Main Street Station: Initial impressions:

I stayed at Main Street on a comp 12/16-18. It was a slow weekend. The hotel did not seem very full or busy, and I think everyone I saw was Hawaiian, with a few whiteys scattered here and there. Check in was fast and convenient, and I had never seen the nice check-in area and gift shop they have at the back of the hotel. There is a brochure that you can get that will tell you the provenance of all the antiques they have. Some of the stuff is really amazing, like turn of the century chandeliers from someplace famous in Europe.

There were five elevators serving about 15 floors of rooms. There was never a wait for the elevators. I was given a highway side room on a high floor. The rooms are nice, if a little small. Once nice touch is the shutters instead of drapes on the windows -- never seen that before. Kind of gives it a relaxing, tropical feel. The bedding package is nice. I was afraid the highway noise would be awful, but it never got above a dull roar. In fact, it was rather soothing. As long as the noise doesn't modulate, I can accommodate it. All in all, just a very basic, comfortable room with everything you need.

The casino is convenient, with some of the best gambling options downtown. I mostly stuck to the 10/7 quarter double bonus, 20x craps, and Sam Boyd's Treasure Chest bonus poker. The 10/7 double bonus is a great game, on slant tops near the valet entrance, and you get scratch cards for hitting four-of-a-kind. The slot attendants are extremely attentive and will bring your card right away. I played with a group of Hawaiians who were on the machines almost their whole vacation weekend. On the last day Dad hit a royal. I hit aces twice for $200 each.

The casino is also just about the best place to play craps in Vegas. The only ones that come close are Sam's Town and Joker's Wild on Boulder Highway (not coincidentally, also Boyd Gaming properties). The 20x odds is nice to have if you want to press your action, and the players are good. I would say 80-90% of player action is pass line/odds. I have won more than I've lost here, getting on some good rolls. Great dealers, also.

The food options are a downside. There is only the Triple 7 brew pub and the Garden Court buffet. Both are good, but not convenient for quick bites. Across the bridge to Cal is Aloha Specialties and Lappert's Ice Cream shop. Lappert's sells coffee and something called masaladas which are deep fried dough balls -- yummy for breakfast. Aloha Specialties does not accept Boyd points. You can eat at Pasta Pirate/Redwood Grill or Market Street Cafe at the Cal and charge it to your room at Main Street. Same thing with the Fremont restaurants, Paradise Buffet, Second Street Grill and Tony Roma's.

A word about the beer at Triple 7: On my visit, I ordered a snifter of the Belgian Quad Ale, "Monique 2.0." It was five dollars for a large snifter, and at 11% alcohol by volume, it packed quite a wallop. This is the type of beer that lingers in your memory. Just amazing depth of flavor. If you like beer even the least bit, you must try the microbrews at Triple 7. Get whatever they have on special. Next time I plan to try the "Bourbon Klaas" ale that is aged in bourbon barrels. Wheee!

On my stay, I estimate I played 4-5 hours of Double Bonus $0.25 poker, and 3-4 hours of craps, making $5 line bets and a few come bets, plus odds. At the end of my stay, I asked the host, Ipo Boast, for a comp of my Triple 7 meal, which she was happy to do. The room was already comped. By the way, there is no host office at Main Street. You have to ask the BConnected desk to call one, and they will come to the desk to assist you.

All in all, I enjoyed my stay at Main Street Station, but I felt isolated. I found myself walking over to Fremont Street often. I think next time I will try the Fremont, which has been recently remodeled, but Main Street Station is by no means a bad choice for a downtown stay.

Nice review. When I was there that weekend the casino at Main Street Station seemed way more lively and crowded than any casinos on Fremont. I guess it is because MSS simply has better games. The Plaza and Vegas Club were completely dead the entire weekend.

Perhaps this is common knowledge, but I have to ask: why did you see so many Hawaiians?

Quote: odiousgambit

Perhaps this is common knowledge, but I have to ask: why did you see so many Hawaiians?

Okay, I've wondered about this myself. Here is the story: When he was in the military, Sam Boyd ran "games of chance" on the Hawaiian islands. He developed personal and business relationships with movers and shakers on the islands. When he returned to Vegas, he started running junkets from Hawaii to his casinos. Now, there are three flights a week from HNL-LAS and back, and they are always packed with Hawaiians on package deals. You have the option of staying at Main Street, Fremont, California, and Sam's Town, but most choose to stay downtown. There are a myriad of package options:Boyd Vacations Hawaii.

This are one of the reasons I prefer Main Street to Sam's Town. I'll take Hawaiians over hillbillies any day of the week.

Hawaii is one of only two states without legalized gambling of any sort.

"Dead Week" is ill defined but is generally thought to be the week prior to the week that contains Christmas, so you were each at MSS during Dead Week. Thinner crowds, easier comps and perhaps slower dice.

Quote: teddys

You have the option of staying at Main Street, Fremont, California,

The California has catered to Hawaiians for as long
as I can remember. I always assumed (or was told)
it was owned by a Hawaiian company.

Quick checkin. Very historic lobby. Old railroad station. Hard wooden benches built to last
4 elavators, no real waiting. Got 12th floor facing the highway. Love the view with the mountains in the distance.
A small fridge in the room. I am impressed by that. Every hotel room should have a fridge.
Can crack the window. Thats a huge plus with me, I hate being sealed in.
99.54 at the bar Been playing there a lot.
I was wondering, nearby machines with 99.54 job and 100.17 DDB have the points reduced sticker
The bar has 99.54 job but no 100.17DDB and no points reduced sticker. Better to play these machines?
A bit of a walk to Freemont but kind of like it, take the bridge to California , through California cross street to Binions to Freemont exp.

How can you talk about MSS and not mention the Berlin wall? Come on!!

I pissed on the Berlin wall!!

Quote: terapined

Quick checkin. Very historic lobby. Old railroad station.

I think not. The building is a conversion of an old hotel, remodeled to look like a railroad station. I provided some of the history of the name when I posted my Main Street Station chip in the Casino Chip of the Day thread.

What did the EVIL EMPIRE do to cause a SEVEN STAR to stay downtown?

My favorite casino.. have stayed there every trip for about 15 years now.

MSS has a big group of 99.54 JOB divided into 2 big groups.
The bar and a group of 8 slant tops by the valet.
The slant tops also have DDB 100.17 so more play to earn points.
Nearby bar no DDB 100.17 so you earn points at a normal rate.
If you prefer 99.54 JOB at MSS, play the bar and not the slant tops if wanting to maximize points.

Quote: coilman

What did the EVIL EMPIRE do to cause a SEVEN STAR to stay downtown?

Platinum with no hotels comps.
Only platinum due to Total Rewards Visa.
I hardly ever gamble on the strip.
Prefer gambling downtown.

Quote: teddys

I stayed at Main Street on a comp 12/16-18. It was a slow weekend. The hotel did not seem very full or busy, and I think everyone I saw was Hawaiian, with a few whiteys scattered here and there. Check in was fast and convenient, and I had never seen the nice check-in area and gift shop they have at the back of the hotel. There is a brochure that you can get that will tell you the provenance of all the antiques they have. Some of the stuff is really amazing, like turn of the century chandeliers from someplace famous in Europe.

There were five elevators serving about 15 floors of rooms. There was never a wait for the elevators. I was given a highway side room on a high floor. The rooms are nice, if a little small. Once nice touch is the shutters instead of drapes on the windows -- never seen that before. Kind of gives it a relaxing, tropical feel. The bedding package is nice. I was afraid the highway noise would be awful, but it never got above a dull roar. In fact, it was rather soothing. As long as the noise doesn't modulate, I can accommodate it. All in all, just a very basic, comfortable room with everything you need.

The casino is convenient, with some of the best gambling options downtown. I mostly stuck to the 10/7 quarter double bonus, 20x craps, and Sam Boyd's Treasure Chest bonus poker. The 10/7 double bonus is a great game, on slant tops near the valet entrance, and you get scratch cards for hitting four-of-a-kind. The slot attendants are extremely attentive and will bring your card right away. I played with a group of Hawaiians who were on the machines almost their whole vacation weekend. On the last day Dad hit a royal. I hit aces twice for $200 each.

The casino is also just about the best place to play craps in Vegas. The only ones that come close are Sam's Town and Joker's Wild on Boulder Highway (not coincidentally, also Boyd Gaming properties). The 20x odds is nice to have if you want to press your action, and the players are good. I would say 80-90% of player action is pass line/odds. I have won more than I've lost here, getting on some good rolls. Great dealers, also.

The food options are a downside. There is only the Triple 7 brew pub and the Garden Court buffet. Both are good, but not convenient for quick bites. Across the bridge to Cal is Aloha Specialties and Lappert's Ice Cream shop. Lappert's sells coffee and something called masaladas which are deep fried dough balls -- yummy for breakfast. Aloha Specialties does not accept Boyd points. You can eat at Pasta Pirate/Redwood Grill or Market Street Cafe at the Cal and charge it to your room at Main Street. Same thing with the Fremont restaurants, Paradise Buffet, Second Street Grill and Tony Roma's.

A word about the beer at Triple 7: On my visit, I ordered a snifter of the Belgian Quad Ale, "Monique 2.0." It was five dollars for a large snifter, and at 11% alcohol by volume, it packed quite a wallop. This is the type of beer that lingers in your memory. Just amazing depth of flavor. If you like beer even the least bit, you must try the microbrews at Triple 7. Get whatever they have on special. Next time I plan to try the "Bourbon Klaas" ale that is aged in bourbon barrels. Wheee!

On my stay, I estimate I played 4-5 hours of Double Bonus $0.25 poker, and 3-4 hours of craps, making $5 line bets and a few come bets, plus odds. At the end of my stay, I asked the host, Ipo Boast, for a comp of my Triple 7 meal, which she was happy to do. The room was already comped. By the way, there is no host office at Main Street. You have to ask the BConnected desk to call one, and they will come to the desk to assist you.

All in all, I enjoyed my stay at Main Street Station, but I felt isolated. I found myself walking over to Fremont Street often. I think next time I will try the Fremont, which has been recently remodeled, but Main Street Station is by no means a bad choice for a downtown stay.

Nice TR, teddy. December before Christmas is the slowest time of year in Vegas. If you don't like big crowds that's the time to go.

I can't remember the guy's name that bought and remodeled MSS. He sunk a hell of a lot of money in the remodel. This was back in the nineties. Then the place was only open for 3 months before shutting down. One of the things he tried to get away with was paying even money on blackjack.

The place was shuttered for a couple of years before Boyd bought it. If you've seen the movie Casino, the opening scene where De Niro walks out of a casino to his car was filmed in the MSS parking lot.

When I was in Hawaii in 1989 and talking about casinos with Hawaiians they all said the California Club was their favorite casino.

Quote: mickeycrimm

I can't remember the guy's name that bought and remodeled MSS.

Bob Snow

Quote: Doc

Bob Snow

Thanks.

Quote: mickeycrimm

I can't remember the guy's name that bought and remodeled MSS. He sunk a hell of a lot of money in the remodel. This was back in the nineties. Then the place was only open for 3 months before shutting down. One of the things he tried to get away with was paying even money on blackjack.

The place was shuttered for a couple of years before Boyd bought it.

The guy's name was Bob Snow, I believe. (Edit: Doc beat me)

Quote: Greasyjohn

(Edit: Doc beat me)

I only knew the answer because of some shoddy, 2nd-rate research I did a while back. As I posted at the bottom of the previous page of this thread: "I provided some of the history of the name when I posted my Main Street Station chip in the Casino Chip of the Day thread."

A lot of people don't care for that thread and block it, but the thread is far from being just about the chips. We post and discuss a lot of info about the casinos themselves.

Quote: terapined

MSS has a big group of 99.54 JOB divided into 2 big groups.
The bar and a group of 8 slant tops by the valet.
The slant tops also have DDB 100.17 so more play to earn points.
Nearby bar no DDB 100.17 so you earn points at a normal rate.
If you prefer 99.54 JOB at MSS, play the bar and not the slant tops if wanting to maximize points.

Don't forgot to get those scratch tickets for your four-of-a-kinds. Those $2's add up! (Good for bartender tips).

Quote: teddys

Don't forgot to get those scratch tickets for your four-of-a-kinds. Those $2's add up! (Good for bartender tips).

do they have any multiline FP?

Quote: AxelWolf

do they have any multiline FP?

The last time I was there they still had 8/5BP in 3/5/10 play.

Quote: DRich

The last time I was there they still had 8/5BP in 3/5/10 play.

Sorry I don't consider that full pay.

Perhaps 2 penny 100 plays with a $2 average scratcher for a 4oak might be interesting. Where do I sign up?

Quote: AxelWolf

Sorry I don't consider that full pay.

Perhaps 2 penny 100 plays with a $2 average scratcher for a 4oak might be interesting. Where do I sign up?

$2 scratcher for $0.25 denominations and up only, single line only.

Quote: teddys

Don't forgot to get those scratch tickets for your four-of-a-kinds. Those $2's add up! (Good for bartender tips).

I didn't learn that till 1/2 way through my stay when the guy next to me at the bar got one.
Well I finally got one. No change or attendant button on the bar game.
Bartender quite busy.
Had to hit the change/attendant button on a nearby machine on the floor.
Got my scratch off, says you can win up to 5k.
Won 2 bucks :-)

Quote: AxelWolf

Perhaps 2 penny 100 plays with a $2 average scratcher for a 4oak might be interesting. Where do I sign up?

You'd get the $1 scratcher.... but I thought (and I might be wrong on this) they don't offer scratch cards on the 100 and 50 play machines because the floor attendant would basically have to stand there for your whole session.

Yes sorry guys, I know this, as I said they have been doing this for many years, I was just joking. A few places have allowed similar situations as I described, Fun fun fun.

With the invention of multi line VP there was a big drop in VP promotions. Casinos got scared after a few poundings.


They forget that you're running though multiple x the coin in. The lines shouldn't matter. ( unless there's AP's playing and they know it's player positive)

They screw themselves with the bottom line only rule. They are discouraging people from playing a game that allows for more action, especially if its a -EV promotion.

Quote: coilman

What did the EVIL EMPIRE do to cause a SEVEN STAR to stay downtown?

He wrote the review in 2011. I don't think he was 7 stars until 2012 or maybe even 13

Quote: AxelWolf

They screw themselves with the bottom line only rule. They are discouraging people from playing a game that allows for more action, especially if its a -EV promotion.

For the electronic promotions, like Card of the Day, the slot machine only reports the outcome of the bottom hand to the electronic system. The actual SAS message in the protocol is old and only allocated 5 bytes for the game result.

The VP at the bar is outstanding as is the service there. Love to play there.

Quote: vegasb

The VP at the bar is outstanding as is the service there. Love to play there.

I've stayed and played there since shortly after it opened. Love it.

Quote: vegasb

The VP at the bar is outstanding as is the service there. Love to play there.

Its one of my favorite bars in Vegas to Play video poker.
9/6 JOB 25 cent with a TV showing sports on each end of the bar.
I could do without the brass horizontal pole you lean your elbows or arms on to play, would be more comfortable without.
It can get crowded, I've walked by and all spots filled, some not playing vp :-(
Should be there in about 10 days :-)

Say hi to Jose! Love that dude!

Quote: vegasb

Say hi to Jose! Love that dude!

Bartender?
Will look for him.
Good bartenders there but quite busy filling the cocktail waitress orders on the left end.
I have played a lot there and just order the occasional coke or red bull always tip a buck.
Sometimes I don't drink, letting that appetite grow for the buffet.
One time the bartender, maybe Jose, told me, "We see you are playing a lot, any drink, just let us know"

The bar with the 96.54 Job 25 cent got 5 brand new bartop machines on the right side
Good news, even though brand spanking new machines, still keeping job at 99.54:-)

Quote: terapined

The bar with the 96.54 Job 25 cent got 5 brand new bartop machines on the right side
Good news, even though brand spanking new machines, still keeping job at 99.54:-)

Nice update, thanks. Even though I don't play VP (yet).
Lot's of discussion back on Mar 05 bout this,
March 5th significant day in history. Not necessarily good for world,
just significant, at least for me ;-)

Quote: terapined

The bar with the 96.54 Job 25 cent got 5 brand new bartop machines on the right side
Good news, even though brand spanking new machines, still keeping job at 99.54:-)

I assume that's a typo in your post? 99.54, not 96.54.

What can you tell me about the new machines? Are they more in line with the All Star Poker machines.. so various games, like UX, STP, Spin etc etc?

Quote: rsactuary

I assume that's a typo in your post? 99.54, not 96.54.

What can you tell me about the new machines? Are they more in line with the All Star Poker machines.. so various games, like UX, STP, Spin etc etc?

Yes 99.54
Also, new machines on left side
I asked about them
Just installed month ago.
Bartender said installed for more game choices and more sturdy concerning spills, old machine buttons stick
Just a bunch of video poker games, keno games and a bj game
Only thing I quickly checked was Job pay table

Hey all, I'm sure this was addressed somewhere on this board.....I asked it on another forum but nobody knew.

What happens to the MSS 4oak scratchers when you are playing a multi-line game? If I'm playing 3-hand VP and get dealt 4oak, that wouldn't be 3 scratchers, right? I wouldn't think so.

Also, is that only SPECIFICALLY 4oak, or is 4oak and higher? Can I get one for a straight or royal flush?

I'll be staying there in about 2 weeks and thought I'd ask so I was prepared when I walked in. Thanks all

Oh, also.....does anyone know if they have Super Times Pay poker machines? if so, what denominations? Are they a horrible play? I do love that game but if the payouts are messed up I won't do it so much.....

Quote: CaptCampion

Hey all, I'm sure this was addressed somewhere on this board.....I asked it on another forum but nobody knew.

What happens to the MSS 4oak scratchers when you are playing a multi-line game? If I'm playing 3-hand VP and get dealt 4oak, that wouldn't be 3 scratchers, right? I wouldn't think so.

Also, is that only SPECIFICALLY 4oak, or is 4oak and higher? Can I get one for a straight or royal flush?

I'll be staying there in about 2 weeks and thought I'd ask so I was prepared when I walked in. Thanks all

Oh, also.....does anyone know if they have Super Times Pay poker machines? if so, what denominations? Are they a horrible play? I do love that game but if the payouts are messed up I won't do it so much.....

My assumption in 1 per machine 4OAK
My assumption is 4oak or higher

Quote: CaptCampion

Hey all, I'm sure this was addressed somewhere on this board.....I asked it on another forum but nobody knew.

What happens to the MSS 4oak scratchers when you are playing a multi-line game? If I'm playing 3-hand VP and get dealt 4oak, that wouldn't be 3 scratchers, right? I wouldn't think so.

Also, is that only SPECIFICALLY 4oak, or is 4oak and higher? Can I get one for a straight or royal flush?

I'll be staying there in about 2 weeks and thought I'd ask so I was prepared when I walked in. Thanks all

Oh, also.....does anyone know if they have Super Times Pay poker machines? if so, what denominations? Are they a horrible play? I do love that game but if the payouts are messed up I won't do it so much.....

From the "official rules"

Quote: "Score With Four" Official Rules

2. Reel slot players will receive one scratch card for every 300 or more coin
payout. Video Poker players receive one scratch card for any four-of-a-
kind. Wild cards do not qualify. Max coin play required

So it appears that it is one per hit, even if three of your 100 hands are 4OAK. You only get the bonus with natural four of a kinds, which a straight flush is not. Also, be advised that there are two kinds of scratcher cards, one for nickle machines, and one for quarters or higher. I don't know what happens if you play dimes...

Quote: CaptCampion

Oh, also.....does anyone know if they have Super Times Pay poker machines? if so, what denominations? Are they a horrible play?

vpFREE2 looks like it has the correct MSS STP info. - 25c 9/6 DDB on eight machines and and 25c 98.91% Deuces on four other machines. These are the best paytables for STP there, but they have other games on them with lower paytables also.

http://www.vpfree2.com/casino/main-street-station-casino

I stay there all the time.. very familiar with the scratch card rules.

You get one scratch card per 4oaK. So if you get it dealt on 3 handed... you get three scratch cards. Done it many many times.

Although the rules state 4ofK only, they do give them out for straight flushes also.. including the royal.


They have STP and DSTP. Whether they are horrible depends on what your idea of horrible is, but they aren't full pay machines... dont' recall exactly what they are.

Wow thanks for that info. Wasn't really the answer I was expecting. So if I'm playing 50-hand poker and get dealt 4oak they would seriously hand me 50 scratch cards??? wow

I thought I remembered that about the straight/royal flushes. I haven't been to MSS for a few years but I thought that was the case way back when.

ooh.. I forgot to mention.. some of those high hand machines... there is a sticker on them that limits the number of 4ofK they will give. i want to say it's 10 per hand, but not sure.

That's good to know, I'll check that out. I play enough STP VP over the course of a couple days that I usually get dealt 4oak at least once

Quote: CaptCampion

Wow thanks for that info. Wasn't really the answer I was expecting. So if I'm playing 50-hand poker and get dealt 4oak they would seriously hand me 50 scratch cards??? wow

I thought I remembered that about the straight/royal flushes. I haven't been to MSS for a few years but I thought that was the case way back when.

If MSS had 50 play nickel or quarter games, yeah they would, but they don't.

Quote: tringlomane

If MSS had 50 play nickel or quarter games, yeah they would, but they don't.

I'm positive they don't on the 25/50/100 hand machines. I will take a pic next time I go.. unfortunately that's not until August.

I'll be there in about 16 days, I'll get a definitive answer