Any reason to visit and or stay at Downtown Grand?

Good input Tom.

There's another aspect to this - I recall reading about their prospective model quite a while back - the idea was to capture a lot of Chinese tourist trade.

The idea being that a growing number of folks come over and do the whirlwind tour - San Fran, Vegas, LA and some other stops in between.

They'd bring 'em in on this for a couple of nights, shear 'em, and send 'em on their way.

I think the idea was to emulate MSS/Cal's Hawaii tourist model where they have regularly scheduled charters bringing folks over from the islands.

Maybe all that is in their back pocket.

 

We need more "Benny Binions" as casino managers. It can work, I just think high management gets greedy, imho.

Also, know your demographic and exploit the hell out of it. I love Downtown, but it can never compete with the Strip if luring the younger crowd is their plan. You would have to mow everything down and start over.

The recent improvements is nice and welcomed, it's just that if I were in the younger crowd (and I'm not, lol!) I'd rather be at the Strip.

They say "you can put lipstick on a pig, but in the end it's still a pig".


Sorry, Downtown.... I love you....

 

I am good for one trip downtown while in town so I will check out DTG next weekend. My buddy and I are going to hit up The Mob Museum so after that we'll mosey on over and I will try the craps tables out.

 

I really doubt that a business plan that counts on your customers being careless and clueless is gonna work. They want the young hip crowd that blows money on the strip but they lack the clubs and the crowds that might draw them. Then they hope to appeal to the "foodie" types that doesn't mind spending money but they lack variety and quality to make them come(I know they are hoping and dreaming that they might). Then they might want the rich foreign tourist(asian and latin) who are unsophisticated about the odds/rules, I have news for them, if they dont go to the nugget they sure aint going to the downtown grand!


They are trying desperately to differentiate themselves from the competition when what's really needed is to embrace the competition and possibly improve upon them. How can you possibly argue that a limited beer selection is a good thing for example, what genius sat in a meeting and pushed that as a good thing?

Think about it, there are people on this board that recently stayed downtown who said they didn't even bother to check it out because of what they heard, that is an unbelievably bad start to get off to.

 

The Boyd model worked because there already was a huge demand from the Hawaii community for a place to stay and play. Sam Boyd had the foresight and saw this potentially untapped resource and now the Boyd Corp is reaping the benefits from the Hawaiian gamblers. While other hotel/casinos tried to tap into the Hawaiian community (IP, LVC, Plaza at one time, etc.) they never experienced the success that Boyd accomplished, probably because the Boyd downtown hotels basically cater to the Hawaiians. Many of the eateries, rooms etc. all are geared to the Hawaii crowd IMHO. With Vacations Hawaii bringing in thousands of hawaiians every week the Boyd hotels have a steady, almost "guaranteed" source of visitors (and revenue), even when the economy was tanking they still had a steady group of Hawaiians arriving in Vegas, many of them retirees so they weren't as affected by the bad economy as the rest of us.


As for the chinese trade, the DTG is still new and will be hard pressed to offer something that will draw them to the hotel. Many chinese (IMHO) are frugal and so won't be willing to spend more for the "strip" experience downtown (basically the DTG is following the strip model IMHO with high minimums, bad paytables, and fancy schmancyness). Management at the DTG (and Plaza) are trying out this "strip" model hoping that it will catch on but as we see at the Plaza they haven't been successful (what an understatement). Not sure how long this will continue at the DTG but so far the Plaza hasn't deviated from this model. Actually this will continue as long as managment feels that their model will eventually work, maybe even until they run the place to the ground.

Tom is correct with his analysis but one other thing not mentioned: because of a lack of gamblers on the floor the other services also suffer.

Hopefully the DTG and Plaza will come around but they won't get my business until they do.

Rocky, good luck trying the DTG out but be prepared for $10 minimum tables, even at the crap tables.

 

DTG Surprise

I went to Downtown Grand in November to check the place out. Signed up for a player's card and put $20 in a VP machine for good measure. I didn't really like the vibe of the place so I left.

Two months later I get a $10 free play mailer. I went back a couple of weeks ago to redeem my free play. I'm sitting at the machine literally mumbling to myself about how much I don't like the casino....no people there, no energy, I'm even having a hard time figuring out which buttons to push on the machine. Then, out of nowhere, this happened....A dealt royal flush! Maybe it's not so bad after all

 

Now THAT is a savvy use of freeplay, notwithstanding that playing 7/5 DDB progressive is a losing proposition.

:evillaugh

Well done!!!!

 

I hear you Tom. I've always wondered why casinos think its better to have empty higher limit games sit empty when a neighboring casino has full lower limit tables open. Thinking Nugget vs other DT casinos. They know that there's a demand for the games, why not serve the need, at least during the day and not on weekends? But them I'm just a low roller, small business owner with too many other important things to worry about!

You'd hope that there was reason behind the decision, but you never know.

JW

 

It's just odd that a format that worked for years downtown...low limits, easy comps, cheap but decent food, better odds, etc...isn't still being used, and instead places like the Plaza, LVC, and Binions are in the shape they are.

Someone with a downtown mindset could take over a place like LVC, get rid of high limits, party pits, lousy blackjack, resort fees and all that nonsense, and make it into a customer friendly experience and it would probably be a great success.


TFK

 

confused

I was at the grand in Dec and stayed there 3 nights comped 2nd week of Jan. First some misinformation is far a wide. I play Double Bonus Poker and its pay table is better than the D's long bar. 10 for 5 on 2 pair while many places now are 5 for 5 on 2 pairs. So for my VP selection it is fair or better than many, plus you constantly are given free slot play as you play.

Now my main game is BJ and their rules are as good as any DT. I played both $10 and $25 table. To be honest if you want $5 table you really don't care about rules anyway. Look at all the people who play continuous shufflers. None of those machines at the Grand. Can you say the same about D, Golden gate, Plaza or LVC or GN.

Now if you want it so loud you can't talk to your neighbor then the D and Gate are for you. Personally I enjoy talking to my fellow BJ players and dealers and pit bosses. Or having no room to walk as the Gate is then stay away from Grand.

Now if you want good BJ games and I found plentiful drinks and fast service then the grand is worth checking out. If this isn't what you are looking for then stay on fremont street.

PS I agree the food is over priced according to menu I looked at. The rooms are nice and new, only complaint there was low water pressure in our room. I enjoyed free coffee downstairs from 6 till 10 daily. Would be better in my room but it beats paying starbucks $5. Plus I liked the coffee a lot.

Been a D comped visitor for years but I just am too old I guess to enjoy it after 6 PM when you cannot talk to anyone because of blaring music. Guess seeing girls dance just don't make me as excited as some. I rather have my beautiful wife touching me or being able to sit next to me while I play BJ.

It is good not all casinos are the same. America loves a choice.

 

There are a lot of people who are very well versed in BJ and do in fact care about the rules and game conditions at $5 tables.

For the record I like the DTG BJ games, and their friendly pit personnel but this kind of broad sweeping statement is simply incorrect.

 

This doesn't quite make sense. I doubt that you are going to find any Double Bonus games that pay 2:1 on two pair.

Full pay Double Bonus is 10/7 - 10 for the full house, 7 for the flush. It pays 100.17%

Short pay Double Bonus might be 9/6 - pays 97.8%.

If you double the two pair from 1:1 to 2:1 on the short pay game it comes in at 110%.

I think its likely you have been comparing different games between the D and DTG.

 

sorry on bonus poker at the D with 5 units played you get paid 5 units for jacks or better and also 2 pairs. at the grand on 5 units played you get 10 units for 2 pairs and 5 units for jack or better

sorry for explaining it bad

 

Ahh yes, the D has the 94% 10/8 version, while DTG has the 96% version...
http://wizardofodds.com/games/video-poker/tables/bonus-poker/

Both are terrible, but the D does have better...while the DTG does not.

 

Stayed there in December

I had to check out the new Grand in December, so we stayed for three nights. They comped me one of the one bedroom suites. It was nice, and I ultimately had a very good time. I had two handpays and I liked the slot selection. The suite was simple, but very nice. There was no room service (I am not sure why, but there wasn't). My host called me the first night (after a hard day of gambling) and said all food and bevs would be comped off (and they were). I liked their Chinese restaurant and the breakfast at their "general restaurant (sorry I can't remember names) was very good. We went to the Mob Bar and enjoyed the Sunday night chanteuse (very nice!). I would go back. I like downtown and this was a nice clean place. Also, I would mention that their luxury restaurant (Triple George) just across the street is excellent and should be visited.