My most vivid memory of visits to the Bonanza Casino in Reno was several years ago when a friend of mine won $70 playing craps there. The Bonanza is strictly a low rollers' place - it still uses cheap-looking 25-cent chips on its one craps table - and I had the impression the folks at the Bonanza had ever seen a $70 winner before. The pit boss hinted that it would be a good idea if we left. He must have thought my friend was some high-stakes whale from Las Vegas, and they didn't want to run the risk of another $70 hit. It might have bankrupted the joint.

The Bonanza is still there, about 3 miles north of downtown, and even though the casino is a little on the dumpy side, its steakhouse gets rave reviews every year as one of the best in Northern Nevada. Go figure.