Battle of the Bucks: Soaring Eagle sectors compete for chips

The Soaring Eagle Casino is worth a stop.  Unlike many other casinos, 18-year-olds can gamble and take benefit of the free soda provided for patrons. The casino is split into two parts, consisting of the main casino and Slot Palace. They are connected by a free shuttle.  So what part of the casino should you spend (and win) more of your hard earned cash at?

The main casino is the bigger of the two, featuring a diverse array of themed slot machines with everything from “Sex and the City,” to “Deal or No Deal.”  Cards games such as poker and blackjack are available. There is also an all-you-can-eat buffet and special events.  The Eagle’s large auditorium has housed some big names like last year’s Betty White, and many of the events sell out in advance. On Friday, Nov.30, mixed martial arts organization Bellator Fighting is coming to the Eagle. The Carnival of Wonders, a mixture of comedy and dark magic, will be held on Dec. 15 and 16.

The environment can become overwhelming, especially on the weekends. Sometimes frequent patrons like to hog a machine, so getting to a specific one can require a significant wait.

At Slot Palace, the machines are older and there aren’t any table games. The atmosphere is significantly tamer than the casino. However, the lack of lighting can make patrons feel somber.

Slot Palace is also where bingo games are held every Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Though the slot machines don’t have cool themes such as “The Hangover,” they still have the same thrill. The Palace is much less crowded and there is a shorter wait time for the machines. Slot Palace also includes “Little Eagle Cafe,” which includes food such as pizza, burgers, sandwiches and breakfast items.

Many like to play cards rather than a slot machine. Often slot machines are cheaper than playing cards and table games, both of which usually require a minimum gambling amount. The solution? Both casinos have machines where you can play card games such as poker and blackjack, but require much less money.

To much surprise, Slot Palace wins this battle! Although the main casino has a more exciting atmosphere, it is easier to focus on your games at Slot Palace.

A tip to keep your gambling from getting out of control: Bring only the amount of cash you wish to gamble and leave the debit/credit cards at home. ATMs are located in various places at the casinos with insane withdrawal fees and it can be very easy to get carried away. The last thing you want to do is over-gamble.