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The Surprising and Hazy Origin of 4/20

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
Author Aimee Thomas
Rapper Snoop Dogg attends a news conference for Triller Fight Club's inaugural 2021 boxing event at The Venetian Las Vegas on March 26, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will take place on April 17, 2021, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

It’s 4/20. Happy 4/20? Is that what they say?

If you are a smoker this is your holiday! But do you know where this infamous date/time comes from? Did 4/20 come about because of a clock, a calendar, or simply a joke? Well, today we’re going to dive into the smoky history of 4/20, and maybe learn a little something along the way.

It would be nice to have a concrete answer to what 4/20 truly means, but that would be too easy.

  • The origin story of this stoner day has been clouded by rumors and false leads. Some say it’s the police code for marijuana possession, but that’s been debunked.
  • Others claim it has to do with Bob Dylan’s song “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35”, where the chorus goes “Everybody must get stoned”. Why those numbers? Because 12×35=420, naturally.

But legend has it that the real story behind 4/20 (4:20) is, in 1971, a group of California high school students, who called themselves the “Waldos” (because they hung out by a wall on campus) supposedly heard about a secret patch of weed in a nearby forest, and started meeting up at 4:20 pm to go on a hunt… They never found the secret crop, but the code name “420 Louis” (later shortened to just “420”) became their secret code for smoking pot. And thus, a holiday was born.

Hey, is it a coincidence that Snoop Dogg was born in 1971? I think not.

We still don’t really know if it started as a time or a date. the true origin of 4/20 may never be completely confirmed, but that’s part of what makes it a fun. I guess. Whether you’re someone who partakes in marijuana use or not, there’s no denying that 4/20 has become a part of our cultural fabric. Kick back, relax, and let the good times roll. Peace, love, and happiness to y’all.

Aimee Thomas is the morning show co-host of Aimee + Shawn on 102.7 VGS. She has been VGS since the birth of the station in 2022 and has been with Beasley Media Group for nine years doing mornings at various stations in the cluster. Before working in radio Aimee was a bartender at a local restaurant in Las Vegas when a local radio veteran thought she would be perfect in radio because of her crazy stories, knowledge of pop culture, and contagious laugh. Aimee loves writing about new recipes she creates in her kitchen, her favorite artists and actors, and being a mom of two boys.

The 'Best' Slot Machines To Play In Las Vegas

There’s something comforting about the ringing sounds from slot machines in Las Vegas.

Lined across casino floors, slot machines are almost like the front-line soldiers when it comes to gambling.

For some, slot machines offer quintessential Sin City entertainment. These machines also may seem less intimating compared to other games with complex rules, etiquette and more.

If you’re a gambling rookie then the bright, flashy machines can be overwhelming. But, we’re here to help.

Other than the rare nickel slot machines (which only exists in old school Las Vegas casinos), the best payout comes from the $5 slot machine, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. Casinos had a 5.46% win percentage in 2022. In comparison, the $25 slot machines had a 5.86% average when it came to casinos winning. This figure was only higher for multi-denomination machines, which saw a 6.13% of casino winnings in 2022.

There’s also a term of “loose” slot machines. This is essentially a gambler’s myth that some machines pay out more than others.

Overall, your best chances of finding some “loose” slot machines will be located off The Strip and off Fremont Street. Casinos that are located in North Las Vegas or Henderson will probably have a better chance of getting a pay out per VegasFoodandFun.com‘s report.

Along with that, Nevada’s Gaming Control Board states that, “All gaming devices must: (a) Theoretically pay out a mathematically demonstrable percentage of all amounts wagered, which must not be less than 75 percent for each wager available for play on the device.”

This means that Nevada has a “Return to Player” of 75%.  This means that — in theory — the player should get their money back 75% of the time, and the casino would get 25%.

However, just because “75%” is the minimum doesn’t mean a casino will go that low. So, take this with a grain a salt. And the best rule of Las Vegas: The house always wins.

But despite the slim odds, sometimes slot machines can pay off. If you’re a Las Vegas local or a tourist then scroll down below for the best machines to play in Las Vegas! This list is compiled from local reviews and media sources that are Las Vegas-based.

  • Wheel of Fortune

    According to GamblingNews.com, the Wheel of Fortunate slot machine pays out jackpots “habitually.” There are tons of features and some multipliers to “keep you going in the base game.” And according to Casino.org, there are 720 ways to win.

    Wheel of Fortune

  • The Triple Red Hot 777

    Simple and no-nonsense. There are five pay lines. There are great bonus rounds with multipliers that help you win “big,” according to Casino.org.

    The Triple Red Hot 777

  • Buffalo Grand

    The Buffalo Grand is a fan-favorite among many slot players. With fun animations and an “all-ways winning system,” this machine has two bonus wheels and the big jackpot prizes right at the top of the machine. The retriggers are easy when it comes to free spins and multipliers, according to OnlinegamblingSites.com. Win-lines are not needed. However the symbols on consecutive reels from the left trigger wings. While most of the symbols require three in a row, the higher paying Buffalo and Elk symbols only need two.

  • Heidi's Bier Haus

    Joe Jonas once posted on Instagram about this slot machine, so it must be good right? Well, we’re not too sure that this machine being “Joe Jonas” approved means it’s a good one. However, it’s definitely a popular machine that’s favored among many. You can earn tons of free spins — up to 100! It’s a progressive jackpot with 50 paylines, according to JackpotParty.com.

  • Monte Carlo

    The Monte Carlo slot machine is another “reputable” or “well-known” game in Sin City. The multipliers, promotions and free spins makes this slot an encompassing experience. Along with that, the machine blends roulette with the foundational game of slots. The mixture of roulette, slots with other incentives makes this a popular machine for many tourists.

  • Diamond Queen

    The Diamond Queen is a five-reel machine with 20 paylines and scatter pays, free game bonuses  and multiple winning combinations. It’s another hit on the Vegas casino floor for many seasoned slot players. You can chose from different coin denominations for this machine as well. The theme is fun and it’s a great machine to start with.

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Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
Author Aimee Thomas
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