For the culmination of the last four weeks, we decided to get out of town and head for Prescott, Arizona, less than 2 1/2 hours northwest of Phoenix.

Although containing only 1400+ acres, the Yavapai-Prescott tribe has done well within that small amount of land.  Originally, its economy consisted of timber, mining and agriculture along with a sand and gravel company.

Today with less than 200 tribal members they have managed to secure a Business Park, a 250-acre shopping center, a hotel and two casinos at the entrance to the city of Prescott.

Gaming at Bucky’s

The larger of the two gaming facilities, Bucky’s Casino sits atop a hill adjacent, and directly connected to the Prescott Hotel and Conference Center. The view from atop the hill is incredible which is attractive for hotel guests, but not so much for casino patrons who probably aren’t that enthralled by the view.

The casino is unique to others we have seen in the last few weeks in that a closed double door connects the hotel to the gaming floor.   Elsewhere, the hotel to casino entrances have been large and free flowing with no forbidding access.  (There are also two outside entrances directly into the casino).  The answer might lie in the fact that the hotel is a non-smoking property and the narrow hallway that connects from the front desk to the casino is much closer than the other properties we have seen.

Inside you find that there are actually three levels of gaming each with slot machines, but interspersed with table games on two of those levels.

As I walked in from the hotel entrance, I was greeted by a security guard, another startling addition to what I had seen over the last several weeks.  Guards were transparently scattered throughout the facility.  Maybe it was the smaller size of the casino that made them that much more visible, but I don’t recall feeling “watched” by humans as much as I did at Bucky’s.

I had the opportunity to actually see inside of a gaming machine as one was being repaired.  The internal electronics and maze of wiring was amazing.  This was nothing like the old “one-armed bandits” with the pull arms.  It was interesting that the maintenance tech was still working inside the machine when I made my way back around to that area.  He even seemed a little baffled by all of the electronics himself.

I had to chuckle as the gambler next to him was not the least bit interested in the inner workings of the identical machine on which he was playing.  It was his steely focused gaze on the screen of his own machine that was almost scary!

Other Diversions

Although the majority of the evening’s gaming were taking place at slot machines, there are Blackjack and Poker tables along with Keno.

If you need some food, Bucky’s Café is located on the third floor and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Just outside is a full service bar.

I will have to say that Bucky’s is a much more intimate casino atmosphere than any I had encountered in the last few weeks as it does not have high ceilings, huge gaming floors and non-smoking gaming areas.

Low ceilings and a nearly packed house on the main slot machine floor reminded me of some of the small casinos in downtown Las Vegas.

www.buckyscasino.com

Tomorrow we’ll take a look at the excellent hotel property attached to the casino that is managed by small boutique firm with international holdings.

Take a look at our SHOP for gifts for yourself and others.

As I mentioned last week, the newest and largest in the casino business often has only a fleeting chance to be on top of the heap.  Currently in its final construction phases is the soon to open Talking Stick Resort just east of Scottsdale.

East of I-101 is the Salt River Pima – Maricopa Indian Community.  Up to this point they have opened two Casino Arizona properties (the oldest currently next to the Talking Stick Resort).  Within minutes of Old Town Scottsdale, unique shopping, and Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, the Talking Stick Resort property is bound to be a mecca for high rollers … did I mention Scottsdale?

Access to the property is simple with easy on-off exits at I-101 and Indian Bend Road.  The property is located 1 mile east and easily visible from the highway.

Talking Stick Resort - under construction

Current specs for the property include:

- 497 room, 15-story luxury hotel

- 240,000 sq. ft. casino floor (poker, table games, slots, keno)

- 900+ Vegas-style slot machines

- 100,000 sq. ft. of meeting space (indoor/outdoor)

- 750-seat showroom

- 8 restaurants (including fine dining on the15^th floor)

- 10+ night clubs/lounges

- 2, 18-hole golf course managed by internationally recognized Troon Golf, LLC

- 13,000 sq. ft. spa (massage/fitness center, etc.)

- 2 parking garages

As with its sister casino several miles south, the showroom will feature “tribute shows” rather than nationally known entertainment.

Current rates are not available, although reservations will be accepted starting January 1, 2010.

Talking Stick Resort looks to be a major destination in the East Valley of the Phoenix area.

As soon as the property opens, we will update our blog.

www.talkingstickresort.com

www.talkingstickgolfclub.com

www.casinoarizona.com

In the casino business, it’s all about numbers:

- 242 room hotel
- 1,400-seat Las Vegas-style showroom
- 1,000 Vegas-style slot machines
- 12,000 sq. ft. of meeting space
- 800-car parking garage
- 7 restaurants
- 5 night clubs/lounges

Atrium of Wild Horse Pass Hotel

This is currently the largest hotel/casino project to open in Arizona. Unfortunately in the hotel business, fame is fleeting as everyone tries to top each other (i.e. Las Vegas). Within the next few months the area east of Scottsdale and home of the Salt River Pima – Maricopa Indian Community will be home to a larger hotel/casino property (double the room number and nearly two and a half times the square footage of gaming floor.)

Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino

But wait, that’s not all! There is talk of an even bigger property in Glendale, Arizona if “everyone“ can come to some type of an agreement.

But for now, The Wild Horse Pass & Casino is KING!

Fountain at Wild Horse Pass

About the only thing that is free is the parking, but that’s better than most hotels on Vegas strip! Once you enter the massive 100,000 sq. ft. gaming area, the noise ramps up and the fun begins, if you are a gambler.

GAMBLING

Although it’s actually possible to go in a casino, walk around and never spend one penny on any of the enticing machines that seem to be calling your name, you might be one of those who listens to the call.

In that case, there are 1,000 slot machines to choose from. If you haven’t seen a slot machine lately, don’t expect to be pulling on one of those arms on the side of the machine. Today’s slots are totally electronic/computerized masterminds at the art of trying to get your money to become theirs. The clicking sounds of the rotors have been quieted to the extent you can actually hear music emanating from the ceilings.

If you are not a smoker (Indian Gaming in Arizona makes smoking permissible on the casino floor), there is an enclosed room with a small number of slot machines.

Table games include Blackjack with table limits from $5 to $1,000.

A separate 17-table Poker room is a non-smoking area with its own kitchen offering half-price menu items for qualified guests.

So, what if you don’t gamble? There are still things to do.

Come back tomorrow for more things to do at Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino