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Thinking of heading to Gold Strike in Tunica...need advice! Thanks!

Discussion in 'Non-Vegas Casino Hotels' started by BnV226, Oct 14, 2012.

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  1. BnV226

    BnV226 Low-Roller

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    Hi all,
    I know that there are some here who live closer to Tunica and frequent there often, so I'm hoping they can chime in.
    I want to visit Tunica for the first time, and also spend some time in Memphis on an upcoming trip in late March for 6 nts (all in Tunica, will drive to Memphis during the day and return to stay in Tunica).

    I am Plat. at Mlife and was hoping I would score a comp at Gold Strike - my usual offers in Vegas (at the high end) are around 3 nts reg room, $150-$200 FP, $100 F&B at Bellagio and Aria - just to give you an idea of the comps I usually earn.

    So my questions are:

    1) Does anyone have a good host I can email to see if they will offer me up to 6 nights? - I saw on their website weeknights are only $50 a night, with a fri night around $130...Also, I am Plat from my play at Vegas, I assume they don't care where you earned it, they will treat me all the same when I am there (benefits listed on Mlife page, etc.)

    2) How is Gold Strike, is it worth staying? Even though I usually stay at Bellagio, Aria, and Wynn - I don't expect that, I just want it to be clean & safe.

    3) How is the surrounding area of Tunica, is it decent or is it like Atlantic City (ugh...)? Is the drive to Memphis really about 45mins like google maps says (traffic...etc.)?

    4) Last, how is the gambling? I play mostly slots (they are all the same to me...I don't listen to "I always lose or I always win") but are they newer ones or same ones that never get switched out? I will prob play BJ also, what are the limits like there?

    5) While I am interested in the other hotels, because of Mlife, I will prob do most of my playing at Gold Strike - but any input would be appreciated?

    Thank you for any answers or any tips!!!:nworthy:

    - BnV:peace:
     
  2. Jimbo338

    Jimbo338 VIP Whale

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    I guess you are talking about another Gold Spike! Sorry.

    Jimbo338
     
    Last edited: Oct 14, 2012
  3. jpw711

    jpw711 Is that your cat?

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    Gold strike rooms are clean, recently updated. Flat screen, free wifi if comped room, otherwise a resort fee of $6 or so. Bathroom has a tub shower instead of separate. Room service is better than average. Quiet during the week.

    Comps are easy, I get 3 nights every two weeks along with free play. I had stopped going to tunica for a few years, just going to Vegas and called up the host desk right before the mlife change over and got 4 nights comped upfront. At the time I was slated to be a pearl card holder. At the end of the stay, the $350 in room service charges were comped as well. Since then, I've only used the mailers, but they have added on an additional night upfront (summer sometimes the offers drop to two nights). One trip we decided to stay a fourth night and got the "you are on the edge, just keep playing" speech, so we moved over to the fitz at a rate of $39 plus two free breakfast buffets.

    I played a couple of hours that night at the fitz and got two free dinner buffets that night, and the room comped the next morning.

    The GS shares a parking lot with the Horseshoe (CET) and Roadhouse (CET). Walk out one door, cross a two lane street (to the rear of the properties) and you are in the other. The area is safe, you are out in the middle of cotton fields. A short drive from there, or a walk through the Mississippi river jungle, you can be at ballys. I'd suggest you drive unless you like snakes and bugs.

    The fitz is about 3 miles farther south, and 3 miles past that, the Hollywood, Sams town, and resorts share an area.

    Three miles North of the GS lies Harrahs, a huge complex with 3 hotels and casino.

    The drive to Memphis is about 20 minutes, it's 4 lane divided on hwy 61, another 10 minutes gets you down town through stop lights. Many people prefer to take the interstate connector, which is more miles to miss the locals. I've been driving it since the mid 90's, anywhere from 5 am to 9 pm and I've felt safe going through town. There's a lot worse places in Memphis.

    Back to the GS. As far as staying there, it is the only place I ever stay, probably due to mlife, though I do like the marble lobby. It seems to have more a resort feel than the others. The only place I would not stay at is Ballys, never heard a good thing about their rooms, though I have played in the casino

    Tunicams.yuku.com is the vegas message board of tunica, though it has very low posts. Their background gives a view of the GS/shoe/sheraton complex.

    Hope this helps, feel free to pm me if you need more info.
     
    No reason to go home yet.
  4. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    I would say GoldStrike is the nicest option in Tunica, followed closely by Harrahs and Horseshoe. The surrounding area, however, is just farmland. There are a couple of casinos grouped together and a little nearby outlet shopping, but pretty much what you find in the hotels is what you get
     
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  5. BnV226

    BnV226 Low-Roller

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    THANK YOU! THANK YOU!:nworthy:

    I really appreciate all your input and was actually hoping you'd reply (I've read your post about Tunica before :) Anyway...thanks, I think I'm going to try it out just because I'm going to Vegas in late Feb and want to try something a little different ( I know, blasphemy) and was hoping to get some good food in Memphis :)

    I don't know if anyone can answer this but, GS should have access to all my play because of their Mlife connection right?

    Thanks again,
    BnV:peace:
     
  6. jpw711

    jpw711 Is that your cat?

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    Right.

    Lot's of good BBQ in Memphis, Interstate BBQ is decent, just North of I-55 on Hwy 61, west side of road. Get the BBQ s'getti.

    If you search the tunica board, there's a local guy who owns a tire repair shop that delivers. If he has the smokers fired up, it's very good.

    Uncle Lou's fried chicken, as seen on Diners/drive ins/dives isn't bad either.
     
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  7. mjames1229

    mjames1229 # of visits includes only trips w/ hotel stays

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    I went to Intestate BBQ last February and wasn't impressed with the BBQ spaghetti.

    But the hot link...:thumbsup:
     
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  8. jpw711

    jpw711 Is that your cat?

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    I'm right there with you on the hot link.
     
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  9. martinr

    martinr Rock Chalk Jayhawk

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    I live in Memphis and am a frequent visitor to the Tunica casinos.

    I am a Pearl MLife member and Diamond at CET properties.

    Gold Strike is the only MLife property in the area that consists of 9 casinos.
    Gold Strike is the tallest hotel in Mississippi, as far as I have heard and is taller than the others in Tunica by far. Rooms are nice and common areas are not bad. Restaurant options at GS are not very impressive. Next door at Horseshoe, Binions Steakhouse is very nice as is '37 at Harrahs a couple of miles away. There is a great little local restaurant near the casinos, The Hollywood Cafe. It has great local food and nice steaks and is very quaint.

    Gambling is gambling. GS has been constantly updating machines and games. Comps are something I don't have much history with. I get offers regularly that includes comp rooms, meals etc. I'm sure at tables, you could get comps.

    Memphis is loaded with great places to eat. Don't expect to find much around the casinos in Tunica, except cotton fields, etc.

    HAve fun and look me up if you need any other info.
     
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  10. earth-3

    earth-3 VIP Whale

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    I am thinking of going to this group of casino's in mid-January. Would a 2 night stay be plenty of time for a first stay, or would 3 or 4 nights be better. In Las Vegas you have a lot of sights and casinos to see. Are the Tunica casino's and bars open 24 hours? I am hoping a car rental won't be necessary. I don't drink and drive and the shuttle service shuts down fairly early. I know you won't find the same level of ambience, atmosphere and exceitment in Tunica. So for a first stay, how many nights would be appropriate?
     
  11. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    All depends on how much you want to play. When I go to Tunica, it is only to gamble. Not much to see, although there are some random shows and acts they book at the casinos (never saw a show advertised that I wanted to see, but you might). My typical Tunica trip involves me arriving at GS around 7ish on a Friday night and I usually leave after waking up sunday morning. In that time, I usually get my fill of gambling.

    As for drinks, I assume the GS bars are open 24 hours. I've never walked up to one of the bars during a morning hour, but I have ordered drinks at 7am at the tables and always got it. The earliest I have approached a bar at GS is right before noon and it was already hopping
     
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  12. KnowItAll

    KnowItAll VIP Whale

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    More then two days there you either better be lucky or have a large bankroll. It has about 2% of the things Vegas does to entertain you outside of gambling. There are some neat things to do in Memphis but expect to pay a boatload to rent a car if you decide to go that route.
     
  13. JRSOBX

    JRSOBX Low-Roller

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    I stayed in a standard room at the Gold Strike. The room was nice and comfortable. The room wasn't anything super special but it was clean and reasonably modern. I think I paid about $50 for the night so it was well worth the money.

    The pool/hot tub area was nice, it's made to look like you are in a grotto. The pool was small with way too many kids splashing around and there was quite a bit of trash that needed to be picked up. We hung out in the hot tub for a little while and one of the attendants brought us a couple of bottles of cold water which was nice.

    They had plenty of the newer slots. Drink service was slow, but Horseshoe next door has the deal where you can order drinks directly from the slot machine, and that was quick.

    There aren't many food choices late night. I think there is a pizza or burger place at Gold Strike that stays open late and a burger place at Horseshoe. I hit the place at Horseshoe about 3 in the morning. I don't remember what I ordered, but it was very good.
     
  14. earth-3

    earth-3 VIP Whale

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    What type of play do they currently expect for a room comp? I play green but will get into black if I'm ahead. For slots, I play full $1 and an occasional $5.
     
  15. BnV226

    BnV226 Low-Roller

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    I called them to inquire about a room comp in march. GS said they do not book comp rooms more than 3 months in advance, but I should have no problem procuring a comp'd room.

    The reg rate for when I wanted to go was only $50 a night - so that's not much, considering I have no problem getting 3 nts comp'd at Bellagio or Aria - and I'm a lowly slot player:evillaugh. I should add I'm Plat. - though I know offers are based on coin-in.
     
  16. addicted

    addicted High-Roller

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    Im gonna be in tunica November 10-11(sat+sun):beer:

    Where a good place to eat?

    Staying at harrahs, but Im sure we will hit all the casinos:drunk:

    Thanks for any input
     
  17. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    Depends on what kind of food you want. The selections in Tunica are limited, especially compared to Vegas.

    The Paula Deen buffett is where you are staying and is probably the best Tunica buffett option. I also vvery much like the Chicago Steakhouse at GS. The menu is not large, but the food is good. Avoid all the food at Sam's Town :vomit:
     
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  18. JRSOBX

    JRSOBX Low-Roller

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    I really like the diner at Roadhouse. They have excellent steaks and prime rib.

    The Paula Deen buffet is better than the buffet at Horseshoe.
     
  19. theotherone

    theotherone Low-Roller

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    Lots of great info on here by everyone.

    Just wanted to add that each time I stay at Gold Strike they have been awesome with the room comps.

    The very first time I stayed a few years ago, was there for my birthday 2 nights. At the end of the stay I asked about a comp at checkout. I had to go talk to a casino manager but it was worth it and she comped one night. I had played mostly at the Horseshoe next door, with may 2 sessions at craps there in GS, and they still comped me.

    The 2nd time I was there I played for a bit at GS (again, more play at Harrah's and HorseShoe because I was staying at Harrah's) and got 2 dinner comps very quickly to the Buffet. My wife looked it over and while we could have easily eaten there, we decided to ask for the Chicago Steakhouse next to the buffet. They comped us enough for some wine, oysters, and a few other apps that were outstanding.

    Then I was there this past September with many friends and they did the same thing -- we had 2 rooms for 1 night and they comped one of the rooms. THey looked at everybodys level of play.

    To say the least,I have been spoiled by Tunica and thats with fairly minimal play. I dont even play at your level of greens and blacks, so you should do just fine.

    Also, I highly recommend the Paula Dean buffet, if nothing else just to say you have been. It is always well worth it and my wife and I usually eat so much there it is typically the ONLY meal we eat all day!
     
  20. Travel Fanatic

    Travel Fanatic The Arbiter of Taste Caviar Kid

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    I have always had the impression that comps in Tunica are easy to get, especially if you try the lower roller places (Sams, Fitz, etc.). They get a lot of day trippers there, so unlike Vegas, making money off the hotel and food is not their highest priority.

    My craziest Tunica comps story was about two years ago. I was meeting friends on a Friday evening at GS, but I was in town by lunch for work (court in Memphis) and decided to hit up Sams Town. I lost a large sum very quickly at craps (about $3k in half an hour), ate lunch, came back and won a couple bucks with another 30 minutes of craps play, and then left. Next month, Sams sent me a comp offer that included $1000 in free play and $400 dining credit at their steakhouse. So the next trip in town, a buddy and I walked in, redeemed the free play, ordered one of almost everything on the steakhouse menu, and then went to GS!
     
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