Finally returned from a whirlwind excursion to Las Vegas (approximately an 11 hour drive.) But then again, I wasn't the only one that drove a long distance...Pat and Daryl Lamb drove from Colorado, Rick Minor drove from Chester, Ca., another 9 or 10 hours, etc.

I had a choice of either attending Rene's show or Bill Akeman and didn't make up my mind until about 2 days before which if any I was going to go to.

The determining factor was the trade show that Rene hosted on Thurdsday. It was just fantastic. It was held in a suite on the 3rd floor and the attendance was just overwhelming. Rene provided not only the suite but edible goodies to boot. This was an extra expense that I hope he was able to recover from the income of the show.

In any case, here two groups split up. The majority of the space was occupied by "us" slot card traders and then in a corner, the chippers gathered. As Pat remarked from the sidelines, "It sure looks as if the trend is turning." We slot card traders were just going to town, having a great old time trading back and forth--I personally probably added a couple of hundered cards to my collection (at least it seems like it)--as did so many others. In the mean time, the chippers were lucky to trade a dozen or so (At least that what it looked like.)

It just seems like these slots are what Archie described chips to be like when the club first started.

I met a lot of new people, Rick Minor and Dick Bartley, just to name a couple and of course so many old friends from all over the country--Kentucky, New Jersey, and of course from my old stomping ground, Southern California.

On to the show. From a collectors point of view, the show was a great success. I came away with more then I could have hoped for--even picked up about 2 or 3 dozen chips ( a bunch of them obsolete from other states I was missing for $6.00 each.)

The room was large and therefore it appeared to be sparce of attendees and dealers, but I hope my observation was just deceiving. I spoke to many dealers--some satisfied, some not--but that is usually the case for most shows.

All in all, I think Rene did a great job. He was the perfect host.

Wish I could also attend Bill Akeman's show next week as well but can't make that drive twice in one week. I do wish him well, but I think two shows back to back is a little much.

Just as a side note regarding the Palace Station. Aside from the $1.50 charge for the Coke machine on each floor (which I was able to elude as I went over to Raley's--the local market--- and bought a six pack for $2.50, the extra $3.00 surcharge (energy) and $1.00 phone service charge, the hotel was a great place to stay. Thanx to the person who posted the note on the board regarding the $15.00 per night rate.

This is one of the few hotels around the country who realize that they have 6 foot plus people staying at their hotels and therefore place the shower heads high enough so that we don't have to stoop down in order to rinse off. Oh yes. also one of the few Las Vegas hotels that provided a coffee pot. To top it all off, they have a great poker rooms downstairs--a place to go to end the evening in a relaxing way.l

Thanx again, Rene, and I have all intentions of attending your next show as well.