Although small, the Golden Nugget casino is full of action! At almost any time of day you are likely to find people screaming, shouting, and actually acting like they are having fun (something usually only seen in the movies). Beware however; this is an old-fashioned casino which means it is filled with old-fashioned gamblers as well as old-fashioned smokers. The casino offers blackjack, Let It Ride, craps, roulette, baccarat, Pai-Gow, 3-card poker, Caribbean Stud, and pretty much any other game you could wish for in a casino. There is even a fancy high-limit salon for high-rollers just like you would expect at one of the big Strip casinos. Inside, they will no-doubt pamper you just for taking a seat. If they see you actually playing, comps will definitely be coming your way. Like the hotels on the Strip, most games have $10 minimums. Slots start at a nickel and go as high as $100 a pull. There is also a traditional keno parlor for up to nine players. This is something you aren’t likely to find on the Strip.

When it comes to comps, Golden Nugget is not stingy with free drinks. Those playing tables and actually betting can order pretty much any type of liquor that they choose, while those betting penny slots will probably only receive house drinks. This is pretty much the standard at most casinos. However, the cocktail waitresses at Golden Nugget are quick and efficient with the drinks and they come around often, allowing you to get your money’s worth. Comps on food and rooms are slightly harder to get, betting $50-$100 a hand will get you noticed at this casino.

The sportsbook at Golden Nugget is somewhat small. There are 16 TVs with three big screens. There are 40 seats with 30 seats for racing each with their own TV. In order to receive free drinks in the sports book, you will have to ask for drink tickets when placing your bet. Otherwise, the cocktail waitresses won’t give out drinks to those just sitting down. There also a snack bar called, The Grille conveniently located right inside the sports book. Minimums at this book are $5 for sports and $2 for the races.

The Golden Nugget offers a nice poker room with ten tables that are busy at almost anytime of day or night. The poker room offers Hold-em with a few no-limit games with $200 buy-ins. They offer tournaments every day; there are also classes for beginners offered at 10 am. This is one of the nicer poker rooms that you will find downtown and the players here seem to have some money to throw around so beginners might want to beware when coming here to play poker.