AZ Charlie's: "We're basically a box with slots"

I try to view Arizona Charlie's favorably because the Decatur location offers the best non-smoking facility (EDIT: it's an enclosed room containing about 100 slots) in the valley.

It's a no-frills kind of place.

The slots are nothing special. The slot club awards free play at a lackluster rate of 0.2% for reels, 0.1% for ordinary video poker, and the club is tiered, so you can earn higher benefits if you give them a lot of play.

Generally the best video poker game to receive full benefits is 8/5 Bonus, but single-line only please. On multi-line games, the benefits are halved.

It's a negative situation, except occasionally they offer "Points Free Premium" promotions that award additional benefits. The usual value is about a penny per point, adding 1.0% for reels, 0.5% for ordinary vp. An example would be $10 free play for 1000 points earned, usually unlimited.

But the recent offerings have been weak. Around Christmas, I think it was 2500 points for a throw blanket. Previously at year-end they've done "relays" that offered specially enhanced benefits for consecutive days of play, but not this time. The upcoming promotion (Jan 7-18) is a fleece jacket for 3500 points, limit one. Without seeing it, it's hard to know the exact value of an AZ Charlie's logo jacket, but I would estimate it as, "nothing."

They do continue to offer a bank of dollar 10/7 Double Bonus progressives (with benefits quartered), but that's in the post-apocalyptic main casino.

The Boulder location offers the same benefits and promotions, but without any possibility of escaping the smokers (should you wish to do so). Seated next to you will be this woman:



(She was visiting the casino to celebrate her 30th birthday.)

Boulder Charlie's has 8/5 Ace$ Bonus, which offers an enhanced reward for quad Aces in proper sequence.

As for amenities beyond gaming, both properties serve some type of food. I can't confirm that it's safe to consume, but it might be fun to push the stuff around your plate with a fork. Parking is free (covered at Boulder). And the hotel rooms are probably good for a laugh.

Arizona Charlie's: It's Arizona without the glitter.

Quote: gpac1377

As for amenities beyond gaming, both properties serve some type of food. I can't confirm that it's safe to consume, but it might be fun to push the stuff around your plate with a fork.

One of these years, I'm going to get around to Boulder Charlie's BBQ Night Buffet (it's Tuesdays only). Maybe if I rent a car this time...

And how many other casinos have their own RV parks?

Quote: ThatDonGuy

And how many other casinos have their own RV parks?

That's definitely a distinction :)

"that's what she said"

Quote: ThatDonGuy

One of these years, I'm going to get around to Boulder Charlie's BBQ Night Buffet (it's Tuesdays only). Maybe if I rent a car this time...

And how many other casinos have their own RV parks?

Sam's Town, Circus Circus?

Quote: gpac1377

I try to view Arizona Charlie's favorably because the Decatur location offers the best non-smoking facility in the valley.

It's a no-frills kind of place.

The slots are nothing special. The slot club awards free play at a lackluster rate of 0.2% for reels, 0.1% for ordinary video poker, and the club is tiered, so you can earn higher benefits if you give them a lot of play.

Generally the best video poker game to receive full benefits is 8/5 Bonus, but single-line only please. On multi-line games, the benefits are halved.

It's a negative situation, except occasionally they offer "Points Free Premium" promotions that award additional benefits. The usual value is about a penny per point, adding 1.0% for reels, 0.5% for ordinary vp. An example would be $10 free play for 1000 points earned, usually unlimited.

But the recent offerings have been weak. Around Christmas, I think it was 2500 points for a throw blanket. Previously at year-end they've done "relays" that offered specially enhanced benefits for consecutive days of play, but not this time. The upcoming promotion (Jan 7-18) is a fleece jacket for 3500 points, limit one. Without seeing it, it's hard to know the exact value of an AZ Charlie's logo jacket, but I would estimate it as, "nothing."

They do continue to offer a bank of dollar 10/7 Double Bonus progressives (with benefits quartered), but that's in the post-apocalyptic main casino.

The Boulder location offers the same benefits and promotions, but without any possibility of escaping the smokers (should you wish to do so). Seated next to you will be this woman:



(She was visiting the casino to celebrate her 30th birthday.)

Boulder Charlie's has 8/5 Ace$ Bonus, which offers an enhanced reward for quad Aces in proper sequence.

As for amenities beyond gaming, both properties serve some type of food. I can't confirm that it's safe to consume, but it might be fun to push the stuff around your plate with a fork. Parking is free (covered at Boulder). And the hotel rooms are probably good for a laugh.

Arizona Charlie's: It's Arizona without the glitter.

How long have then been NON smoking? Kind of funny since it used to be one of the only poker rooms you could smoke in

Quote: AxelWolf

How long have then been NON smoking? Kind of funny since it used to be one of the only poker rooms you could smoke in

Sorry it's not the entire property. The smoke-free area is an enclosed room with about 100 slots, no table games.

I believe the poker "room" continues to encourage smoking.

I stayed here for part of the trip. Very cheap if booked online thru expedia, hotline, etc. No resort fees. Didn't want to spend all my comps. DON'T STAY HERE. People are super scrubby. I had to pound on the wall to get the idiots next door to shut up. There are people racing...and I literally mean having races...in the hallway at 4 AM.
Did I mention the people were scrubby? Ate at the diner. Someone with an oxygen tank at one table, someone with no teeth at another. Not to slam on people who need oxygen, but if you have serious health issues, why are you pissing away your money at chincy casino? Don't think he was an AP. Don't think he was rich, cuz he'd be at a 5 star and would have nice clothes. And if you have no teeth, why are you spending money at the casino instead of at the dentist!!!!!!!!!!!

These people are low class. The employees didn't seem terrible. I'm pretty sure the Wizard makes the same comments about the clientele, except less bluntly. So yeah, don't stay there unless you're crazy. You can get good prices at nicer places on Groupon. Or just pay the same rate plus a resort fee for a strip hotel. It's worth it.

Stay there? Some people LIVE there.

I understand its the only place in town that offers 3:00am Bingo which can be a real laugh when drunken poker dealers show up or people show up for Bingo and its a grand total of 12 people playing.

Quote: 1BB

Sam's Town, Circus Circus?

Golden Acorn Casino?

XD

Quote: FleaStiff

Stay there? Some people LIVE there.

I understand its the only place in town that offers 3:00am Bingo which can be a real laugh when drunken poker dealers show up or people show up for Bingo and its a grand total of 12 people playing.

God help you if you live there. If I lived there I'd blow my brains out. Just thinking about that place makes me want to OD on pills. I could swear I read that exact same statement in the Wizard's review. Maybe I'm paraphrasing, I don't know. I wish the Wiz had more scathing reviews. Reading his review on this casino did amuse me tho, cuz as mild as he always is, he did come across as EXTREMELY unimpressed.

Where's the review located? I tried looking around and Googling it but I came up short.
Would you happen to have the link handy?
Thanks.

Arizona Charlie's is like a big version of the Western, for those who remember that downtown property. I believe much of their clientele practically live there on their Social Security check. I'm not going to put that down. It may be the only fun these people have left.

Quote: BoulderDamIt

Where's the review located? I tried looking around and Googling it but I came up short.
Would you happen to have the link handy?
Thanks.

I think you google Wizard of Vegas Blackjack Survey. Then you get a list of casinos. And you click on one, most of them are reviewed. I believe that is where I read it. There's nothing in there about ODing on pills, FYI...in case that wasn't completely obvious. I just think it would have been a better review if there was. Did you know the Luxor isn't black? It's bronze! See the Wizard's review.

Quote: Wizard

Arizona Charlie's is like a big version of the Western, for those who remember that downtown property. I believe much of their clientele practically live there on their Social Security check. I'm not going to put that down. It may be the only fun these people have left.

I think the government subsidizing casinos via the social security fund is criminal.

Quote: Sonuvabish

I stayed here for part of the trip. Very cheap if booked online thru expedia, hotline, etc. No resort fees. Didn't want to spend all my comps. DON'T STAY HERE. People are super scrubby. I had to pound on the wall to get the idiots next door to shut up. There are people racing...and I literally mean having races...in the hallway at 4 AM.
Did I mention the people were scrubby? Ate at the diner. Someone with an oxygen tank at one table, someone with no teeth at another. Not to slam on people who need oxygen, but if you have serious health issues, why are you pissing away your money at chincy casino? Don't think he was an AP. Don't think he was rich, cuz he'd be at a 5 star and would have nice clothes. And if you have no teeth, why are you spending money at the casino instead of at the dentist!!!!!!!!!!!

These people are low class. The employees didn't seem terrible. I'm pretty sure the Wizard makes the same comments about the clientele, except less bluntly. So yeah, don't stay there unless you're crazy. You can get good prices at nicer places on Groupon. Or just pay the same rate plus a resort fee for a strip hotel. It's worth it.

Just went there this past Sunday, and what you say is still true. It's a pathetic place with a lot of drunks and bums. The buffet is poor quality and the casino is smokey. This place is as bad as it gets.

Quote: Greasyjohn

Just went there this past Sunday, and what you say is still true. It's a pathetic place with a lot of drunks and bums. The buffet is poor quality and the casino is smokey. This place is as bad as it gets.

Or as good as it gets for some.

Hope you are doing well!!

Where you expecting it to be good? It's way off the beaten path and nothing but a low low low end Orleans

However I do have fond memories of playing 3 card poker when I was only 17 and not getting carded ever until I hit trips

I went there for the DD blackjack game. At the carving station at the buffet I asked what the meat was. Guy said New York steak, but it was roast beef.

Quote: Boz

Or as good as it gets for some.

Hope you are doing well!!

Thanks, Boz.

Lol too funny