Charles Town Racing and Slots- Wild, Wonderful West Virginia
Written: Oct 28 '09
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Horse Racing, Slots, Entertainment, Parking
Cons: Gambling will make you broke, Food
The Bottom Line: Charles Town Racing and Slots is a fun day trip, that offers a different side to West Virginia.
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| toiletoctopus's Full Review: Charles Town Racing and Slots |
Gambling is a multi-billion dollar enterprise, that generally finds a way, to suck out all of the blood of cities that sanction it. An example of this is Atlantic City, which I don't want to visit again. This has got to be the most depressing area I've ever been in, and I'd seriously rather send postcards from my vacation trip to somewhere like Cleveland. Its "Hell on Earth", as just outside the casinos, you see poverty that just rips your heart out. Some of the individuals living in filth here, were probably put out here due to their gambling addictions. They are worse off than Chevy Chase was in Vegas Vacation, and many of these people would probably be happy to go to the "All You Can Eat Buffet" with Cousin Eddie. Could you pass me some more of the blue?
I'm not much into gambling, as I'm just too cheap, but Charles Town Racing and Slots is a fun establishment. Unlike Atlantic City, the casino is surrounded by the loving arms of West Virginia, which has more than enough "squeal appeal." Charles Town used to be a tiny hamlet until the casino was built, and I know a former police officer, who worked in that area in the 1970's. It used to be cattle rustling, and watching out for lurid affairs with farm animals, but the area has grown substantially from its rural ways of yesteryear. There's a whole lot of shopping that can be done, or if you are lucky enough and not broke after gambling, you can lose more money at the Golden Horseshoe Gentleman's Club.
Charles Town Racing and Slots Casino is HUGE! I still am amazed every visit, to how big this facility is compared to others that I've spent time in. It can take easily a half hour plus to walk around the gambling areas, and there are over 5,000 slot machines to "try your luck on." Now, of course you will have to fight those old ladies with oxygen canisters to get to one. They might be smoking as well, but thankfully there are areas of the casino that are smoke free. You can play all kinds of slot machines here, and if you don't like the traditional pulling, you can just push a button to move the symbols. There are slot machines of every type of denomination, as you can blow a $20 bill, or stick to the penny ones that I like.
Scoff if you must, but I've had quite a bit of luck at the penny slots! I took my boss, and we both were playing on them the last time. He came to me and said "Ha ha Mike, I won $10 off a fifteen cents!" I turned to him with my $37 ticket from around that amount, and he walked off angrier than I can when we are working together. It was a great moment, and the slots are fun for awhile, but they can get old. Some might get carpal tunnel from this activity, and the old women that guard the slots, can be a bit rough around the edges. Look for one that doesn't have anyone near a particular machine, because some think they can use three at a time.
What I love about this casino, is the horse racing. I can totally understand how people get addicted to this type of activity, as there are several options. You can watch a whole bunch of monitors, from horse races going on throughout the country or in international locations. There are the usual Place and Show type of bets, and these can be anywhere from $1 on up. As you can imagine, I'm all about $1 bets. That is exciting, and you can learn a lot from the seasoned pro's, who know everything about a horse's ownership team, and sometimes it makes sense to bet for the horse predicted to finish dead last. If it wins, you can make some serious bucks on that longshot.
I like watching the monitors, from their comfortable chairs, but I'm all about the stadium. They have a gigantic horse racing track outside, and its a lot of fun to watch horses fly on down the track in front of you. There are usually eight to pick from, and while the benches are a fine place to sit down, I'm always up on the fence line. Here they gallop, and you can hear their feet hitting the ground, as they pace by at furious speeds. The jockeys look even smaller than they do on television, and I'm guessing I could bench press one of them with my right pinky finger. They are so small, and the excitement of the bugles, gets your heart pounding before the races start.
You can get decent beer deals here, as they have specials on pitchers, but the liquor costs are through the roof. Don't even think about ordering a mixed drink, or you won't have any money to gamble with. Thankfully, there are a lot of choices for food. I generally just get hotdogs, popcorn, and what appears to be pizza from one of the numerous food stands located throughout the casino. On my last visit I decided to eat at the Sundance Grill, because they had a $12.95 prime rib special. I'm not sure what the beef was, but I could have sworn I heard a "Moo" when I bit into it. You get what you pay for, and while it was sort of edible, I won't be getting that again.
I like Charles Town Racing and Slots, and if you get too loaded, you can stay at the on site hotel. You will also feel safe here, as security is everywhere. Cash is easy to get at one of their changing stations, and the employees have been very friendly. Parking is a breeze, whether you put the buggy in their gigantic lot, but you might have to walk awhile. The best option is their $5 valet parking, which is a fine value, and as long as you tip the car usually is returned in better condition than the one in Ferris Bueller's Day Off. For more information, call this establishment at 1-800-795-7001, or see it online at http://www.ctownraces.com/. Its a fun day trip, and while you are probably going to lose some money, its a fine entertainment complex that is worthy of returning to.
Thanks to Di(Surgn911) for adding this to the database**
Recommended:
Yes
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