From Vital Vegas
https://www.casino.org/vitalvegas/el-cortez-to-undergo-20-million-augmentation-procedure/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3rmXqHrZI8wnRQe3vdErvCwt4KZKGezd_toV2umMEv-r8mjNn9r6zHDb4_aem_AZUG22kGV8lsWu2-7s0Y6t39o3F5wToqSkWJe7oyTF90n_7hUe2UmHz6alj52VDn3bCej8TPpIBlNtsh007FJrvY
No casino has broke my heart more than El Cortez since the Covid reopening. In my circles I am considered the go to Vegas aficionado that gives people advice about their Vegas vacation. El Cortez was always at the top of my list for downtown gambling and old school Vegas experiences. Not anymore. They've tightened up everything, reduced comps, removed good places to spend comps.
The only thing I still play there is craps. Not much else is worthwhile.
Originally posted by: PJ Stroh
No casino has broke my heart more than El Cortez since the Covid reopening. In my circles I am considered the go to Vegas aficionado that gives people advice about their Vegas vacation. El Cortez was always at the top of my list for downtown gambling and old school Vegas experiences. Not anymore. They've tightened up everything, reduced comps, removed good places to spend comps.
The only thing I still play there is craps. Not much else is worthwhile.
Their blackjack games are still comparatively tolerable (3:2 w/ slightly hiked minimums relative to the past); still sweaty , though.
The El Cortez has been turned into another Boyd's/Stations clone. Gone are almost all of the great video poker games - they have been replaced with the new, no brainer, just insert money and push button "entertainment" games. Their blackjack tables are scrutinized closely and if you just appear to have a clue how to play they will "ask" you not to play. The Siegel cafe's Wednesday 50% off senior menu is borderline pathetic, and the service is incredibly slow due to ALWAYS being understaffed. I currently limit my time there to just show by airline boarding pass for the free play, gambling coupon, drink coupon and to give some play to the few remaining video poker machines that are still there. The new owners have taken one of the best casinos and turned it into just another money draining machine. Jackie Gaughan is sorely missed. . .
Originally posted by: Nines
Their blackjack games are still comparatively tolerable (3:2 w/ slightly hiked minimums relative to the past); still sweaty , though.
I agree that the EC is a shadow of its former self. But we all knew that was coming when they got Stationized.
And having said that...the gambling at EC has gotten orders of magnitude shittier over the last several years...and it's still above average for downtown!! YECCH!!
Totally agree with all the comments of disappointment about the changes over time. Yet the "scent" of the El Cortez still remains the same as it has been for decades. To me they need to have great deals and gambling in order to me to justify putting up with the overwhelming odor that they pump into the place. I can bearly breathe when that first wall of air hits me upon entering.
Originally posted by: AKQJ10
Totally agree with all the comments of disappointment about the changes over time. Yet the "scent" of the El Cortez still remains the same as it has been for decades. To me they need to have great deals and gambling in order to me to justify putting up with the overwhelming odor that they pump into the place. I can bearly breathe when that first wall of air hits me upon entering.
You aren't kidding. Wife and I went to the EC to play and redeem the MRB coupons and it was really tough being in there for very long. Best thing was that I parlayed the free play into $40 playing VP, and we got a couple free ice cream bars.
Originally posted by: Edso
You aren't kidding. Wife and I went to the EC to play and redeem the MRB coupons and it was really tough being in there for very long. Best thing was that I parlayed the free play into $40 playing VP, and we got a couple free ice cream bars.
What you might not know is how incredibly awful that place used to smell about 25 years ago before they raised the casino ceilings and modernized the ventilation system. It was frickin' apocalyptic, back in a time when casino smoke stinkitude wasn't even recognozed as anything to be concerned about. I vividly remember having to cut off a LOT of lucrative plays simply because I couldn't stand to be in there any longer.
Originally posted by: Kevin Lewis
What you might not know is how incredibly awful that place used to smell about 25 years ago before they raised the casino ceilings and modernized the ventilation system. It was frickin' apocalyptic, back in a time when casino smoke stinkitude wasn't even recognozed as anything to be concerned about. I vividly remember having to cut off a LOT of lucrative plays simply because I couldn't stand to be in there any longer.
Yikes, that's No Bueno!
Originally posted by: Kevin Lewis
What you might not know is how incredibly awful that place used to smell about 25 years ago before they raised the casino ceilings and modernized the ventilation system. It was frickin' apocalyptic, back in a time when casino smoke stinkitude wasn't even recognozed as anything to be concerned about. I vividly remember having to cut off a LOT of lucrative plays simply because I couldn't stand to be in there any longer.
Ah, yes - the smoky sweaty Spaniard. There was a time when their green chips were permanently stained brown from all the cigarette and cigar smoke. I'll never forget walking in there for the first time and hitting a wall of smoke. But somehow I still loved the place for a long, long time...
