[Gonzopozo]

2005 “Best Of” Rankings

Hi everyone – time for my annual “Best Of” article. Remember – these are just my opinions. I LOSE everywhere, so believe it or not winning is not a factor in these rankings.

Also – I only get to Cripple Creek a few times a year so my opinions of that venue are based on pretty limited exposure.

A comment on Player’s Clubs before we start. Seems to me comps and cash-backs have ALL degraded this year. Does anybody give full points ($1.00 = 1 point) for Video Poker anymore? Low-end (1-5 cent) players can forget about getting much in the mail. That’s a trend that needs to change. Note to casino marketers: Many dollar players won’t come there without bringing their nickel “significant other” along with them. You won’t see a Player’s Club ranking section below – I’m just not thrilled with any of them.
(NOT a reflection on staff/service – it’s just the product that has degraded).

Finally – if you disagree with anything I say – post back! That’s what this forum is for.

Here we go…

Black Hawk:

Buffet rankings – Mountain High, Isle of Capri, Riviera.
Hotel rankings – Lodge, Isle of Capri (haven’t seen CCS yet).
Video poker rankings – Mountain High, Central Station, Gilpin.
Blackjack rankings – Lodge, Isle, Riviera.
Hold’em rankings – Gilpin, Mountain High, Central Station (this was a hard one).
Service – Mountain High, Canyon, Gilpin.
Snack bar – Mountain High, Gilpin (hot dog cart), Isle of Capri.
Entertainment (free) – Isle/Mountain (tie), Gilpin.

Overall casino rankings – Mountain High, Isle of Capri, Gilpin, Lodge.

Special kudos to Isle/CCS for their expansion and new garage. Very nice.

Bottom 3 overall (someone has to say it) – Wild Card (trashed), Richman (poor selection), Bullwhackers (service ranks poor at best). Fitzgerald’s is always too crowded – if the reason is that folks WIN there I can live with it.


Central City

Buffet rankings – Fortune Valley (only one available).
Hotel rankings – Fortune Valley (only one available).
Video poker rankings – Scarlet’s, Famous Bonanza, Fortune Valley.
Blackjack rankings – Fortune Valley, Doc Holliday.
Hold’em rankings – Fortune Valley.
Service – Scarlet’s, Doc Holliday, Famous Bonanza
Snack bar – Scarlet’s, Fortune Valley (Red Dolly restaurant gets a mention)
Entertainment (free) – Scarlet’s, Fortune Valley

Overall casino rankings – Scarlet’s (machine players only), Fortune Valley

Special notes on Central City – kudos to Scarlet’s for having the only progressive video poker ROYAL jackpot that starts at $2000. Scarlet’s also has the best Player’s Club staff in town. Kudos also to Doc Holliday for a new Player’s Club concept – time played instead of coin in – we’ll have to see how that works out.

Bottom 3 overall (someone has to say it) – NONE ! I actually like all the Central City places, especially the staff(s) up there. Yo Dostal Alley – get a Player’s Club and move more machines upstairs.



Cripple Creek

Buffet rankings – Are there any true buffets? Let’s just do restaurants.
Restaurant rankings – Wild Horse, Double Eagle, Womack’s Buffet
Hotel rankings – Double Eagle, Womack’s, Gold Rush
Video poker rankings – Double Eagle, Bronco Billy’s, Womack’s
Blackjack rankings – Double Eagle, Womack’s
Hold’em rankings – Midnight Rose, Double Eagle
Service – Bronco Billy’s, Double Eagle,
Snack bar – not impressed anywhere, actually
Entertainment (free) – I don’t recall ever seeing any !!!

Overall casino rankings – Double Eagle, Bronco Billy’s, Womack’s

Bottom 3 overall (someone has to say it) – oh, I don’t know. A CC regular better do this one.