Chicago Sun-Times: Readers sound off about area casinos

In tabulating votes in my first Best of Chicago Gaming poll- results of which ran in this column last Friday-I found the comments a few readers enclosed as illuminating as the poll itself.

Some readers gave reasoning behind their votes, some made nominations for their own categories, and others wanted to discuss worsts as well as bests.

What follows are some of the comments passed along by readers. In the spirit of the poll, I'll let the readers have their say, without comment of my own.

Fred, via e-mail: Want to put in my two cents for the best local casinos: Best Blackjack-Majestic Star and Trump in Gary. Trump now offers surrender on all tables.

Majestic has some two-deck "pitch" 21 at $25 and up, with decent rules and a 0.38 percent house edge against a basic strategy player. Both houses have plenty of $5 and $10 tables.

Best table poker: Empress Joliet has only seven tables compared to 15 at Harrah's East Chicago, but has more higher ceilings, less smoke and more generous table spacing, plus bathrooms, a cafe, bar and lounge in the same room.

And here's a category you didn't mention. Best non-smoking room: Grand Victoria in Elgin. It's the only Chicago area boat with a truly secluded smoke-free gaming room. Too bad it has only four blackjack tables and one Caribbean Stud.

No name, via e-mail: While we like some aspects of Harrah's in East Chicago and Joliet, we feel their reward program has been going downhill. They are so secretive about what you are earning. We have found ourselves headed for Hollywood in Aurora more and more often. Their reward program is right there-you always know how many points you have earned.

William, Bolingbrook: Smoke is terrible at all our casinos. Something must be done. Banning smoking on all boats would be great. The level of greed also has increased significantly. I can't remember the last $5 table game I saw. I play all table games as well as slots and consider myself an average gambler. My wife and mother-in-law usually play slots only. Las Vegas treats us like valued customers. Area casinos treat us like we don't even matter. High rollers are the only important people here.

Finally, Grand Victoria is by far the absolute WORST. Grumpy staff, stupid rules, long lines, insane comps and we have never gotten into their buffet.

Pat, Harwood Heights: (Pat voted for Empress Hammond as best comps, but bemoaned what he sees as a decline at Trump.) Two years ago, nobody could beat Trump on comps. I got three $40 checks for two months, then $30 checks, then $20 checks. Last year, my wife and I each got a letter giving us a free night's stay and breakfast for two for June, July and August. We are low rollers, too.

Empress in Joliet, with its crab legs and improved buffet, is a very close second to Grand Victoria.

Tom, Lemont: Since dockside gambling has been allowed, Harrah's Joliet's slot club has become anti-gambler. I used to receive $5 from Harrah's after every second visit based on my play. Now, I receive $5 every two months! According to Harrah's slot club hosts, cash back is calculated by computer based on the amount of time played, the amount wagered and denomination of machine. You are in the dark as to what the cash back percentage is and you can't know when Harrah's changes the point accumulation system. There is no accountability.

At Empress Joliet, for the same money and time spent gambling, I receive $3 cash back from the slot club for every visit, not counting double and triple point days.

Andrew, Downers Grove: I understand that in theory the best craps game is the one that offers the most free odds, so best craps should be a landslide for the Empresses. But I can't afford to bet 100x odds, so for me the best craps game is where I feel the most comfortable playing, and that's at Harrah's Joliet. Harrah's has been the friendliest boat around since the day it opened, and for all the improvement at Empress under Binion, Harrah's is still the one. Carl, Hoffman Estates: No doubt you're going to get a sackful of mail complaining about service at Grand Victoria, and no doubt that fighting the lines is no fun. But as a mid-level table player ($50 to $100 a hand), I can tell you that Grand Victoria's service is great, the comps are great and I love to play there. I get treated wonderfully at Hollywood, too, and the Sunday brunch at the Fairbanks Steakhouse is the best around.

With that, we'll leave the first Best of Chicago Gaming poll. Thanks to all who participated. Hope the area's casinos get your message.

Sunday in Real Life: Let It Ride.

E-mail John Grochowski at BetKol@aol.com