NOTE: This is a lengthy report (2500 words). Contains info
on golf as well as gaming. If you just want database info,
please scroll to the bottom.
Our annual golf trip with the boys was the best ever this
year.
BACKGROUND
Weve been escaping Torontos February cold for some years
now, seeking warm weather, cold Coronas, and hot video
poker. Golf every day, gaming every night.
Our first 2 trips were Vegas/Mesquite/St. George too cold
in February.
The next 3 trips were Vegas/Laughlin the weathers
definitely better, but we quickly got bored playing the
same few courses every year.
I discovered Gulfport/Biloxi 3 years ago on a side trip
from a convention in New Orleans. It has:
- great golf (30 to 40 playable courses),
- incredibly low prices we average under $40 a round,
- daily temperatures similar to Vegas in February/March,
- 11 casinos (full-pay DW, DB, AA, JB, BP),
- and 26 miles of white sand beach on the Gulf of Mexico.
I scouted the Copa Casino in 2002/3, and received room
comps for $3k daily action. We had our new starter home
away from home.
On last years trip, we discovered that the primo golf
course (Jack Nicklaus Grand Bear) is available only to
guests of the Grand Hotel. So, we stayed one night at the
Grand to establish ourselves for this year. It paid off
handsomely.
WEATHER
Terrific all week (remember, this is a snowbird talking
when we left home it was 10 degrees F.) Sunny or partly
sunny on 7 of the 9 days. Daily highs were 63 70. Golfed
wearing shorts most days, getting nicely sunburned. It
rained overnight twice, but cleared up by 11 am each time.
Meanwhile CNN showed it raining hard in CA and NV. We were
glad to be in old Miss.
TRAVEL
Last year we flew to New Orleans and drove 80 miles. This year we flew
right to Gulfport via Delta Airlines. Great flight times. Toronto >
Gulfport arrive 10:30 am Friday, golf the same day. Return 8 days
later leaving at 6pm golf that day as well. All flights on time, no
problems.
RENTAL VEHICLES
We needed 2 vans to carry 4 golfers each, complete with
suitcases, golf clubs and carry bags.
The rental firms dont seem to stock vans in Gulfport.
Theyd quote me prices, but when I tried to book (National,
Budget), they always said cars not available for those
dates. I finally broke down and phoned direct to Budget in
Gulfport. They lady said theyre always sold out beacause
they dont stock vans at their locations.
My best Internet price (Thrifty) was $450 for 8 days (I
searched for weeks). This would set us back $900. A ninth
day was $65 each.
I finally got smart, and rented three full-sized cars from
Thrifty for $258 each. Only $774 vs $900.
Then I got smarter, and found the Thrifty code for the
off-airport location. When using their website, if you give
the location as Gulfport, MS they only give you one choice
GPT (Gulfport airport). Via another website I discovered
location code GP3. This is in the Holiday Inn on hwy 49
three blocks from the airport, $7 by cab. I rebooked here,
avoided the airport charges, and got the identical vehicles
for $225 each (8 days). Total is now down to $675. It gets
better
.
Three days before leaving, I called the location, and told
the lady that it was essential we get our fullsize vehicles
we needed large trunks for our golf clubs. She said it
wasnt a problem.
On arrival, the designated drivers cabbed it to the Holiday
Inn. The pleasant Thrifty rep announced that they had no
full-size available, but they would upgrade us to vans at
no extra charge. BONUS. Now we were able to cancel the 3rd
reservation. Cost is now only $450. She then said they were
closed Saturdays. I instantly extended the reservations for
a ninth day. As predicted, she said wed have no choice but
to return them to thair airport location. Ok by us!
Final bonus the 2 vans were brand spanking new direct
from the dealer to them less than 40 miles on each
odometer. I had a good feeling about this being our lucky
week.
CASINO ACCOMODATIONS
We needed 4 rooms every night. I booked for 3 nights at the
Grand Gulfport, 3 nights at the Copa, and 2 nights at
Casino Magic Bay St. Louis. 2 or 3 of our group have play
histories of around 4K daily action. The others had little
or no history.
The Grand Gulfport has 2 buildings the main tower
adjoined to the casino (older), and the new Oasis. The
Oasis is across the (4-lane) Lakeshore road, with a covered
walkway connecting it above the traffic. The Oasis is much
nicer, with a sensational pool area. Rack rates are $159
weekday. We stayed here. The 2 rooms for the known players
were voluntarily comped up front by host Sue Forstall. The
other 2 rooms were at Casino rate, with the usual
understanding that play would be reviewed before checkout.
Over the three days we gave them about $50K total action
($4k per room per night). I charged over $700 of golf green
fees to my room. On checkout, they comped us all four rooms
AND the golfing fees. Since they own the course, Im
guessing their internal (ie - casino VIP) rate for the golf
was around $250, which is a nice bonus comp worth about
0.5%.
The Copa gave me a little trouble. Ive stayed ther 2 or 3
times in the past, giving them my typical $4K per day of
mainly quarter vp action. They had gladly comped me. In
December when I booked, the (since departed) host said that
they werent thrilled with our groups action last year,
since all we played was video poker. Seems as if theyre
definitely shifting away from VP players. He booked us at
the casino rate ($39), with review prior to checkout.
The Copa has no rooms of its own but (contrary to reports
in the Database), it does offer accomodations. They have
arrangements with both a Holiday Inn about 4 miles down the
road, and a Best Western across the street. Ive stayed
at both, which are dated, older properties. The Holiday Inn
is a little nicer, BUT, you can walk to the Best Western
in less than 10 minutes its a VERY long driveway to the
Copa. The Casino offers a shuttle to B.W. Dont know about
H.I.
The night before checkout I saw a new host. Despite giving
them some $45K action over 3 days, the best they would do
was comp us one of the three nights.
Next year well cut back or eliminate our stay here. Of the
3 casinos outside of Biloxi proper, The Copa has the best
video poker, but the worst rooms, the poorest food, and the
lowest cashback. The hosts were polite and affable, but
really did little for us. Playing at the Little Poker Bar I
was constantly squishing tiny insects which crawled out
from the cracks in the metal frame. At one point I had to
ask the bartender to remove a cockroach which was crawling
across the bar. Discretionary comps dont seem to be
available. The host offered us 7 buffet coupons, then
charged it back to my comp account. By the way, they do
offer cashback AND comps.
Casino Magic BSL also has 2 buildings. The main tower
attached to the casino is preferable, but was full. Across
the parking lot is the 4-storey Inn which most of the
golfers use. Both are definitely first class. Magic BSL has
an excellent, Arnold Palmer designed golf course onsite.
The Bridges at Casino Magic. Host Tracey Bennet arranged
VIP rate at the golf course ($50 vs $100).
We averaged just over $16K daily video poker action.
On getaway day we had an 11 am teetime at Pass Christian
Isle. We needed a place to shower and change before the 6pm
flight. I rose early, and asked the clerk at the Inn for a
late checkout on one of the four rooms. She refused, saying
(1) they were full, (2) they had a large tour group
arriving, and (3) they had a concert that night
absolutely no way she could do it.
I then went to the VIP office, and spoke with host Tracey.
I asked for 2 rooms to be comped, and said wed pay casino
rate on the others. She complied readily. I then told her
of my late checkout dilemna, and asked for day passes to
the Spa for all of us. She went one better, and said she
could arrange the late checkout for me. I later found out
she extended my room for a whole day (a Saturday night),
at no charge. Thats what I call service!
GOLF COURSES WE PLAYED
Course Green Fees Distance Comments
(riding) From GPT
Pine Bayou $26 4 mi. Tough - B
Grand Bear $109* 20 mi Nicklaus A++
Gulf Hills $50* 25 Ok - B
Pine Burr $25 35 Tougher B+
Whispering Pines $22 35 Casual C-
Shell Landing $95 20 Love III A+
Pine Bayou $20 4 On Seabee base.
The Bridges $50* 10 Palmer A+
Pass Christian Isle $40 8 Tight B
Total (9 games) $328 average price $37.
* Grand Bear compd by casino.
* Gulf Hills dropped in - negotiated it down from $70.
* Bridges casino VIP rate (retail is $100).
Ive done extensive research on the area courses. If any
golfers have questions, drop my a private email.
ENTERTAINMENT
We had a daily golf skins game, and every night at cocktail
hour we had a video poker skins game. Wed play at the
bartops (service is faster), and when you hit quads you get
to collect one dollar from every other player. This means
running a gauntlet of good-natured insults while trying to
collect. Naturally, the losers would try to slow down the
winner from returning to his machine. Despite my speed
advantage over the field in terms of hands per hour, I got
killed at this game.
Players who hit Royals had to buy dinner (or Krispy Kremes,
as the case may be) up to 10% of the hit.
Tuesday night we watched the Mississippi Seawolves
minor-league hockey team play. With the NHL hockey season
cancelled, this is about the best we Canadians can do to
get a hockey fix. NHLer Bates Battaglia joined the team a
few weeks ago to keep in shape. He joins his brother who is
a regular on the Seawolves.
GAMING ACTION
We had 5 VP winners and 2 losers over the week.
One of the sophomore golfers hit the dreaded 1-coin RF on
day 2. We keep telling them that royals actually DO occur,
but they never really believe it will happen to them. He
played maxcoin all week after that.
Jackpots Hit (approx. 100,000 hands played collectively):
1 mini-jackpot DDB quad Aces + kicker $500.00
Day 2 RF $.25 BP single coin. $62.50
Day 3 RF 1-cent 100-play SA. $40.00
Day 4 RF - $.25 DB $1,000.00
Day 5 RF - $.25 Aces and Faces $1,000.00
The last by yours truly - I now have hit the royal 5
consecutive years on the golf trip. Also hit quads Aces 3
times, SF 4 times.
Played about 20,000 hands.
Statistical aberration I got killed at the quad skins
game one day, I had to pay 16 skins in a row without
reciprocating. I keep track of my hands played, quads made,
scares, trips dealt, etc. On Saturday night I had to suffer
thru 73 consecutive failures to fill trips dealt. It
worked out though I eventually hit quad Aces at DB for
$200. Finished the night down a mere $20.
Personally, I got lucky again.
Won $1,400 at Aces & Faces (99.3%),
Won $100 at FPDB (100.1%),
Lost $200 at FPJW (100.6%)
Lost $100 on FPDW (100,76%).
So much for the theory of adamantly playing the highest
payback games.
Total win - $1,200+. Left home with $837, came back with
$1,014 after all expenses including treating the boys to
dinner, purchases, and a new golf club.
DATABASE NOTES
A THE COPA CASINO
Hosts Herb Dotson (works 4pm midnite).
- Offers cashback AND comps.
- While true that they have no rooms, they do offer
accomodations at two local hotels. See main report.
INVENTORY CHANGES/ADDITIONS
The Copa has 3 bars: the Main floor bar, and two on the
2nd floor the Copa Showroom bar, and the Little Poker
bar.
The database shows 8-5 BP in the MG/MD at the main floor
bar. Its actually BPAF. In the same machines is 9-7 DBAF
at about the same EV. The $.25 denominations offer prog RF.
$.50 and $1 do not.
$.25/50/1.00 BPAF (99.3%) at the Copa showroom bar RF is
flat-top. Half of the old MG bartops here have been
replaced in the past year with new GameKings. The remaining
originals have had their DB and DW downgraded.
The Little Poker Bar is the small bar in the live poker
room on the second floor.
It offers fullpay DB and DW *** with a Progressive RF. ***
Of the 9 bartops (old IGT multigames), only 4 have the
fullpay games. Numbering from the left, these are numbers 2
of 4 on one side, and numbers 1, 2, and 4 of 5 on the other
side. HINT the good machines do NOT have jacks or Better
on their menus.
B - GRAND CASINO GULFPORT
Host Sue Forstall (works 4pm midnite).
Inventory changes/additions
Best $.25 game is BPAF (99.3%) and DBAF.
This is found in bartops at the Sports Bar, and the Tiny
Bar.
The Tiny bar is upstairs near the escalator exit. It has
about 7 seats.
C- CASINO MAGIC BAY ST. LOUIS
Host Tracy Bennett (works 9am 4 pm).
Inventory changes
$.25 JW (100.6%) AND $.25 DB (100.1%)
These games are in the same MG upright machines.
the database lists (6) and (4) machines respectively, on
the NW wall. There are actually (3) machines on the west
wall second floor (beside the small bar), and (4) machines
on the north wall (only 4 of the 8 here are fullpay 2 at
each end of the long bank).
Inventory additions:
I dont remember seeing any 8-5 classic BP.
$.25 BPAF about 6 machines on North wall second floor.
MG/MD slanttops adjacent to the DB uprights.
I think these also contain DBAF.
$1.00 BPAF (4) MG/MD $1/2/5 slanttops in High Roller Slot
room first floor. I think these also contain DBAF.
Royals to all,
Brian
···
To: vpFREE@Yahoogroups.com
From: Brian Lavoie <blavoie46@yahoo.com>
Date: Mon Mar 14, 2005 5:41 pm
Subject: Trip Report - Gulfport, MS Feb 25- Mar 5/05