I have been to Binion's a bazillion times. I enjoy the "old Vegas" atmosphere but that only goes so far. I am a poker player so their poker history is significant and I have spent many hours playing poker at Binion's. The last time we played there were so many degenerate gamblers at our table it made our experience pretty depressing. The straw that broke the camel's back was this one guy who was extremely intoxicated and continued to slobber and yammer and never acted when it was his turn. He complained and made all kinds of noise and it slowed the game to a crawl. I asked the poker room manager why they don't get rid of the guy and he said that management wants it this way. So they don't care if a moron disrupts the experience for 8 other people, as long as they get as many playing as possible. And I have been told that poker room manager and fixture Carol has finally left after about 40 years.
We left and may not go back. Their coffee shop is one of the oldest and most historical significant downtown and I will miss it. But I won't miss much else from Binion's. RIP.
Only went in to check out the atmosphere and stayed to play the slots for a while. Won pretty often, but didn't like the crowded atmosphere. Seemed everyone was on top of each other. Not enough oxygen.
The hotel component is boarded up (this used to be "the mint" from the 1960s and 70s) and the casino layout, reflecting the casino's growth over time, is confusing, but there is still some history here, and if you walk around to the back of the casino, you still see the poker room where poker really got started in Las Vegas. Unfortunately, the tournaments have moved on (to the Rio), as have most of the big money gamblers. Benny Binion is long gone, and the rest of the casino looks like all the rest along Fremont, which is a bit sad.
The have returned the UTH Video Dealer machine to the floor, nice. St. Pauli Dark is good. Steakhouse is a great place to get a taste of old Vegas if you have the comps and the comps are easy to get. Pai Gow is fun if you get a good dealer and a nice place to hear the Fremont Experience.
As I understand it, Binion's has unfortunately boarded up its hotel operation until the economy brightens. The gaming and restaurants are still open in the interim which is reason enough to give it a visit. The view from their Ranch Steakhouse along with the quality meal are spectacular and the casino is still a great little value and action play worth patronizing.
It's just that you'll have to flop at the Nugget when both the whiskey and fatigue call. Too bad. Another Vegas classic on the economic gallows.
