diego
Mt. Bachelor - Bend, Oregon Kirkwood - South Lake Tahoe, California Keystone - Colorado I want to try to get a job at one of these mountains, and it will be a job where I'm riding 99% of the day. If anyone has any experience with any of these mountains, and/or info about the parks, I would love to know some pros/cons of them. I've been at Mt. Bachelor for 15 years, so I don't need much info on that... and I lived in Tahoe for one season, and loved it and rode Kirkwood a handful of times, but that was a few years ago. The snow in Tahoe was pretty bad also since it was ALWAYS sunny, but I remember powder days at Kirkwood were pretty epic I want to leave Mt. Bachelor, and I mostly want to go to Keystone, but I've heard it's very hard to find housing, and when (if) I do, it's very expensive. I've never rode in Colorado before, so Keystone is what I am looking for the most info for. I've checked other threads and browsed around, but I would just like some more direct info. Thanks guys! My own pro/con list from what I know: Mt. Bachelor - Bend, Oregon PROS *Tons of skiable terrain *3-4 parks, superpipe, bordercross *Well maintained parks, with features often changed around *Frequent competitions *Mostly all lifts are high speed quads *When it does snow, it's amazing *Free shuttle from town for employees *Bend, OR is a cool, affordable ski town, with lots of outdoor activities *Decent nightlife. Lots of bars downtown. Beer capital of the nation. A few clubs *Long season (6'ish months) CONS *Often windy - Summit lift is rarely open *Lava rocks *Bored of riding this mountain (personal opinion) Kirkwood - South Lake Tahoe, California PROS *When it does snow, the powder is amazing *Tahoe is an amazing, affordable ski town with lots to do *Super fun nightlife. Casinos are a blast to party at *Parks were decent, from what I remember CONS *Too many sunny days - always slushy/icy snow *A bit of a drive from Tahoe (but I heard there's a shuttle from Tahoe to Kirkwood?) *Short season (4 1/2'ish months) Keystone - Colorado PROS *Night riding? *Access to various other mountains that I've heard good things about *Lots of runs *Nice park? CONS *Unaffordable? Hard to find a cheap place to rent? *Short'ish season (5 months) *According to this site Mt. Bachelor gets 150" more per year than Keystone, and Kirkwood gets 370" more than Keystone (I thought Colorado got a lot of snow?) DISCLAIMER!!! I know the format of this post is hideous... I've never posted to Reddit before, so this was the best I could do. Sorry for the eye sore
There are several "Women's Marches on Washington" in the area for folks who are unable to travel to Washington but still want to show solidarity with those marching there. Per the official website: "This is an INCLUSIVE march, and EVERYONE who supports human rights are welcome. This is NOT a protest." There's lots to read elsewhere about these marches.. I just wanted to share some local options. Visit https://www.womensmarch.com for more information.
South Lake Tahoe - Meeting at Hard Rock Casino at 11am and ending at Lakeview Commons - Link
Kings Beach - North Tahoe Event Center at 12pm - Link
Reno - Meeting at Bruce R. Thompson Courthouse and Federal Building at 9am - Link
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