Tropicana has .25 FPDW, DDB, AA on six machines near cashier. Sign on top of bank real easy to find.

The uprights with 8/5 BP that WERE near the buffet have now been moved to just between Sportsbook counter and VIP room. Near that 'side' door (or is it casino drive) pedestrian entrance, along the 'TrainTrack' pavillion with open bar stool seating in front? At least still a number of 8/5 BP with 4-7s paying triple at .25 and higher denom. Cut in slot club benefits to .25% TOTAL (.083333 cb and .167 comps) is now in the 'middle range' of Laughlin's offerings.

TROP (Still a favorite of mine, nice rooms, plenty of decent places to eat, relax, and otherwise hang out): VP goes from $3/pt to $6/pt, in effect, cutting benefits in half by requiring TWICE as much coin in.

*** MIA - *** (1) 25c old IGT 10/7 DB slant-top in "Antique Junction" area.

*** MIA - *** (3) 50c 10/7 DB bartops @ BF&B Conductor Bar (2) $1 10/7 DB near main cashier. $1/$2 10/7 DB in high-limit area. 25c 9/6 JoB near Cashier. (2) 50c 9/6 JoB bartops @ high-limit bar. 25c 8/5 BP near Cashier. 25c 8/5 BP PROG (RF) bartops @ Caboose Bar. 25c/50c/$1 8/5 BP (Quad 7's pay triple) bartops @ Caboose Bar. (3) 50c 8/5 BP bartops @ BF&B Conductor Bar $1/$2/$5/$10 8/5 BP (Quad 7's pay triple) in high-limit area.

*** MIA - *** $1 9/6 JoB in high-limit area.

*** MIA - *** (2) 25c (1-100-coin) 10/7 DB near main cashier. (2) $5 ($1199 for SF and 5-K quads - 99.8%) 10/7 DB in high-limit area.

The casino's name has been changed from Ramada Express to Tropicana Express. They removed many of the vp machines near the main cashier. I asked about some other missing machines and the slot person said if it was a coin dropper than it will not be replaced.

Ramada Express /Tropicana Express does have $5 BP (8/5) which is over 100% (100.057%) because of the triple pay on 7's and the $5 BP 7/5 is a progressive and many times is very high which puts it over 100% because it also pays triple on the 7's.

Was at Ramada and did not find the DDJ or DJ. Maybe looking in wrong spot, who knows. If they are removed verification should come from someone more familiar with the place than me.

*** MIA - *** 25c 10/6/4 DDJ and 25c 8/5 DJ.

Novelty Games: A Cash King Checkers game (south of slotclub) in .25 with the 100.98% paytable. The Funbooks still are handed out at the LVCVA which has the "Crazy Eights" coupon. These Funbooks do not expire until June 30, 2004, unlike the 48 hour time-stamped ones in the past. The Crazy Eights coupon is "Win a FREE roll of like coin...Max bonus award $100". Slot club hours 6am-2am and 24 hours Friday and Saturday.

(1) The $.05 1-100 coin machines have all been downgraded to short-pay. There are no longer any full-pay nickel machines at Ramada. (2) They have removed the hand-pay for quad 7's from all JB machines (.25/1.00). (3) Quad 7's still pays triple on most of the 5-8 bonus poker machines (.25/1.00). (4) One should prefer the BP to JB in the "best plays" at Ramada. Between the hand pay for 7's and the "crazy 8's" coupons (see below) this game is rated at 100.115% with a variance of 21. (5) The Crazy 8 coupon promo is still active (in at least its 5th year now). HOWEVER, the coupons are no longer available at the outlet mall next store. You must go to the Laughlin Visitor Center (across the street from the Riverside) to get them.

Coupon books available at outlet mall with $10 bonus for natural quads on 25c machines. Sign-up on the website for frequent e-mail offers for rooms, food, show tickets and multi-point coupons. Good room and food offers. Comps still a mystery. Some machines pay triple for quad sevens. Variable VP cashback rate based on machine denomination: 25c is $7.50 coin-in per point $1 is $10.00 coin-in per point $2 is $17.50 coin-in per point $5/$10 is $25.00 coin-in per point