Tunica trip report (long) June 14-19 '07

[MicroBob]

tx - I'm guessing you comped so super-well because it was BOTH you and your wife playing poker at the same time and obviously for several hours.

Still strikes me as pretty strange that a 3/6 limit player would be getting comped steak dinners. I mean, that's just freaking weird.
They can't possibly do this for every 3/6 limit or 1/2 or 2/5 NL player they have over there. Even if they play 40+ hours a week every week I wouldn't think they're getting steak-dinners out of it.

But I guess also staying there and playing for the poker room-rate AND being a couple AND playing as many hours as you did AND always tipping a couple bucks to get their attention even more all added up for you.
Sounds like a good strategy.

So good for you. Obviously you will be likely to return to the Gold Strike and their so-so rooms and 'meh' pool again with treatment like that.


However, I'm telling you that the suites at the Sheraton are a bit more romantic for a couple's get-away if you should be so fortunate to score a good rate for one of those.
And you already know first-hand how awesomely silly the games are over there.


With your play downstairs at the GS in the casino games I would also expect a 'free 1 night Sun-Thu' coupon from them in the mail once they get you into their system.
So if you do get that then your next trip can be discounteed poker-room rates for 3 or 4 nights and THEN a free room on the 5th.

Since you both have players-cards maybe you will both get free-room coupons! never know.


I usually don't get the room-rate when we go down there for a night or two because I don't want to be tied to the poker-room.
Getting a room means I'm going with my GF and that means mostly drunken blackjack.
Going on my own means I am playing poker but I can just drive back that night.


But we did do the room-rate thing at GS one time for 2 nights.
I only played about 7 out of the 10 hours I was required. They were still fine with it and gave me the rate. I was completely prepared to have to pay full-price for one of the nights. This was a year or two ago though. But it sounds like the system is still generally the same.
You're supposed to swipe-in and out at the poker-room. But once they get semi-familiar with you it's not a big deal at all and you'll get the rate no problem.

[LuckyTxGuy]

Thanks Chipr, no doubt if we had the option of staying there AT the Horseshoe, that would be our #1 choice by far. We've also heard the rooms there are very nice.

Micro, I found the amount of comps pretty crazy too. However, I would assume that playing $3/6 or $10/20 wouldn't make that much of a difference since the house is taking their full rake on most hands at the $3/6 level. But I can't imagine how such a loose comp system can be profitable either? I'm used to playing in Shreveport where poker players are the bottom of the food chain. The Horseshoe offers $1/hr comps which is the only poker comps you'll get. The Eldorado has a very limited number of poker rooms Monday-Thursday for $70 night...that's far from a bargain.

But yes I agree it seems insane to me. The only thing I could figure is that they were hoping we'd go down to the table games and slots and loose a ton of money, but they don't know us well if they are planning on that. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] But again, I don't understand how the Horsehoe can do this either? As you know, when you ask them for a meal, their only question is "one person or two?". Heck you could feed your non-poker playing wife or friend for an entire trip like that if you wanted. I can't imagine what it would take to get turned down for a comp at the Shoe?!

I'll let ya know if we get any room discounts/offers from our trip but even if we do, I'm not sure what I'm going to be able to make it back. It's a 7.5-8 hour trip and it's not really worth it to me to make the drive if I can't stay at least 3 nights. I'd love to stay at the Sheraton after hearing about those rooms, I know my wife would love it. I saw on TripAdvisor.com they were ranked the #1 room by the reviewers, with the Horseshoe coming in #2.

[KappaSig215]

hell of a trip report, thanks for all of the great info. being from memphis and a frequent visitor to tunica, i really appreciate it.

Do you happen to remember the gentleman's name at the GS poker room that told you that you and your wife could combine hours for the poker room rate? Some friends and I were going to try that a couple of weeks ago but when I called they said I couldnt do that. I have been getting free S-Th room comps in the mail lately but a cheap weekend night down there would be great.

Thanks again, glad you enjoyed Tunica

Matt

[LuckyTxGuy]

Thanks Matt, I appreciate the kind words about my review. I wrote off and on for a couple days when I would have time and I was really afraid it was going to be way to long and boring and I'd get bashed for it. I just tried to give some info that might help first timers or people who hadn't been there much.

Sending you a PM

- Jason

[Brad1970]

Good trip report. I'm a local in those parts, so I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Next time you come to the Goldstrike, PM me in advance & I'll buy you a free drink in the poker room. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Fishhead24]

Brad- What are the pros and cons of living in Tunica and the surrounding area?

What are some nice areas to live within 35 miles of Tunica...........closer to the casinos the better of course. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[RunDownHouse]

Matt,

I go maybe four times a year, and not once have I ever been told - at the casino - that we couldn't combine hours.

LuckTxGuy,

Was one of the dealers you didn't like a big dude with a deep, booming voice and a huge white mustache? Maybe named Warren?

[RunDownHouse]

[ QUOTE ]
Brad- What are the pros and cons of living in Tunica and the surrounding area?

What are some nice areas to live within 35 miles of Tunica...........closer to the casinos the better of course. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]
Ugh, I'd have trouble spending the five days OP did in Tunica, never mind living there.

[NickMPK]

It is strange to me that a casino would spread both 3/6 and 4/8. Those limits are so close...if they can't always run at least 2 tables at each limit, it just seems like they are asking for short games that are always in danger of breaking, with very little benefit to the players in terms of limit selection.

[Brad1970]

[ QUOTE ]

LuckTxGuy,

Was one of the dealers you didn't like a big dude with a deep, booming voice and a huge white mustache? Maybe named Warren?

[/ QUOTE ]

If it was at the GS, then that's probably Cash. Cash is OK, sometimes he can come across a little brash though.