Oklahoma?

OK, I guess this is the place to start a thread inquiring about Oklahoma gaming. Not the political thread on whether or not the Governor or the tribes are right on compacts auto renewing or not, but the actual games and location.

I guess Western is right, since there isn't a Southern Region? In any event,

I just ran the search word "Oklahoma" again. Doesn't seem like anything much on here recently. But, since supposedly OK has the second most number of casinos in the country behind Vegas, I wondered if anyone on the board was from around here, also. If you are, please reach out and let me know what places actually have BJ any longer (most are slot machine places) and maybe we can discuss some of the conditions out here. I had to take a break from playing much, for over a year for personal family reasons but am back playing. Thanks!!

The big casinos (WinStar and Choctaw Durant) have Blackjack. I can't speak to any of the others as these are the only two OK casinos I've visited. However, you're on Native American territory, and you will pay a 50c ante on every hand up to a $50 bet, and $1 on a bet over $50. Pretty much makes them unplayable.

Quote: rsactuary

The big casinos (WinStar and Choctaw Durant) have Blackjack. I can't speak to any of the others as these are the only two OK casinos I've visited. However, you're on Native American territory, and you will pay a 50c ante on every hand up to a $50 bet, and $1 on a bet over $50. Pretty much makes them unplayable.

Thanks for the reply. While the two you mentioned, the biggest two as a matter of fact in OK, and close to the TX border (C'mon all you Texans and come gamble there!), never in my experience "waive the ante", there are other casinos that do not charge the ante either during certain days of the week or certain hours. Some never charge an ante. So this is simply not the case. Just letting you know.

Quote: MJGolf

Thanks for the reply. While the two you mentioned, the biggest two as a matter of fact in OK, and close to the TX border (C'mon all you Texans and come gamble there!), never in my experience "waive the ante", there are other casinos that do not charge the ante either during certain days of the week or certain hours. Some never charge an ante. So this is simply not the case. Just letting you know.

I was speaking specifically of WinStar and Choctaw Durant. As I stated, I haven't been to any others.

Come visit. I don't know where you are (assume north Tx). But if you want to know others, there are many that don't have ante. Some almost as nice as WinStar/Choctaw. But most are much smaller. The issue to me, like you is the Ante, or rather lack thereof. The game is important to me v. the amenities mainly. Since I live in OK. But if you want to know some of the others, just let me know. And they are not all CSM like a lot of games at WinStar are.

Every casino I've been to in OK has blackjack. And they all have that stupid $.50 ante. HOWEVER, some casinos will waive the ante on certain games. I know the one by my house supposedly has no ante on craps, high limit roulette, and high limit baccarat. I haven't verified this yet, but that's what they claim on their website.

Downstream, on the OK corner with MO and KS, is beautiful, and has 3 good sized table pits including BJ, but lots of carnival games. They charge the .50 ante each hand, unless you play using your player card, in which case, they pay your ante.

Wow! That "Downstream Casino" looks great.

My usual response to Oklahoma gamblers was always "save up your money, go to a 'real' casino and play a game wherein your wager is not subject to a bankroll depleting "ante" bet as well as the game's House Edge.

I looked at the web site and did not see any discussion of the ante bet until I found a tier-chart for their players club card. There the first of the many benefits listed is that the casino pays the ante bet for all card users.

Quote: beachbumbabs

Downstream, on the OK corner with MO and KS, is beautiful, and has 3 good sized table pits including BJ, but lots of carnival games. They charge the .50 ante each hand, unless you play using your player card, in which case, they pay your ante.

Is the player card free? If so, do only lobotomized players not have one? Am I missing something?

Quote: SOOPOO

Is the player card free?

YES. Free and simple to obtain.

Quote: SOOPOO

If so, do only lobotomized players not have one?

Possibly, but card must have both issued and used. A lobotomy would be a medical question.

Quote: SOOPOO

Am I missing something?

Well, that is a question best left for a different thread.

Well without divulging too much, you guys have hit upon the general casinos that have typical BJ games. The NE section of the State (Downstream; just across border from Joplin) and other casinos near and around Miami, OK area are no-ante table games IF you have and use a players card. Yes, they are all free. And these games/houses closer to KS, will probably always have better conditions due to that state's competition.

Now, on the other hand, since the closest competition to the nice casinos in southern OK (WinStar..closest to Dallas metro and Choctaw Casino, a bit farther east but also near the northern TX border) NEVER waive the ante because there is NO competition close to them. Closest is Shreveport/Bossier City. Both of these casinos rival the best smaller casinos in Vegas; definitely as good facilities and amenities as any casino in Tunica for sure, having many restaurants, concerts (when Covid allows), golf courses,, nice hotels, spas, pools, etc. So they are a good visit. But their BJ/Table games suck in my opinion IF your main concern is play...……….due to the ante.

Other casinos scattered around the state may or may not offer "no ante" times; days; or minimum bet qualifications but they are probably not as nice as the ones I have mentioned above.

I'm still interested in any persons opinions on condition in OK. I have definitely not played every casino here but quite a few.

Curious if the casinos that offer no ante (because they pay it for you) offer worse house rules to try and recoup it?

No they offer the same rules. In fact, one casino close to OKC has S17, which is becoming rarer and rarer. But they only waive ante weekdays.

At the hard rock Tulsa as I wander around the country in my RV. Raining today so decided to check the place out as and see their rock memorabilia collection.
Collection sucks
A lot of cheap guitars signed.
A lot of clothes from closets.
Very weak collection.
New player promotion also sucked. 5 bucks. 10 if you provide email. I passed

BJ 5.00 min but must pay .50 ante

Hard Rock never waived ante at BJ games. And they have closed or shut down some amenities since Covid, including Toby Keith's restaurant, "I Love this Bar and Grill" which had decent southern food and country music. Their hours are limited now, also. I agree with your on the collection of Rock Memorabilia but it's better than when they first opened and changed from Cherokee Casino to a Hard Rock. Same tribe still owns.

I have found that our casino promotions SUCK compared to other gambling areas (like Vegas) for the same play. I may get discounted hotel rooms; $20 free play IF I'm lucky (chips for BJ play; not slot free play) Free cheap meal at one house. They actually reward slot players much much better in relation to money played at BJ. Not that that isn't the case everywhere it's just that they are SO cheap when it comes to rewarding table game play.

A slot player that plays $3 a spin is worth much more than a $100 a hand BJ player.

I just finished driving through OK. There are casinos everywhere. I had no idea.
Also what really really surprised me
Marijuana dispensarys everywhere. I come from FL but we dont have near the number of dispensarys. Must be easier to get a OK medical MJ card then in FL. Everywhere I go in OK, I see a dispensary. Amazing.

Quote: terapined

I just finished driving through OK. There are casinos everywhere. I had no idea.
Also what really really surprised me
Marijuana dispensarys everywhere. I come from FL but we dont have near the number of dispensarys. Must be easier to get a OK medical MJ card then in FL. Everywhere I go in OK, I see a dispensary. Amazing.

Numberwise, I think OK has more casinos than about any other state. But most are small, slot joints. Not all have table games. And definitely the top ones that someone could stay at with a hotel and other amenities (like dining, golf, entertainment, etc.) would probably be around 10? Not 100% sure but about that many come to mind.

Yes, there are a TON of MJ dispensaries here. They rented almost all of the small strip mall or small strip convenience store locations when that law passed. It is relatively easy to get a medical card here. Most think recreational will pass eventually but it's still a "bible belt" state in "theory". However, I would say with casinos, MJ dispensaries, and other entertainment, OK has changed in the past few years. It's really a great place to visit if you know where you are going...........LOL

Quote: DRich

A slot player that plays $3 a spin is worth much more than a $100 a hand BJ player.

I am sure mathematically you are correct! But compared to say......Vegas.......or Tunica.......you sure don't get similar comp value for playing BJ here. They think $5 in free chip play or $5 off a buffet or dinner is a great comp! Or discount off hotel room or a free 'weekday" night. It isn't like other casino locations. But I live here, so not too much needed and our costs, if footing the bill ourselves..............well let's just say OK is reasonably priced compared to many more populated states..........LOL

Quote: terapined

I just finished driving through OK. There are casinos everywhere. I had no idea.
Also what really really surprised me
Marijuana dispensarys everywhere. I come from FL but we dont have near the number of dispensarys. Must be easier to get a OK medical MJ card then in FL. Everywhere I go in OK, I see a dispensary. Amazing.

Off topic, but are you experiencing any trouble finding places to stay? My RV park is full and has been for months with contractors working on the wall. Now the snowbirds are starting and there is no room for them, even dry camping is tough. From what I hear, this situation is from the New Mexico line to the Pacific.

Quote: billryan

Off topic, but are you experiencing any trouble finding places to stay? My RV park is full and has been for months with contractors working on the wall. Now the snowbirds are starting and there is no room for them, even dry camping is tough. From what I hear, this situation is from the New Mexico line to the Pacific.

No problems at all.
In Santa Fe a week then Albuquerque then el paso with reservations. Looking into silver city end of the month.
May winter in Vegas
Who knows
Just wandering planning only a few weeks out
I am glampling
I only camp where I can get a full hook up
Wifi very important
I pay close attention to reviews and stay at some of the nicest RV parks around.
Some with the controversial rule - RV must be less then 10 years old.
Retired. Life is short. Living the dream