Black Hawk/Central City report (personal experience)

Quote: gambler

I am planning on spending a Friday night and a Wednesday night in Black Hawk next month. I appreciate any suggestions on where to stay, eat, etc. Any place that I have to check out? Favorite craps crew?

Interesting to hear that the Lodge rates your odds bet. Anywhere else do that? How hard is it to get a comped room when playing just table games?

Any advice or thoughts from Colorado people is most welcome.

Forget about finding a decently priced room on Friday night in BH/CC. Best option is probably to stay somewhere on the west side of Denver (Golden area). I know "free" shuttles run between Colorado Mills and BH, run by the casinos. "Free" is in quotes because they charge you on the order of $20, which you then get reimbursed for after a nominal amount of play; this requires a player's card too. As mentioned, once you're in Black Hawk it is easy to hop around.

I would start by getting a Lodge/Gilpin player's card (they have the same owner) and racking up points at these properties. Pit bosses at both places have confirmed to me they count odds. Thus it is quite easy to achieve a "spread" of $200-300 with multiple pass/come/don't bets working. The buffet at the Lodge is decent and you may be able to earn a trip just via points. I often rack up 1000-2000 points per session, with one point equaling one cent as at Harrah's properties. I think the Lodge has a promotion where 500 points on your first day of play gets you $10 cash back, or something similar.

Lady Luck has great dealers but they do not award points for table games, nor does the Isle. There's still some tracking going on, however, as I get comp room offers all the time. If you have decent play there on a weeknight it wouldn't hurt to ask what they can do for you regarding a room.

I don't play at Ameristar, or really anywhere else other than Lodge/Gilpin and LL/Isle.

I spoke to a host at the Lodge Casino in Blackhawk this afternoon. Couple of interesting points:

1. Table games at the Lodge are rated.

2. It is against Colorado law to offer casino credit.

3. The host also believed it was against Colorado law to accept front money from players. (I can not mail a check to the, ahead of time).

So, a player would have to bring their bankroll to Colorado in cash or travelers checks.

4. A blackjack player can play more then one spot at $100 per hand (table max) as long as the pit boss allows it.

I have decide to stay there for my trip in September. Should be fun.