A few days off from work and destination: Tunica
 

So I have a few days off from work at the beginning of November, and I've decided to head to Tunica. I've already booked a room at the Horseshoe (the Grand, actually) at the poker rate, thanks to a nice lady named Lisa. I plan, as I have told my friends and coworkers, "to play an excessive amount of poker".

I choose Tunica because:

A: I really didn't want to fly to Vegas
B: I go to AC every couple of weeks already
C: I moved from Arizona to DC a couple of years back, stopping at various casinos, and my car "wandered" into Tunica for about 36 hours and I really liked the atmosphere, especially at the Horseshoe.
D: The drive through Virginia and Tennessee in October/November is gorgeous.

Now, while an excessive amount of 1/2NL, 2/5 NL and some 4/8 or higher LHE is certainly called for (I'm using the trip to build up some more table time), I'm curious if there are any other activities I should look at in the area. I realize Memphis is less than an hour away, and may do a day or evening there, just to keep a small semblance of sanity.

I know there are several Tunica regulars and casino employees on here, and any advice, invitations to dinner, or introductions to attractive sisters would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Re: A few days off from work and destination: Tunica
 

Play the 15/30. PJ is a great host for the game.
When I was back that way (will soon return) he was a great guy to meet.

Re: A few days off from work and destination: Tunica
 

The poker room rate of $40 at the Grand is nice but you're away from the better games at the GoldStrike and the Horseshoe. Personally, I'd stay at the GoldStrike and get the poker room rate of $50/night and be in the middle of everything. If you don't plan on drinking and don't mind driving a short distance it's probably not that big of a deal but even for just the convenience factor I'd still do it. Good Luck!

Re: A few days off from work and destination: Tunica
 

If you want some non poker fun close to Tunica and like scenery in fall the River park by Fitzgeralds has a paddleboat ride upriver and back. The food sucks, but its a nice little outing and 2-3 miles from GS/HS/Sher.

Re: A few days off from work and destination: Tunica
 

Not much else in Tunica besides the casinos obviously. There's a golf-course and a shooting-range if that's your sort of thing.

In Memphis you have the obvious stuff like touring Graceland or Sun Studios.
And taking in Beale Street during a weekend night can be a fun time.

You can sample some of the finer ribs Memphis has to offer.
Some people positively drool for the ribs at Rendezvous restaurant just north of Beale Street. That's the super-famous ribs place in Memphis.

I prefer the ribs at Blues City Cafe right there on Beale Street.

Back at the casinos you can sample the good eats at the Jack Binions Steakhouse at the Horseshoe. It's pretty much better than any steak in Memphis imo...with the possible exception of a restaurant called Folk's Folly but that's a bit out of the way for you.

the steakhouse at Gold Strike is also very very good. Less than a notch lower than the horseshoe steakhouse. Really they're both outstanding...I think I like the dimmer lighting and atmosphere and service just slightly, slightly better at Horseshoe steakhouse but you really can't go wrong at either.


I also agree with the above sentiment that staying at the Gold Strike or Horseshoe is better than staying at the Grand.
One problem with staying at the Grand is that the hotel you stay at will almost certainly be in one of the non-attached buildings. Meaning that you have to drive or shuttle just to get from your hotel to the Grand Casino and that is kind of a pain with having to park again, etc.

Stay at the Horseshoe or Gold Strike means you get to take an elevator straight down to the gaming floor and don't have to go back to your car or to a shuttle.
And obviously the Horseshoe and Gold Strike are practically attached so it's pretty much like one big casino which gives you more options.

Prefer the games, rooms, atmosphere and dealer-quality better at Horseshoe and Gold Strike also of course.

Re: A few days off from work and destination: Tunica
 

Right now, the Gold Strike is giving money away as if they don't want to get caught with it.

Last week, they started paying a $100 bonus for getting a full house cracked (you must use both hole cards). Making quads is worth $100, a straight-flush $150, and a Royal is worth $200. Obviously, getting those hands cracked=jackpot.

I hear that this promotion has paid out about $3,000/day. That's $20k/week going back to the players, and they plan on running this until the end of the year.

They also have drawings five days a week, good for close to another $1000/day, spread throughout the day ($100 here, $300 there). And they have a free Football Squares pool on Sunday Night and Monday Night, each good for another $1000 ($100 for the first quarter, $500 for the fourth quarter, etc).

I've never seen a card room give away money like this.

(I consulted with a B&M moderator before posting this. He feels confident that my motivation is to share this valuable info with the 2+2 community, as opposed to being motivated to shill for a local cardroom.)

Re: A few days off from work and destination: Tunica
 

[ QUOTE ]

D: The drive through Virginia and Tennessee in October/November is gorgeous.

[/ QUOTE ]

Boy, you said a mouthful there.

Re: A few days off from work and destination: Tunica
 

[ QUOTE ]
The poker room rate of $40 at the Grand is nice but you're away from the better games at the GoldStrike and the Horseshoe. Personally, I'd stay at the GoldStrike and get the poker room rate of $50/night and be in the middle of everything. If you don't plan on drinking and don't mind driving a short distance it's probably not that big of a deal but even for just the convenience factor I'd still do it. Good Luck!

[/ QUOTE ]
do you have a contact person or phone # for poker room rate at GS?

Re: A few days off from work and destination: Tunica
 

Here ya go:

Lisa Crompton books our rooms right now and she can be reached daytime Tuesdays through Saturdays at (800)303-7463 and ask for the poker room.

Re: A few days off from work and destination: Tunica
 

[ QUOTE ]
Not much else in Tunica besides the casinos obviously. There's a golf-course and a shooting-range if that's your sort of thing.

In Memphis you have the obvious stuff like touring Graceland or Sun Studios.
And taking in Beale Street during a weekend night can be a fun time.

You can sample some of the finer ribs Memphis has to offer.
Some people positively drool for the ribs at Rendezvous restaurant just north of Beale Street. That's the super-famous ribs place in Memphis.

I prefer the ribs at Blues City Cafe right there on Beale Street.

Back at the casinos you can sample the good eats at the Jack Binions Steakhouse at the Horseshoe. It's pretty much better than any steak in Memphis imo...with the possible exception of a restaurant called Folk's Folly but that's a bit out of the way for you.

the steakhouse at Gold Strike is also very very good. Less than a notch lower than the horseshoe steakhouse. Really they're both outstanding...I think I like the dimmer lighting and atmosphere and service just slightly, slightly better at Horseshoe steakhouse but you really can't go wrong at either.


I also agree with the above sentiment that staying at the Gold Strike or Horseshoe is better than staying at the Grand.
One problem with staying at the Grand is that the hotel you stay at will almost certainly be in one of the non-attached buildings. Meaning that you have to drive or shuttle just to get from your hotel to the Grand Casino and that is kind of a pain with having to park again, etc.

Stay at the Horseshoe or Gold Strike means you get to take an elevator straight down to the gaming floor and don't have to go back to your car or to a shuttle.
And obviously the Horseshoe and Gold Strike are practically attached so it's pretty much like one big casino which gives you more options.

Prefer the games, rooms, atmosphere and dealer-quality better at Horseshoe and Gold Strike also of course.

[/ QUOTE ]

Also try the 'Nawlins at the 'Shoe. Very good cajun food if you don't want the buffet or steak house. Some folks rave about the snack bar beside the Horseshoe poker room & they will serve you tableside so you won't miss your blinds. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]