Best Southern California Casino??

I know that the USA Today poll named Pechanga the best casino in the USA but I have a hard time believing it's really the best. And last night I met up with some friends who said they wanted to try out the local casinos here in Southern California. All of them have been to casinos in Vegas -- NONE is devoted to any Vegas rewards program as they are all "casual" players. That means they aren't looking for any comp programs that will help them when they do go to Vegas.

They are also not looking to spend a night in a hotel -- they just want to get in the car and drive to play for a few hours, mostly slots and video poker.

For ease of travel I recommended two casinos:

Morongo which is actually closest from Los Angeles, and Pechanga which is just a few minutes longer in the car but it is larger and has more of the better video poker.

Pala I couldn't recommend over Pechanga, and of course I wouldn't recommend Rincon to anyone based on their poor video poker AND that it's an extra 15-20 minute drive from Pechanga. Because of the extra travel I couldn't recommend Valley View or Barona either.

We discussed the Palm Springs casinos but that adds another hour to the drive beyond Morongo and I've been to the PS casinos and their video poker is not that good and the casinos are relatively small.

I was in San Manuel once but the video poker was not good and it had the appearance of a cramped slot hall.

Does it come down to Morongo and Pechanga for the best casinos in Southern California?

San Manuel is the closest to Los Angeles by an average of 15 miles or minutes according to most people who I talk to. They toned down their marketing efforts since that alone gives them a huge advantage.
If distance is the deciding factor, San Manuel is the winner.

Both Morongo and San Manuel do not carry what is considered excellent video poker. The slots at Morongo is looser and offer the highest cashback at 0.33% (300 pts for $1). The promotions are geared towards low stakes players. For the table games, the dealers are the coolest on average. Morongo has greatly ramped up their marketing to compete against San Manuel, what their advantage is that they have a resort on site and the food quality is better (I'd rather avoid the food at San Manuel). For a good time, it is the winner.

Somebody discovered that Soboba (if they do not mind the smokiness and lack of air ventilation as it is within a large tent setting) has excellent video poker at the $5/$10/$25 denomination to the few that can afford to play at those stakes. Distance is no further off. For high stakes video poker, it is Soboba.

I already reported Pechanga has excellent low stakes video poker with their new machines that was put in on April 2015. No other casino in SoCal has excellent video poker games for under the $1 denomination. I play majority video poker now so Pechanga is the winner for my own cause. Their slots are loose too.

Pechanga right now is way better than Pechanga in 2012.

Tell more about Soboba please. I saw billboards for free play promotions but when I checked their website it was money back to cover losses.

I'm not a huge fan of Morongo, mainly because I never win there. :rolleyes:

That being said, for slots, they still have a number of Class II slots so be careful what games you play.

You have one of the largest outlet centers in SoCal so there is something else to do besides gamble nearby.

Excellent food selections, from quick service to fine dining. I would say more choices than than Harrah's or Pechanga.

They have a tubing pool which is kind of cool.

If I would ever win there, or they at least comp me a buffet (never happened), it might become my favorite.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

Tell more about Soboba please. I saw billboards for free play promotions but when I checked their website it was money back to cover losses.

---

I do not know much at all about Soboba, I've went there once about eight years ago since they proclaim to have the loosest slots and biggest winners, it is anything but that. I recall being so upset when putting in hundreds of dollars into a nickel Zeus slot machine and then when I finally got a 25 free spin trigger on Zeus (WMS slot) and got a total win of 0 credits. I've never tried their restaurants other than the hot dog stand.

Their loss rebates is based on the first day and will be reimbursed three separate installments per visit. They have no hotel or resort on premise, I do not know what Club Soboba offers in the mail, but if they do not offer good gifts or if the food vouchers are not for top quality food, then forget playing at those high stakes. I do not even have the bankroll to try. I heard it from VPFree forums.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jbatdorf

I'm not a huge fan of Morongo, mainly because I never win there. :rolleyes:

That being said, for slots, they still have a number of Class II slots so be careful what games you play.

You have one of the largest outlet centers in SoCal so there is something else to do besides gamble nearby.

Excellent food selections, from quick service to fine dining. I would say more choices than than Harrah's or Pechanga.

They have a tubing pool which is kind of cool.

If I would ever win there, or they at least comp me a buffet (never happened), it might become my favorite.

---

I was at Morongo last night, a regular who plays the Pai-gow Poker at $50 bets won the luxury vehicle. I learned that the new high limit table games room will open October 22nd no other details disclosed.

The best paying slots are the old nickel denominations ones near the Morongo Rewards booth to the west of the casino floor. The newer machines they've been putting in are super volatile and carry progressives for the sake of low rollers to have a chance at winning big.

They do have Class II machines but you can clearly spot the bingo board on it. It plays similar to the Class III machines for people to notice a difference.

The Desert Hills outlet has top notch choices available for those who can afford more than a place in a Westfield or Simon mall. It is one of the top selling points to go to Morongo, people who win can splurge it on the shopping not knowing they are cutting their bankroll for any possible future visits.

The food joints have improved, Subway took over for Nathan's Hot Dog Stand. Natural 9 Noodle is subpar and Tacos & Tequila is overpriced. Serrano cafe and the buffet food quality got better.

If you play enough, the mail offers you get are usually $25 in free food which covers the cost of a buffet. People who regularly play their cash cow Ultimate Texas Hold'em table game usually get comp'ed by the pitboss, also tip the dealers since word gets out fast if a player is a non-tipper, the pit boss will not likely offer a comp.

The last time I went to Morongo was more than 7 years ago -- and you had to pay for valet parking. Do they still charge for valet parking?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Alan Mendelson

The last time I went to Morongo was more than 7 years ago -- and you had to pay for valet parking. Do they still charge for valet parking?

---

They no longer charge for valet parking as of last year though I see people pay a few dollars in gratuity. On busy days such as this past Labor Day weekend (very busy), it is guaranteed to Black tier Morongo Rewards card holders but limited availability to all others. If Morongo is the preferred choice for your friends, their best games are 3 Card Poker / $1 DDB Video Poker outside of the High Limit Room / Tiger 9 Paigow Poker at the tables / Spanish 21 Blackjack