And then came the Great Unraveling - just three days later, the paytables were gutted. No more 8/5 Bonus Poker. Double Double progressive set to 7/5. And on like that.
It made no sense and word got out fast. I did my part to try to get the suits there to see the error of their ways including posting on the blog, twitter, posting on their facebook page, talking to my host, and even talking to the floor shift manager last trip.
Since that time the Grand has been in a slow spiral, with the casino business sparse at best. They tried to be what they wanted to be instead of providing what the downtown customer wants (and can get in spades just 2 minutes away at the D, Four Queens and the Fremont.)
Well I am happy to tell you that the Downtown Grand has Seen the Light and restored playable video poker to the casino!
There is widely available full pay 8/5 Bonus Poker in quarters, 50 cents and dollars throughout the casino. Ditto for 9/6 Double Double Bonus, and 8/6 Boner Deluxe. These games are available at the bar as well and include $2 denominations there, if you really want to take a run at it.
The Double Double progressive has been restored to 8/5.
Of course, advantage players - and I am NOT smart enough to be one - won't be interested. But
There is no equivalent for the super juicy plays to be found elsewhere (such as Four Queens' 9/6 DDB progressive and 10/7 Double Bonus machines, or the D's ridiculous 101.7% payback nickel Deuces machine) but this is wonderful news for savvy tourist degenerates like me who ask only for good food, good gamble, good whiskey. (Now, whoever had that idea first?)
Along the same lines, they have lowered their craps game limit to $5 and continue to offer five buck 3:2 black jack. What's not to like?
Way to go, Downtown Grand!
Update - read more about the Downtown Grand's ongoing changes and improvements from our friends at Vital Vegas!
Yippee!
ReplyDeleteNice!!!! :) Chriss in UK
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up. We will give them another visit on our next trip.
ReplyDelete"8/6 Boner Deluxe" :)
ReplyDeleteAny idea if they changed the free odds on the craps tables? Or did they stick with strip odds (3x, 4x, 5x)?
ReplyDelete--yoyoseven
My sources tell me that the odds are still 3x4x5x. However, on a Saturday evening, I saw $5 limits, so I presume that will be available all week long.
ReplyDeleterumor has it from another board (VMB) that you got this information first hand.... we are all now waiting for the next trip report.... please....
ReplyDeleteHurry back to Vegas, Flusher, they're reloading the Lion's Share for you.
ReplyDeleteThere is no equivalent for the super juicy plays to be found elsewhere (such as Four Queens' 9/6 DDB progressive and 10/7 Double Bonus machines, or the D's ridiculous 101.7% payback nickel Deuces machine)- lol
ReplyDeleteSadly that nickel Deuces machine is gone. The D has really tightened up the paytables in the last year. 10/7 DB does not give full points but its still a great play. I never mastered DB though. The 9/6 DDB progressive at the bar is hard to beat.
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