Recent closing of 2 hotels have given me an idea. How about we post what our impressions where on that last visit to the now closed Horseshoe & Castaways....

Horseshoe, My last visit wasn't really a visit at all, it was a walk through (to stay warm). I remember looking at the old safe by the slot club, seeing the old guns in the display case on the wall and the most outstanding thing that keeps coming to mind....the emptyness of the casino. No longer where thier masses of people in the BJ pits, instead, lots of empty space in the casino. Lots of empty seats in front of a lot of still machines. After leaving and walking by Mermaids, I remeber thinking something is wrong when Mermaids has a busier casino then Binions.

Castaways, what a just name. It truely was cast-away, by the casino playing crowd. Our last visit was interesting to say the least. They where hosting a motorcycle club, something like Vietnam Veterns on motercycles. They all looked daunting when we first entered the place. Lots of blue jeans & leather, and a fair share of tattoos. Lots of people that looked....well, a little rough, a little worn around the edges.
We played at the back little vp bar, and you know what, it was a nice group of people. After relaxing a bit with a cocktail or two, and getting some play for our $20's, everyone seemed to be having a good time, everyone was very polite, nice really. There was some sort of barbeque thing going on in the parking lot, lots of beer flowing, and lots of very cool bikes.
I enjoyed myself, but for some reason we never went back that week. I'm guessing a lot of people felt the same way, just too many differnt things pulling you in other directions.

I think my last visit to the Horseshoe was last spring. I was staying at MSS and one of the guys I play poker with wanted me to bring a Card Player magazine to him. They're in all the poker rooms. The closest one I could think of was the Horseshoe.

Last visit to the Castaways was also last spring. A pit boss I knew in Laughlin took a job there as manager of casino marketing or something like that. He'd sent me a packet of coupons. One was a steak dinner for 2 in their coffee shop. I thought the entire property looked dirty and worn.

The food wasn't bad but we felt like we were sitting in the middle of some freak show.

This may be slightly off topic since I don't even know where the Castaways was, and I can't remember my last visit to Binions (probably a walk-thru<g>), but I picked up an interesting rumor in Reno this week. Gordie Brown has been performing at Harrah's in Reno for 3 or 4 years and was voted Entertainer of the Year each year ...somehow, I managed to miss him, but I did ask about him at the Harrah's Box Office on this trip ...and was told he would be performing in Atlantic City until September, then would be at their new casino in Las Vegas. This sounds like Harrah's has some good plans for entertainment at Binions when they take over.

Daisy,
I believe that Castaways, was called the Showboat when you went there. The last time I was in there it was full of gangs.

Ahhh, now I know where it is. I only went there once; hit deuces on a gimmick machine while checking it out .. and never found a reason for a return trip.

Our story is relatively known already, but I'll post it anyway

Last trip to Binion's produced my first and only Royal Flush (on a progressive no less) and, of course, I am now very sad to see it close...

As for the Castaways, we drove by it several times but never had the "gumption" to go in...

Tim

We went to the old Showboat 15 years ago or so. I remember the bowling alley, but not anything about the casino. I think the last time we were in Binions was a couple of years ago and again I don't have any special memories of that place. It is sad to see the old prominent casinos bite the dust, but perhaps some new and exciting places will rise from the ashes to replace them and make us forget that they even existed. Harrah's is wise in retaining the poker tournament and Binion's name for the time being.

Bob

We always enjoyed the Steak House, nee The Skye Room, at Binions. I wonder if Harrah's will fix it up and reopen it???? I always enjoyed the single deck blackjack at the Horseshoe, too........not much of that left anymore, with the old odds.
Went to the Showboat a couple of times, but it's way across town from us...........would rather go to Sam's or Boulder Station if out that way. Never DID get there when it was the Castaway.

Last time we visited Binions was in december 2003.We gamled for a little while and I did win about USD 50,00 on some kind of bears and salmon 5 cent game.
The place was empty and very worn down.When we went to change the coins for papermoney they just brought in a giant pack of hundred bills.In retrospect that could have been the last one they had with hundred bills.

The castaways we never visited.

Since we stay at the "Fremont"; I always visited "Binion's" and the last time was maybe last fall? I stopped there and looked inside last month! (Picture a kid leaning against the glass with his hands cupped so he can see inside) Very sad!! I seemed to always go to the little book counter by the side door and often bought a paperback to slow down my losing ways and take to my room to read...I will miss that place as I spent about three hours a day there when in town!!
Sadly...I often had a quick snack at their lunch counter!!
I never went to the "Castaways" when it was open..Just too far out of my way!!.....

Irishmick, pointed out something that I'm not looking forward to seeing either....Binions closed. While recently it's been degraded, I still remember some of my first trips to Vegas and gambling inside and thinking this is how all of Vegas used to be.
Some places need to go out of business and shutter the doors. But some I miss and will always be remembered fondly.
I think the saddest state of affairs is the fact the places like "La Bayou" & the place that was formally called Sassy sallys can make a profit and Binions closes.

Lee,
You may be in good shape, depending on what your impression is. I happen to be looking at Harrah's site for their Treasure Hunt promotion they are running and I happen to catch a World Series Of Poker link...so I clicked on it and it stated that Binion's should be re-opened April 1 for the beginning of the tournament playoffs.

Ok, to easy to take, but seems like April 1 has to be the biggest setup for a joke if ever I've seen one...but if not, then you may get your wish of NOT seeing it closed...

Tim

Tim,
It may be open, but there is no way Harrah's will keep it the same (or bring it back to the glory days) Harrah's has a bad track record of fooling around with the mix. I haven't really seen one good thing come out of the Rio take-over.

But thanks for the info....
I'll keep hope alive.....you know what they say...No fool like an old fool and on April 1st what better day to do it! LOL