Sam's Town

[Ben Jammin]

If you haven't seen Steve's Video on Sam's Town (you tube) you might want to check it out. My Uncle Ted practically lives there, he bowls all the time and has his motor home there when he's not here (Sylmar CA).

In addition to good gambling, the location is very convenient if you like to hit the locals places along the Boulder Highway. It's not too far from downtown either, you can catch a bus cheap.

It's a big place, and the buffet is good. Parking isn't a nightmare either, and it's free!

Why not check it out next time you're in Vegas.

If you're a NASCAR fan, NASCAR is big in Vegas. The track is North of Downtown, easy to get to and again, parking is easy. You can jump on the freeway from Sam's Town and be there lickity Split. Not like here, where Fontana might as well be in a different state. It's a better use of your money that feeding the one armed bandit. At least you'll get some great entertainment for your money!

Go Carl!

[Randmark]

Re: Sam's Town

I agree with the virtues of Sam's Town, except for the buffet. Good is stretching it. However, Billy Bob's Steakhouse, Willie & Jose's Mexican Restaurant and TGI Fridays are all very, very good. They also have a deli and Subway, McDonald's and other fast food outlets available within Sam's Town. The gaming is good and the staff is very friendly and makes you feel welcome. My husband I have have been going there for years and find that comps are much more plentiful than we could possibly get on the Strip or Downtown. Rooms could use some updating but are still decent. If you haven't tried them before, you certainly should.

[vividjohn45]

Re: Sam's Town

yes. it is a nice casino, having many things going for it. but their black jack machines do not offer double downs or splits, except at the bars.

the floor ones. stiff u cold.

other then that i like them. i don't mind playing at a bar, but you arre kind of expected to drink there. "blah"

[dewey089]

Re: Sam's Town

I'll be going in May for 9 days at Sam's. I hit some funny deal on line and got nights of $10, so with the resort fee $4.50 that is pretty cheap. The weekend rate was more but still under anything I had found.
Any details on the area would be welcomed.
I am especially interested in how safe it is to walk from Eastside Cannery late at night.
I also know the 202 Flamingo bus route including the new changes, but I don't have a feel for the 107 or the 213. The free shuttle is good but I know if I get into a good poker game somewhere, I won't want to quit in time to get back.
Also, it has been years since I played at Sam's Town poker room and I wonder about the feel of the low limit games there.

[ddechenne]

Re: Sam's Town

Hey Dewey--we stayed for nearly a week at ST last October. Wife played late-nite bingo at Eastside nearly every nite and we walked back each nite at the 9-10pm time slot and never had a problem or felt any unease. The road (Boulder) is quite busy as is the intersection at Eastside so you are never really alone. The only thing between Eside and ST is the RV parking of STs but it is surounded by a wall. Every nite we either met another couple or had another couple walking ahead our behind us. We would not consider the walk (10m) a security threat at all. That's our view.

[dewey089]

Re: Sam's Town

Very helpful, ddechenne. Thanks for posting.

[Randmark]

Re: Sam's Town

One additional thing I would add is to checkout the Longhorn Casino. Although rather seedy looking, the cafe has excellent food, they have good blackjack rules including double down after 3 cards, and a daily blackjack tournament (most times only $10) that is quite fun. They are across the street from Eastside Cannery. It's not much on appearance but decent otherwise.

[dewey089]

Re: Sam's Town

I was at the Longhorn once a few years ago, but I did not end up eating there. I wonder if my free points for a signup with the ACG coupon will still be on the books.

Seems like plenty of good advice here from experienced Sam's Town patrons.
Thanks.
Slowly, I'm collecting some Sam's Town details.
Here are questions I still have:

* I read that the walls are a bit thin. Are there particular areas or room numbers that you think might be quieter than others? Any good hints at asking for anything on check in. I am staying 7 nights in a row in May (two free nights at Orleans brought me down from 9 nights.) I don't think the 68 degree cut off on AC in May will be an issue for me, but comments??

* Will the pool be cold in May like Flamingo or California or heated like Gold Coast?


* I have only read good things about the free shuttle. First hand experiences??

* Reflect on the LIMIT games in the live poker room. Do they still have a 4-8 game with a 1-2 blind? I heard it might have morphed into a 3-6 game. Do they still pay shills to keep the games going? Is the competition pretty local and full of rocks? Are there times to play or not play? Compare the game to the one at the Eastside Cannery? Any things to watch for?

* I won't have a car. I am very familiar with the Flamingo bus, and disappointed in the way they have cut back on late night service. What is the 107 like? I see it will drop me at the BTC, but are there any other safe stops where I can get off and walk to Freemont without taking a second bus? I don't feel safe walking from the BTC to downtown. Is there any place to catch the bus late night/early morning when I have played too much poker too long and the free shuttle is gone?

* My directions to go to the Pinball Hall of Fame include taking the 115 until it turns into the 201. I don't see that on the map of the bus route. Anyone ridden the 115?? It seems like a logical route if I want to hit the strip at Tropicana.

* I know Joker's Wild is in the Henderson direction and I like the cheap craps. Anyone ever eaten there? Any other places you like on Boulder? Any interesting restaurants?

* I will need to do laundry once while I am there. I found JKL Sudz about 10 minutes North of Sam's and Coin Laundry at Nellis and Rita, about 3 stops on that 115. I am also wondering if there is a laundromat for the RV folks that I can use as a hotel guest. Any experience doing laundry in the area?

* It looks like unless I can find a way to sit somewhere close to LaQuinta that the closest free wifi is the library at Maryland and Flamingo. I'm thinking I can also walk around the campus from there and see what is up there. In the past I have liked seeing the desert in the small gardens and other free art/ displays. Any other interesting things to do with a computer on my back around the corner of Maryland and Flamingo?? Any good eating places in that area??

* I know Sam's has a pretty good movie theater. There are also cheap movie house scattered about Vegas. Any along Flamingo?? Does the in house television get Turner Classic Movie station?? Probably not. Can I borrow a DVD at the library??

[ddechenne]

Re: Sam's Town

Can't help with most of your concerns, but we have ridden the shuttle for more than 10 years. Excellent service---always a full-size bus, not crowded, and always on time. Pick up a schedule at ST, on the bus, or at the back of Fremont. Really, we have ridden that thing all over the system. When we used to stay on the Strip, we would ride the shuttle to Sam's, spend several hours, and then ride the shuttle to DTown. We had a blow-out once on the freeway, but other than that, it has been right on time in arriving and leaving. Catch the bus at Sam's out the back door by McD and hang a right at the bottom of the stairs. A bit of a covered bench there. Sorry I don't have info or opinions on your other questions.

[Randmark]

Re: Sam's Town

I will add that Sam's Town has specials at it's movie theaters. I think it was $3 movies on Tuesdays for Seniors and free popcorn for seniors on Wednesday, however, that might be reversed.

[dewey089]

Re: Sam's Town

I did call them and gather their senior specials.
Tuesday - only for over sixty - $3 movies. The movie is really not owned by the casino, so they have a different definition of senior.

Thursday is a good day to be there.
Thursday - over fifty - Slot tournament.
50% off the buffet if you pay with points
5X points for VP and 7X points for slots.
A drawing.
Every weekday - an extra dollar off the buffet if you are over 50.
And for anyone:
Toast of the Town Variety show every Thursday at 2PM. Just swipe your card at any kiosk for a free ticket, but come early if you want a seat anywhere near the stage as the place fills up.
This last is not a senior promotion, but will attract seniors to come on senior day.

As you say these can go away. Station Casinos dropped their senior promotion day. But there is some senior day at the Orleans and Gold Coast too. So I am hoping that they will keep them active through May, especially since I picked up a couple free rooms for that same trip at the Orleans and scheduled that for Tuesday senior day and 5X points on video poker.