If you want to indulge in some Las Vegas gambling, then Downtown, where there are 12 casinos within ten minutes walk of each other, is a great place to do it. So what can you expect from the California casino?
The California, or The Cal as it is more commonly known, is one of the biggest casinos Downtown, although you do have to go away from the Fremont Street Experience to enjoy it.
Not far away, it must be stressed. We are just talking a few minutes at most on foot.
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California casino overview
Total gaming space: 85,000 sq. ft
Rewards program: Boyd Rewards
Number of Slot and video poker machines: 800+
High Limit slots room: No
Table games: Baccarat, Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, variations of poker
Poker Room: No
Sports book: Boyd Sports
Smoking: Yes
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The California is located away from most of the Downtown casinos and it tries to set itself apart a little too in terms of its options.
In terms of atmosphere and surroundings, the California casino is a very pleasant place to be. It doesn’t have the party vibe of the casinos on the Fremont Street Experience, but that also means it can be an escape for those looking for something a little quieter.
There is a mezzanine floor with games too, and the light décor doesn’t make you feel especially cramped at all.
Gambling in the California casino
While there are slot machines in the California casino, there are nowhere near as many as you’d expect to see given its size.
That means that something else is getting the space and another kind of player is being catered for, right? Well, in this case it is Video Poker.
The California casino is crammed with Video Poker machines and they do a roaring trade, so if that is your kind of thing then be sure to get yourself down there.
Of course, there are still plenty of slots too, both modern and classic, and the off-Fremont location means The Cal is usually quiet enough for you to be able to find, and play, your favourite game relatively easily.
You also have the slots and everything else in the Main Street Station casino at your disposal too. It is a sister property and it has easy access across an internal pedestrian bridge.
Those who love their table games should feel very well-catered for as well. There are 21 tables in the central strip of the California casino and they offer a wide variety of games.
You can play Blackjack, Roulette and a few different variants of Poker. Craps too, and the Cal has the distinction of being the place where Stanley Fujitake once held the dice for a world-record 3 hours, six minutes. History is important, especially in Downtown Las Vegas.
Keno players won’t feel left out too, with there being a separate lounge on the casino floor for them to do their thing.
Sportsbook and drinks service
The California casino, like every other in Las Vegas, offers a complimentary drinks service too for gamblers. We all know the rules here: if you are gambling – and tipping – they’ll keep you drinking.
I have never had any problems with getting a drink in the California casino personally, although the frequency of service can obviously vary with staffing levels and at different times of day.
For many, no Las Vegas gambling trip is complete without sports betting, and the California casino has you covered here too. It is a good size and has a modern feel with 18 65″ TVs and two 90″ TVs. There is also an attached bar.
Rewards club
The rewards club at The California is Bord Rewards. That is a decent one to join because it covers multiple properties.
Both Main Street Station and the Fremont are on the same programme, which makes it easier to earn rewards.
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