Bally’s was rebranded to Horseshoe in December 2022. Caesars Entertainment hopes to cast Horseshoe as a value casino as its brand implies. However, our last Las Vegas Strip survey shows that it isn’t even a value among other Caesars Entertainment casinos in the area. In an earlier post, I compared Horseshoe to Bally’s. Horseshoe also wants it to be compared to the old Binion’s property in downtown Las Vegas.
Total Access Club and Vegas Advantage Super Fan members had access to this article before publication. You too can gain early access to Vegas Advantage articles and more through Patreon for as little as $5 per month! Annual subscriptions are now available for a discounted rate.
Vegas Advantage is supported through memberships, sponsors, and advertisements. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Times change. It is impossible to compare a casino today to one from decades ago. We don’t have the data to do it properly anyway. However, it seems reasonable to compare Horseshoe and Binion’s today. In most cases, Binion’s wins the comparison.
Best video poker
It is simple to compare video poker between Horseshoe and Binion’s. The best game at Horseshoe is 9/5 Jacks or Better (98.45), and that requires a $5, $10, or $25 denomination. Binion’s does not have video poker at those denominations. However, from $0.25 up to $1, Binion’s has four video poker games that are better. Those titles are 8/5 Bonus Poker (99.17%), 9/7 Double Bonus (99.11%), 9/6 Double Double Bonus (98.98%), and 15/9 Deuces Wild (98.91%).
You can play two of those games at the bar. The best bar game at Horseshoe holds almost 4%. Speaking of bars, there are a few machines at Binion’s that have $1 table games like craps, roulette, and baccarat. There are no machines like this at Horseshoe.
Advantage: Binion’s, by a mile
Blackjack rules
Binion’s and Horseshoe both have mostly subpar blackjack games. Binion’s ends up winning here though because it deals 3/2 Double Up Blackjack, which is the best variant in the Las Vegas market. Horseshoe also has that game but pays 6/5. Binion’s also deals Blackjack Switch, another quality variant.
Neither casino has a regular 3/2 blackjack game on its floor. Horseshoe deals 3/2 in high limit for $50. That is only open during peak hours.
Binion’s deals 3/2 blackjack. That requires a $1 Bonus Spin side bet. Both casino floors are full of bad 6/5 games.
Advantage: Binion’s
Other table games
Both Binion’s and Horseshoe have a wide variety of table games. Horseshoe has a few more unique titles, like crapless craps, I Luv Suits, Mississippi Stud, 6/5 Free Bet Blackjack, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. Binion’s only unique games are Blackjack Switch and Dealer Open Pai Gow Poker.
The minimum bets are similar at both casinos. You may find a game $5 lower at Binion’s. On busier nights, Binion’s may be $10 or $15 cheaper than Horseshoe.
Craps odds are 3-4-5 times at Horseshoe. Binion’s has five times odds but makes players who buy the 4 and 10 pay the commission upfront.
Advantage: Tie
Poker room
The original Horseshoe no longer has a poker room. Binion’s did not open it after the pandemic. The new one has a newly remodeled one that looks spectacular.
Advantage: Horseshoe
Sportsbooks
The sportsbook at Horseshoe was converted into an arcade. There is little more than a ticket-writing window today at Horseshoe. At Binion’s, there is a small sportsbook in the back that is several times larger than what Horseshoe offers. Both are William Hill/Caesars sportsbooks.
Advantage: Binion’s
Players clubs
Binion’s offers players one of the best deals for slot points in Las Vegas. Slot players earn 0.31% in cash back and 0.63% in comps on most games. This includes many video poker titles, though some full pay machines pay half this amount in points.
Caesars Rewards pays 0.1% in slot points and 0.05% at video poker. However, Caesars Rewards has many free hotel and food offers that Binion’s can’t compete with due to it only being in downtown Las Vegas, where Caesars Rewards markets casinos across the country to its players.
Advantage: Binion’s for slot points, Horseshoe for perks
