Palace Station: Comments concerning various reviews of the Palace Station casino.
June 7th, 2011 at 10:09:45 AM
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Kudos to Teddys for a comprehensive and entertaining review. Particular congratulations on the decorative element contained in most of the photographs.
Bingo? Wow. I thought a sharpie gambler would not want to do such a thing but it seems that in one of the Gaming Board categories, Bingo was a 1.0 percent positive expectation for the players. So all those free drinks, free patries, meal comps and the like and those little old ladies have a better edge than anyone else in the casino!
Dealer interaction? Yes, it can be important though not necessarily a total deal killer.
Bingo? Wow. I thought a sharpie gambler would not want to do such a thing but it seems that in one of the Gaming Board categories, Bingo was a 1.0 percent positive expectation for the players. So all those free drinks, free patries, meal comps and the like and those little old ladies have a better edge than anyone else in the casino!
Dealer interaction? Yes, it can be important though not necessarily a total deal killer.
June 7th, 2011 at 10:18:08 AM
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>Kudos to Teddys
agreed. Glad to see the Wizard talked you into producing a quality review
agreed. Glad to see the Wizard talked you into producing a quality review
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: “Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell!” She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
June 7th, 2011 at 12:05:31 PM
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I agree too. I think it is one of the best casinos reviews yet. Stay tuned for his review of the Las Vegas Club.
Regarding bingo, that indeed often is an advantage play if you buy the right kind of cards at the right time and place. There is no one strategy that works in every bingo hall, each one has to be analyzed separately. In the case of Station casinos, look for the sessions that have the big guaranteed coverall wins and buy lots of the "countdown cards." If the cash ball for that session gets too high then you should probably skip it, as it will induce a lot more competition. I tend to think that validating and the other side bets are rarely a good value. If I were a low-bankroll advantage player, like $10,000 or less, I would use it to play bingo.
Regarding bingo, that indeed often is an advantage play if you buy the right kind of cards at the right time and place. There is no one strategy that works in every bingo hall, each one has to be analyzed separately. In the case of Station casinos, look for the sessions that have the big guaranteed coverall wins and buy lots of the "countdown cards." If the cash ball for that session gets too high then you should probably skip it, as it will induce a lot more competition. I tend to think that validating and the other side bets are rarely a good value. If I were a low-bankroll advantage player, like $10,000 or less, I would use it to play bingo.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
June 7th, 2011 at 12:48:37 PM
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This phenomenon is, to my knowledge, unique to the Las Vegas area. The county-wide hold on Bingo is less than 1.5%, and many casinos operate at a loss simply to get players in the casino to play slots between sessions. I've spoken with at least two Vegas-area GMs who confirmed this was their operating strategy. On the other hand, many other bingo halls operate at a more normal level of profit -- at least one Oregon casino I've spoken with, for example, holds in excess of 15% on Bingo.
"In my own case, when it seemed to me after a long illness that death was close at hand, I found no little solace in playing constantly at dice."
-- Girolamo Cardano, 1563
June 7th, 2011 at 12:48:43 PM
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Quote: WizardI agree too. I think it is one of the best casinos reviews yet. Stay tuned for his review of the Las Vegas Club.
Regarding bingo, that indeed often is an advantage play if you buy the right kind of cards at the right time and place. There is no one strategy that works in every bingo hall, each one has to be analyzed separately. In the case of Station casinos, look for the sessions that have the big guaranteed coverall wins and buy lots of the "countdown cards." If the cash ball for that session gets too high then you should probably skip it, as it will induce a lot more competition. I tend to think that validating and the other side bets are rarely a good value. If I were a low-bankroll advantage player, like $10,000 or less, I would use it to play bingo.
Please explain in greater detail if you could.
June 7th, 2011 at 1:29:43 PM
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Quote: JIMMYFOCKERPlease explain in greater detail if you could.
I am a bit confused also.
I think part of my confusion is that although I can figure out what "coverall" means I have no idea what 'countdown' means. I don't really know what a normal "buy in" for a set of bingo cards is.
Part of the problem may be that there are, it seems, two contrary strategies... only play in a poorly-attended game and only play in a very well populated game.
Some people look for inclement weather, adverse hours, conflicts with retirement home events, etc. and therfore love 3:00am games on rainy and windy nights or mornings with extreme winds and temperatures. Others people seek out a very well attended game to share in some sort of superbonus wherein everyone present in the room and then playing gets a prorata share of something that is at or near a positive expectation value.
I was shocked to learn that Bingo would ever be a positive expectation game even if only marginally positive. I always thought of Bingo as some highly suspect rip-off outside of Nevada and an honestly run game in Nevada but essentially a waste of time for people too dumb to learn how to play the Big Six Carney Wheel. It seems that, as usual, I was wrong.
June 7th, 2011 at 2:45:48 PM
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I may be wrong, but I think the advantage play with Bingo will occur when there is some sort of guaranteed prize money that is being made available as a special thing or for a special season. I see this a lot of times where they advertise it fairly well. It's good to be in on that kind of game, because you know, for example, that someone is guaranteed to win $10k. On the other hand, these specials can also attract a lot of players, making it less likely that you will win the prize money.
So, a normal session might have a coverall game in which, if someone Bingos in less than 45 numbers they win $10k, otherwise they only win a consolation prize of $100. It might be more prudent to play during a "special" session which, during the coverall game, if someone Bingos in less than 45 numbers they win $10k, otherwise they win the "must go" prize of $5k. So picking which games and sessions you play at might allow you to achieve a more positive (or at least less negative) expectation.
So, a normal session might have a coverall game in which, if someone Bingos in less than 45 numbers they win $10k, otherwise they only win a consolation prize of $100. It might be more prudent to play during a "special" session which, during the coverall game, if someone Bingos in less than 45 numbers they win $10k, otherwise they win the "must go" prize of $5k. So picking which games and sessions you play at might allow you to achieve a more positive (or at least less negative) expectation.
June 7th, 2011 at 4:59:43 PM
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In his review, Teddys described the breakfast buffet at Palace as "fine". Maybe it's OK for breakfast, but for other meals, it is by far the worst buffet I have encountered in the Las Vegas area. Only Cannery comes close. I've been there multiple times, because buffets are practically free at Stations for their top-level players, but eventually stopped regarding it as a way to get a meal, and started thinking of it as a ticket for free self-serve soda and a smoke-free place to sit and maybe some ice cream if I was in the mood. :)
My experiences are from 18+ months ago, so maybe it's improved a lot since then, but I doubt it.
The courtyard rooms can be scary at times. I once had to take a detour back to my room because the hallway was cordoned off by cops. On another occasion I heard noises from a loud and possibly violent argument outside. There seem to be a disproportionate number of incidents in the news from there. If you're paying, spend the extra money to stay in the tower, or somewhere else.
My experiences are from 18+ months ago, so maybe it's improved a lot since then, but I doubt it.
The courtyard rooms can be scary at times. I once had to take a detour back to my room because the hallway was cordoned off by cops. On another occasion I heard noises from a loud and possibly violent argument outside. There seem to be a disproportionate number of incidents in the news from there. If you're paying, spend the extra money to stay in the tower, or somewhere else.
June 7th, 2011 at 5:21:07 PM
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You obviously haven't been to Terrible's . . . :)Quote: fivespotIn his review, Teddys described the breakfast buffet at Palace as "fine". Maybe it's OK for breakfast, but for other meals, it is by far the worst buffet I have encountered in the Las Vegas area. Only Cannery comes close. .
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
June 7th, 2011 at 6:05:21 PM
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Quote: JIMMYFOCKERPlease explain in greater detail if you could.
You can see my general bingo advice in my bingo page. It is not an effective use of my time to write about bingo because the rules change frequently and each bingo hall and sessions has its own set of rules.
Regarding Countdown Cards, those are unique to Station Casinos, as far as I know. They are much cheaper than most cards, but count only towards the last three games. Since that is where the big money is on certain sessions, they offer a rate of return well over 100% on those sessions.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
June 7th, 2011 at 9:01:38 PM
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I have to ask: what is a "Mexican style" shrimp cocktail?
In Mexico I've only seen it served either with ketchup or thousand island dressing. This goes for every kind of restaurant, from cheap places, to coffee shops, to fancy restaurants, fancy Mexican restaurants and even seafood places. Just the shrimp arranged vertically on a dish, drowned in regular ketchup (or catsup as it's spelled here) or 1000 islands. Some people ask for tabasco sauce on the side.
In Mexico I've only seen it served either with ketchup or thousand island dressing. This goes for every kind of restaurant, from cheap places, to coffee shops, to fancy restaurants, fancy Mexican restaurants and even seafood places. Just the shrimp arranged vertically on a dish, drowned in regular ketchup (or catsup as it's spelled here) or 1000 islands. Some people ask for tabasco sauce on the side.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
June 7th, 2011 at 9:15:59 PM
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In northwest Mexico, by the seaside where I've had it, they usually serve it in a kind of soup with cilantro and lime. Very good.
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
June 8th, 2011 at 12:42:48 AM
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Quote: WizardRegarding Countdown Cards, those are unique to Station Casinos. They are much cheaper than most cards, but count only towards the last three games. Since that is where the big money is on certain sessions, they offer a rate of return well over 100% on those sessions.
H'mmm,,,, I think I may investigate this well over 100% stuff even though in calculating my rate of return I will have to allow for the expense of purchasing a wig and fake beard so no one can ever see me coming out of a Bingo room. I wonder if there will soon be Bingo card teams and we will have to conceal our activities from an ever watchful floorperson?
June 8th, 2011 at 12:49:35 AM
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However served, its strange how a casino can afford to fly all those shrimp into the middle of the desert and then give them away at prices that are steeply discounted after adding a thick tomato and cilantro based sauce with a bit of a kick to it.
As to the comment about "you've obviously never been to Terribles" those were also my sentiments when I was reading about that worst buffet in Vegas.
Anyway, it was a very nice review of the Palace Station casino.
As to the comment about "you've obviously never been to Terribles" those were also my sentiments when I was reading about that worst buffet in Vegas.
Anyway, it was a very nice review of the Palace Station casino.
June 8th, 2011 at 3:51:49 AM
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Quote: fivespotit is by far the worst buffet I have encountered in the Las Vegas area. .
Is the Plaza totally closed? They had one of the worst, except on Tuesday when it was Italian day. Great lasagna and huge meatballs and lovely garlic bread. I liked the Plaza for a hoot, the buffet reminded me of what the prisoners at NV State were used to. Unfriendliest dealers downtown, lifers all..
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
June 8th, 2011 at 6:44:20 AM
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I forget which casino used to offer coupons for a free breakfast and one generous gambler tried to give it to a downtown panhandler on the street who politely informed him that despite his desperate state he was not that desperate.
No matter how poor the Palace Station buffet may be it surely doesn't approach the level at which vagrants living on the street would refuse to eat there. No way!
No matter how poor the Palace Station buffet may be it surely doesn't approach the level at which vagrants living on the street would refuse to eat there. No way!
June 8th, 2011 at 7:51:24 AM
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Quote: FleaStiffI forget which casino used to offer coupons for a free breakfast and one generous gambler tried to give it to a downtown panhandler on the street who politely informed him that despite his desperate state he was not that desperate.
No matter how poor the Palace Station buffet may be it surely doesn't approach the level at which vagrants living on the street would refuse to eat there. No way!
That was something somebody posted on another site about a free breakfast voucher at I believe the Gold Spike.
"For with much wisdom comes much sorrow." -- Ecclesiastes 1:18 (NIV)
June 8th, 2011 at 9:07:07 AM
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Quote: teddysIn northwest Mexico, by the seaside where I've had it, they usually serve it in a kind of soup with cilantro and lime. Very good.
Never seen that before.
BTW very good review indeed.
Donald Trump is a fucking criminal
June 8th, 2011 at 10:55:20 AM
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Quote: EvenBobIs the Plaza totally closed?
Most stuff was moved to the Las Vegas Club across the street, including BINGO, and the Jerky store.
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication - Leonardo da Vinci
June 8th, 2011 at 11:43:32 AM
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When were there in May, we walked over for my wife to check out the status of the bingo room. While wandering along LV boulevard looking for a way in we encountered a Plaza security guard who said everything in the Plaza was pretty much closed except for a small portion of the casino. He then pointed us to an unmarked door which led to the casino.
Instead, we wandered over to the Vegas Club and investigated the "new" bingo room. She eventually ended up playing at Binion's bingo room. This miraculously appeared since our visit last year, it's outback by a VERY dead poker room.
Instead, we wandered over to the Vegas Club and investigated the "new" bingo room. She eventually ended up playing at Binion's bingo room. This miraculously appeared since our visit last year, it's outback by a VERY dead poker room.
I don't know everything but I know a lot.
June 8th, 2011 at 4:42:51 PM
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Quote: teddysYou obviously haven't been to Terrible's . . . :)
I admit, I haven't been to all that many buffets. :) I've never paid cash for a casino buffet in my life, so if I don't play somewhere enough to get comped, I probably haven't had their buffet.
Or some places, like Stations, make buffets so cheap for high-level players that they might as well be free. The Palace buffet was costing me under $1.50 in points. Sometimes I'd tell the cashier to charge me for three buffets, and let in some random elderly couple behind me (in the combined VIP/handicapped line) for no charge. Three bucks worth of points was a bargain for the chance to be nice to strangers, get some amusing reactions, and cost the casino extra money all at the same time.
June 8th, 2011 at 7:32:40 PM
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Am I the only one that doesn't enjoy the buffets?
My mom always goes on and on about Terrible's buffet and the Station casinos. I think she likes anything that comes out free, and those places seem to give her the best "comped" buffets for her play. Since I know she's a penny slot player, I'm assuming that they either give out a lot of comped buffets, or the buffets aren't that expensive in the first place.
My mom always goes on and on about Terrible's buffet and the Station casinos. I think she likes anything that comes out free, and those places seem to give her the best "comped" buffets for her play. Since I know she's a penny slot player, I'm assuming that they either give out a lot of comped buffets, or the buffets aren't that expensive in the first place.
June 10th, 2011 at 3:35:48 PM
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Quote: teddysIn northwest Mexico, by the seaside where I've had it, they usually serve it in a kind of soup with cilantro and lime. Very good.
When I saw this photo, it immediately reminded me of ceviche. It's really good if you're ok with raw seafood.
June 10th, 2011 at 3:45:22 PM
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Traditional Peruvian plate of ceviche, complete with sweet potato and corn kernels. Buenissimo:
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
June 18th, 2011 at 2:48:17 AM
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The Terrible's buffet is indeed terrible, even for the poor souls who have to pay for it.
The Stations buffets tend to be cheaper than all those mega-swank places on the strip.
Buffets tend to be highly subjective matters, similar to room quality but there are always various payment options. Just as about one third of the rooms in Vegas are comped, I imagine a pretty hefty percentage of buffets are comped.
I can't really judge a buffet too well, but I sure enjoy short lines.
The Stations buffets tend to be cheaper than all those mega-swank places on the strip.
Buffets tend to be highly subjective matters, similar to room quality but there are always various payment options. Just as about one third of the rooms in Vegas are comped, I imagine a pretty hefty percentage of buffets are comped.
I can't really judge a buffet too well, but I sure enjoy short lines.
