General impressions
* I really like Magnolia's.
* The 6:5 games are new, within the past year. When I last stayed there in November 2008, they didn't have any. When I last played there in February '09, they didn't have any. The LV press has had stories about the Queens and Binion's being sued by various people for being behind on the rent, so I attribute it to that. Oh well, the 'Tez is down the street, if I can stand the smoke.
* Some of the quietest blackjack dealers I've ever had were at the Four Queens. I like a quiet game, but they can take it to extremes. I've also had more "normal" dealers, so it's probably an individual rather than an institutional thing.
Quote: fremont4everThe 6:5 games are new, within the past year. When I last stayed there in November 2008, they didn't have any. When I last played there in February '09, they didn't have any..
In 2002, Paris (Harrah's property) casino posted the following on their marquee: "SINGLE DECK BLACKJACK! A WHOPPING 6-5 FOR BLACKJACKS!"
My first experience with 6:5 downtown was at the Horseshoe (Harrah's property at the time) in 2004.
--Dorothy
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DG's minimally offensive signature
Quote: DorothyGaleIn 2002, Paris (Harrah's property) casino posted the following on their marquee: "SINGLE DECK BLACKJACK! A WHOPPING 6-5 FOR BLACKJACKS!"
I thought it was Bally's that had that sign.
Out of curiousity, I checked my BJ Survey for Strip casinos that paid 3 to 2 on all BJ games. The only two were Palazzo and Encore.
Quote: DorothyGaleIn 2002, Paris (Harrah's property) casino posted the following on their marquee: "SINGLE DECK BLACKJACK! A WHOPPING 6-5 FOR BLACKJACKS!"
Just goes to show a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Most people probably know a BJ pays better than even money, but not how much. So 6-5 looks good even if it stinks.
A friend of mine used to sell computers. H eliked the very ignorant customers because, as he explained, if they don't know anything he could sell them anything and they'd walk away satisfied ("Just for email? Well, then, you'll need extra RAM and a high end video card. Also a laser printer; we sell toner, too.")
Quote: WizardQuote: DorothyGaleIn 2002, Paris (Harrah's property) casino posted the following on their marquee: "SINGLE DECK BLACKJACK! A WHOPPING 6-5 FOR BLACKJACKS!"
I thought it was Bally's that had that sign.
Well, either way, in 2002, neither were Harrah's properties (Hilton owned them, from what I can gather). I'm all for giving Harrah's a good swift kick in the butt (MGM-M, too), but let's be a little fair about it. :^)
Quote: dutchI know a lot of people are passionate about this, but for a low limit table I understand why they need to do 6:5. I am a low roller who likes 5 dollar tables downtown, and I obviously play 3/2 if its available. But if I play well, my expected loss is about $3/hr, and for that they give me free drinks. They cant pay a dealer and give 6 people free drinks for 20 bucks an hour. I would rather have 5 dollar tables available to low rollers at 6/5 than to see all tables with a 25 dollar minimum.
Harrah's learned at the Rio that people will play blackjack even if it is 1:1 as long as the dealer has a bikini and you are poolside. I've noticed that downtown some of the new full size blackjack machines with video dealers will let you play for as low as $1 $2 or $3 depending on the casino with full pay 3:2. You can nurse those machines and wait for your drinks.
If you are playing downtown, then just go to the El Cortez. They will let you play single deck games with full 3:2 payout for $5 minimums, and feed you drinks. You can't get better than that. Actually the only three things that differentiate this game from 1960 blackjack is that they don't deal to the bottom of the deck, they don't let you double after you split, and the dealer hits a soft 17.
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The review of Four Queens by the Wiz is very accurate as far as I can tell. The property is a sentimental favorite because it is owned by a garden variety millionaire Vegas resident, and not by a massive corporation or an overseas billionaire. Like the El Cortez it offers a complete Old Vegas experience for people who want a good value overall. The 6:5 blackjack must be new. It is no secret that Terry is having trouble with his $32 million purchase of Binion's across the street which closed in March of 2008 (he agreed on the price almost 6 months earlier). It was a large purchase to close on just as the economy was tanking. The previous owners were losing so much money on Binion's that if Terry had waited a year, they might have nearly given the property away just to stop the red ink.
4Q also now has Lucky Cat Blackjack by WOV user Switch. Strangely, I can find neither UTH nor MS and so am awkwardly doing most of my gambling next door at the Golden Nugget.
Quote: GialmereI'm staying at the Four Queens this week.
When I'm in Vegas I usually stay at the Four Queens. I like that the elevators empty out onto the casino floor and the doors to Fremont Street are right there also. Makes it really easy to go up and down to your room with very little walking. And I like that Four Queens is right across the street from Golden Nugget and Binion's. The cafe at Binion's used to have a great chicken fried steak but I haven't been there in a while.
Quote: EvenBobWhen I'm in Vegas I usually stay at the Four Queens. I like that the elevators empty out onto the casino floor and the doors to Fremont Street are right there also. Makes it really easy to go up and down to your room with very little walking. And I like that Four Queens is right across the street from Golden Nugget and Binion's. The cafe at Binion's used to have a great chicken fried steak but I haven't been there in a while.
Other than MDawg I think most of us would agree that Four Queens is a fine place.
Quote: Mission146Everything was fine, except that was the second nastiest hotel room I've ever spent a night in.
Didn't you used to manager one of those hourly motels?
Quote: DRichDidn't you used to manager one of those hourly motels?
Haha! We didn't rent rooms by the hour.
The hotel was definitely a dump overall, but the rooms were generally clean. I had reasonably high standards when it came to room cleanliness, at least, on par with any economy hotel you'd find. It was the public areas that were especially dumpy, but that's because the owner didn't want to spend any money to improve those, or other amenities, such as continental breakfast offerings.
Even when he attempted to, 'Improve,' things, it was often just made worse by the cheap-*** labor he would get to do it who barely had any idea what the hell he was doing.
Anyway, no, Four Queens wasn't even close to the level of cleanliness that I would demand. I obviously had fewer rooms than Four Queens, but I would personally check the rooms on days that I was working.
Quote: EvenBobAnd I like that Four Queens is right across the street from Golden Nugget and Binion's.
Also The D if you're in a Sigma Derby mood.
Quote: GialmereAlso The D if you're in a Sigma Derby mood.
I am shocked if that thing is still running.
Quote: DRichI am shocked if that thing is still running.
Be shocked. I can't say the beer swilling smokers sitting around and staring with glassy eyes are pleasant company, but the machine still works fine.
Quote: GialmereI'm staying at the Four Queens this week. The first night I walked through every casino downtown. From what I could tell, 4Q currently has the best VP offerings. To my surprise I found 9/6 JoB at the $1 level, 9/5 at the quarter level and even 9/5 at the nickel level (if you shop around).
4Q also now has Lucky Cat Blackjack by WOV user Switch. Strangely, I can find neither UTH nor MS and so am awkwardly doing most of my gambling next door at the Golden Nugget.
For the record, Four Queens does boast 9/6 JoB at the quarter level. The machines are located next to the cashier's cage.
