Gambling Scene in Panama

by the Wizard2011-02-28 13:40:14 (edited 2011-04-27 11:43)

Introduction

I arrived in Panama City from February 13-19 with the goal of exploring its gambling landscape. This post captures the insights gathered during my visit.

According to Latest Casino Bonuses In Panama City, you can find a total of 18 casinos; eight of them offer traditional table games, while the remaining ones primarily feature slot machines. I had the chance to explore half of these casinos, visiting all but one that offered table games. I'll provide a brief overview and then delve into a recap of each casino I explored.

Larger casinos allocate approximately equal space for table games and slots. The predominant machines are video slots, with a scarcity of older three-reel models and games like video poker or keno. The limited video poker options generally come with unfavorable payout structures.

Most casinos are situated in the central district of Cangrejo, but unlike Las Vegas, Reno, or Atlantic City, they are not closely packed together. Typically, bigger hotels have their own casinos that serve more as added features rather than the main attraction, unlike the approach in Vegas. Still, there are three hotels that boast sizeable casinos comparable to those found in downtown Las Vegas.

The level of customer service in the casinos of Panama City does not match the standards I usually encounter in the U.S. Beverage service is infrequent, often relying on a waitress who makes rounds with a tray of drinks every thirty minutes or so. Some cocktail waitresses might take special drink requests, but drinking is generally much more restrained in Panama City establishments compared to Las Vegas.

Similar to the U.S., casinos here provide player reward cards. However, it appears that slot machine users receive more attention than players at table games. During my time in seven casinos, there was only one instance where I was asked to show my player's card, despite wagering higher than most patrons. It wouldn’t surprise me if many places lack a systematic approach to comping those who play table games. The Veneto casino was the only one that welcomed my card when I seated myself. At the Crown casino, I tried offering my card to the supervisor as I began playing, but he simply disregarded it.

A positive aspect of casinos in Panama City is that tipping isn’t a common expectation and rarely occurs. I seldom noticed anyone leaving tips for dealers or cocktail servers. On one occasion, when I made a bet for the dealer in blackjack, she did not understand why I placed two bets in the same location. After I explained that the smaller amount was a 'propina' (tip), she took it without question and set it aside.

The general vibe within the casinos is quite laid-back. Winning seems to take a backseat to just enjoying oneself. Betting limits across all games tend to be on the lower end. For instance, the majority of blackjack tables have minimums ranging from $3-$500 or $5-$500, with about 75% of bets being $10 or less.

In Panama, the legal age for gambling and drinking is 18. Interestingly, smoking is prohibited in all indoor public spaces, including casinos. I applaud Panama for this decision!

Casinos here exhibit a relaxed approach to adherence to rules when compared to Vegas. While both locations have signs stating, 'chairs are for players only,' in Panama, this regulation isn’t as strictly observed. Patrons often sit at tables for extended periods without playing, and it's not uncommon to see someone leave their chips on the table while they step away for a meal. Additionally, it isn't unusual to spot guests dining at the gaming machines or tables.

Blackjack

When it comes to table games, blackjack reigns supreme in Panama City, seemingly having an even greater presence than in the U.S. Here are some general rules that are consistent across casinos:

• Six decks.
• Dealer hits soft 17.
• No dealer hole card.
• Early surrender is permitted, except when the dealer shows an ace.
• If the dealer hits blackjack, the player only loses their original wager.
• Players have the option to double down on any two cards or a three-card total of 9-11.
• Double after split allowed.
• Re-splitting pairs, including aces, is allowed up to four hands.

This is a beneficial set of rules, primarily due to the early surrender and the allowance of doubling down with three cards. I estimate the house edge with proper basic strategy at only 0.12% using a continuous shuffler, which is superior to the best games available in Vegas.

I detail the recommended basic strategy on my website. Panamanian blackjack .

Players who count cards may be disappointed to discover that most blackjack games utilize continuous shufflers. The few exceptions to this rule typically have 1.5 to 2 decks cut off.

Keep an eye out for promotions; during my visit, there was one offering 2-1 payouts for a blackjack of spades, and another initiative included a six-card Charlie rule.

Roulette

Roulette appears to be the second most favored table game in Panama City, and all offerings are of the double-zero variety.

Craps

Typically, larger casinos will have at least one craps table in operation during busy hours, but even then, it doesn’t attract much attention. The Veneto features 3-4-5X odds.

Baccarat

Baccarat is mostly found in high-limit rooms and is played in the midi-baccarat style, primarily attracting a Chinese clientele, of which there is a significant presence in Panama City.

Canal 21

Canal 21 is a variation of blackjack commonly available in most casinos featuring table games. Each establishment tends to have its unique name for it. The Crown calls it Canal 21, while other casinos append their own names, for instance, the Majestic refers to it as 'Majestic 21.' I have yet to analyze the game, but I have listed its rules on my website. Canal 21 .

Casino Hold 'Em

An amusing aspect of the casinos is their consistency in game rules, yet the names of the same games can widely differ across establishments. Aside from Canal 21, there is also a poker variant that I developed years ago, which I was surprised to find during my visit. This variant appears in most casinos, though its name changes—some call it Texas Hold 'Em while others refer to it as Hold 'Em Poker. Casino Hold 'Em Most larger casinos feature compact sports betting areas, seemingly managed by a franchise called Bet $ Win, primarily focusing on American sports betting with lines such as +140/-160. The Veneto, in my opinion, houses the finest sportsbook, offering ample seating and screens, along with a smoking balcony nearby.

Sports Betting

Panama seems to be slightly behind the curve when it comes to adopting the latest gaming trends from Las Vegas. I will go into further detail on this matter within my casino reviews below. My overall impression is that players here prefer to stick with familiar games rather than exploring new options.

Bingo/Keno

I didn't notice either.

Other Games

Here are some focused remarks regarding each casino I had the opportunity to visit.

The Crown casino is linked to the hotel I stayed at, making it my first stop in Panama City. Following standard procedure similar to Las Vegas, I tried to apply for a player card. Due to a malfunction with their machine, it took about 15 minutes before I finally received my card. However, when I began playing blackjack and attempted to present my card, the supervisor completely ignored it.

Crown Casino

Crown

The Crown features 20 table games and 150 slot machines. The table game offerings include blackjack, Canal 21, roulette, and craps, along with a few video poker machines with the following payout tables. The returns shown in parentheses are based on optimal strategy. Riande Continental The Veneto casino stands out as the largest establishment in Panama City, housing 56 table games and 625 slots. Besides being the biggest, I consider it to be the best largely due to the presence of many attractive Colombian women on the casino floor, which makes for an enjoyable sight. The weekends tend to draw in much larger crowds, affecting the quality of selection. I elaborated further on the Veneto in my previous blog entry.

According to LCB Blackjack (using standard Panama City rules)

• 7-5 Double Double Bonus (95.71%)
• 8-5 Double Bonus (94.19%)
• 25-15-10-4-3-2 Deuces (94.82%)
• 7-5 Bonus Poker Deluxe (96.25%)
• 6-5 Jacks (95.00%)

Veneto Casino

Veneto

According to LCB , the Veneto Casino Hold 'Em (referred to as Texas Hold 'Em) Confessions of a Cangrejo .

The table games at the Veneto were:

• Caribbean Stud (known at this casino as Stud Poker)
• Roulette (double-zero)
• Craps (3-4-5x odds)
• During my Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday visit in February from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the casino was offering 2 to 1 on a blackjack in spades. This reduced the house edge by 0.15%, granting a slight advantage to players of 0.03%. With minimum bets starting at $10 and a maximum of $25, it's not every day players find a favorable edge in casinos, so hats off to the Veneto for this promotion.
• Meanwhile, the Majestic features 36 table games and 489 slots. It is conveniently located adjacent to the Multicentro Shopping Center and neighboring the Radisson Hotel. The Majestic offers the most diverse selection of table games, including:

Blackjack featuring typical Panama City rules, where some tables also include an over/under/exactly 13 side bet option. Unfortunately for card counters, they utilize a continuous shuffler.

Majestic Casino

Majestic

According to Blog Hole-card blackjack. I regret not inquiring about additional rules, but I suspect they may not be as favorable as the Panama City standard due to the absence of early surrender against tens.

• Three Card Poker (labeled as Trip Poker), with a Pairplus payout of 40-25-6-4-1 and an Ante Bonus payout of 5-4-1.
• The casino corresponds with the Marriott brand. In all honesty, I lost my notes from this gaming venue. Nevertheless, they offer the usual array of Panama City games and rules, with one notable exception: they were the only casino that featured Spanish 21, though I can’t recall the name they used, which was different from the standard. It was one of the more elegant casinos I visited, boasting superior cocktail service compared to other locations.
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• Gambling Scene in Panama
• Last updated: Dec 15, 2023
• Gambling Scene in Panama
• by the Wizard
• My timing was fortunate, as a beauty pageant was taking place. I wish I could share some pictures with you; the contestants were all incredibly lovely. However, I forgot my flash and the images I managed to capture turned out poorly.
• 2011-02-28 13:40:14 (edited 2011-04-27 11:43)
• Introduction

According to

Latest Casino Bonuses

Blackjack

Six decks.

Dealer hits soft 17. No dealer hole card. The Fiesta casino is affiliated with the hotel I stayed at. Double after split allowed. Panamanian blackjack

During my visit there, they were hosting a six-card Charlie promotion for blackjack which slightly tilted the house edge from 0.12% to a player advantage of 0.04%. Fantastic! If it weren’t for the multitude of stunning women at the Veneto, I would have spent much more time at the Fiesta.

The Fiesta also provided live free Salsa music, featuring a lively band with around eight musicians. I must say it was possibly the best free music experience I have ever enjoyed. There was a dance floor by the stage, and the dancers displayed skills that matched the quality of the music.

Roulette

Exploring Panama's Gambling Landscape - Wizard of Odds Craps Baccarat Canal 21 Canal 21

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Casino Hold 'Em

Competitive slot tournaments with substantial prize pools

During my week in Panama City from February 13-19, I set out to delve into the local gambling scene. This blog post outlines my findings.

Casino Hold 'Em Sports Betting