From: anderson@prowler.navo.navy.mil (Douglas T Anderson)
Subject: Mississippi Gulf Coast Casino's (LONG)
Nntp-Posting-Host-[nntpd-17752]: prowler.navo.navy.mil
Reply-To: anderson@pops.navo.navy.mil
Organization: POPS Facility Managment
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1992 14:42:10 GMT

A couple of months ago I posted a message about the comming of
casino gambling to the Mississippi Gulf coast and the potential of
casino gambling comming to New Orleans.  Well, due to one reason or
another, I just recently got the chance to check out the local
casinos.

Currently there are 4 casinos on the Mississippi Gulf coast ranging
in distance (from New Orleans) from 60 to 90 miles.  I will go from
east to west.

Some basic Information:

	Casino's MUST be floating on salt water (aka dock side)

	Maximum rate of return on slots 87%

	Casino's MUST be mobile (either under own power or towed) in the
	case of severe weather (can you say Hurricane Andrew?).

	There are currently 4 casinos on the coast, but plans are in
	place for 23 (!)

Isle of Capri: (Biloxi MS @ Pt Cadet) ~90 mi from N.O.

The Isle of Capri was the first casino to open on the coast about
two months ago.  This casino is made up of two smallish river boats
that used to ply the Mississippi up somewhere around St Louis.

They offer:

	Slots ($.25 $1 $5) and progressive
	Poker ($1-$4 7-card stud and Texas Hold'em)
	Black Jack:
		6 deck
		DAS
		Dealer hits soft 17
		Double on Any 2 cards
		split pairs
		$5-$500
		$25-$1000 (4 decks)
		4 pits on 4 different decks (2 on each ship)
	Pai-Gow Poker ($10-$500)
	Craps (double odds)
	Roulette ($1 chips, 5 minimum)

Notes:

	VERY VERY crowded, take the gas mask to weed out the smoking
	fumes. (Im an x-smoker so it may bother me more then you). On
	weekends plan on a 60-120 minute wait to get into the casino
	(hard to believe but true, when they opened they had 4 hour
	waits in 90+ temp weather.)

	Of the 4 casinos on the coast I would rank this 4th.


Biloxi Belle: (Biloxi MS ) ~ 80 mi from N.O.

	Biloxi Belle is one river boat, about 1.5 times the size of 
	either of the two at IoC above.  Pretty much the same rules 
	for all the games as IoC but a little nicer environment and 
	less smoke, though a gas mask still would come in handy. Of 
	the four sites on the coast, call it number 3.  Almost as 
	crowded as IoC.

The President: (Gulfport MS @ Convention center) ~75 mi from N.O.

	Bigger and nicer then Biloxi Belle.  2 blackjack pits.  This 
	ship looks like a casino inside.  Very nice interior with the 
	same rules as IoC above.  I rank it at #2.

Casino Magic (Bay St. Louis MS) ~60 mi from N.O. (3 from my house)

	So far, the only casino built on a barge.  Still under 
	construction (only one deck open) but I think the nicest on the 
	coast.

	The dealers are all VERY nice here, as are the pit critters.  
	But the most important aspect is the black jack conditions.

	$5-500 (6 decks)
	10-1000 (2 DECKS)
	25-1000 (2 decks)

	DAS
	hit Soft 17
	DOA
	Resplit pairs

	I played there last night (at a $10 table)and was spredding my 
	bet from 1-4 units based on the count with no heat.  After I 
	started toking the dealer, she (Nancy) started giving some 
	favorable shuffling, staying to 80% penetration on positive 
	counts, and 50% on neg.

	Only down side was them calling EVERY color up, or cash in no 
	matter how small.  I think this is because most of the dealers 
	are brand spanking newbies.

	2 pits, one mostly Black jack (with 2 Pai Gow poker tables)
	the other split with craps (4 tables) and 4 black jack.  Smoking
	condtions didnt require a gas mask, and when they open the
	second deck they will make it smoke free (doubt that will last
	though)

	By far, #1 currently with room to make it even better.

BTW, I have nothing to do with any casino, cept for playing at
them.
-- 
Douglas T Anderson
Technical Services Manager/Chief Scientist/Deputy Program Director
POPS Program

All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.  They do not
reflect the opinions of Grumman Data Systems, the US Navy or any
one else, unless they want them to.