smoothgrh
smoothgrh
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December 30th, 2023 at 11:20:21 PM permalink
For the first time ever, I'm probably going to be at a casino on New Year's Eve!

Not Vegas — but in fabulous Porterville, California (Long story!): at Eagle Mountain Casino.

I'm expecting a packed house. I never desired to be at a casino on New Year's Eve — certainly never in Vegas. I always imagined those prices they used to list inside the rooms (the "rack" rate) would be in full effect on NYE.

One time, my friend said his friend got a comped room in Vegas on NYE and I was astounded — how big of a degenerate gambler WAS this guy who I'd hung out with a few times?!

Anyway, anyone got some New Year's Eve casino experiences?
ChumpChange
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smoothgrh
December 31st, 2023 at 12:49:54 AM permalink
I used to go to a local nightclub/restaurant that had local bands and seats for a few hundred. Might see a retired HS teacher dancing around and a few 20-somethings wondering what they stepped into with all the old folks around. Those days are over for me. And since COVID, I can't imagine they would continue but I haven't checked. Masks may be making a come-back next month in NYS, and Rhode Island has even told people not to come to the emergency rooms anymore.

My local casino used to get near 2,000 people to show up for the monthly drawings at the end of the month, and really I'd only want to hang out in an abandoned video poker aisle during those times. I usually only go when there's less than 500 people there, but sometimes I'm wrong and there's over 1,000. There's a stage where big name bands & acts play but I haven't been there yet, and that's probably the place to be. I can probably expect a bunch of dealers and staff are going to call out sick next week.
Dieter
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Dieter
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smoothgrh
December 31st, 2023 at 4:00:49 AM permalink
A ridiculous number of people show up for the party.
Many of them retire to their hotel rooms a few dances after the midnight champagne toast.

The ones to be wary of are the parasites who come to prey on the partygoers.

The ones to be paranoid of are the amateur drunks who didn't get hotel rooms at the absurd rack rate. I don't recommend driving between 8pm and 8am. You may be sober and responsible, but assume everyone else has compromised reflexes.


Out here in the sticks, where the blackjack tables usually close at 2am, the pits typically go to 24 hours, just in case people who can afford the rack rate don't feel sleepy and want something to do.

Wearing a goofy party hat seems to help with gathering stories. ;)
May the cards fall in your favor.
Joeman
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JohnnyQsmoothgrh
December 31st, 2023 at 7:15:31 AM permalink
My first Vegas experience was on New Years Eve, but I don't expect I'll ever spend another NYE there.

I did spend one other New Years Eve in a casino -- The Treasure Bay in Biloxi. I don't recall it being much different than a normal weekend night.

Happy New Year everyone! I hope it is safe and prosperous for all!
"Dealer has 'rock'... Pay 'paper!'"
Mosca
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smoothgrh
December 31st, 2023 at 7:38:51 AM permalink
We’ve been going to our local casino (Mohegan Pocono) on NYE for years; not to stay overnight, and not necessarily for the gambling, but because we like the one restaurant there, and they have a good NYE menu.

That being said, we have gambled there, and sometimes we’ve stayed until the new year. It’s VERY crowded. If you play slots, it’s hard to find ANY machine, let alone one you like. BJ tables are loaded with drunks who don’t know the rules and frat boys/their dates who pretend to know how to play. Other games are proportionately the same, based on popularity. I’ve had drinks spilled on me and had people run into me accidentally. I’ve seen people get bounced for vomiting on the casino floor.

So generally we go, eat, play any free play/comps, and leave. There’s no pleasurable casino experience to be had, at that particular casino on that particular night. I feel comfortable extrapolating that to about 95% of the other casinos in the US.
A falling knife has no handle.
smoothgrh
smoothgrh
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December 31st, 2023 at 11:42:37 PM permalink
—Eagle Mountain Casino, Porterville, California, Dec 31, 2023
—Arrived at 8:30pm
—Busy, but not packed. Spots open at tables and some slots
—Someone on Yelp said it's tough getting around slots in a wheelchair, and I would agree. Tough just walking between some slots!
—UTH $15
—Blackjack, Kings Bounty Blackjack, Free Bet Blackjack, and Spanish 21 $25
—Roll to Win Craps $5 minimum so I played that. Some really hot rolls, including me (20 rolls)
—I put in $40 and finished ahead $102 after about 90 minutes
—Mrs got a $7 red wine and lost $80 playing VP
—3CP, 4CP, and roulette not open
—$1 + tax playing cards at gift shop
—Left at 10:30
—Happy new year, everyone!
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