Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino

[noodleZ]

I'm just learning to count and the closest casino to me is in Eagle Pass, TX. Has anyone played there? What are the rules? How many decks? Table min? What kind of heat should I expect?

Thanks.

*edit*
I'm not sure, but it seems that they don't even offer blackjack, because they can't play any games where you bet against the house. Is this true?

[tribute]

It is also the closest to me. I have been once. Don't waste your time and fuel. The blackjack is very poor. They charge and ante on each hand, similar to Oklahoma casinos. I prefer to catch the boat in Port Aransas, or , even better, drive to Lake Charles, LA.

[noodleZ]

What are the riverboat tables like? Are there any 1, or 2D games? I notice they offer $3 minimums on weekdays. That would be a pretty good place to start, but what are the rules for that game?

[tribute]

Isle of Capri: 6 Deck shoe, 6 Deck ASM
5$ and $10 min.
DOA
DAS
Re-split aces up to 4 times
No SUR
Dealer S17
75% pen

Double Deck
$25 min, 50% pen
(plus same rules as above)

L' Auberge: Same rules, crowded most of the time
$5 tables hard to find due to crowds

Coushatta (Kinder, LA)
Pretty much the same except:
$10 min on DD (two tables)
$5 min. 6-deck easy to find, even on
weekends
You may also play multiple spots without
increased bets

I have never seen single deck or $3 blackjack in Louisiana. Maybe available in Shreveport.

[noodleZ]

I totally mis...typed that last message. I meant to ask about the texas treasure casino cruises in Port Aransas you mentioned.

[tribute]

Texas Treasure:

(It's been over two years since I was there.)

Two cruises per day, four hours each.
8-deck shoes, 5-deck CSM's
Dealer S17
$5 to $200 tables
$25 to $500 tables
DOA
DAS
RSA
Late SUR available

The dealers were very experienced, no mistakes. No game time until ship is 45 minutes from port. Food is not that great. Ship is old. Game tables, chips, and equipment are old, signs of much wear and tear. I did enjoy the experience, but prefer going to Louisiana.

[noodleZ]

Would you recommend back-counting an 8-deck game on the cruise for a first timer? I've been to Vegas once, before I ever knew blackjack and I know the casino environment can be distracting. So, if my goal is to back-count an 8-deck to see if I can keep up in a real casino, wong-in when the count is positive and hope to score a few units, would you recommend going? I don't much care about food and the like. I can't stand most buffets and had a horrible time in Vegas because of it, well at least the free drinks made up for it. Have you ever experienced any heat while you were there?

I am a little worried though about being trapped on that boat for several hours. I guess, I could just watch some tables to practice, if all else fails.

Louisiana sounds a lot better, but I'm concerned about wasting all of that fuel driving there just to maybe lose my ass. I do have a friend who has a Prius, maybe I can con him into driving. He'll be turning 21 soon. Which brings me to another point, would a 23 y/o white male standing around the BJ tables be suspicious? I fit the description of a card counter fairly well, being a computer science major and being fairly shy.

[tribute]

noodleZ,
Problem is, on the ship, not many tables, never an empty seat. Once on board, I immediately find a table and reserve a spot with my player's card. Backcounting is not practical or even possible. You and your friend would be more suspect as an AP than I at 53, but I have not seen any heat since being there three times. As for driving, I still prefer the extra expense to find better games. We are fortunate to have decent games here in the south.

[noodleZ]

After doing some calculations, I think we're headed off to Lake Charles. If we go on the weekend to Port Aransas it will be $20 a person just to get on the ship + gas. For a group of four, driving in a hybrid to Lake Charles is only $10 a person for gas. So, it's cheaper just to go to Lake Charles and play better games.

Thanks for the help.

[tribute]

Since you are splitting costs, go check out Coushatta in Kinder. Go east on
I-10 past Lake Charles. Take exit 44. Follow signs to Kinder. The casino is about 5 miles north of town. I like their DD game and you can always find an empty seat. Their steakhouse is very good, too.