I have never been to Biloxi, I have been to Vegas 3 times. Is Biloxi worth going to? I'm looking for AP as well as partying opportunities.
Quote: WizardofnothingPm Me if you want to discuss biloxi
You see, that's not fair. PM me....
Do you really want the whole forum to PM you if they think they might be headed toward Biloxi sometime in the near or distant future? Really?
Maybe you could share some tid-bits of info, share with all here?
That would be nice, so very nice....
Quote: WizardofnothingSure here is a tidbit- they have 3-2 blackjack- I'm never going to discuss informTion in the forum it's on a case by case basis
I have thanked you privately, and publicly, for what you sent to me, I don't know what else to say but Thx.
Vegas baby.
I found Biloxi a huge disappointment.
Hurricane Katrina pretty much wiped out the whole beach front.
Of course all the Casinos were rebuilt but that's about it.
Any decent beach town should have a boardwalk with a variety of businesses and entertainment.
I guess that all got wiped out if it was there.
One of my great joys in Vegas is being able to walk from casino to casino.
In Biloxi, none are really in walking distance from each other so you have to drive.
Vegas has variety, Biloxi kind of a bare bones beach town with a bunch of casinos
Quote: WizardofnothingSure here is a tidbit- they have 3-2 blackjack- I'm never going to discuss informTion in the forum it's on a case by case basis
I'm confused, by definition a forum is a place set aside for public expression.
I can't speak to AP opportunities, but there are only about 8 or so casinos in Biloxi. So, your selection of possible casinos will be much bigger in Vegas.
That said, I do like Biloxi, but I'm no partier (anymore), and I'm not an AP.
The city was devastated, but IIRC, there really wasn't much on the beach (other than casinos) to wipe out! I remember we stopped there on the way to New Orleans a year or two before they had casinos. It was just a sleepy gulf town then. We had a heck of a time just trying to find a sports bar.Quote: terapinedHurricane Katrina pretty much wiped out the whole beach front.
Quote: terapinedI have been to both.
Vegas baby.
I found Biloxi a huge disappointment.
Hurricane Katrina pretty much wiped out the whole beach front.
Of course all the Casinos were rebuilt but that's about it.
Any decent beach town should have a boardwalk with a variety of businesses and entertainment.
I guess that all got wiped out if it was there.
One of my great joys in Vegas is being able to walk from casino to casino.
In Biloxi, none are really in walking distance from each other so you have to drive.
Vegas has variety, Biloxi kind of a bare bones beach town with a bunch of casinos
Biloxi only ever had casinos, I think the peak was 13 of them pre-Katrina. They were always wide-spread, though for a time (and I think it might still be operating) there was a Jitney bus that ran people between some of them, and there's still (I think) a small bus that runs from the shore to the Back Bay (IP and Boomtown). Margaritaville came and went post-Katrina. The closest grouping was Harrahs/Grand with Isle of Capri next door. Harrah's re-opened much smaller, Isle went under and was re-purposed into Golden Nugget. Beau Rivage remained; Hard Rock was due to open when Katrina hit; not sure how bad their damage was, but it was a couple years later that they opened. The Palace seems to be still open.
The Grand Gulfport, a pirate-themed place, and another next to it (all in the Gulfport area) all went, I think, in Katrina, though the Grand was briefly run by Harrah's and sold to another party, who was spending a lot of money renovating it last I visited the location (at least 5 years ago, but I think it was post-Katrina). One of those relocated in a storefront on the highway, western edge of Biloxi; not sure how they're doing. Also not sure if the Presidential is still running. The Grand Gulfport (when it was still the Grand) was a VERY nice property; I was sorry it got dumped. It looked like the new owners (think it's IslandView Resort) have finished building the tower (that I think replaced the Grand Hotel which was lost) and replacing the casino floor; they say 2000 slots and 45 tables.
Sorry for any inaccuracies; I'm going on memory, not perfect research. But there was never much in Biloxi for non-casino entertainment. It's a military town, and was a huge fishing center for Vietnamese immigrants, who relocated post-Katrina for the most part. Fishing industry further damaged by the BP spill. No other real industry there, and not a lot of tourist development in the area compared to some other Gulf Coast communities.
Quote: rxwineSeconding or thirding Biloxi wasn't set up to walk from casino to casino prior to the hurricanes, unless you liked really long walks.
I want to go to Biloxi, play Biloxi, live for a moment Biloxi.
I'm on a short leash, we'll see......
Quote: TwoFeathersATLI want to go to Biloxi, play Biloxi, live for a moment Biloxi.
I'm on a short leash, we'll see......
As a side note, how is the fishing round there?
Quote: TwoFeathersATLAs a side note, how is the fishing round there?
If you mean 1/2 day or full day deep sea fishing, there are more than a few charters available. I don't think there's much to be had shore fishing, but I have seen people trying.
Yep. The pirate ship was the Treasure Bay:Quote: beachbumbabs... a pirate-themed place, and another next to it (all in the Gulfport area) all went, I think, in Katrina
It was my favorite joint in Biloxi, pre-Katrina. They have rebuilt it, but unfortunately, it (the casino) is a shell of what it once was, at least it was when I was there in 2011. They may have expanded since then, but at the time, the casino was tiny. The resort itself, however, is fairly nice, and actually improved post-Katrina.
And next-door was the President:
a fine place for low-rollers like me, but it was relocated by Katrina:
and is no more.
Quote: JoemanYep. The pirate ship was the Treasure Bay:
It was my favorite joint in Biloxi, pre-Katrina. They have rebuilt it, but unfortunately, it (the casino) is a shell of what it once was, at least it was when I was there in 2011. They may have expanded since then, but at the time, the casino was tiny. The resort itself, however, is fairly nice, and actually improved post-Katrina.
And next-door was the President:
a fine place for low-rollers like me, but it was relocated by Katrina:
and is no more.
Sweet, very sweet, pics of places that are no more.
Prolly best I haven't figured out the pic thing yet,
Or the link thing yet,
Or the quote within multiple quotes yet.
So far, All I can do post a simple minded reply.
All good, all very good.
I would prefer casinos to be adjacent to each other, but Biloxi is always a shuttle or show your medicaid card to the bus driver.
One thing biloxi offers is that players cards and accumulated points are often usable at a great many restaurants and stores in the area, so wine and a dinner can be a good reward for your advantage play.
Vegas obviously is more of a party town but I usually only visit four or five casinos per trip and tend to stay in one area of town.
What could go wrong?"
Edit: It's called Mary Mahoney's. Expensive but first-rate.
Mary Mahoney's Old French House
4.2 (out of 5)
51 Google reviews
$$$ · Restaurant
Address: 110 Rue Magnolia, Biloxi, MS 39530
Phone:(228) 374-0163
Hours:
Closing soon · 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Quote: MrV"Let's build a bunch of floating casinos in the heart of hurricane country.
What could go wrong?"
Didn't they have some actual international waters gambling boats at first? That's how they get their foot in the door, so the voters get used to the idea and become more receptive to land based casinos.
I'm pretty sure I went out on a cruise in Louisiana gambling boat long time back. Not sure about neighboring Mississippi.
Quote: beachbumbabsIt's called Mary Mahoney's. Expensive but first-rate.
Mary Mahoney's Old French House
We had lunch there, not dinner, one day back in April 2011. Very nice. As an interesting add-on, they have a few markers around the place showing the water level at the peak of the Katrina flood. Or maybe where the flood waters still were when they were able to get back to the place.
MS has some of the best craps rules for the player, in the US.
The casinos are VERY smokey (except Palace which is non smoking).
Beau Rivage and Hard Rock are next to each other, easy walk.
Harrahs is about 1.5 mile walk (okay in spring/fall, awful walk in muggy summer).
Palace and GN are only a couple of blocks from Harrahs.
I've always felt pretty safe walking to any of the casinos, but the last time my wife and I had a couple of unsettling incidents. One was a car that drove by us pretty slowly twice, and then pulled to the side of the street about 50 yds in front of us. I told my wife to turn around and start walking back to the main drag. I got the license number and the car left shortly after we turned back.
The other one was 3 guys that were loitering on one of the streets near the Palace. We just changed our course and walked down one extra block. Rather be safe than temp fate.
Multiple Casino Trolleys called The Frogger run about every 20 minutes. Cost is $1.25. Runs to all of the casinos above, plus Sam's Town, and the IP. (This info is 3 years old now...... it may have changed).
If you're looking to do nothing but gamble, Biloxi is a great place to go. Beau Rivage is my favorite place. Comps were great there for a long time, but they tightened up a bit, like everyone else. I can't say what else there is to do as I have never really looked for any distractions.
Vegas has much easier comp rules. They have so many more hotel rooms in Vegas that I believe the slot hosts and pit bosses have more rooms to give away. Food comps are about the same.
Vegas has more to "do", or rather "see". Strippers, Comedians, magic acts, etc.
Biloxi will have fresher seafood and some sand. Maybe a different flavor of music.
Biloxi does try now - don't get me wrong. They do have top talent coming in to perform, but in the beach area, off I-110, there are only a handful of casinos. Beau Rivage, Imperial Palace, The Palace Casino, Harrah's, Hard Rock, Golden Nugget and Boomtown.
Down the street a fair amount is Treasure Bay, and there's a newer casino called Island View. And there may be a couple smaller ones as you head further West.
But, that's less than 10. Seems like Vegas has twice that many on the strip.
Vegas never sleeps. In Biloxi, things quiet way down around 11pm - and that's without knowing if it's dark out or what time it is. There seem to be more local players in Biloxi - because there are no bars or other venues off the strip to play at, other than the big casinos for the locals in Biloxi. So, to me, it has more of a small town feel to it.
So, if it's me, I'd pick Vegas. (If you like the beach, I'd still pick Vegas and go to Gulf Shores another time. Biloxi's beaches are ...meh.
As far as food goes - most casinos are about the same. Outside of the casinos, Biloxi wins.
As far as shopping goes - Pick Biloxi if you want cheap, Vegas if you want a lot more variety and options (That you'll pay for!)
Quote: beachbumbabsExcellent! Harrah's sent us to a really, really great local restaurant one night last Oct; west maybe a mile on 90, in a 2 story boutique shopping mall (white Italian architecture?), but the restaurant itself was a series of little rooms in a building probably 100+ years old. I would recommend it highly but can't remember the name. You know where I'm talking about? Maybe Mother Malone's or something?
Edit: It's called Mary Mahoney's. Expensive but first-rate.
Mary Mahoney's Old French House
4.2 (out of 5)
51 Google reviews
$$$ · Restaurant
Address: 110 Rue Magnolia, Biloxi, MS 39530
Phone:(228) 374-0163
Hours:
Closing soon · 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
My family and I usually eat here on Thanksgiving. They do a good job - but yeah. They are not shy about the prices.
Quote: DeMangoGreat post RC, but I'm sure you meant BoomTown. You can use your Sam's Town card at IP, a fellow Boyd property.
Thanks for the correction DeMango. A trolley ride from Biloxi to Sam's Town would be brutal, to say the least.........
Just curious mostly. (It's not Indian gaming, unless that has also changed since I was last there)
Quote: CommishThe Beau Rivage is very comparable to Vegas casinos.
Maybe because Steve Wynn built it???
Quote: beachbumbabs
Edit: It's called Mary Mahoney's. Expensive but first-rate.
Mary Mahoney's Old French House
I remember that place. I think it had a beautiful old giant tree outside. I would take my employees there when we finished job at the casinos.
I don't know if they still do this.
Oh, the odd things that stick in one's memory.
Quote: JoemanI went to Mary Mahoney's many years ago. I remember that it was a very enjoyable meal, but the thing I most remember about it, at the risk of sounding crass, was that they kept the urinal (a trough, actually) filled with ice. I had never seen that before. We joked that it was a sign of a classy establishment.
That's the beer recycler.
Quote: CommishI am amazed that no one has mentioned golf. There are a lot of reasonably priced great golf courses in the area. I have been going there since before Katrina with a bunch of guys and we play golf every day and gamble every night. The Beau Rivage is very comparable to Vegas casinos.
Beau Rivage has a private course called Fallen Oak. It is rumored to be the #1 rated course in MS. I have played it twice, and it is awesome. Must be a guest at Beau Rivage, and $125 greens fees if you're not getting a comp keeps the place from being overrun with players. My buddy and I were one of 3 groups on the whole course for the day, AND THEY STILL HAD A BEVERAGE CART ON THE COURSE. You will be treated like a king while you are there.
Quote: JoemanI went to Mary Mahoney's many years ago. I remember that it was a very enjoyable meal, but the thing I most remember about it, at the risk of sounding crass, was that they kept the urinal (a trough, actually) filled with ice. I had never seen that before. We joked that it was a sign of a classy establishment.
I don't know if they still do this.
Oh, the odd things that stick in one's memory.
The foreigner brothels(GoGo Bars catering to overpaying foreigners from Europe) here in Thailand also do that, with limes on top as well. I had always thought it was a Euro thing, but you have changed my thinking. One theory here anyhow is that it keeps people from sitting on the urinal.
Regarding the topic, I've only been to Biloxi once, didn't like it much. Took a day trip to New Orleans (pre Katrina) and didn't like it either.(Harrahs and the French Quarter) There remains only one Las Vegas. Even Reno and Lake Tahoe don't compare for restaurants and options casino wise.
My last trip to Beau Rivage was 2 1/2 years ago. I was still receiving offers monthly for $300 freeplay ($75/wk which stinks, as it used to be $300 for anytime in the month) up until a few months ago. Now my offer is $100 for anytime Oct thru Dec. They are part of M-Life, so I was a bit worried about the recent M-Life changes regarding Express Comps. Turns out Beau Rivage is still giving Express Comps, or so they say. I will know more in a couple of weeks.
I also noted on the website that Beau Rivage is charging a $10.70 Resort Fee now. I called to see if I could still get a room comp'd after 30 months of no action, and they quickly gave me a free room for a Thur, Fri, and Sat. They also said there is no resort fee charged when the room is comp'd! This is the way a comp'd room should be, right CET ???????
I can't wait to get back to the Beau craps tables. I have had many a great session at that casino, and am looking forward to adding some more good sessions.
My experience has been the biggest A-hole craps dealers were at the IP. I do recall a couple of jerks at Beau too, so I'm not totally opposed to you on the BR dealers.
If I could take an axe to any craps table, it would be that crapless table at Beau. And to make matters worse, that is usually the only table that is open first thing in the morning. :-( I asked them one time how they decide what table to have open in the morning. Turns out they go based on the night before. As they keep closing tables, when they get down to 2 tables, whichever table has more players stays open, and the other one is closed. Quite a few times I have had to walk next door to Hard Rock to play 'real' craps before 10:00 AM.
I thought the buffet was declining a bit last couple of times we were there. Still good, but pricey if you weren't getting a comp. Perhaps it has gotten better in the past 2 years.....
I have a friend in Ocean Springs and we do the half price brunch for seniors at the Beau on Wednesdays. To me, much better than HR & IP.