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| Tabberone's Travel Guide |
| Black Hawk & Central City, Colorado |
Last Updated March 17, 2012
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Black Hawk and Central City are old mining towns in Colorado where limited gambling is permited. Slot machines, Keno, and table games. Gaming is
permitted 24/7 with a $100 table limit and limited service hours on free beverages for players. After we went there a few times, Karen began getting offers
for free rooms from the Ameristar Casino and the Isle Casino, which prompted us to go to Black Hawk and Central City more frequently. They are about a
2½ hour drive from Hartsel. Central City has shops, historical attractions, and restaurants while Black Hawk is casinos, casinos, casinos.
Colorado law prohibits smoking in casinos. This is a major plus over Las Vegas casinos for your average non-smoking gambler.
These "twin towns" are a few miles off of Interstate 70 west of Denver. Central City has more limited development and has retained the old mining town
look and feel while Black Hawk has larger and gaudier casinos. The two towns are not even a mile apart but seem years apart. One big thing we like about
the casinos in Black Hawk and Central City are the numerous self-serve soft drink and coffee stations. Almost every casino has at least one place where patrons
can help themselves to coffee or soda instead of flagging down a waitress. Most casinos do have waitresses to serve beer and mixed drinks, and these
waitresses do also serve soda and coffee, but it so nice to be able to get a coffee or soda right away. This is very good if you, like Karen, are a
"slot-hopper", and are never at one machine long enough to get a drink served to you. Also, several casinos have self-serve pop corn machines which is a
nice touch. Unlike Las Vegas, when you tip dealers in Black Hawk and Central City, usually the tip goes to that specific dealer, whereas in Las Vegas,
tips are shared by all in the "union" house.
Website URLs and such are provided as we locate them. We cannot vouch for the accuracy of the URLs or if they still exist should you use them.
As a rule, we rarely "link" to a website but rather we give the URL when relevant. We are not attempting to list every casino, hotel, shop and restaurant but
rather those that we frequent.
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Central City, CO http://www.centralcitycolorado.com/ Coming off of I-70, the fastest way to Central City is the Central City Parkway, Exit 243. This winding road is two lanes in both directions until you get to Central City from I-70 in about 15 minutes. Street parking is limited. Some of the casinos offer patron parking. The Century Casino, the largest casino (or second largest) in Central City, has a multi-floor indoor parking garage that is open to the public. It offers easy walking access to the rest of the Central City casinos and shops. Central City has eight (8) casinos but we detail only those three casinos we frequent the most. Some information, such as number of slots and the number of hotel rooms, comes from the Colorado Gambler. |
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Century Casino & Hotel Large underground parking garage. Pop corn machine. Deal Magazine and Colorado Gambler available free at entrances. |
| Rooms |
| The Century has 26 hotel rooms. We have not stayed at this casino hotel. |
| Table games and slots |
| Table games upstairs include blackjack, 3 card poker and craps. Blackjack begins around 11am with a minimum of $3 and attracts a lot of regulars. Open 24/7 with 520 slots. |
| Website - http://central-city.cnty.com/ |
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Johnny Z's Casino Use Century Casino parking garage right across the street. |
| Rooms |
| The Johnny Z's has no hotel rooms. |
| Table games and slots |
| Table games include blackjack, 3 card poker, craps and roulette. Blackjack begins around 9am with a minimum of $5 for the shoe and $10 double deck. 288 slots. |
| Website - www.johnnyzscasino.com/ |
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Reserve Casino & Hotel (formerly Fortune Valley) Down hill past Century Casino. Has large indoor parking garage behind the casino. The Reserve has recently undergone renovations (2011) seeking to "upgrade" its image along the lines of the Hardrock Cafe to attract the younger crowd. Except that simple demographics show that it is the older crowd with disposable income that frequent these casinos, not the younger crowd as much. The Reserve has spent millions on new lighting and design that in our opinion might do nothing but drive away their older crowd. The name change took place January 3, 2012. [Last room stay January 2012] |
| Rooms |
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The Reserve easily has the most rooms in Central City with 118. The rooms are somewhat smallish. Old screen TV with cable.
Windows do open. Thermostat is cumbersome and unreliable. The AC actually made the room warmer, not cooler. Not enough
electrical outlets in the room.
BathRooms - Motel-size bathrooms with one sink but has a large counter area. One double-outlet in bathroom. Modern shower head. Good night light. Positive - Internet access is available and free. |
| Food |
| The Chef's Kitchen is setup like a buffet but it is not self serve. Someone behind the counter serves you, buffet-style. Not only is it slow but labor intensive when it should not be. Table at which we sat was sticky from previous night. And why do they charge for soda and coffee when the same is free just a short walk away in the casino? |
| Table games and slots |
| Blackjack, 3 card poker, craps, roulette and some specialty games. Blackjack begins around 8am with a minimum of $5. Open 24/7 with 700 slots. |
| Website - http://reservecasinohotel.com/ |
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Black Hawk, CO http://www.cityofblackhawk.org/ Coming off of I-70, the fastest way to Black Hawk is Exit 244. This winding road is one lane in both directions. In the winter this road can be dangerous so be very careful. Travel time from I-70 to Black hawk is about 15 minutes. Street parking is non-existent. The casinos offer patron parking. The casinos in Black Hawk are generally larger than those in Central City. Black Hawk has 17 casinos but we detail only those casinos we frequent the most (9). Some information, such as number of slots and the number of hotel rooms, comes from the Colorado Gambler. |
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Ameristar Casino & Hotel Large indoor parking garage. Has flavored international dry coffee creamers. [Last room stay March 2012] |
| Rooms |
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35 floors and 536 rooms gives the Ameristar the number one hotel slot in Black Hawk. It has meeting rooms, pool, spa and a
fitness center. The rooms are well-kept and spacious. Flat screen TV with cable but what we consider a bad and slow on-screen TV menu.
BathRooms - Roomy bathrooms with double sinks and a large counter area. A major plus is the extra electrical outlets in the bathrooms. Each bathroom has a tub and shower stall. Toilet is in a small side room with door which allows for additional privacy. Positive - Internet access is available and free. Fitness Center - Best Fitness Center - Really nice. Large, clean, with lots of modern equipment. Open 24/7. |
| Food |
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Centennial Buffet - Often has discount offers for slot play. Large with well-prepared food.
Fireside Kitchen - Opens at 7am for breakfast. Large portions and good service. Star Club - A perk awarded to higher level card holders. Sometimes free passes are comped for us mere mortals. Food and drinks are free. Free. Food is excellent. Cozy atmosphere with lounge seating, bar, buffet and TVs. If you get the chance, do go. |
| Table games and slots |
| Probably the largest number of tables in Black Hawk (17). Blackjack, craps and roulette and extended table games. Tends to have higher minimums for table play than the other casinos. Blackjack is 24/7 with a minimum of $10 during the night with a $15 minimum during busier evening hours and weekends. Has 14 live poker tables as well. Open 24/7 with over 1400 slots. |
| Website - www.ameristar.com/BlackHawkColorado |
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Lodge Casino & Hotel Indoor parking garage. Affiliated with the Gilpin Casino. |
| Rooms |
| The Lodge has 50 hotel rooms. We have not stayed at this casino hotel. |
| Food |
| Seasons Buffet - Sometimes has discount offers for slot play. Food is good. A little smaller seating than the Ameristar and Isle. Crab legs on friday night and Saturday night. |
| Table games and slots |
| Large number of tables. They recently (March 2012) doubled the area and number of tables. Blackjack, craps and roulette and extended table games. Blackjack has a minimum of $5 for the shoe and $10 double deck. Blackjack minimums tend to get raised to $10 on weekends and holidays. Open 24/7 with 975 slots. |
| Website - http://www.thelodgecasino.com/ |
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Golden Mardi Gras Casino Indoor parking garage across the street. Affiliated with the Golden Gulch Casino (slots only) and the Golden Gates Casino. |
| Rooms |
| The Golden Mardi Gras has no hotel rooms. |
| Food |
| Cafe On 3 (Buffet or menu) - 3rd Floor. Discount offers for slot play. Nice breakfast buffet opens at 7am. |
| Table games and slots |
| 24/7 blackjack second floor with a minimum of $5 for the shoe and $10 double and single deck. Only casino in Black Hawk that we know of offering surrender. Roulette and craps are also available. 680 slots. |
| Website - http://goldenmardigras.com |
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Lady Luck Casino & Hotel Indoor parking garage across the street. Has flavored international liquid coffee creamers. Affiliated with the Isle Casino. Deal Magazine and Colorado Gambler available free at entrances |
| Rooms |
| The Lady Luck has 164 hotel rooms. We have not stayed at this casino hotel. |
| Food |
| Otis & Henry's Restuarant - 2nd Floor. Sometimes discount offered for age over 50 for breakfast (check with them on offers). Opens 7am. On Wednesdays and Fridays five points of play that day on players card gets $10 off food for age over 50. |
| Table games and slots |
| 24/7 blackjack with a minimum of $5 for the shoe and $10 double deck. Live poker, roulette and craps available. 500 slots. |
| Website - http://ladyluckblackhawk.com |
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Riviera Casino Indoor parking. Has flavored international liquid coffee creamers. |
| Rooms |
| The Riviera has no hotel rooms at this time but has plans to expand and add rooms. |
| Food |
| Riviera Buffet - 2nd Floor. Sometimes discount offered for slot play. Breakfast buffet is very nice with lots of fresh fruit, salad and cold cuts for those seeking something less traditional. Fresh live chives. |
| Table games and slots |
| Blackjack opens around 11am with a minimum of $5 for the shoe and $10 double deck. Roulette and craps available and some specialty games. Open 24/7 with 766 slots. |
| Website - http://www.rivierablackhawk.com/ |
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Isle Casino & Hotel Indoor parking. Affiliated with the Lady Luck Casino. Has flavored international dry coffee creamers. Deal Magazine and Colorado Gambler available free at entrances. [Last room stay September 2011] |
| Rooms |
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Isle offers a $10 "green" rebate if you stay there two nights and decline housekeeping. Older tube TVs in room.
We stayed in a "suite" in August 2011 and found it lacking in a number of areas. While the "suite" had 2 televsions, it lacked adequate flat space
where a laptop computer could be set out or other things could be laid down in general. The room windows did open for fresh air.
BathRooms - The "suite" bathroom had a small sink and only one usable outlet. It also had a fair-sized Jacuzzi and shower stall. Toilet seat lid was cheap plastic and bowed down suddenly when sat upon after a shower to dry ones feet. Night light in bathroom light switch was a nice touch. Positive - Internet access is available and is free. |
| Food |
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Calyspo's Buffet - Best Dinner Deal - Crab leg buffet every night. Diners who are over 40 years old get a special offer for $5 slot play they eat free
Sunday and Monday and over 50 eat for $5 slot play on Thursdays.
Orchid Garden - upstairs in the skywalk between Isle and Lady Luck Casino. Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine. Opens at 5pm. Early dinner special offers. Food is very good. Kitchen seems to be slow at 6pm with few diners. Background music tends to be too loud and unsuited for the diners - perhaps the preference of the staff? (Rap and modern rock while most diners were over 50). Comp coupons awarded for slot play. Farraddays - Near the buffet. Opens 5pm. Has early diner special until 7pm. Excellent food and service. Reservations are recommended. Comp coupons awarded for slot play. |
| Table games and slots |
| Large number of tables. 24/7 Blackjack with a minimum of $5 for the shoe and $10 double deck. Roulette and craps offered and some specialty games. Minimums may be raided on weekends and holidays. Over 1300 slots. Large live poker area on second floor. |
| Website - http://black-hawk.isleofcapricasinos.com/index.aspx |
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Canyon Casino Outdoor parking and valet parking. Has flavored international liquid coffee creamers. Opens at 8am except weekends when they are 24/7. |
| Rooms |
| The Canyon has no hotel rooms. |
| Food |
| Canyon Grill - 3rd Floor. Excellent food. Good prices. Opens for breakfast at 8:30am but from our experience they are not ready for customers until 9am. When we ate breakfast there service was slow and there were a few tables with dirty dishes from the night before. |
| Table games and slots |
| Blackjack opens around 11am with a minimum of $3. Minimum is raised to $5 Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings. Switch blackjack, roulette and craps available. The Canyon Casino is one of the few casinos where tips are "shared" by all instead of being kept by the dealer being tipped. Best pit boss in Black Hawk. Tell Gabe you read about the Canyon on Tabberone.com. 415 slots on two floors. |
| Website - http://www.canyoncasino.com/ |
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Gilpin Casino Affiliated with the Lodge Casino. |
| Rooms |
| The Gilpin has no hotel rooms. |
| Table games and slots |
| Blackjack opens around 11am with a minimum of $5. Blackjack Switch. Roulette and craps available. Open 24/7 with 460 slots. |
| Website - http://www.thegilpincasino.com/ |
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Fitzgerald's Casino Fitzgerald's Casino is one of the few casinos in Black Hawk that does not have a self-serve coffee or soda station. |
| Rooms |
| Fitzgerald's has no hotel rooms. |
| Table games and slots |
| Blackjack opens around 11am with a minimum of $3 or $10 for double deck blackjack. Roulette and craps are available. Opens at 8am except weekends when they are 24/7. 700 slots. |
| Website - http://www.fitzgeraldsbh.com/blackhawk/ |
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Bullwhacker's Casino Slots only. Pop corn machine. Opens at 8am except weekends when they are 24/7. 400 slots. |
| Website - http://www.bullwhackers.com/ |
| Cripple Creek, Colorado | Las Vegas, Nevada | Washington DC Area |