Any info on vp in Louisiana casinos such as Paragon, or Lake Charles casinos? Thanks in advance
VP in Louisiana
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BillyJoe
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The only Louisiana casino that I have been to is Harrah's in New Orleans. The folks there are very nice and accomadating. The hotel is first-rate, and close to the French Quarter. The VP is not great, but they do have a few areas with several machines and game selections. No spectactular pay tables, though.
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Lucky Larry
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Any info on vp in Louisiana casinos such as Paragon, or Lake Charles casinos? Thanks in advance
Welcome to the forum Princess.
Lake Charles is our normal playground. You have two casino which have VP in the LC area: L'Auberge du Lac (LDL) and Isle of Capri (IOC). They are very different.
LDL is a Vegas style/quality casino with lots of VP and lots of people. You can't tell it is a riverboat because it is on piers. Depending on what you play it is a great place to play/stay. $VP tables are 99% return. If you are a $VP player this is where to play. Lots of $VP and even a $1/$2 ($45/90) spin poker is available and $5VP. Quarters 96-98% range, lower denominations drop to 94-96. Most machines are multi-denomination (25/50/1). LDL is extremely crowded on the weekends so play during the week if you want a choice of machines. They only have 3 lower denomination spin poker machines (near host stand) and watch the bar tops. The high limit bar pay tables are lower than the rest of the casino (last checked early summer). The comps are horrible-VP is an ugly step child. Cash back is hard to gain because of comp ratio. Room comps are limited especially for weekends because of their high play clientele. They know they are the high roller place for Texas players and they often act like it. The buffet/restaurants are expensive. $30 for seafood weekend buffet. The rooms are nice, the pool area incredible-especially the lazy river. If you are looking for a host talk to Carol or Deanne.
IOC is an older river boat. The VP is under appreciated. The machines vary in their returns often on the same denomination. 25¢/50¢ is generally higher or equal to LDL. VP has been neglected by the slot directors. There are several $VP machines (99% return) and at least two 9/6 JOB-16/10 DW 25/50/1 triple/five play. The IOC added a Progressive DDB 25¢ (AWAK -Aces with a Kicker & RF) bank (6) and it is worth playing when it is up. LDL doesn't have a progressive. The multi-hand (50-100 play) 5¢VP play (6) was 99% return until December when the new mgr. came in and lowered the returns to 98% but they are still a great play. Much higher than LDL. IOC also offers Ultimate X (2¢/5¢/25¢). LDL Ultimate X is 25/50/$1. The quarter machines have a strange offering since Dec. They took off Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild-but if you want to play Super Dbl, Triple Dble, Super Dbl Dbl, Triple Dbl Dbl, others they are on the machines. We have talked to the general mgr. about this lack of standards JOB, DW, DWB. IOC also has 3 spin poker and several Super Times Pay. They also offer Pick'em (back room -by restrooms). They just added additional machines on the second boat with several new games. Don't remember but they are East Coast games I believe. New GM is from Ft. Lauderdale. The IOC Inn across the street is recently remodeled and really nice. The tower is older but the rooms are acceptable since we only sleep there. Nice big jacuzzi tubs. The buffet is decent and reasonable especially compared to LDL. Comps are much better than LDL and room comps are fairly easy to get. IOC also offers lower table play and has two "virtual black jack" stations. Check with Whitney or Mac - really good hosts. Tell them LL sent you.
Overall, we generally play IOC the most because of machine availability/pay tables. On the weekends you can get a machine as the number of players is low compared to LDL. Sometimes there are only a handful of players playing VP compared to hundreds for LDL. We like that! We often have spin poker, progressive, or nickel machines we can play and often I can get a 3-5 play 9/6 JOB/16/10 DW machine (25/50/1).
Good luck and if you drive from the Houston area PM me and I will give an better update and talk about the buses and back road short cuts.
LL
Welcome to the forum Princess.
Lake Charles is our normal playground. You have two casino which have VP in the LC area: L'Auberge du Lac (LDL) and Isle of Capri (IOC). They are very different.
LDL is a Vegas style/quality casino with lots of VP and lots of people. You can't tell it is a riverboat because it is on piers. Depending on what you play it is a great place to play/stay. $VP tables are 99% return. If you are a $VP player this is where to play. Lots of $VP and even a $1/$2 ($45/90) spin poker is available and $5VP. Quarters 96-98% range, lower denominations drop to 94-96. Most machines are multi-denomination (25/50/1). LDL is extremely crowded on the weekends so play during the week if you want a choice of machines. They only have 3 lower denomination spin poker machines (near host stand) and watch the bar tops. The high limit bar pay tables are lower than the rest of the casino (last checked early summer). The comps are horrible-VP is an ugly step child. Cash back is hard to gain because of comp ratio. Room comps are limited especially for weekends because of their high play clientele. They know they are the high roller place for Texas players and they often act like it. The buffet/restaurants are expensive. $30 for seafood weekend buffet. The rooms are nice, the pool area incredible-especially the lazy river. If you are looking for a host talk to Carol or Deanne.
IOC is an older river boat. The VP is under appreciated. The machines vary in their returns often on the same denomination. 25¢/50¢ is generally higher or equal to LDL. VP has been neglected by the slot directors. There are several $VP machines (99% return) and at least two 9/6 JOB-16/10 DW 25/50/1 triple/five play. The IOC added a Progressive DDB 25¢ (AWAK -Aces with a Kicker & RF) bank (6) and it is worth playing when it is up. LDL doesn't have a progressive. The multi-hand (50-100 play) 5¢VP play (6) was 99% return until December when the new mgr. came in and lowered the returns to 98% but they are still a great play. Much higher than LDL. IOC also offers Ultimate X (2¢/5¢/25¢). LDL Ultimate X is 25/50/$1. The quarter machines have a strange offering since Dec. They took off Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild-but if you want to play Super Dbl, Triple Dble, Super Dbl Dbl, Triple Dbl Dbl, others they are on the machines. We have talked to the general mgr. about this lack of standards JOB, DW, DWB. IOC also has 3 spin poker and several Super Times Pay. They also offer Pick'em (back room -by restrooms). They just added additional machines on the second boat with several new games. Don't remember but they are East Coast games I believe. New GM is from Ft. Lauderdale. The IOC Inn across the street is recently remodeled and really nice. The tower is older but the rooms are acceptable since we only sleep there. Nice big jacuzzi tubs. The buffet is decent and reasonable especially compared to LDL. Comps are much better than LDL and room comps are fairly easy to get. IOC also offers lower table play and has two "virtual black jack" stations. Check with Whitney or Mac - really good hosts. Tell them LL sent you.
Overall, we generally play IOC the most because of machine availability/pay tables. On the weekends you can get a machine as the number of players is low compared to LDL. Sometimes there are only a handful of players playing VP compared to hundreds for LDL. We like that! We often have spin poker, progressive, or nickel machines we can play and often I can get a 3-5 play 9/6 JOB/16/10 DW machine (25/50/1).
Good luck and if you drive from the Houston area PM me and I will give an better update and talk about the buses and back road short cuts.
LL
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guff
- Forum Newbie
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Paragon was going to build in Lake Charles but dropped the project. Now they are building a $300+ million resort/casino in Baton Rouge. The two boats we have here Belle and Hollywood aren't very good. Don't even bother going to Belle, place is a dump and the people are rude.
Hollywood can work if you really play the comps. Best return you'll get at Hollywood is 98.4% and I only counted 3 VP machines in the whole joint with that...I miss living in Vegas
Hollywood can work if you really play the comps. Best return you'll get at Hollywood is 98.4% and I only counted 3 VP machines in the whole joint with that...I miss living in Vegas
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welita
- Forum Newbie
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- Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 5:15 pm
Try Labarge inLake Charles
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Lucky Larry
- Video Poker Master
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- Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2008 7:35 pm
Any info on vp in Louisiana casinos such as Paragon, or Lake Charles casinos? Thanks in advance
Welcome to the Forum.
We play Lake Charles frequently. The best VP odds for lower denominations are at the Isle of Capri and they have a great progressive (the only one in LC). If you are playing $VP the best play is at Lauberge du Lac Lake Charles (machines are generally 99% return) but the Isle has a couple of full pay $VP machines. The Isle has better VP comps in our opinion. We've played Paragon a few years ago but I'm not familiar with them now. Part of the answer depends on where you are coming from - if Texas (southeast) Lake Charles is all you need. 2 hours from Houston. PM me and I'll give you more data.
LL and C
Welcome to the Forum.
We play Lake Charles frequently. The best VP odds for lower denominations are at the Isle of Capri and they have a great progressive (the only one in LC). If you are playing $VP the best play is at Lauberge du Lac Lake Charles (machines are generally 99% return) but the Isle has a couple of full pay $VP machines. The Isle has better VP comps in our opinion. We've played Paragon a few years ago but I'm not familiar with them now. Part of the answer depends on where you are coming from - if Texas (southeast) Lake Charles is all you need. 2 hours from Houston. PM me and I'll give you more data.
LL and C
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rascal
- VP Veteran
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- Joined: Tue Sep 12, 2006 12:25 am
I live on the Mississippi coast part of the year and I am in Louisiana frequently. However, I rarely play in Louisiana casinos because the ones in Mississippi are much nicer and much more convenient. Other than the French Quarter casino in New Orleans (and the Indian Casinos) Louisiana casinos are all riverboats. In addition, Louisiana has a pitiful tax rate on jackpots and it is difficult and time-consuming for out-of-state residents to apply for a refund. Finally, they are a bit sleazy compared to the casinos I normally play at in Laughlin and Mississippi. Some years ago, at the casino that eventually became the Belle in Baton Rouge, I once won a nice jackpot at about midnight and I was informed that I would have to return the next day to get paid because no one was able to authorize payment due to the hour. I think when they saw my Arizona drivers license they were hoping I was a tourist who was leaving and could not return to get paid. However, I know most gaming regs and some gaming case law and I was able to successfully protest by threatening to call a state gaming commission enforcement officer on the spot, which resulted in immediate (but very begrudging) payment. So, in general, I avoid Louisiana casinos. (I have read repeatedly on this forum that Lucky Larry and his family do well in Lake Charles and I respect that, having never had the opportunity to be in Lake Charles.)
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Lucky Larry
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Paragon was going to build in Lake Charles but dropped the project. Now they are building a $300+ million resort/casino in Baton Rouge. The two boats we have here Belle and Hollywood aren't very good. Don't even bother going to Belle, place is a dump and the people are rude.
Hollywood can work if you really play the comps. Best return you'll get at Hollywood is 98.4% and I only counted 3 VP machines in the whole joint with that...I miss living in Vegas
Welcome to the forum Guff.
Pinnacle Inc. which owns Lauberge du lac (LDL) is building in Baton Rouge. So it may be Pinnacle rather than Paragon building there. Pinnacle's second casino in Lake Charles "Sugarcane Bay" (proposed to be next to LDL) was put on hold because of the economy partly. Secondly, an Asst. Casino Manager told us they were anticipating Texas possibly adopting gambling within the next couple of years. Pinnacle wanted to be able to purchase a license and build in the Galveston/Houston, Texas area knowing Texas gambling would cripple their Lake Charles investments. The license (originally Harrah's) was returned to the State and I understand will be re-issued in March 2011. We heard in late December that 3 parties had requested State consideration- a local Lake Charles group of investors; the former CEO of Pinnacle & investors; and Hard Rock Casino Inc. It will be interesting to see what happens in March.
On a side note: the GM of Isle of Capri Lake Charles (previously GM at Ft. Lauderdale IOC) has moved on and in his place was hired a local resident who was in Lauberge du Lac's finance department. Haven't met him yet but got an email from the IOC Director of Slots yesterday that all slots and VP would be reviewed within the next 3 months. Hope it not the end of the quality VP at IOC. Low denominations beat the heck out of VP at LDL. All advantage of IOC over LDL would be eliminated if they drop the pay returns to match LDL. I'll post more when we hear/see what happens.
LL
Hollywood can work if you really play the comps. Best return you'll get at Hollywood is 98.4% and I only counted 3 VP machines in the whole joint with that...I miss living in Vegas
Welcome to the forum Guff.
Pinnacle Inc. which owns Lauberge du lac (LDL) is building in Baton Rouge. So it may be Pinnacle rather than Paragon building there. Pinnacle's second casino in Lake Charles "Sugarcane Bay" (proposed to be next to LDL) was put on hold because of the economy partly. Secondly, an Asst. Casino Manager told us they were anticipating Texas possibly adopting gambling within the next couple of years. Pinnacle wanted to be able to purchase a license and build in the Galveston/Houston, Texas area knowing Texas gambling would cripple their Lake Charles investments. The license (originally Harrah's) was returned to the State and I understand will be re-issued in March 2011. We heard in late December that 3 parties had requested State consideration- a local Lake Charles group of investors; the former CEO of Pinnacle & investors; and Hard Rock Casino Inc. It will be interesting to see what happens in March.
On a side note: the GM of Isle of Capri Lake Charles (previously GM at Ft. Lauderdale IOC) has moved on and in his place was hired a local resident who was in Lauberge du Lac's finance department. Haven't met him yet but got an email from the IOC Director of Slots yesterday that all slots and VP would be reviewed within the next 3 months. Hope it not the end of the quality VP at IOC. Low denominations beat the heck out of VP at LDL. All advantage of IOC over LDL would be eliminated if they drop the pay returns to match LDL. I'll post more when we hear/see what happens.
LL
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Lucky Larry
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- Joined: Sat Dec 13, 2008 7:35 pm
Hey Rascal,
If you get a chance drive a little further and check out the Lake Charles area. (about 4 hrs from Biloxi) Lauberge du Lac (equivalent to Beau Rivage) has 99% return on all of their $1, 2, 5 VP if you play those denominations. They have a large selection probably around 50 multi-denomination machines all with $ pay tables. Even have 50¢/$1/$2 Spin and Ultimate X at decent rates. The high limit areas has $5VP (5-6 machines). When the G account is big enough we love those odds. Check out vpfree.
If you play lower go to IOC. PM me and I'll let you know which machines 25/50/1 are still 9/6 JOB/NSUD/ 9/6 DDB multi-play. Nice 98% nickels multi-hand selection.
If you get a chance drive a little further and check out the Lake Charles area. (about 4 hrs from Biloxi) Lauberge du Lac (equivalent to Beau Rivage) has 99% return on all of their $1, 2, 5 VP if you play those denominations. They have a large selection probably around 50 multi-denomination machines all with $ pay tables. Even have 50¢/$1/$2 Spin and Ultimate X at decent rates. The high limit areas has $5VP (5-6 machines). When the G account is big enough we love those odds. Check out vpfree.
If you play lower go to IOC. PM me and I'll let you know which machines 25/50/1 are still 9/6 JOB/NSUD/ 9/6 DDB multi-play. Nice 98% nickels multi-hand selection.
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spxChrome
- VP Veteran
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- Joined: Tue Nov 07, 2006 9:21 pm
I've been to the Harrahs NOLA several times. While a fun casino the paytables are pretty bad. And their progressives are the cheapest I have ever seen only increasing .01 for every $5 in.
The biggest complaint is if you plan on staying at Harrahs you better book about 6 months in advance. I call weeks in advance and always end up having to stay at a partner hotel. Which they are all great but the Harrahs hotel is fantastic especially the studio or suite and you don't have to walk around the city block with a pocket full of cash at 2am. So book early, also as a side note this is one of the few casinos I know that do not allow kids whatsoever. So don't plan on any buffets or in casino restearunt like the steake house if you have kids.
This really ticked me off as I had tons of free food credits but couldn't go... most casinos will allow an escort for underage patrons to the food establishments.
Also Harrahs Nola has no large multistate progressives like Wheel of Fortune (.25, .50, $1.00, $5.00), Megabucks, Wizard of Oz or any of them. I only saw one and it was a $25 wheel of fortune. I normally don't play these but I do like to take a couple of pulls every now and then.
The biggest complaint is if you plan on staying at Harrahs you better book about 6 months in advance. I call weeks in advance and always end up having to stay at a partner hotel. Which they are all great but the Harrahs hotel is fantastic especially the studio or suite and you don't have to walk around the city block with a pocket full of cash at 2am. So book early, also as a side note this is one of the few casinos I know that do not allow kids whatsoever. So don't plan on any buffets or in casino restearunt like the steake house if you have kids.
This really ticked me off as I had tons of free food credits but couldn't go... most casinos will allow an escort for underage patrons to the food establishments.
Also Harrahs Nola has no large multistate progressives like Wheel of Fortune (.25, .50, $1.00, $5.00), Megabucks, Wizard of Oz or any of them. I only saw one and it was a $25 wheel of fortune. I normally don't play these but I do like to take a couple of pulls every now and then.
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