Harrah's Rincon -- Anybody been?

I'm going out there next week courtesy of Total Rewards. Anybody have any tips? Restaurants, gambling, recreation, other non-casino activities? I'm still not clear on the transportation situation -- the Diamond club package is supposed to include limo transport, but I called a host and he said they don't provide it. Then I asked about reimbursement for a rental car, and he said no to that too. So I'm not sure how I'm getting from San Diego airport to the hotel. Maybe I'll try that new Lyft service...

Quote: teddys

I'm going out there next week courtesy of Total Rewards. Anybody have any tips? Restaurants, gambling, recreation, other non-casino activities? I'm still not clear on the transportation situation -- the Diamond club package is supposed to include limo transport, but I called a host and he said they don't provide it. Then I asked about reimbursement for a rental car, and he said no to that too. So I'm not sure how I'm getting from San Diego airport to the hotel. Maybe I'll try that new Lyft service...

I've only been once, from San Diego to Palm Springs, where I went right past Rincon. I think you're talking 50 miles or so, and it's out there in the desert, not suburbia, so I'm thinking you really really want a rental car. The San Diego Zoo is very much worth a visit, as is the aquarium/SeaWorld. There's a huge Indian casino north of there (if you have the rental car) called the Morongo that's another hour north of Harrah's and worth the drive; huge place with great service.

Oh, and you're right by Mount Palomar...with the huge telescopes and stuff to see in the mountains there.

I have never eaten at restaurants but the buffet, which is excellent. There is also a free lobster buffet for new sign ups at the valley view casino which is literally 5 minutes down the road. If you like casino hopping another nice casino is pala and pechanga, both are which are 15 minutes from rincon. Also Barona in San Diego is closer than morongo is. Morongo is pretty damn far from rincon.

As an aside, if you are going to be there Tuesday the 17th there is a blackjack tournament where first is 5k which is free for platinum and above which i recommend you play. I'll be there with a bass pro shops hat if you want to say hi!

I've been there several times. There's a lot of variation in room quality, but the floor is high. The restaurants are good. I especially liked the burger place. It's not fast or cheap, but the quality was far above average. There are several other casinos in easy driving distance if you wind up with a car. You could probably get enough signup goodies from the players clubs to about cover the car rental.

Quote: teddys

I'm going out there next week courtesy of Total Rewards. Anybody have any tips? Restaurants, gambling, recreation, other non-casino activities? I'm still not clear on the transportation situation -- the Diamond club package is supposed to include limo transport, but I called a host and he said they don't provide it. Then I asked about reimbursement for a rental car, and he said no to that too. So I'm not sure how I'm getting from San Diego airport to the hotel. Maybe I'll try that new Lyft service...

That's Alan Mendelson's stomping grounds. Maybe pm him or go on his forums and I'm sure he could help you out. He always has some good tips for that casino.

You HAVE to drive (or be driven) to get anywhere from Rincon. It's basically in the middle of the mountains... and, frankly, I'd recommend driving yourself, since the buses that service that area average over a crash a month, I've heard. If you don't have transportation, then you can pretty much blank out everything in the "non-casino activities" column. If you do have transportation, then refer to San Diego, LA, or Palm Springs for your entertainment options.

Addendum: Uhm... actually, while amusedly reporting on Mendelson's "second... third..." bit, I was informed that TWO buses overturned today to/from the casinos in the region today. So yeah. Don't take the bus.

They've got an assortment of shoe and pitch BJ (single deck, 6:5) and your usual assortment of table games (card craps/roulette though). Also the only place I've ever seen Asia Poker. They used to have a poker area, though it was empty most of the time. Not sure if it was removed when they rearranged a few months ago.

Lots of machines, new and old. They say they just installed ~100 new VP machines, but I didn't see anything new when I was there a few days ago.

Resort stuffs, it's pretty much bog standard.

As far as restaurants go, there's the overpriced steakhouse, the overpriced Asian, the Oyster Bar (no opinion, allergic to shellfish), street tacos, Pink's hotdogs, and the buffet. Buffet has some kind of crab legs every day. It's good enough as far as buffets are concerned. I do like the street tacos they do in there better than the ones outside.

Quote: rdw4potus

I especially liked the burger place. It's not fast or cheap, but the quality was far above average.

What burger place?

Quote: OzzyOsbourne

There is also a free lobster buffet for new sign ups at the valley view casino which is literally 5 minutes down the road. If you like casino hopping another nice casino is pala and pechanga, both are which are 15 minutes from rincon. Also Barona in San Diego is closer than morongo is. Morongo is pretty damn far from rincon.

A word of warning about Valley View Casino-- it's probably the smokiest Indian casino I've been to in SoCal and the lines are ridiculously long. Last time I took somebody there for the free buffet, it was about 40 minutes to sign up for a card, then two hours to get into the buffet.

Pala's my preference of the bunch; good assortment of tables (more than Rincon) at varying minimums and has BJSwitch/No-Comission Pai Gow. The card craps works on a totally different system that's even less authentic-feeling than Rincon's. Has a poker room that I usually people milling around in. Also, I've met three different Seven Stars members who professed that they'd rather pay to eat at Pala's restaurants and buffets than the free options they have at Rincon. Also-- self-serve beverages, for when you can't get ahold of a server.

Agree on Morongo being far; that's only worth the trip if you want to visit Palm Springs. (Which, if you head out that way, there's a few other casinos I could comment on too. And possibly suggest some discounted play. With a referral code. *cough*)

Rincon is actively discussed on my Forum. But a few words of warning:

1. lots of construction going on as the hotel is doubling in size, so your room might have some "construction issues"
2. video poker there now pretty much sucks
3. you're not at the end of the world, but you are close to it
4. Mt Polomar is closed, no visiting
5. The restaurant choices at Rincon are limited, but Pechanga is only 20 minutes away, and Pala is 10 minutes away for more choices.
6. You are about an hour away from Disneyland and Knotts Berry, and San Diego and of course LA so you can easily rent a car (not at Rincon) and drive around.
7. It wouldn't be my first choice for taking a casino trip on Total Rewards. Nor would it be my second... or third.... or....

Down the street is Valley View where you can get a free Lobster Buffet. Ask for Marvin in VIP and he will hook you up with a linepass or whatever they have there. Also ask for Larry....you won't be disappointed!!

Edit: Whoops forgot people posted about VV. As far as the smoke, it hit me pretty hard but VV also has a huge non-smoking area that was pretty enjoyable.

Teddy,

You should rent a car. I am sure you get much more in return. First, there is a small casino called Valley View about 15 minutes away from Rincon. Valley View gives you a Free Lobster buffet and $20 match play for any new member.

Another 20 minutes away, there is Pala casino. There is nothing for signup but Casino=(Money to me). Then, drive another 20 minutes from Pala, there is Pechanga casino and they have $10 signup for new member. They have 9/6 JoB and many good games.

Besides that, San Diego is a popular tourist place, you can find many things to do. If you don't rent a car, you miss out all the values of it.

May the Good Variance be with you.

Teddy and I met up at Rincon early this morning and had breakfast (or was it lunch?). I only drove down to play video poker (was there for almost 12 hours), and I asked Teddy what he was doing there for days. And as I expected he said there wasn't much to do. Remember that: at Rincon there isn't much to do.

I'm back from Rincon. I rented a car. It was a dirt cheap $60 from Fox. I visited all the San Diego county casinos: Rincon, Valley View, Pala, Pechanga, Pauma, Sycuan, Viejas, and Santa Ysabel. My favorite was Santa Ysabel: free surf and turf and $10 free play. Viejas was the poshest. Valley View gave me a free buffet. The buffet was incredibly good! One of my top ten buffets anywhere. No wait to get in.

Fortuitously met up with Alan M. at Rincon who bought my lunch. (Cheers, Alan!) I probably played too much Double Super Times Pay at Rincon, but damn that game is addictive. Multiple four figure downswing even with two royals. I think I should stay away from that game...

Weather was great the first two days and then it got rainy. Rincon has a really nice resort type pool and I hear they bring in the party crowd on the weekends. (Unfortunately, I had to leave on Saturday).

Rooms were quite nice.

More later.

Quote: teddys

I'm back from Rincon. I rented a car. It was a dirt cheap $60 from Fox. I visited all the San Diego county casinos: Rincon, Valley View, Pala, Pechanga, Pauma, Sycuan, Viejas, and Santa Ysabel. My favorite was Santa Ysabel: free surf and turf and $10 free play. Viejas was the poshest. Valley View gave me a free buffet. The buffet was incredibly good! One of my top ten buffets anywhere. No wait to get in.

Fortuitously met up with Alan M. at Rincon who bought my lunch. (Cheers, Alan!) I probably played too much Double Super Times Pay at Rincon, but damn that game is addictive. Multiple four figure downswing even with two royals. I think I should stay away from that game...

Weather was great the first two days and then it got rainy. Rincon has a really nice resort type pool and I hear they bring in the party crowd on the weekends. (Unfortunately, I had to leave on Saturday).

Rooms were quite nice.

More later.

Did you see the Lobster Man while you were at VV?

Did they still have 8/5 Bonus w/Double STP? Or did they downgrade the hell out of that with the massive machine replacement?

Edit:

Quote: teddys

Fortuitously met up with Alan M. at Rincon who bought my lunch. (Cheers, Alan!) I probably played too much Double Super Times Pay at Rincon, but damn that game is addictive. Multiple four figure downswing even with two royals. I think I should stay away from that game...

I'm guessing that's a yes... But yeah Double STP swings are brutal...even at JoB or Bonus. Bonus w/double STP is worse than regular DDB in the variance department. I am all about low variance...except with that damn game...grrrr

Double STP 8/5 bonus is still there.

Teddy you went to Viejas but not Barona, the casino which hosts the BJ hall of fame and pays for Max Rubin's BJ Ball?

Quote: bigfoot66

Double STP 8/5 bonus is still there.

Teddy you went to Viejas but not Barona, the casino which hosts the BJ hall of fame and pays for Max Rubin's BJ Ball?

Forgot to mention Barona. I went there too. I could not find the blackjack hall of fame. I was also disappointed that they got rid of the $100 mínimum positive BJ game. They did have the good 9-7 paytable on UTH trips, though.

Quote: tringlomane

I'm guessing that's a yes... But yeah Double STP swings are brutal...even at JoB or Bonus. Bonus w/double STP is worse than regular DDB in the variance department. I am all about low variance...except with that damn game...grrrr

Yeah, I figured I would have lost much, much less if I just stuck to regular 8-5 bonus. Why do I not heed my signature?

Oh well, at least I made Seven Stars. Alan said he would have played on my card, too. Doh!

Quote: teddys

Oh well, at least I made Seven Stars. Alan said he would have played on my card, too. Doh!

That was a nice offer; such a gentleman. Remember to order the free porn now since you can (at most, but not all locations)! LOL

Quote: teddys

Forgot to mention Barona. I went there too. They did have the good 9-7 paytable on UTH trips, though.

Not just UTH, they have the good paytable on 3CP too.
Also, agree with you on the VV Lobster buffet. I'd say better than a lot of VEGAS buffets!

I'm surprised people are so favorable on the VV buffet-- I have a shellfish allergy so I can't speak for the lobster, but I thought it was mid-range. The people I was with who DO like lobster commented that they were generally overcooked and somewhat tough. My family has, however, spent the last 40 years prior to moving to California eating Atlantic lobster, fresh off the boat, so that might have some bearing on their standards of "normal".

Edit: Oh wow. Checked out the surf and turf at Santa Ysabel-- that DOES look good. Might have to head down there next I stay at Pala and brave the week-long rash/hives for that... http://www.santaysabelcasino.com/dining/the-orchard/specials/surf-turf/

Quote: teddys

More later.

Will you do a full trip report? I have family in the Murrieta/Temecula area, so one of these days I will do a casino-hopping trip down there.

Quote: AcesAndEights

Will you do a full trip report? I have family in the Murrieta/Temecula area, so one of these days I will do a casino-hopping trip down there.

I hope so. I didn't see one word about the Dancing Lobster.