Las Vegas "Tour De Craphole"
I am in charge of showing some people around to the dumpiest casinos in Las Vegas. They want to play cheap table games in some sketchy places probably during the day on a Sat or Sun. The only real qualifiers are-
1. Not on the strip
2. Not downtown
3. Must have table games
I'm hoping I can get a few recommendations from those in the know about such places. My list so far is as follows-
-Jerry's Nugget
-Silver Nugget
-Bighorn Casino
-Longhorn casino
Does AZ Charlies fit what I'm looking for? Any other suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Would Ellis Island count as Strip? It's on Koval.
Railroad Pass is a winner for what you want!
EDIT: Pardon me, I meant to also say you're welcome.
Quote: Mission146Dumpy and in the middle of nowhere!.
Right up my alley! Thanks
Skyline Casino
Big/Long horn
[I heard Lucky Club is sketchy as f***]
Club Fortune
Arizona Charlies
Aztec Inn (sorta on the strip IIRC)
anything "downtown"
Eureka maybe
jokers wild....not particularly sketchy, but I'm sure if you wanted some meth, you wouldn't be too far away
siegel slots & suites is sketchy as all hell, but no tables games, IIRC.
"wild wild west casino" or something like that, might be owned by stations IIRC.
The Alamo -- it's not too sketchy (wait, why the hell you lookin' for sketchy a** places???), per se, but it definitely has that vibe. 1/3 of the building is the casino, another 1/3 is a burger king & taco john mix restaurant (or something like that, it's weird) and the other 1/3 is a convenience store, located on a gas station lot.
Circus Circus, even though it might be considered "on the strip" is about as "not on the strip" as you can get.
This is nowhere near as spiffy & highfalutin' as Cannery, or even the Longhorn dump, and since your list will already put you kind of in the same general neighborhood, on LV Blvd North, in the fabulous City of North Las Vegas:
http://pokerpalace.net/index.html
I only hear about someone getting whacked in the parking lot about half as often here compared to Silver Nugget. And as far as I know, also without the SN's infamously dense infestation of bedbugs living in the casino carpet and feasting on ghetto gambler legs. So what could possibly go wrong with sending some visitors up there? I assume you are reasonably street wise and at least somewhat used to the unwritten rules of getting along in a very urban environment. Or plan to get that way.
So after that, if you'd like to push on further in that same direction:
http://luckyclublv.com/
Seriously dumpy, and substantial size for a dump, with more than token table games. You can eat there.
Good luck.
EDIT:
Yeah, the Eureka & surrounding apartment blocks are known as a place to score certain informally dispensed goods & services that may not be exactly legal, or to start a rumble with rival groups & curbside entrepreneurs and whatnot, but no table games there. They have slots, slots, and also some slots. And booze.Quote: RS...Eureka maybe...
..Club Fortune....
I think Club Fortune is actually kinda nice, in a very unpretentious local working-class neighborhood joint kinda way. For a place behind a K-Mart. I am at times a sleazy slut in my casino requirements compared to some folks, but the owner out there did put a surprising amount into spiffing it up by neighborhood standards, and IMO I'd say this little joint is considerably nicer than Circus-Circus, or a step up from the Flamingo on the Strip. But it would qualify for triple extra bonus points for extreme obscurity for actual tourists, if that's part of the goal of this expedition.
http://gamblingwithanedge.com/that-place-is-a-dump
King 8 off of Tropicana comes to mind.
Is the Opera House and Poker Palace still around?
Silver Nugget operates another property as well.
I can't remember the name of the place now, but me and DJ went to a place were they used the casino floor as the dance hall. They Played loud Mexican music as they drunkenly danced in and around the machine's. They wore western shirts, cowboy boots, cowboy hats. I even seen a bolo tie. Other than the employees(I wouldn't bet on that ) I doubt anyone had a green card.
I think I was the only white person in the place...EVER.
Not in Vegas, but the Recency in Laughlin is still around and I don't think it's been updated since that place opened.
.
Joker's Wild is another good choice, just a few miles north of there along the Boulder Highway. That place is almost named right: it's a joke.
He's not talking about me.Quote: AxelWolfI can't remember the name of the place now, but me and DJ went to a place ...
Regarding the Cannery, I was just there and it is not that bad. Terrible location, in terms of close to anything, but once you're inside it's comparable to the Treasure Island.
Circus Circus is becoming a true dive, but it is technically on the Strip.
I'm sure I'll get a lot of push-back on this one, but I would submit for your consideration the Ellis Island. Almost everyone will rise to its defense saying it is great, which it is! But it a great in a neighborhood dive kind of way.
If you want somewhere that is a dive in the negative kind of way, meaning old people very slowly spending their Social Security money, then nothing can compare to Arizona Charlie's (Decatur).
Quote: AxelWolfJust curious why anyone would want to go to the dumpiest palaces on purpose?
King 8 off of Tropicana comes to mind.
Is the Opera House and Poker Palace still around?
Silver Nugget operates another property as well.
I can't remember the name of the place now, but me and DJ went to a place were they used the casino floor as the dance hall. They Played loud Mexican music as they drunkenly danced in and around the machine's. They wore western shirts, cowboy boots, cowboy hats. I even seen a bolo tie. Other than the employees(I wouldn't bet on that ) I doubt anyone had a green card.
I think I was the only white person in the place...EVER.
Not in Vegas, but the Recency in Laughlin is still around and I don't think it's been updated since that place opened.
.
Think it was Opera House or Poker Palace.
I tried to buy some candy at a vending machine and it ate my dollar. I went to security demanding my money back and they just looked at me like "bruh you lost or something boy". Unfortunately I was not able to get my dollar back. I'm still mad about that. It's been 2 years or so.
Another fun place was called the Silver Saddle or something like that on Fremont and Boulder or somewhere in that area. It's a dance hall/casino, mostly Mexican music. Also the only casino I've been patted down for weapons. Fun times.
Eureka is in a rough part of town with a rough clientele but the food at their Chinese restaurant "Fat Choy" is super good. Get the duck with rice. Don't go there when the sun goes down.
If Ellis Island counts as off strip, Wild Wild West should also count, along with the other Wildfire casinos.
Alamo might be top. Not many gas stations with table games in southern Nevada
Quote: KeyserThe Golden Gate is dumpy, smells bad, and the dealer's and whole place looks like it's a casino in the Philippines. The D is another third world like dump.
Well, the owners are from Detroit. Close enough.
Silver Nugget
Poker Palace
Bighorn
Longhorn
Lucky Club
Club Fortune
Arizona Charlies Decatur
jokers wild
Ellis Island
Am I ok going to these places from a security standpoint during the day? We're thinking probably something like 10AM-3PM. It will be 4 30ish white guys just looking to waste time and check out the local dives. I just want to make sure we can get in and out with our wallets and shirts still in tow!
Opera House ( gone now) and Silver Nugget the only casinos I'm worried about my safety even while in the casino, much less the bathroom or parking lot.
Poker Palace is awful but a certain charm to its shittiness.
Quote: GoodEyeMightJerrys nugget
Silver Nugget
Poker Palace
Bighorn
Longhorn
Lucky Club
Club Fortune
Arizona Charlies Decatur
jokers wild
Ellis Island
Am I ok going to these places from a security standpoint during the day? We're thinking probably something like 10AM-3PM. It will be 4 30ish white guys just looking to waste time and check out the local dives. I just want to make sure we can get in and out with our wallets and shirts still in tow!
I have visited all of these places by myself, most of them after dark and I have never had any issues. 4 guys should be fine, just be aware of your surroundings and don't do anything stupid.
Quote: GoodEyeMightJerrys nugget
Silver Nugget
Poker Palace
Bighorn
Longhorn
Lucky Club
Club Fortune
Arizona Charlies Decatur
jokers wild
Ellis Island
Am I ok going to these places from a security standpoint during the day? We're thinking probably something like 10AM-3PM. It will be 4 30ish white guys just looking to waste time and check out the local dives. I just want to make sure we can get in and out with our wallets and shirts still in tow!
Even the dumpiest casino is pretty safe, with security and all. I've pretty much gone to all of these casinos at night and never had any problems.
Are you talking about the place that was near the old Showboat near Fremont and Charleston? It had 2 tables and it was a Mexican night club? No, I'm actually not talking about that place(FYI, That was the one casino I had not ever been to in LV up until about a year or two before it closed). The place I was talking about was in North Town I believe.Quote: DocAxle: I am guessing the Mexican cowboy place you are thinking of was the Silver Saddle, which is gone. Does the King 8 have table games? That was one of the requirements stated.
Does Alamo casino TA truck stop have Tables? I would guess not, but I thought they did at one time.
King 8/Wild Wild West had table games before, but I can't remember if they do now.
Do you need an old K8 chip? Any known collectors need one? I have a few hundred $1 and possibly some $5 chips. I dont want anything for the $1 chips.
Edit: I guess I should have read the rest of the thread before I responded.
Quote: GoodEyeMightJerrys nugget
Silver Nugget
Poker Palace
Bighorn
Longhorn
Lucky Club
Club Fortune
Arizona Charlies Decatur
jokers wild
Ellis Island
I have been to all of those places to gather souvenir chips for my collection. And I came out undamaged.
I currently have plans to re-visit Silver Nugget, Poker Palace, and Longhorn (plus the Skyline in Henderson) during my April visit for the WoV Spring Fling 2017. My purpose for stepping back into those places is to pick up chips to replace the $1 tokens that I received at table games on my first visit -- I have a preference for chips over tokens and am trying to "upgrade" my collection.
As for the security issue, you've now got me thinking about my re-visits and whether I need to make plans to get to those places at a time when my wife is not with me. I don't remember whether she made that loop with me the first time, though we usually go everywhere together. The only casino I recall having visited myself but deliberately left her safely elsewhere at the time was the Silver Saddle.
Quote: DocI have been to all of those places to gather souvenir chips for my collection. And I came out undamaged.
Same here, except for Poker Palace. Then again, I went in the morning/early afternoon.
Also note that, except for Arizona Charlie's and Ellis Island, I took a car; no problems in the parking lots, either.
Quote: GoodEyeMightAm I ok going to these places from a security standpoint during the day? We're thinking probably something like 10AM-3PM. It will be 4 30ish white guys just looking to waste time and check out the local dives. I just want to make sure we can get in and out with our wallets and shirts still in tow!
The one real danger from those places would be lung cancer. The sort of thing you're talking about is just some combination of prejudice, ignorance, or paranoia.
Wear a cotton shirt and you'll be much better off, the synthetic ones can get ruined much easier from the secondhand smoke. It's entirely your choice if you lose any of the money in your wallet.
Well, yeah, EI is definitely a locals joint. But Mrs. Q and I walk there all the time, mostly for the breakfast special. (And some decent VP). We take the 202 bus over to PALMS after breakfast.Quote: Wizard
I'm sure I'll get a lot of push-back on this one, but I would submit for your consideration the Ellis Island. Almost everyone will rise to its defense saying it is great, which it is! But it a great in a neighborhood dive kind of way.
It has in fact been upgraded lately as noted by MOOSETON. The old black painted concrete floor has been tiled in a very nice way. Say "hello" to Pete the pit-boss. I don't mean he's "dumpy". But he's gotta be in his upper 60's or 70's with a sense of humor.
This "dumpy round-up" definitely needs a nice long trip report !
Did anyone mention the place next to Battista's Hole in the Wall and across from Bally's ? "Stagedoor" maybe. I've never gone in. But the bartender riding the 202 told us it is quite the site to see around 4 or 5 am.
Quote: JohnnyQWell, yeah, EI is definitely a locals joint. But Mrs. Q and I walk there all the time, mostly for the breakfast special. (And some decent VP). We take the 202 bus over to PALMS after breakfast.
It has in fact been upgraded lately as noted by MOOSETON. The old black painted concrete floor has been tiled in a very nice way. Say "hello" to Pete the pit-boss. I don't mean he's "dumpy". But he's gotta be in his upper 60's or 70's with a sense of humor.
This "dumpy round-up" definitely needs a nice long trip report !
Did anyone mention the place next to Battista's Hole in the Wall and across from Bally's ? "Stagedoor" maybe. I've never gone in. But the bartender riding the 202 told us it is quite the site to see around 4 or 5 am.
Pete appeared to be the most miserable PB I have ever met at first. But after playing a few times, tipping the dealers and talking to him, he is a helluva nice guy. I see him as a throwback to old Vegas using his skills learned over the years to watch for cheating or counting without the need for new fancy surveillance.
Ellis is a must visit for multiple reasons including cheap decent beer brewed on site and their BBQ restaurant.
Stage door is a VP/ Slots only place, smoke filled with locals mostly along with some in the know tourists looking for cheap drinks. They have cleaned it up some recently and increased some prices, but it's still dirt cheap to the strip around the corner. Mamasan is one of the best bartenders in LV.
Joker's Wild opens the craps table around 9am, but closes it down by midnight.
Ellis Island, Railroad Pass, and Club Fortune don't open them up until 3-4pm.
Quote: AxelWolfWhy are people calling Club Fortune dumpy? Its no Wynn, but I would not call it dumpy. Its just a small normal casino.
It ain't no Rio, I'll tell ye hwat.
Quote: AxelWolfWhy are people calling Club Fortune dumpy? Its no Wynn, but I would not call it dumpy. Its just a small normal casino.
And I don't think Jokers Wild is dumpy/sketchy. If it is, then El Dorado is too. I like Jokers Wild.
Lucky Club, or the old Ramada, is definitely "sketchy".
Cannery is NOT sketchy at all. I have no idea why this thread started out including Cannery. Cannery is a good place. I love the Cannery.
Eureka, like others said, quite sketchy, but I love it there. Definitely a "bad" neighborhood. Not just bad, but "weird" at night. Locals probably know what I mean by "weird". A block away or so, to the east, is a square that includes that famous Thai restaurant, and there are a lot of people in that square at night, some weird things happening, look it up if you need more detail. And if you're looking for broads, that's not a good place. Unless you're into that kinda thing. Freak.
Fwiw, I would say that at one time or another I have found a good play at every one of the joints on this thread's list. Although not necessarily now.
Tried the breakfast recommended by the Anthony Curtis top 10 list in the Sourdough cafe
Got the ham and eggs breakfast for takeout
Pretty good. Great price
Quote: terapinedJust checked out Arizona Charlies in Boulder
Tried the breakfast recommended by the Anthony Curtis top 10 list in the Sourdough cafe
Got the ham and eggs breakfast for takeout
Pretty good. Great price
I’d recommend trying Fat Chow at Eureka once if you haven’t. Definitely quite sketchy location by most definitions, good food though.
Quote: mcallister3200I’d recommend trying Fat Chow at Eureka once if you haven’t. Definitely quite sketchy location by most definitions, good food though.
A little far
I've been a big fan of Anthony Curtis top 10 vegas deals for decades.
I almost always try out whatever bargains come up on the list so thats why I tried the AZ breakfast
Anything local I should try that you think should make the list?
Quote: terapinedA little far
I've been a big fan of Anthony Curtis top 10 vegas deals for decades.
I almost always try out whatever bargains come up on the list so thats why I tried the AZ breakfast
Anything local I should try that you think should make the list?
Well, keeping with the theme of tour de craphole, lots of people have nice things to say about the chuckwagon cafe at the longhorn (including I think drich and max pen) a block from where you are. Some good graveyard specials and normal specials if you’ve got your munchies on. The deli at Eastside Cannery makes a decent burger, with a drink and fries it’s probably $7-8ish.
Quote: mcallister3200Well, keeping with the theme of tour de craphole, lots of people have nice things to say about the chuckwagon cafe at the longhorn (including I think drich and max pen) a block from where you are. Some good graveyard specials and normal specials if you’ve got your munchies on. The deli at Eastside Cannery makes a decent burger, with a drink and fries it’s probably $7-8ish.
Thanks
The Longhorn looks old. Like 1950's old. Maybe even out of the 40's. Looks rundown from the outside.
Before the virus, I dug these places. I loved playing BJ at the old El Cortez. So much history.
What scares me about the old places now, low ceilings, poor ventilation and smokers
Maybe a quick take out
Have to check it out
Eastside Cannery looks fairly modern :-)
but
No cars in the parking lot :-(
Quote: terapinedThanks
The Longhorn looks old. Like 1950's old. Maybe even out of the 40's. Looks rundown from the outside.
Before the virus, I dug these places. I loved playing BJ at the old El Cortez. So much history.
What scares me about the old places now, low ceilings, poor ventilation and smokers
Maybe a quick take out
Have to check it out
Eastside Cannery looks fairly modern :-)
but
No cars in the parking lot :-(
I like eating in dives and definitely think the Longhorn matches that description. When we golf at Stallion Mountain which is behind Sams Town we usually meet for breakfast about 5am at Longhorn.
Quote: DRichI like eating in dives and definitely think the Longhorn matches that description. When we golf at Stallion Mountain which is behind Sams Town we usually meet for breakfast about 5am at Longhorn.
I ate at the “coffee shop” at the Western a year before it closed. One of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had. But it was comped! Got a free t-shirt and won my blackjack match play too.
Too bad the blackjack tables at the Longhorn are gone. It feels like my kind of place to hang out.
I went to Eureka a few years ago and ate at Fat Choy. Seemed like an OK place, but I went there in broad daylight that masked any sketchiness.
Quote: smoothgrhThanks for reviving this thread — I missed it the first time around!
Too bad the blackjack tables at the Longhorn are gone. It feels like my kind of place to hang out.
I went to Eureka a few years ago and ate at Fat Choy. Seemed like an OK place, but I went there in broad daylight that masked any sketchiness.
After posting in this thread
I started to read the thread
Its one of the funniest threads on the board
I laughed out loud reading this thread
Before the virus, I would have played BJ at the longhorn. I loved played BJ at the old Western downtown
Quote: smoothgrhThanks for reviving this thread — I missed it the first time around!
Too bad the blackjack tables at the Longhorn are gone. It feels like my kind of place to hang out.
I went to Eureka a few years ago and ate at Fat Choy. Seemed like an OK place, but I went there in broad daylight that masked any sketchiness.
The Eureka is a shadow of its former raunchy self. Ten years ago, it would have fit very nicely into Times Square in the 1970s. Now it's just a third-tier casino with a decent place to eat. While the food is certainly better, I miss being able to feed an entire posse for less than $20 .
Quote: smoothgrh
Too bad the blackjack tables at the Longhorn are gone. It feels like my kind of place to hang out.
Checked out the Longhorn just for kicks since its nearby.
Felt safe in the parking lot as I saw a guard walking around
The instant I walk in an odor hits me. That old bar smoky yucky odor
I figure around 5pm, shouldn't be packed yet
It was packed
Really surprised how good business was
All machines
Very small
Hotel lobby was decent and looked renovated but cheaply
It was so small, I was surprised it had a restaurant. Then I found it in the corner. Of course small.
It was way too crowded for me. I would feel unsafe just waiting for takeout, too difficult to social distance
I got right out.
Quote: terapinedChecked out the Longhorn just for kicks since its nearby.
Felt safe in the parking lot as I saw a guard walking around
The instant I walk in an odor hits me. That old bar smoky yucky odor
I figure around 5pm, shouldn't be packed yet
It was packed
Really surprised how good business was
All machines
Very small
Hotel lobby was decent and looked renovated but cheaply
It was so small, I was surprised it had a restaurant. Then I found it in the corner. Of course small.
It was way too crowded for me. I would feel unsafe just waiting for takeout, too difficult to social distance
I got right out.
The restaurant is usually slow around 5am when I go. Maybe two or three tables in use.
