At 12:01am on October 28, the gates of Circa swung open, marking the beginning of a new era on the hallowed grounds of the former Las Vegas Club in downtown Las Vegas. The air was filled with anticipation as a massive grand opening party unfolded, promising an unforgettable experience for all who attended. Eager to explore this exciting addition to the city's skyline, my companions and I decided to arrive around 10am, hoping that the early hour would grant us a less congested environment. As we stepped foot inside Circa, we were greeted by an ambiance of splendor and excitement, and to our delight, our assumption proved true - the crowd had thinned considerably, allowing us to leisurely take in the sights and sounds of this remarkable establishment.
As we approached Binion's, we opted for the entrance located near Fremont Street. Before gaining access, our identification cards were carefully scanned, while our body temperatures were swiftly measured. Once inside, our attention was immediately drawn to the Mega Bar, situated on the left-hand side. The sheer size of this establishment was striking, reminiscent of the immense bar found at The D.
On the second floor, you'll find another pit, housing a collection of table games just in front of this bar. What sets this Las Vegas casino apart is its unique layout, as it is the only one to have a standard table game pit situated above the first floor.
I love hanging out at the casino downtown. It's got this really cool sportsbook that's right along the Main Street wall. You can see it from both levels of the casino, which is awesome. And get this, it takes up about 15 percent of the whole casino space! I usually play video poker, and the only machines that aren't on a bar top are near the sportsbook on the first level. Oh, and there's another bunch of machines in the entrance of the high limit slot room. But most of the other games on the casino floor are these fancy modern slots, with a few electronic table games thrown in. It's a great place to have some fun and maybe even win some money!
Table game options available
I absolutely love visiting the Circa casino! When it comes to table games, they have it all sorted into three distinct sections. Not only is there a pit on both floors, but there's also a luxurious high limit salon located on the second floor. One thing that really stands out to me is that all of their blackjack games pay out at an impressive 3:2 ratio. As for the number of decks used, the tables on the main floor typically utilize either six or eight decks. On the other hand, the high limit area offers a more exclusive experience with two and six-deck blackjack tables. It's truly a gambler's paradise at Circa!
In downtown Las Vegas, there is a casino called Circa that stands out from the rest when it comes to blackjack tables. Unlike most other casinos, Circa offers blackjack tables where the dealer stands on soft 17. This is quite a rarity, as the majority of tables in other establishments hit soft 17. However, it's important to note that this rule only applies to the six-deck high limit game at Circa. In addition to this unique feature, players at Circa are also allowed to double down both before and after splitting, adding an extra layer of excitement and strategic opportunities to the game. So, if you're a blackjack enthusiast looking for a slightly different experience in downtown Las Vegas, Circa might just be the casino for you.
I absolutely love playing at different casinos, especially when it comes to exploring the various table games they offer. One thing that always catches my attention is the craps odds. It's fascinating to see how different casinos approach this aspect of the game. For instance, at the Golden Gate and The D, the craps odds are set at 10 times, which can really amp up the excitement. However, at some other establishments, like the one I recently visited, the craps odds are 3-4-5 times. That's quite a change, but it adds its own unique twist to the game. Another interesting feature I noticed was the field bet, which pays double on both 2 and 12. This can be quite rewarding if luck is on your side! Of course, craps isn't the only table game available at this casino. They also offer a selection of other popular games, such as baccarat, double zero roulette, Face Up Pai Gow Poker, Three Card Poker, and Ultimate Texas Hold'em. It's always exciting to have such a variety of options to choose from. No matter what game I decide to play, I know I'm in for a thrilling and unforgettable time at this casino.
During our initial visit in the morning, we found that the minimum bet for all table games was set at $25, with the exception of the specific ones listed afterwards.
- Three Card Poker: $20
- Six-deck S17 blackjack: $100
- Double deck blackjack: $1,000
During slower periods, I anticipate blackjack tables will decrease to $15, while most other tables, excluding high limit and baccarat, might drop to $10. This is my projection. Additionally, I believe that the usual price for the double deck blackjack table will be around $100, and the pricing on opening day was specifically targeted for VIPs.
On November 3, during our visit to Circa, we were pleased to discover that they offered a $10 minimum bet for craps, along with a $15 minimum bet for all other table games available on the casino floor. As for the high limit section, the minimum bet was set at $100 for all games, providing a more exclusive and high-stakes experience for those seeking it.
In the gaming setup at the stadium, you can find a variety of games like blackjack, baccarat, double zero roulette, and craps. The minimum bet allowed for these games is just $1. Unfortunately, during my visit, the game was not in operation, so I couldn't gather any information about its blackjack rules.
There are a total of four distinct video table games available, including the popular $5 bubble craps. Additionally, there are three variants of $3 roulette, with two featuring double zero and one featuring triple zero.
Circa video poker
At the Circa casino, I discovered that their video poker offerings are similar to those at Golden Gate and The D. After exploring the options, I determined that the most favorable game is 8/5 Bonus Poker. You can play this game with denominations ranging from half-dollar to $5. Additionally, there are several other pay tables to choose from, including 9/6/5 Double Bonus, 9/5 Double Double Bonus, 17/7/5 Joker Poker, 12/9 Deuces Wild, 8/5 Jacks or Better, and 9/6 Triple Double Bonus.
At Circa, I came across various video poker games with different pay tables. While games like Bonus Poker, Double Double Bonus, and Jacks or Better have slightly lower payouts on quarter bets, the good news is that the other pay tables are available on all denominations. However, the standout among the quarter video poker offerings at Circa is the 7/5 Bonus Poker game.
On the first floor of the casino, adjacent to the sportsbook, you will find a bank of video poker machines. Unlike the previous bank, this one offers a variety of games to choose from, such as Triple Play, 25/50/100 Play, and Super Times Pay. The denominations used in these games typically range from nickel to quarter, catering to different betting preferences. Interestingly, the 25+ play game even allows you to bet with a two-cent denomination. These machines are conveniently located next to the aforementioned machines, providing easy access for players.
At High Limit, you'll find an extensive selection of games available on the Super Star machines. If you venture onto the gaming floor, you'll discover that the pay tables are more favorable, especially when it comes to denominations as high as $10. The high limit single line games have a starting bet of $2 and can go as high as $100 per hand. Among the exciting options at your disposal are 30/6/5 Bonus Poker, 8/5 Double Double Bonus, 9/6/4 Double Bonus, and 8/5 Triple Double.
Additional options available at this location consist of Super Times Pay, Double Super Times Pay, Spin Poker, Triple Spin Poker, Extra Card Frenzy, and Deal Draw. The range of bets offered at this establishment ranges from 25 cents up to $5.
Video poker on the top surface of Circa bar.
The bars at Circa are truly spectacular, leaving you speechless until you witness their beauty firsthand. These bars offer a selection of extraordinary 98 percent games that are truly one-of-a-kind.
At the Mega Bar, you can find a variety of video poker games. We offer 8/6 Bonus Poker Deluxe at half-dollar and higher denominations, which provides a thrilling experience for players looking for bigger stakes. Additionally, we have 9/6/5 Double Bonus, 9/5 Double Double Bonus, 10/8 Deuces Wild, 10/8/5 Bonus Poker, and 9/5 Triple Double Bonus. Whether you prefer quarter machines or are willing to play with larger denominations, we have you covered. It's worth noting that the quarter pay tables are slightly less favorable compared to the half-dollar and higher denominations. Furthermore, regardless of the chosen denomination, all our video poker machines offer the chance to win a progressive jackpot, adding an extra element of excitement to your gameplay.
In the upstairs section of the bar, you'll find an assortment of gaming machines. These include the Super Star II bar tops, which come in both single-line and various multi-line versions. You can enjoy games like 3/5/10 Play, Super Times Pay, Double Super Times Pay, Spin Poker, Ultimate X, keno, slots, and blackjack. Interestingly, the single line pay tables and denominations are identical to those found at Mega Bar. However, the variants provide options for playing with dime, quarter, and half-dollar denominations.
If you're looking for some bar top machines at the sportsbook, you'll find two different stories surrounding them. On the lower level, you can start with half-dollar denominations, while on the second story, the lowest denomination is $1. The games available are just like the ones on the Mega Bar. Now, if you'd like my recommendation, I suggest trying out 8/6 Bonus Poker Deluxe. It's a great choice to have an enjoyable experience at the Circa sportsbook while playing.
Photo credit: Kristina Mehaffey