Hard Rock - Tampa, FL

This will be the first chip for frame #5. Yes, the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa is my 253rd five dollar chip. It's also where Anna Nicole Smith died. I didn't know that when we were there. We stopped in one night after a spring training game and it was odd. No roulette or craps. Blackjack minimums were $50! And the tables were full. There was also some type of dance contest going on in front of one of their bar/restaurants. It was crazy. Mostly because I didn't win, but also just because it was going on. I'm not sure if it was a sponsored thing or an impromptu breakdown or what. So, we packed up quickly and hit Thee Doll House. Should have stayed at the casino, as bad as it was. But that's a story for a different blog.

Tropicana

The Tropicana. It smells like old people. Always has, probably always will. I don't like seeing the older "famous" casinos close down, but I'd make an exception for this place. Plus, that corner lot is dying for a new casino to tie in with MGM, NYNY and Excalibur.

Sahara

The Sahara. Sadly, the Sahara is closing May 2011. I've played thousands of dollar blackjack hands at the place. Never once rode the roller coaster or went down the water slide in front of it though. The Sahara had one of the strangest side bets I've ever seen at a casino. I think it's evolved over the years because there are a few different versions, but it either involved getting a blackjack or a pair of the same card (including suit) and if you made an extra $1 bet - you would either spin a wheel to win a prize or there was a pre-determined dollar amount you won. Either way, it was dumb. But most of the people playing there were dumb, so I guess it evens out. One of our first trips (Vegas '98) we ate the buffet for some strange reason. The was the year we willfully stayed at the Stardust, so we were obviously a group that wasn't strong with decision-making. But - despite all that, I'll miss the Sahara. The north end of the strip gets a little more lonely come May.

Caesars Palace

This logo looks like it would work better for Little Caesars Pizza not Caesars Palace. But Caesar didn't actually live there and the casino isn't beeper friendly (a bank of pay phones doesn't count) so who cares?

Del Webb's The Mint

The Mint. Opened in 1957 and later became part of Binion's Horseshoe. Hunter S. Thompson stayed there during his Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas book. Also, I believe James McManus stayed there (after it sold to Binion's) and wrote about it in Positively Fifth Street. The have (or had) a rooftop pool - which would be cool to swim in if it wasn't 250 feet closer to the sun. I like to get sun burnt but come on people! You might as well sit inside a microwave!

Jockey Club

The Jockey Club isn't a casino and never has been. It was supposed to be, hence they made chips. But it wasn't to be. Now, the Jockey Club is just a timeshare on the strip. I'm not even sure if the rooms are available like a hotel - or if it is strictly condo type arrangements. It's had a pretty prominent spot on the strip for years though, so even though the casino never made it, the chip is kind of cool.

Gold Spike

The Gold Spike casino opened in 1976, closed shortly thereafter and then reopened in 1983. It's apparently been totally redone on the inside and is quite nice for a downtown joint. It's been years since I've been downtown, so I'll have to take the interwebs word for it. I just like the logo on the chip.