I am an avid $1/$2 No Limit Hold'em player who lives in Phoenix, AZ. This was my first time playing at Hollywood Casino's poker room, and I was not impressed with the playing experience here for a few reasons: 1) Drinks only come around to the tables once every 15-20 minutes. The dealers do not have the ability to call service, so if you're thirsty, you may have to make a trip to the soda fountain yourself. 2) This card room offers a NO LIMIT STRADDLE!! (UTG only). This is fine if one or maybe two players are straddling to $4 occasionally. However, there seemed to be a heavy "straddle culture" among the regulars at the $1/$2 tables where half the table would straddle anywhere from $10 to $12...essentially hijacking the game and turning it into a $5/$10 No Limit Hold'em game. This is obnoxious! The whole reason I (and many others I'm sure) play 200NL is because I can't afford to play $5/$10! This nonsense eventually led to another $1/$2 regular and me leaving the table for the night -- both frustrated that we were no longer able to afford the one game we came here to play. Even after bringing this grievance to the floor's attention, I was met with a very dismissive, "Oh well, sucks for you," attitude from management. After all, what do they care? More money for them, right?
I've been to casinos all over the USA, and while this isn't the best, it's been better to me than the other Hollywood properties (like paying for drinks in PA), and better than Dover and even the Poconos. The food is good, the staff always seems to be friendly, and while I did get a trainee blackjack dealer, she was with a regular dealer and we were offered the chance to move to another table if we wanted to. Just wish the minimum wasn't $15 for the 3:2 tables, and I'd play more often. I also play slots frequently and these are not any worse than anywhere else. I enjoy playing and have found three machines that I can hold my own on for reasonably long periods of time. That's all I hope for!
Not a bad casino. Don't be put off by the reviews by blue hairs who just want to sit in front of a slot machine all day with their $200 social security check. If you are into having real fun at a casino at table games or horse racing this place is worth the trip. Especially if it's closer to you than Atlantic city. The limits are a little high, but that's to be expected when you are the only game in town. Hopefully the limits will come down a little as more clowns pour into the faux-casino low rent slot parlors MD is building everywhere.
Wow I love the way losers vent. So i visited this Casino recently because i had to know if it was really this bad.
Overall I personally found this place to be extremely well run.
Slots were definitely paying off when I was there. I was there for about 6 hours. Definitely saw many many jackpots going off.
Slot Attendants as they call them were walking around ready to help with a smile. They were very busy running around paying out all the jackpots I saw. However, when I stopped one to ask a question he was very friendly. I also saw several managers on the floor. Several asked me if i was enjoying myself. I stopped one young lady who said she was a slot floor manger and I asked her all about the casino as this was my first visit. She was very informative. I asked about the themed games like Wheel of Fortune and Sex in the City. She said they do want them, however, due to their higher tax rate they pay and royalty fees those games aren't profitable. It is a business people. They do need to put profitable games on their floor. Very pleasant and was very happy to help me.
I asked several guests I saw throughout the day how they liked it. I got no complaints and not one of them won a huge jackpot.
The Buffet I thought was decent for the price. I had several helpings of the Mac and cheese, sushi and creme brûlée.
Staff there was very pleasant.
I played on and off all day sticking to two machines and won many times throughout my day. No big wins but I did leave over $100 ahead. Maybe because I was smart enough to stick to two machines instead of hopping around to all different ones.
I cashed my ticket at a ticket redemption machine.
I found the casino cleaner then any other I've ever visited. I had many employees talk to me. Maybe because I'm pleasant myself. Reading some of these posts I wouldn't want to talk to any of you negative soar losers either.
Overall, I didn't see any of the above problems. Sounds like a lot of sore losers. I'd say go in realistic. Expecting to lose but have fun and you won't be disapointed. As far as the comments about people spending life's savings and being in wheelchairs and on oxygen tanks.....that's their own faults. They shouldn't be in there if they can't afford it. Or, if their health is an issue. I for one will go back. Because I had a great time. Nope I didn't get rich. What a shame I guess I'll have to keep working for my money and go to Charles Town for fun. Oh and I did ask about the Facebook photos. They have to get approval from
The winner and they'll post ANY winner on there. So throw your theory in the garbage. I also had to laugh at the theory that they plant people to play. That's hysterical.
Beautiful casino, a little pricey, needs more game
(Updated: July 09, 2011)
Overall rating
3.7
Slots
3.0
Table Games
3.0
Customer Service
5.0
Player's Club
3.0
Gaming Atmosphere
4.0
Amenities or Hotel
4.0
Food & Drink
4.0
Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races is very convenient for DC area residents, and has improved DRASTICALLY since table games/poker have been added and since renovation. The surroundings are beautiful. Customer service is great - we needed help from a slot attendant who later brought additional managers over to help us with an issue and the staff seemed very genuinely interested in helping us and spent a lot of time to do so. Everyone we asked for other help was also extremely courteous and friendly. There are several dining options and the atmosphere is very nice even the seating for the "food court" restaurants, but prices are on par with other casinos ($35 for buffet for example) which is a lot if you have 2 people and no coupons (we got no coupons when we joined the players club). Parking is free, unlike every other casino I've ever been to, and there is a free shuttle that goes to many hotels in the area that will drop you off at the front door. As for the games.... The table games have high minimums and some games are not offered (most notably you do not see my favorite - Caribbean Stud). If you don't want an ante of $15/$25 per hand you will be out of luck here, which I found disappointing considering I could play $5 antes at other casinos. The slots I was disappointed to find that many of the most popular newer machines are not represented here, particularly "licensed" machines like Sex and the City and Stargate SG1 and other licensed brand machines. I also didn't see any roulette or blackjack machines and not as many video poker machines as I would have liked. Another omission I found very surprising, considering they have a race track here, was that I couldn't bet on races at other tracks. The race track on site is a wonderful, unique feature here however and is the advantage here over other casinos. This is a good casino to visit for horse racing, convenience, and a nice atmosphere but is lacking in some of the games compared to Atlantic City casinos and minimums are high on table games.
