Florida Hard Rock Report

[FloridaPhil]

I live in Central Florida and frequently travel the State on business.  The Tampa Hard Rock is about an hour from my home and the Hollywood Hard Rock is in Ft. Lauderdale about 3 1/2 Hours to the south.  Since the Supreme Court ruling about two years ago, both of these casinos have installed Vegas slots.  Video Poker is my game and at first they didn't have enough VP machines and the wait was ridiculous. In the past year they have installed a lot more VP machines and most days I can find an open machine without a problem. The odds are about what you see on the East Coast, maybe even a little better than Biloxi.  The best I have found has been 9/6 Jacks at the $2 dollar denomination.  Both Casinos are very nice, the service is decent but you have to pay for your drinks.  The Hollywood Hard Rock is much better because it is surrounded by good restaurants and bars.  Mostly Retirees and Disney vacationers frequent the Tampa Hard Rock.  I have never stayed in the Hotels, but they look nice and I am sure they would be great for a weekend stay.  If you are in the Central or South Florida area, you might want to check them out. 
 
 

[Lucky Larry]

FloridaPhil,

Family is going to Ft. Lauderdale in late Oct. for a cruise. We had planned on playing at HR-Hollywood. Thanks for the advice. What about their multi-play lower denominations. Any decent 5¢/10¢ multi-hand machines?

Thanks,

LL

[FloridaPhil]

They have multi-play VP in .25 .50 $1 & up. In the last two weeks, I noticed some new VP machines in lower denominations.  I didn't notice if they were single or multi-play. Good Luck!

[rockinrobin]

The Isle in Pompano Beach has several .02/.05/and.10 VP machines.  Also the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek has .05/.10.  No great paytables on the smaller denominations though.  Was excited to see they added Ultimate Poker at Coconut Creek then saw it was all .25/.50/and $1.00.  I will sure give it a try though.  Both of these casinos are about 20 minutes from the Hard Rock.  By the way, the rooms at the Hard Rock are very nice.

[bonitaman]

i was at hollywood hardrock last weekend and it was mobbed .... lot of vp in many demoninations but horrible pay tables at lower values ... at 3 a.m. monday you could not get a seat at any blackjack table and minimums were $25 ... i have never seen a busier casino except for new year's even in vegas

[luvzlyfe]

Hi from S. Florida (Pompano Beach).  Rock, I'd love to know where there are .02 video poker machines at the Isle, because I've not seen any.  The only ones I've seen are .05/.10 "Gamemakers" and .05 multi-line.  I like the Isle on weekends, it's smoke free, open 24 hours and you can actually get to a machine.  Unfortunately, you get a lot of people playing 1 nickel at a time.  I have done fairly well at the Isle, on the nickels, including a JP on Deuces Joker ($1000 on a .50 bet) and Triple Double Bonus 4 2, 3, or 4's with A, 2, 3, 4 kickers. ($200).I have heard that Coconut Creek has installed nickels on their video poker some time back, but the smoke there is awful.  It's only moderately better at the Hard Rock in Hollywood.  Truthfully, I only go there when they send me a $50 freeplay.  It's about 40 minutes from my house, and the Isle's about 10.Larry, to answer your questions about other S. Florida Casinos go - One casino I also like is the Mardi Gras in Hollywood.  It's adjacent to the dog track.  They have a decent stretch of video poker, but it's only quarters.  It's also smoke-free, and if you can stand the putrid decor, it's OK.Farther south is Gulfstream, Hallandale Beach way - along side the racetrack.  I've only been there twice.  The staff and hosts are surly and the machines are cold.If you are looking for a boat to do a cruise to nowhere, I personally like the Palm Beach Princess.  It's in Riviera Beach, about 45 minutes from where I live in Pompano Beach.  The food is better than the other cruise lines, and the parking's much cheaper. Has bright idea - how about we do a mini get together at the Isle?  I'm in! 

[luvzlyfe]

OK, wait, PS.  There are .02 machines - they are the 100 play machines - there are 2 of them on the way to the .10 machines.  I just don't consider them .02 because I wouldn't play max bet.  That's why this small taters gal plays the nickels because it's a 10 nickel bet. You can also take those machines and change them to dimes.  So, I stand corrected.  LOL.