Within the past few months, I've visited all the larger south central
Louisiana casinos. Here's the trip report:
First, the summary:
Amelia Belle:
$10 = 1 pt (VP), $5 = 1 pt (slots)
100 pts = $1 cash (0.1%, VP; 0.2%, slots)
best game = All Star Poker 9/6 Jacks (2), 1.00 level only
Belle of Baton Rouge:
$4 = 1 pt (VP), $2 = 1 pt (slots)
120 pts = $1 cash (0.21%, VP; 0.42%, slots)
best game = 9/6 Jacks, 0.25 & 1.00, several machines
Cypress Bayou/Shorty's, Charenton:
$10 = 1 pt (all machines)
20 pts = $1 cash (0.5%)
best game = 8/5 Jacks, 0.25 & 1.00, several machines
Hollywood, Baton Rouge:
$10 = 1 pt (VP), $5 = 1 pt (slots)
100 pts = $1 comps only (0.1%, VP; 0.2%, slots)
best games = 16/10 Deuces & 9/6 Jacks (3 machines), 1.00 level only
Paragon, Marksville:
$10 = 1 pt (VP), $5 = 1 pt (slots),
30 pts = $1 cash (0.33%, VP; 0.67%, slots)
best game = 9/6 Jacks, 0.25 & 1.00, widespread
Evangeline Downs: no VP
"truck stop" casinos (widespread): nothing good
All information was compiled within the last month, except Paragon
Casino, which I visited approximately 4-5 months ago.
The Amelia Belle is located near Morgan City, around about 50 miles
due south of Baton Rouge. The boat's previous location was in
devastated eastern New Orleans. Despite whatever damage occurred,
they've managed to maintain many of the characteristics I associated
with Bally's New Orleans.
The gaming layout is very similar. The boat features lots of
internal support structures and low ceilings. And the airport-style
security faucets remain intact in the restrooms.
The boat is docked just next to the parking lot, so access is very
convenient.
Video poker selection is limited. There are no progressives, and the
only full-pay I found was at the top (dollar) denomination on a pair
of All Star Poker machines. Best game appeared to be 9/6 Jacks,
available in Triple Play, Spin Poker, and possibly a few other
variations I unfortunately don't recall.
Cypress Bayou is located about a half-hour northwest of Morgan City,
in Charenton. The main casino is open less than 24 hours, while the
smaller casino in front is always open. I believe the smaller casino
is called Shorty's, but both casinos share the same slot club.
Total gaming space is larger than probably any Louisiana riverboat,
but the VP inventory is remarkable, and not in a good way. There are
only two types of machines containing VP. The majority are Game
Kings containing five game options, one of which is keno. A few are
Game Kings containing a full menu of game options.
JOB is generally 7/5, but a few machines offer 8/5 schedules. And
that's as good as it gets.
The Belle of Baton Rouge has only about two or three dozen machines
containing video poker. Several include 9/6 Jacks, but I don't
recall seeing any other full-pay.
Hollywood offers 16/10 NSU Deuces and 9/6 Jacks on a few of its Game
Kings, only at the dollar level. There are at least 3 machines,
possibly as many as 6. The slot club offers comps only, no cash.
Paragon Casino Resort is located in Marksville, about 90 minutes
northwest of Baton Rouge. The casino offers probably the largest
number of VP machines in the region. 9/6 JOB is very widespread
throughout the casino, but as usual the multi-line games are short-
pay.
I wagered about $6000 during my one visit, and have been receiving
2x$5 monthly bounceback offers, which seems a bit weak.