Seminole Hard Rock in Somewhere Florida

Bartender, two aspirin please ... and don't slam the lid.

I was in Fort Liquordale, Florida and sober enough to realize that many of the signs were mis-spelled as Lauderdale when I decided the dueling pianos show would be great. Undeterred by the information that the show had recently closed, I continued to follow the printed directions and got lost half a dozen times, ending up by covering the ten miles in about thirty miles.

Finally turned into a parking structure that was the darkest most foreboding place ever and a maze of great difficulty. After asking directions from two equally puzzled Canadians I finally realized that this dark puzzle I was in had to be the parking facility for thefHard Rock hotel rather than the Hard Rock casino. So finally opting to ignore the printed directions I chose the Valet Parking line that seemed to move fast. Handed my keys and two dollars to some guy who looked like he might work there, got the teensiest little piece of green paper in return and staggered into the casino to be greeted by the usual new cars on display and some slot machines.

Ignoring the Players Club table that was half a football field distant, I opted to proceed into the casino only to discover that all table games pits are located "behind me" or "on the other side of the casino" but no one actually seems to know where. There was a 'low' BJ pit of five and ten dollar games: good signage at each table about 6:5 and Dealer Will Hit Soft 17. Crowded. Some screaming about "We missed the bus" and quite alot of screaming about cocktail waitresses being more likely found in Siberia than in Florida. Drinks were for sale and empty glasses were never removed from tables, particularly if the glass had a tall straw in it over which subsequent players had to reach with the predictable results. Dealers refused to "deal basic strategy" and insisted on signals from those in doubt but did often mumble something about you have XX. One table expert had a tiny card in his palm and helped keep the pace up. Dealers were polite enough when being tipped. For some reason the frustration of the driving caused me to lose all sense of what to do when confronted by a pair of Aces or a pair of Eights. Florida booze seems to have a quality of its own.

After some seat reservation disputes I decided to head to the other BJ pit where signs abounded about no mid shoe entry and limits seemed to start at 20 or 25 or higher. I didn't play here, I don't think, but I did see empty seats and assumed this was the 3:2 zone.

There was a mini bacc pit of 25.00 minimum and I did well there playing Banker until I suddenly decided to shift to Player. I was down about a hundred from my BJ experience and soon got up to the plus 125 or plus 150 mark at mini-bacc when I switched to Player and nose dived.

Wandered around in an undecided manner (ie, staggered) and visited the no smoking alcove which offered no great bargains. Orange juice, as befitting a casino in Florida, was available but those tiny little half pint or pint containers were three dollars plus tax, however water bottles were a bargain at 2.95 plus tax. Only two girls in line ahead of me but they had to buy something like eight items that they ordered individually driving the clerk mad and the drunk in line behind them almost to the point of homicide.

Casino was crowded, noisy, lacked maps or decent signage. Cell phones did not work at all thus making communication with strayed companions not much use. Finally found my companion amidst the thousand dollar Seminole skirts that were on sale in one of the perimeter stores. She wanted to stay for one more loud speaker announcement about a drawing of player card numbers I don't know if she ever swiped a card or merely had been issued one. Anyway that next drawing announcement was as about as helpful as those directions to "the next pit" so we decided to sit in these dark couches at the bar. After nearly awakening one sleeping drunk we chose a different dark couch and drank their watered down orange juice with their virtually non-existent Vodka at three dollars a drink or about six dollars every fifteen minutes. No waitress, no glass removal ... just walk up to the bar and then carry the drinks to a couch. Lots of gorgeous women around the place, very noisy casino.

Finally found that teensy slip of green paper and the far distant desk. Inadequate signage about Valet Parking and Valet Pick Up. Inadequate by about a half mile! In order to get to Valet Pick Up must run the gauntlet of over priced shops. After a small fortune on some silly little flip flops and after fifty bucks on some tiny little three inch guitar pin, I became convinced that this woman who looked a bit like my companion and who spent money like my companion had to in fact be my companion so I decided to drive back to the hotel with her after ransoming my car for an additional paltry four dollars that only required a half hour of waiting in line.

Overall: Noisy, crowded, unhelpful employees, poor signage, no maps, weak drinks, mostly surly dealers. Screaming loud speakers, screaming players, screaming wives accusing husbands about missing buses, screaming players screaming about seats, people fainting at the snack bar's price list... my overall impression: It was okay.

C'mon Flea...

Tell us hot you REALLY feel!

Addendum:
After a bit of the hair of the dog, I have the following additions and corrections to make:

It seems the town I was in is officially named Fort Lauderdale and is only unofficially known as Fort Liquordale. The casino itself is actually located in some other town or city or something.

The 6:5 Blackjack also offered a Match-the-Dealer bet. One look at the dealer who was there when I sat down and I sure didn't want to match him but this silly little design on the layout seems to have referred to matching the value of the dealer's hand. I think it paid ten to one. From the whooping and hollering that went on every time someone won it, you would think it paid a few zillion to one. It was an annoying time waster and became a very noisy and annoying time waster every time it hit. I was putting chips out as tips to the dealer rather than monkeying around with that Match The Dealer stuff. A few of the dealers acknowledged the tips.

There was a pit of Three Card Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Stuff Like That ... I didn't linger or look at payouts or anything. No seats, so someone must have found the games to be okay. There were lots of tables, I think eight. A few people standing around but all seats were filled so either the offerings were good or no body much cared if they were good or not. I've no way of knowing which it was.

There was an alcove marked High Limit Casino: I stayed as far away as possible. Its not that they had any intimidating signs or anything, I just didn't bother wasting my time where I don't belong.

At the very noisy five dollar table, my companion and myself were the only ones tipping. At mini Bacc we were the only ones tipping too but then for most of the time we were the only ones at the table. Dealer seemed confused when my companion left the miniBacc table to go shopping and wouldn't pay her commissions. Finally dealer seemed to hear my "its okay, I'll take care of it" that I kept saying. It wasn't just the noise level, its that the dealers are not really all that attentive.

Poor layout, distances were very great, extremely high noise level, high prices for drinks, but overall the Hard Rock really wasn't all that bad a casino. As usual with Indian casinos: its not Vegas. As with any monopoly: it ain't cheap.

I stayed there once for work, so I wasn't liquored up. In fact, I checked in the same day as Ana Nicole Smith. The rooms were very nice, but they were also about $350 a night.

The part I remember most is when I was watching a man play video poker and I suddenly realized that it was bingo based because a fairy flew across his screen to fix his hold cards. As soon as I saw that, it all made sense why he could hold a jack 10 times and not draw another.

Ugh . . . Florida gambling.

Quote: teddys

Ugh . . . Florida gambling.

Yeah, you sure are right about that but cheer up, the Seminole's may not have a monopoly much longer and once other casinos start opening, the really hideous situations will end.

Really great review!

Further observations surfacing from an alcohol sodden brain:

In truth, if you do go there, get a players club card right away. Its obvious at the snack bars that most transactions seem to involve some sort of comps.

Do arrange meeting spots with your companion that are far away from the very expensive stores.

Do play the 3:2 No Mid Shoe Entry Blackjack if you are going to play any Blackjack at all. Its simply a quieter and more relaxed, less crowded and hectic area to be in. Much easier to get seats in too, much less adjacent seats. I don't know if the dealers are better, but they can't really be worse, that's for sure!

The casino is a maze that would drive a little white rat to its alcohol teat. The noise level is excessive. I was hoping to get back roomed so I could have some peace and quiet.

Knowing the difference between a large sign that says "Valet Parking" as you are leaving the casino and a teensy sign that reads "Valet Parking Pick-up" really does indeed make quite a difference in distance, time and interim temptations on the wallet.

Quote: CrystalMath

I stayed there once for work, so I wasn't liquored up. The rooms were very nice, but they were also about $350 a night.

The rooms are still amazingly high priced. Does anyone have any authoritative or even semi-authoritative information as to just how much money a gambler has to put in action to get his room comped there?

I go there 2 or 3 times a year but do not stay there. I have heard from pit bosses and just my own experience it is very hard to get comps. Now my best advice is find a sympathetic pit boss who has been around other places and ask for some help in getting a room. My parents live about 30 minutes away so I have never asked. I have started getting some low level offers and free plays about 4 months after I lost my ass there.

Quote: hook3670

I have started getting some low level offers and free plays about 4 months after I lost my ass there.

Well, that is nice but some sort of free tee shirt and twenty dollars in Free Play just ain't gonna cut it. I want the Seminoles to spring for a room and have a bottle of champagne in it as well as a pretty girl modeling that free tee shirt. Well, I'll settle for the room.

Quote: FleaStiff

Overall: Noisy, crowded, unhelpful employees, poor signage, no maps, weak drinks, mostly surly dealers. Screaming loud speakers, screaming players, screaming wives accusing husbands about missing buses, screaming players screaming about seats, people fainting at the snack bar's price list... my overall impression: It was okay.

I paid a return visit. I was nowhere near three sheets to the wind this time.

Hotel: Great room. 189.00. It didn't have the discount applied to it though and I only noticed it after leaving. Website contains a six character "secret code" or something for a discount off that quoted 189 figure. Queen Deluxe is much nicer room but exact same price as King Deluxe. In room refrigerator is well stocked but charges a fortune. Bottled water is 7.50 per bottle. Robes can be taken from the room for seventy five dollars or purchased at the desk for forty five dollars.

Room has lighting and cooling controls galore. Three telephone handsets, two phone lines, wifi available but with strangely worded logon procedures reminiscent of spam sites. Shower was instantly responsive to dialed water temperature but was one of these rainfall showers that lack any knockout power. One Bell Man was polite and efficient, most bell men and waiters simply had their hands out and didn't seem attentive to anything but their itchy palms.

Casino still very noisy, most employees still very unhelpful. One BJ dealer saying she has kids and needs tips. The player she was mostly saying this to was loud and obnoxious. He finally pounded the table next to my hand full force and insisted at the top of his voice that I Double. I leaned over and informed him that I was sorry but that I did not speak a word of English. I had been playing at only one position and was betting the 25.00 table minimum, he was betting much higher and had been playing three hands simultaneously. I just left and I stiffed the dealer even though I had been winning and was up about 100.00.

I went back to the Organic Craps an eight station electronic island of confusion that this time had a few empty seats and still had one character playing two stations simultaneously. Frustrating delay in showing the roll of the dice. Confusing display screen. And I was up over 200 dollars right away due largely to one mis-entered bet that paid off, but I failed to cashout when I was ahead. I mainly bought the 4 and 10 all night long but the machine never seemed to make any mistakes on the math. Note: if you finger tends to become a bit unsteady after a few drinks, hitting "Buy" can get you a 20 or 30 dollar bet even when you are using ten dollar chips. The Undo button doesn't. I dropped a C-note into the machines innards and someone came and opened it up right away, no problems.

Cocktail service was lousy. Best to order non alcoholic drinks.

Lowest bet at Mini-Baccarat was 25.00 on the casino floor and I was quite happy but my companion was not so we got the word from the floor to go to the special Non Smoking Casino and use their 15.00 MiniBacc which was only ten dollars cheaper but clearly had a less experienced and less cheerful dealer. By this time I was so sloshed I was paying my companion's commissions from time to time as well as my own. For some reason she was more happy at the 15.00 table with its trainee dealer.

My card kept returning a value of Invalid with no suggestions as how I could go somewhere and get valid. I wish I had done this since they had a 100 dollar rebate program at electronic craps for getting a card. At least they had signs about it. I ended up down several hundred and could have used a rebate.

Note: All else was uneventful except that it took them almost a half hour to find my car since apparently the valet parking team had failed to write any name on their key tag despite having called me by the correct name when I arrived. They wanted me to describe my keys to them. Heck, I have enough problems trying to describe my car to them how can I possibly remember what my key ring looks like.

Fleastiff, you might get the award for 'most entertaining trip reports'.

I too have a way of making unintended bets on those electronic screens.

Quote:

I dropped a C-note into the machines innards and someone came and opened it up right away, no problems.

You mean they somehow knew you put one in and made haste to come get it? Maybe they have been getting counterfeits.

I have to admit I have a funny feeling feeding a Franklin into a machine. I can imagine problems, but I keep telling myself the only thing that should happen is that it might kick back out.

I went to Seminole Hard Rock about 5 years ago.

I dropped $200 on BJ and slots.

I've received free room offers from them ever since.

Since I don't live in Florida, the offers amuse me.

I drive right past Tampa Hard Rock and seven hours later I'm in Biloxi. It amazes me what people put up with, with these Indian rip off joints.

>Fleastiff, you might get the award for 'most entertaining trip reports'.
Thank you. The skill is derived courtesy of the orange juice that is contained in the Screwdrivers.

>I too have a way of making unintended bets on those electronic screens.
Yeah, I hit 5x odds thinking I was selecting a game that would thereafter be played at allowing me up to 5x odds instead I had just made a 50 dollar odds bet.

>You mean they somehow knew you put one in and made haste to come get it?
Oh no. I mis-fed the C-note into the crack under the green lights of the bill acceptor instead of between the green lights of the bill acceptor. So the C note just fell into the innards of the machine and nothing happened on the screen. I immediately decided that I would burst into tears and bury my head into the boobs of a cocktail waitress but wouldn't you just know it: the next employee that passed by was a male so I merely asked him to open up the machine and retrieve the bill. He radioed someone and it took maybe thirty or forty seconds. At least they were efficient at something.

Quote: DeMango

I drive right past Tampa Hard Rock and seven hours later I'm in Biloxi. It amazes me what people put up with, with these Indian rip off joints.

Danged, if you don't have the right attitude. I do realize the bands at the Hard Rock are getting better, but in reality I too would have preferred to be in Biloxi than at either Tampa or Hollywood. Its the nine hour drives to Biloxi that kill me.

Quote: DeMango

I drive right past Tampa Hard Rock and seven hours later I'm in Biloxi.

I'm going to do it in reverse, come January. My wife and I plan to spend a few days in Biloxi then drive down to the bay area for a few days relaxing at Madeira Beach. I won't bother going over to Seminole Hard Rock (been there, done that, no need/desire to do it again), but I think we'll try an evening cruise on the Trade Winds Cruise Lines' casino boat Escapade out of John's Pass. Has anyone here been on that boat yet?

Check out the newly opened Black Diamond Casino Cruise Ship based out of the Port of Palm Beach for REAL Craps & Roulette. It opened up in early November; I've been on it once...very solid operation.

Go to www.blackdiamondcasinocruises.com for more info.

Thanks for the info about Black Diamond. I'll put it on my list, but Palm Beach is about four hours farther down the road from Madeira Beach than I plan to go on this trip. I am leaving open the possibility of stopping by Port Canaveral and the Victory casino boat on my way back north.

So what makes Black Diamond's craps REAL, as opposed to what they have on the boats at John's Pass, Port Canaveral, and even New Port Richey? I've never been on any of those boats yet.

Quote: FleaStiff

Casino still very noisy

I suppose it is, in comparison to some casinos. I didn't notice much difference from my usual off strip casinos in Vegas.

Quote:

My card kept returning a value of Invalid

Gah, this annoyed me greatly. Nothing wrong with the card, a good number of card readers just failed to register there no matter how many retrys.


In 3 trips there, I'm up $2500, but I hit 4Ace with a kicker on their $10 DDB VP.

Since I (waste) my money mostly on various slots these days and not much else, I was curious whether it would feel like I was really being drained by higher percentage machines (what with not knowing how regulated their business is) but I couldn't tell a whit of difference between the banditry of Vegas slots vs Indian casino. Same games, seemed about the same to me.

Playin 5 & 6 hours all 3 times I had the same streaks of wins and losses.

Simply saying Black Diamonds Casino Cruise out of Port of Palm Beach is the only place to play REAL CRAPS IN SOUTH FLORIDA where you actually get to throw the Dice not that Electronic Organic Craps you find at Seminole, Hard Rock, Isle Casino, etc.

The Victory Casino Ship out of Cape Canaveral (Cocoa Beach) has live craps usually two tables available, sometimes three.

The TradeWinds cruise out of Madeira Beach has a very informative web page and Facebook page but I've not sailed with them. I have heard that their craps game is somewhat low limit and that the odds factor is TWO. This is disappointingly low but it sure beats nothing.

Note: As to slot machine settings on reservations or in the various Indian casinos, there is usually a lack of reporting and the regulatory authorities are often powerless rubber stamps. The one economic authority is that slot machines are designed for Nevada because that is "the market" and any chip or graphics modifications are for other jurisdictions and would cost money. If you look into the second hand slot machine market you'll see that most Indian casinos probably use the exact same RNG chips and stop settings simply because its cheaper and faster for them to do so.

Quote: FleaStiff

Cocktail service was lousy. Best to order non alcoholic drinks.

Non alcoholic are free and brought fairly quickly. The drinks I had at the Center Bar were fairly stiff but not spectacular. My companion bought and, for some reason, I didn't watch the pour. Oh yeah, the reason was I was watching the two Tramp-Stamped beauties at the next table. Normally, I would watch the pour, but we all have our priorities in life.

Quote: FleaStiff

For some reason she was more happy at the 15.00 table with its trainee dealer.

I've no idea why 15.00 was supposedly so much more pleasant than 25.00. I had to stack up three five dollar chips instead of one twenty-five dollar chip. Seems so much easier to just plink down one chip! Long walk to the non smoking casino, but a pleasant enough place despite the trainee MiniBacc dealer. MiniBacc was not the only table game there that was lower limits.

Quote: FleaStiff

My card kept returning a value of Invalid with no suggestions as how I could go somewhere and get valid.

I am now informed that all I would have had to do was go to a casino perimeter kiosk, insert my invalid card, scan my drivers license and the kiosk would then declare my invalid card to be a valid card.

Quote: FleaStiff

I wish I had done this since they had a 100 dollar rebate program at electronic craps for getting a card. At least they had signs about it. I ended up down several hundred and could have used a rebate.

I have been informed that the rebate program applies to both Electronic Craps as well as Electronic Roulette and that the rebate program is ongoing and expected to continue for the foreseeable future. As to the guy who was playing two positions simultaneously, I didn't check but he was probably using two different cards and playing Doey-Don't for high stakes to obtain some sort of comp advantage. I meant to go over and look at his screens but by this time I had only one more sheet to go before I was three sheets to the wind and I was having enough trouble focusing on my own screen.

Quote: FleaStiff

Non alcoholic are free and brought fairly quickly..

Some (not sure if all) were carrying generic drinks, coffee, water, on the tray which is very fast since you get it as soon as you see or hear them.

Quote: rxwine

Some (not sure if all) were carrying generic drinks, coffee, water, on the tray which is very fast since you get it as soon as you see or hear them.

Yeah, I heard two Tray Talkers saying Coffee, but when I turned around they had skedaddled each time.
By the way, I also heard the call "Chair Massage" but when I turned to see what her boobs, er uh, fingers looked like, she too was gone.

I guess the rule in The Seminole's Hard Rock is react quickly or its too late.

I seemed to sense also that very little time was allotted until dealers/floor persons were offering advice such as go to a six for five table and play for five dollars or play two spots at one time. Perhaps they just wanted to be rid of me.

I also sensed that I had better quit the booze during BlackJack because when it comes to Booze or Basic Strategy, it seems Booze tends to win and Basic Strategy becomes this great big uncertainty puzzle about what happened two hands ago.

Threads like this make me happy that I found this forum. There is so much here that we can all relate to, and it is entertaining as well as informative. I, for one, am glad you are willing to share your considerable talents with us. Keep 'em coming

Aw schucks, Gee Willikers...

Spotlight on Mr. Rude Guy:

Upthread somewhere I mentioned that this rude dude guy was hogging two of the electronic craps stations.

I see TWO possibilities.

The first, he is playing Do/Don't for roughly equal amounts on two different Players Club cards primarily to get generous comps on each of them.

The Second, he is playing Do/Don't for roughly equal amounts but is making an ODDS BET for a phenomenal amount in comparison to the money he actually has a risk.

Maybe I should have asked the creep or peered over his shoulder but it was at the time only a fleeting thought about his being such a hog.

seminole in florida up until last year had the most freeplay offers I have ever seen
400 4 times a month
and three 1000 earn and gets
1000 for the first two weeks
1000 for the second two weeks and a third for the overall month that was basically earned by completing the first two- damn i miss those days

Quote: rxwine

In 3 trips there, I'm up $2500, but I hit 4Ace with a kicker on their $10 DDB VP.

Uhh...by my fuzzy math...that sounds like a $10k hit...but playing a high volatility game like DDB and for $50 a pop...yikes!

Quote: TIMSPEED

Uhh...by my fuzzy math...that sounds like a $10k hit...but playing a high volatility game like DDB and for $50 a pop...yikes!

It's a $20k win.

Quote: TIMSPEED

Uhh...by my fuzzy math...that sounds like a $10k hit...but playing a high volatility game like DDB and for $50 a pop...yikes!

Oh no, I meant $10 per hand ($2 unit) sorry. Win was $4000.

Last time I played $50 a shot on a machine was at the Eastside Cannery in Vegas when it first opened on their 100 play machines. (10cent) Aw, for a dealt royal, if only....

Quote: FleaStiff

Lots of gorgeous women around the place, very noisy casino.

That's all I saw.

>In 3 trips there, I'm up $2500, but I hit 4Ace with a kicker on their $10 DDB VP.

Maybe I should look into this Video Poker thing... sounds nice to be up 2500.

I've done BJ 6:5 and BJ 3:2 and been down.

I've done Baccarat and been down at both 25 and 15 a hand Baccarat.

I've done Electronic Craps and been down though I was up 211 at one point in time it sure was brief.

Maybe I can master Casino War or something.

on-edit: Actually with all this recent news about slot machines particularly progressives at 17.3 MM maybe I should swallow my pride and actually go play a slot machine or two. Yes, even on a tribal reservation!

Quote: CrapsForever

Black Diamonds Casino Cruise out of Port of Palm Beach where you actually get to throw the Dice not that Electronic Organic Craps you find at Seminole, Hard Rock.

Yeah, I just got a free cruise certificate for tonight but ain't no way I'm suddenly going to trek all the way over there just for a more "real" craps experience. The electronic terminal is real enough when you buy in big and hit cashout real small.

Quote: FleaStiff

Yeah, I just got a free cruise certificate for tonight but ain't no way I'm suddenly going to trek all the way over there just for a more "real" craps experience. The electronic terminal is real enough when you buy in big and hit cashout real small.

When you decide to go on the Black Diamond Casino Cruise; PM me and I'll try to link up with you there.

FYI, they have an awesome sportsbook where you can bet on virtually all sports; the Sportsbook Includes Six Flat Screen TV's showing all sports including English Premier League.

Staying here for one night tonight while we wait for the Holy Ship cruise tomorrow. Really nice hotel and property, read the glowing reviews online but didn't expect it this nice

Any good places I need to check out for dinner / drinks / fiesta bowl tonight?

deleted

Quote: bluefire

Staying here for one night tonight while we wait for the Holy Ship cruise tomorrow. Really nice hotel and property, read the glowing reviews online but didn't expect it this nice
Any good places I need to check out for dinner / drinks / fiesta bowl tonight?

For those who are unfamiliar with Holy Ship... it is a 21 and over Rock and Roll extravaganza to the Bahammas and back that departs from the somewhat misnamed Port Everglades area which is best thought of as being located in Fort Lauderdale and Hollywood, FL although alot of politicians and Chambers of Commerce will argue with you about that.

Fort Lauderdale's 17th street is the main drag of the Marine School industry where the hot young students live and work, but they also party in the more festive Los Olas area where night life and restaurants are better. The Marine Crew Houses scattered about the area will disgorge dozens of stewardesses into Los Olas and other party areas.

There are zillions of hotels but I think only two or three that are "official discount hotels associated with Holy Ship". Its the CourtYard that is closest to Los Olas bars, but the Hyatt Pier 66 gets alot of the Holy Ship Action as well as is closer to actual embarkation area. For the party harty crowd, I'd go with the Court Yard's proximity to Los Olas as the better hotel choice.

I didn't know anyone would be staying at the Seminole Hard Rock and also doing Holy Ship since its a bit of an added distance in the "wrong" direction, but I'm sure you will find it to be fun anyway. Party hardy you Beautiful People and don't forget ear plugs!

oops, deleted, I forgot it was about the place near Ft. LoiterDale/LiquorDale or whatever it is [g].

Its okay.
The casino has a large draw... well beyond its co-existent hotel which is rather high priced.

Some of the hotels in Lauderdale By The Sea are bargains and one hotel there even has its electronic key cards be discount cards at the casino (but it is a different casino, one that is largely slot machines).

I'm well beyond the age of the Holy Ship crowd of revelers but I hope your trip was enjoyable.

Paid another visit.

Fort Lauderdale (Hollywood) Hard Rock is crowded and noisy! Most dealers were friendly and helped me when they could since I was generally playing games I was unfamiliar with such as poker variants.

I also did some Blackjack and Baccarat. Even finding on my last day there a dealer who actually talked through the card drawing process and announced the results at each step.

Card limits were fairly low which was good but I did play more than the minimum fairly often.

Comps: I guess I've adopted the squeaky wheel policy and have started to ask for comps, perhaps unwisely.
When a suit says you've got a comp, it should mean something but what it seems to mean is maybe there will be a comp in the computer when you get there. Some comps seem to evaporate including my Valet Parking Comp which I had specifically asked for. Not really a big deal but I just don't like it much when a "Suit" says something and it is not lived up to.

The craps machine (all 8 stations) was closed pending a visit from a vendor-supplied technician. That was a disappointment since I was looking forward to a craps fix the way most people look forward to their morning coffee.

A tremendous amount of money was moving across some of those tables. When I was at a ten dollar blackjack table the guy in the spot next to me was betting one hundred dollars a hand and up. Once, a guy a few spots away was betting five and ten blacks at a time. One BJ dealer told his relief "take care of my friend, he takes care of us" since I had been making dealer bets everytime I got those pink 2.50 chips. I swear I was offered insurance but always declined it.

I still can't figure out the layout of the casino. Everything seems to be "in the very next pit" or "not far". Magic sidewalks were often the talk of the Geritol Set as we traipsed all over the place.

Twice a guy with a large and foul smelling cigar walked up to the table and then put the cigar out when told to by the dealer, but by then it was too late not to have effected me. MOST dealers were okay with reserving a person's place when they took short breaks, but I saw some

how far are you from hardrock? i would be bummed if I drove and no craps but what can you do..

too bad they took out the shoot 2 win machine but I imagine they get more money outofthe virtual blackjack.

I was there once in a drunken haze in 2004 I believe but only on the bar/restaurant/hhipster side. I never even saw the inside of the place.

It sounds pretty grim though or am I just imagining Flea stumbling through the place with cigar smoke, unfriendly dealers, bad games and the like?

Perhaps spring break is the time to be at the beaches in Florida, not the casino? :)

Quote: bahdbwoy

how far are you from hardrock? i would be bummed if I drove and no craps but what can you do..

For a live craps table, you have to get on a boat and sail beyond the international border. The Victory Cruise ship out of Port Canaveral is best but the lesser boats are adequate in limits, odds and crew competence.

>too bad they took out the shoot 2 win machine but I imagine they get more money outofthe virtual blackjack.
I don't know. The electron craps was simply awaiting a repairman. The virtual blackjack was working but I didn't play the virtual blackjack.

Quote: Tomspur

It sounds pretty grim though or am I just imagining Flea stumbling through the place with cigar smoke, unfriendly dealers, bad games and the like?

Oh, please do NOT let me make you think the place was grim. Not at all. I just think that any trip review should mention the negative aspects so people get a valid impression of what it is like.

There is no question that it is a fun and festive casino, albeit a bit on the loud music side. There is an entire non smoking room that I went to twice for breaks. The cigarette smoke at the tables seemed to bother some dealers more than it bothered me and many smokers were courteous about the direction their smoke was drifting. Its just that that pre-breakfast cigar incident was memorable for both me and the dealer.

>Perhaps spring break is the time to be at the beaches in Florida, not the casino?
Oh no... any time is fine. The sweet young things walking around were dressed in a generously revealing manner. No need to wait for Spring Break.

I would say most dealers were friendly but a few were not. I do prefer it when a Baccarat dealer "talks the game" and announces each hand's progression rather than just silently dealing the cards and then pushing one hand forward to indicate it was a winner.

The food service choices have increased and quite frankly I'd not recommend the coffee shop known as Blue Plate as highly as I would in other casinos.

The main problem is that the place is huge and it is easy to get disoriented.

Quote: FleaStiff

I swear I was offered insurance but always declined it.

Sounds like you believe this might be unusual. Which makes me think you mean to say "surrender"

Quote: odiousgambit

Sounds like you believe this might be unusual. Which makes me think you mean to say "surrender"

No, I was offer insurance over and over again but about a dozen times I should have taken it. I once had a twenty but declined insurance and lost. Pretty much all the time I declined insurance ... I should have taken it.

Oh, by the way....
I'm now have this nearly invisible gray card that The Hard Rock refers to as Platinum. Don't know if it gets me anything though.

I'm finally going to swallow my pride and search around the internet for kiddie-like arithmetic drills so as learn to add correctly. In the privacy of my own home, no one will know its not a six year old looking at the flash cards.

Time to learn the rudiments of poker though... in doing these poker variants I keep thinking of a "hand" as being a minimum of a pair of Jacks. I just can't think of a "9,8" as a hand at all. So its hard for me to do Pai Gow Poker.