Trip Report -- Sydney, Australia.

In case you were wondering why I didn't post much in early December it was because I was in Sydney and the south island of New Zealand. Here is my report about the casino and other parts of the city in Sydney, Australia.

Please check the link. As always, I welcome questions, comments, and especially corrections.

My apologies to those who already saw the same pictures through my WoV blog entry.

You seem to think we know what "a Golden Gaytime" is, but at least I don't, or I hope I don't anyway; you might explain

Quote:

No dealer hole card. If the dealer gets a blackjack, the player loses his original bet only, plus anything else lost due to splitting and busting. This is known as the OBBO rule, which stands for "Original and Busted Bets Only."

I sure would like a better explanation. The phrase "loses his original bet only" seems to conflict with "plus anything else". Perhaps some examples of exactly what the player loses in situation 'a', situation 'b', etc ? This may also be true at your other pages explaining this.

Quote: odiousgambit

You seem to think we know what "a Golden Gaytime" is, but at least I don't, or I hope I don't anyway; you might explain.

Golden Gaytime is a brand of ice cream down under.

Quote:

I sure would like a better explanation. The phrase "loses his original bet only" seems to conflict with "plus anything else". Perhaps some examples of exactly what the player loses in situation 'a', situation 'b', etc ? This may also be true at your other pages explaining this.

I should have omitted the word "only," although that is always how the staff explained it to me in the casino. You lose anything you busted plus your original wager, assuming you still have an active bet, when the dealer gets a blackjack.

Quote: Wizard

when the dealer gets a blackjack.

in other words, you make and lose bets you would not make in 'dealer peeks'. Until I puzzled this out, dealer peeking had a bad feel, but I guess it is a good thing?

Quote: odiousgambit

in other words, you make and lose bets you would not make in 'dealer peeks'. Until I puzzled this out, dealer peeking had a bad feel, but I guess it is a good thing?

Dealing peeking is a great thing. The Australian rule lies somewhere between the good US "peek" rule and the bad European "lose everything" rule. Mathematically, the Australian rule is a bitch, but not that much worse than the American rule, since you have to split, and then bust, to be worse off.

Great report!

You mentioned that smart bettors wouldn't notice the difference on Craps, and the Field is only a, "Smart bet," at the Santa Ana Star but did you happen to notice if either Snake Eyes or Midnight paid triple, or was it double on both? Just curious.

Quote: Mission146

You mentioned that smart bettors wouldn't notice the difference on Craps, and the Field is only a, "Smart bet," at the Santa Ana Star but did you happen to notice if either Snake Eyes or Midnight paid triple, or was it double on both? Just curious.

To be honest, I think it was 2-1 both ways on the Field. So due credit to some US casinos for the liberal field bet.

Thanks for the report Wizard. You mentioned that the casino is like the Aria, but is the hotel of the same caliber? (If there is a hotel).

Also, I didn't note the minimum bets. Are they equivalent to high end Strip properties like the Aria?

Quote: Ayecarumba

Thanks for the report Wizard. You mentioned that the casino is like the Aria, but is the hotel of the same caliber? (If there is a hotel).

It is like it in terms of floor plan and low level of lighting.

Quote:

Also, I didn't note the minimum bets. Are they equivalent to high end Strip properties like the Aria?

They are rather high. There is a flea pit but it is open only limited hours and perhaps crowded. I didn't even notice it my first visit and it was closed when I returned in the morning. Otherwise, expect a $25 AUS minimum in blackjack, which would equate to about $20 US. It kind of bothered me that the minimum in pai gow (tiles) was $100 and nobody was playing.

Quote: Wizard

Otherwise, expect a $25 AUS minimum in blackjack, which would equate to about $80 US.

Shouldn't that be $25 AUS is about $20 US?

Quote: Wizard

Golden Gaytime is a brand of ice cream down under.





I should have omitted the word "only," although that is always how the staff explained it to me in the casino. You lose anything you busted plus your original wager, assuming you still have an active bet, when the dealer gets a blackjack.

Has anyone ever heard of Big Gay Ice Cream? There are a couple in NYC. Stop in and order a Salty Pimp.

In all Australian casinos you will only get complimentary drinks in the high limit areas which are typically private, invitation only rooms. If you're from interstate or overseas you can access these areas by meeting a minimum buy-in requirement ($5k typically). Sydney is the same. Last time I was there they had a couple of high limit slot rooms off the main floor and the high limit tables room is a couple of levels above the main floor via a lift. Would be difficult to find unless you were specifically looking for it and asked someone.

Quote: DRich

Shouldn't that be $25 AUS is about $20 US?

25.00 AUD = 20.2984 USD
Australian Dollar ↔ US Dollar
1 AUD = 0.811937 USD 1 USD = 1.23162 AUD
Convert again USD/AUD Mid-market rates: 2014-12-26 01:48 UTC


www.xe.com

Quote: DRich

Shouldn't that be $25 AUS is about $20 US?

that is closer, approx $22US (AUS$25 = US$21.98 data providers 26-12)

There is a choice of two hotels attached to the massive complex the fairly new Astral Tower which I've had the pleasure of staying at and the Star Hotel. Room all nice and modern, open the door and the lights go on automatically and blind goes up (only worked the once for me), everything controlled through the tV remote.

A box of nibbles by the fridge (don't know if it was chocolates or what), if you pick it up and don't put it back within 30 seconds. it is automatically added to your bill??? Swanky coffee machine, nicely presented coffees in some fancy wooden box, but not enough. Then the practicable things, like where do I plug in my laptop, power lead on coffee machine not long enough to go from power socket to table, so you end up balancing it on a foot stool.

It's a funny place to gamble, all a bit too serious and sterile, even worse in the Sovereign room, were some table minimums are $300 for Baccarat and $100 for Roulette and BJ. Sorry I missed the Wiz, would have been neat to catch up.

Thanks for the trip report Wizard

You're correct in that we're only allowed one casino per city but that has just changed in Sydney and the new pure high limit Barangaroo complex is currently under construction by Crown.

I'm pleased to say to that smoking is banned in just about every public place in Australia so that includes all main casino gaming floors. I've had the velvet rope raised for me once at Crown in Melbourne to the Teak Room (the first tier of exclusive room high limit gaming) and they were definitely smoking in there so Crown must have struck a deal with the Victorian Government to declare that private property or similar in order to allow it.

It's a similar policy for drinking as you pointed out. I asked a casino employee why they don't serve free drinks and they told me it was part of the responsible service of gaming laws so I doubt it's going to change soon. Again, the casino must be able to get around this law by using high limit 'private' rooms because they served free drinks in the Teak Room and up. As I've mentioned in another post, free drinks were also being served in the Maple Room at Crown the last time I visited (no shiny card required for entry) and hopefully it will still be the case when I'm there tomorrow. It's more of an alcove rather than a room itself.

In terms of the games, I'm surprised that you saw all single zero roulette tables at The Star. My recent experience tells me that every table under a minimum of $10 is double zero. We do have good craps rules over here but unfortunately not a lot of Aussies know how to play it. If fact, there is usually only one craps table active in the entire casino and most of the people milling around the table are watching with a curious look on their face. I still miss playing VP in Palm Springs and Vegas. Memo to Crown and Star: install a VP machine and I'll probably double your turnover in a month!

Anyway, I'm glad that you enjoyed your time down here in Aus. Make sure you drop into the sporting capital of the world (Melbourne) the next time you're across the pond and drop along to a Collingwood v Essendon AFL game. Never less than 90,000 people at the game and they can't stand each other.

Quote: Wizard

In case you were wondering why I didn't post much in early December it was because I was in Sydney and the south island of New Zealand. Here is my report about the casino and other parts of the city in Sydney, Australia.

Please check the link. As always, I welcome questions, comments, and especially corrections.

My apologies to those who already saw the same pictures through my WoV blog entry.

Wiz, did you get a look at any Mystery Progressives while you were there?

Quote: DRich

Shouldn't that be $25 AUS is about $20 US?

Oops. That is embarrassing.

Quote: Wizard

Oops. That is embarrassing.

No wonder you didn't stay long, you thought
you lost a fortune.

Wizard, next time yyou are in Sydney I highly recommend the zoo, especially if you take the kids. I have been to Sydney four times and that is still my favorite tourist destination.

Quote: DRich

Wizard, next time yyou are in Sydney I highly recommend the zoo, especially if you take the kids. I have been to Sydney four times and that is still my favorite tourist destination.

Love your signature. 'Joey, you ever been in a Turkish prison?'

Quote: DRich

Wizard, next time yyou are in Sydney I highly recommend the zoo, especially if you take the kids. I have been to Sydney four times and that is still my favorite tourist destination.

I'm still trying to figure out why Vegas, with two million people, doesn't have a zoo.

Quote: Wizard

I'm still trying to figure out why Vegas, with two million people, doesn't have a zoo.

Too hot in the summer. Seriously.

This stance of no free drinks (excludes a glass of water) in the public area's was explained to me recently.

First it was suggested the catering manager had their budget cut, so decided to withdraw the free non-alcoholic drinks to the public areas of the casino. This turned out to not be exactly true. This casino in question wants as many patrons gambling in private card holder area's as possible. Get a Grange card for Grange room access, were everything is free except food, that comes off any points you may have, or access the Barossa area, which is for slot (pokie) players.

If you play in one of these membership card privileged areas (they give away access), then the casino pays less tax to the local government on revenues from these areas than revenues on the main floor (how and why is not for me to explain). The manager whom was explaining it, turned around and said, "I'm telling you too much", he didn't agree that a player could be turning over thousands of dollars, yet unable to get a free drink based on where they decided to sit, again based on the casino trying to reduce it's tax liability. Even the coffee machines are tucked far away from from the table games, next to the Pokie machines.

Quote: Wizard

I'm still trying to figure out why Vegas, with two million people, doesn't have a zoo.

They do. It is called "The Fremont Street Experience".. Bah Dum Dum..

Actually, there was a private zoo north of town. I think they got shut down though.

Quote: EvenBob

Too hot in the summer. Seriously.

Does Las Vegas currently have any large, successfu "world class" water parks?

One would think with the heat it would be a natural, but then again maybe it gets too hot and too sunny?

Ma and Pa Kettle like water parks.

Quote: MrV

Does Las Vegas currently have any large, successfu "world class" water parks?

One would think with the heat it would be a natural, but then again maybe it gets too hot and too sunny?

We have a couple small parks. I've only been to the one on the west side, which is fine. The lines can run long on hot summer weekends, just to warn you.

Quote: Wizard

We have a couple small parks. I've only been to the one on the west side, which is fine. The lines can run long on hot summer weekends, just to warn you.

The "beach" at Mandalay Bay is nice. They have a wave generator and an outdoor casino.

Hey Wiz--

Sorry for being late to the party in this thread, but I was curious about something. You mentioned that the hardways and any seven bets have slightly better odds than in the US, paying 7.5/9.5 and 4.5, respectively. I assume that either all bets on these have to be in even amounts, or they keep 50-cent pieces (or 2.50 chips) in the bank unlike most crap tables in the US. Do you remember which was the case? If it wasn't either, wouldn't the rounded-down payouts on odd bet amounts negate any gain in the house edge?

I actually did briefly visit the Crown Casino in Melbourne when I was there a couple of years ago, but I was too busy being agog at the ridiculously high table minimums to remember what the craps tables there were like, or if they even offered it...

Quote: OneAngryDwarf

Hey Wiz--

Sorry for being late to the party in this thread, but I was curious about something. You mentioned that the hardways and any seven bets have slightly better odds than in the US, paying 7.5/9.5 and 4.5, respectively. I assume that either all bets on these have to be in even amounts, or they keep 50-cent pieces (or 2.50 chips) in the bank unlike most crap tables in the US. Do you remember which was the case? If it wasn't either, wouldn't the rounded-down payouts on odd bet amounts negate any gain in the house edge?

I actually did briefly visit the Crown Casino in Melbourne when I was there a couple of years ago, but I was too busy being agog at the ridiculously high table minimums to remember what the craps tables there were like, or if they even offered it...

Hope the Wiz excuses me for answering a question addressed to him. I'm a win/pass line player but I have occasionally bet on the hard ways at Crown under liquid inspiration and they carry $2.50 chips for payout. This was a few years ago when you could invest $5.00 but I doubt the minimum would have gone up to $10.00

Yes, the table minimums are high but check out the USD/AUD rate over the last six months: you've just been given a 20% discount! To the contrary, my Vegas trip in March just got 20% more expensive.

I was there last week and lost my shirt on BJ but still enjoyed my time (the true test of a great casino/entertainment complex).

In Australia, gambling laws are controlled by state governments. In NSW (covering the Star in Sydney), the law prohibits serving free alcohol to gamblers. It is considered an "inducement to gambling", and is banned. (Funnily enough, earning reward points as you play, which can then be redeemed for free booze, is not considered an inducement.) Soft drinks, however, are not considered an inducement. Also in NSW, any establishment that serves alcohol must by law offer drinking water free. Currently at the Star, this is available in small bottles which are handed out at the tables. Cheers!

Quote: OneAngryDwarf

Hey Wiz--

Sorry for being late to the party in this thread, but I was curious about something. You mentioned that the hardways and any seven bets have slightly better odds than in the US, paying 7.5/9.5 and 4.5, respectively. I assume that either all bets on these have to be in even amounts, or they keep 50-cent pieces (or 2.50 chips) in the bank unlike most crap tables in the US. Do you remember which was the case? If it wasn't either, wouldn't the rounded-down payouts on odd bet amounts negate any gain in the house edge?

Sorry, I don't know. Never actually played craps there.

I will be at the Crown in a week, and at the Star in two weeks... anything anyone needs me to check out while I'm there?

I'll be looking for the elusive video poker machine.

Quote: rsactuary

I will be at the Crown in a week, and at the Star in two weeks... anything anyone needs me to check out while I'm there?

Can you report on the rules of the Jackpot bet of the bACEball game at the Star, please.

Quote: Wizard

Can you report on the rules of the Jackpot bet of the bACEball game at the Star, please.

Will do