Any recommendations on playable BJ near Palm Springs, CA?
SoCal has some nice Indian casinos (Pala, Pauma, Barona, etc.), but those are two hours away.
Any decent SD, DD or 6D in or around the La Quinta area? I'll have a car. Thanks in advance, guys, for any advice/tips you have!
Most things in the area are 3:2 6D. 2D isn't very common, as I recall. No rule or penetration differences worth mentioning, otherwise. Morongo has a lot of CSMs.
In terms of addons... Morongo is the closest to a Vegas-style resort and has the largest game selection. Spotlight 29 has the cheapest food, but it's kind of... not very good. Tortoise Rock is owned by them and new. Never been though. Agua Caliente and Spa Resort have the same owners. Getting comps at any of them sort of suck at green levels, but I've occasionally had success at Morongo.
Edit: Been at least six months since I was out in that direction so my memory's a bit fuzzy. I'd rather hit the San Diego stuff myself.
Quote: VenthusFantasy Springs is the only place I can think of in the Palm Springs area that has single deck and S17. (Not necessarily at the same table.) No RSA at the single deck though. I think the 1D is 6:5 though.
Most things in the area are 3:2 6D. 2D isn't very common, as I recall. No rule or penetration differences worth mentioning, otherwise. Morongo has a lot of CSMs.
In terms of addons... Morongo is the closest to a Vegas-style resort and has the largest game selection. Spotlight 29 has the cheapest food, but it's kind of... not very good. Tortoise Rock is owned by them and new. Never been though. Agua Caliente and Spa Resort have the same owners. Getting comps at any of them sort of suck at green levels, but I've occasionally had success at Morongo.
Edit: Been at least six months since I was out in that direction so my memory's a bit fuzzy. I'd rather hit the San Diego stuff myself.
I'll be in both places in March. What is the best place for VP and BJ in San Diego? I'm just a recreational player; not a counter. Thanks!
Summary:
Pauma: Cheap food.
Rincon/Harrah's: Decent VP at higher denoms. Better card craps. CET property.
Pala: Best BJ options, has Switch and Freebet, lobster buffet, no-commission PGP. Funky card craps.
Valley View: Nothing justifiable, unless you really want diet noncaffeinated soda.
Pechanga: Practically all CSMs. Haven't been in months.
Santa Ysabel: Free food for signups. Also the home of the world's slowest hand-dealt PGP.
In 2010 we were in Vegas on honeymoon. We took 2 days and drove to Temecula for a hot air balloon ride and also to do the tram into the mountains in Palm Springs. On the way to the tram we passed a billboard that said free buffet with players card. Well on the way out we stopped at Morongo casino for the free buffet and also for a poker chip. Well on the way there we passed an outlet mall that had designer stores. After dinner we decided to play blackjack.
I made a comment at dinner that if we won $600 she could go buy an expensive purse or shoes. We sit down with ice cream cones from the buffet and the floor person told us we couldn't eat at the table. She turned to the garbage and threw it away. The floor giggled and said that she could have just stepped away for a minuted. She told him of our plan to Winn $600 and then go buy shoes. He laughed and said ok good luck. For the next 19 minutes we won nearly every hand that we played. I was pressing a little and she was not so much. After I had won a split and a double the floor laughed and said well it looks like you have about $600. He told me to go get the shoes and come back to see him and he would take care of us for the night. We cashed out $720 and left. She spent $640 on a pair of Armani shoes and we drove back to Vegas. It was a very memorable trip.
Sorry for the derail.
Quote: GWAEProbably won't help you but your post gave me memories of a story I would like to share.
In 2010 we were in Vegas on honeymoon. We took 2 days and drove to Temecula for a hot air balloon ride and also to do the tram into the mountains in Palm Springs. On the way to the tram we passed a billboard that said free buffet with players card. Well on the way out we stopped at Morongo casino for the free buffet and also for a poker chip. Well on the way there we passed an outlet mall that had designer stores. After dinner we decided to play blackjack.
I made a comment at dinner that if we won $600 she could go buy an expensive purse or shoes. We sit down with ice cream cones from the buffet and the floor person told us we couldn't eat at the table. She turned to the garbage and threw it away. The floor giggled and said that she could have just stepped away for a minuted. She told him of our plan to Winn $600 and then go buy shoes. He laughed and said ok good luck. For the next 19 minutes we won nearly every hand that we played. I was pressing a little and she was not so much. After I had won a split and a double the floor laughed and said well it looks like you have about $600. He told me to go get the shoes and come back to see him and he would take care of us for the night. We cashed out $720 and left. She spent $640 on a pair of Armani shoes and we drove back to Vegas. It was a very memorable trip.
Sorry for the derail.
I hate to be a Debbie Downer but this is terrible from a financial point of view. Even if you're gambling with an edge, spending a big win immediately is bad news. If you're bucking a house edge to begin with, this way leads to even more pain. Spend your big wins, and then when the big losses come it's like you lost both times.
Quote: VenthusValley View: Nothing justifiable, unless you really want diet noncaffeinated soda.
One of my coworkers drinks caffeine free, diet Coke. He refers to it as brown water.
Quote: AcesAndEightsI hate to be a Debbie Downer
Buzzkill is the word LOL
Quote: AcesAndEightsI hate to be a Debbie Downer but this is terrible from a financial point of view. Even if you're gambling with an edge, spending a big win immediately is bad news. If you're bucking a house edge to begin with, this way leads to even more pain. Spend your big wins, and then when the big losses come it's like you lost both times.
except some of us ARE NOT APs and gamble for pure entertainment. We always spend our winnings on something that we want to buy which is part of our entertainment. Considering we weren't counting and were on vacation with a set budget for each day that we were going to lose. Some days we never did lose it and some days we were done gambling early.
Quote: GWAEexcept some of us ARE NOT APs and gamble for pure entertainment. We always spend our winnings on something that we want to buy which is part of our entertainment. Considering we weren't counting and were on vacation with a set budget for each day that we were going to lose. Some days we never did lose it and some days we were done gambling early.
Perfect response. I'd probably not have so nice with my reply
Quote: VenthusFantasy Springs is the only place I can think of in the Palm Springs area that has single deck and S17. (Not necessarily at the same table.) No RSA at the single deck though. I think the 1D is 6:5 though.
Most things in the area are 3:2 6D. 2D isn't very common, as I recall. No rule or penetration differences worth mentioning, otherwise. Morongo has a lot of CSMs.
In terms of addons... Morongo is the closest to a Vegas-style resort and has the largest game selection. Spotlight 29 has the cheapest food, but it's kind of... not very good. Tortoise Rock is owned by them and new. Never been though. Agua Caliente and Spa Resort have the same owners. Getting comps at any of them sort of suck at green levels, but I've occasionally had success at Morongo.
Edit: Been at least six months since I was out in that direction so my memory's a bit fuzzy. I'd rather hit the San Diego stuff myself.
Agua Caliente is a nice place, but not close to where you will be staying. Turtle Rock is just like Spotlight 29, but also, not close. See the reviews area for the Wizard's write-ups.
As for the San Diego area joints, Valley View features all you can eat lobster in their buffet. Barona prided themselves on being the most player friendly, but I haven't taken that hair raising drive in a while, so don't have any recent news.
Good Luck, and Good Golf!
Quote: GWAEexcept some of us ARE NOT APs and gamble for pure entertainment. We always spend our winnings on something that we want to buy which is part of our entertainment. Considering we weren't counting and were on vacation with a set budget for each day that we were going to lose. Some days we never did lose it and some days we were done gambling early.
You are right, it's your money and if the starting bankroll was in the budget for gambling to begin with, then I guess spending the winnings immediately is also kind of in the budget.
I guess I just bristle at spending $600 on a pair of shoes, regardless of the situation. That is just crazy to me, and thankfully my wife as well. Good thing I married her.
Quote: Uranium235I'll be in both places in March. What is the best place for VP and BJ in San Diego? I'm just a recreational player; not a counter. Thanks!
Barona has the best games for the recreational players. They have low denomiation 9/6 JoB and other decent VP games. Their blackjack rules are the best in California. In their $25 DD game, you can ask them to drop the decks (or shuffle) if you don't like the deck or the outcome. If the dealer makes a mistake, the floorman usually will let the players have an option to take back their bets.
I always hear about this place but haven't been yet. I know that in terms of the house edge, it's the lowest in the state. What if you were to play 10-50 SD or 10-50 DD. Are you going to get sweated by the pit?
Is it sort of the El Cortez of California Indian Casinos? Thanks for this info!
...On second thought, I might be thinking of Soboba. Oh well.
I'm actually staying at Fantasy Springs, but I'll check it out there and maybe a few others close by. I'm working, so I'm not going to have time for multi-hour sessions. :)
Quote: teddysI drove around visiting all the casinos in the San Diego area. None of them were worth visiting. Too hard to get too. I guess Viejas was the nicest. I also liked the really, really small one that I guess is closed now (Santa Ysabel?)
Most Palm Springs-area casinos are kinda in the middle of nowhere too, except for Spa - that casino is literally a block away from the downtown Palm Springs strip. I enjoy going to Spa and then getting a pastrami sandwich from Sherman's Deli down the street.... mmmmmmmm.....
Quote: malgoriumMost Palm Springs-area casinos are kinda in the middle of nowhere too, except for Spa - that casino is literally a block away from the downtown Palm Springs strip. I enjoy going to Spa and then getting a pastrami sandwich from Sherman's Deli down the street.... mmmmmmmm.....
That was my punting palace back in May; I enjoyed my time at the Spa Casino. It was actually the first time time I saw roulette using playing cards...couldn't believe my eyes!
Google Maps says it's permanently closed so can you/anyone please confirm: is the casino still open and the hotel closed? I'm back in March and keen to relive my trip.
Ruby's Diner was also the spot for great 'comfort food' (a wonderful euphemism for 10,000 addictive calories on a plate)
Thanks
Quote: AmleeKickass, what kind of heat do APs get at Barona?
I always hear about this place but haven't been yet. I know that in terms of the house edge, it's the lowest in the state. What if you were to play 10-50 SD or 10-50 DD. Are you going to get sweated by the pit?
Is it sort of the El Cortez of California Indian Casinos? Thanks for this info!
Barona used to have the best SD game in US but they don't have this game anymore. All of their DD are the $25 games. See their rules at
http://www.blackjackclassroom.com/casinos/barona-casino/
Barona is the only one casino knowing what they are doing. They don't 86 counters right away because most of counters are not that good. For sure, the surveillance is watching you and knowing that you are counting. If you only spread from $25 to $125 only, I don't see you have any problems playing there for quite long period of time. If you are really lucky and win over 5 figures, then 86 is inevitable. I don't know much about heat from the black chip play though because I have not been in chocolate level.
Their 86 is very polite. Saying things like "You did a good job and it is time for you to have a better future in other casinos. You can play any games here except blackjack from now on. Then shake your hand"
Quote: teddysI drove around visiting all the casinos in the San Diego area. None of them were worth visiting. Too hard to get too. I guess Viejas was the nicest. I also liked the really, really small one that I guess is closed now (Santa Ysabel?)
Teddys, I am surprised to hear that. What games did you play in SD?
Barona has an amazing double deck. Don't be obvious as they're top notch, though.
Viejas ok. Similar rules to barona except no surrender.
Sycuan just sucks sh*t.
Quote: RSSycuan just sucks sh*t.
I agree. They are watching the DD games like a hawk in the high limit room. But if you avoid their high limit room and play their $15 DD games outside, you should be able to play much longer with $100 max bet.
Mostly video poker at Southern California (Rincon).Quote: KickassTeddys, I am surprised to hear that. What games did you play in SD?
Quote: teddysMostly video poker at Southern California (Rincon).
I see. Rincon's pay-tables sucks. But they have 10x multiplier for slots and 5x for VP on Thursday.
Quote: Uranium235I'll be in both places in March. What is the best place for VP and BJ in San Diego? I'm just a recreational player; not a counter. Thanks!
Barona Casino has the best VP in San Diego but you have to check the pay tables. In some places one bank of machines will be full pay while the ones directly behind you - that look identical - won't be. They even have full pay .25 machines. Of course the best BJ games are higher denomination. They also have some varieties of BJ like Free Bet and Blackjack Switch.
The steakhouse at Barona is VERY good.
