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Sunday at Sam's

August 23, 2009

Sam’s Town.

Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall

Thanks to the Killers (the band, not people who terminate life), everyone has heard of it, but if I had to hazard a guess, probably 10% or fewer of Las Vegas tourists have actually been to the property.

It is, however, a local favorite and also has somewhat of a cult tourist following … especially among car-equipped tourists seeking a bit more bang for their buck (absolutely nothing wrong with that).

I’m not a frequent visitor to Sam’s due to the location. I actually have to make an effort to get there, and given that the Sahara, Strat, and Downtown give me odds and limits close to that of ST, I usually opt for a closer locale.

So why did I drive there today?

One reason.

I like driving in the rain. As a matter of fact, I went to the roof yesterday and basked in the clouds.

Seriously.

Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall

I have no idea why people want to take vacations to places with sunshine. The sun is a ball of toxic radioactive gas. What is the appeal of “sunny”? I don’t get it. I’m usually the most depressed and irritable on hot, sunny days. Since this is where the action is, I make the best of it, but overcast days are typically the only days I don’t want to lay in the middle of Sahara Ave and dare people to run me over.

I have rain wallpaper on my computer, a freaking machine that makes rain sounds, and my favorite month of the year is December because the sun sets at 4:30pm in Vegas because we are 17 miles outside of the Mountain Time Zone (we observe Pacific Time primarily to keep parity with Los Angeles).

People from normal climates think I am nuttier than a squirrel’s turd because every time it rains, I make a big deal out of it and run around posting live shots of clouds.

Nobody understands, and I doubt they ever will, so screw you all. I’m still going to broadcast to the world in graphic detail every damn time a single drop of precipitation hits the ground in this sandpit.

Anyway, with the windows rolled down, and drizzle blowing into my face like tiny needles, I made my way to Boulder Highway and Sam’s Town.

Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall on Boulder Highway

For those who are unaware, Sam’s Town has an extremely large indoor atrium called Mystic Falls Park (possibly larger than that of the Bellagio Conservatory), and it is configured in a “great outdoors” theme. Not only is the size larger than the Conservatory, but it may actually be a superior place to kick back and relax for an hour or two. There are two bars in the atrium, chairs, benches, and a collection of animatronic creatures, my favorite being the beaver. The reason I like this animal is because, aside from man, no other creature affects its immediate surroundings more than the beaver. I find this fascinating and I resent people who have turned the name of this animal into some form of vile slang.

Mystic Falls Park at Sam's Town

The Mystic Falls Park at Sam’s Town also has a water show roughly every four hours.

I actually arrived at the perfect time, because the fountain show was getting ready to start, and I had never seen it before. They are spaced too far apart, and as much as I like novelty shows, I generally won’t wait 4 hours to see one.

I stood by the faux-stone wall, and within minutes steam began coming out of the pond below and water canons began shooting dihydrogen monoxide about 30-40 feet in the air. This is nowhere near as high as the Bellagio’s offering, but the lack of height and complexity is made up for in proximity.

You can stand about 6 feet directly in front of these powerful water jets, and the “up-close” nature makes the sensory perception of the show seem far larger than it actually is. It’s probably the most impressive off-off strip automated feature.

The video below will give you a very quick idea of what I am talking about while taking up less than 2 minutes of your time:

After getting my fill of the forest, I headed to the gaming tables to try and wash the stink of the Riviera session from my conscience. Here again, Sam’s Town excels.

While there were some machines that scalped a payout here or there for the uninitiated, full-pay VP machines could be readily found on the floor.

$5 limits were standard on most every table game, and I didn’t encounter any 6:5 jack, although I didn’t go down the line and ask each dealer.

I availed myself of some full-pay VP, a little double deck, and did a once-around at the Craps table. It was a fairly paint-by-numbers statistical session. I seemed to alternate wins and losses in an almost textbook manner. When all was said and done, I think I gave up the precise amount of the house edge, which given the hour on the floor was not much. With free beverages, I’m willing to call it a wash.

Sam's Town Casino

Everyone was extremely polite (both fellow customers and the dealers), and nobody went out of their way to annoy me. There’s a first time for everything. For a local’s joint, the place also had very little smoke.

After the pit, I headed over to the poker room to see if I could get any momentum going.

Unfortunately, there was only one table running, and it was 3/6 Limit. To put it in more simple terms, nobody was playing poker in the poker room.

Sam's Town Poker Room

Sam's Town Poker Bar

Since Sam’s Town does have a bingo room, 3/6 Limit seems redundant, but to each his own. I quite obviously took a pass on “poker” and cruised the rest of the casino.

While Red Rock, the M, and Green Valley Ranch are the most “Strip-like” remote casinos, Sam’s Town’s loyal following seems well-deserved. It’s a bit more blue-collar than the aforementioned properties, but you’re certainly not missing anything by gambling here. With the possible exception of scantily-clad women.

Sam’s does have a stereotype as a “blue-hair” property (read: old people), and it can be amusing to use that stereotype for good-natured jokes, but it’s not completely true. While the average age at Sam’s is certainly higher than that of most Strip properties, only about half of the clientele are actually eligible for social security.

The sports book is surprisingly large, as is the bingo room, as is the ultra-modern Keno station. There is a large bowling alley downstairs, and a large cineplex and food court upstairs. Throw in restaurants, bars, and a well-regarded buffet, hand soap dispensers, wall-mounted defibrillators, and condom dispensers in the bathroom … and Sam’s Town is a self-contained city if ever one existed. Room rates are generally under $100, and run as low as $30.

Sam's Town Race & Sports Book

Sam's Town Casino

Sam's Town Firelight Buffet

Sam's Town Casino

Sam's Town Century Theatres

Sam's Town Billy Bob's Steak House

Sam's Town Bowling Center

Sam's Town Hotel

Sam's Town Casino

It won’t give you the ego boost of playing black chips at the Wynn, but if your ideal Vegas vacation is 80% mid-level gambling and not overpaying for the other 20% … I really don’t see how you could go wrong. The only caveat is the location (from Las Vegas Blvd, head east on Flamingo Rd. for 7 miles).

While places like Boulder Station have a similar setup, the addition of the bowling alleys and the themed attraction might very well make Sam’s Town the most complete middle-class property in the entire Vegas Valley.

Sam’s is worth a visit at least once. Preferably in a private motor vehicle. It speaks to some people more than others.

If you want premium limits and odds, have a vehicle, want a decent player’s club, cheap rooms, like games like Bingo and Keno, want everything under one roof, can do without erection-inspiring eye candy, want a Strip-esque novelty attraction, and wish to stay in an area that rarely sees gridlock … Sam’s Town should definitely make your short list of places to consider.

It’s also on bizarro Boulder Highway, the human zoo which is always entertainment in and of itself.

As I drove back home toward the tall structures in the distance, I rated my experience at Sam’s as decidedly positive.

On another rainy day, they may very well see me again.

If you have yet to do so, I would certainly recommend seeing it at least one time if you are anywhere near Boulder Highway.

Oh, and tell the little dam-making animal in the atrium that “Rex said hello”.

Trust me, after today, it’s not going to forget my name.

If there is one thing I know how to do, it’s please a beaver.

Share and Enjoy:

Author: Rex
Date: 9:13 pm
Posted in: Gambling, Off Strip, Reviews

11 Comments »

Written by mike_ch on August 23, 2009 at 10:34 pm

There’s noting to be ashamed of in Sam’s Town. I’ve only been there twice, but while I didn’t know it was known for old people I’ve never seen them the way I do at the Rampart/Mariott in Summerlin. People in their mid-50s are youngin’s over there.

Despite your motor advocacy, Sam’s Town is actually a pretty decent place to catch a bus to/from so long as you can keep your directions straight. The block it sits on is the eastern end-loop for the Flamingo RTC bus so it’s very easy to hop on outside Bally’s and ride over, and then ample opportunity to get a ride back. Though right this very minute I probably wouldn’t recommend it because Flamingo is suffering from Eternal Road Work between Bally’s and Bill’s and the backup can go all the way past the Westin. If it wasn’t, it’s one of the easiest places for a tourist to depart the tourist zone and come back, at least in the daylight hours.

Actually, I’m kind of surprised you haven’t covered the Eternal Road Work on West Trop and East Flamingo at the Strip. I know that on W Tropicana, since the barrels and cones have been up forever and you never see anyone working, I’ve seen plenty of cars simply swerve between the barriers and begin driving in a lane that they’re not supposed to be driving in. The transportation people have appeared to just close lanes and do nothing just to screw around.
Written by tully on August 24, 2009 at 2:38 am

Seeing Sam’s Town always kinda makes me forgive Boyd for the Echelon mess. Places like Sam’s are what they do well—-hopefully they figure that out by the time they resume construction at the Echelon site. My guess is they could put something very similar to ST at that site and do very well indeed.

I’ve never made it to Sam’s at Christmas, but have seen some photos, and it looked like they did a very nice Christmas display in the Mystic Falls area that’s worth checking out if visiting during December.

The property just has a nice, laid back vibe, which can be a change of pace for some, and the preferred place to stay and gamble for others. They’ve survived a few economic downturns in the past, and will most likely still be around when the dust clears during the current one.
Written by BigRedDogATL on August 24, 2009 at 5:21 am

Sam’s Town used to have a great big and very nice Western Wear store on the eastmost portion of the property. Unfortunately they removed it several years ago to tear it down and build another @#$*! parking garage. That store was great and was THE place to go if you wanted to pickup a pair of western style boots. I miss that store.

Rex you forgot to mention that Sam’s Town has one of the last remaining RV parks that are attached with a Casino/Hotel. The RV park stays quite busy and separates Sam’s Town from the Eastside Cannery.

I try to make it out to the Boulder Strip at least once per annual Vegas visit. As Rex mentioned, the odds are better than the fancy expensive Strip properties, the people are ‘real’ and not the California douchebag, putting on airs type crowd of the Strip.

Rex if you want another interesting experience, drive further down the Boulder Highway until you get to the Joker’s Wild Casino. With Craps minimum bets as low as 25 cents, for a $20 bill you could play all day and practice your techniques of dice influencing.
Written by Tommy Von on August 24, 2009 at 7:35 am

you have to go to Sam’s Town in late January, when Sam’s town plays host to the “Punk Rock Bowling” event (google it). The blue hairs are replaced by, well, mohawked blue hairs. Punk kids from around the US descend on Sam’s town and its pretty rowdy, I went once.. its a sight to behold (and worthy of a blog post this coming Jan)
Written by blueboar on August 24, 2009 at 9:12 am

@Rex – Great photos, video, and report.

@BigRedDogATL – They still have a Western Wear store, up on the 2nd level. I don’t know how it compares to the one you liked, but it is pretty big.

@mike_ch – Sam’s also has a couple of free shuttle routes. One that picks up/drops off at the Fremont and the Cal. The other one goes to Harrah’s and the Riv.

If I remember rightly, Sam’s also has a big movie theater there, too.

I would agree that if you like a laid back place, and especially if you have a car, Sam’s is nice and a good deal.

I explored it for an hour or two this past June. It was nice. But ultimately, I just kinda found it boring. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.
Written by Jinx on August 24, 2009 at 11:44 am

Nice write up on Sam’s town and I maybe one of the few, but I like the rain too. If it helps I get crazy looks from people when I state that too.

Although I now have a theory on why you harp on the weathermen in Vegas now so much. You actually want it to be a 20% chance of rain, or at least want to know when it’s going to rain in order to experience it. Just a theory though.
Written by Ted Newkirk on August 24, 2009 at 6:46 pm

When I had my condo out toward Sunrise Mountain, Sam’s Town was a regular hangout for me. A nice enough place, very comfortable atmosphere and the buffet and restaurants are a great value for nice/fine dining.

The atrium is just a super-nice (abeit faux) place to hand out and have a drink. It is huge, and as close as you are going going to get to enjoying a northern type forest park setting here in Las Vegas.

The Mystic Falls show is much better after dark when lighting and lasers come into play. I’m not saying I’d put it up against Bellagio Fountains, but if checking out Sam’s, I’d make a point to do it with the plan of seeing the show after dark.

Tip for anyone and everyone who hates the blazing summer sun and who controls their own work hours: Flip your schedule. Many of us who don’t have to punch a time clock simply move our schedules much farther into the day. Up around noon (or even later), use the afternoon to do “daytime” stuff like phone calls, meetings and stuff with people who have to work 9-5 (while staying indoors out of the heat).

Second half of the workday is into the evening (when everything really happens around Las Vegas anyway). Dinner at 10 or 11 PM. By midnight, temps are almost always under 90 which makes it perfect to be outside (whether on The Strip or simply hanging out with friends somewhere). Bed by 4 or 5 AM. Perfect.

PS Locals casinos seem to have this reputation of being all blue hairs. But the average age really varies by time of day. Daytimes (especially weekdays), yes. Of course. Younger people are either at work or out having fun (or still sleeping). However, hit most locals joints at midnight on a Friday or Saturday night and you’ll find a pretty young crowd.
Written by wrxrob on August 24, 2009 at 6:57 pm

Agreed with BigRedDogATL on Joker’s Wild.

Sams Town and Joker’s Wild are two of my MUST STOP places on our trips to Las Vegas, and I’m 31 years old (and yes, we usually hit Rampart for their awesome coupon match plays). Sams Town simply offers a great bang for your buck in table odds/minimums, not to mention seemingly looser slots. We absolutely love the place time and time again.

Also, about the rain, move back here to DC, and I’d almost bet you wouldn’t be as ecstatic over it. How are the roads out there when it rains? People have told me that the oil slick generated from such a rare occasion makes things as slippery as a winter storm in Baltimore. We didn’t seem to notice a difference in a mild sprinkle last June.
Written by Rob Singer on August 24, 2009 at 11:42 pm

Sam’s Town has been one of my most prolific gambling locations over the past 4 or 5 years. As a video poker player who’s strategy works well on 25c/50c/$1/$2/$5 multi-denomination games, there’s a plethora of 8/5 BP
Written by ColinFromLasVegas on August 25, 2009 at 7:34 pm

As a local that lives very close to Sam’s Town, all I gotta say is…. Why the hell I gotta wait that long at traffic lights on the corner of Boulder Highway/Nellis Blvd and also Flamingo/Nellis Blvd? You city planner dudes that figure this shit out must be on high grade crack or something…..
Written by Roy (Limey from UK) on August 27, 2009 at 6:03 am

Last time me and my ole lady were in Vegas, we caught a bus from the Strip to Sams Town and spent the day there. I was impressed with the Cineplex we even managed to watch a film there that we had missed in the UK. I found the buffet to be ok but not one of the best that I had sampled and we watched the Mystic Falls show when it got dark, I found the show to be a bit tame but the kids that were there seem to enjoy it. I can’t say I’ll go there again, but at least I can say I’ve been. It was the journey back to the Strip that was the most interesting. It was dark and we had to catch two buses and our fellow passengers were like characters out of a David Le Roth Video. I thought at one point I had entered the Twilight Zone, I’m sure some had escaped from area 51. But it made all the day more interesting and it was great to get back to the normality of the Strip, if there is such a thing…..Limey UK