Agua Caliente Palm Springs
February 29th, 2020 at 6:50:35 PM
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The Mrs. and I visited Agua Caliente Palm Springs Casino on Monday evening, February 17. The casino is bright and generally feels new.
The parking garage was well-lit and clean, and LED signs indicate not only how many spaces are available but also how many are handicapped spaces or charging stations.
New players who sign up at the players club get some free play, and can choose between slots/video poker or table games. You choose a symbol on their iPad, and it shows how much free play you get. Both the Mrs. and I got $10.
We first stopped at the center bar and told the cocktail waitress that it was our first visit, and she took time to describe the complimentary drinks and the cost for alcoholic drinks. A glass of wine was $6 IIRC. Aristocrat bartop games are lined around the original bartop area that has IGT Super Star video poker. We tried the $0.25 Aristocrat 8-5 JoB (IGT is also 8-5), but I quit while up $1.25 because I didn’t really like the “feel” of it.
I played my promotional chips at a $10 blackjack table (6 decks, BJ pays 3-2, DAS). I watched the table for about 10 minutes when it had two spaces open. A few people weren’t playing basic strategy such as standing on 16. Eventually, someone sat down, and I jumped in to first base after a bunch of small cards came out. I did get one blackjack during the session, but had a generally bad run. Lost my promo bet, splits, and double downs. On one hand, I drew to 6 cards and had 16—and couldn’t pull the trigger again. The guy next to me hit and got a 2, and I lost the hand. Overall lost $45.
I moved to the back room, which is more dimly lit and apparently used to be a poker room. The Mrs. was playing alone at a $3-minimum 21 table: DAS, double on any two cards, blackjack paid immediately but pays even money. Yes, I should not support an even-money blackjack game, but decided to spend time with the Mrs. We slowly drained away and I lost $30. We asked the Mandarin-speaking dealer if she had any recommendations for Chinese restaurants in the area, but she would not give one.
With $30 left in our bankroll, we moved over to $15 Pai Gow Poker and together played one spot. I pulled out a few quarters and the dealer said I wouldn’t need them—it’s a no-commission game. If the dealer’s 2-card hand is 9-high, all base bets push. In the half hour we played, we did have a pushed hand. Eventually we finished up one unit.
All the dealers we played with were conversational (except at the full blackjack table—he was friendly but a bit busy) and talked about life in the Palm Springs area. They're apparently trained to stop cell phone and camera usage at tables, though. And at the full blackjack table, the dealer questioned what I put on the table—it was merely my triangular eyeglass case. He told me I would have to put it away. Overall, the casino stop was a nice part of our first visit to the area.
It just happened to be Modernism Week, and I loved all the mid-century modern sights, including fabulous signage. For an Old Vegas-type vibe, I recommend the Purple Room supper club on Tuesday with live music—the current performer, Rose Mallett, does a tribute to Sarah Vaughan. Shields Date Garden is an "interesting" tourist attraction—their date shakes tasted like a chocolate shake, according the unrefined palates of my kids and me. The temperatures during Presidents Week were a nice mid- to upper 70s. I would love to visit Palm Springs in February again.
The parking garage was well-lit and clean, and LED signs indicate not only how many spaces are available but also how many are handicapped spaces or charging stations.
New players who sign up at the players club get some free play, and can choose between slots/video poker or table games. You choose a symbol on their iPad, and it shows how much free play you get. Both the Mrs. and I got $10.
We first stopped at the center bar and told the cocktail waitress that it was our first visit, and she took time to describe the complimentary drinks and the cost for alcoholic drinks. A glass of wine was $6 IIRC. Aristocrat bartop games are lined around the original bartop area that has IGT Super Star video poker. We tried the $0.25 Aristocrat 8-5 JoB (IGT is also 8-5), but I quit while up $1.25 because I didn’t really like the “feel” of it.
I played my promotional chips at a $10 blackjack table (6 decks, BJ pays 3-2, DAS). I watched the table for about 10 minutes when it had two spaces open. A few people weren’t playing basic strategy such as standing on 16. Eventually, someone sat down, and I jumped in to first base after a bunch of small cards came out. I did get one blackjack during the session, but had a generally bad run. Lost my promo bet, splits, and double downs. On one hand, I drew to 6 cards and had 16—and couldn’t pull the trigger again. The guy next to me hit and got a 2, and I lost the hand. Overall lost $45.
I moved to the back room, which is more dimly lit and apparently used to be a poker room. The Mrs. was playing alone at a $3-minimum 21 table: DAS, double on any two cards, blackjack paid immediately but pays even money. Yes, I should not support an even-money blackjack game, but decided to spend time with the Mrs. We slowly drained away and I lost $30. We asked the Mandarin-speaking dealer if she had any recommendations for Chinese restaurants in the area, but she would not give one.
With $30 left in our bankroll, we moved over to $15 Pai Gow Poker and together played one spot. I pulled out a few quarters and the dealer said I wouldn’t need them—it’s a no-commission game. If the dealer’s 2-card hand is 9-high, all base bets push. In the half hour we played, we did have a pushed hand. Eventually we finished up one unit.
All the dealers we played with were conversational (except at the full blackjack table—he was friendly but a bit busy) and talked about life in the Palm Springs area. They're apparently trained to stop cell phone and camera usage at tables, though. And at the full blackjack table, the dealer questioned what I put on the table—it was merely my triangular eyeglass case. He told me I would have to put it away. Overall, the casino stop was a nice part of our first visit to the area.
It just happened to be Modernism Week, and I loved all the mid-century modern sights, including fabulous signage. For an Old Vegas-type vibe, I recommend the Purple Room supper club on Tuesday with live music—the current performer, Rose Mallett, does a tribute to Sarah Vaughan. Shields Date Garden is an "interesting" tourist attraction—their date shakes tasted like a chocolate shake, according the unrefined palates of my kids and me. The temperatures during Presidents Week were a nice mid- to upper 70s. I would love to visit Palm Springs in February again.
March 1st, 2020 at 12:17:37 AM
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Sounds like you enjoyed yourself. Thanks for the trip report. Palm Springs in February must be nice. I worked down there when I was younger and it was always May through July, so like 115 degrees. I don't remember the date shakes tasting like chocolate, I remember them tasting like dates. lol It was a long time ago but I remember they had a film about the sex life of date palms. I don't know what it looks like now but when I was a kid the whole area was grapes, dates, and grapefruit. And golf courses. I imagine I wouldn't recognize it now. But that's ok, I'm old now and I like casinos, and now there's casinos there. Be a nice place to retire to. La Quinta is nice. Hope you had a good trip.
'Emergencies' have always been the pretext on which the safeguards of individual liberty have been eroded.
March 2nd, 2020 at 12:14:38 PM
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I had a grand time!
The casino must have expanded since the Wizard’s review because it did not seem hidden at all—prominent signs easily led me to the self-parking garage. And the place seems relatively big!
At Shields, the theater still has the footage of date-farming history. I got some nice gifts for family and friends, but there also plenty of more economical date-buying options at the Thursday night streetfest in downtown Palm Springs.
The casino must have expanded since the Wizard’s review because it did not seem hidden at all—prominent signs easily led me to the self-parking garage. And the place seems relatively big!
At Shields, the theater still has the footage of date-farming history. I got some nice gifts for family and friends, but there also plenty of more economical date-buying options at the Thursday night streetfest in downtown Palm Springs.
March 3rd, 2020 at 10:09:58 AM
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What other table games did you notice? I prefer going to Vegas but find I'm nowadays just as likely to shoot over to Palm Springs for the convenience.
Have you tried 22 tonight? I said 22.
March 4th, 2020 at 11:24:25 AM
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Weird. I didn’t notice any other casino games!
No craps table. No roulette with cards.
I guess this was more of a “enjoy the evening” visit than a fact-finding mission!
The place seemed quiet overall even though a couple tables were full.
No craps table. No roulette with cards.
I guess this was more of a “enjoy the evening” visit than a fact-finding mission!
The place seemed quiet overall even though a couple tables were full.
March 4th, 2020 at 3:39:25 PM
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I remember my first trip to Palm Springs. From a distance we said “eh, another desert town”....once we got in, loved it. Is it Canyon Drive the main thruway? Can’t remember. Wonderful street shops and restaurants. The entire vibe of Palm Springs is really nice.
After my first visit....now I know why it’s so popular among the glitterati.
Think we stayed at a best western near the heart of town. Nice pool. Went to an indoor/outdoor Mexican restaurant. Brutally hot. Had margaritas, chips, etc.
Just great.
Living desert is awesome too. Also saw Ralph Kiner in a parking lot. As I’m a big Mets fan...thought it was cool. I would winter in Palm Springs. Hell, I would summer too.
After my first visit....now I know why it’s so popular among the glitterati.
Think we stayed at a best western near the heart of town. Nice pool. Went to an indoor/outdoor Mexican restaurant. Brutally hot. Had margaritas, chips, etc.
Just great.
Living desert is awesome too. Also saw Ralph Kiner in a parking lot. As I’m a big Mets fan...thought it was cool. I would winter in Palm Springs. Hell, I would summer too.
