Planning New Orleans/Mardi Gras Trip -- Some Questions

[gabuk]

Hi all,

The wife does her annual Mardi Gras trip and despite the lure of boobs and booze, I am not down for a 24 hour party. I'd rather play poker =).

Are there any casinos nearby that are somewhat in driving distance to the downtown Mardi Gras scene?

Thanks for the help.
Gabuk

[Ed Miller]

Are there any casinos nearby that are somewhat in driving distance to the downtown Mardi Gras scene?

Harrah's is at the foot of Canal St. But if you don't want to hang out in the Quarter, at least watch the parades Tuesday afternoon. They drive right down in front of Harrah's, so you really have no excuse not to. /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[zuluking]

The crowds are insane both outside and inside Harrah's at Mardi Gras. You may want to consider renting a car and driving to Mississippi during your trip.

[Ed Miller]

The crowds are insane both outside and inside Harrah's at Mardi Gras. You may want to consider renting a car and driving to Mississippi during your trip.

Meh. Mardi Gras rules. Don't skip town!

[KowCiller]

My girlfriend and I went and stayed in the quarter and had a great time. Granted, it wasn't during Mardi Gras, but there was lots to do and some great food /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

There are some questionable folks around there, but I'm not sure if that would be more or less prevalent during mardi gras.

Harrah's is a pretty nice casino. Poker room is sizable. They do allow smoking there, which is an adjustment if you're like me and used to non-smoking rooms.

They've got a pretty wild NL game (at least it was when I was there), and also their 10-20 is pretty decent too. Let us know how it goes.

Edit: From what I've been told, Harrahs on the quarter is the only casino with poker left in New Orleans.

[gabuk]

Thanks everyone for the help.

Can't wait to check out Harrah's but it's a bummer that they allow smoking (I have trouble breathing second hand smoke). I am so used to non-smoking establishments (live in California).

But the even better news is that the wifey has approved a Vegas trip /images/graemlins/ooo.gif.

I have never played poker in a casino even though I live 10 minutes from Hawaiin and 25 minutes from Commerce and Bicycle, lol.

Time to get some practice time in before the Vegas and Mardi Gras trip.

Thanks again!
Gabuk

[feelixthegreek]

I played at Harrah's over Mardi Gras last year, and to my suprise the crowds were no better/worse than any other weekend, which is to say nothing compared to the Foxwoods horror stories I've read about here. In fact, it's a pretty good refuge from the insanity outside.

If there's a downside (and this from one ten hour Saturday night session), it's falling into this situation: everyone at my table seemed there to "take advantage of the drunks," while all the drunks were at another table. (The felt is always greener etc.)

Regarding Mississippi, put it this way: if you win big during Mardi Gras, you won't want to celebrate in Gulfport, and you certainly won't eat as well.

[feelixthegreek]

I should have added that they've recently created a non-smoking section. The best part is it's in the back of the room as far away from the slot machines as you can be. I won't say it's "quiet," but it's preferable to being out in the open.

[modernmess]

make sure you bring a sweatshirt to harrah's - if you get stuck at a table that's under a vent youll be freezing your ass off, and there seem to be a lot of those in that poker room.