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My fiancee and I will be voyaging to the wonderful world of Las Vegas shortly. Nope, not to get married, just to have fun. She is itching to play blackjack at one of the casinos and would like input on where she could play with a low minimum bet, per her request. Does anyone know of such a casino where we could get away "cheap" (probably wrong question), i.e. $1-5 per hand?

If this helps, we're staying at the Rio and will have a rent-a-car during our stay, so distance is no object.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Greyhound Dude wrote:My fiancee and I will be voyaging to the wonderful world of Las Vegas shortly. Nope, not to get married, just to have fun. She is itching to play blackjack at one of the casinos and would like input on where she could play with a low minimum bet, per her request. Does anyone know of such a casino where we could get away "cheap" (probably wrong question), i.e. $1-5 per hand?

If this helps, we're staying at the Rio and will have a rent-a-car during our stay, so distance is no object.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Every casino has at least a few $5 tables. You might have to wait a long time to get a seat though. There used to be casinos downtown with $1 tables, but I haven't been in that part of town for years. Give them a try though.

I always try to stay at the Rio. There's a great seafood buffet and a sushi restaurant.

I've never played blackjack, but the table minimums are lower in the daytime, on weekdays, and off-strip on all games that I've passed. I remember passing a $5 minimum single-deck game outside the sports book at MGM 4 years ago, with an unbelievably long wait.

Greyhound Dude wrote:My fiancee and I will be voyaging to the wonderful world of Las Vegas shortly. Nope, not to get married, just to have fun. She is itching to play blackjack at one of the casinos and would like input on where she could play with a low minimum bet, per her request. Does anyone know of such a casino where we could get away "cheap" (probably wrong question), i.e. $1-5 per hand?

If this helps, we're staying at the Rio and will have a rent-a-car during our stay, so distance is no object.

Any suggestions would be helpful.

Sahara used to have $1 blackjack, but the last time I was there, I couldn't find it. The best you can probably do is $5, although there aren't many tables on the strip that have it (hell, you'll be lucky to find a $10 table anywhere). Even if you do, it'll be a table with a continuous shuffle machine, and I refuse to play with those things.

IIRC, the former San Remo (now Hooters) on Tropicana (next to the Trop, and across the street from the MGM) has some cheap tables. Despite the Hooter's name, it's a pretty standard casino (so I don't think the fiancee will be jealous)...but the dealers are cuter than the average, so maybe she would be!

If you don't mind a drive, head over to my favorite casino, Sunsest Station on Sunset near the freeway in Henderson, about a 15 minute drive from the Rio. You'll find $5 tables with no problem (unless you go on Friday or Saturday nights), friendly dealers, good food (the raw bar has a seafood etoufee that's awesome), and if you get bored there's also a movie theater.

If you don't want to drive that far, there are a couple of locals casinos not too far from the Rio. Orleans and Palace Station are just west of the strip on Tropicana and Sahara, respectively. Generally, they will have some lower limits than the Strip casinos, and they're nice folks, too. Not as glitzy or showy, but nice places.

More stuff to do on the cheap:

- Make sure you take a nice walk on the strip and catch the Bellagio fountains. "Shows" are every 15 minutes. Even better, for a few bucks (it used to be $8, it might be a little higher now), go on top of the Eiffel Tower and watch the fountains from there...it's truly spectacular.

- Go on top of the Stratosphere Tower while you can. They're supposed to be tearing it down soon.

- There are free trapeze/circus acts at Circus Circus, but be prepared for a shower after you leave the place...it's not real clean.

- There's a free show at the Trop, too. It changes often, but check their website for details.

- The Rio has the Masquerade Party in the Sky parade every hour or so. SInce you're staying there, you'll see it.

- Make sure you go to the Bellagio's lobby and look up. Dale Chihuly's glass flower ceiling is wonderful. And take a trip up to look at the beautiful Wynn - have a drink on the patio near the waterfall.

- Take a drive out to Red Rock Canyon. Even if you're not into hiking and such, it's gorgeous out there. Ditto Valley of Fire. And there's always Hoover Dam.

Have fun out there!

Thanks for all the great info!!!! I'll be sure to pass it on to the future better half.

If you're dying for $1 blackjack, Slots A Fun might have it, but it's not that exciting a place. You could conceivably find $3 blackjack at the Orleans, which isn't far from the strip. I happen to like the Orleans--lots of $5 Pai Gow Poker tables, which is a fun and usually cheap way to spend time.

We tend to avoid the Strip when we go to Vegas, but for a first-timer, there is so much to see that I expect that's where you'll spend the vast majority of your time. Maybe have some limited sessions playing slots or the lowest-limit blackjack you can find, but head off the strip if you want to get your fill of gambling.

If you are staying at the Rio, just walk over to the Gold Coast. It is right next door. Go out the door over by the bowling alley and buffet entrance. This is also where you catch the shuttles down to the HET strip properties. It is a short walk over to Gold Coast and they had $5 tables a few months back. If you are on the strip and feel the itch to play, you can probably find a $5 table at the Stratosphere, Riviera, or Casino Royale. As mentioned earlier, a good time to get your feet wet in blackjack is in the morning when tables aren't crowded. Tell your fiancee not to be shy and ask questions if she isn't sure of what to do. Most any competent dealer will answer questions. Just be aware that some of them aren't too knowledgable themselves.

lilclyde54 wrote:As mentioned earlier, a good time to get your feet wet in blackjack is in the morning when tables aren't crowded. Tell your fiancee not to be shy and ask questions if she isn't sure of what to do. Most any competent dealer will answer questions. Just be aware that some of them aren't too knowledgable themselves.

Finding a nice dealer is key when you're a newbie. They can be a huge help at learning the game, especially if the tables are empty and they're bored.

ladysoleil wrote:

lilclyde54 wrote:As mentioned earlier, a good time to get your feet wet in blackjack is in the morning when tables aren't crowded. Tell your fiancee not to be shy and ask questions if she isn't sure of what to do. Most any competent dealer will answer questions. Just be aware that some of them aren't too knowledgable themselves.

Finding a nice dealer is key when you're a newbie. They can be a huge help at learning the game, especially if the tables are empty and they're bored.

Also, ask about lessons when you're there. Many casinos will have a table for lessons during the morning hours, for free. They may also give you a couple of coupons for free play. Once again, check the websites for more info...some have them there.

Here is a list of all the hotels that offer gaming classes. Some of them offer you a $5 matchplay coupon for your first bet.

http://www.lasvegasadvisor.com/freegaminglessons.cfm

Go to Overstock.com and order a copy of "American Casino Guide". Tons of great coupons for 2-4-1 buffets, and lots of free matchplay coupons. Book runs about $12. Should save you about $25+ per day.


Slots-O-Fun does have $3 per hand blackjack and craps, almost around the clock. They do have blackjack tables with some pretty strange "side bets". DO NOT PLAY THEM!!! They will eat your money real fast. You can still play at the table, just don't make the extra bets.

Don't get reeled in by the "Single Deck" or "Super fun 21" tables as well. They only pay 6:5 for blackjack instead of the normal 3:2. Avoid these games. Some regular looking balckjack tables also pay this 6:5 as well. Be sure to look on the layout of the table to see what is says the payout for blackjack is before you start to play.

One thing you can do for fun is to ride the double-decker Deuce Bus to Downtown. Park at the far south end of the strip so you can be the first ones on the bus, and sit in the front seat upstairs. you get a real different veiw of the strip from up there. Parking downtown can be a real pain, and you should take in the light show on Freemont Street.

If you need to know anything else, just let me know.

Ray

KillerTomato wrote:
- Go on top of the Stratosphere Tower while you can. They're supposed to be tearing it down soon.

Really!! [johnny carson] I did not know that. [/jc]

I can't imagine them imploding the tower as the hotel/casino is packed into a fairly well-populated area. I would assume they would have to just dismantle it.

And I had so many good memories in our hey-day from there.

Don't tell me they are going to tear down the Strat Tower. Even with all the outstanding architecture up and down the strip, the Tower still dominates the skyline. I guess I better make time to ride the newest ride (the one that takes you out over the edge) before it's gone. I've done the rollercoaster (pretty tame) and the Big Shot (anything but tame) so I need to do the other one to have the trifecta.

KillerTomato wrote:- Go on top of the Stratosphere Tower while you can. They're supposed to be tearing it down soon.

Where did you hear that? I just spent half an hour searching the web for any verification that the tower is planned to come down and found nothing. I was surprised to read that the tower is only 11 years old, completed in 1996. I thought of it as being much older, but I guess I still think of it as being part of Bob Stupak's Vegas World, which was the original casino at that location, and I thought they also had a tower, but maybe it was a different tower from the current one. Or maybe Vegas World always included the planned tower in their advertising, so I just assumed they already had one.

TheConfessor wrote:

KillerTomato wrote:- Go on top of the Stratosphere Tower while you can. They're supposed to be tearing it down soon.

Where did you hear that? I just spent half an hour searching the web for any verification that the tower is planned to come down and found nothing. I was surprised to read that the tower is only 11 years old, completed in 1996. I thought of it as being much older, but I guess I still think of it as being part of Bob Stupak's Vegas World, which was the original casino at that location, and I thought they also had a tower, but maybe it was a different tower from the current one. Or maybe Vegas World always included the planned tower in their advertising, so I just assumed they already had one.

Well, I may be misinformed. I got an email from someone I used to know out there which said that Goldman Sachs (who are buying the Strat and several other properties from Carl Icahn) was planning on razing the Strat and building up new. The speculation was that this included the tower (not just the hotel and casino).

But this was all heard second-hand, and I haven't been able to find anything else about it either, so I probably shouldn't have mentioned it, since it's still rumor.

...if I ever visit Las Vegas.

The city just doesn't do anything for me.

They told us on a recent trip (I think July 2006 but might've been July 2007) the Strat would be coming down at some point.

The city just doesn't do anything for me.

Me, too, neither. Never been there and hope it stays that way.

Ritterskoop wrote:They told us on a recent trip (I think July 2006 but might've been July 2007) the Strat would be coming down at some point.

Who is "they?" The same general statement could be made about the Rock of Gibraltar or the Parthenon. If such a plan exists, I'd be interested in seeing anything a bit more specific and official, and the reasoning for taking such a drastic action.

KillerTomato wrote:[
Well, I may be misinformed. I got an email from someone I used to know out there which said that Goldman Sachs (who are buying the Strat and several other properties from Carl Icahn) was planning on razing the Strat and building up new. The speculation was that this included the tower (not just the hotel and casino).

But this was all heard second-hand, and I haven't been able to find anything else about it either, so I probably shouldn't have mentioned it, since it's still rumor.

What I read was the Goldman Sachs had already purchased the property but that there are no imminent plans for the demolition of the casino and or the Tower. It was noted that there were some new design plans / refurbishing in the works for the casino but, again, there were no plans to bring the tower down. At least, not yet.

TheConfessor wrote:

Ritterskoop wrote:They told us on a recent trip (I think July 2006 but might've been July 2007) the Strat would be coming down at some point.

Who is "they?" The same general statement could be made about the Rock of Gibraltar or the Parthenon. If such a plan exists, I'd be interested in seeing anything a bit more specific and official, and the reasoning for taking such a drastic action.

Locals working at the hotel where I stayed, and also staff at The Stratosphere.

Ritterskoop wrote:

TheConfessor wrote:

Ritterskoop wrote:They told us on a recent trip (I think July 2006 but might've been July 2007) the Strat would be coming down at some point.

Who is "they?" The same general statement could be made about the Rock of Gibraltar or the Parthenon. If such a plan exists, I'd be interested in seeing anything a bit more specific and official, and the reasoning for taking such a drastic action.

Locals working at the hotel where I stayed, and also staff at The Stratosphere.

Carl Ican's company (American Casino & Entertainment Properties) still owns it. Due to all the approvals, etc., transferring owenerhip of a casino takes about a year.

http://www.lvrj.com/business/13672277.html

Downtown Las Vegas is fun to go to, just for the enjoyment of being able to walk down the block from one garishly lit casino to the next. I'm not sure if it's still this way, but they used to have a lot of cheap food bargains downtown as well. Some of the blackjack rules weren't so favorable though (again, it's been years so I don't know if things have changed).

The strip casinos are a lot more glamorous, but it also takes you a lot longer to get from one to the next on foot.

On our trip to NO for my Millionaire audition, we drove along the coast instead of I-10 and stopped at one of the Biloxi casinos that advertised a cheap prime rib buffet for dinner. This was essentially a converted barge that was pulled up to the shore, and probably the least glamorous casino along that whole stretch. After eating, my wife agreed to stay for about a half hour so I could play some blackjack. There was a five dollar table with only a couple of people there, so I sit down and they tell me I can't play because they don't allow people to cut into the game during the middle of a shoe (I guess they were paranoid I might be a counter trying to bankrupt them at $5 a hand). Since the other tables had higher stakes or were crowded, I waited, a good ten minutes. I sat down, finally, and played one hand which was a 20/20 push with the dealer. Then the pit boss comes up and announces that it's now after 7 o'clock and the table limit is being raised to $15 a hand. Neither my wife nor I were pleased with this development so we left fairly quickly so I could stand in another line and cash out my chips. A half hour wasted for one push hand and about five seconds of action. At least we got our money's worth at the prime rib buffet. There are times I feel a bit guilty about being cheap but this wasn't one of them.