Sam's Town Poker Room
This is my favorite room in Vegas for a reason. I am a smoker, and thankfully, so are many (if not most) of the players in this room. The non-smoking seats are the 1 and 10 seats. There is a coffee area with cold and hot water as well as a phone for players (free local calls). Lots of side tables, ashtrays, and cushions are available. The chips are definately worn and well used, and the chairs are pretty standard. Not all of the tables have shufflers (the ones in the back do not for the most part, and the ones in the front do). All buy one table has a commitment ring with logoes. Being one of the only smoking rooms left, I do not recommend those that hate smokers to go here, and if you do, don't say I didn't warn you, as smokers seek out this place for a reason. It is a classic old school locals joint, that has been around since 1979. Unlike the recent poker explosion on the Strip and everywhere else, Sam's Town has had a room with local regulars long before poker became a recent trend. Overall, the room has a nice standard look and style. Maple wood styling, tvs in every corner, and two clocks make up the decor. When it rains, though, the back two tables (one stud and one hold 'em) are closed as the ceiling usually leaks. This is a minor complaint, though, as the room overall is comfortable and well layed out.
Sam's Town Hotel & Casino. 315 Clyde Fant Parkway. Shreveport, LA 71101. 877-429-0711 Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-770-STOP(7867). Must be 21 or older. Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall: Poker Room Terrible, Rooms OK - See 619 traveler reviews, 132 candid photos, and great deals for Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall at Tripadvisor. 5111 Boulder Highway, Las Vegas, NV 89122. ( Directions) Phone: (702) 454-8092. Minimum Age: 21. Poker Tables: 13 Tables.
This is not a room to learn the game at. The 4-8 or 4-8 half kill is stocked mostly with players that know the game, and know it well. Some (if not most) of these guys have been playing in this room since 1979. It is a tried and true old school locals hang out, and the number of cowboy hats and big belt buckles outnumber the number of fanny packs (a rarity in any Vegas casino).
The dealers here are the best I have ever seen. Most dealers here seem like they have been dealing a long tome. Joseph, amy, and Barry are all old school and always have a great time at the table, and are my three faves. A true locals place, the dealers here are old school, and know most players by name. What I like is the fact that they don't let the players walk all over them. If someone curses at them, they curse right back. I highly respect this, as there is nothing I hate more then rude players that aren't put in their place. Also, as this is more like an old school underground card room then a traditional Vegas Poker Room, the dlears are allowed to smoke right in the room, when not in the box. Truly a family in this room, it is the most friendly staff I have ever encountered.
Since I play late at night, I can't expect much from the cokctail staff. They are pretty slow, but get the job done. I was told that at around 3AM, there is only one waitress covering THE ENTIRE CASINO. This is the major disadvantage of the locals places. The drinks, however, are solid and correct. They usually let you order more then one drink at the same time, but not always.
I am a creature of late night, so I am most acclimated with the late night crew. Gary, Corky, and Fred, are the night staff most of the time and run the room quickly and efficiently. On most evenings, it is a good idea to call ahead, and get your name on the list. As this plays tends to draw some angry seniors every now and then, floor decisions are common, and always fair. All three smoke, and glady smoke on the clock, when the counter is slow. During the wee hours of the morning/night, you will often see the supervisor sitting and chatting with a regular player on a break, smoking and reading the mags.
The bonuses and jackpots are solid. There is a mini-bad beat for $500 (Aces full or better beaten, both hols cards play). And quads up to 7s gets at least $100. The jackpot is a minimum 5K for a King high diamondstraight flush the last time I was there. The comps, nice and old school. Basically, you get a coupon for $4 toward any food in the place. These coupons are stackable and are good for one week. Basically, if you are there for 8 hours, you can get one or two coupons (depending what mood the supervisor is in). In thiws room, of course, politeness counts.
Sam’s Town is located on the intersection of Boulder Highway and Tropicana Avenue. The casino is owned by Boyd Gaming, and it uses the BConnected players club. Though Sam’s Town is an older casino, it tends to be kept in much better condition than many of its competitors in the corridor.
Even though Sam’s Town is a locals casino, this property has several features that give it more of a traditional Las Vegas “resort” feel than a locals joint. For example, there is a bowling alley, movie theater, a MASSIVE sportsbook, poker room, a live music venue and several restaurants. There are 646 hotel rooms available at Sam’s Town and there is also an RV park behind the casino.
Gaming at Sam’s Town
Sam’s Town offers 120,681 square feet of gaming space. It is worth mentioning that there is a large non-smoking section, which is a pretty rare occurrence on the Boulder Strip. All in all, there are 30 table games spread across the main gaming floor here.
Table Games
Sam’s Town is probably best known for its $3 craps table with ten times odds. The maximum bet here is $3,000 and the Field bet pays triple on 12. In total, there are 4 craps tables.
The most popular game at Sam’s Town is double deck blackjack, even though the rules are not favorable. Players may only double down before splitting and the dealer hits on soft 17. These are the worst double deck blackjack rules on the Boulder Strip. The minimum bet for double deck blackjack at Sam’s Town is $5 and the maximum is $1,000. There are 14 of these tables available.
There are 3 Pai Gow Poker tables with $5-$1,000 limits.
There are a few Three Card Poker tables with limits of $5-$500.
Let It Ride is also spread with $5-$50 limits.
One of the most unique games features at Sam’s Town is Deuces Wild Stud. This table has limits of $5-$25.
There are 2 Super Fun 21 games with $5-$1,000 limits.
There are 2 six-deck blackjack tables with limits of $5-$500. The rules for doubling down is the same as double deck; it is permitted before but not after splitting.
There are 2 double-zero roulette tables. Bets from $5 to $1,000 are accepted.
Video Poker
The video poker at Sam’s Town is above average, even for a locals casino. Full pay Deuces Wild (100.76%) is spread in nickels and quarters while full pay Double Bonus (100.17%), Loose Deuces Wild (100.15%) and Double Double Bonus (100.06%) are available in quarters. These games require $4 in wagers to earn 1 point in the BConnected program.
There are a dozen other video poker games that return more than 99% and all of these games pay full points. Most are spread in quarters, half-dollars and dollars. Titles include Triple Bonus Plus (99.8%), 9/6 Bonus Poker Deluxe (99.64%), 9/6 Jacks or Better (99.54%), Bonus Deuces Wild (99.45%), 12/8 Loose Deuces (99.2%) and 8/5 Bonus Poker (99.17%).
The rest of the casino floor consists of video slots, classic reel slots and video keno. Denominations start at pennies for the video reels and go up to $5.
Bingo and Keno
There are eight bingo sessions held each day at 9 AM, 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM, 7 PM, 9 PM and 11 PM. The keno lounge seats about 30 players and is located by the West parking garage entrance near the poker room.
Sam’s Town Poker Room
The poker room at Sam’s Town has 9 tables. The typical games hosted here are $2 to $6 Spread Limit Texas Hold’em and 3/6 Fixed Limit Omaha Hi/Lo. There is also a $2 to $10 Stud Hi game every Saturday morning.
Sam’s Town runs 3 No Limit Hold’em tournaments daily. The 10 AM tournament has a $25 buy-in. At 1 PM there is a $35 tournament and at 7 PM there is a $40 tournament.
Players earn $1.25 an hour in comps when clocked in with the BConnected players club. These may be used at any Boyd Gaming casino that uses BConnected. The maximum rake at Sam’s Town is $3 per hand. That is the lowest in the Las Vegas area. There is a $2 jackpot drop that is returned through daily promotions like daily and rolling high hands.
Sam’s Town Sportsbook
Sam’s Town offers one of the largest and modern sportsbooks in the Las Vegas locals market. There are 60 big screen televisions and more than 100 seats with monitors. The race book is attached. Bettors receive free drinks with enough action. There is drink service in the sportsbook, as well as a deli.
Dining & Restaurants at Sam’s Town
Sam’s Town offers 11 restaurants. These range from a quick serve food court to fine dining.
The Angry Butcher
The Angry Butcher is the fine dining option at Sam’s Town. It opens daily at 4pm. The last service is at 9pm on weeknights and 10pm on weekends. There is a special social hour from 4pm to 6pm daily.
The menu consists of appetizers, soup, salad, steak, prime rib, salmon, crab, lobster, chicken and ribs. Sides are served a la carte. There is also a large wine and dessert menu.
Firelight Buffet
The Firelight Buffet at Sam’s Town is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Breakfast is $9.99. Ruby players receive a $2 discount. Sapphire and Emerald players receive a $3 discount.
Lunch is $12.99. Ruby players receive a $3 discount. Sapphire and Emerald players receive a $4 discount.
Dinner and Sunday brunch is $15.99, except on Fridays, when it is $20.99 as steak and shrimp are added. Ruby players receive a $4 discount. Higher-tiered players receive $5 off.
Other Sam’s Town Dining Options
Sam’s Town is home to one of the last TGI Fridays in the Las Vegas area. There are a variety of other fast food options, including McDonald’s, Panda Express, Subway, Roberto’s Taco Shop and Calamity Jane’s.
Sam’s Town Venues & Hot Spots
Sam’s Town Live: A concert venue that also hosts UFC and boxing viewing parties.
Roxy’s Lounge: A venue just off the casino floor with nightly lounge acts. There is also a dance floor and more than 100 seats.
Other Sam’s Town Entertainment Options
Sam’s Town is home to a Century 18 movie theater. There is a 56-lane bowling alley that is open from 7 AM to 1 AM daily and an arcade for the kids.
Hotel at Sam’s Town
There are 646 hotel rooms at Sam’s Town with rates starting at $45. This covers a Deluxe with a king or two queens and a room with a view is $20 more per night. There is a $20 per night resort fee. All of these rooms are 375 square feet and come with a hair dryer, iron, ironing board, 55-inch TV, high speed internet, refrigerators and safes. Guests may use the pool and fitness center at no charge.
There is a 630 square foot mini suite with a jacuzzi tub. The rate is typically three times the standard room.
*We learned a nice trick for a reduced rate when researching this article. Exiting out of the hotel reservation page without making one creates a 5% discount on all rooms for most nights.