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Best Downtown Home for a new Convert?

Discussion in 'Downtown Hotels' started by BeeeJay, Jan 11, 2013.

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  1. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

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    So I am nearly there in being converted to downtown from the strip hotels.

    The lame gaming, club dbags, and comp cutbacks have pretty much turned me off to the strip. I'm not interested in driving ever in Vegas so off-strip is out.

    I am looking for a downtown home that fits what I'm looking for and maximizes my comp value.

    For gaming, I don't need absolute full-pay, but I want either full-pay or one coin off. Basically I want 98.5% games or higher and my preferred game is $2 Bonus Deluxe. I would also mix in some blackjack play, mostly $35-$75/hand and some roulette with reasonably high max bets ($10 straight to number is too low). Bankroll is usually $1,500 per night. I am fine with paying for rooms upfront if they comp fairly on back end.

    Any opinions/advice would be greatly appreciated. :beer:
     
  2. Turtleman

    Turtleman VIP Whale

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    As many on here will undoubtedly point out, the Golden Nugget has some of the nicest rooms and most "Strip-like" casino downtown. Prices and rules will also be more Strip-like, so it's not usually my first choice, though I've stayed there a few times. I'll leave the rest of this "debate" to others.

    My reason for posting is to say that I also do not drive in Vegas, but haven't ruled out staying off-Strip. In fact, I find some of the best playing conditions, accommodations, low limits, easy to get comps, and general value to be significantly higher off-Strip. Many off-Strip properties provide free shuttle service or are easily and inexpensively accessible by bus. (I'm not going to pay more for a cab than the room would cost!) I often stay at the Orleans, Gold Coast, Sam's Town, and Suncoast. And while these are all Boyd/Coast properties, there are several other excellent off-Strip choices. Just something to consider.
     
  3. Huddler

    Huddler VIP Whale

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    Beejay,
    I was a strip only guy for a loooong time. Then I started making little forays downtown each trip for at least one night to play at GG, Gold Spike, The Plaza. I quickly discovered that I had a lot more fun downtown. Alot a more fun! The strip has nicer, newer, more posh and more hip, hotels. But I am not trying to be hip and dont care that the bathroom floor that I am vomiting on at 4;00 am has inlaid marble imported from Tuscany. I want to drink, gamble, cuss, have a fun time without any pretencious bullshit and ******bagery. I love to casino hop and it is so much easier to do downtown. The bartenders and dealers remember you there. I have never paid for a meal, a limo anywhere I wanted to go, a room, nothing, down there. With your level of play, you will be fully comped anywhere downtown as well. As many will state, GN is the most "strip-like" casino downtown. I guess thats why I dont like it. LOL! I am fully comped at MGM, Cosmo, V/P, TI, etc. But I forgo the beauty of the strip for the fun and frollick of DT. For you, why not make The D/Golden Gate your home downtown? If you stay at one, they still look at your play at both. Both have hot chicks dancing and dealing. Loud and fun casino's that are right in your wheelhouse. Your crew will be happy, plus they will be so drunk they wont even know they are downtown...or that that hooker they picked up has an extra appendage.:eek:
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2013
  4. Funkhouser

    Funkhouser In Charge of the Big Door

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    Beejay's used to the Cosmo Reach around suites, I don't think he could take the smaller rooms at The D. GN rooms in Rush tower are really nice, and I think they remodeled again. I spent the 25 bucks and joined Landry's club, which gets me free available upgrades. You might be able to get the Red Lobster discount and save a few bucks.

    The vibe at The D is great, but the paytables are crap at Longbar. Plaza is really nice with all the Fontainebleau remainders, but service sucks still. Too bad I really like this place. GG is a cool place to gamble, but hotel rooms, uhh not really the botique vibe. About the size of what you would get at the Holiday Inn Express down in the NYC financial district.

    Now I REALLY like the vibe at El Cortez and the Cabana suites, pain the @ss it being off fremont street, so you might have to step over a couple of street people, but by far the coolest rooms downtown. I stayed there after they opened for a nite and really like the place. Smaller rooms then strip. But gambling is premo an you will find paytables in range. I like Freemont East bars vibe, and when in Vegas with the wife she will go drink there.

    Bottom line: I would stay at either Nugget, Plaza, or El Cortez for nicest rooms. In all fairness The D rooms look nice, but smaller and I don't know anyone who has stayed there.

    Best Gambling: Tables El Cortez, Binions, or The D

    Bars and Dinning: GN hands down, Oscars at Plaza good too.

    VP: Binions or El Cortez best paytables

    If you want to focus your play at a single joint, then its either the GN or El Cortez for now unless Derrek S loosens up the VP paytables at The D.

    My only issue with DT Vegas right now is the *********, they still tollerate alot more downtown then you see on the strip. Still see the street people from CA riding the greyhound bus into downtown for the weekend to hit up the tourists.
     
  5. mikenhe

    mikenhe VIP Whale

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    GG in their new suites. they may even comp you the pancakes at dupars at 4am!

    and I think mermaids is right up your street.... no rooms there though...


    I think you need to contact the plaza - that Antony cools bar thats had a couple of lives already looks perfect to be converted into a pop up Red Lobster... you'd never have to move away!!
     
  6. Joe Strummer

    Joe Strummer VIP Whale

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    Don't know if a pool matters to you ?
    But that would knock a few downtown hotels
    off your list.
    .
    And as Turtleman posted --
    "Off Strip" properties have shuttles + bus service to the strip.
    There are some very nice choices to stay "Off Strip".
    .
    BeeJay.....downtown ?.....what in the world has happenned ?:thumbsup:
     
  7. johnvic

    johnvic VIP Whale

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    I don't really have any insight but I'm a few steps behind you Beejay. I want to start venturing downtown. I love Wynncore and if I had the budget to stay there every time I would, it's a luxury resort. However I cannot always afford that luxory. Plus sometimes I want a fancy meal and sometimes I want a burger and a beer.

    But more and more I find myself trying to find the least annoying way to navigate the strip to go from place to place. My first few times downtown it reminded me of Times Square and I've worked in Times Square half my life, so why would I want to be there? But I did notice that I can navigate crowds better downtown. The people seem regular, no studded slippers and bad sideburns. I want to explore the downtown cocktail bars. I want to play VP and get a comp, lol.
     
  8. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

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    My reasons for beginning to consider downtown are very similar to Huddler's. For the past 8-10 trips we have almost always done the one night deal at Golden Gate. They send the free limo full of booze and inevitably it ends up being the most fun night of the trip.

    Bankroll is a consideration at this point as I'm going to only be getting in 1-2 trips per year so bankroll will be average of $7,500/trip. While this HAT?!?!?

    I think I'm over myself on the "fancy" shit. It is definitely worth it for me to have the nicer rooms when I can play 9/5, for 8/5 its questionable, but not that all this 7/5 and 6/5 is showing up at our preferred bartops---fuck that shit.

    I'll probably start off at the Golden Gate as I am fully comped there, but like one poster mentioned, Derrick fucked their paytables too. Maybe I'll stay and play some there and do my major VP play at the places with full pay.

    Thanks for all the info guys. Huddler & Funkhouser if the start date for Lobsterfest gets moved back you guys may have a surprise visitor over Super Bowl weekend. :beer:
     
  9. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

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    Yes a pool would be a nice bonus, but during winter obviously not crucial.

    Golden Nugget is completely out. I had to call gaming on them one time, they tried to rip me off on a roulette payout. I consider them scumbags and exactly what I am trying to avoid by heading downtown.

    My dream game which I would like to find is full-pay $1 bonus deluxe single line double super times pay. that would be sweet game. I only recently found the supertimespay actually increases the payout. I always assumed it was a slot scam and paid out like 90% but I read on wizard of odds it is a set odds of occuring and nearly 100% payout so it slightly raises even full pay games which are already close to 100% payout.
     
  10. Buddha

    Buddha VIP Whale

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    Video Poker

    BeeeJay ....

    Don't believe what you've read about Binion's VP ... they no longer have any full-pay machines in that place. And, even the El Cortez is VERY limited, except for the 8/5 Bonus at the bar-tops.

    Here is the place to check the best inventory at any of the other casinos :

    http://www.vpfree2.com/casinos/by-region/las-vegas.html
     
  11. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    Consider $1 DDB 9/6. That's a 99% return game. For sure The Cal and Four Queens has that on bar tops.

    Don't play Bonus Deluxe, so I'm no help there.
     
  12. Buddha

    Buddha VIP Whale

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    Both 9/6 Bonus Deluxe (99.64%) and 9/6 DDB (98.98%) pay even money for 2-pair.
    Bonus Deluxe does not have the big payoffs for the "kicker - quads", but it does pay 400 credits (w/ max coins) for ALL quads.

    Pick your pleasure ... pick your poison ....
     
  13. mnotc

    mnotc Tourist

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    I converted to downtown about 5 years ago (8 trips). I have a smaller bankroll (1500-2500 for 3-4 days). If the wife goes with, she requires the nugget. Boys trips started out wherever the best deal was, now more determined on comps.

    Most recent trip, was last week. I took a package deal with Allegiant, which had a room at the D, and I also took a comped room at golden gate. D room was much nicer. I also got a look at the suite at the D, which is my next goal. I didn't get a look at the suites at GG. I would say based on your previous locations, either would be a downgrade, but definately acceptable.

    I play craps, blackjack, and quarter VP. The craps tables at the D were especially nice this trip, but I had never played there when it was the fitz. I also like the bones tables at Binions, Golden Gate, and the Main Street Station.

    Blackjack is pretty exclusive to GG. Always pay 3-2, and acceptable other rules. Girls are nice to look at and converse with. Can typically get a breakfast comp upon asking, and I am typically at a $10 table betting that up to $25.

    For VP, I find the best paytables for bartops are at main street stations boars head bar, and the casino bar at the 4 queens. I will also play at binions, becasue I like the atmosphere. When concentrating more on VP that cocktails, I usually find a machine on the progressive bank of Bonus Poker in 4 queens that are below the seating area of the cafe there. Typically a lot of locals there when the progressive gets north of $1350. While those machines didn't give me a royal, several 4 oak made the trip quite profitable. I will only occasionally play at the dollar level, so not an expert there.

    I do each trip run over to the El Cortez for some fun, and I like their sportsbook.

    While I won't gamble at the nugget either, they do have the best restaurants. I highly recommend Vic & Anthony's, as well as the Grotto. I am not a huge fan of Hugo's at the 4 queens.
     
  14. Nevada Kid

    Nevada Kid VIP Whale

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    I am surprised nobody is recommending the Boyd Places. All three have good VP inventory, and I've found their slot club to be generous. You will find a bunch of 99.64% $1 Bonus Deluxe at Fremont.

    The only thing that frequently keeps me away from them is the sorry excuse for a pool at the Cal.

    My Vegas progression has been similar to many I think. For a long time I was all about the strip, then in the early 2000's I made the switch to downtown and found myself sleeping at the Golden Nugget and playing at the El Cortez's craps tables quite frequently. Then I found myself occasionally moving off to the locals hotels (mostly the Orleans at first); with the introduction of street entertainers, zip line, and other BS I now find myself almost exclusively off-strip (with an occasional downtown stay thrown in).
     
  15. BeeeJay

    BeeeJay President of The Red Lobster Hostess Satisfaction

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    Yeah its all pretty much out of date everywhere. Seems like universal tightening.
     
  16. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    I think MSS has the VP you are looking for. It is by far my favorite place downtown to play. The Triple 7 has good food & drink and the scratch cards you get for 4oak make it a bit more fun (although I have never seen a big winner).

    If they comp my crappy $0.25 VP, they will LOVE you. :)

    It isn't on FSE, easily walkable.
     
  17. makikiboy

    makikiboy VIP Whale

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    Just don't get deathly ill at the mss, lol. Only joking!


    I also like MSS for their craps games. nothing like playing with fellow hawaiians (fun types) and having the opportunity to play 20x odds on the crap table. I also like the 777 restaurant and the MSS buffet.

    As others have mentioned, I like the atmosphere at the boyd casinos. they have been taught to provide the "aloha" spirit at the tables and I seem to have a better vibe at those casinos.

    Beej, with your bankroll you should be comped at just about every casino downtown (except maybe for the GN). I think you should probably make a downtown run and try out the various casinos to see which one fits you. then ask to see a room to see if they are acceptable to you. Some people are disappointed when they see the smaller downtown rooms compared to the normal strip rooms.
     
  18. Sonya

    Sonya Queen of VMB

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    :haha: So true!
     
  19. Big Tip

    Big Tip VIP Whale

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    Are they usually at $5? Ever lower or higher?

    I don't think I would back $5 with $100, but I would go $60 on a three dollar table.
     
  20. Joe

    Joe VIP Whale

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    At MSS I have never seen a table below $5 no matter what time of day. They have 3 tables and I have seen them raise one to $10, but almost always there is a $5 table.
     
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