www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I was in the new section playing Blackjack and they have some strange rules, especially for a "High Rollers" section. The one I noticed the most is that you can only double down if you have a 9,10, or 11 if the dealer is showing a 5 or 6. I had Ace/7 against the dealer's 6 and couldn't understand why the dealer kept on saying "N0" when I tried to double down. Then he pointed out the rules they have posted, and there were quite a few, all favoring the house of course. I read the first few and then said, "OK" fine I'm just playing for fun and the view anyway. The strangest thing though is that I actually won a little bit playing there.

I mainly play Craps, but it was pretty quiet on Saturday. I was playing at the Colonial, but the pit boss kept telling me to throw the dice lower because I was tossing them too high. You don't hear that too often in Vegas. Then I went over to the Horseshoe, but they don't have a regulation size table anymore. It looks like it is about 2 feet shorter than normal, and it just felt kind of strange playing on it.

Still, having a good time as always and will head on back over to the Colonial tonight. I just got back in from the ATV tour and will head out for some whitewater rafting tommorow. You don't hear that often in Vegas either.

Rainman

if these casinos can't provide standard vegas rules on blackjack which is
1.5% house advantage then they are a provincial backwater chessy tacky casino? Oh we are talking about san jose costa rica -go figure

fred757

Hi All,
I need to correct what I said about doubling down. I was back tonight and had a few less rum and cokes this time and read the rules a little more closely. It turns out they didn't let me double because I had an Ace in my hand. You can double with any two cards as long as you don't have an Ace. It's still a bad rule, just not quite as bad. However, strange as it seems, the table was hot again tonight. Craps table at the Colonial was still cold though.
Always manana.
Rainman

If you read the beginning of this thread,I explained that the blackjack game in the VIP room of the DR,is "unplayable". If your handle is any indication of your ability to play the game,I'm surprised you even sat down. (unless of course you chose the handle because you like watching Wheel of Fortune lol) Allowing you to double down on "any two cards without an ace" is bullshit because the only two cards possible add up to eight,and that's NOT a good double against any card the dealer has. The soft doubles (with an ace) are the relevent doubles they do not allow. If you want to play "Vegas style" blackjack,go to the Horseshoe,clarion,or Fiesta in Alauela for a fairer game. (not great but certainly better) Try the poker game at the DR. It gets better and better every day.

I agree 100% it's not playable. If I want to play seriously I do go to the places you mentioned. It was just fun and games for me, and of course hoping the Latin Vanna would come by.

[ If you want to play "Vegas style" blackjack,go to the Horseshoe,clarion,or Fiesta in Alauela for a fairer game. (not great but certainly better) Try the poker game at the DR. It gets better and better every day.[/quote]

Vegas Bob:

what is your opinion of colonials blackjack or rumy rules?

Of all the casinos i've been to this is consistently the most crowded at the tables or craps.

Would you play basic strategy in the games here or do the early surrender that the latins like to do throwing their cards in early?

Do you think a race and sportsbook at the non-smoking sleep inn casino would be a game changer in the gluch- it would be unique

I think it would enhance things up differently around that immediate area for the better( more gaming /entertainment options).
fred757

The blackjack rules at the Colonial such as "no double after split and hitting soft 17" make the game unplayable. The Rummy game is good and is my choice for play normally 4-5 times a week. The problem is that the game has to be played a little differently than the strategy for blackjack, and most gringos don't know how to play it since it is ONLY offered in Costa Rica and a similar version in Panama. If you do a search you should find some posts that I have made on the subject.However I will answer the question about "early surrender" as it applies to Rummy. Early surrender is the single best rule variation in Rummy. Statistically is adds a .47% return to the player if played properly. You should DEFINITELY surrender all hands of a hard 12 thru hard 17 against an ace.You should also surrender all hard 7s against an ace. You should surrender all 14s thru 16 against a 10 and all 16s against a 9.

Vegas Bob;

Is the Colonial casino going to use the majority of the Sleep inn casino
for this sports book- with a large number of LCD television for mulitple events? If they go into it whole heartedly maybe they can give Morazan
some serious competition?
I think is would be neat if they could pull off a mini version of panama's veneto sports book- with tv's/ food/beer etc.
fred757

I spoke to the short guy who works for the sportsbook at the colonial (forget his name) . He said that they "hoped" to have the sportsbook up and running ay the Sleep Inn casino for the beginning of the football season. They are planning to add some tv's with a sattelite hook-up so multiple games would be available. The upstairs at the Colonial would open in time for the games,but the casino would still open at 3pm as required. I wonder if the assholes who enforce the new casino hours will harass them for having a sports book (in a casino) which is open before the legal casino opening time.

i dont think so...as the morazan book has been opening around 10am since the casino rule took effect....so i would say yes....the last time they had a sportbook there ,,,they did it half-ass as they didnt know when the guy was showing up or if he was even going to show up......they never got any of my action .....still my advice ,,,,make your plays at the morazan...you will get paid,someone is always working, they dont move lines (much) and you will get paid (most important)

But isn't the Morazan sports book on the second floor and the casino on the first floor? If the Colonial sports book is actually going to be located in the Sleep Inn casino I should think that is an important distinction that has to be factored in.

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Alex Levine

ID good point....as you know you can only get to the morazan book by going though the hotel (as the casino is lock up tight)

Any fresh updates on the new tables at the DR? Im a poker player...and I also dabble in blackjack...but i usually go next door to play Blackjack.....

I'm not an expert, but don't think any serious gamblers will be interested in the DR..

The poker gmes have mostly been 1-2 with a minimum $100 buy-in. I have played a few 2-5 games there with a minimum $200 buy-in. With the new chairs and tables (3) and the scenery walking by outside the room,I'd say it's the most pleasant place to play in town. I can't say the same about the blackjack game they offer.