One last party at the Roadhouse + quick visits to other casinos

[treblehook]

I posted this on VMB originally:

The former Sheraton, current Roadhouse went out with a bang last Saturday night. They gave away bottles of Gentleman Jack w the Roadhouse emblem, had a big variety of free food and drink, and gave away $60k in cash through drawings. About half of the casino was operational and table games have been closed since early December. Every single machine was occupied from 7-12 while the drawings were going on. I'd imagine they made more money that night than they have in years. I can only speculate that if they did something like that a couple times per year, they'd have built a loyal base and would prob still be planning to operate, but who knows for sure. I believe they close the doors on Jan 31, this Thursday.

The email from the Roadhouse said reservations were required for the "event," but once we got there at 1 AM on Friday, we noticed the sign said once entry per person. So everyone that showed up got an entry. We just swiped our card at the host desk and got a printed ticket to put in the hopper. They drew 5 tickets per hour, with progressive amounts, until the midnight drawing where one person won $10k. The whole staff was on hand and it was neat seeing executive hosts with trays full of drinks, running around trying to figure which machine is 525 so they can deliver a Mudslide to a patron that's already gotten up and moved. It was a little chaotic, but fun and pretty well done anyhow. There were only about 16 standalone VP machines still operating, so we settled on nickel Spin Poker and UX. Unfortunately the 2 full pay penny VPs were sitting dark.

Other notes:
Roadhouse updated rooms (circa a couple of years ago?) are fantastic with hardwood floors, a big whirlpool, separate shower, dual sinks, and separate room for the commode. CET is supposedly keeping the hotel open. I would stay again.

Hollywood rooms have great A/C (at least in the south tower) and are clean and comfortable. The beds are great. Their breakfast buffet is still simple and small but real flavorful. Fairbanks is outstanding. I think if you try them once, you can't help but return although it can be a little pricey.

Sam's Town has Hot Roll w 9/5 JOB, 9/5 DDB, and 8/6 BDlx at the dime level. Nickel is a notch worse. They also still have plenty of 9/6 JOB single hand on the floor at the quarter/fifty/dollar denom and there's a single dollar machine left at Roxy's bar. DSTP for quarters is 7/5 BP, so quite a few playable options. I ended up with 4792 points although I had 2602 points according to the card monitors. I was pretty dilligent about making sure each machine was counting 1 pt for every dollar played, all VP, so I have no idea where those 2190 points came from. I also ended up with 137 tier credits for my >$5k coin-in. Along with my 500 carry over tier credits, I only need about 105 more sessions like this, or about $529,200 coin in to reach Emerald. It's like I can almost taste that extra 5% Advantage Car Rental discount (at participating locations.)

My overall assessment/feelings:
Gold Strike is #2 behind ST for a variety of playable nickel, dime, and quarter VP. Horseshoe and Hollywood are a distant third, and the other 3 are even worse. Combine them all, and Tunica is still a good (but not great) place for a VP player, but if you like variety and have a gambling budget of about $500 per day, you're going to have to go from casino to casino. I usually visit each place one time per trip, do $1-5k coin-in per casino and get mailers for about $400 total free play, free rooms everywhere, and way more free food than I can use, including enough for a steak house each night. So yeah, I still love Tunica.

[WILynn]

Sounds like a great trip! I hate what they did to the old Sheraton. It used to be a great place to go. I've never had the breakfast buffet at Hollywood, but we usually have the lunch buffet once a trip and it has been consistently good thus far. Do you know how you can tell what you have in comps at Hollywood? I have no idea how long points last and what they count for.

If you're going to be in Tunica in April, some of us are getting together mid-April. We'd love to meet you!

[Brianzz]

It was a total ghost town when I was there in December. There may have been 6 or 7 people playing. I think CET ruined the casino when they rebranded it.

[treblehook]

I kinda liked the Roadhouse branding, but I had a lot more fun there when it was fully functioning as The Sheraton. I spent a lot of time on the second floor when it was open. Oh well, c'est la vie. At least the best part of the property is gonna carry on. One last comment on Roadhouse is that they had the most uncomfortable chairs in the history or casinos.

It'd be great to be part of one of y'all's get togethers, but I probably won't be able to make Tunica in April. I definitely will be ready to make a trip in the early summer though.

[Robarre]

Sad to hear it turned into a ghost town. Is it like that just in the Winter or year round?

[Brianzz]

Roadhouse is a total ghost town now, it's closed.

The winter months are lighter in Tunica, but weekends usually maintain some business.