Yes, it's Grand: Biloxi or Gulfport?

Rams_Law · #1 07-02-2004, 07:56 AM

I'm heading to the Gulf coast later this summer and wondering whether to stay in Biloxi or Gulfport. I was told the Oasis in Gulfport is nice, but it sound like the action is better in Biloxi. How far is the drive between the two? Is it worth staying in Gulfport and playing in Biloxi?

Any info on poker rate rooms (not necessarily at the Oasis) at either spot? What are the weekend rates (is Sunday night considered weekend)? Hours of play/stakes required to get one? How to get them? I spoke to a nice fellow in the poker room last night because reservations was closed, but he couldn't tell me much.

Thanks for the info.

fsuplayer · #2 07-02-2004, 09:27 AM

If you are there to play, stay at the Grand Biloxi, no question about it. Many more tables and much better games.
Gulfport tends to have more comatose (sp.) locals.

Biloxi spreads more games. Last time I went there was $1-4-8, $6-12 (on the weekends), $10-20, and $15-30.
They also spread a PL game once in a while, but the game is big and the regulars are quite good. I think those blinds are $5-10.

I think the Biloxi Poker rate is $75-120 depending on day and date. Book through the poker room and its generally about 5-8 hrs play, again, depends on the days.
BTW The Biloxi Grand fills up their poker rate room allotment several weeks in advance, so book early.
Last time I went I stayed at the Imperial Palace instead bc of that, it was $39 on weekdays and $105 on the weekend. Its about a 5 min drive to the Grand, which isnt bad at all.

Good luck!

FsuPlayer

johnb · #3 07-02-2004, 10:38 PM

I just got back from Gulfport. My experience is that the Biloxi property probably has a little more Poker action. The Oasis resort is a 4 star property witht spa and all the amenities. We stayed in Gulfport becasue I had my grandchildren with me and they could walk right out of the hotel and onto the beach.

Go to their websites for the best rate. The Grand had a $49 mid week special about three weeks out from our trip...jb

PS: I put in about 15 hours of play over three days at Gulfport and ended up +$120. This was midweek.

MicroBob · #4 07-02-2004, 11:40 PM

you also aren't far from Harrah's in New Orleans which has some wacky tourist/conventioner action sometimes...especially weekends.

i think they might take an extra dollar for rake in louisiana though and it can sometimes be crowded with a bit of a wait....but i've always enjoyed my games there.

bwana devil · #5 07-03-2004, 12:22 AM

microbob, i know you were encouraged to get an avatar, but this it is weirding me out.

bwana

va_chier · #6 07-03-2004, 08:51 AM

the games at harrahs are good but for the amount of tables they have the bad beat jackpot that hardly moves each day. makes you wonder where the money is? this was pointed out to me from a dealer away from the room. this is nothing new the poker room manager at the grand in biloxi had a slush fund with the bad beat jackpot. he is still running the room and is not in jail. heard this second hand but i trust the source.

Rams_Law · #7 07-03-2004, 04:53 PM

Thanks for the info from those who replied. I'm spending a week in NO on vacation and was planning to spend the tail end of it playing on the coast. I may yet hit Harrah's the way things are shaping up.

I'm told by the poker room that the Grand Gulfport offers no room discounts to poker players. Did I just get someone clueless on the phone or is this true?

They also turn their nones up at Saturday arrivals, regardless how long I wanted to stay. (I later found the days I wanted are avilable through internet resellers.)

I believe that management is deluding themselves about the value of their properties. They mistake the Gulf Coast beach for the Nevada desert sand.

Thanks for the help, past and forthcoming.

gasman · #8 07-13-2004, 09:27 PM

If you haven't made this trip yet here is my 2 cents. Play at the Grand Biloxi. If you can find a cheap hotel somewhere else near by it is worth it (The palace, The Isle, Magic). I have played a lot at Biloxi some at Gulfport and at Harrah's NO. Gulfport is the worst imo in terms of action. Harrah's can be good at times, but the rake is a dollar more. I have never found the action to be great, but my experience there is limited. Biloxi has good action on the weekends. It is always busy, 22 tables, probably 8 or 9 1-4-8-8 games, a 6-12, 2 to 3 10-20 and 1 15-30 or 20-40. And O/8 at 15-30 or 20-40. Plus that spread 1-4-8-8 has reduced blinds of 1-2, which is a huge huge advantage imo.