Sam' Town, Arizona Charlies,Boulder Station

[mamurn]

We are staying in a condo near Sam Town Arizona Charlies and Boulder station. Does any one has any experience with these three casinos. How is the video poker and the Slots? Tight? DO they have a low lomit table $5 and under? What place are good to eat?
Thanks,
Michelle

[andrea]

because boulder station is part of the stations casinos organization, they have lots to offer and a great variety of food and entertainment options. same for gaming. they have the latest machines, decent video poker and the "jumbo jackpot" which randomly hits before it reaches $150,000. if you are playing a machine anywhere in the station properties when someone wins, you will automatically win $50 in free play, too. if you like retro rock n roll, be sure to check out "yellow brick road" in the showroom. they do lots of queen, the who, etc.

arizona charlie's is somewhat small by comparison to boulder or sam's. charlie's west is a popular locals' casino. if you like old time motown music, be sure to get to charlie's to hear sonny charles and sweet louie--the checkmates. good entertainment and some really "dance-able" music.

sam's town has about anything you could possibly want. dining, shopping, entertainment and more games than you can imagine, including bingo. what i like about sam's is that it is built around an outdoor courtyard where you can take a stroll, window shop or dine in the open air. in the evening, they have a major laser light show in the courtyard area, too. most of the local video poker players and also a vp "pro" whom i know are saying that it seems like sam's vp is tighter lately. (visit www.vptruth.com)

and while your on the boulder corridor, take advantage of any shuttle service available to visit sunset station just a few miles away. it is also a HUGE casino with lots of stained/leaded glass in the decor. good restaurants, etc.

enjoy. andrea from las vegas

[bill the cat]

Hi,
just got back from 6 nights at sams Town. they do have some full pay video poker. even some that are over 100% -- look for strip labels stating that they do not pay the full percentage points. I saw some loose Dueces and Double Double Bonus(?) in this category. Also, Jacks or better , Bonus are available in full pay at quarter and dollar levels BUT not all are full pay. so check the pay schedules. they do have a lot of varirty but I concentrate on JoB and bonus since I practice them a lot so I don't always check how good the payschedule is on a game that I don't normally play.
as for the rest -- the atrium and show are enjoyable ( early morning coffee in the park with birds twittering(some real ones even) and a casino just steps away is living well). Their buffet is very good -- we have been there for Barbeque night (great) and Seafood night (very good)

Have fun
Bill

[rio14]

We love Sam's Town and this time next week we'll be there! :) Its our home away from home. Everyone there is so nice and helpful there and that is a huge plus. Like previously stated it has everything you could want. When we were first discovered Sam's while staying at the Rio we fell in love with it and decided starting with the next trip that would be where we would stay. When you want a break you there are so many options to relax. You can sit in the atrium and even though its inside its like your outside. You got to see it to know what we mean. They have a great bingo hall, bowling alley, theatre, western store, candy store, good restaurants, and quickie restaurants like McD is you want a pick me up or a night time snack.....McFlurrys. I am so excited to get there.

The buffet is nice but no breakfast buffet in it. I did like their old buffet much better and the breakfast one they use to have could not be beat.

We like Boulder Station casino too. But many times it is FREEZING in there so be sure and take a sweater just in case.

Enjoy.

Kathy

[dlf1616]

Arizona Charlie has a very good, very inexpensive breakfast.

Sam's seafood buffet (hot crab legs) on Friday nites is very very good. They did have a promo on Fridays, earn 300 points on your slot card that day, get free buffet.

[kend1016]

I have stayed at Boulder Station and Samstown Liked our stay at each. Samstown has pretty good buffet. They have a good breakfast for 3.99. Steak and eggs and patatoes Its not to bad. The casinos I thought that they were a little tight on the slots. But If you like a little bit of a break from the strip these two are a good choice.

[garfield1]

You've read so much good about these local casinos & we agree, but without scaring you, we want you to BE CAREFUL OFF THE STRIP.

1) We, too, rented a condo offstrip 1 week, so we could get a feel for living in Vegas, but never again. The condo had young people going in & out at all hours, litter & beer cans outside, & the pool was unclean with old furniture. There was only 1 working elevator cuz the repairman doesnt come everyday. There was a shooting over drugs in our bldg that week. Other vacationers left the condo mid-week & went to the strip hotels since they were so upset.

Of course, hotels have employees who clean & repair the property & pool everyday plus security guards. But condos tend to have bi-wkly maintenance, no on-sight restaurants & little security, so strangers come & go at all hours & old cars may be in your parking lot.

2) As for the local casinos, they specialize in low-denomination machines, so the patrons are hard-working people who are there to win after working all day. You'll see hundreds of people in line at the local casino cashier cages on the weekends, cashing their paychecks to play. You'll see more people drinking beer & smoking here, & more single women gambling & drinking which you don't see much on the strip.

3) Be sure to dress generic. I wore a Boston sweatshirt once & got some looks. I changed immediately cuz people knew I was a vacationer with money.

4) Be careful in the garages. Park in a well-lit spot close to the entrance. A couple times, kids were hanging around in the garages & we were afraid to pass by, especially late at night. Remember that housing is nearby.

In conclusion, we wouldn't play anywhere else but the local casinos because of the games, buffets & the fact that we win, but we've learned to be quiet while we're in them, not advertising that we're on vacation. Therefore, we no longer have any incidents since we've learned how to be more careful.

But, as first timers, you should be aware of how to act & what to expect.
Try it once & determine for yourself, but remember to go back to the strip if you're uncomfortable. Never leave Vegas feeling down, so go to MGM or Mirage to get back into that glamorous feeling of being on a Vegas vacation!