www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Look, my needs while playing blackjack may be different, as I am blind and count on either companions or the dealer to read me the cards on the table. My 2 hands of blackjack at the Mona Lisa were both winners, including a blackjack on my first hand, but I got up and left the table nearly as soon as I sat down. Why?

In their infinite foolishness, the casino chose to also have a deejay. In costa Rica, a deejay's principal job is to test the limits of his audio gear, driving the volumes to near jet engine levels.

Maybe loud music creates a live and fun environment, but for a gambler...it's worthless. I might have stayed for hours; I had come to *play*, and I had visions of raking chips into my greedy little pockets, flirting with cute dealers and/or bartenders, and generally enjoying life. What I got instead was an impossible playing environment and a splitting headache. 2 thumbs down, down and down. I will not play there again.

Even guys with good eyesight will be challenged here. It is nearly impossible to concentrate on the games at hand with 120 decibels/meter pounding holes into one's skull.

Here's an idea: Save the deejay until later in the evening. Or move him elsewhere. Or weld his volume controls at the midpoint and then put a gag ball in his mouth.

Next time, I'll try the Colonial, the Horseshoe, the Fiesta or anywhere else. Sorry Mona Lisa...you blew my business by blowing out my eardrums.

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Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

El C,
Did you ask them to turn it down? and if so, what what their response? I was there, the dealer made a mistake and hit on her 17 then drawing an "ACE"! As she started to pull chips, I corrected her, the pit boss came over, corrected her mistake, paid out the winners and asked me (1st base) if I would like the "ACE" or did I want to burn it. I adjusted my bet (LOL) took the Ace and hit Black Jack! Although I ended up losing for the night, we were treated fairly, with smiles and a good time all the way around. This is contrary to The Cocal (Total Assholes in the casino), Los Suenos (act as if they could care less for your business) Del Rey (coached how to NOT be friendly) or the Colonial (Never a smile or interaction from the dealers). I will look to return and when I do will only play at the Mona Lisa. Just my 2 cents with my experiences over the past few years.
Suerte,
Jac

Jack, to answer your question. The pit boss was very apologetic and offered to tell the DJ to turn down the volume, but by then I was pissed and had already stood to leave. My experience with C.R. deejays is always the same; they might drop the volume by a bit but only for awhile, then the volume is increased to higher level than before. It's a no-win situation.

ML isn't the only place where I have problems with deejays who believe that louder is necessarily better. I can't do the Pantera Rosa anymore for the same reason.

All I can say is, if you want to make a shitpile of money in Costa Rica, open a Miracle Ear franchise. Within ten years, half the population will be more deaf than Beethoven. It's phucking ridiculous.

I think the Mona Lisa has a real chance to be great, but their management needs to look beyond momentay earnings to see the long view to their future. IMHO, they're at a tipping point; all decisions made now will determine their success or lack thereof in the coming months, and so far they appear to be making some poor decisions...but hey, it's their business. They won't get anymore of mine at their tables, but I'll probably hunt pu*sy there or have a drink once in awhile. I'll simply leave when the deejay fires up the turbo0-boombox. Ouch, motherfu**ers. Ouch.

_________________
Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Jack, to answer your question. The pit boss was very apologetic and offered to tell the DJ to turn down the volume, but by then I was pissed and had already stood to leave. My experience with C.R. deejays is always the same; they might drop the volume by a bit but only for awhile, then the volume is increased to higher level than before. It's a no-win situation.

ML isn't the only place where I have problems with deejays who believe that louder is necessarily better. I can't do the Pantera Rosa anymore for the same reason.

All I can say is, if you want to make a shitpile of money in Costa Rica, open a Miracle Ear franchise. Within ten years, half the population will be more deaf than Beethoven. It's phucking ridiculous.

I think the Mona Lisa has a real chance to be great, but their management needs to look beyond momentay earnings to see the long view to their future. IMHO, they're at a tipping point; all decisions made now will determine their success or lack thereof in the coming months, and so far they appear to be making some poor decisions...but hey, it's their business. They won't get anymore of mine at their tables, but I'll probably hunt pu*sy there or have a drink once in awhile. I'll simply leave when the deejay fires up the turbo0-boombox. Ouch, motherfu**ers. Ouch.

_________________
Pura Vulva! Wandering through the dark, I am El Ciego.

Same way in the casas with the TV's watching novella's or music videos or even the Jesus Christ shows I've noticed.

I think consistency is important in a competitive environment like the gulch. Most of us are simple creatures that just want to know what to expect when we go to a place. I always get consistency at the SL. SL is consistently a good environment. The owners manage the business.

I don't like some of the other places as much but they are consistent. Dunn Inn comes to mind. If I just want some quiet and a place to have a beer and talk to someone, I go to Dunn Inn.

Mona Lisa needs to find that consistency and stick to it for awhile. I think the effort is there and they are still deciding what they are.

Last trip was about a month ago, HLH had around 15-20 guys in there. Music was so loud (RAP) that I had to scream to talk to my wingman who was next to me. Was not my thing so I moved on. We have that option. I did not go back that trip but I will next trip. I like the place and the management and I would say they try to offer consistency. I did not say anything to management but I am sure they would have fixed the issue if I did.

Music or sports TV normally sets the overall vibe of a bar or MP. If I don't like either of them. I leave. We have that option.

I have seen Bill and Danny at SL bust there ass to find a certain game to please a customer.
Effort goes a long way in my book and I think most of us appreciate it.

sure but did Bill wave?

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood