The Greenbrier WV

I'll be doing a blogpost sometime this week on a stay at the Greenbrier. Stay tuned to this thread, too, for more info later I think. I'm pretty whipped at the moment but want to get the basics out there.
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I was *not* there at what conceivably could have been the busier times of Friday and Saturday. Possibly the minimums can go up. Be advised you don't just "show up" and start playing, more on that later.

BLACKJACK

$15 blackjack for the minimum whenever I saw it.
BJ Pays 3/2.
Dealer stands on soft 17.
Double after Split allowed, and you could split again at least once [perhaps more].
8 decks out of a shoe with no autoshuffle and approximately 2/3 penetration.
No surrender .
Theoretical 0.36% HE according to the WoO calculator.

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CRAPS
$10 minimum craps evenings only, after 5 [on weekdays].
Free odds were 3x4x5x
Field paid 2X on snake-eyes and boxcars.
0.374% HE on the pass line with full odds according to WoO chart.
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0/00 roulette was available, didn't play or notice the minimum.
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3 card poker was available, didn't play or notice the minimum.
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some of the slots had videopoker as one game out of multiple otherwise non-poker choices, double double bonus [I think] only, and I failed to note anything else [didn't play].

I was pretty much happy to find I could live with the minimums as I had some concern they would be higher.

This thread has the tag 'greenbrier' now and I think all threads here having to do with The Greenbrier have been tagged.

The Greenbrier casino operations were set up under a restriction that players must be staying at the hotel, with just a few other ways you would be allowed to play as a part of a special group. They have occasional Charity events that [I think] anyone could get in on, otherwise it'd be that you were a part of some conference or whatever. Some people are allowed in as a part of some local sporting club; information on that is quite sparse. You can initiate joining the Player's Club online; you don't get a player's card till you show up, but they do start emailing you room offers as low as $99 per night weekdays. I turned over the business of getting a room to my wife as always, and we certainly did not stay for that price as she got a nice room as is her wont .

The dealers were super nice and helpful, just great really. The facilities in general there are impressive, and the casino itself is no exception. The bar, bathroom, all of it is just first class. This is no place to do cheap boozing though, drinks cost plenty and are not complimentary while playing.

I really think they want more use of the casino and are in the process of dreaming up more ways to get you there. They got their arrangement under this restriction and after that other casinos opened up in WV under 'come one come all', so I would imagine that the state is already giving a wink and a nod to inventive ways to get players, such as the Charity event. Be advised, though, they are not lax about making sure you are supposed to be stepping into the casino, and that starts with just pulling up there to the Hotel. I'm not sure you could pull up and park just to go to a restaurant.

Wanted to get all this info down in this thread, my experience in particular will be in my blog later.

We look forward to your adding to this thread also.

The Greenbrier was a fine old resort with a great history and I'm sure they want to hold onto the snob appeal as long as possible but do indeed have an eye on more action in the casino. It will undoubtedly be subtle at first. Eventually it will be the Greenbrier Casino and will not be thought of as history or resort or conference center...those things will still exist but action at the casino will grow. I'd expect more outreach programs based on affinity marketing: wine appreciation seminars, cider mavens from local orchards and processors, local professional groups, etc. They want to remain upscale but they need action at the tables no matter what.

Any specifics as "super nice" dealers. Dress and demeanor were probably far higher than your average casino dealers.

Quote: odiousgambit

This thread has the tag 'greenbrier' now and I think all threads here having to do with The Greenbrier have been tagged. ...

Well, it seems that two threads are tagged "greenbrier", while four threads (including my write up from a year ago) have been tagged with the misspelled "greenbriar". And this thread is the only one to be tagged with both the correct and incorrect spelling. I don't know whether it is possible or even appropriate to correct all these tagging errors. I have never tagged a thread myself.

Quote: odiousgambit

The Greenbrier casino operations were set up under a restriction that players must be staying at the hotel.... They got their arrangement under this restriction and after that other casinos opened up in WV under 'come one come all', so I would imagine that the state is already giving a wink and a nod to inventive ways to get players....

In case anyone were to misinterpret this, the other West Virginia casinos already were in operation (except the tables at Charlestown) prior to the Greenbrier opening a casino. They started with the little Tavern Casino that was open when I visited in April 2010 then finished and opened the main casino about the same time that tables opened at Charlestown.

Quote: Doc

In case anyone were to misinterpret this, the other West Virginia casinos already were in operation (except the tables at Charlestown) prior to the Greenbrier opening a casino. They started with the little Tavern Casino that was open when I visited in April 2010 then finished and opened the main casino about the same time that tables opened at Charlestown.

I stand corrected on the facts, but I still get the feeling they will come up with more events to get more folks in there.

Quote: FleaStiff

Any specifics as "super nice" dealers. Dress and demeanor were probably far higher than your average casino dealers.

Just no sign of any surliness, fatigue, had-it-with-the-public, etc. And I would guess they have had to deal with much less in the way of cheaters. Not having to focus on that is a big help in how you wind up treating customers IMO. Should they get burned, that might cause a change. As it is, even the pit bosses were nice as pie. Dealers were cheerfully helpful on betting decisions if you asked too.

PS: there was also a poker room; people were signing up for $3/$5 no limit texas hold em, but I forgot to check out whether any games got going. Presumably so by the evening, and certainly on the weekend I would think.

Quote: odiousgambit

I still get the feeling they will come up with more events to get more folks in there.

I don't have the insight one way or another on this. As I reported in my writeup last year, my impression was that the casino was to be just another nice amenity for a fabulous resort, not the main draw. Of course, the main casino was still under construction when I was there, so things might have changed since it opened. I did receive one promotional mailing from the resort this winter/spring, and I am aware of the charity event they held at the casino last month, though I don't remember whether that was in my mailer. I don't know how often they would hold such an event. I still have the impression that the "luxury Greenbrier resort, now with a casino" is a very different animal from the "luxury Las Vegas casino resort".

Does the Greenbrier in fact have a dress code? Some of the other "grand hotels" still do. Usually nothing real strict, on the order of requiring long pants and/or shirts with collars, but it does serve to keep the clientele more attentive to their appearance.

As I stated before, I have never been to the main casino. When I visited the Tavern casino, I think all of the men were wearing jacket and tie, with women wearing comparable attire, though it may not have been required. It was perhaps just an expectation by both the management and the other guests. The main dining room definitely required jacket and tie for dinner.

Quote: odiousgambit

Just no sign of any surliness, fatigue, had-it-with-the-public, etc. And I would guess they have had to deal with much less in the way of cheaters. Not having to focus on that is a big help in how you wind up treating customers.

I would say its not just "cheaters" but more the "fleas"... the low bets, high demand, no tipping, rude, clamoring "pay me, pay me" instead of patiently waiting their turn in proper sequence. It is probably not just the absence of "shot takers".
I think a dealer who transferred from Terribles to The Greenbrier would probably love the new atmosphere but his old habits might cause him to be canned promptly.