Bobby Vegas: Over the Rainbow for Rainbow in Downtown Henderson

An LVA Member Rewards Book coupon run is always an adventure.

With the MRB, I’ve discovered such gems as Fat Choi at the Eureka, $1 oysters at Palace Station, the Downtown Grand prime rib, El Cortez’ half-off for seniors on Wednesdays at Siegel’s 1941, the buffet at South Point, and of course Ellis Island’s steak dinner. And that’s just the food. Video poker is the gold.

I recently hit gold in Old Henderson on Water Street, which looks like an Old West town coming back to life. Three mini casinos — Rainbow, Emerald Island, and the Pass — are tucked in together. The first two are owned by the same company, so points are interchangeable. But the Rainbow is my new best friend.

My first time there, I spent some time trying to figure out how to use all the free-meal and other sign-up comps and was just settling into some 10/6 Double Double Bonus (99.96%). I’d been playing for less than 15 minutes when I heard, “Bobby?”

Hm. Then, uh oh. “Yes?”

“We wanted to welcome you to Rainbow and to let you know you’ve already earned a meal comp.”

I was floored. I mean, they searched me out to give me a meal comp in my first 15 minutes of playing a 99.96% game? That had never happened before in 120+ casinos.

“Can I get you a refill? Some ice cream?”

Good thing I waited for dinner. The awesome homemade beef Stroganoff was huge. I couldn’t eat half of it. Almost everything is under $10. Housemade fettucini alfredo with steak strips is a “pricey” $15. But use your MRB coupon for a two-fer or 50% off and it’s a ridiculously cheap $7.50. And handmade shakes for $3.99? OMG. I was loving this place (my waistline not so much).

Using the MRB coupons, along with an incredibly generous sign-up program, I found myself having a hard time using all the comps, free wheel spins, daily giveaways, and hourly specials, and then there are crazy point multipliers: 10x, 15x and — get this — 25 x points. Playing a $1 game, that’s 25 points per spin or adding 2-1/2% onto your return. I checked and the only restriction is DDB. All the other video poker games qualify and they’re very good.

Also, once you sign up for the Rainbow’s monthly mailer that details their dizzying array of comps, contests, and giveaways, you’re good for free meal every week!

The casino has gentle warm lighting, retro music, comfortable chairs, and a very friendly staff that works hard to keep you happy. This place is insanely great and worth the ride. Next go to Emerald Island next door and repeat.

More details on point-multiplier hours and the menu, plus photos, at my website.