Do you patronize the Orleans in Las Vegas?

[Ted Craven]

http://www.canterburypark.com/Portals/0/Simulcasting/HPWS2010.jpg (http://www.orleanscasino.com/play/race-and-sports-book)



I need to know how many people here at PaceAdvantage go to the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, to stay, to play the horses, to play casino games.

The reason is - The Orleans was the Sponsor in 2013 of the PaceAdvantage Player of the Year prize - an all expense paid berth in the 2014 Horse Players World Series - won by 'Immanual Kant' (Sheldon Usprech) (http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1537834). They are however reluctant to renew their sponsorship for our 2014 Contest Series - because they just have not seen (or identified) enough new business (i.e. gaming handle) from their PaceAdvantage exposure.

They are open to reconsidering - if I can make a case that they do indeed derive an interesting amount of business via people from this community who choose to stay at and/or play casino games or in the race book at the Orleans - either Las Vegas residents, or visitors.

So - I'm opening this thread to solicit comments about who patronizes the Orleans, and preferably because you appreciated their sponsorship of our PaceAdvantage Contests - that's why they did it, to attract new visitors and new gaming handle.

Note: playing in one of their Handicapping Contests does not really count much towards the new business they were seeking to generate, unless you also were a casino game player or spent additional time in the race book while you were there. Their Handicapping Contests in and of themselves are pretty much a 'loss leader' for them (as I am told).

Please comment in this thread if you have given The Orleans your business in 2013, or if you plan to do so in 2014 - and if their sponsorship of our Contests was at least part of your decision. You are also welcomed to send me a Private Message or email me at ted@sartinmethodology.com if you prefer.

If I can make the case that PaceAdvantage has been (or might be) good for them - I can convince them to renew their Sponsorship. Otherwise, I'm looking for a new Player of the Year Sponsor!

Ted

[Stillriledup]

I don't ever stay there, but i would consider betting at their race book, im in vegas often enough. Three questions. 1) how "smoky" is this place and 2) what's the comp situation look like 3) how modern are the tv screens and the layout for horseplayers.

[horses4courses]

I was there in the 90s and enjoyed it.
No idea how much it has changed since, but it was a down to earth establishment that is popular with locals.

Located not far from the Strip, and right next to the Rio, I remember it had a bowling alley back then.
Good value rooms and food, too.

Someone who has been there more recently should give their opinion, but from what I remember,
the Orleans is definitely player friendly. :ThmbUp:

[horses4courses]

I was there in the 90s and enjoyed it.
No idea how much it has changed since, but it was a down to earth establishment that is popular with locals.

Located not far from the Strip, and right next to the Rio, I remember it had a bowling alley back then.
Good value rooms and food, too.

Someone who has been there more recently should give their opinion, but from what I remember,
the Orleans is definitely player friendly. :ThmbUp:

I am mistaken in the above post - Gold Coast was where I was thinking of.
Please disregard.

[barn32]

I live nearby and go there all the time.

I do know a lot of the HTR guys stay and play there. They usually have their annual seminar there as well.

The race book has a non-smoking and a smoking section. Comps are around $7 for every $500 through the window (or something like that.)

The sports book is a lot worse. $1 for every $500.

Most poker rooms in town pay $2 an hour for comps now.

And every year during pro football they give away $30,000 a week in their Pick the Pros Contest.

They have a food court and about seven other restaurants as well as a buffet.

[The Judge]

Love the place. Even If I'm staying somewhere else I like to go by. Play the book and the slots mainly.

In addition my entire family goes there for the National Youth Cheer-leading Competition each year at the arena.

[kingfin66]

I have played in some of the handicapping contests at the Orleans. During my most recent trip, the 2013 HPWS, my parents happened to be in town during an extended vacation. They are experimenting with living in Vegas by going for extended stays at a Wyndham condo complex as they consider whether they wish to live there fulltime. Anyway, they came to The Orleans to visit me at the contest and they fell in love with the place. They like the easy off strip access, the decor, restaurants. They don't stay there but they definitely gamble. They never would have considered walking through the front door were it not for their degenerate, horseplayer, Pace Advantage member son.

I hope they reconsider their decision to end their sponsorship.

[Johnny V]

I have stayed at The Orleans many times over the past years and enjoyed the race book and the casino in general and kept going back several times a year. HOWEVER, while I still consider it better than most for horseplayers, I felt they no longer appreciated the horseplayer as much as before. Maybe they changed the race book manager but IMO it was not quite as good so I stopped going there when visiting LV.
I have taken my business to the South Point. The location is a bit far from the strip but I have always enjoyed good service and have been satisfied with the comps in the race book and they treat you well. You might want to check with them as a new sponsor.

[wiffleball whizz]

Was at the Orleans in I wanna say 2009.....

My gf and I had a suite at the Venetian cuz she had pull there and we decided to take a trip to the Orleans......

I "just wanted to go and check the place out" with the bowling alley and all walked in and immediately felt "at home" there

It was a obvious locals place but in whiz like fashion I dove right into the $15 mini abc and got buried for 200 in 12 minutes.....

Gf got into a card game where it was Omaha high low world headquarters so I somehow played dice threw back to back 5-4 on the hop and climbed into positive territory.....

Again at this point I saw nothing but table games and poker....we ate at the buffet which was decent (night before we ate at mirage buffet....again wasting 60 cuz she don't eat much and I'm gambling everywhere)

Anyway we leave the Orleans buffet it's around 5 I guess I check out the bowling alley then I see sports book paradise.....old school and I loved it...

Mutual clerks at Orleans would embarrass any MJC/nj otb in any customer service category.....it's been like 4 years but I remember tons of lines on the wall it wasn't a glamour show and that's why I liked it....spoke to the manager that night told him his staff was top notch and would rather have stayed there then the the Venetian suites..

I highly recommend the Orleans if your out there it's a hidden gem
And they have great staff which really does make a trip there a better time...


There was a casino show if say around 2005 maybe earlier or later I
Think called American casino that was filmed at green valley ranch.,... I loved the show I couldn't wait to get there we leave the Orleans and went there and I was very dissapointed


Cliff notes:

Orleans--- great time great action and great staff

[SandyW]

I use to play there, but not anymore as they have begun to be very petty about comps, no more free forms at all is a major drawback.
Station casinos still treats the player with respect and still gives free forms to their steady players without any strings attached and without taking away your comp points for forms.
You have to use your comp points to get free forms at The Orleans and The Gold Coast with no exceptions.

[SandyW]

Was at the Orleans in I wanna say 2009.....

My gf and I had a suite at the Venetian cuz she had pull there and we decided to take a trip to the Orleans......

I "just wanted to go and check the place out" with the bowling alley and all walked in and immediately felt "at home" there

It was a obvious locals place but in whiz like fashion I dove right into the $15 mini abc and got buried for 200 in 12 minutes.....

Gf got into a card game where it was Omaha high low world headquarters so I somehow played dice threw back to back 5-4 on the hop and climbed into positive territory.....

Again at this point I saw nothing but table games and poker....we ate at the buffet which was decent (night before we ate at mirage buffet....again wasting 60 cuz she don't eat much and I'm gambling everywhere)

Anyway we leave the Orleans buffet it's around 5 I guess I check out the bowling alley then I see sports book paradise.....old school and I loved it...

Mutual clerks at Orleans would embarrass any MJC/nj otb in any customer service category.....it's been like 4 years but I remember tons of lines on the wall it wasn't a glamour show and that's why I liked it....spoke to the manager that night told him his staff was top notch and would rather have stayed there then the the Venetian suites..

I highly recommend the Orleans if your out there it's a hidden gem
And they have great staff which really does make a trip there a better time...


There was a casino show if say around 2005 maybe earlier or later I
Think called American casino that was filmed at green valley ranch.,... I loved the show I couldn't wait to get there we leave the Orleans and went there and I was very dissapointed


Cliff notes:

Orleans--- great time great action and great staff

You are right 2009 was great, but this is 2013 and things have changed by leaps and bounds.
Coast Casinos which owns The Orleans & The Gold Coast is now known as a very petty operation as compared to their past history. They make the indian ride the buffalo before they give away a nickel these days. :ThmbDown::ThmbDown::ThmbDown:

[Hosshead]

Coast Casinos has just decided to do away with free DRF's to loyal customers who stay at their hotel.
Another way to screw the customer

They now charge $3.00 per form and with 3 (regions) a day, that's $12 a day for forms. Let's say you stay 5 days. That's $60 for forms !!
They will gladly take their $$'s from any pts you have accrued for betting. But you still have to pay one way or the other.
Screw em'. Stay away !

[Red Knave]

We stayed 2 nights there this fall (my wife gets comped). I played their HoldEm tournament twice and my wife spent copious dollars there on the slots (I spent a few myself :blush: ).
I have played at their race book in the past but not this last time.

[NTamm1215]

Coast Casinos has just decided to do away with free DRF's to loyal customers who stay at their hotel.
Another way to screw the customer

They now charge $3.00 per form and with 3 (regions) a day, that's $12 a day for forms. Let's say you stay 5 days. That's $60 for forms !!
They will gladly take their $$'s from any pts you have accrued for betting. But you still have to pay one way or the other.
Screw em'. Stay away !

Little bit of fuzzy math here.

[olddaddy]

Paying now for the form, having to ask the ticket seller for drink coupons, old monitors, old flat screen tvs, straight back chairs, I dont see any reason to go there anymore. These vegas horse parlors have to give me something I cant get at home. The orleans doesnt do that.

[JimG]

Have been to Vegas 3 times and Orleans is my preferred place to play the horses and gamble. The food is excellent at the buffet. Earned quite a lot in comps when there and never paid for a meal there and extended my stay a couple of days the last time.

I think Orleans appeals more to a lot of horse players that go to Vegas as the race book does not seem like an after thought like at some of the casinos. I feel they should rethink not sponsoring the PA contest that includes a trip to HPWS. Had I not gone to the HPWS the first time I was in Vegas, I would have stayed at the strip.

Because I like to play the horses, I recommend the Orleans to other horse playing friends. Pulling the sponsorship does not send the message to players that the Orleans is still horse player friendly. I hope they reconsider.

Jim

[SandyW]

Have been to Vegas 3 times and Orleans is my preferred place to play the horses and gamble. The food is excellent at the buffet. Earned quite a lot in comps when there and never paid for a meal there and extended my stay a couple of days the last time.

I think Orleans appeals more to a lot of horse players that go to Vegas as the race book does not seem like an after thought like at some of the casinos. I feel they should rethink not sponsoring the PA contest that includes a trip to HPWS. Had I not gone to the HPWS the first time I was in Vegas, I would have stayed at the strip.

Because I like to play the horses, I recommend the Orleans to other horse playing friends. Pulling the sponsorship does not send the message to players that the Orleans is still horse player friendly. I hope they reconsider.

Jim

A horse or a sports player at The Orleans is now treated like a second class citizen.
They have not invested a quarter into upgrading the room and the TV's in years.
The old owner now owns The Southpoint where they appreciate ALL their casino customers.

[Stillriledup]

Reading all the comments here betting at Orleans seems like a hard sell. You can't sell the idea that crappy tv's in 2013 will fly....tvs are as cheap as they have ever been, if you want customers, you have to upgrade, this isnt 1970 anymore.

[SharpCat]

Reading all the comments here betting at Orleans seems like a hard sell. You can't sell the idea that crappy tv's in 2013 will fly....tvs are as cheap as they have ever been, if you want customers, you have to upgrade, this isnt 1970 anymore.


Could not agree more. I remember when the OTB in Evansville closed down in 2012. They still had the same tube tv's from when they opened in 2003. The tv's were in terrible shape the last couple of years. Now I play at Ellis with nice flat screen tv's but the SAM machines have to be close to 30 years old. Today I saw the same SAM machine jam up for six people one right after the other. Lot's and lot's of good quality tv's and SAM machines. This should be rule #1 for any Race&Sports Book, Simulcast Facility or OTB.

[wiffleball whizz]

Reading all the comments here betting at Orleans seems like a hard sell. You can't sell the idea that crappy tv's in 2013 will fly....tvs are as cheap as they have ever been, if you want customers, you have to upgrade, this isnt 1970 anymore.


Agree tell lrl park that......

U see a bank of 7 televisions.....RCA,zenith,RCA,Sony,Panasonic,Mits ubishi,Sony....all from 1992 with tons of dust

[Stillriledup]

Agree tell lrl park that......

U see a bank of 7 televisions.....RCA,zenith,RCA,Sony,Panasonic,Mits ubishi,Sony....all from 1992 with tons of dust


Good god, and at a Stronach Facility to boot.

Maybe if he thought "De horsemen" were watching those tvs instead of the "bustouts" he would upgrade them...you know, for "de horsemen".

[Stillriledup]

Could not agree more. I remember when the OTB in Evansville closed down in 2012. They still had the same tube tv's from when they opened in 2003. The tv's were in terrible shape the last couple of years. Now I play at Ellis with nice flat screen tv's but the SAM machines have to be close to 30 years old. Today I saw the same SAM machine jam up for six people one right after the other. Lot's and lot's of good quality tv's and SAM machines. This should be rule #1 for any Race&Sports Book, Simulcast Facility or OTB.

Mandalay Bay needs to upgrade their set...they could have a great sportsbook, its got a nice space, they can do a lot with that area, but they too are living in the early 1990s and losing business because of it.

[SharpCat]

Mandalay Bay needs to upgrade their set...they could have a great sportsbook, its got a nice space, they can do a lot with that area, but they too are living in the early 1990s and losing business because of it.


Yep. It's not like they would have to spend a ton of money to upgrade their facility into the 21st century. From what i've seen and read it's not highly recommended since they have not upgraded it since they opened.

[bucktron]

A dumb question

Do they allow laptop computers? If so, are the electrical plugs and wireless internet access available?

[barn32]

Don't forget that strip casinos have 20¢ lines on baseball, while the off-strip joints like the Orleans have 10¢ lines.

[Stillriledup]

A dumb question

Do they allow laptop computers? If so, are the electrical plugs and wireless internet access available?

Some probably allow it, some will bust on your for it. Depends on the property and "security" i would imagine.

[appistappis]

I would stay there if I went for a specific horseracing event....otherwise, fed up with mgm and harrahs so that leaves downtown or trop.

[Beachbabe]

Last 3 times I was in Las Vegas, I stayed at The Orleans. The rooms are comfortable & quiet ( you don't hear the TV in the next room), and reasonably priced. They have a shuttle to the Strip, if that's your pleasure. The restaurants are good; the casino is small enough that you can find whatever table you want without wadering around for a 1/2 hr., but not so small you feel cramped. I liked the sports & race books....they're not the plushest, but they were comfortable enough.

[Jay Trotter]

I attended the 2011 Horse Player World Series and stayed at The Orleans. We enjoyed everything about our stay.

My home track, Assiniboia Downs (ASD), awards five trips annually through monthly handicapping contests during the live meet. I would say an additional ten to twelve people from ASD purchase their own entry annually with most staying at The Orleans. A good number of these players are also members of PaceAdvantage.

I will definitely be heading back to the HPWS in the future, whether via winning my way or purchasing an entry with my own money.

I can't imagine why they wouldn't want to continue sponsoring the Player of the Year with a trip and entry to the HPWS. PaceAdvantage.com likely has the most members of any website who fit perfectly as their "target audience". The positive exposure with the right audience would dwarf their expense easily. :ThmbUp:

[Midnight Cruiser]

I like the South Point for straight horses and the Wynn for March Madness combined with horses. It seems to me that SP has free drinks as long as you are sitting in the horse area. The Wynn requires tickets and the tellers usually give you 1 or 2 with each bet you make. They are obviously 2 very different venues, but I enjoy both...

[Ted Craven]

I like the South Point for straight horses and the Wynn for March Madness combined with horses. It seems to me that SP has free drinks as long as you are sitting in the horse area. The Wynn requires tickets and the tellers usually give you 1 or 2 with each bet you make. They are obviously 2 very different venues, but I enjoy both...

This thread is about the Orleans.

Ted

[bks]

I personally stayed at the Orleans on my most recent trip to Vegas because of the PA sponsorship. I was there just before the Breeders Cup (on Wed and Thursday for a 2-night stay, think it was Oct 31-1). There was a huge PK6 carryover at SA on that Thursday, and NBA opening night coincided with it. I must've run 2-3K through the windows myself, and would gladly go back.

Really liked the ceviche I had at the seafood restaurant, too.