London B&M Casinos - Good and Bad

[nafanny29]

Couple of their landbased casinos stink as well.I ain't suprised they seem dodgy

The Gala places in London that I have been to are atrocious, full of desperate gamblers chain smoking and complaining about everything.

As for the Online casino ive never had any problems there but will heed Bryans advice and stop playing there UFN. :notworthy

 

[gfkostas]

The Tottenham Court Road and Russel square ones stink badly.How would you feel after losing 500 pounds to go to the bar with emtpy pockets to have a cheapy soft drink and to face their refusal to give you one because you dont have 1 .Any casino who charge for soft drinks is very ridiculous.
Only Bayswater and Baker street ones are nice.

 

[spearmaster]

I know that one like the back of my hand... LOL... fortunately for me I kicked their butts for a couple thousand quid the first time I went. I have given back a little the last two years but still way ahead.

Service at that casino sucks big time.

 

[The Dude]

I know that one like the back of my hand... LOL... fortunately for me I kicked their butts for a couple thousand quid the first time I went. I have given back a little the last two years but still way ahead.

Service at that casino sucks big time.

I've been there before with Spearmaster What a dive!!

 

[gfkostas]

You mean you been to the landbased ones?

 

[spearmaster]

Tottenham Court Road. We used to stay around the corner at the St. Giles for convenience - near the tube, across from the Easy Internet, and lots of shopping and food in the area.

 

[gfkostas]

Yeap I know exactly where that is.St giles is above the casino.
Used to go there frequently and lately they have refurbished the casino.
However they suck big time.It is my experience that the gamblers and the service at that casino suck..... some nice dealers though.

Am glad spearmaster you cleaned them up and I wish I had your luck.I hold a membership for almost all london casinos that am aware of.If you are interested to visit a decent casino while staying In london I could recommend you some.

 

[nafanny29]

I hold a membership for almost all london casinos that am aware of.If you are interested to visit a decent casino while staying In london I could recommend you some.

Hey gfkostas out of interest what would you say is the absolute worst casino in London you have been to? My nomination would be Napolians in Leicester Square!!

 

[gfkostas]

LOL @ Napoleons

I can't say that I am satisfied with Napoleons either.Very small,very crowed and full of crazy asians gamblers who smoke like chimneys.I could hardly breath in there.Also as I recall waitresses were non existant.That's a bad casino no doubt but still if you wanna see something similar or worst in some things try Golden Nugget on shaftesbury avenue road in picadilly circus.Some good dealers and adequate amount of waitresses but the casino is like a farm.They don't spend a single pound to improve it.The toilets stink without exaggeration etc.

Golden nugget,Napoleons,Gala in Tottenham court road,Gala in Russel square,Gala in picadilly circus are bad casinos in my opinion.You can go in there with shorts and snickers and you will be allowed in without problems.
Am thinking of opening a website one day about london landbased casinos as I know almost every single one of them as the back of hand.I can even precisely describe how the rest rooms are .

 

[jetset]

Looking at this from another angle, which are your top four land casinos in London?

 

[gfkostas]

My four top are: The Palm beach in green park.Great casino a must to visit.10 minimum at BJ 2 at roulette so ok casino for low budget players.Maybe is the one with the largest gaming area in London.Also the new refurbished Sportsman in Marble arch is quite good,Connoiseur in High street kensighton which is very small but top class with great service and final the Park Tower casino in Knightsbridge close to Harrods.Very nice casino with private area for high rollers but not recommended for low stakes player.Minimum at roulette is 5 quid therefore you won't last for long if you go there with 100quid in your pocket.Of course there are many very high class casinos like Crockfords,Fifty,Les ambassedeurs,Colony club and Ritz but am not willing to pay 1 grand just to become a member.

 

[nafanny29]

Im sure most of the "high Stakes" places are lovely but they are strictly out of bounds to me. My personal fav is the Victoria on the Edgware Rd. Best selection of games and slots I can find and they actually have craps! (and just up the road to get home at 4am!!)

The Gloucester (another Grosvenor) seems a little bit more classy than most and has a nice restaurant.

Gfkostas the Golden Nuggest was the very first casino I ever played in 15 years ago and holds a special place in my heart

 

[gfkostas]

Victoria is ok and quite big although the atmosphere is a bit dull for my tastes.But they do offer craps,poker tables and many slots.The Gloucester one hasn't impressed me so far.Haven't been to it lately dunno if they refurbished it.Last time I were there wasn't that great.For you information the only casinos that have craps in London is the gala in picadilly circus,Sportsmant in marble arch and Victoria one.

The golden nugget although rubbish is a bit fun to gamble there due to the electric atmosphere.They do suck though on having the only BJ in london where dealer hits on soft 17.Btw is the first casino opened in London in 1975 if I recall correctly.They always used to have the cheapest tables till Gala in Totenham court road introduced a 50p roulette table

 

[nafanny29]

I know the Gala Barracuda Baker St had craps the last time I was there (Last August). Im sure one of the dealers told me it was the table that used to be at Piccadily Circus

All this talk of London casinos has convinced me to go out tomorrow night and have a punt!

 

[Agamemnon]

Casinomeister was upset because he couldn't find Thunderstruck there

You all forgot to mention the Kitsch Crown Jewel of the UK gaming experience,
The filthy little rundown slots palaces.
(Words Fail to Describe.)
Perhaps casinomeister could have found a slot there?

 

[gfkostas]

I know the Gala Barracuda Baker St had craps the last time I was there (Last August). Im sure one of the dealers told me it was the table that used to be at Piccadily Circus

All this talk of London casinos has convinced me to go out tomorrow night and have a punt!

I like craps a lot.Don't know why they don't offer craps tables at all casinos.
I am in similar situation as you.Am looking forward to hit Sportsman soon.

 

[spearmaster]

You all forgot to mention the Kitsch Crown Jewel of the UK gaming experience,
The filthy little rundown slots palaces.
(Words Fail to Describe.)
Perhaps casinomeister could have found a slot there?

I don't think he likes the fruit machines... but I do LOL. In fact, there's one bar on Tottenham Court Road that still owes me about 15 quid... machine didn't pay out and malfunctioned...

 

[caruso]

The Sportsman has four deck blackjack, not to mention those whacko nine (ten?)-spot tables.

The Nugget was also my first B & M casino. I still go in there whenever I'm in London, primarily for an acceptable scampi & chips and an internal snigger at those awful Asian players. I only played there once - I was experimenting with a negative progression at baccarat and won 300, LOL. I wouldn't repeat the experiment.

The UK dress code is a nuisance; my invariable jeans-based attire keeps me out of almost all of them. I wish the hell they'd ditch that.

 

[spearmaster]

awful Asian players

Ahem... I resemble that remark

The UK dress code is a nuisance; my invariable jeans-based attire keeps me out of almost all of them. I wish the hell they'd ditch that.

The dress code is entirely at the discretion of the casino. If you go to the Gala, you'd probably be OVER dressed

 

[gfkostas]

The Sportsman has four deck blackjack, not to mention those whacko nine (ten?)-spot tables..

Based on my knowldge Sportsman has only 6 decks BJ.They use 4 decks only when a machine shuffles and i dont remember a card machine there.Never liked the machine anyway.

The Nugget was also my first B & M casino. I still go in there whenever I'm in London, primarily for an acceptable scampi & chips and an internal snigger at those awful Asian players. I only played there once - I was experimenting with a negative progression at baccarat and won 300, LOL. I wouldn't repeat the experiment.

I used to go to Gondel Nugget to eat their chinkger wings for 1,75 when the times were hard for me

The UK dress code is a nuisance; my invariable jeans-based attire keeps me out of almost all of them. I wish the hell they'd ditch that.

I went once like a lunatic to Gala and had no problems to walk in.Have to mention here that the Baker street and Bayswater ones are more sensitive in terms of dress code.I personally prefer a certain dress code than to be completely up to you.

Awful Asian players

I concur.Haven't seen more dumb players.

 

[jetset]

Thanks for your top four, GF - duly noted.

 

[caruso]

I never saw a machine there, but I haven't been in four years. Thay had four deck with 25 minimums back then. Whether or not they've been removed I don't know. Should I chance back there wearing a sufficiently magnificent pair of trousers and shoes to be allowed in, I'll have a look. That won't happen any time soon.

 

[gfkostas]

I remember once when I went to Palm beach and at the time I wasnt exactly aware of the strict dress code and i didnt wear a jacket.To my suprise instead of kicking me out they brought me a jacket from inside some place to wear.I was impressed .Always wanted to play under their palm treets at the palm table but never got the chance

 

[Clayman]

The golden nugget ...Btw is the first casino opened in London in 1975 if I recall correctly.

Man, after reading all this, don't you Brits have anything to do besides gamble. Sounds like one heckuva lot of casinos in one town.

Hey - is there any chance I played at a Playboy casino in London, or at least in England, circa 1970-71? My memories of those days are, shall we kindly say, a bit of a purple haze.

I'm pretty sure I was betting money that was supposed to go for my plane ticket home. But I must have won since I'm here!

 

[gfkostas]

Man, after reading all this, don't you Brits have anything to do besides gamble. Sounds like one heckuva lot of casinos in one town

Take that back I ain't british .Am 100% greek just living here because I like it. Due to some issues I got crazy at the age of 19 and visited every single casino i could possibly set foot in

Hey - is there any chance I played at a Playboy casino in London, or at least in England, circa 1970-71? My memories of those days are, shall we kindly say, a bit of a purple haze.

Yup thx for bringing this to my attention.Playboy opened in 1966 and closed in 1971 due to their gambling licence being revoked.Do you still recall those rabbits in there? Its been said that they may make a come back(

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) They never did to my knowledge .
Still I am sure Golden nugget was the first one to open.Must of been earlier.


Have a look here for casinos:

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This city has a heck of a lot gambling paradises .Mini Las Vegas for some.

May I remind you the rabbits :
(Hugh Hefner at the Park Lane club in the old days)

 

[Clayman]

Am 100% greek just living here because I like it.
Playboy opened in 1966 and closed in 1971 due to their gambling licence being revoked.Do you still recall those rabbits in there?

Your name makes more sense to me now. Believe it or not I played Odysseus in my high school Greek play. The entire play was in ancient Greek. Which was nice since no one knew when I forgot my lines and I just conjugated verbs and declined nouns until I could remember something. All with the proper inflection of course.

Thanks for the memories. And the rabbits too.

KalN nyXta!

 

[gfkostas]

KalN nyXta!

Ain't very easy to write goodnight with english letters but this is the closest one: Kalhnyxta

 

[Agamemnon]

Incidentally, and since this strand has gone completely off base, what do you think of other land based casino properties in Europe?
It just occured to me recently that here in Greece we might have a couple of the best in Europe. Well... one of them anyway.
This occured to me with shock and dismay I might add.
I mean, what happened to everyone else. What does this say to the 'glory that once was greece'
Where would someone go to go and have a good time in Europe with an itch in his pocket and an eye for dice?

 

[gfkostas]

Incidentally, and since this strand has gone completely off base, what do you think of other land based casino properties in Europe?
It just occured to me recently that here in Greece we might have a couple of the best in Europe. Well... one of them anyway.
This occured to me with shock and dismay I might add.
I mean, what happened to everyone else. What does this say to the 'glory that once was greece'
Where would someone go to go and have a good time in Europe with an itch in his pocket and an eye for dice?

Am not quite sure about Greece but i dont believe that they are of high quality since anyone can get in there and the dress code says that you only have to avoid wearing sports shoes.I don't think the casino in Loutraki is of top class

London is a nice place to spend your money and throw the dice.
The most famous clubs in Europe are in London I believe.Don't think there are many casinos better than the Ritz club,Crockfords or Fifty but can you afford to pay 1 grand for membership?

 

[Agamemnon]

Didn't mean Loutraki -which is larger than most UK casinos and by the sea side (sticky bonus? )
Thessaloniki is what I was thinking about. It has an excellent Hyatt property which is huge by Euro standards plus has shows and eateries in the Stateside fashion. That's what I was reffering to.
Also, just my opinion, dress code a good casino does not make.
Things may be loose in Greece but at least in Thessaloniki you can have a fun time.
I mean the term 'big casino' stands for something right?
Enough about Greece though.
Were else can someone have a Good Time in Europe?
This last year I've been to Italy: Worn and tattered, FYROM: You're kidding right? and Germany (small place near Dortmund): nice but small.
Nothing to hop on a plane on for.
Opinions anybody? Recommendations?

 

[Agamemnon]

London is a nice place to spend your money and throw the dice.
The most famous clubs in Europe are in London I believe.Don't think there are many casinos better than the Ritz club,Crockfords or Fifty but can you afford to pay 1 grand for membership?

I agree.
London has the advantage of also being a fun town, but you're right: a grand is a grand which just goes to show how off base they are.
I'd rather pay the grand on a trip to the States.
My Daddy used to say Catholic Cities are always more fun, so what about the South of Europe. Anywhere?

 

[gfkostas]

I have heard about the thessaloniki casino but have no information on what quality it is.Personally i dont care if the casino is big or small as far as its decent and has a reasonable level of service.I have grown up to believe that you ought to go to the casino well dressed and not with shorts.Afte re-examining my beliefs i still insist that better to be well dressed than be a lunatic with sneakers and shorts.

The reason for the 1 grand fee is because they dont want low stakes players or the 'low class' of gambling if you prefer.They want guys who bet 50,000 a hand at Bacarrat which by the way can make serious damage if they hit a winning streak.Couple of high rollers cleaned out Crockfords casino before a while after some good streaks.They even affected their yearly income so i can imagine that you play with fire with high rollers.

 

[mitch]

Hey - is there any chance I played at a Playboy casino in London, or at least in England, circa 1970-71? My memories of those days are, shall we kindly say, a bit of a purple haze.

I'm pretty sure I was betting money that was supposed to go for my plane ticket home. But I must have won since I'm here!

Perhaps you were in Manchester Clayman! I was a member of the Playboy Club located in Canal Street back in the 1970s. Ahh the memories.

Mitch

 

[Simmo!]

Were else can someone have a Good Time in Europe?

"Good Time" as in gambling? Or "Good Time" in general Ag?

 

[Clayman]

Perhaps you were in Manchester Clayman! I was a member of the Playboy Club located in Canal Street back in the 1970s. Ahh the memories.
Mitch

Maybe so - were there more than one? I think I was a guest of a member so maybe it was a private club? I think I had to wear a coat and tie.

And look at us now - a bunch of old farts that can barely tell a bunny from a rabbit

 

[gfkostas]

Maybe so - were there more than one? I think I was a guest of a member so maybe it was a private club? I think I had to wear a coat and tie.

Didn't know Manchester had a playboy casino.The one i know was in London and it was quite strict in terms of what members should wear.

And look at us now - a bunch of old farts that can barely tell a bunny from a rabbit

LOLLL speak for yourself dude

 

[blaxjax]

Re elsewhere in Europe:

Barcelona Casino's good. I played a poker tourney there about 8 mths ago. Even though the tournament entrance fee was pretty low, they laid on a pretty good buffet & plenty of free drinks. As I wuz playing poker, had no time really to play BJ etc, but generally, this is a relaxed casino, friendly (it would be, being Spanish/Catalan), and quite smart too, but relaxed about dress code.

Nice thing too..it's by the beach. You can go and sit on it, watch the waves coming in, & ponder the meaning of life after loosing all your money!

 

[gfkostas]

I see that you are from London and i want to ask you if you are you by any chance member at The Rendezvous casino in park lane? I seek some information about it

 

[spearmaster]

The Gran Barcelona sucked the big one... Casinomeister, Greedygirl and I were there in November - spent about 10 minutes total in there before deciding there were more interesting things to do.

I like the Holland Casinos in Amsterdam and Scheveningen. The casinos in Monte Carlo were a bit stuffy... haven't really liked any of the casinos in London that I've been to, even The Colony Club.

 

[chuchu59]

Just for interest. Do any of the casinos in London have paikow dominoes as a game? You know,the black tiles with 32 tiles in all.

 

[Slotster!]

Bunnies! Playboy Bunnies! Not rabbits! Heh hee...

I've never really enjoyed myself in a UK land based casino. I can't stand fruit machines, and we just don't seem to be able to manage that Las Vegas atmosphere... Hoping this will change with the new bill passed and us getting supposed "super casinos". We shall see!

I've just remembered, I did hit red 7 with ten quid on it the first time I visited a Grosvenor, but that's where it peaked.

 

[gfkostas]

I like the Holland Casinos in Amsterdam and Scheveningen. The casinos in Monte Carlo were a bit stuffy... haven't really liked any of the casinos in London that I've been to, even The Colony Club.

Am suprised because the Colony club is of high quality.I assume that you have financial power so try to go to Crockfords next time.Don't expect electric atmosphere though.Rich players are always too bloody serious to enjoy the game.
I haven't seen any casinos here with the atmosphere las vegas ones have but from the other side las vegas casinos are huge and attrack thousands and thousands.Only casino you might see some fuss and clapping going around is the Golden nugget.All the rest are just 'serious'

 

[spearmaster]

The Colony Club is of very high standard, don't get me wrong. Certainly the best of the casinos in London that I have visited.

Nevertheless, it's probably just not my kind of place - and as for financial power, let's just say that I had to borrow a jacket to go in

As long as you lump them together as casinos, the London places doesn't suit me. Call them clubs, and no doubt I'd choose the Colony Club for service - not sure where I would go for "atmosphere" LOL.

 

[gfkostas]

Just came to my mind.The Hard Rock casino in Leicester square is quite good and also with nice cheerfull atmosphere.Service is fine.Can you endure the asians way of playing though .I was ready to penetrate with my knife once an asian who got angry at me because I chose to stand on 13 against dealers 2.He was placing bets behind me all the time....eeehhh behind my bet i mean . he never done it since then though.I had to show him whos in charge

 

[spearmaster]

Was invited to the Hard Rock last trip but never made it - perhaps this time

Can you endure the asians way of playing though .I was ready to penetrate with my knife once an asian who got angry at me because I chose to stand on 13 against dealers 2.He was placing bets behind me all the time....eeehhh behind my bet i mean .

First of all, I'm Asian

Having said that, I know exactly what you are talking about. It's good that the casino lets the player in the seat control the cards, this also happens in the Holland Casinos, but usually only at the airport.

In Macau, however, the person who has bet the most money controls the cards, probably by tradition rather than policy.

Needless to say I don't play in Macau (though honestly I rarely play blackjack any more) and had I been in your situation, I might have had an advantage (being able to tell him to bugger off in his own language) but otherwise I ignore what they think, in fact I don't even look at them except when I expect them to double up their bet on a split or a double.

I still get mad when Grandma stands on 14 against dealer's 7 showing... but you learn to live with it. Asians gamble on gut feeling - not basic strategy.

 

[gfkostas]

First of all, I'm Asian

Oooppssss

I still get mad when Grandma stands on 14 against dealer's 7 showing... but you learn to live with it. Asians gamble on gut feeling - not basic strategy.

I find it very irritating when people bugger me everytime I try to join a table in progress because they feel that their luck will change or when they're accusing the dealer when they losing.It has nothing to do with them being Asian....It has all to do with them being dumb in my opinion.Am afraid that when they bet with me i might come across with a hand like soft 18 against 9.If I hit and don't improve the hand they will kill me.

Have to confess to you that the first time I saw your name I read it as spermaster.Sorry though

 

[gfkostas]

Bunnies! Playboy Bunnies! Not rabbits! Heh hee...

Bunnies,Rabbits they all look the same to me

Hoping this will change with the new bill passed and us getting supposed "super casinos". We shall see!

Has this bill got through finally? I heard they're facing some opossition.

 

[Agamemnon]

"Good Time" as in gambling? Or "Good Time" in general Ag?

Not that I'd be opposed to the general "Good Times" on principle Simmo, but I was reffering to gambling.
I mean what the hey, Europeans have been known to be gambling since antiquity. Where's the benefit of experience?

 

[chuchu59]

Was invited to the Hard Rock last trip but never made it - perhaps this time


First of all, I'm Asian

Having said that, I know exactly what you are talking about. It's good that the casino lets the player in the seat control the cards, this also happens in the Holland Casinos, but usually only at the airport.

In Macau, however, the person who has bet the most money controls the cards, probably by tradition rather than policy.

Needless to say I don't play in Macau (though honestly I rarely play blackjack any more) and had I been in your situation, I might have had an advantage (being able to tell him to bugger off in his own language) but otherwise I ignore what they think, in fact I don't even look at them except when I expect them to double up their bet on a split or a double.

I still get mad when Grandma stands on 14 against dealer's 7 showing... but you learn to live with it. Asians gamble on gut feeling - not basic strategy.

In Macau,it used to be that the guy who bets most controls the cards. However,I havent been there for more than a year and with the Sands and Venetian up and running,maybe this has changed.

 

[spearmaster]

The only thing that has changed since the Sands arrived is that the dealers no longer tip themselves... LOL...

The "most money bet" deal is tradition, not policy - and I doubt that will change any time soon.