johnb
11-02-2002, 12:22 AM
Taking advantage to very cheap mid week rates, I just returned from two nights at the Paragon Casino in Marksville La.
GENERAL INFO:
For those of you not familiar with it, The Paragon was formally the Grand Casino. It is located near Alexandria La and is a land based reservation casino. The Paragon is very large and spacious and has traditionally been one of my favorites. When first opened, the local tribe had a management deal with the Grand. For those of you not familiar with Grand Casinos, they are almost to a facility very professionally run, well maintained, and have a strong committment to poker. Apparently, the tribe that owns this casino used their contract time with the Casino as a training period to learn to run a facility and did not renew their contract.
ARRIVAL-ROOM PROBLEMS
When we first checked in Wednesday, we found out that our TV did not work in the room. After a call to the front desk, we were moved to another room. The tv worked there but they picture was red with no color. After yet another call, we were moved to the new hotel tower to a mini suite and given a reduced rate. Essentially, we ended up paying about 1/2 price for one of the mini-suites. I thought this was great customer service. When we encountered problems with the AC at the Sahara this summer, we got a 'sorry but it is hot outside and there is nothing we can do about it.'
THE CASINO
One of the first things I noticed about the casino is it appeared that some of the table games had been taken out and replaced by slots. At the very least, the floor had been re-arranged. There were a lot of new slots, that payed off with a slip to be redeemed at the cashier vs coin. The crowds were about average for wednesday night. I expected a lot of people Thursday for Halloween but was suprised that it was not much busier than Wednesday night.
FINALLY SOME POKER CONTENT:
I did not expect much action to be going on Wednesday night. The last time I was at the Paragon at mid week they had one or two stud games going at most. I was suprised to find out that not only were there no games going on but that the room is now closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. I arrived Thursday about 1:30 to find one 4-8 holdem game in progress. I took a seat and noted several regulars I had played with before there. The game was somewhat tight and passive with 3-4 callers to the flop. I caught few good cards for the first hour but did catch a sevarl straight and flush draws that did not come through. After about an hour and a half I looked down to see two red sixes utg. I called and went to the flop with 4 other callers. The flop came a beautiful 6-9-x. I bet out and got two callers. The turn came a 8. Bet out and one caller. River was a Q. Bet out and got raised! J-10? No way right? Yes way. I quit after this one minus $122. The game that night was much better. Still passive but much looser. I caught some big cards and draws that held up finally and ended the night plus exactly $100. One intersting thing that I saw was a gentleman who was in both games that had absolutely the worst luck that I have ever seen with big pairs. I counted no less than 9 occasions that he had aces, kings, or queens and he lost eight times with them. One one occasion he bet ever street only to lose to a little old lady who flopped four sevens. She called every bet and never raised! I also noticed that they have instituted a $.50 ante on the stud games which is the first time i have seen this in 1-5 games.
SOME FINAL THOUGHTS - THE DEATH OF ANOTHER ROOM?
I have always really enjoyed the poker room at the Paragon/Grand. It was what I call a 'typical' southern casino poker room in that it was well run with freindly competent dealer and staff. My biggest complaint has been that they were always very cheap with comps. I wonder if this rooms days are numbered though. The room was downsized about two years ago. With the Grand management gone, you have to wonder if the new management will be as committed to poker. I noticed a lot of the former room management not there and several new dealers. The room now closes after the last player leaves and is closed two days a week. I have been at the Paragon on Thursday night before and seen two or three stud games going with two holdem games. Last night they got one stud and one holdem game and both broke up before midnight. Overall, the casino has slid just a bit since the Grand management left. I noticed several little things like service being down a bit in the restaurants and the mashed potatoes in the buffet being instant vs fresh made. I wonder if any of the paragon regulars (Zuluking are you out there) have any observations.
GENERAL INFO:
For those of you not familiar with it, The Paragon was formally the Grand Casino. It is located near Alexandria La and is a land based reservation casino. The Paragon is very large and spacious and has traditionally been one of my favorites. When first opened, the local tribe had a management deal with the Grand. For those of you not familiar with Grand Casinos, they are almost to a facility very professionally run, well maintained, and have a strong committment to poker. Apparently, the tribe that owns this casino used their contract time with the Casino as a training period to learn to run a facility and did not renew their contract.
ARRIVAL-ROOM PROBLEMS
When we first checked in Wednesday, we found out that our TV did not work in the room. After a call to the front desk, we were moved to another room. The tv worked there but they picture was red with no color. After yet another call, we were moved to the new hotel tower to a mini suite and given a reduced rate. Essentially, we ended up paying about 1/2 price for one of the mini-suites. I thought this was great customer service. When we encountered problems with the AC at the Sahara this summer, we got a 'sorry but it is hot outside and there is nothing we can do about it.'
THE CASINO
One of the first things I noticed about the casino is it appeared that some of the table games had been taken out and replaced by slots. At the very least, the floor had been re-arranged. There were a lot of new slots, that payed off with a slip to be redeemed at the cashier vs coin. The crowds were about average for wednesday night. I expected a lot of people Thursday for Halloween but was suprised that it was not much busier than Wednesday night.
FINALLY SOME POKER CONTENT:
I did not expect much action to be going on Wednesday night. The last time I was at the Paragon at mid week they had one or two stud games going at most. I was suprised to find out that not only were there no games going on but that the room is now closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. I arrived Thursday about 1:30 to find one 4-8 holdem game in progress. I took a seat and noted several regulars I had played with before there. The game was somewhat tight and passive with 3-4 callers to the flop. I caught few good cards for the first hour but did catch a sevarl straight and flush draws that did not come through. After about an hour and a half I looked down to see two red sixes utg. I called and went to the flop with 4 other callers. The flop came a beautiful 6-9-x. I bet out and got two callers. The turn came a 8. Bet out and one caller. River was a Q. Bet out and got raised! J-10? No way right? Yes way. I quit after this one minus $122. The game that night was much better. Still passive but much looser. I caught some big cards and draws that held up finally and ended the night plus exactly $100. One intersting thing that I saw was a gentleman who was in both games that had absolutely the worst luck that I have ever seen with big pairs. I counted no less than 9 occasions that he had aces, kings, or queens and he lost eight times with them. One one occasion he bet ever street only to lose to a little old lady who flopped four sevens. She called every bet and never raised! I also noticed that they have instituted a $.50 ante on the stud games which is the first time i have seen this in 1-5 games.
SOME FINAL THOUGHTS - THE DEATH OF ANOTHER ROOM?
I have always really enjoyed the poker room at the Paragon/Grand. It was what I call a 'typical' southern casino poker room in that it was well run with freindly competent dealer and staff. My biggest complaint has been that they were always very cheap with comps. I wonder if this rooms days are numbered though. The room was downsized about two years ago. With the Grand management gone, you have to wonder if the new management will be as committed to poker. I noticed a lot of the former room management not there and several new dealers. The room now closes after the last player leaves and is closed two days a week. I have been at the Paragon on Thursday night before and seen two or three stud games going with two holdem games. Last night they got one stud and one holdem game and both broke up before midnight. Overall, the casino has slid just a bit since the Grand management left. I noticed several little things like service being down a bit in the restaurants and the mashed potatoes in the buffet being instant vs fresh made. I wonder if any of the paragon regulars (Zuluking are you out there) have any observations.