> Well, you won't find a single deck game with 3:2 BJ
> payout, DAS and late surrender in Las Vegas. :-)

True, but I also tend to blend well in Vegas and have never been made and/or backed off. That Barona game is a counter-magnet!

> I'm not sure - they never send me comps. (The last
> time I asked for a comp to the steakhouse I was told,
> "You're lucky we even let you play.")

HA!

> Why not just call and ask them?

I just like to get as much info from other sources as possible before getting to that point.

> You could play the single deck game with a 1-2 spread.
> With a good counting system and full indices this
> would give you a small edge, but not draw much heat.

> Alternatively, you could stick to VP, as Barona has
> about the best VP of any casino in the area. Nothing
> positive, but you will find FP Jokers Wild (2Pr),
> Triple Bonus +, Double Bonus, and NSUD, as well as 9/6
> JOB, all in a variety of denominations and modern TITO
> machines. Cashback kinda sucks, though (.1%).

I'm more amenable to playing VP these days, so that sounds like a good option. Especially if I treat it like an actual vacation so my brain can get some rest, too.

> The steak house is excellent, although $100 probably
> won't cover dinner for 2. They also have a pretty good
> buffet and coffee shop. The rooms are also excellent,
> large (starting at 700 sq ft) and nicely appointed.

Seriously, $100 won't cover two people? I'm not cheap (wait, yes I am), but that'd better be some seriously nice steak! At any rate, I'm the queen of ordering just enough food to squeak in under my comp/coupon level. It's a gift.

> The only downside is that, like all California
> casinos, it is located on an Indian reservation,
> meaning that you are about 25 miles east of San Diego
> in the middle of nowhere.

Everything in the desert is the middle of nowhere! No, I get what you're saying.

> In addition, the last 5 miles is up the side of a
> mountain on a very twisty narrow road. Because of
> this, Barona is alcohol-free (although you can order
> wine with dinner in the steak house).

Eh, I'm not a big drinker anyway (and never while I play), but good to know. Sounds like the place has a nice view, anyway.

BTW, the offer included the now way old accolade from Blackjack Forum of "Best Blackjack." No mention that the designation was given something like 8 years ago. Oh well, it sounds like it's probably still true!

Thanks for the info Parker; I'll let you know if we decide to make the trip and we'll have dinner (just not at the casino - I like my anonymity!)

Bettie