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Shreveport
and Bossier City, Louisiana
 Shreveport
and Bossier City have a total of six casinos, all of
which are riverboats except for Harrahs Louisiana
Downs, which is a racetrack facility combined with a
casino. Except for Harrahs, all are located
along the Red River near downtown Shreveport.
We are pleased to see that Horseshoe has broken the
mold in Shreveport by changing virtually every
short-pay game in the casino to have one or more
full-pay games on them. 9/6 Jacks or Better,
8/5 Bonus, 9/6/4 Double Bonus, and other games, are
in plentiful supply at Horseshoe. We believe
players should reward these changes with their play.
Video poker players in the area should focus on
Horseshoe and Harrahs. While Hollywood offers
a few good games, it is critical you look the pay
tables over closely as they do have some with
nonstandard setups. We suggest you avoid
Boomtown, Sam's Town, and Isle of Capri altogether,
if possible.
BOOMTOWN CASINO (BOSSIER CITY, LA)
Map/Directions
300 Riverside Drive
Bossier City, Louisiana 71111
Phone: 866-462-8696
Website Link:
http://www.boomtownbossier.com/
Cash Back: Unknown
Number of Video Poker Machines:
Approximately 100
Casino Size: 28,000 square feet
Our recommendation is to skip
Boomtown altogether. Other than a single
bank of 25c Triple Plays on the lower floor, we
found no good games at Boomtown. The casino
is run down and poorly ventilated and these few
games just aren't worth it.
|
Game |
Return |
Approximate Location |
|
9/6 JB 3-PLAY 25c |
99.54% |
LOWER FLOOR/AGAINST
WALL |
|
8/5 BONUS 3-PLAY 25c |
99.17% |
LOWER FLOOR/AGAINST
WALL |
|
9/6/4 DDB 3-PLAY 25c |
98.98% |
LOWER FLOOR/AGAINST
WALL |
|
DW (NSUD) 25c |
99.73% |
LOWER FLOOR/AGAINST
WALL |
SURVEY DATE: APRIL, 2005
HARRAHS LOUISIANA DOWNS (BOSSIER CITY, LA)
Map/Directions
8000 East Texas Street
Bossier City, Louisiana 71111
Phone: 800-427-7247
Website Link:
http://www.ladowns.com/
Cash Back: None (bounce-back, minimal)
Number of Video Poker Machines:
Approximately 137
Harrahs Louisiana Downs offers a number of good
games for 50c and higher denomination players.
25c players will find a very limited selection,
consisting mostly of a bank of five games on the
outer edge of the video poker area, just at the
corner of the High-Limit area. The five
games on one side offer better pay tables, while
the five on the other side are short-pay.
You will find some NSUD here in all denominations
-- again, the number of 25c games is limited,
however.
Those who play Pick'em will find a total of 12
Gamemakers with 99.73% Pick'em Poker on them.
These are all 25c games, just outside the
High-Limit area.
We like Harrahs Louisiana Downs because it is a
very nice facility, all new, and has a good
selection of games. Those who are interested
in horseracing can play the horses while playing
video poker in between races. It is a nice
facility. However, 25c video poker players
may prefer the Horseshoe given the limited number
of 25c games at Harrahs.
|
Game |
Return |
Approximate Location |
|
8/5 BONUS ($5/$10/$25) |
99.17% |
HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
9/6 JB ($5/$10/$25) |
99.54% |
HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
9/7/5 DB ($5/$10/$25) |
99.10% |
HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
9/6/4 DDB ($5/$10/$25) |
98.98% |
HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
DW (NSUD) ($5/$10/$25) |
99.73% |
HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
9/6 BONUS DELUXE |
99.64% |
HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
8/5 BONUS ($1) |
99.17% |
OUTSIDE HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
DW
(NSUD) ($1) |
99.73% |
OUTSIDE HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
9/6 JB ($1) |
99.54% |
OUTSIDE HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
9/7/5 DB ($1) |
99.10% |
OUTSIDE HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
9/6/4 DDB ($1) |
98.98% |
OUTSIDE HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
9/5 TRIPLE BONUS PLUS
($1) |
99.80% |
OUTSIDE HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
9/6 BONUS DELUXE ($1) |
99.73% |
OUTSIDE HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
25/19/9 DEUCES WILD
(25c) 3-PLAY PROG |
98.91% |
OUTER EDGE OF VP AREA |
|
25/19/9 DEUCES WILD
(25c) 5-PLAY |
98.91% |
OUTER EDGE OF VP AREA |
|
9/6/4 DDB (25c)
PROGRESSIVE 3-PLAY |
98.98% |
OUTER EDGE OF VP AREA |
|
9/6/4 DDB (25c) 5-PLAY |
98.98% |
OUTER EDGE OF VP AREA |
|
9/6 JB (25c/50c/$1) (5
MACHINES) |
99.54% |
OUTER EDGE OF VP AREA
SLANTTOP |
|
8/5 BONUS (25c/50c/$1)
(5 MACHINES) |
99.17% |
OUTER EDGE OF VP AREA
SLANTTOP |
|
9/7/5 DB (25c/50c/$1)
(5 MACHINES) |
99.10% |
OUTER EDGE OF VP AREA
SLANTTOP |
|
9/6/4 DDB (25c/50c/$1)
(5 MACHINES) |
98.98% |
OUTER EDGE OF VP AREA
SLANTTOP |
|
DW
(NSUD) (25c/50c/$1) (5 MACHINES) |
99.73% |
OUTER EDGE OF VP AREA SLANTTOP |
|
PICK'EM POKER (25c) (12 GAMEMAKERS) |
99.95% |
OUTSIDE HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
SURVEY DATE: JUNE, 2005
HOLLYWOOD CASINO (SHREVEPORT, LA)
Map/Directions
451 Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
Shreveport, Louisiana 71101
Phone: 877-602-0711
Website Link:
http://www.hollywoodcasinoshreveport.com/
Cash Back: 0.50%
Number of Video Poker Machines:
Casino Size: 29,600 square feet
The Hollywood Casino in Shreveport
is a nice facility with numerous games.
While there are good games, they are interspersed
with games of moderate-to-poor quality, and one
has to be careful in seeking them out. You
will find many 9/6/4 DDB games in various
denominations. Other than these, look for
two machines out of a bank of four containing 9/6
JB and 8/5 Bonus -- but notice that you must play
15 credits to get the Royal Flush bonus payoff
(these games are directly opposite the bank of 6/5
Bonus machines along the back wall of the video
poker area). Also, the 9/7/5 DB Triple Plays
are a good find given the "seller's market" of the
Shreveport area. (Dedicated Triple Play
players may want to brave the conditions at
Boomtown to play one of the four full-pay Triple
Play machines there, as well).
Hollywood has recently added a few
games on the upper floor, just outside the large
poker room. You'll find some interesting
games here, including "Double Double Bonus Plus"
which is like DDB but pays a higher return for
fours of a kind with an Ace kicker. Also, we
found a $1 9/6 Bonus Deluxe game there.
However, it is essential to check the pay tables
in their entirety -- Hollywood seems to have a
knack for sneaking minor changes in. In
particular, avoid the 8/5 "Bonus" poker game on
these new machines -- a closer examination reveals
it is not Bonus Poker at all, but instead is 8/5
Jacks or Better with a slightly modified payout on
all quads. $1 DDB players should definitely
seek out the $1 DDB Plus games on these machines
as it yields about an additional 0.45% return.
|
Game |
Return |
Approximate Location |
|
9/6/4 DDB ($5/$10/$25) |
98.98% |
HIGH-LIMIT |
|
9/6/4 DDB (25c) |
98.98% |
2ND FLOOR BAR |
|
9/6 JB (25c/50c/$1) ** |
99.54% |
2ND FLOOR VP AREA (2/4
MACHINES) |
|
9/7/5 DB (25c/50c/$1)
** |
99.10% |
2ND FLOOR VP AREA (2/4
MACHINES) |
|
8/5 BONUS (25c/50c/$1)
** |
99.17% |
2ND FLOOR VP AREA (2/4
MACHINES) |
|
9/7/5 DB 3-PLAY |
99.10% |
2ND FLOOR VP AREA 2
BANKS OF 8 |
|
9/6/4 DDB ($1) |
98.98% |
2ND FLOOR VP AREA (10
MACHINES) |
|
9/6/4 DDB (25c) |
98.98% |
2ND FLOOR VP AREA (8
MACHINES) |
|
25/15/9 DW (25c) 3-PLAY |
98.91% |
NEAR POKER ROOM |
|
9/6/4 DDB ($1) |
98.98% |
NEAR POKER ROOM |
|
9/6/4 DDB PLUS ($1) * |
99.44% |
NEAR POKER ROOM |
|
9/7/5 DB ($1) |
99.10% |
NEAR POKER ROOM |
|
DW
(NSUD) ($1) |
99.73% |
NEAR
POKER ROOM |
|
9/6
BONUS DELUXE |
99.64% |
NEAR
POKER ROOM |
|
9/7/5 DB (50c) |
99.10% |
NEAR POKER ROOM |
|
9/6/4 DDB (50c) |
98.98% |
NEAR POKER ROOM |
|
25/15/9 DW (50c) |
98.91% |
NEAR POKER ROOM |
*LIKE DDB, BUT INCREASED PAYOUT
FOR FOUR 5-Ks WITH AN ACE KICKER. IF POSSIBLE
YOU SHOULD PLAY THIS GAME IN LIEU OF THE 9/6/4
DDB ($1) GAMES AT HOLLYWOOD SINCE THE RETURN IS
CONSIDERABLY HIGHER.
** REQUIRES MAXIMUM BET OF 15
CREDITS FOR ROYAL FLUSH BONUS PAYOFF
SURVEY DATE: JUNE, 2005
HORSESHOE CASINO (BOSSIER CITY, LA)
Map/Directions
711 Horseshoe Blvd.
Bossier City, Louisiana 71111
Phone: 800-895-0711
Website Link:
http://www.horseshoe.com
Cash Back: Unknown
Number of Video Poker Machines:
Approximately 176
Casino Size: 30,000 square feet
What a difference a few weeks can
make! Horseshoe has, since our last survey,
totally changed its video poker with the end
result being the best selection of good games in
the area. This is a major development for
the Shreveport/Bossier City area, and we hope it
reflects a new attitude on the parts of local
casinos, one of competing for players.
Horseshoe seems to have
standardized on good paytables for most of its
games -- 9/6 Jacks or Better, 8/5 Bonus, 9/6/4
Double Double Bonus, and 9/6 Bonus Deluxe.
Deuces Wild is still very short pay (97%) on all
but the high-limit games -- but the new pay tables
appear to be across-the-board improvements.
Double Bonus generally pays 9/6/5 (97.80%), so
there are better places to play if this is your
game.
We are now recommending the
Horseshoe as the place to play video poker in
Shreveport if you play the typical games of Jacks
or Better, Bonus, or Double Double Bonus.
While Harrahs offers some games with better
payouts, they don't offer table games and for many
this is a requirement.
We believe Horseshoe has now taken
the lead in the Shreveport area due to the sheer
number of good games, particularly for 25c
players.
|
Game |
Return |
Approximate Location |
|
8/5 BONUS POKER
($5/$10/$25) |
99.17% |
HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
9/6 JACKS OR BETTER ($5/$10/$25) |
99.54% |
HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
9/7/5 DB ($5/$10/$25) |
99.10% |
HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
9/6/4 DB ($5/$10/$25) |
98.98% |
HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
25/15/9 DW ($5/$10/$25) |
98.91% |
HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
9/6 JB 3/5-PLAY
($5/$10/$25) |
99.54% |
HIGH-LIMIT AREA |
|
9/6 JACKS OR BETTER ($1/50c/25c) |
99.54% |
LOWER FLOOR NEAR MEN'S
ROOM |
|
8/5 BONUS POKER ($1/50c/25c) |
99.17% |
LOWER FLOOR NEAR MEN'S ROOM |
|
9/6/4 DDB ($1/50c/25c) |
98.98% |
LOWER FLOOR NEAR MEN'S ROOM |
|
9/6 BONUS POKER DELUXE
($1/50c/25c) |
99.64% |
LOWER FLOOR NEAR MEN'S
ROOM |
|
9/6 JB 3-PLAY
(25c/50c/$1) |
99.54% |
NEAR ENTRANCE |
|
8/5 BONUS 3-PLAY
(25c/50c/$1) |
99.17% |
NEAR ENTRANCE |
|
9/6 BONUS DELUXE 3-PLAY
(25c/50c/$1) |
99.64% |
NEAR ENTRANCE |
|
9/6/4 DDB ($1) |
98.98% |
NEAR UPPER DECK
ENTRANCE |
|
9/6 JACKS OR BETTER
(25c) |
99.54% |
UPPER DECK TO LEFT |
|
8/5 BONUS (25c) |
99.17% |
UPPER DECK TO LEFT |
|
9/6/4 DOUBLE DOUBLE
BONUS (25c) |
98.98% |
UPPER DECK TO LEFT |
|
9/6 BONUS DELUXE (25c) |
99.64% |
UPPER DECK TO LEFT |
|
9/6 JB 3-PLAY
(25c/50c/$1) |
99.54% |
LOWER FLOOR VP AREA |
|
8/5 BONUS 3-PLAY
(25c/50c/$1) |
99.17% |
LOWER FLOOR VP AREA |
|
9/6 BONUS DELUXE 3-PLAY
(25c/50c/$1) |
99.64% |
LOWER FLOOR VP AREA |
|
9/6/4 DDB 3-PLAY
(25c/50c/$1) |
98.98% |
LOWER FLOOR VP AREA |
|
9/6 JACKS OR BETTER
(25c/50c/$1) |
99.54% |
LOWER FLOOR VP AREA |
|
8/5 BONUS (25c/50c/$1) |
99.17% |
LOWER FLOOR VP AREA |
|
9/6 BONUS DELUXE
(25c/50c/$1) |
99.64% |
LOWER FLOOR VP AREA |
|
9/6/4 DDB (25c/50c/$1) |
98.98% |
LOWER FLOOR VP AREA |
SURVEY DATE: JUNE, 2005
ISLE OF CAPRI CASINO (BOSSIER CITY, LA)
Map/Directions
711 Isle of Capri Blvd.
Bossier City, Louisiana 71111
Phone: 800-843-4753
Website Link:
http://www.isleofcapricasino.com/Bossier_City
Cash Back: 0.625%
Number of Video Poker Machines:
Approximately 49
Casino Size: 30,000 square feet
Our recommendation is to avoid the
Isle of Capri. The games are unplayable save
for two 9/6 JB machines, and the casino appears to
be generally run down. If you are a serious
video poker player you are apt to be disappointed,
not only in the scarcity of good games, but in
just how bad the other games are. You'll
find lots of 7/5 JB, 6/5 Bonus, 6/5 JB.
There are at least some
good games available in most of the other casinos
in the area. There is little reason to stop
at the Isle if video poker is your interest.
|
Game |
Return |
Approximate Location |
|
9/6 JB ($1) |
99.54% |
NEAR ENTRY BY CRAPS PIT
(1 MACHINE) |
|
9/6 JB ($5) |
99.54% |
NEAR ENTRY BY CRAPS PIT
(1 MACHINE) |
SURVEY DATE: APRIL, 2005
SAM'S TOWN (SHREVEPORT, LA)
Map/Directions
315 Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway
Shreveport, Louisiana 71101
Phone: 866-861-0711
Website Link:
http://www.samstownshreveport.com/
Cash Back: 0.125%
Number of Video Poker Machines:
Approximately 84
Casino Size: 30,000 square feet
Sam's Town, formerly Harrahs, in
downtown Shreveport, has no 99% or better games,
but does have quite a lot of 98.98% DDB (9/6/4).
If DDB is your game, you'll usually be able to
find a game to your liking. However, there
is little else to choose from. As mentioned
below, the lower floor has some progressive games
that frequently become "good games" by virtue of
sizable progressive jackpots. If playing at
Sam's Town, you'll want to be sure and check these
out. This casino is consistently crowded
when we visit, which detracts from the playing
experience there.
|
Game |
Return |
Approximate Location |
|
9/6/4 DDB (25c/50c/$1) |
98.98% |
VP AREA - MIDDLE FLOOR |
|
9/6/4 DDB ($5/$25) |
98.98% |
TOP FLOOR - HIGH LIMIT
AREA |
|
9/6/4 DDB
(3-PLAY/5-PLAY) (25c) |
98.98% |
LOWER FLOOR VP AREA |
|
9/6/4 DDB PROGRESSIVE
(25c) |
98.98% |
LOWER FLOOR VP AREA |
|
DEUCES WILD PROGRESSIVE
(25c) |
98.91% |
LOWER FLOOR VP AREA |
|
DEUCES WILD PROGRESSIVE
(50c) |
98.91% |
LOWER FLOOR VP AREA |
|
9/6/4 DDB PROGRESSIVE
(50c) |
98.98% |
LOWER FLOOR VP AREA |
|
8/5 BONUS ($5) |
99.17% |
NEAR HI-LIMIT BLACKJACK
GAMES |
|
25/15/9 DW ($5) |
98.91% |
NEAR HI-LIMIT BLACKJACK
GAMES |
SURVEY DATE: JUNE, 2005
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