Casino at the El Cortez Hotel
Casino at the El Cortez Hotel
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Neighbourhood: Downtown
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
253 reviews
Excellent
112
Very good
79
Average
37
Poor
14
Terrible
11
ocean550
Los Angeles7 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
I have been going to the El Cortez for 15 years. Many things of changed here not for the better. I recently stayed at the end of April 2023. They have removed many of the Game King machines throughout the casino. And many of the ones that were out, the screens did not work or the money intake slot did not work. The place is full of the gigantic video game style machines now. Very disappointing. A promotion they advertise is get a free box of candy with a $1200 jackpot. Russell Stover or See's chocolate. However you need 2 $1200 jackpots to get the See's candy. Unfortunately in the past the casino had much better promotions and better machines to play. Now it just seems like any other strip casino.
Written 29 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Turnkey56
Tacoma, WA821 contributions
Feb 2020
Wanted to stop in and check out the casino as I watch Youtube sensation "Slotlady"and she spends a lot of time here. Now I know why. Although and older casino it was a lot of fun and the dealers were fun to be around. Just a block away from the Fremont experience so make it a day. many resturants close by also.
Written 5 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
margie b
Indianapolis, IN5 contributions
Feb 2020
Most vintage casino I have visited in Vegas. Located in downtown Las Vegas, it,s steps away from the Fremont Street Experience. We stayed 2 nights in the newer part of the hotel. Rooms were clean although the sink became stopped up which was an inconvience. Handy mini fridge and coffee service in the room.
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ger H
Limerick, Ireland271 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
Played Black Jack for the first time ever here. Great value with $10 entry per hand.
The dealers and fellow players were very patient with a beginner.
The drinks came around at regular basis as well.
Thanks to Kam and Lin Jiu for being entertaining and helpful dealers
The dealers and fellow players were very patient with a beginner.
The drinks came around at regular basis as well.
Thanks to Kam and Lin Jiu for being entertaining and helpful dealers
Written 24 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scenic30543
portland, or1 contribution
nickel slots, dime roulette, 2 dollar 7 and 7's, and bums sleeping in the keno room. whats not to love?!?! this is las vegas. the seething underbelly of the american dream. do not leave las vegas without visiting ...!
Written 4 January 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bagmanup
Northern Michigan7 contributions
I stayed at the El Cortez last year and had a wonderful time. I could
care less about 4 star dining that costs way too much and big name hotels that overcharge for their rooms. I want a place that's as safe
as the rest, clean and fun. At the Cortez I can honestly say it was hard to not win. Sure I put money back but I know I hit six jackpots of $400.00 or more in less than 3 days. Ask the locals where they play and they'll tell you it's the Cortez. If you want to get out and have fun the Cortez is 1 block off the Freemont experience (which
honestly they should expand to the Cortez) and you can always take a cab to the Strip. If you want to stand around and wait in lines to get into a club, show or dinner reservation then please stay on the strip. But if you want to go and gamble and have a good time doing it, then stay at the Cortez or anywhere downtown.
care less about 4 star dining that costs way too much and big name hotels that overcharge for their rooms. I want a place that's as safe
as the rest, clean and fun. At the Cortez I can honestly say it was hard to not win. Sure I put money back but I know I hit six jackpots of $400.00 or more in less than 3 days. Ask the locals where they play and they'll tell you it's the Cortez. If you want to get out and have fun the Cortez is 1 block off the Freemont experience (which
honestly they should expand to the Cortez) and you can always take a cab to the Strip. If you want to stand around and wait in lines to get into a club, show or dinner reservation then please stay on the strip. But if you want to go and gamble and have a good time doing it, then stay at the Cortez or anywhere downtown.
Written 18 March 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
djm9063
Fort Worth, TX1 contribution
Was there early in the morning around 4 am play roulette with friends when two black females decided to play. One of them placed a line bet that pays 2 to 1. I saw her place the bet. Well she had won however the dealer swiped the bet off the table. We are talking about maybe $3 bet. The pit boss was called over and said that they would have to review the tape upstairs. On a $3 bet? Well they supposedly reviewed the tape and stated she never placed the bet. Of course the woman got mad, so the pit boss pulled her to the side and asked that she leave. At which time I spoke up and said I saw her place that bet and I witnessed the dealer swip the bet off the table. I told him that he was wrong. He advised me that I needed to leave as well and was escorted off the premises. I have since filed a complaint with the Nevada Gaming Commission. The security guards made racial derogatory comments to the black women. I am totally dumb founding about the whole incident, just over a $3 bet. AVOID EL CORTEZ!!!!
Written 20 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Harvey I
Hilo, HI6 contributions
Sept 2014 • Solo
I was assigned a room on the top of the third floor with no elevators! I asked for help with my 28lb. box and bag but was told no one was available, and had to carry my luggage 200 yards myself. On checkout at 10:30 pm I asked for help bringing my luggage down, and was told everyone had gone home and they were looking for someone. Had to wait 35 minutes and no one showed, so I carried my box and bag and two packages myself. When I complained to the front desk clerk, she said the website stated no elevators. Never stated no guest service. You get only what you pay for, I guess. Smoke from the casino drifted into my " no smoking" room. Very bad experience from the service staff.
Written 18 September 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TexasLover
Lake Jackson, Texas126 contributions
Jan 2011
This casino is at the far eastern end of the downtown strip and has the look of 1960s Las Vegas. It is old fashioned and a little dingy inside, but within the doors of the El Cortez you'll find some of the best bets in Vegas.
Every low roller loves $3 Blackjack. You can't find it in many places, but when you do, it usually has bad rules such as 6;5 Blackjack payouts, no doubling down after splits, etc. Not so at El Cortez. You are playing with a two deck shoe and have no restrictions whatsoever and you get a full 3:2 payout on a Blackjack. Same with the $5.00 single deck table....except they deal the single deck face down. There is a little bit different etiquette for the face down game.......ask before you play so one of the snippy dealers does not bite your head off.
The dealers are unfriendly at best, but who can blame them? Nobody tips at a $3 table, at least not much, and they are working at a casino that people are afraid to walk to at night. Use some caution in the evening because the walk from The Fremont Experience through a few darker blocks can feature lots of homeless folks and no security. It is a better destination in the daylight.
If you are not at the table for any social stimulation and do not mind a few maladjusted dealers, you will truly find the lowest house edge in Blackjack at El Cortez. To be fair, there was one brand new dealer who used to be a diesel mechanic in the Army......she was just as friendly as she could be. El Cortez needs to clone her and they will fill the tables.
The El Cortez is a great place to gamble if you don't mind dated surroundings, a sketchy area of town and downright rude dealers. For $3.00, two deck, liberal rules Blackjack, I can deal with the shortcomings and would recommend that other lowrollers who want to win head to this old school casino.
Every low roller loves $3 Blackjack. You can't find it in many places, but when you do, it usually has bad rules such as 6;5 Blackjack payouts, no doubling down after splits, etc. Not so at El Cortez. You are playing with a two deck shoe and have no restrictions whatsoever and you get a full 3:2 payout on a Blackjack. Same with the $5.00 single deck table....except they deal the single deck face down. There is a little bit different etiquette for the face down game.......ask before you play so one of the snippy dealers does not bite your head off.
The dealers are unfriendly at best, but who can blame them? Nobody tips at a $3 table, at least not much, and they are working at a casino that people are afraid to walk to at night. Use some caution in the evening because the walk from The Fremont Experience through a few darker blocks can feature lots of homeless folks and no security. It is a better destination in the daylight.
If you are not at the table for any social stimulation and do not mind a few maladjusted dealers, you will truly find the lowest house edge in Blackjack at El Cortez. To be fair, there was one brand new dealer who used to be a diesel mechanic in the Army......she was just as friendly as she could be. El Cortez needs to clone her and they will fill the tables.
The El Cortez is a great place to gamble if you don't mind dated surroundings, a sketchy area of town and downright rude dealers. For $3.00, two deck, liberal rules Blackjack, I can deal with the shortcomings and would recommend that other lowrollers who want to win head to this old school casino.
Written 1 February 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
🥳 🎉 🥳 Keep Life Simple 🥳🎉🥳
Pittsburgh, PA127,424 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
The El Cortez is an original Casino from the past but has the lowest priced slots and table games in Las Vegas. Definitely stop here
Written 20 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Will be in Vegas soon. What is the buy in for the roulette tables at the El Cortez?
Written 22 February 2023
I’m heading to Vegas next week. What are the slot machines and video poker like there?
Written 4 October 2018
Decent, loose, but not the newest and glitziest. El Cortez has some great blackjack rules, but it’s an older casino. But lots of 6-9 video poker machines.
Good luck
Written 6 October 2018
Is it true that they no longer have 25cent chips for roulette? During the week, it's only 50cent chips now? Thanks!
Written 26 September 2018
.25 cent or .50 cent chips is not per play. Theres is a minimum . Was $1 last year
Written 4 October 2018
No. I’m sorry it took so long to get back. It’s a great hotel, do enjoy.
Written 15 September 2018
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