UP THE BITTERROOT-I went up the Bitterroot River on Highway 93 to Hamilton, Montana and camped out on the Bitterroot River. The Bitterroot is one of the most scenic valleys in America. The Sapphire Mountains on one side of the valley and the Bitterroot Mountains on the other. I gotta bring a fishing pole next time. Rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout.
I didn't find much in the way of expectation on the machines though I did make a little money. But the most interesting part of the trip was a conversation I had with a bartender in Lolo. She was new to the area. She gave me the name of her hometown and state. After awhile she got around to asking me what I do for a living.
"I don't normally tell strangers what I do for a living. People don't understand it."
"So hurry up and tell me."
"I'm a Nevada machine pro. Do you know what that is?"
"No."
"Gambling machines are my forte."
"Okay. Do you play slot machines?
"Sometimes. I have to have a reason to."
"Okay. No, I believe you. I knew someone."
"You knew a machine pro?"
"Yes, in my hometown we got a casino. He was living in a hotel and going to the casino everyday. He had been there for two months when I left."
"He was playing slot machines?"
"He was playing progressive slot machines, but only at certain times. He got me and my girlfriend to play for him sometimes."
I was thinking Lucky Coin Bonus System.
"Did the progressive meters have a cap. Did the money have to go by a certain number?"
"No."
"Did he have you play as fast as you could?"
"No. He had us make a spin every three seconds. When he won he paid us."
Now I'm thinking Money Time....or something like it.
"Did you have to hit a line pay or did the machine award random bonus amounts occasionally?"
"Yes, that's it. We didn't have to hit anything. The machine would just occasinally award a progressive bonus ."
"No kidding? And the casino is in your hometown?"
"Yes."
"How long ago was this?"
"The first of the year."
I filed the information away for future reference. I might be taking another road trip.
