Binion’s Horseshoe, Las Vegas implodes once-famous Craps pit

Binion’s Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas has been legendary for many things, includingoffering the best odds in town on a variety of games.

Not any more.

Binion’s has fallen on hard times, and actually closed its doors for nearly fourmonths in early 2004 after federal marshals raided its cash cage to seize funds to pay Binion’s creditors.While they were closed they were bought by Harrah’s and then reopened — but the magic wasalready gone.

The long time 100X Free Odds offerings had already beenreduced to 10X, and were reduced to 3,4 & 5X, raised again to 10X in 2008. And wherebefore there was no maximum bet, now there’s a $3,000 limit. And now Binion’s hasslashed its once world-famous craps pit, cutting back from 13 tables to 6. The once10-table main craps pit on the East side has been reduced to 6 with the remainingspace taken up by roulette and blackjack tables.

This reflects the continuing decline of what was once the downtown bastion for seriouscraps players. It was only a few years ago when there was absolutely no limit onthe high side and players could still play quarter craps on a “Bird Game” at thefront table near the Big 6 Wheel.

In 2008 with the purchase of the property by the owner of The Four Queens, attemptsare being made to upgrade the casino pit by spreading it out over a wide area nearthe front of the casino even though the pit at the rear of the casino has now disappearedwhile a new micro-brewery and sports book is being developed… August, 2008.

To see what Vegas casinos we like for craps now, check out our Recommended Casinos for Craps.