Blackhawk Buzzard

Condensed Trip Report :

Dan, Buffalo Bonus still rules in Blackhawk. Only loss of tables came about as a result of Fitzgeralds becoming Saratoga. Gone is the party pit and in is the Death Star. I believe the sucess of Buffalo Bonus is that Blackhawk is still a $5 market as far as customer mentality. If forced to bet 10 or 15 Buffalo is their
insurance.

Death Star : 4 SHFL Entertainment pods aligned in a cluster. Each digital empire has 5 player position. 3 of the games ar BJ with a generous 6 to 5 payout
for a BJ, and splits only allowed once. Of course with such a great game for counters, the cards are shuffled after each hand. Bet is $2
minimum and $5 max for thye bonus. OH, before you counters book reservations to Balckhawk to decimate this wonderful game, please be
aware that the max is $15.

The other pod was Let It Ride. I was the one only playing on Saturday at 3PM. One prospective customer did ask me if the dealer had to
qualify on Let It Ride ? I was confused by the bonus and progressive having seperate buttons. Decided to look at the rack card. But it only
had 3 buttons ! Because it was the rack card for 21/3 pod. Plus whenever I bet $1, it took 2 credits and bonus light lit up ? Flag poles were there but no
Progressive display atop them ? Maybe a shake down cruise. All I know is Buffalo Bonus had a good drop from what I saw last time, when it
was Fitzgeralds.

More later: Shame Roger is a nice guy. because I could have had fun arguibg with pit and calling gaming with the ILLEGAL setup on Straight
Jack. Volates gaming I am fairly certain. Will post more after making sure BJ rules have not changed. Per rules posted in casino,
thc casino can not deal the game under their posted rules.
How anal is Colorado gaming " In 2001 at the ISLE, the casino was forced to tape a discard rack on Digital 21 table to comply
with gaming rules " ? And I am sure I could had Straight Jack shut down for a couple of days, or lights tirned off on signage.
Must be getting soft in my old age. And 6/5 no less. GGGRRRR.

Thank you for the Report!

Buffalo Bonus has been a surprise sleeper in some locales.

I think it is because though the limits have been raised to $100, the players still have a $5 mentality. Until limit were raised most
casino had several Double Action BJ tables. Instead of 1 betting circles, you got 2 squares ones next to each other. And YES, it was
patented.

Miplet or anyone else. Can you see any reason for a player to be limited to just one hand at a BJ table with the STRAIGHT JACK BONUS ? Saratoga had such a rule in rolling banner at the table signage.Right next to table was big green billboard stating casino , at their discretion, can limit a player to one hand to accommodate guests. And they may have player post 2 times minimum to play 2 hands and 5 times to play 3 hands.

Colorado website for gaming 2 months behind in meeting minutes. But am sure signage is recent. Asked 3 dealers and 2 pit bosses, same answer, { It's because of the progressive :

Straight Jack not on wiz's list of side bets. Anybody seen this game anywhere ?

Definition of "expert" is usually someone from out of town. Always amazed when out of state ownerships shows up in Blackhawk and immediately exhibits expert knowledge.


Saratoga Harness Racing has bought Fitzgeralds. Blackjack tables now closely surrounded by slots to extent that players often get bumped by traffic. Bye Bye party pit with 6/5 BJ and Buffalo Bonus on 6 of 8 tables.

Hello 3 Electonic 6/5 BJ tables, one split only, $2 minimum, $15 max ( WTF ) and $5 max Royal Match.

And the ever-popular Let It Ride Electronic table.

Anybody see same decisions at their local casinos / ? ?

Buzz, so they pulled out 6 live BJ tables and put in the electronic tables you described above? Is Buffalo Bonus still on the remaining live BJ tables? How many total live BJ tables did they used to have versus what is in place now and what side bets are they running on those live BJ games?

Sounds like this was a "How do we cut down on labor costs? Let's fire the dancers/dealer's in the party pit and put in electronics!"

Quote: Paradigm

Buzz, so they pulled out 6 live BJ tables and put in the electronic tables you described above? Is Buffalo Bonus still on the remaining live BJ tables? How many total live BJ tables did they used to have versus what is in place now and what side bets are they running on those live BJ games?

Sounds like this was a "How do we cut down on labor costs? Let's fire the dancers/dealer's in the party pit and put in electronics!"

IMO, there just isn't enough business to support the number of casinos in Blackhawk/Central City, so it makes sense to reduce labor costs. The only time it's busy is on the weekends. When I was there last, maybe a few months ago, it seemed like every table had the Buffalo Bonus at the Mardi Gras Casino. It was mid week and all you could hear was crickets. The best part was that I got to play blackjack without anyone else complaining that I hit an A7 v 10.

Actually they pulled out 8 live tables and put in 4 electronic tables. 6 of the tables in party pit had Buffalo Bonus. Actually on my prior visit, they were remodeling and only party pit tables were there.

Straight Jack was only side bet I saw on about 6 live tables now. But I did not really pay attention.

I think this is more of WE ARE SARATOGA RACINO move. Penn National/Ladbrooke did same thing to Bullwhackers. Threw out
all BJ tables , plus closed the best poker room at that time. Opened Silver Hawk behind parking lot as a satellite, bought Bronco Billy next door.

Silver Hawk is closed again, George & Shirley leasing Billy's as Sasquatch, Bullwhackers a ghost town on Saturday afternoon. Sasquash
had as many customers in 1/10 the square footage. G & S also own Blackhawk Station and Wild Card. Wild Card is also small, but was
jam packed. Old Machines, recently updated to TITO, small grocery store is back, great prices, and home cooked $3 meals.

Help from other casinos ofter get a meal to go. When I was there Cuban Pork Chop Zucchini Black Beans Giant Carmel Nut Cookie.

I am a little DUMB sometimes, walked out to get some air. Place was packed and SMOKE filled. Went back in , talked to slot tech I
knew for old days. G & S got designated as a Cigar Bar. LOL and shrewd !

IMO, there just isn't enough business to support the number of casinos in Blackhawk/Central City, so it makes sense to reduce labor costs.

Crystal, how long do you think Gilpin, Canyon, Saratoga, etc. can keep paying labor cost for constantly vacant Craps & Roulette tables ?

PS Ever seen anybody playing Golden Baccarat ? I sure have not !