Tunica Casino Report
December 30th, 2018 at 8:25:30 PM
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Since I always come here looking for info on Tunica casinos (Closest to my home) and there isnt a lot of updates, thought I would share some info on the three I went to this weekend
SAM'S TOWN - Pretty much an older crowd casino now, but they do have lots of the newer slots. Not super packed even on a Friday night and they do have a sportsbook as well now. As for gaming, they are the only casino in Tunica (and pretty much most places) that has Lunar Poker available. They also have the regulars like Mississippi Stud, Three Card Poker, Craps, Roulette and Blackjack with the 3 card and Top 3 bets. Rooms are easy to get a comp for if you are a card member. Didnt have the buffet, but did try to get a late night snack at their snack bar restaurant (Smokey Joe's) and it literally took 45 minutes for a hot dog and fries and there werent many people there. Rooms there were decent (stayed Fri).
HORSESHOE TUNICA - Stayed here the second night (comped), decent selection of table games here including High Card Flush, Fortune Pai Gow, Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Holdem, Mississippi Stud, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat and a few variations of Blackjack, including Blazing 7's Progressive, Three Card Poker, Top 3 and Kings? Bonus. Buffet is one of the best in Tunica and the 8 oz Burger Bar has some of the best snack foods anywhere (and it doesnt take an hour, took only 10 minutes and they were busy). Also the new sportsbook is ok and a pretty big poker room. Rooms are kind of old but free is free. Lots of slots and not a lot of smoke, which is good.
GOLD STRIKE TUNICA - By far, the busiest of all the casinos. On Saturday night, it was literally almost too busy to even get a slot. So much smoke here too, its almost like people came here to smoke and gamble on the side. As for the gaming, they have some games that they havent had except recently including High Card Flush and the new Face Up Pai Gow (High minimums even in off hours of $25 as compared to the $10 mins at Horseshoe). Other games include Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Let It Ride, Carribbean Stud Poker (only place I know that still has it), Mississippi Stud, Baccarat, Craps, Roulette and the normal variations of Black Jack. They also just opened a "Party Pit" with $5 minimum games at all time Blackjack and Mississippi Stud. They have a new sportsbook as well. Didnt eat any here, so cant comment on that.
Some odds and ends about the visit. I did find out that the Roadhouse would be closing as mentioned, but Horseshoe will continue to operate the hotel as overflow, especially as they usually sell out every weekend there. I did hear that they will tear up the barge that the casino actually sits on and possibly fill it in and build some other things there to compliment the Horseshoe.
The new interstate connecting I-40 from the east to Tunica, I-269 does cut a little bit of time out for those coming from Nashville. I think it cut our time roughly 20-30 minutes, but you also avoid potential road work and congestion in the Memphis area. Did also notice that some more of the smaller, non-resort hotels are closing as well or only operating on the weekends. Tunica is definitely struggling right now (as is the gaming industry as a whole I think). If Tennessee would ever get their head out of their behind, Nashville would be a great destination for casinos to operate and if that would happen, I think that it could possible spell the end of Tunica.
SAM'S TOWN - Pretty much an older crowd casino now, but they do have lots of the newer slots. Not super packed even on a Friday night and they do have a sportsbook as well now. As for gaming, they are the only casino in Tunica (and pretty much most places) that has Lunar Poker available. They also have the regulars like Mississippi Stud, Three Card Poker, Craps, Roulette and Blackjack with the 3 card and Top 3 bets. Rooms are easy to get a comp for if you are a card member. Didnt have the buffet, but did try to get a late night snack at their snack bar restaurant (Smokey Joe's) and it literally took 45 minutes for a hot dog and fries and there werent many people there. Rooms there were decent (stayed Fri).
HORSESHOE TUNICA - Stayed here the second night (comped), decent selection of table games here including High Card Flush, Fortune Pai Gow, Three Card Poker, Ultimate Texas Holdem, Mississippi Stud, Craps, Roulette, Baccarat and a few variations of Blackjack, including Blazing 7's Progressive, Three Card Poker, Top 3 and Kings? Bonus. Buffet is one of the best in Tunica and the 8 oz Burger Bar has some of the best snack foods anywhere (and it doesnt take an hour, took only 10 minutes and they were busy). Also the new sportsbook is ok and a pretty big poker room. Rooms are kind of old but free is free. Lots of slots and not a lot of smoke, which is good.
GOLD STRIKE TUNICA - By far, the busiest of all the casinos. On Saturday night, it was literally almost too busy to even get a slot. So much smoke here too, its almost like people came here to smoke and gamble on the side. As for the gaming, they have some games that they havent had except recently including High Card Flush and the new Face Up Pai Gow (High minimums even in off hours of $25 as compared to the $10 mins at Horseshoe). Other games include Three Card Poker, Four Card Poker, Let It Ride, Carribbean Stud Poker (only place I know that still has it), Mississippi Stud, Baccarat, Craps, Roulette and the normal variations of Black Jack. They also just opened a "Party Pit" with $5 minimum games at all time Blackjack and Mississippi Stud. They have a new sportsbook as well. Didnt eat any here, so cant comment on that.
Some odds and ends about the visit. I did find out that the Roadhouse would be closing as mentioned, but Horseshoe will continue to operate the hotel as overflow, especially as they usually sell out every weekend there. I did hear that they will tear up the barge that the casino actually sits on and possibly fill it in and build some other things there to compliment the Horseshoe.
The new interstate connecting I-40 from the east to Tunica, I-269 does cut a little bit of time out for those coming from Nashville. I think it cut our time roughly 20-30 minutes, but you also avoid potential road work and congestion in the Memphis area. Did also notice that some more of the smaller, non-resort hotels are closing as well or only operating on the weekends. Tunica is definitely struggling right now (as is the gaming industry as a whole I think). If Tennessee would ever get their head out of their behind, Nashville would be a great destination for casinos to operate and if that would happen, I think that it could possible spell the end of Tunica.
December 30th, 2018 at 11:22:46 PM
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So I-269 is open between I-22 and I-55? That saves time if you are driving in from Birmingham and Atlanta. Are buy bets in craps still at $10? Extreme numbers (crapless) still buys at $10?
When a rock is thrown into a pack of dogs, the one that yells the loudest is the one who got hit.
December 30th, 2018 at 11:33:52 PM
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I'm kind of envious of the table game selections at all three locales.
Have you tried 22 tonight? I said 22.
December 31st, 2018 at 3:17:37 AM
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craps:
minimums and odds at all the locations?
minimums and odds at all the locations?
Craps is paradise (Pair of dice).
Lets hear it for the SpeedCount Mathletes :)
February 9th, 2019 at 10:11:46 PM
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It varies based on time of day. Most of the times, the mins are $5 or $10, I dont think I have seen anything higher than that, but could be possible. Havent really paid much attention to the odds when I do play, but I have seen billboards driving in from Memphis advertising 20x on some casinos, but cant remember which. Not sure of the buy bets question
One thing I have heard rumor of and have read some other things online regarding the Southland Racing (Greyhound) in West Memphis about to expand from the slots to a full Vegas style casino with table games etc due to the new laws passed in Arkansas. Was at Oaklawn outside of Little Rock and they have Ultimate Texas Holdem, Three Card Poker and Blackjack with Live Dealers and the electronic Roulette and Craps. One thing interesting about the table games there is that chips are only used when buying in and cashing out....aside from that the balance is kept on a video screen in front of each player. Not sure if the law will allow regular chip usage or not.
One thing I have heard rumor of and have read some other things online regarding the Southland Racing (Greyhound) in West Memphis about to expand from the slots to a full Vegas style casino with table games etc due to the new laws passed in Arkansas. Was at Oaklawn outside of Little Rock and they have Ultimate Texas Holdem, Three Card Poker and Blackjack with Live Dealers and the electronic Roulette and Craps. One thing interesting about the table games there is that chips are only used when buying in and cashing out....aside from that the balance is kept on a video screen in front of each player. Not sure if the law will allow regular chip usage or not.
March 30th, 2019 at 5:48:44 PM
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Quote: mtcardsOne thing I have heard rumor of and have read some other things online regarding the Southland Racing (Greyhound) in West Memphis about to expand from the slots to a full Vegas style casino with table games etc due to the new laws passed in Arkansas. Was at Oaklawn outside of Little Rock and they have Ultimate Texas Holdem, Three Card Poker and Blackjack with Live Dealers and the electronic Roulette and Craps. One thing interesting about the table games there is that chips are only used when buying in and cashing ide from that the balance is kept on a video screen in front of each player. Not sure if the law will allow regular chip usage or not.
I was at Oaklawn a couple of months ago on a non-race day, and took a look at what they had. I'd not been there before, so I can't compare what they have added--if anything--since the constitutional amendment passed.
I've not been to Southland, either; I suspect it will put a crimp on Tunica, as the drive to Tunica from Beale Street is about 40 minutes and it is only about 15 minutes to Southland.
JClay
March 30th, 2019 at 6:57:32 PM
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Which of these casinos seemed to get the biggest action?
March 30th, 2019 at 7:17:06 PM
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Sam's Town fried chicken at the deli is the truth
"Man Babes" #AxelFabulous
June 23rd, 2019 at 7:29:07 PM
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Quote: smurgerburgerWhich of these casinos seemed to get the biggest action?
I think Gold Strike in general has always had more play in the high limit area as well as fuller tables in the regular area
June 23rd, 2019 at 9:02:49 PM
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Not surprising. It has been a long time since the Immokalee Poker Club (Florida) meetings but those guys regularly did Vegas, Atlantic City, Biloxi and Tunica. I know Tunica was always a "no squeek, no oil" place as far as comps went, but they always gave Gold Strike their highest ratings. Name changes and ownership changes in the interim perhaps though.Quote: mtcardsI think Gold Strike in general has always had more play in the high limit area as well as fuller tables in the regular area
June 27th, 2019 at 10:59:45 AM
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Just FYI
Southland Casino in West Memphis, Arkansas now has billboards in the Memphis and Tunica area advertising that they have live dealer blackjack and roulette. Not sure about the other games, but would assume they would have at least some of the standards
Southland Casino in West Memphis, Arkansas now has billboards in the Memphis and Tunica area advertising that they have live dealer blackjack and roulette. Not sure about the other games, but would assume they would have at least some of the standards
