Hard Rock & Seminole Hollywood...
Blackjack: At least at the Hard Rock, all 6-deck and H17. Pretty much impossible to find anything other than $15 and $25 minimums. High limit room had S17, but only if you are prepared to bet $100 and up.
I'd love to say what the rules are at the Seminole...but they weren't listed anywhere. Not on the table felt, not on a sign, nothing. Since the same tribe runs both places, I assume they're the same as HR.
No craps, no roulette. Spanish 21 is plentiful, but with the worst rules (H17, no redoubling).
UTH: Only at Seminole, contrary to what the Hard Rock's website might lead you to believe. Bad Trips paytable (8:1 for full house, 4:1 for straight). $10 minimum, which is high for this game.
Atmosphere: Hard Rock is actually pretty nice inside, catering mostly to tourists. During the short ride down to the Seminole, the cab driver told me that it's "more of a locals place." I should've guessed that that was code for "surly, trahsy clientele and amounts of cigarette smoke that will take between 6-18 months off your life, depending how long you can actually stand to be there." The only food option there, a deli counter, had some of the slowest service I've ever encountered in any dining establishment, including every McDonald's I've ever been to.
So I guess this is a lesson in why having a monopoly is a bad thing.
Quote: JIMMYFOCKERThey have 99.5% and better video poker though.
Fair enough. I'm not really a VP guy, so I tend to overlook that. Thanks for the info.
Quote: OneAngryDwarf...suck. Won't be going back there anytime soon, and doesn't look like I'll have the time anyway.
Blackjack: At least at the Hard Rock, all 6-deck and S17. Pretty much impossible to find anything other than $15 and $25 minimums. High limit room had S17, but only if you are prepared to bet $100 and up.
I'd love to say what the rules are at the Seminole...but they weren't listed anywhere. Not on the table felt, not on a sign, nothing. Since the same tribe runs both places, I assume they're the same as HR.
No craps, no roulette. Spanish 21 is plentiful, but with the worst rules (H17, no redoubling).
UTH: Only at Seminole, contrary to what the Hard Rock's website might lead you to believe. Bad Trips paytable (8:1 for full house, 4:1 for straight). $10 minimum, which is high for this game.
Atmosphere: Hard Rock is actually pretty nice inside, catering mostly to tourists. During the short ride down to the Seminole, the cab driver told me that it's "more of a locals place." I should've guessed that that was code for "surly, trahsy clientele and amounts of cigarette smoke that will take between 6-18 months off your life, depending how long you can actually stand to be there." The only food option there, a deli counter, had some of the slowest service I've ever encountered in any dining establishment, including every McDonald's I've ever been to.
So I guess this is a lesson in why having a monopoly is a bad thing.
I agree with your assessment of the difference in feel between the two casinos. I think I'd like the Hard Rock on a thursday night - late enough in the week that nothing is closed/dark, but not full of crazed 20 something tourists like a weekend would be (I can say that now that I'm 30, right?). I wonder when they removed their UTH table. I played that game there last July when I was in Boca for a wedding.
Did you happen to make it to Coconut Creek? I liked the feel of that place when I was there, but they hadn't quite opened their table games yet last summer when I stopped in.
Quote: WizardofEnglandIs this one in Hollywood Florida? I am there the end of the month of the $10k WPT event
Yessir, in Hollywood, FL. Is your poker event at the Hard Rock, or up the street at the Seminole Hollywood?
Quote: DeMangoDon't know how it is for you on the east coast, but here on the west coast there is heavy marketing by MGM, CET and the IP for your business to go to Biloxi. ...
At the moment, I am a bit peeved at Caesars for the way they have handled promos at Grand Biloxi. I had mail promos that also appeared on the Total Rewards web site and offered 3 free nights any week through February, March, and early April. I planned a trip for late in April and waited for the updated promo to arrive, watching the web site closely. Finally an identical promo showed up on the web site covering the rest of April and early May, and the mailer arrived the same day. I called that day to make my reservations and was told that the offer was sold out. I checked on line, and it was apparently sold out (at least for me) for every week the very first day that it was announced.
I was skeptical that any lodging offer could sell out for a full month in advance on the very day it was announced, but they offered no other explanation. I rather expected that when I tried to make the reservation, they checked my wagering history and decided I did not qualify for the free rooms. I am fine with that, but I don't think they should be mailing me offers that they are not willing to honor.
So yes, they are promoting Biloxi heavily here in the east, too, but I won't be staying at the Grand, because I don't like the way they reneged on the offer.
Quote: rdw4potusYessir, in Hollywood, FL. Is your poker event at the Hard Rock, or up the street at the Seminole Hollywood?
At the Hard Rock
Did they say the offer was subject to availability? If so, they are off the hook. It is bizarre that they would sell out the very first day it was offered, though.Quote: DocAt the moment, I am a bit peeved at Caesars for the way they have handled promos at Grand Biloxi. I had mail promos that also appeared on the Total Rewards web site and offered 3 free nights any week through February, March, and early April. I planned a trip for late in April and waited for the updated promo to arrive, watching the web site closely. Finally an identical promo showed up on the web site covering the rest of April and early May, and the mailer arrived the same day. I called that day to make my reservations and was told that the offer was sold out. I checked on line, and it was apparently sold out (at least for me) for every week the very first day that it was announced.
I was skeptical that any lodging offer could sell out for a full month in advance on the very day it was announced, but they offered no other explanation. I rather expected that when I tried to make the reservation, they checked my wagering history and decided I did not qualify for the free rooms. I am fine with that, but I don't think they should be mailing me offers that they are not willing to honor.
So yes, they are promoting Biloxi heavily here in the east, too, but I won't be staying at the Grand, because I don't like the way they reneged on the offer.
For the benefit of anyone who might be confused, the poster means the west coast of Florida. As to mailers? Hah. Harrah's mailers about those free/discounted flights to Biloxi are a joke. Before you have even received your mailer the flight is half sold, its fully sold within the very first day of the word going out. They track everyone who calls them in response to the mailing, but the seats sell out by the first day.Quote: DeMangoDon't know how it is for you on the east coast, but here on the west coast ...
Seminole mailers are not much better. I've had monthly specials touted in the mailer at mid-month.
Roulette and craps?? Fort Myers Beach possibly. Otherwise, go to Biloxi. (Note on Craps: Thursday evening cruise, Friday, Saturday and Sunday: craps on both cruises from Fort Myers Beach) .
Quote: teddysDid they say the offer was subject to availability? ...
Of course the offer was subject to availability. If the hotel were actually sold out, I would have no beef at all. But they do have rooms available -- their standard rooms that they are willing to rent to me for an average $100+/night instead of for free as advertised. Their claim is that the "offer" is sold out. They will not address the topic of whether this offer is still available to other people who received it. It was just not available to me from day 1. My complaint is that I shouldn't have been led on by an offer, via snail mail and the web site, which it is clear (at least to me) that they were never willing to honor for me.
It would be far better for them either to honor such offers or never extend them in the first place. I am confident that there are outstanding offers being made all the time but which I never hear about, because I don't provide them the business to warrant my receiving such offers.
Quote: FleaStiffFor the benefit of anyone who might be confused, the poster means the west coast of Florida. ...
Ooops! I was indeed one of the folks who misunderstood. I thought that the Tampa/St. Pete area was promoted as the "Sun Coast" not the "West Coast".
Locals think of it more as an East Coast/West Coast thing. Having lived in Tampa for 16 years it was always East Coast/West Coast. I think I only heard it referred to in that way in tourism bureau commercials or brochures.
BTW, there is also a Hard Rock Seminole Casino in Tampa off of I-4 by the State Fair Grounds. They used to have Bingo and sell cigarettes until about 10 years ago when they built the New "Hard Rock" Casino and Hotel. The last time I was there, about 5 years ago, they had a Poker room and slots in addition to Bingo. Have they added more table games since then?
Quote: ten2winYou're correct. It's promoted as the Sun Coast of Florida
Locals think of it more as an East Coast/West Coast thing. Having lived in Tampa for 16 years it was always East Coast/West Coast. I think I only heard it referred to in that way in tourism bureau commercials or brochures.
BTW, there is also a Hard Rock Seminole Casino in Tampa off of I-4 by the State Fair Grounds. They used to have Bingo and sell cigarettes until about 10 years ago when they built the New "Hard Rock" Casino and Hotel. The last time I was there, about 5 years ago, they had a Poker room and slots in addition to Bingo. Have they added more table games since then?
wow, quite a fan of DJ!
I did a blog post on my visit there.
PS: Pai Gow Poker experience there
Quote: DJTeddyBear
Actually, it's the other way around.
Because they've got a high house edge, the casino allows you to bet below the table minimum, to encourage the side bet action.
I've said it before: Anytime the casino offers a bet for less than the table minimum, ask yourself why.
FWIW: Although not really 'side bets', the junk in the middle of a craps table falls right in line with this reasoning.
I especially like the last part relating it to the middle of the craps table!
To be honest, that is shady and a little creepy. I've usually never had a problem with Harrah's TR system. Sometimes offers appear in my mailbox, sometimes they appear on my "My TR" page, and sometimes I just use the reservation calendar and look for the "COMP" symbol. They have been pretty straightforward about what I do and do not have available. However, if I got an offer (either electronically or by mail) and then was told "Sorry, we're SOLD OUT for that offer" the very next day, I would be pissed, as you were.Quote: DocOf course the offer was subject to availability. If the hotel were actually sold out, I would have no beef at all. But they do have rooms available -- their standard rooms that they are willing to rent to me for an average $100+/night instead of for free as advertised. Their claim is that the "offer" is sold out. They will not address the topic of whether this offer is still available to other people who received it. It was just not available to me from day 1. My complaint is that I shouldn't have been led on by an offer, via snail mail and the web site, which it is clear (at least to me) that they were never willing to honor for me.
It would be far better for them either to honor such offers or never extend them in the first place. I am confident that there are outstanding offers being made all the time but which I never hear about, because I don't provide them the business to warrant my receiving such offers.
I have gotten offers from other companies that were competely sold out when I tried to call. One was for weekend rooms at a casino near a large metropolitan area. I called a week later and was told every weekend was sold out under the offer. That was bush league. Marketing should NOT underestimate the demand. If they know they are going to go that fast, send less people the offer. As it was, it probably pissed a lot of people off that they weren't able to get it in time.
Quote: DocAt the moment, I am a bit peeved at Caesars for the way they ....
After grumping extensively about how Caesars Entertainment would not honor the free-nights offer at Grand Biloxi that they had sent to me (claiming it was sold out on day 1), I thought I should post a follow-up. Now that we are approaching the date of my planned visit, they are indeed honoring the offer (almost), and I have booked three free nights for next week.
Originally the offer said that the free nights were available Sunday through Friday nights. Then they weren't available at all. This weekend, they started offering Mon - Wed nights for free. Today, the allowed a free night on Thursday, but they still are not offering Friday night for free. Perhaps they would if I waited a few more days. I chose to book Tue-Thu rather than waiting.
Summary: Delete or at least temper my earlier rant. I don't like the way they handled it, but in the end I am getting pretty much what I wanted.
Presently, Craps can be offered on a day boat out of Fort Myers Beach about two hours south of the Tampa Hard Rock casino but that day boat only offers craps from Thursday Evening through Sunday Evening. Roulette is available on all sailings but I don't believe I've ever seen much action there. The nautical BJ is dealt fast. The nautical craps is at a fast pace too. The boat is largely slot machines and I've no idea if the Moss Marine's Big M Casino boat out of Fort Myers Beach is any sort of bargain when compared to the Seminole casino offerings for slot machines and blackjack.
Quote: FleaStiffPresently, Craps can be offered on a day boat out of Fort Myers Beach about two hours south of the Tampa Hard Rock casino but that day boat only offers craps from Thursday Evening through Sunday Evening. Roulette is available on all sailings but I don't believe I've ever seen much action there. The nautical BJ is dealt fast. The nautical craps is at a fast pace too. The boat is largely slot machines and I've no idea if the Moss Marine's Big M Casino boat out of Fort Myers Beach is any sort of bargain when compared to the Seminole casino offerings for slot machines and blackjack.
Wow, that reminds me of the way Indiana riverboats used to be. The boats would actually sail, and you had to buy a ticket to reserve a spot on a boat that sailed at a certain time. I think you could stay on it through subsequent cruises, but if you ran out of money or got bored while it was sailing you had to wait for it to get back to shore. The boats on the Ohio River also had to stay on the Indiana half of the river or the Kentucky Boat Police would arrest them. Yeah, the good old days.
I doubt the Seminoles are much concerned about the BigM though. The Seminole casinos are open 24/7.
