Tunica trip report

First trip to Tunica, brought the whole family. Won about $800 during 12 hours of blackjack spreading table min. (usually 10 sometimes 5) up to $50 on single and double deck. My observation from my midweek stay playing nights 9-1 (probably worst time to play but only time I had):
1.Rooms are cheap this time of year, probably because there is nothing to do there except gamble unless you go into Memphis.
2.Penetration on double deck at Harrah's was consistently good. 75% or better.
3.Penetration on double deck at Fitz was variable, but some dealer pen was excellent. $5 min. also made for a larger spread for those low rolling counters out there.
4.Grand pen was ok (ro6) on sd, but poor on dd.
5.Horseshoe was crowded and dd pen was inferior than pen at Fitz or Harrahs.
6.Gold Strike DD pen was poor.
7.Recommend Grand buffet, Grand indoor pool and jacuzzi and Central BBQ in Memphis.

was the only casino in Tunica that has STAND of soft 17 at their shoe games. Is that correct?

Would that play a part in your playing decision... or is pen so much more important?

The stand on soft 17 doesn't make up for bad pen. The fitz (in my experiences) has been the best all around. I even had an old man dealer one time who was obviously counting as well (or at least knew the general range of the count) who would actually TELL the table to place larger bets this hand because aces and faces were coming!!!

The pen is almost always the best, but it is variable. On a good day you can catch dealers going up to about 85% on DD. The heat is low provided you use at least SOME cover and the comps are great. I got 3 nites in a row compted for room and meals and I was only playing RED with a 1-8 spread (max bet $40).

Hope it helps.

NICK

central bbq would be in the goldstrike .... only if you fire it up a bit... then you'll be the b.b. Q'ed..

The one we went to was on Central avenue in Memphis. Try the dry ribs. They are spicy and fall off the bone.

I'm a native Memphian and I'm scratching my head on where you ate on Central. There is not a lot of commercial development on it and I can't think of any BBQ restaurants in the commercial areas that do exist. There used to be a fabulous BBQ restaurant right across from Libertyland, almost next to Christian Brothers University, but that is long gone. Could you mean Madison Avenue, two major streets to the north? They have a place called the Barbecue Shop, just west of McLean, that I think is the best in Memphis. Both their wet and dry ribs are excellent, as is their barbecue (which in Memphis means pulled pork shoulder sandwiches).

Also, Interstate BBQ, on 3rd St., just north of the junction with I-55, has a good reputation, though I haven't been there later. Both are much better than the overrated Corky's.

Cheers,
sargno

Central BBQ
Midtown
2249 Central
Memphis, TN
272-9377

I loved it but will defer to Memphis natives on what is the best.

are also excellent, unless you have some local info that their quality has declined.

I like to visit them right after the duck walk ceremony at the Peabody is finished. I do agree that 'Memphis dry' is the best thing going when one talks about BBQ, although there may be some nay sayers from Kansas City or North Carolina. You may need to ask a local authority as to location, since I can only tell you that you walk out the front entrance of the Peabody and it is right down the alley...

I know from the address about where it should be, so I'll check it out next time I'm home.

Cheers,
sargon

I just don't go there much, because it's a long way from my dad's and from Tunica, and not on the way in between.

Cheers,
sargon