TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Roma was excellent

Went to Roma for dinner tonight and it was excellent. Wish I could say the same about the gambling after..

Glad you enjoyed it. You use the valet parking?

Sorry to hear gambling wasn't in your favor - we've all been there. But at least you can look back fondly on the delicious food. As for parking, I'd recommend walking if possible in that area, as the valet can get quite busy. But it's lovely to stroll along Front Street afterward and take in the atmosphere.

We used the Valet twice this last trip. Was quick and easy. We still walked the streets too.

Front Street? Roma is in Maho......

We have been saying this about Roma/Chow since it opened . It's one of the best new finds that has us coming back over and over again! Sometimes we'll pop over for HH and aps! The valet parking is a breeze. I always tip the guys!! I'm Thrilled for Marco!! OHH when you guys go there, check out the brick oven !! Marco had it flown in from Italy! They are making delicious looking pizzas!! Sorry no pictures of it. You'll just have to see it for yourself!!

Glad you enjoyed Roma.

Love Roma’s happy hour and appetizer menu !

Drphilsxm

Sorry, didn't realize they had valet parking. Dumb me. My valet was Eric. He dropped me off and parked in the garage and came back and picked me up after.

As far as casino, we walked into Casino Royale and were surprised to see a $5 blackjack table. Of course there were people waiting in line to play, so we left. We (stupidly) assumed that since CR had $5 BJ, that Hollywood would also. Hollywood has always had $5 tables in the past. No $5 tables at Hollywood and absolutely nobody at the tables there!!!!! We always play a $5 table, although we often bet much more than that, once we get a feel for the table. But it wasn't to be this night. Anyone know if PDP has $5 BJ tables? So, anyway, I played roulette for a while (by myself, which I hate), lost $50 and we came home, slightly bruised, but not beaten.

There's a reason why casinos make lots if money.

Yeah, but I don't understand the concept of not having smaller table limits, just to get people in the door, when the place is empty. But, there's lots of money there, so I guess they know what they are doing.

Also never have understood the decision to have empty higher minimum tables rather than adjusting to demand

Literally, there was no one at any of the tables at Hollywood. I don't see how that helps their bottom line, as they still have to pay the dealers to stand there and do nothing.

Casino caveat: As a veteran blackjack player, I feel compelled to warn others that, often times, low-stakes blackjack tables offer a lower payout for a two-card 21 than high-minimum tables.

DETAIL: Typically, a two-card 21 (blackjack) pays 3:2: For every $2 wagered, the player wins $3.

EXAMPLE: On a 3:2 table, a $5 wager would pay $7.50.

CAVEAT: However, some casinos are offering low-minimum blackjack tables that pay 6:5. That means that the same $5 wager would win just $6 on a blackjack.

In the past 10 years, the only place I've seen low-stakes, full-odds blackjack is at a casino in Reno, NV.

The blackjack payout odds are typically posted on the table. So look for that.

For those interested, here is a more comprehensive explanation.

Bill--thanks for the note, but I just want to start out slow. We are not big gamblers, at least not anymore. Years ago we used to go to the casino every night. Now, it's just maybe one or two times a stay.

Could be because Hollywood keeps pushes. At least they did last year.

Dunno. I'm not a big gambler, so don't pay that much attention.

Thanks for the report. We may head over this coming week and check out Roma.

We had a great dinner there may15th. Marco was such a great host!

Wish I knew you were there when we were on island.

Any photos? What did you and Eric eat?

Louise--Yeah, I know, I'm behind the curve! Just getting ready to post a report now.

i REFUSE to play at Hollywood Casino....Stopped doing it twenty years ago, when the pushes were kept by the casino!! Also hated that the dealer didnt take his second card, till after the table played through. NEVER returned. As for the five dollar table discussion, i also am not a heavy gambler, but refuse to play at a five table. usually the clientelle at those tables have no clue what they are doing, and ruin the table for everyone else due to their stupid playing. Also, too many five dollar players play one hand, and leave. kills the run for the other players. My two cents.