Frommer's Las Vegas 2004

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CHAPTER 8 . ABOUT CASINO GAMBLING
crystal chandeliers, silk-covered walls, and velvet-upholstered furnishings—and
the VIP slot area where personnel are attired in tuxedos. Both areas offer gracious
service to players.
Because so many conventioneers stay here, the crowd is more changeable than
at most casinos. By joining the Park Place Connection, a players club, you can
amass bonus points toward cash prizes, gifts, and complimentary rooms, meals,
and show tickets at any of the company’s hotels including Paris and Bally’s. 3000
Paradise Rd. & 702/732-7111.
Sam’s Town On its two immense floors of gaming action (153,083 sq. ft.,
2nd only to the MGM Grand in size), Sam’s Town maintains the friendly, justfolks
ambience that characterizes the entire property. The casino is adorned with
Old West paraphernalia (horseshoes, Winchester rifles, holsters, and saddlebags)
and is looking a bit less dated thanks to some recent sprucing up (it’s subtle, but
believe us, it’s better). Sam’s Town claims its friendliness extends to looser slots.
Join the Sam’s Town Slot Club to earn points toward rooms, meals, and cash
rebates. Free gaming lessons are offered weekdays from 11am to 4pm, with
poker lessons at other times. 5111 Boulder Hwy. (at Nellis Blvd.). & 702/456-7777.
DOWNTOWN
Binion’s Horseshoe Finds Professionals in the know say that “for the serious
player, the Binions are this town.” Benny Binion could neither read nor write,
but boy did he know how to run a casino. His venerable establishment has been
eclipsed over the years, but it claims the highest betting limits in Las Vegas on
all games (probably in the entire world, according to a spokesperson). It offers
single-deck blackjack and $2 minimums, 10-times odds on craps, and high
progressive jackpots. Real gamblers won’t consider going anywhere else.
We especially like the older part of the casino here, which—with its flocked wallpaper,
fancy lighting fixtures, and gold-tasseled burgundy velvet drapes—looks like
an Old West bordello. Unfortunately, all this adds up to a very high claustrophobia
level. They do, however, have a giant slot machine, which has been very, very good
to us. 128 E. Fremont St. (between Casino Center Blvd. and 1st St.). & 702/382-1600.
The California Hotel/Casino The California is a festive place filled with
Hawaiian shirts and balloons. This friendly facility actually provides sofas and
armchairs in the casino area—an unheard-of luxury in this town. Players can
join the Cal Slot Club and amass points toward gifts and cash prizes, or participate
in daily slot tournaments. This is the first place we found our favorite Piggy
Bankin’ machines. 12 Ogden Ave. (at 1st St.). & 702/385-1222.
Castaways The former Showboat traded in its Mardi Gras/Showboat gambling
theme for a Polynesian one. It’s a big casino, nearly as big as the ones on the
Strip, but over time has been portioned off into deceptively small rooms and
other sections. It’s not the most elaborate in town, but it is certainly clean,
friendly, and comfortable. At night, various bands play from an open lounge.
Castaways’ enormous 24-hour bingo parlor is a facility noted for high payouts.
Impressions
I am, after all, the best hold ’em player alive. I’m forced to play this tournament,
you understand, to demonstrate this fact.
—Once and future casino owner Bob Stupak on why he entered Binion’s
Horseshoe World Series of Poker