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El Cortez Hotel & Casino Review

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  1. Casino at El Cortez
  2. Hotel at El Cortez
  3. Dining at El Cortez
  4. Bars at El Cortez
  5. Location
  6. Features at El Cortez

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El Cortez is located just east of the Fremont Street District in downtown Las Vegas. The area around El Cortez was considered unsafe for many years. That has completely changed. The Fremont East District has been completely revitalized. It is now full of life with niche bars and restaurants.

El Cortez was built in 1941 and is one of the oldest Las Vegas casinos. El Cortez has a reputation as a locals’ casino. It offers good gambling, great comps, and affordable dining prices.

Casino at El Cortez

At El Cortez, an exciting game is best known for its Single Deck Blackjack. This game allows players to double down on any two cards, but not right after splitting. The dealer taps on a soft 17 and a natural blackjack pays 3-2, not 6-5 like most Las Vegas single deck matchups do. This makes it the best blackjack scene in Las Vegas. The games are challenging yet rewarding. There are 11 tables and the bet limits are $5 to $500.

There are three $3-$1,000 Double Deck Blackjack tables. Players may double any two cards and after splitting.

El Cortez has sometimes decided to back off card counters. Simply changing stake amounts may arouse suspicion from the pit personnel. Unlike similar venues that ask card counters to leave, El Cortez typically allows those players to come back to the blackjack tables on later visits. It's known for its welcoming atmosphere.

You will find two $1 minimum roulette options with two zeros. These tables have quarter-sized chips. There is a $10-$1,000 baccarat game and two craps options with $5-$1,000 limits. Craps permits up to 10 times odds. Excitement fills the air around the tables.

The casino offers two table games in digital form with $1 minimum stakes. There is a Shoot to Win video craps experience and a Dealers Angel blackjack game that allows double down, splitting after the doubling, and surrender. The dealer holds firm on all 17’s. The display is quite engaging.

In El Cortez, the gaming floor is organized into three distinct sections. The south section showcases a collection of vintage coin video poker machines, a keno area, and a video poker bar. The central zone is focused on table games and the sports book. The north casino area hosts a vast selection of nickel and quarter coin-operated video poker machines. There is a bustling vibe within the space. Full pay Jacks or Better and high-quality Deuces Wild and Joker Poker games are provided in this part.

The sports betting section is managed by Station Casinos. Players may make deposits for Sports Connection right there. That is Station Casinos’ internet-based and mobile sports wagering platform. The ease of access is appreciated by many.

There is no poker room at El Cortez. It closed in December 2013.

Hotel at El Cortez

There are 364 hotel rooms at El Cortez. The Cabana Suites are the newest. The others are older rooms that are not as modern as the Cabana Suites. These rooms may be reserved for about $30 during the week and $60 on weekends. Remodeled rooms go for about double that amount.

Dining at El Cortez

There are three dining options at El Cortez. Subway is the casual option. There is also the 24-hour Café Cortez. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The prices reflect a locals’ café, not one located in a casino. The menu is limited on weekdays after 10:30pm. The Flame Steakhouse is the high end, but affordable, dining option available at El Cortez.

El Cortez is one of the few Las Vegas casinos that will deliver food directly to slot machines. Many items from the café will be delivered by the staff. Players do not need to be high rollers to qualify for this service.

Bars at El Cortez

There are three bars at El Cortez. There are two video poker bars at either end of the casino. Each offers 8/5 Bonus Poker as the best game. The Parlor Bar and Lounge is the high end bar at El Cortez. There are many lounge chairs in the seating area, as well as a long bar for patrons. There is also an appetizer menu served at the Parlor Bar.

Location

El Cortez is located on Fremont Street one black east of the Fremont Street Experience. Its crossroad is Sixth Street.

Features at El Cortez

The second level of El Cortez offers a hair salon for men that will take guests back a generation. Services include a straight razor shave.

The Parlor Bar offers two lounge acts. There is a Frank Sinatra impersonator on Wednesday and Thursday nights. Other nights offer John Brooks doing his tribute to Elvis. Weekends offer guests a chance to take over the microphone for karaoke.

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