Review of 1997 American Casino Guide
- Title:
- 1997 American Casino Guide
- Author:
- Steve Bourie, et. al.
- Publisher:
- Casino Vacations
- Date:
- 1997
- ISBN:
- 1-8837678-06-3
- Pages:
- 244
- Price:
- $12.95
August 24, 1997
Each year, Steve Bourie, in collaboration with others, puts out his
American Casino Guide. The book is an amalgamation of most of the
information one would want or need before setting foot in any casino
in the United States. The book generally achieves its goals and
manages to present its information economically and in an entertaining
manner.
Bourie's collaborators, which include Anthony Curtis of
Las Vegas Advisor fame,
Stanford Wong of Current Blackjack
News fame, Max Rubin, author of Comp City, and
many more. Collaborators like this lend the book instant credibility,
and it is warranted. The information presented in this book is
trustworthy, which is no small qualification.
The book starts with some advice on how to get around in a casino.
There are mini-essays on using casino coupons to one's advantage,
what bets are good ones and what bets aren't, how to get "comped", and
how to take advantage of slot clubs. The authors use real examples
liberally, which give an honest portrayal of what the casino patron
should expect.
The next several essays on are various casino games. You learn how
to look for good slot machines, how to play video poker,
blackjack, roulette, and craps. The book is honest about this; unless
one is very skilled (at video poker or blackjack) or very lucky,
the authors tell the readers that they can't expect to win money, but
they do tell one how to get the most enjoyment for one's money by
avoiding the worst bets. The descriptions of how to play these
games are as accurate as in any book. We then have several very
amusing descriptions of how various casinos have erred in the past
by not calculating the odds at their games correctly, or giving away
too much in promotions. We end this
section with a list of casino myths which, if taken to heart, could
save a superstitious reader some serious money and aggravation.
The meat of the book is a listing, by state, of every casino open.
The address and phone numbers of every casino are listed, along with
such information as what games are played, how many rooms and suites
are available and what their "rack rate" (basic nightly room price)
is, and how large
the casino floor is. Additionally, where applicable, we also can find out
special features of the hotel, how many restaurant are available, and
whether or not special discounts, fun books or other promotions are
available. The information is presented concisely, just the important
facts.
Over 500 casinos are covered here, so there are bound to be inaccuracies.
For example, even though the Dakota Magic casino on the ND/SD border has
been open since May of 1996, it isn't mentioned here. Also, even
though the Orleans in Las Vegas opened in December of 1996, it also gets
no mention. Paradoxically, the Hacienda, which closed in December of
1996 is listed. In the author's defense, there is a lot
territory to cover here, but there shouldn't be inaccuracies in major
Las Vegas properties, at least.
Finally, at the end of the book are a few coupons, but I haven't found
any to be of value.
One thing I would like to see in this guide is, apart from the room price
ranges, what sort of action is catered to at each location. For example,
rating each casino if <$1, $5-$10, $10-$25, $25-$100, or >$100
action is most welcome. These numbers don't always correlate well to room
rate. for example, Binion's Horseshoe in Las Vegas will graciously
accommodate heavy action without being an expensive place to stay.
Also, there's no real way to distinguish quality of accommodations other
than price. For example, it's hard to see the difference between the Hotel
San Remo and the Golden Nugget, both in Las Vegas, by the information in
the guide, but
I know where I'd rather stay. Finally, the inclusion or exclusion of
certain small casinos seems rather capricious. In Las Vegas, Joe's
Longhorn Casino is mentioned, but the Klondike isn't. I've no idea
why.
Still, this book is certainly valuable. I couldn't imagine going to
a gambling area for the first time without this book. In addition,
it's extremely valuable to be able to evaluate what one's options might
be in a new location. Even for familiar places, it's handy to have
the maps and phone numbers all in one place.
Add this to the worthwhile gambling
information, and the book more than pays for itself. One would have
to be pretty hard core to want get an updated copy every year, but the
book is a bargain for anyone seeking information on gambling in an
area they aren't intimately familiar with. I don't travel to a
region where gambling is allowed without this book.
Capsule:
This book is a basic guide to casino in the United States as of
the beginning of 1997. Even though the data are not 100% accurate,
and there's some information that would be very useful that's not
included, this book is well worth its price if one plans to gamble
in a region where one is not intimately familiar. The information
on each casino mentioned is accurate, and the advice on what games to
play and how
to play them is valuable. The book more than adequately fulfills its
promises.
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