Biloxi Trip - Apr/May 2017
May 30th, 2017 at 6:14:19 AM
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Well, this is one of those trip reports that goes in so many directions for so many reasons, that gambling, when I mention at all, is referenced more by coincidence than by design. Long story short, Lady Luck abandoned me to a cruel fate, and the casinos took my money. Too brutal to describe in detail.
However, there is more to this Biloxi trip than “just” gambling. Lucky, the Spy-Guy, was on a multi-faceted research mission. Following up on previous WoV discussions, I asked Biloxi-area casinos about Progressive Payouts with Multiple Winners. I also checked how casinos handle payouts when amounts owed in a given hand exceed Max Payout Per Round. Since those posts may generate their own comments, I posted them in separate threads.
I also checked whether or not casino hotels block guest Internet access to WoO and WoV. Recently, some have posted that Vegas casinos now block guests from accessing WoO and/or WoV from their hotel rooms. I stayed at Beau Rivage, Hard Rock, IP, and Scarlet Pearl, and all allowed Internet access to WoO and WoV.
In addition, I checked out the Southern Gaming Summit, also in its own thread.
Gaming Tables and Games
I was somewhat surprised at how fast games are cycling in and out of the various casinos.
Boomtown previously had High Card Flush, but it is now gone, perhaps replaced by DJ Wild Poker, which was not there before this trip. Both Boomtown and Scarlet Pearl previously had UTH, but both have replaced it with a different (but somewhat similar) table game that only allows a 3x raise, as compared to the 4x raise UTH allows. (Durn'it, I didn't get the name of the game. Sorry.) Harrahs has both High Card Flush and Texas Hold'em Bonus, both new additions since my last visit. Scarlet Pearl was the site of Cajun Poker's 90-day “trial” in Mississippi. It must have done OK because the casino was advertising a Cajun Stud tournament scheduled to occur in the near future.
Both Boomtown and Harrahs had an unattended electric roulette game. Harrah's electronic game also offered Baccarat and Sic-Bo. The Boomtown craps table has Big 6 and Big 8 bets, an increasingly scarce bet option. Other craps tables seemed to have Under 7 and Over 7 bets instead.
I also ran into a new table game called Straw Poker, offered for the first time ever at Boomtown. It wasn't open the two times I visited the casino. I got the game card, but it didn't clearly explain the complete play of the game. I found some additional info by searching for “The Alternate Hypothesis, LLC”, the game owner, but even that was didn't explain the game. But, both the LLC and Boomtown trumpeted this only-here-and-nowhere-else game far and wide.
As best I can surmise, casinos are shuffling games as they look for something folks will play, but play poorly. But, it could also be a marketing ploy, allowing them to announce something “new” at the casino.
Dining Tables and Food
Since I travel solo, I'm not usually a big fan of fancy, high-end dining. True, the food can be a special treat, but it's not much fun sitting alone at a table where slow service underscores how “ritzy” the restaurant thinks it is. That said, here are some observations about “food” stuff from my Biloxi trip:
I was rather surprised that an increasing number of casino buffets remain closed early in the day. On my last visit, I believe Harrah's buffet served lunch on weekdays, but not breakfast. Now the Harrahs buffet opens at 4pm, Monday thru Thursday. The Hard Rock buffet now has brunch starting at 9 am on Saturday and Sunday, but no breakfast from Monday thru Friday. The Boomtown and Palace buffets have not offered breakfast for a while now. And, Scarlet Pearl only serves dinner on weekdays. If the people aren't there to eat the food, I guess it makes business sense to send them to the short-order cafe.
Harrahs redemption kiosk was out of order, so I had to go to the Player Club/Cashier to get my food comp. I intended to have lunch at the buffet, and that's when I discovered the buffet did not start serving until dinnertime. The Player Club said the comp could be used for a $12 credit at the Mix & Mingle 24/7 cafe. Also, since Hurricane Katrina, Harrahs has had a pedestrian walkway over Highway 90 that went nowhere. Earlier this year, it was extended for a new seaside restaurant, the Blind Tiger cafe. I didn't eat there, but I checked it out. It has a “Jimmy Buffet” feel to it – very casual atmosphere with a large outdoor deck. Apparently, it is a local favorite, with several other locations in nearby communities.
When staying at the IP, I try to have dinner at least once at Highlights Sports Bar. It's easy to chat with others at the big U-shaped bar. It has multiple overhead TVs showing whatever sports are available. The food is not fancy, but quite good for the price. And, perhaps more than anything else, it has a really great bar staff that helps make every visit “special.”
I have never quite understood why they do it, but the Beau gives me single-use buffet offers valued at far more than any single buffet meal. So, I usually try to find someone to join me as my guest. This trip I had two such offers. Ann, my first guest, was an accountant from Baton Rouge. Since WoV often fusses over how best to report gambling winnings, I asked her how she managed the complex array of data the IRS requires. She said she almost never gets a W2-G, so she just uses her annual casino win-loss statements. If any show wins for the year, she reports the win amounts as income. But, she never wins very much, so she can always zero that income out with her losses. The amounts in question are never large enough to affect stuff like insurance or social security (which she was yet to start). She agreed the IRS expects more detailed win-loss data, but said she has never had any problem doing it as she does. Hmmm...
My other Beau single-use buffet offer was shared with Eddie, from Greenwood, MS. Whenever his business sends him to cities with casinos, his wife likes to come because she enjoys playing the slots. He was getting hungry, and his wife told him, “Well, you go and get yourself some food. I not leaving this machine because I'm winning!” He had problems trying to use a comp on his wife's player card, so I had him join me. He works for a company that buys and sells used farm machinery, a market for which the demand far exceeds the supply because small farmers are getting squeezed horribly.
Table Scraps
Apparently casinos were getting too many fake bills, and not just $100 bills, but also small bills. Lots of “checking” everywhere by casino staff.
Speaking of “checks,” Harrahs is replacing some of its chips. it will keep the $1 (Fishing boat at sunset) and $5 chips (Iconic Biloxi lighthouse), which I think are the most artistically beautiful chips on the Mississippi coast. But, higher denomination chips must be cashed in before sometime in January, 2018.
One night a player at the Beau said he had an opportunity to wish “good evening” to Mr. Binion (who he apparently recognized) , as the gaming legend was leaving the restaurant the player was about to enter.
One night at IP neither my phone nor my TV worked. Phone kept repeating “Configuring” and “Registering” on its display. When TV showed anything at all, it showed the classic black/white “snow.” This occurred the same weekend the WannaCry virus was attacking computers worldwide.
If anyone is considering a Biloxi WoV get-together, I next plan to visit Biloxi directly after the solar eclipse in August. Could be fun, even if only a few might attend.
However, there is more to this Biloxi trip than “just” gambling. Lucky, the Spy-Guy, was on a multi-faceted research mission. Following up on previous WoV discussions, I asked Biloxi-area casinos about Progressive Payouts with Multiple Winners. I also checked how casinos handle payouts when amounts owed in a given hand exceed Max Payout Per Round. Since those posts may generate their own comments, I posted them in separate threads.
I also checked whether or not casino hotels block guest Internet access to WoO and WoV. Recently, some have posted that Vegas casinos now block guests from accessing WoO and/or WoV from their hotel rooms. I stayed at Beau Rivage, Hard Rock, IP, and Scarlet Pearl, and all allowed Internet access to WoO and WoV.
In addition, I checked out the Southern Gaming Summit, also in its own thread.
Gaming Tables and Games
I was somewhat surprised at how fast games are cycling in and out of the various casinos.
Boomtown previously had High Card Flush, but it is now gone, perhaps replaced by DJ Wild Poker, which was not there before this trip. Both Boomtown and Scarlet Pearl previously had UTH, but both have replaced it with a different (but somewhat similar) table game that only allows a 3x raise, as compared to the 4x raise UTH allows. (Durn'it, I didn't get the name of the game. Sorry.) Harrahs has both High Card Flush and Texas Hold'em Bonus, both new additions since my last visit. Scarlet Pearl was the site of Cajun Poker's 90-day “trial” in Mississippi. It must have done OK because the casino was advertising a Cajun Stud tournament scheduled to occur in the near future.
Both Boomtown and Harrahs had an unattended electric roulette game. Harrah's electronic game also offered Baccarat and Sic-Bo. The Boomtown craps table has Big 6 and Big 8 bets, an increasingly scarce bet option. Other craps tables seemed to have Under 7 and Over 7 bets instead.
I also ran into a new table game called Straw Poker, offered for the first time ever at Boomtown. It wasn't open the two times I visited the casino. I got the game card, but it didn't clearly explain the complete play of the game. I found some additional info by searching for “The Alternate Hypothesis, LLC”, the game owner, but even that was didn't explain the game. But, both the LLC and Boomtown trumpeted this only-here-and-nowhere-else game far and wide.
As best I can surmise, casinos are shuffling games as they look for something folks will play, but play poorly. But, it could also be a marketing ploy, allowing them to announce something “new” at the casino.
Dining Tables and Food
Since I travel solo, I'm not usually a big fan of fancy, high-end dining. True, the food can be a special treat, but it's not much fun sitting alone at a table where slow service underscores how “ritzy” the restaurant thinks it is. That said, here are some observations about “food” stuff from my Biloxi trip:
I was rather surprised that an increasing number of casino buffets remain closed early in the day. On my last visit, I believe Harrah's buffet served lunch on weekdays, but not breakfast. Now the Harrahs buffet opens at 4pm, Monday thru Thursday. The Hard Rock buffet now has brunch starting at 9 am on Saturday and Sunday, but no breakfast from Monday thru Friday. The Boomtown and Palace buffets have not offered breakfast for a while now. And, Scarlet Pearl only serves dinner on weekdays. If the people aren't there to eat the food, I guess it makes business sense to send them to the short-order cafe.
Harrahs redemption kiosk was out of order, so I had to go to the Player Club/Cashier to get my food comp. I intended to have lunch at the buffet, and that's when I discovered the buffet did not start serving until dinnertime. The Player Club said the comp could be used for a $12 credit at the Mix & Mingle 24/7 cafe. Also, since Hurricane Katrina, Harrahs has had a pedestrian walkway over Highway 90 that went nowhere. Earlier this year, it was extended for a new seaside restaurant, the Blind Tiger cafe. I didn't eat there, but I checked it out. It has a “Jimmy Buffet” feel to it – very casual atmosphere with a large outdoor deck. Apparently, it is a local favorite, with several other locations in nearby communities.
When staying at the IP, I try to have dinner at least once at Highlights Sports Bar. It's easy to chat with others at the big U-shaped bar. It has multiple overhead TVs showing whatever sports are available. The food is not fancy, but quite good for the price. And, perhaps more than anything else, it has a really great bar staff that helps make every visit “special.”
I have never quite understood why they do it, but the Beau gives me single-use buffet offers valued at far more than any single buffet meal. So, I usually try to find someone to join me as my guest. This trip I had two such offers. Ann, my first guest, was an accountant from Baton Rouge. Since WoV often fusses over how best to report gambling winnings, I asked her how she managed the complex array of data the IRS requires. She said she almost never gets a W2-G, so she just uses her annual casino win-loss statements. If any show wins for the year, she reports the win amounts as income. But, she never wins very much, so she can always zero that income out with her losses. The amounts in question are never large enough to affect stuff like insurance or social security (which she was yet to start). She agreed the IRS expects more detailed win-loss data, but said she has never had any problem doing it as she does. Hmmm...
My other Beau single-use buffet offer was shared with Eddie, from Greenwood, MS. Whenever his business sends him to cities with casinos, his wife likes to come because she enjoys playing the slots. He was getting hungry, and his wife told him, “Well, you go and get yourself some food. I not leaving this machine because I'm winning!” He had problems trying to use a comp on his wife's player card, so I had him join me. He works for a company that buys and sells used farm machinery, a market for which the demand far exceeds the supply because small farmers are getting squeezed horribly.
Table Scraps
Apparently casinos were getting too many fake bills, and not just $100 bills, but also small bills. Lots of “checking” everywhere by casino staff.
Speaking of “checks,” Harrahs is replacing some of its chips. it will keep the $1 (Fishing boat at sunset) and $5 chips (Iconic Biloxi lighthouse), which I think are the most artistically beautiful chips on the Mississippi coast. But, higher denomination chips must be cashed in before sometime in January, 2018.
One night a player at the Beau said he had an opportunity to wish “good evening” to Mr. Binion (who he apparently recognized) , as the gaming legend was leaving the restaurant the player was about to enter.
One night at IP neither my phone nor my TV worked. Phone kept repeating “Configuring” and “Registering” on its display. When TV showed anything at all, it showed the classic black/white “snow.” This occurred the same weekend the WannaCry virus was attacking computers worldwide.
If anyone is considering a Biloxi WoV get-together, I next plan to visit Biloxi directly after the solar eclipse in August. Could be fun, even if only a few might attend.
May 30th, 2017 at 6:43:36 AM
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Post Prandial Malasise: Yeah, after a large meal some people just got to go lie down in their room. So serving a large breakfast buffet is counter productive. They are sending potential gamblers to their rooms rather than the casino. (Medically its post prandial lethargy and its unwise to lie down so soon after eating).
Blocking websites: Some casinos retard internet speeds in their lobby areas to prevent 'camping out' in the lobby area and make certain people with check in problems can send email etc. Some casinos throttle internet speeds from time to time and some just have heavy usage. Most casinos do not seem to have personnel available to them who would know how to block specific websites.
Blocking websites: Some casinos retard internet speeds in their lobby areas to prevent 'camping out' in the lobby area and make certain people with check in problems can send email etc. Some casinos throttle internet speeds from time to time and some just have heavy usage. Most casinos do not seem to have personnel available to them who would know how to block specific websites.
May 30th, 2017 at 8:13:51 AM
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Quote: FleaStiffMost casinos do not seem to have personnel available to them who would know how to block specific websites.
I once had a problem accessing the Internet while staying at the Beau Rivage. When I called the hotel operator about it, I was forwarded directly to a third-party site for technical support. They were clearly VERY knowledgeable about the Beau Rivage computer network, and they immediately told me what I needed to do to get things working.
So, I dunno about casinos generally. But, Beau Rivage has resources available that could block Internet sites if the casino told them to do so.
May 30th, 2017 at 9:58:38 AM
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LuckyPhow,
Do the craps tables in Biloxi have 100x odds?
I've only been inside of one Biloxi casino, and I didn't see a sign indicating 100x odds.
What are the craps odds typically in the Biloxi casinos?
Any pics of the craps layout? I love seeing craps layouts at versions casinos.
Do the craps tables in Biloxi have 100x odds?
I've only been inside of one Biloxi casino, and I didn't see a sign indicating 100x odds.
What are the craps odds typically in the Biloxi casinos?
Any pics of the craps layout? I love seeing craps layouts at versions casinos.
May 30th, 2017 at 12:21:39 PM
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Quote: klimate10Do the craps tables in Biloxi have 100x odds?
To the best of my understanding, most casinos in the Biloxi area have 10x odds. The IP casino advertises 20x odds. But, someone like DeMango may have more accurate info.
Quote: klimate10Any pics of the craps layout? I love seeing craps layouts at versions casinos.
Nope. Sorry. I don't have a "smart" phone, and it doesn't have a particularly savvy owner. I seldom carry it with me into casinos.
May 30th, 2017 at 12:30:51 PM
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There once was a high roller plus posse, who's system was exponentially increasing odds at a table. Did well from what I heard, he has passed. The only casinos locally at that time he played at were IP and Island View. They were both 20X odds and quite probably they remain today. AFAIK all others are 10X
You want layout porn? Mr 18 yo's in a row has pics from a ATS layout where he had $25 @!! It's on Casino Talk Forum. Alan no longer posts here.
You want layout porn? Mr 18 yo's in a row has pics from a ATS layout where he had $25 @!! It's on Casino Talk Forum. Alan no longer posts here.
When a rock is thrown into a pack of dogs, the one that yells the loudest is the one who got hit.
